BEST WINGS
Wings Over Burlington
When a food business names itself after a particular item on the menu, said item had better be exceptional. In the case of Wings Over Burlington, the 35-location chain offers wings good enough to knock out the competition — even in local-loving Vermont. The South Burlington location’s attractive hours — open until 1 a.m. during the week and 3 a.m. on weekends — no doubt helped put its votes over the top. The late-night delivery is perfect for a boozy night. And college kids (or grown folk) partying ’til dawn with a crowd can pick up as many as 120 bone-in wings or more than six pounds of boneless ones. With 23 different sauces available, it might not be a bad idea to try the big box. Mustard-inflected golden barbecue sauce is a foil to a salty dry rub of garlic-Parmesan, which in turn makes a good contrast to spicy teriyaki. Like it really hot? Try the fiery Afterburner Buffalo sauce. OLIVER PARINI
BEST PIZZA (RESTAURANT)
American Flatbread — Burlington Hearth
Flatbread topped with gourmet local and organic ingredients cooks before your eyes in an open, wood-fired oven. Pair it with Zero Gravity beers from the in-house brewery. (115 St. Paul St., Burlington, 861-2999, americanflatbread.com)
Other finalists:
SEVEN DAYSIES 2014
• Folino’s Pizzeria: 6305 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, 881-8822, folinopizza.com • Junior’s Italian: 176 Main St., Burlington, 862-1234 • 85 S. Park Dr., Colchester, 655-0000, juniorsvt.com • Pizzeria Verità : 156 St. Paul St., Burlington, 489-5644, pizzeriaverita.com
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OUTSIDE CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Positive Pie
All three locations of this pizzeria serve creative, hand-tossed pies, along with locavore entrées, sandwiches and Vermont beers. (87 S. Main St., Hardwick, 472-7126 • 22 State St., Montpelier, 229-0453 • 65-69 Main St., Plainfield, 454-0133, positivepie.com)
Other finalists: • The Blue Stone: 15 Stowe St., Waterbury, 882-8185, bluestonevt.com • Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge: 1899 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4411, piecasso.com
150 Dorset St., South Burlington • 863-9464 • wingsoverburlington.com
BEST PIZZA (DELIVERY)
BEST BURGER
BEST STEAK
Leonardo’s Pizza
The Farmhouse Tap & Grill
Guild Tavern
This pizza delivery service isn’t just about margherita pizzas — the Roasted Maine Potato and Goat Cheese-Honey pies are also available on white, whole-wheat or gluten-free crusts. (83 Pearl St., Burlington, 862-7700, leonardosonline.com)
Other finalists: • Junior’s Italian: 176 Main St., Burlington, 862-1234 • 85 S. Park Dr., Colchester, 655-0000, juniorsvt.com • Panacea Pizza (formerly Bite Me Pizza): 457 St. Paul St., Burlington, 540-0707, Facebook • Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza: 18 Taft Corners Shopping Center, Williston, 879-1000 • 102 Strongs Ave., Rutland, 747-9980 • 1216 Railroad St., St. Johnsbury, 751-8500, ramuntos.com • Three Brother’s Pizza & Grill: 973 Roosevelt Hwy, Colchester, 655-5550, threebrothers pizzavt.com
OUTSIDE CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Positive Pie
The Montpelier branch of this pizzeria delivers its hand-tossed pies to clearly appreciative central Vermonters. Go ahead, order the “Old School Supreme.” (22 State St., Montpelier, 2290453, positivepie.com/montpelier/home.php)
Other finalists: • Jimmz Pizza: 70 McNeil Rd., Waterbury Center, 244-7911, jimmzpizza.com • Piecasso Pizzeria & Lounge: 1899 Mountain Rd., Stowe, 253-4411, piecasso.com
This award-winning gastropub offers six different local burgers, with patties made from ingredients such as house-dry-aged beef, jerk-seasoned black beans and juicy local pork. (160 Bank St., Burlington, 859-0888, farmhousetg.com)
Other finalists: • Bluebird Tavern: 86 St. Paul St., Burlington, 540-1786, bluebirdtavern.com • Five Guys Burgers & Fries: 580 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington, 862-7575, fiveguys.com • Rí Rá Irish Pub: 123 Church St., Burlington, 860-9401, rira.com/burlington/ • The Shopping Bag: 166 North St., Burlington, 658-4790, Facebook
OUTSIDE CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Prohibition Pig
It’s not just one burger bringing in the fans here. The Pig has seven regular options, including the house version topped with pimiento cheese, a fried green tomato and housemade bacon. (23 S. Main St., Waterbury, 244-4120, prohibitionpig. com)
Other finalists: • The Burger Barn: 4968 Route 15, Cambridge, 730-3441 • Three Penny Taproom: 108 Main St., Montpelier, 223-8277, threepennytaproom. com • Worthy Burger: 56 Rainbow St., South Royalton, 763-2575, worthyvermont.com
Guild’s wood-fired grill cooks Vermont-raised dry-aged steak and other local meats. Don’t miss the exquisite craft cocktails. (1633 Williston Rd., South Burlington, 497-1207, guildtavern.com)
Other finalists: • EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse: 10 Church St., Burlington, 497-1214, ebstrongs.com • Hen of the Wood: 55 Cherry St., Burlington, 540-0534, henofthewood.com • Leunig’s Bistro & Café: 115 Church St., Burlington, 863-3759, leunigsbistro.com • Windjammer Restaurant: 1076 Williston Rd., South Burlington, 862-6585, windjammerrestaurant.com
OUTSIDE CHITTENDEN COUNTY
Fire and Ice Restaurant
This popular steakhouse has stood the test of time, with historic décor and a massive salad bar. Kids can relax in a separate room that offers movies and books. Lunch Friday through Sunday. (26 Seymour St., Middlebury, 388-7166, fireandicerestaurant.com)
Other finalists: • Blue Paddle Bistro: 316 Route 2, South Hero, 372-4814, bluepaddlebistro.com • J. Morgan’s Steakhouse: 100 State St., Montpelier, 223-5222, capitolplaza.com/ jMorgans.php