Lorain County is home to a wealth of fantastic restaurants, shops, festivals and more. Be sure to check out this year's finalists as they vie for the best of the best honors at this year's Best of Lorain County Party, Thursday, July 20, 2023, at Lorain County Community College. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit pulselorainmag.com/bolc.
FOOD
Restaurant
• Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Elyria
• Strip Steakhouse, Avon
• ThiNi Thai, Oberlin
Fine Dining
• Dodie’s Dockside, Lorain
• Nemo Grille, Avon
• Strip Steakhouse, Avon
Casual Dining
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Elyria
• The Feve, Oberlin
Patio
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• Mulligan’s Pub & Grille, Avon
• Veranda Bistro & Bar, Avon
View
• Erie Steak & Seafood Co., Lorain
• Papasitos and Beer Mexican Grill, Lorain
• The Shipyards, Lorain
Steak
• Diso’s Bistro, Lorain
• Parker’s Grille & Tavern, Avon Lake
• Strip Steakhouse, Avon
Seafood
• Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
• Dodie’s Dockside, Lorain
• Nemo Grille, Avon
Burger
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Elyria
• Heck’s Cafe, Avon
Pizza
• Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, Oberlin
• Olde Town Pizza House, Amherst
• Smash Pizza Kitchen, North Ridgeville
Wings
• Buffalo Wild Wings, Avon Lake, Elyria
• Quaker Steak & Lube, Sheffield Village
• ZZ’s Big Top, Avon
Ribs
• Moosehead BBQ Grill, Amherst
• Parker’s Grille & Tavern, Avon Lake
• Uncle Bo’s Slow-n-Low BBQ & Bar, Elyria
Burrito
• Boriken Joe’s Taco Shop, Avon
• Don Tequila, Amherst, Elyria
• Fiesta Jalapenos, North Ridgeville
Sushi
• Fujiyama, Avon
• Jin House, Amherst
• Plum Asian Fare and Sushi, Avon Lake
Italian
• Fratello’s, Avon Lake
• Nino’s Italian Restaurant, North Ridgeville
• Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria, Sheffield
Asian
• Jin House, Amherst
• Plum Asian Fare and Sushi, Avon Lake
• ThiNi Thai, Oberlin, Oberlin
Latin
• El Kefon, Lorain
• Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant, Oberlin
• Mi Casa Sabor Latino, Lorain
Healthy Menu (Restaurant)
• Aladdin’s Eatery, Oberlin
• Check Please Cafe, Grafton
• Salad KraZe, Avon Lake
Bar Food
• The Feve, Oberlin
• Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
• Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst
Cheap Eats
• Midway Oh Boy, Elyria
• Smitty’s Place, Elyria
• ZZ’s Big Top, Avon
Sunday Brunch
• Foundry Kitchen & Bar, Elyria
• The Feve, Oberlin
• Union Town Provisions, Lorain
Family Dining
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• Blue Sky Restaurant, Amherst, Elyria
• Check Please Cafe, Grafton
Appetizers
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• ThiNi Thai, Oberlin, Oberlin
• Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
Sandwich
• The Arb at Tappan Square, Oberlin
• The Feve, Oberlin
• Union Town Provisions, Lorain
Deli
• Fligner’s Market, Lorain
• Martin’s Deli, Avon
• Rubin’s Deli, Elyria
Pastry Shop
• Blue Rooster Bakehouse, Oberlin
• Kiedrowski’s Bakery, Amherst
• Marta’s N More Bakery, Lorain
Chocolate
• Faroh’s Finest Chocolates, Lorain
• Malley’s Chocolates, Avon
• Suzin L. Chocolatier, Amherst, Elyria
Desserts
• Cakes By the Lake, Lorain
• Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes, Avon, Avon Lake
• Mama Jo Homestyle Pies, Amherst
Donuts
• Expresso Bakery, Elyria
• Kiedrowski’s Bakery, Amherst
• Peace, Love and Little Donuts, Avon
Ice Cream
• Cowhaus Creamery, Elyria
• K-Cream Korner, Lorain
• Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, Avon
Coffee
• Cawley’s Confections, LaGrange
• The Lucky Penny Cafe, LaGrange
• The Slow Train Cafe, Oberlin
Fish Fry
• American Slovak Club, Lorain
• Avon Brewing Company, Avon
• St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Sheffield Lake
Caterer
• Fligner’s Market, Lorain
• LCCC Conference & Dining Services, Elyria
• Tom’s Country Place, Avon
ENTERTAINMENT
Winery
• John Christ Winery, Avon Lake
• Matus Winery, Wakeman
• Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Vermilion
Sports Bar
• Buffalo Wild Wings, Avon Lake, Elyria
• Dawg House Bar & Grill, Elyria
• Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst
Happy Hour
• Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
• Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
• ZZ’s Big Top, Avon
Live Music Venue
• Black River Landing, Lorain
• Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
• Riverdog, Wakeman
Theater
• Apollo Theater, Oberlin
• Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
• Stocker Arts Center, Elyria
Golf Course
• Bob-O-Link Golf Course, Avon
• Grey Hawk Golf Club, LaGrange
• Valley of the Eagles Golf Club, Elyria
Local Festival
• Lorain International Festival, Lorain
• North Ridgeville Corn Festival, North Ridgeville
• Rockin’ on the River, Lorain
Charitable Event
• Blessing House - Rock-a-Bye Ball, Elyria
• The LCADA Way - Pearls of Wisdom, Lorain
• United Way of Greater Lorain County - A Night at the Bee, Lorain
HEALTH
Fitness Center
• 9Round Kickboxing Fitness, Avon
• Planet Fitness, Multiple Locations
• UH Avon Fitness Center, Avon
Fitness Trail
• Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation, Amherst
• Black River Reservation, Elyria
• French Creek Reservation, Sheffield Village
Senior Living
• Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin
• Sprenger Health Care Systems, Multiple Locations
• St. Mary of the Woods, Avon
Yoga Studio
• Cultivate Yoga, Avon
• The Hive, Elyria
• UH Avon Fitness Center, Avon
Healthy Food Selection (Retail)
• Doc Watson’s Market, Amherst
• Heinen’s Grocery Store, Avon
• Vermilion Farm Market, Vermilion
SHOPPING
Shopping Area
• Avon Commons, Avon
• Downtown Oberlin, Oberlin
• Main Street Amherst, Amherst
Boutique
• Goodness Gracious, Grafton
• The Clothing Loft Boutique, Amherst
• Tracy’s Trinkets & Treasures, Elyria
Gallery
• Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery, Elyria
• Elyria Arts Council, Elyria
• FAVA Gallery, Oberlin
Jeweler
• Levit Jewelers, Lorain
• Peter & Co. Jewelers, Avon Lake
• Vandemark Jewelers, Elyria
Florist
• Carlyle Gift and Flower Shop, Oberlin
• Off Broadway Floral & Gift, Lorain
• Puffer’s Floral Shoppe, Elyria
Garden Center
• Pandy’s Garden Center, Elyria
• Petitti Garden Centers, Avon
• Pinehaven Garden Center and Greenhouses, Avon
Book Store
• Ben Franklin | MindFair Books, Oberlin
• Central Bookstore, Amherst
• Commodore Books & More, Elyria
Pet Boutique
• Alpha-Dog Pet Center & Pet Wash Systems, Amherst
• Grateful Dog Bakery, North Ridgeville
• Polished Paws Salon & Boutique, Avon Lake
Farmers Market
• Fitch’s Farm Market, Avon
• Oberlin Farmers Market, Oberlin
• Vermilion Farm Market, Vermilion
Wine Shop
• Giuseppe’s Wine Cellar, Amherst
• Minotti’s Wine & Spirits, Avon
• The Wine Room, Avon
Beer Selection
• 1 Stop Beverage, Avon
• Giant Eagle, Multiple Locations
• Johnny’s Carryout, Oberlin
SERVICES
Day Spa
• Essential Kneads Wellness, Grafton
• Making Face Spa, Amherst
• UH Avon Fitness Center Day Spa, Avon
Mani Pedi
• Eva’s Nail Spa, Lorain
• Nail Clinic, Avon
• UH Avon Fitness Center Day Spa, Avon
Home Builder
• Drees Homes, Brecksville
• K. Hovnanian Homes, Richfield
• Kopf Builders, Avon Lake
Home Remodeler
• Bennett Builders & Remodelers, Westlake
• Northern Hammerworks, Avon Lake
• Remodel Me Today, Olmsted Falls
Landscaper
• Born’s Landscape & Lawn Care, Amherst
• Brian-Kyles Landscapes of Distinction, Lorain
• Schill Grounds Management, North Ridgeville
Dry Cleaner
• Amherst Dry Cleaners, Amherst
• Ridge Cleaners, Multiple Locations
• Tide Dry Cleaners, Avon
Car Wash
• Blue Falls Car Wash, Amherst, North Ridgeville
• Clean Express Auto Wash, Elyria
• Rainforest Car Wash, Avon
CHILDREN
Gymnastics
• Flippers Gym Program, Avon
• Great Lakes Gymnastics, Avon Lake
• Ten Point 0 Gymnastics, North Ridgeville
Dance Studio
• Janice’s Dance Studio, Wellington
• Miss Kristin’s Dance Studio, Avon Lake
• The Hive, Elyria
Learning Center
• Laura’s Learning Treehouse, Avon
• LCCC Children’s Learning Center, Elyria
• The Child Garden, Multiple Locations
Music Instruction
• Avon School of Music, Avon
• Oberlin Community Music School, Oberlin
• Rock Town Music Academy, Lorain
PEOPLE
Local Volunteer
• Annette Corrao, BHS Alumni Memorial Park, Sheffield Lake
• Kevin Krischer, Friends of the East Falls Riverwalk, Elyria
• Lorie Wilber, Partners With Paws of Lorain County, Oberlin
Board Member
• Barb Eifel, Blessing House, Elyria
• Brad Calabrese, United Way of Greater Lorain County, Lorain
• Ray Gilles, North Coast Chamber, Avon
Chef
• Aon Krittathiranon, ThiNi Thai, Oberlin
• Brian Weaver, Avon Brewing Co., Avon
• Dean Diluciano, LCCC Conference & Dining Services, Elyria
Bartender
• Jack Maple, Speak of the Devil, Lorain
• Jeff Gresko, Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
• Kevin Tite, Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Personal Trainer
• Linda Lavalle, UH Avon Fitness Center, Avon
• Louis Forconi, 9Round Kickboxing Fitness, Avon
• Mike Ely, Grafton Barbell Club, Grafton
Master Stylist
• Josef DeJarnette, Josef Hair Studio, Oberlin
• Kristell Thompson, Francesca’s Unleashed, Elyria
• Nicole Dovin, Salon Belle Vie, Amherst
Chiropractor
• Daniel Schaffer, Midway Pointe Chiropractic, Elyria
• Jeremy Watson, Watson Wellness, Amherst
• Nicholas Favian, Xcell Medical Group, Elyria
