Best of La Crosse County 2017: Food & Drink

Best of La Crosse County 2017: Food & Drink

Dining in La Crosse has come a long way from simple pub grub (though of course we still have plenty of great options in that department if it’s what you’re after). The area offers more options in ethnic, family, and fine dining every year, and now we have gastropubs, farm-to-table fare, and even a couple of food trucks. Oh, and bars? We still have a few of those. Here are your favorites in just about every food and drink category you can think of. Congrats to all the big winners.

Bar: Overall

  1. Bodega Brew Pub – 21.1%
  2. Charmant Rooftop Terrace – 17.2%
  3. Howies – 15.1%

Brewery / Brewpub

  1. Pearl Street Brewery – 53.6%
  2. Bodega – 19.1%
  3. Turtle Stack Brewery – 16.6%

College Bar

  1. Howie’s on La Crosse – 35.7%
  2. Brother’s Bar & Grill – 19.8%
  3. The Library – 18.9%

Place to Meet Singles

  1. Howie’s on La Crosse – 27.5%
  2. Bodega– 23.7%
  3. Root Note- 20.8%

Place to Watch the Game

  1. Howie’s on La Crosse – 38.1%
  2. Buffalo Wild Wings – 17.8%
  3. Features Sports Bar – 13.6%

Winery (Within 45 miles)

  1. Elmaro Vineyard – 66.1%
  2. Lost Island Winery – 10.0%
  3. Vernon Vineyards – 9.0%

Dance Club

  1. Legend’s – 26.9%
  2. Concordia Hall – 21.6%
  3. Shooters – 20.8%

Downtown Bar

  1. Bodega Brew Pub – 18.6%
  2. The Old Crow – 16.8%
  3. Charmant Rooftop Terrace – 14.8%

Neighborhood Tavern

  1. Bluffside Tavern – 22.1%
  2. Recovery Room – 19.2%
  3. Arterial Bar and Grill – 17.3%

Rural Bar

  1. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 36.5%
  2. Leo & Leona’s – 24.4%
  3. Fox Hollow Golf Course & Banquet Hall – 16.0%

Sports Bar

  1. Howie’s on La Crosse – 44.0%
  2. Features Sports Bar & Grill – 22.2%
  3. Buffalo Wild Wings – 16.3%

Wine Bar

  1. 4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant – 50.3%
  2. Wine Guyz – 20.7%
  3. JavaVino – 19.8%

Beer Garden

  1. Stolpa’s Stein Haus – 29.3%
  2. The Charmant Hotel – 27.9%
  3. Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 21.6%

Pub Trivia

  1. Howie’s on La Crosse – 33.6%
  2. Nutbush City Limits – 19.8%
  3. Flipside Pub & Grill – 18.0%

Karaoke

  1. Nutbush City Limits – 29.1%
  2. Player’s – 19.8%
  3. All Star Lanes – 19.6%

Cocktails

  1. The Starlite Lounge – 40.9%
  2. The Charmant Hotel – 20.0%
  3. Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 16.7%

Bloody Mary

  1. Del’s Bar – 44.8%
  2. Fayze’s Restaurant & Bakery – 12.7%
  3. The Breakfast Club – 11.1%

Bottled Beer Selection

  1. Bodega Brew Pub – 59.8%
  2. Howie’s – 10.9%
  3. The Old Crow – 10.5%

Tap Beer Selection

  1. Bodega Brew Pub – 45.9%
  2. Stein Haus – 15.2%
  3. Dublin Square – 10.5%

Wine List

  1. 4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant – 31.8%
  2. Wine Guyz – 26.7%
  3. JavaVino – 13.4%

Happy Hour

  1. The Starlite Lounge – 35.3%
  2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 17.3%
  3. Howie’s on La Crosse – 15.2%

Bartender

  1. Dustin Wilhelm, Bodega – 30.8%
  2. Austin Clarke, Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 29.3%
  3. Chris Brandt, Chances R – 15.5%

Restaurant: Overall

  1. The Freighthouse – 16.1&
  2. Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 12.5%
  3. Buzzard Billy’s – 10.1%

Barbecue

  1. Big Boar Barbecue – 55.3%
  2. Famous Dave’s – 16.2%
  3. Piggy’s Restaurant & Blue Lounge – 14.0%

Asian

  1. Hmong’s Golden Eggrolls – 25.9%
  2. China Star – 21.5%
  3. Hunan Chinese Restaurant – 15.4%

Ethnic

  1. Manny’s – 28.0%
  2. Hmong’s Golden Eggrolls – 26.9%
  3. Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 19.9%

Italian

  1. Ciatti’s Italian Grill – 25.9%
  2. Kate’s on State – 19.1%
  3. Angelini’s Pizzeria & Ristorante – 17.7%

Japanese / Sushi

  1. Shogun Sushi & Hibachi – 47.4%
  2. Sushi Pirate – 28.5%
  3. Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 12.4%

Mediterranean / Middle Eastern

  1. Gracie’s Gyros & Wraps – 54.3%
  2. New Taste of India – 30.0%
  3. Royal Indian Cuisine – 14.2%

Mexican / Southwestern

  1. Manny’s Mexican Cocina – 27.8%
  2. Señor Villa – 20.6%
  3. Fiesta Mexicana – 18.1%

Pizza: Dine-In

  1. Kate’s Pizza Amore – 25.0%
  2. Big Al’s – 18.1%
  3. Pizza Corral – 13.7%

Pizza: Delivery / Take-Out

  1. South Lanes – 26.1%
  2. Pizza Corral – 20.7%
  3. Pizza King – 20.6%

Vegetarian-Friendly

  1. People’s Food Co-op – 30.6%
  2. The Mint – 24.6%
  3. Hackberry’s Bistro – 19.6%

Gluten-Free

  1. People’s Food Co-op – 38.9%
  2. Hackberry’s Bistro – 20.4%
  3. The Mint – 18.9%

Farm-to-Table

  1. The Mint – 32.5%
  2. Apothik – 15.8%
  3. Hackberry’s Bistro – 13.3%

Restaurant Chain

  1. Culver’s – 33.5%
  2. Panera – 22.0%
  3. Texas Roadhouse – 18.2%

New Restaurant

  1. Lovechild – 35.2%
  2. Señor Villa – 34.4%
  3. Twisted Moose – 16.3%

Family Dining

  1. Fayze’s Restaurant & Bakery – 31.4%
  2. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 22.7
  3. Hungry Peddler – 16.6%

Romantic Dinner

  1. Freighthouse Restaurant – 17.0%
  2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 16.9%
  3. Le Chateau – 15.2%

Supper Club

  1. Digger’s Sting – 25.2%
  2. Freighthouse Restaurant – 20.2%
  3. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 13.5%

Upscale Dining

  1. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 24.8%
  2. Freighthouse Restaurant – 20.6%
  3. The Charmant Hotel – 15.2%

Caterer

  1. Big Boar Barbecue – 32.2%
  2. Pogy’s Catering – 22.2%
  3. Piggy’s – 12.8%

Food Truck

  1. Apothik – 41.2%
  2. Big Boar Barbecue – 37.2%
  3. The MOB Stop – 11.8%

Salad Bar

  1. Piggy’s Restaurant & Blue Lounge – 37.0%
  2. Freighthouse Restaurant – 22.2%
  3. 4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant – 10.0%

Buffet

  1. North Country Steak Buffet – 33%
  2. Pizza Doctors – 29.4%
  3. China Buffet – 15.5%

Chef / Cook

  1. Chris Roderique, Piggy’s Restaurant & Blue Lounge – 24.1%
  2. John Temp, Freighthouse Restaurant – 13.1%
  3. Jake Mclees, Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 9.5%

Waiter

  1. Billy Poehling, Freighthouse Restaurant – 27.4%
  2. Mark Wuensch, Freighthouse Restaurant – 24.2%
  3. Will Gaines, Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 18.1%

Best Barista

  1. Hannah Carlson, Cabin Coffee – 22.5%
  2. Theresa Held, Bean Juice – 20.6%
  3. Evan Kahlow – Jule’s – 18.7%

Host

  1. Liz Wuensch, Freighthouse Restaurant – 34.2%
  2. Corinna Todd, Red Pines Bar & Grill – 14.9%
  3. Laurie Beeskau, The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 14.1%

Bakery

  1. Linda’s Bakery – 45.7%
  2. Addiecakes – 17.2%
  3. Fayze’s Restaurant & Bakery – 10.2%

Breakfast

  1. Fayze’s Restaurant & Bakery – 16.3%
  2. Rosie’s Cafe – 15.4%
  3. Nutbush City Limits – 12.6%

Brunch

  1. Fayze’s Restaurant & Bakery – 21.0%
  2. The Charmant Hotel – 17.3%
  3. Nutbush City Limits – 15.7%

Burger

  1. Burger Fusion – 20.9%
  2. The Old Crow – 15.2%
  3. Howie’s on La Crosse – 10.9%

Hot Dog

  1. Coney Island – 36.5%
  2. Rudy’s Drive-In – 34.7%
  3. Beef & Etc. – 15.2%

Cheese Curds

  1. Dublin Square Irish Pub & Eatery – 15.0%
  2. Rudy’s Drive-In – 11.9%
  3. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 10.6%

Fish Fry

  1. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 21.4%
  2. Fox Hollow – 14.5%
  3. Houghton’s Fine Food & Cocktails – 13.2%

Sandwich / Wrap

  1. Pickerman’s Soup & Sandwiches – 31.5%
  2. Lindy’s Subs & Salads – 23.6%
  3. Jimmy John’s – 14.0%

Seafood

  1. Freighthouse Restaurant – 31.3%
  2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 20.2%
  3. Manny’s – 18.8%

Soup

  1. Pickerman’s Soup & Sandwiches – 35.9%
  2. Panera Bread – 20.7%
  3. Piggy’s – 13.9%

Steak

  1. Freighthouse Restaurant – 29.9%
  2. Digger’s Sting – 24.3%
  3. Texas Roadhouse – 17.8%

Tacos

  1. Iguana’s Mexican Street Cafe – 19.0%
  2. Senor Villa – 17.8%
  3. Manny’s Mexican Cocina – 17.0%

Burrito

  1. BA Burrito Co. – 31.3%
  2. Burrachos – 19.5%
  3. Iguana’s Mexican Street Cafe – 18.2%

Chicken Q

  1. Rooster Andy’s – 50.9%
  2. Pogy’s – 33.9%
  3. Premier Catering – 13.6%

Tapas

  1. 4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant – 73.6%
  2. JavaVino– 10.9%
  3. Applebee’s – 6.7%

Wings

  1. Buffalo Wild Wings – 31.7%
  2. The Sports Nut – 23.0%
  3. Howie’s on La Crosse – 16.8%

Dessert

  1. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor & Coffee House – 57.9%
  2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 12.4%
  3. Freighthouse Restaurant – 7.2%

Ambience

  1. The Charmant Hotel – 27.3%
  2. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 25.3%
  3. Le Chateau – 15.8%

Outdoor Dining

  1. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 33.7%
  2. Pettibone Boat Club – 18.1%
  3. The Charmant Hotel – 14.0%

Best Late Night Eats

  1. Polito’s Pizza – 39.4%
  2. Perkin’s – 18.5%
  3. Bodega Brew Pub – 17.3%

Pet-Friendly Restaurant

  1. Pettibone Boat Club – 29.3%
  2. Stolpa’s Stein Haus – 25.0%
  3. Red Pines Bar & Grill – 21.7%

View

  1. The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern – 29.5%
  2. The Charmant Hotel – 27.2%
  3. Pettibone Boat Club – 21.7%

Coffee / Tea Shop

  1. Moka – 28.9%
  2. JavaVino – 14.9%
  3. The Root Note – 13.8%

Candy / Ice Cream Shop

  1. The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor & Coffee House – 52.5%
  2. The Sweet Shop – 22.2%
  3. Ranison Ice Cream & Candy – 18.3%

Grocery Store

  1. Festival Foods – 44.0%
  2. Woodman’s – 31.3%
  3. People’s Food Co-op – 16.2%

Butcher Shop

  1. Holmen Meat Locker – 51.3%
  2. Festival Foods – 21.5%
  3. Bubba’s Meat Market – 12.3%

Farmer’s Market Stand

  1. Deep Roots Community Farm & Old Oak Family Farm
  2. Yellow Truck Corn & Hoch Orchard & Gardens
  3. The Great America Pancake Company 

Farmer’s Market

  1. Cameron Park Farmers Market –  63.3%
  2. Onalaska Farmers Market – 17.2%
  3. La Crosse City Hall Farmers Market  & La Crosse Hmoob Cultural & Community Agency Farmers Market

Community Supported Agriculture

  1. Old Oak Family Farm – 22.9%
  2. Small Family CSA Farm – 18.5%
  3. Harmony Valley Farm – 20.4%