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Chowdown Showdown

Chowdown Showdown's Top Restaurants of 2011

From Mexican food to Chinese food to best burger joints, McHenry County Patch.com readers sounded off this past year on their favorite places to eat.

 

Who doesn't love a tip on a great restaurant they haven't already tried in the area?

That was the idea behind the Chowdown Showdown when Patch.com editors launched the feature this past year. 

Every week, we have asked readers to tell us where is the best place to get pizza, a burger, a bowl of chili, Mexican food — and the list goes on. 

It's a feature that is meant to be fun. It's gotten competitive, at times, for some loyal customers. But the main purpose is to give people some new ideas on places to try. 

With that in mind, we decided to list out all of the Chowdown Showdown winners, as well as runners up for that week, in recent months since the Chowdown went live.

If the restaurant is in a McHenry County Patch.com town — Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Cary or Algonquin — you should see a link to that restaurant's directory listing. That listing allows readers to rate the restaurant themselves and read any other reviews left by Patch.com users. 

Mexican Food Challenge

  1. Burrito Grande, 140 Crystal Street in Cary
  2. Pablo's Mexican Restaurant, 230 W. Virginia St. in Crystal Lake

Runners Up: Tacos el Norte in Lake in the Hills, El Molino in Carpentersville (not in McHenry County), Del Toro's in Huntley (which recently closed), El Niagra in Woodstock, Algonquin Mexican Restaurant.

    Fish Fry Challenge

    1. The Tracks, 108 W. Main St. in Cary
    2. Trio Grille, 101 Franks Road in Marengo

    Runners Up: Riverview Restaurant in Algonquin, Red Mill in Woodstock, Chris' Coachhouse in Cary, Coleman's Crystal Lake Bar and Grill, Village Squire in Crystal Lake, Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen in Crystal Lake

      Chinese Food Challenge

      1. Gourmet House Chinese Restaurant in Algonquin
      2. Chen's in Lake in the Hills
      3. The Breakers in Crystal Lake and Plum Garden in McHenry
      4. China Bistro in Algonquin

      Runners Up: Yin & Yang's Carryout Restaurant in Algonquin, China House in Cary, Chen's King Wok, Green Garden in Woodstock, Lily Garden in Lake in the Hills, New China in Fox River Grove, China Dragon in Algonquin

        Pie Challenge

        1. Tom's Farm Market in Huntley
        2. Riverside Bakery in McHenry 

        Runners Up: Isabel's in Woodstock, Measuring Cup in Dundee (not McHenry County), Around the Clock in Crystal Lake

          Chicken Wings Challenge

          1. Trio Grille in Marengo
          2. Wings Etc. in Crystal Lake
          3. Riverview Restaurant in Algonquin

          Runners Up:  Buffalo Wild Wings, Thirsty Whale in Algonquin, Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen in Crystal Lake, Wings and Rings in Crystal Lake, Wool Street Grill and Bar in Cary, Chubby's in Algonquin, D.C. Cobbs in Woodstock

            Sushi Challenge

            1. Bistro Wasabi in Lake in the Hills
            2. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant in Crystal Lake
            3. Kaminari Japanese Cuisine in LITH and Rice Asian Fusion in Algonquin 
            4. Runners Up: Bangkok Thai & Sushi in Algonquin, Golden Rolls in Woodstock

            Pizza Challenge

            1. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria
            2. Buddyz A Chicago Pizzeria in Algonquin
            3. Pinemoor Pizza in Crystal Lake
            4. Tony V's in Cary
            5. Nick's Pizza & Pub in Crystal Lake

            Other Finalists: Nancy's in Lake in the Hills, Napoli's Pizza in Woodstock, Riverview in Algonquin, Papa Saverios, Sal's Pizza in Algonquin, Rosati's Pizza, Georgio's

              Seasonal (Fall) Latte

              1. Pumpkin Pie Spiced Latte from Concious Cup  in Crystal Lake  
              2. Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks 
              3. Salted Carmel Mocha from Starbucks
              4. Peach Melba from Cafe Firefly in Algonquin
              5. Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Panera 

              Pancake Challenge

              1. Georgia's in Algonquin
              2. Bruch Cafe in McHenry
              3. Richard Walker's Pancake House in Crystal Lake
              4. Benedict's La Strata in Crystal Lake
              5. Burnt Toast in Algonquin
              6. Windhill Pancake House in McHenry

              Other Finalists: Andy's Restaurant, Tony's in Crystal Lake, Cary Family Restaurant in Cary

                Burger Challenge

                1. The Tracks in Cary
                2. Parkside Pub in Huntley

                Other Finalists: Rookie's Pub, Cafe 20 in Marengo, Jameson's, Red Robin, Claussens in Union, Dante's in Algonquin, Duke's in Crystal Lake, The Spot in Marengo, Fire Bar and Grill

                  Chili Challenge

                  1. Diced Fresh in Algonquin
                  2. The Texan in Algonquin
                  3. The Algonquin Sub Shop in Algonquin

                  Other Finalists: Village Squire in Crystal Lake, Portillos, Colonial Cafe, Butcher on the Block in Lake in the Hills, Brink Street in Crystal Lake

                  About this column: Each week, the McHenry County Patch sites will be on the hunt for the best place to get certain entrees in the area. The Chowdown Showdown will allow readers to vote on where their favorite place is to get a burger or a latte or a steak, etc., in the county. Related Topics: 2011 Chowdown Showdown, Chowdown Showdown, and Year in Review 2011

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