NWH_Best of the Fox 2022_091722 by Shaw Media

Index of Advertisers

Arts, Entertainment & Travel

ART GALLERY

Best

The Starline Factory

One of the Best

• The Dole

• Aeon Gallery

FESTIVAL

Best

McHenry Fiesta Days

One of the Best

• Lakeside Festival, The Dole

• McHenry Area Rotary Blues, Brews & BBQ

BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUE

Best

Millie’s Playland

One of the Best

• EscapeQuest

Best

• Twisted Limits Laser Tag & Nerf Arena FUNDRAISING

Moms Not Forgotten Mother’s Day Tea

One of the Best

• Veterans R&R Operation Wild Horse Horse Fair

• Main Stay Therapeutic Farm

JUST FOR FUN

Best

Paranormal Exploration Illinois

One of the Best

• Twisted Limits Escape Rooms

• EscapeQuest

KARAOKE

Best

Rocco Z Music

One of the Best

• Double J Entertainment

• Fire Bar & Grill

One

WEDDING VENUE

Best

31 North Banquets & Catering

One of the Best

• Lincoln Farmstead

• Smith’s Central Weddings and Events

Automotive

AUTO BODY REPAIR

Best

C & A Autobody

One of the Best

• Herrick Auto Rebuilders

• Adams Auto Body And Service Center

AUTO REPAIR MECHANIC

Best

Northtown Auto Service and Tire Center

One of the Best

• Quality Tire Service

• Performance Unlimited, Inc.

CAR WASH/DETAILING

Best

Fast Eddie’s Full Service Car Wash & Detail Center

One of the Best

• Unicorn Details McHenry

• Detail Pirate

TIRE STORE

Best

Quality Tire Service

One of the Best

• Northtown Auto Service and Tire Center

• Discount Tire

Fun Fact

This Best of the Fox section will also be published on the Northwest Herald’s website.

Dining - Favorite Foods

BBQ RIBS

Best

Moontime Smokin’ Que

One of the Best

• BBQ King Smokehouse

• Goal Line Sports Bar & Grill

BLOODY MARY

Best

Tracks Bar & Grill

One of the Best

• Ye Olde Corner Tap

• Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern

BREAKFAST

Best

Eggville Cafe

One of the Best

• Brunch Cafe - McHenry

• Benedict’s La Strata

BURGER

Best

Tracks Bar & Grill

One of the Best

• Breaking Bread Catering & Deli

• Goal Line Sports Bar & Grill

CHICKEN WINGS

Best Wings Etc.

One of the Best

• Cullom Knoll

• Jexal’s Pizza & Wing-Zeria

EGG ROLL

Best

Plum Garden

One of the Best

• Chop Suey Hut

• The Breakers Restaurant

FISH FRY

Best

Rusty Nail Saloon

One of the Best

• Cullom Knoll

• Tracks Bar & Grill

Best

Gianelli’s Drive Thru

One of the Best

• Breaking Bread Catering & Deli

• Tommy’s Red Hots

One of the Best

• El Gordo Mexican Restaurant

• Antigua Mexican Grill

MARTINI

Best

Bistro Wasabi

ICE CREAM/FROZEN CUSTARD

Best

Cary Dairy Ice Cream Café

One of the Best

• Julie Ann’s Frozen Custard

• Rusty Malt

ITALIAN BEEF

Best

Gianelli’s Drive Thru

One of the Best

• Breaking Bread Catering & Deli

• Dino’s Pizza & Pasta

MARGARITA

Best

La Trinidad Restaurant

One of the Best

• Golden Rolls

• Ye Olde Corner Tap

OMELET

Best

Benedict’s La Strata

One of the Best

• Brunch Cafe

• Tony’s Cafe

PANCAKES

Best

Carlos Pancake House

One of the Best

• Brunch Cafe

• Tony’s Cafe

Fun Fact

One of the

•

• Conscious

Best

Nana’s New York Deli

One of the Best

• Breaking Bread Catering & Deli

• Epic Deli

Bimbo’s Italian Restaurant

One of the Best

• The Lake House on Pistakee

• Broken Oar Marina-Bar & Grill

DONUT SHOP

Best

Country Donuts

One of the Best

• Roll N Donut Cafe & Douangchay’s Kitchen

• Morkes Chocolates

FINE DINING

Best Region Kitchen + Bar

One of the Best

• 1776 Restaurant

• Montarra

PLACE TO GO ON A FIRST DATE

Best Tony’s Cafe

One of the Best

• Epic Deli

• da Baffone Cucina Italiana

GLUTEN FREE MENU

Best

UpRising Bakery and Cafe

One of the Best

• 1776 Restaurant

• Breaking Bread Catering & Deli

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Best Paisano’s On Broadway

Italian Steakhouse

One of the Best

• Bimbo’s Italian Restaurant

• da Baffone Cucina Italiana

KIDS MENU

Best

Eggville Cafe

One of the Best

• Brunch Cafe - McHenry

• Windhill Pancake Parlor

LOCAL CRAFT BREWERY

Best

Crystal Lake Brewing

One of the Best

• Holzlager Brewing Company

• Scorched Earth Brewing Company

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Best

El Gordo Mexican Restaurant

One of the Best

• Carlos River Cafe

• El Niagara

•

One

Labemi’s

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

•

One of the Best

• Clarendale of Algonquin

• Valley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation for McHenry County

ORTHODONTICS

Best

Conlon Thompson Orthodontics

One of the Best

• Hoffman Orthodontics

• Dr. Gregory F. Kubik, Orthodontist

•

PEDIATRICIAN

Best

Pediatric Associates of Barrington

One of the Best

• Children’s Medical Group, S.C.

• Barry A. Altshuler MD

•

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Best

Smith Physical Therapy

+ Running Academy

One of the Best

• Given Sports & Physical Therapy

• Athletico Physical TherapyCrystal Lake

When

Fun Fact

APPLIANCE

Best

Gulgren Appliance

One of the Best

• Ehrke’s Appliance

• Appliance Marshall Repair

CARPET CLEANER

Best

Clean Bee Flooring & Upholstery Care

One of the Best

• Howell’s Carpet Cleaning Inc.

• Freddy’s Carpet Cleaning Plus

DECK BUILDER

Best

Rock Solid Builders Inc

One of the Best

• Decked Out Builders LLC

• MasterCut McHenry

ELECTRICIAN

Best

Althoff Industries, Inc.

One of the Best

• Loud Brothers

• Independent Electric - McHenry

FENCE

Best

Woodmaster Fence

One of the Best

• Aronson Fence Co., Inc.

• Rutledge Fence Company

HOME BUILDER

Best

Scholl Construction Company

One of the Best

• Gerstad Builders

• Above Par Construction, Inc

HOME REMODELER

Best

Innovative Home Concepts, Inc

One of the Best

• Diamond Bath

• Scholl Construction Company

20 years of the Best

Two decades ago, an idea was proposed in the advertising department of the Northwest Herald. Could a contest be developed that would allow readers to vote for their favorite restaurants, retailers and service providers in McHenry County? How would we get it to our readers, and what would it be called?

The possibility that this contest could be launched by our sister newspaper, the Kane County Chronicle, was also something to consider. We wanted to create a name that could encompass both McHenry and Kane counties. One thing the regions had in common?

The Fox River. And so, the Best of the Fox Readers’ Choice Awards was born.

In those days, the internet wasn’t as important a part of daily life as it is now. Facebook was yet to be invented, and there wasn’t a website for anything and everything. It was decided that a full-page newspaper ballot would be created containing several categories and spaces to write in choices. A reader would complete and mail it to us, which meant Northwest Herald staff had to tabulate those votes. Manually. Although not the easiest to manage, we were able to make it work. Once we found a way to move the contest online, we did.

Fast forward to the present day. The Best of the Fox contest has been held online for many years, containing over 150 categories and more than 450 Best and One

of the Best titles being awarded annually. The popularity of this readers’ choice contest has been so immense that Shaw Local has expanded it to more than a dozen Illinois newspapers within its network.

The Best of the Fox special section is not only a way of unveiling the winners to our readers, but also a way for businesses to thank their customers for those votes. For being named Best or One of the Best, businesses receive a certificate and may purchase banners, window clings, car magnets and plaques to promote their victories. What started as a contest just for fun has become an important marketing tool for local businesses and an anticipated section for readers every year.

To our 2022 winners, we congratulate and encourage you to keep up the good work! You help make McHenry County a great place to live and work.

To our readers, we thank you for taking the time to cast votes and make your voices heard. Although times continue to be difficult, we ask that you support our Best of the Fox businesses, and all businesses across McHenry County. If you are looking for a suggestion for a place to eat or an item to buy, or are in need of a personal or professional service, use this section as your guide. You’ll be glad you did!

– Laura Shaw is the Publisher

Manager of the

Northwest Herald

HVAC Best Althoff Industries, Inc.

One of the Best

• Loud Brothers

• McHenry Heating & Air, Inc.

INTERIOR DESIGNER

Best A-Z Interiors

One of the Best

• White Oak Interiors

• Decor Designs, Inc.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Best

The Barn Nursery Landscape Division

One of the Best

• Forever Gardens Perennial

• McHenry Turf Services

PAINTER (INDOOR/OUTDOOR)

Best R&J Painting LLC

One of the Best

• Christophers Quality Painting

• The Glad Lamb

PLUMBER

Best Althoff Industries, Inc.

One of the Best

• Liberty Oak Plumbing, LLC

• Crystal Clear Plumbing

POOL CARE

Best

Arvidson Pools & Spas

One of the Best

• Novotny Sales Inc.

• Pool Werks

ROOFING

Best

Innovative Home Concepts, Inc

One of the Best

• Dynico Roofing

• C3 Construction Crystal Lake

Personal Services

BARBER

Best

Frankie DeBarber’s Place

Barber Shop

One of the Best

• Beardsley’s Barber Shop

• Slim’s Barber Shop

COSMETIC SKIN CARE

Best

Salon Cora

One of the Best

• Esthetics With MeFacial & Waxing Spa

• Ritual Facial Bar & Boutique

DAY SPA

Best

Salon Cora

One of the Best

• Paul Hyland Salon and Day Spa

• Lakeside Healing Arts Boutique

HAIR SALON

Best

International Hairways

One of the Best

• Salon Cora

• Paul Hyland Salon and Day Spa

HAIR STYLIST

Best

Denise Knochel, Salon Cora

One of the Best

• Claudia Heinz, International Hairways

• Paul Hyland, Paul Hyland Salon and Day Spa

NAIL SALON

Best

Salon Cora

One of the Best

• Paul Hyland Salon and Day Spa

• Queen Nails

PRESCHOOL

Best

Trinity Oaks Christian Academy

Fun Fact

One

• Thomas’ Tails

• Wholesome Petz Marengo Pet Supplies

PET GROOMER

Best

Amanda’s Pup N Sudz

One

• Fur the Love of Dogs Inc

• Lavage Pet Spa

PET KENNEL

Best

Alden’s Kennels Inc.

One of the

• Paws on Pingree

• Fur the Love of Dogs Inc

PET

Best

Reese’s Barkery & Pawtique

This

Fun Fact

•

Davenport

•

INSURANCE

Best

Cris

•

Retail - Food & Beverage

BAKERY

Best

Blessed Little Kitchen

One of the Best

• Konrad’s Bakery

• Rosie’s Gluten Free Sweets, Inc.

BUTCHER

Best

Butcher On the Block

One of the Best

• Kalck’s Butcher Shop

• Hub Market

CHOCOLATE/CANDY

Best

Riverside Chocolate Factory

One of the Best

• Mellie’s Chocolate & Co.

• Morkes Chocolates

FARMERS MARKET

Best

Farmers Market+ At The Dole

One of the Best

• Woodstock Farmer’s Market

• Pearl Street Market

LIQUOR STORE

Best

Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse

One of the Best

• Binny’s Beverage Depot - McHenry

• Sam’s Liquor & Wine

WINE SHOP

Best

Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse

One of the Best

• Winestock Market & Lounge

• Americano

Best

Kathryn’s Bridal & Dress Shop

One of the Best

• Love Story Bridal

• Betty & Beau Bridal Boutique

CBD/DISPENSARY

Best

CannaBliss CBD Shop

One of the Best

• RISE Recreational Dispensary Lake in the Hills

• Sugarleaf Hemp Dispensary

CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

Best

Wear Did U Get That

One of the Best

• Shay Boutique, LLC

• Black Orchid Boutique

FLORIST

Best

Locker’s Flowers The Best

One

GIFT SHOP

Best mum117

One of the Best

• Out of the Box

• Verdant Sol

JEWELRY STORE

Best

Nelson’s Jewelry

One of the Best

• Dalzell Jewelers

• Steffan’s Jewelers

MUSIC STORE

Best Siren Records McHenry

One of the Best

• Rocco Z Music

• Pearl Street Music LLC

Unique reasons to shop at small businesses

The numbers don’t lie. Locally owned businesses may be classified as “small,” but they have a big impact on the national economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics report, small businesses created 10.5 million net new jobs between 2000 and 2019, accounting for 65.1 percent of net new jobs created since 2000 in the United States.

Supporting locally owned businesses is a great way to support a neighbor, but that’s not the only attraction. Here are several reasons to shop small.

The feel-good factor

Doing for others certainly has an impact on the person on the receiving end, but also benefits the do-gooders. A November 2020 survey by Union Bank found that 72 percent of Americans said supporting small businesses was more important than getting the best deals. That may be due to the feeling of helping out a neighbor.

Create job opportunities

Shopping at small businesses keeps those establishments afloat, and it also keeps their employees afloat. Small businesses are the largest employers in the United States. A person may never know when he or she – or a relative – will need a job. Keeping small businesses viable provides a strong job market for locals.

Keep money in the community

The Small Business Administration says $48 out of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the community. Spend the same $100 at a national retailer and only $14 stays.

Enjoy a more local flavor

National retailers and other businesses follow a global business model that may not allow for much customization, but small businesses can provide products or services that relate directly to the needs of the communities they serve. These same small businesses

also may be more inclined to work with local vendors and start-ups than national companies that have global supply chains.

These are just a few of the many reasons to seek out small businesses when in need of products or services.

RESALE SHOP

Best

On Angels’ Wings - Pet Rescue & Resale Store

One of the Best

• New Leaf Home Furnishings

• Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store and Donation Center

SHOE STORE

Best

Achieve Footwear

One of the Best

• The Running Depot

• Heisler’s Bootery

SPECIALTY ITEM SHOP

Best

Fantasy Factory Romantic Boutique

One of the Best

• Material Girl

• Verdant Sol

STORE FOR KIDS

Best

Marvin’s Toy Store

One of the Best

• Kiddy Korner Children’s Resale

• Double Take Consignment

VINTAGE CLOTHING AND FURNITURE

Best

New Leaf Home Furnishings

One of the Best

• Antiques & Eclectics

• Carriage House Antiques

• Crystal Lake Antique Mall

• On Angels’ Wings - Pet Rescue & Resale Store

• Roscoe Woodstock Antique Mall

• Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Store & Donation Center

• Starline Excursion Market

WEDDING CAKE

Best

Konrad’s Bakery The Best

One of the Best

• Blessed Little Kitchen

• Julie Michelle Cakes

The readers have spoken and we couldn’t be more appreciative of the voters and proud of our own residents and team members. In addition to specialized memory care, Clarendale of Algonquin o ers independent living and assisted living—all with modern residences, great amenities and unprecedented hospitality and care services. Take a closer look at our award-winning community.

Data breaches have become all too common. Few weeks go by without a sizable data breach making headlines, potentially and adversely affecting consumers and the businesses they patronize.

What are data breaches?

Understanding data breaches further can help all parties involved more effectively safeguard themselves and their private information.

What is a data breach?

The credit reporting agency

Experian says a data breach is when information is accessed, taken or used by a person without authorization. The Identity Theft Resource Center indicates three data breaches happen every day. With most data breaches, cybercriminals steal names, email addresses, usernames, passwords, and credit card numbers. However, any data that can be sold is potentially at risk in a data breach. How do breaches happen?

Data breaches can happen for a variety of reasons. Criminals utilize spyware and phishing schemes to access sensitive data. Some data breaches are a byproduct of accidents or employee negligence. Computer or system failures may inadvertently make data

vulnerable. The security experts at Norton say that visiting a compromised website, using weak and insecure passwords and/ or utilizing out-of-date software that creates holes that enable an attacker to sneak in malware are notable data breach origins. How to protect data?

Companies and individuals may not be able to prevent every data breach, as even the largest corporations and federal governments have been compromised over the last several years. However, there are important steps to help create greater protection.

• Use passwords that involve a complex and unique combination of letters, numbers and symbols. Try to use different passwords for each online account. A password manager can keep passwords and usernames organized.

• Monitor all banking and other financial information frequently so that unfamiliar activity is

Sports & Recreation APPLE ORCHARD

Best

Royal Oak Farm Orchard

One of the Best

• Stade’s Farm & Market

• All Seasons Orchard

BIKE SHOP

Best

The Bike Haven

One of the Best

• Lucky Brake Bicycles

• Wheel Werks Bikes

BOWLING

Best

Raymond’s Bowl & Entertainment Center

One of the Best

• Metro Bowl

• Kingston Lanes Bowling and Sports Lounge

recognized immediately.

• Only use secure URLs when entering credit card or other personal information.

• Install and implement highquality security software.

• Upgrade devices when software is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

• Companies can use a businessgrade VPN service.

• Patch and upgrade software as soon as options are available. Stolen data typically ends up on the dark web, a part of the internet most people never see that is largely used to traffic various illegal goods. Data stolen from one site can be used again on another if a person uses the same usernames and passwords.

Data breaches seem commonplace today, but that doesn’t mean individuals should be complacent. It is vital for consumers and businesses to protect information at all costs.

DANCE STUDIOINSTRUCTION

Best

Engage Dance Academy, Inc.

One of the Best

• Above the Barre Dance Academy

• Mar Ray Dance Studio

GYMNASTICS/CHEER

Best

Crystal Lake Gymnastics Training Center

One of the Best

• Royalty Gymnastics, Tumble & Dance

• Fire House Gym