It’s been more than two years since we’ve held the Critic’s Choice Food Awards. A lot has changed since then.⁠ ⁠ As your food critic, Louisa Kung Liu Chu chose this year’s Critic’s Choice recipients from businesses that opened after our last awards in March 2023 until the end of 2024 — with a couple of outstanding exceptions. Delicious food and drink is a given. But they’re not simply one critic's choice. You should recognize that they represent our taste at this moment in time and beyond. Each person and place has built a wondrous world that exceeded expectations.⁠ ⁠ Tap on our bio link to read more about this year’s winners. ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ ⁠ Photo 1: Critic's Choice winners are, clockwise from top left, the lobster salad at John’s Food & Wine, chef-owners Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascensio and Antonio Incandela of Mariscos San Pedro, chef/owner Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, the ample offerings at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies. ⁠ ⁠ Photo 2: Best Barbecue Restaurant: Sanders BBQ Supply Co. (@sandersbbqsupplyco)⁠ ⁠ Photo 3: Best Weekly Tavern-Style Pizzeria: Bungalow by Middle Brow (@middle__brow)⁠ ⁠ Photo 4: Best Taco Program: Mariscos San Pedro (@mariscossanpedro)⁠ ⁠ Photo 5: Best Pastry Chef: Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies (@leighomilinsky)⁠ ⁠ Photo 6: Best Bakery: Justice of the Pies (@justiceofthepies)⁠ ⁠ Photo 7: Best Chefs: Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers of John’s Food & Wine (@johnsfoodandwine)⁠ ⁠ Photo 8: Best New Restaurant: Maxwells Trading (@maxwellstrading)⁠ ⁠ Photo 9: Outstanding Chicago Classic: Calumet Fisheries (@calumetfisheries)⁠ ⁠ Photo 10: Outstanding Community Food Initiative: Kitchen Possible (@kitchenpossiblechi)

It’s been more than two years since we’ve held the Critic’s Choice Food Awards. A lot has changed since then.⁠
⁠
As your food critic, Louisa Kung Liu Chu chose this year’s Critic’s Choice recipients from businesses that opened after our last awards in March 2023 until the end of 2024 — with a couple of outstanding exceptions. Delicious food and drink is a given. But they’re not simply one critic's choice. You should recognize that they represent our taste at this moment in time and beyond. Each person and place has built a wondrous world that exceeded expectations.⁠
⁠
Tap on our bio link to read more about this year’s winners. ⁠
⁠
——⁠
⁠
Photo 1: Critic's Choice winners are, clockwise from top left, the lobster salad at John’s Food & Wine, chef-owners Oliver Poilevey, Marcos Ascensio and Antonio Incandela of Mariscos San Pedro, chef/owner Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies, the ample offerings at Sanders BBQ Supply Co. and executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies. ⁠
⁠
Photo 2: Best Barbecue Restaurant: Sanders BBQ Supply Co. (@sandersbbqsupplyco)⁠
⁠
Photo 3: Best Weekly Tavern-Style Pizzeria: Bungalow by Middle Brow (@middle__brow)⁠
⁠
Photo 4: Best Taco Program: Mariscos San Pedro (@mariscossanpedro)⁠
⁠
Photo 5: Best Pastry Chef: Leigh Omilinsky of Daisies (@leighomilinsky)⁠
⁠
Photo 6: Best Bakery: Justice of the Pies (@justiceofthepies)⁠
⁠
Photo 7: Best Chefs: Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers of John’s Food & Wine (@johnsfoodandwine)⁠
⁠
Photo 8: Best New Restaurant: Maxwells Trading (@maxwellstrading)⁠
⁠
Photo 9: Outstanding Chicago Classic: Calumet Fisheries (@calumetfisheries)⁠
⁠
Photo 10: Outstanding Community Food Initiative: Kitchen Possible (@kitchenpossiblechi)