The second annual Best of Logan Square awards have been tallied, and the neighborhood’s best is all here. Who’s got the best brunch? What’s the best family activity in the area? Where should you grab coffee, buy a book or take a date? You voted, we counted and together we assembled Logan Square’s favorites.
Leading the charge for this year’s winners are Cole’s Bar, Flamenco Chicago and Aloft Circus Arts, all of which brought in victories (or ties for first place) in four separate categories. We’ll leave it to you to see which of them won Best Business Name, which won Best Hidden Neighborhood Gem and which won the Best Dive Bar. OK, not much suspense on that last one.
This year, we also included an open write-in question, where our readers could give the category and name the winner. We’ve included a few of those answers—the popular and the humorous—at the end of the awards.
Check out the results from the inaugural Best of poll in 2015.
Note: An asterisk * indicates that the business also won that category last year. Winners without an asterisk * are first-time winners in the category.
Businesses + Shops
Best Grocery Store
Best Thrift Store
Best Bike Shop
Best Bookstore
Best Clothing Boutique
Best Record Store
Best Toy Store
*Play *
Best Specialty Shop
Best Bank
Best Hair Salon
Best Barber Shop
Best Business For Pets
Best Community-Focused Business
Best Business Owner(s) – Name(s)
Rosetta Magdalen, owner of Flamenco Chicago *
Business Name
Friendliest Business Staff
Arts + Entertainment
Best Music Venue
Best Club
Best Place to Dance
Best Street Festival
Best Art Gallery
Best Local Live Theater
Aloft Circus Arts and
Comfort Station
Best Comedy Night
Best Karaoke Venue
Best Board Game Selection
Best Local Band
Basement Family
Best Musical Artist
Alex Auby and
Sharkula
Best Comedian
Danny Catlow and
Jason Folks and
Katie Nixon and
Rebecca O’Neal
Best Unique Event
Food + Drink: Restaurants + Vendors
Best Panaderia
Best Taqueria
Best Sweet Treats Shop
Best Fancy Restaurant
Best Budget-Friendly Restaurant
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Best Brunch Place
Best BYOB Venue
Best Place to Get Late Night Grub
Best New Restaurant
Menu choices
Best All-Around Dish
Plin at Osteria Langhe *
Best Taco
Taco al Pastor at L’Patron *
Best Cuban Sandwich
Cubano at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe *
Best Burger
The Classic at Parts & Labor
Best Pizza
Any at Dante’s Pizzeria *
Best Brunch Menu Item
French Toast at Jam Restaurant *
Best Margarita
The Premium at El Cid Mexican Restaurant *
Best Bloody Mary
The Classic at Dunlay’s on the Square *
Best Espresso Drink
Cappuccino at Intelligentsia Coffee
Bars + Clubs
Best All-Around Bar
Scofflaw *
Best Dive Bar
Best Place For A Shot Of Malort
Best Patio Space
Best Place To Take A Date
Best Place To Work While Enjoying A Drink
Friendliest Staff
Cocktails + Drinks
Best Overall Craft Cocktails Menu
Best Beer Selection
Best Wine List
Best Cup Of Coffee
Neighborhood
Best Running Path
The 606 *
Best Park
Best Park for Athletes
Best Place To Work Out
Best Hidden Neighborhood Gem
Best Wedding Venue
Best Place To Meet New People
Flamenco Chicago and
Aloft Circus Arts
Best Family Activity
Best Place To Take A Date
Best Community Group
Best Community Member
Andrew Schneider, Logan Square Preservation
Best Government Official
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward)
Best Alderman
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward)
Best Neighborhood News Source
DNAinfo
Write-In Categories and Winners
Best Instagram: @toydejour
Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant: Chicago Diner
Worst New Addition: MiCA aka the Twin Towers
Best Circus School: Aloft Circus Arts
Biggest Babe: Katy Skinner
Best Door Guy: Martin at East Room
Best Server: Ingrid at the Chicago Diner
Best Logan Square Trombone Player: Andrew Zelm
If you’re a Best of Logan Square winner and did not receive your certificate, contact hello@logansquarist.com.
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