We've tallied the results and listed the top three finalists in each category. They range from dinner to dessert spots, galleries to farmers markets, festivals to theaters — and that's only scratching the surface.
On Aug. 1, 2019, you can vote for your favorites at the 10th annual Best of Lorain County celebration at the Spitzer Conference Center, Norton Culinary Arts Center and Stocker Arts Center at Lorain County Community College. The finalists will show you why they deserve your recognition. Then, watch for the Fall 2019 issue of puLse Lorain County's Magazine, in which we'll reveal this year's winners.
FOOD
Best Restaurant
- Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Avon Brewing Co.,
- Avon Strip Steakhouse, Avon
Best Fine Dining
- Strip Steakhouse, Avon
- Jackalope Lakeside, Lorain
- Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
Best Casual Dining
- Avon Brewing Co., Avon
- Bar Nova,
- Avon Ziggy’s Pub and Restaurant, Amherst
Best Patio
- Jackalope Lakeside, Lorain
- Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Brew Kettle, Amherst
Best Sunday Brunch
- The Feve, Oberlin
- Heck’s, Avon
- Foundry Kitchen and Bar, Elyria
Best Family Dining
- Parker’s Grille & Tavern, Avon
- Lake Blue Sky Restaurant, Amherst
- The Unicorn Restaurant & Pub, Grafton
Best Bar Food
- Speak of the Devil, Lorain
- Ziggy’s Pub and Restaurant, Amherst
- Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Best Cheap Eats
- Blue Sky Restaurant, Amherst
- Two Bucks, Avon
- Hot Dog Heaven, Amherst
Best Steak
- Strip Steakhouse, Avon
- Diso’s Bistro, Lorain
- Black River Tavern, Elyria
Best Italian
- Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria, Sheffield Village
- Fratello’s, Avon Lake
- Nino’s Italian Restaurant, North Ridgeville
Best Latin
- Mi Casa Sabor Latino, Lorain
- Don Tequila, Amherst
- Fiesta Jalapeños Mexican Grill, North Ridgeville
Best Asian
- Jin House, Amherst
- Pine Garden, Lorain
- Golden Crown, Amherst
Best Ribs
- Moosehead, Amherst
- Bubba’s-Q, Avon
- The Pit, Vermilion
Best Burger
- The Feve, Oberlin
- Heck’s, Avon
- Midway Oh Boy, Elyria
Best Appetizers
- Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Mutt & Jeff’s, Lorain
- Bar Nova, Avon
Best Wings
- Maple Inn, Elyria
- 83 & Chestnut Pub and Eatery, North Ridgeville
- Winking Lizard, Avon
Best Sandwich
- Melt Bar and Grilled, Avon
- The Feve, Oberlin
- Union Town Provisions, Lorain
Best Burrito
- Don Tequila, Amherst
- Agave Burrito Bar & Tequilaria, Oberlin
- Fiesta Jalapeños Mexican Grill, North Ridgeville
Best Pizza
- Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, Oberlin
- Yala’s Pizzeria, Lorain
- Olde Town Pizza House, Amherst
Best Doughnuts
- Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst
- Becker’s Donuts, North Ridgeville
- Peace, Love and Little Donuts, Avon
Best Coffee
- Brew & Stew, Lorain
- Arabica Coffee Bistro, Amherst
- Union Town Provisions, Lorain
Best Desserts
- Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes, Avon Lake
- Little Devil Cupcakery, Amherst
- Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst
Best Chocolate
- Suzin L. Chocolatier, Elyria
- Malley’s Chocolates, Lakewood
- Faroh’s Candy and Gifts, Lorain
Best Ice Cream
- Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream, Avon
- Cowhaus Creamery, Oberlin
- Divine Scoops, Avon Lake
Best Wine Shop
- Minotti’s Wine & Spirits, Avon
- The Wine Room, Avon
- Matus Winery, Wakeman
Best Deli
- Your Deli, Amherst
- Fligner’s Market, Lorain
- Sundays Plus, Amherst
Best Pastry Shop
- Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst
- Little Devil Cupcakery, Amherst
- Blue Rooster Bakehouse, Oberlin
Best Fish Fry
- American Slovak Club, Lorain
- St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Sheffield Village
- United Polish Club of Elyria, Elyria
Best Caterer
- Fligner’s Market, Lorain
- LCCC, Elyria
- Pink Peppercorn Catering, Elyria
Best Sushi
- Jin House, Amherst
- Fujiyama Steak House, Avon
- Mark Pi’s China Gate, Avon Lake
ENTERTAINMENT
Best Sports Bar
- Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
- Avon Brewing Co., Avon
- Brew Kettle, Amherst
Best Happy Hour
- Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Speak of the Devil, Lorain
- Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
Best Local Festival
- North Ridgeville Corn Festival, North Ridgeville
- FireFish Festival, Lorain
- Lorain International Festival, Lorain
Best Wine Tasting
- Matus Winery, Wakeman
- John Christ Winery, Avon Lake
- Vermilion Valley Vineyards, Wakeman
Best Theater
- Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
- Stocker Arts Center (of Lorain County Community College), Elyria
- Amherst Cinema, Amherst
HEALTH
Best Fitness Center
- Splash Zone, Oberlin
- UH Avon Health Center, Avon
- Mercy Health & Recreation Center, Amherst
Best Fitness Trail
- Beaver Creek, Amherst
- French Creek, Sheffield Village
- Bur Oak, LaGrange
Best Senior Living
- Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin
- Sprenger Health Care Systems, Avon Lake
- St. Mary of the Woods, Avon
Best Yoga
- 3 Sisters, Avon
- Unwind Yoga, Amherst
- Threads of Wellness, Lorain
Best Healthy Menu
- Aladdin’s Eatery, Lakewood
- Black River Café, Oberlin
- Salad Kraze, Avon Lake
Best Charitable Event
- Difference Makers Gala, Elyria
- L’Amour du Vin/Arthritis Foundation, Avon
- LCADA Way Pearls of Wisdom, Lorain
SHOPPING
Best Florist
- Puffer’s Floral Shoppe, Elyria
- Off Broadway Floral & Gift, Lorain
- Zelek Flower Shop, Lorain
Best Garden Center
- Petitti Garden Centers, Avon
- Don Mould’s Plantation Garden Center and Nursery, North Ridgeville
- Pandy’s Premier Garden Center, Elyria
Best Retail Beer Selection
- Heinen’s Grocery Store, Warrensville Heights
- Giuseppe’s Wine Cellar, Amherst
- Johnny’s Carryout, Oberlin
Best Book Store
- Ben Franklin & Mindfair Books, Oberlin
- Commodore Books & More, Elyria
- Central Bookstore, Amherst
Best Jeweler
- Vandemark Jewelers, Elyria
- Peter & Co., Avon
- Lake Nielsen Jewelers, Lorain
Best Shopping Center
- Downtown Amherst, Amherst
- Avon Commons/First Interstate Properties, Lyndhurst
- Olde Avon Village, Avon
Best Boutique
- The Mermaid’s Tale, Amherst
- Puffer’s Floral Shoppe, Elyria
- Etc. Boutique & Gifts, Amherst
Best Farmers Market
- Vermilion Farm Market, Vermilion
- Elyria Farmers Market/Invest Elyria, Elyria
- Oberlin Farmers Market, Oberlin
Best Gallery Creative
- Space Avon, Avon
- FAVA Gallery, Oberlin
- Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery, Elyria
Best Health Food Selection
- Dietary Health Foods, Elyria
- Heinen’s Grocery Store, Warrensville Heights
- Aladdin’s Eatery, Oberlin
Best Dry Cleaner
- Ridge Cleaners, Avon Lake
- Hale’s & Kern’s Cleaners, Elyria
- Crystal Clear Cleaners, Lorain
SERVICES
Best Mani Pedi
- Exhale Spa at UH Avon Health Center, Avon
- A David Anthony Salon + Spa, Lorain
- Blue Water Salon & Spa, Grafton
Best Pet Boutique
- Alpha-Dog Pet Center, Amherst
- Paws by the Lake, Avon
- Lake Bevan’s Pet Center, Lorain
Best Car Wash
- Blue Falls Car Wash, Avon
- Goo Goo, Avon
- Ridgeville Wash Wizzard, North Ridgeville
Best Day Spa
- Westwinds Massage Therapy, Amherst
- Exhale Spa at UH Avon Health Center, Avon
- The Kneaded Touch, Amherst
CHILDREN
Best Dance Studio
- JAM Dance Academy, North Ridgeville
- Miss Jacqui’s Dance, Avon
- Lake Miss Kristin’s Dance Studio, Avon Lake
Best Gymnastics
- Ten Point O, North Ridgeville
- Flippers Gym Program, Avon
- Great Lakes Gymnastics, Avon Lake
Best Learning Center
- Laura’s Learning Treehouse, Avon
- The Child Garden Oberlin, Oberlin
- LCCC Children’s Learning Center, Elyria
Best Music Instruction
- The Woodshed, Oberlin
- Koss Music Center, Lorain
- Avon School of Music, Avon
PEOPLE
Bartender
- Jamie Smith - Fort’s Tavern, Wellington
- Jeff Gresko - Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Kurt Hernon - Speak of the Devil, Lorain
Best Local Volunteer
- Keith Brown - United Way, Lorain
- Ed Wacker - Love INC of Lorain County, Elyria
- Al Harsar - Lorain Historical Society, Lorain
Best Board Member
- Dr. Jeremy Watson - Amherst Rotary Club, Amherst
- KeriAnn Roach - North Ridgeville Corn Festival, North Ridgeville
- Dr. Donald Sheldon - Lorain County Free Clinic, Lorain
Best Chef
- Anthony Martorello - Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
- Brian Weaver - Avon Brewing Co., Avon
- Jason Herman - LCCC, Elyria
Best Personal Trainer
- Linda Vilagi - Mercy Health & Recreation Center, Amherst
- Jordan Smith - Fitness Center at UH Avon Health Center, Avon
- Gina Shaffer - Fitness Center at UH Avon Health Center, Avon
Best Master Stylist
- Kelsey Watson - Hairess Salon, Amherst
- Shanna Freeman - A David Anthony Salon Spa + Hair Studio, Lorain
- Bergan Dickinson - A David Anthony Salon Spa + Hair Studio, Lorain
