Best of 2021

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Congratulations to Hinsdale Magazine’s 2021 “BEST of Reader Favorites”!

By Larry Atseff

2021 marks the sixth year we have asked you to vote for the “BEST of Reader Favorites” across more than 40 categories, ranging from all types of eating places, to home remodelers, repair services, cleaners, salons and more. In another most unusual year for all of us, as businesses and customers of businesses, we have had to make many adjustments to cope with the pandemic. In the case of the businesses, they adjusted, but did not compromise. They have explained what they have done to accommodate needs for safety of customers and employees; they have introduced new services; they have kept what people have always expected; they have praised their employees, who are often overlooked. Instead of staying home bound, these people have come in, every day, to stock shelves, make the meals, serve the meals, work the registers, use their knowledge and talent to serve, make the deliveries and, above all, make sure each business is safe for business. On behalf of all the businesses, thank you.

FOOD AND DRINK

ASIAN
Roka Akor, Oak Brook / Nabuki, Hinsdale / Wild Ginger, Hinsdale

FRENCH/INTERNATIONAL
Marco’s Kitchen, La Grange / Mon Ami Gabi / Oak Brook Vie, Western Springs

ITALIAN
Capri Ristorante, Burr Ridge / Antico Posto, Oak Brook / Il Poggiolo Ristorante, Hinsdale

MEXICAN
Cilantro Taco Grill, Oak Brook / Taco Grill, Westmont / Uncle Julio’s, Lombard

SEAFOOD
Devon Seafood & Steak, Oakbrook Terrace / Parker’s, Downers Grove / Roka Akor, Oak Brook

STEAK
Gibsons, Oak Brook / Steak + Vine, La Grange / Vistro Prime, Hinsdale

SUSHI
Nabuki, Hinsdale / Kona Grill, Lombard / Sushi House, Westmont

IRISH PUB
Ballydoyle, Downers Grove / Irish Times, Brookfield / Palmer Pace, LaGrange

SPORTS BAR
Fuller House, Hinsdale / Grill 89, Westmont / York Tavern, Oak Brook

BREWERY
Emmett’s Brewing Co., Downers Grove / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Goldfinger Brewing Co.,Downers Grove

SWEET SPOTS & MORE

BAKERY
Kirschbaum’s, Western Springs / Kirsten’s Danish Bakery, Burr Ridge / Toni Patisserie and Café, Hinsdale

BREAKFAST
Egg Harbor Café, Hinsdale / Page’s Restaurant, Hinsdale / Yia Yia’s Pancake House, Hinsdale

BRUNCH
Grill 89, Westmont / Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace / The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook

COFFEE HOUSE
Cafe La Fortuna, Hinsdale / Steam Coffee Co., Oak Brook / Toni Patisserie and Café, Hinsdale

BARBECUE
Chuck’s Southern Comforts Café, Darien / Mission BBQ, Downers Grove / Uncle Bub’s BBQ, Westmont

BURGER
Country House, Clarendon Hills / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Urban Counter, Hinsdale

ICE CREAM
Andy’s Frozen Custard, Countryside / The Daily Scoop, Clarendon Hills / Oberweis, Western Springs

SANDWICHES
Fontano’s Subs, Hinsdale / Labriola Bakery, Lombard / Kramer Foods, Hinsdale

CASUAL
Country House, Clarendon Hills / Fuller House, Hinsdale / Standard Market, Westmont

OUTDOOR DINING
Gibsons, Oak Brook / Palmer Place, La Grange / Topaz Café, Burr Ridge

PIZZA
Giuliano’s Pizza, Hinsdale / LaBarra, Lombard / Lou Malnati’s, Western Springs

LUXURY & STYLE

JEWELERS
Bella Cosa, Willowbrook / Merry Richards, Oakbrook Terrace / Caffray Jewellers, Hinsdale

HAIR SALON/SPA
I Design Salon & Blow Dry Bar, Hinsdale / Zazu Salon, Hinsdale / Mario Tricoci, Oak Brook

MANICURE/PEDICURE
Mario Tricoci, Oak Brook / Elysian Nail Spa, Hinsdale / Mani & Pedi, Hinsdale

LUXURY HOTEL
LeMeridien, Oak Brook / The Drake Hotel, Oak Brook / The Peninsula, Chicago

FITNESS CENTER
Life Time Fitness, Burr Ridge / Five Seasons, Burr Ridge / Midtown Athletic Club, Willowbrook

YOGA/PILATES
CorePower Yoga, Hinsdale / Pure Barre, Willowbrook / Energie Pilates, Hinsdale

WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE
Alixandra Collections, Hinsdale / Sweet William, Hinsdale / Vintage Charm, Hinsdale

HOME & LIFESTYLE

FURNITURE/DECOR
Restoration Hardware, Oak Brook / Darvin Furniture, Orland Park / Walter E. Smithe, Oak Brook

HOME IMPROVEMENT/CONTRACTOR
Closets by Design, Downers Grove / Oakley Builders, Downers Grove / Drury Design, Glen Ellyn

FLORIST/LANDSCAPER
Jane’s Blue Iris, Hinsdale / Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts, Hinsdale / Jane Dilworth Landscaping, Downers Grove

GROCERS
Kramer Foods, Hinsdale / Whole Foods, Hinsdale / Standard Market, Westmont

DRY CLEANERS
Hinsdale Cleaners, Hinsdale / Gateway Cleaners, Hinsdale / Silk Road Cleaners, Hinsdale

FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
Evergreen Bank, Hinsdale / Chase Bank, Hinsdale / Hinsdale Bank & Trust, Hinsdale

FINANCIAL PLANNER
Barrett Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Hinsdale / Northwestern Mutual, Hinsdale / MPI Wealth Management, Hinsdale

HOSPITAL/HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
AMITA Health, Hinsdale / DuPage Medical Group, Hinsdale / Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, Elmhurst / Loyola Medicine, Burr Ridge

GENERAL DENTISTRY/COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Hinsdale Dentistry, Hinsdale / Thomas Orthodontics, Hinsdale / Weller Dental, Hinsdale

MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
Hinsdale Orthopaedics-Dr. Patel, Hinsdale / Hinsdale Orthopaedics-Dr. Daley, Hinsdale / Steil Dermatology, Hinsdale

AUTO SALES & SERVICE
Bettenhausen Auto, Tinley Park / Continental AutoSports, Hinsdale / Napleton Auto, Westmont / Infinity of Clarendon Hills

Author

Ahmed will graduate from HCHS this spring and hopes to study law.

Model Student

DG W Cover 2

Rustic Elegance

EM-W-1-Cover

Music and Mentorship

OB Cover + HM - Sophia Ibrahim - 1W

In Harmony

HM OB DG EM - Home Upgrades - W

Renovations Worth Every Dollar

HM-OB-DG-EM-W2-Home-Org-2

Home Organizing Trends

HM OB DG EM - Homes Through the Decades - W

Built for the Times

Candid photo of the original creator of the technique used explaining the process and showing on his phone

Laying the Foundation

Fair captured the
atmosphere and key moments at the Rotary GroveFest in Downers Grove this past summer.

Behind the Lens

Clarendon Hills Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society (CHIW) is composed of 50 volunteers who are dedicated to fundraising and supporting the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in Chicago. <br><i>Photos courtesy of the CHIW Light Up the Night Masquerade Ball in 2025</i>

A Gala for Giving

Sunday Funday players run a play in flag football last fall

Just Having Fun

Winners of Chef Showdown 2025: Garry Smith, General Manager, VAI’s Naperville; Karen Wells, Participant Sous Chef, Make-A-Wish Foundation; Kyle Koller, Participant Head Chef, Entourage Naperville; Dustin Wilson, Participant Sous Chef, Wellness House; and Sandy Georganas, Guest and Partner, VAI’s and Entourage Hospitality Group

Chef Showdown