The Chicago Reader has announced winners for their 2023 “Best Of Chicago” awards and Ravenswood businesses are all over the list! Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce members took home a handful of top spots, with notable repeat winners including District, Half Acre Beer, Hazel, and KOVAL Distillery.
A variety of local shops and restaurants were recognized as Runners-Up in the annual poll, which is determined by readers online. To no one’s surprise, Chicago loves to eat and drink in Ravenswood! Voters also again spotlighted the Ravenswood Community Council’s 2022 mural project, For My Neighbors With Love, as well as the Thirsty Ears classical music festival on Wilson Ave.
We’re proud have so many of Chicago best small businesses as a part of our organization and our community! Check out our recap of all the winners below.
FOOD & DRINK
✶Best Local Beer
Half Acre Beer Co., 2050 W Balmoral
✶Best Local Distillery
KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N Ravenswood
✶Best Local Grocer
HarvesTime Food, 2632 W Lawrence
Best Barista
Ryan Haynes of Ridman’s Coffee, 4758 N Clark (First Runner-Up)
Best Cocktail
The Victor Bar, 4011 N Damen (1st Runner-Up)
Best Gluten-Free Pizza
Spacca Napoli, 1769 W Sunnyside (1st Runner-Up)
Best Local Brewery
Half Acre Beer Co., 2050 W Balmoral (1st Runner-Up)
Best Local Spirit
KOVAL Cranberry Gin Liqueur from KOVAL Distillery, 4241 N Ravenswood (1st Runner-Up)
Best Pizza
Spacca Napoli, 1769 W Sunnyside (1st Runner-Up)
Best Preserves
Spoken Cafe, 1812 W Montrose (1st Runner-Up)
Best Caribbean Restaurant
BienMeSabe Venezuelan Cafe & Restaurant, 1637 W Montrose (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Food Relief Effort
Common Pantry, 3908 N Lincoln (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Sourdough
R&A Sourdough, 1938 W Lawrence (2nd Runner-Up)
ARTS & CULTURE
✶Best New Nonfiction Book by a Chicagoan
A Kids Book About Pronouns by Dr. Courtney Wells, and Lee Wells
Best Movie Theater
The Davis Theater, 4614 N Lincoln (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Mural
For My Neighbors With Love by Ponnopozz, Ravenswood & Berteau (2nd Runner-Up)
MUSIC & NIGHTLIFE
✶Best Lesbian Bar
Nobody’s Darling, 1744 W Balmoral Ave
Best Music Podcast
CHIRP Radio, 4045 N Rockwell (1st Runner-Up)
Best Classical Music Event
Thirsty Ears Festival (2nd Runner-Up)
BUY LOCAL
✶Best Home Furnishings
District, 4835 N Damen
✶Best Place to Buy Gender-Neutral Clothing
Hazel, 1835 W Montrose
✶Best Veterinarian
Ravenswood Animal Hospital, 2752 W Montrose
Best Kids Clothing
Cloud and Bunny, 1600 W Montrose (1st Runner-Up)
Best Place to Buy Men’s Clothing
Hazel Apparel, 1825 W Montrose (1st Runner-Up)
Best Place to Get Pictures Framed
Blackbird Framing, 4428 N Ravenswood (1st Runner-Up)
Best Veterinarian
BLVD Vet Ravenswood, 4646 N Damen (1st Runner-Up)
Best Auto Repair Shop
Speedline Auto and Tire, 5250 N Damen (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Pet Store
Urban Pooch Canine Life Center, 4501 N Ravenswood (2nd Runner-Up)
CITY LIFE
✶Best Alderperson
Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward
✶Best Language Instruction
DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western
✶Best Place to Throw a Party
DANK Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N Western
Best Elected Official in Chicago
Ald. Vasquez, 40th Ward (1st Runner-Up)
Best Library Branch
Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N Lincoln (1st Runner-Up)
Best Place to Work
Mind Chicago, 4411 N Ravenswood (1st Runner-Up)
Best Doctor
Dr. David Meyerson of Mind Chicago, 4411 N Ravenswood (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Overall Radio Station
CHIRP Radio, 4045 N Rockwell (2nd Runner-Up)
Best Radio DJ
Ninja at CHIRP Radio, 4045 N Rockwell (2nd Runner-Up)
For the complete Reader Best of Chicago 2023 issue, click here.
