Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2024 

The Chicago Reader "Best Of" 2024 Winners have been announced!

 

Thank you for voting for and supporting the hard-working, passionate businesses of Wicker Park Bucktown!

 

Check out the list of local winners below:

Arts & Culture

 

Best Art Gallery - SoNa Chicago Art Gallery (Winner)

 

Best Theater Bar or Lobby - The Den Theatre (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Venue for Stand-Up - The Den Theatre (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Venue for Theater - The Den Theatre (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Buy Local

 

Best Florist - A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Hair Dresser - Eli Mancha (Bang! Salon) (Winner)

 

Best Hair Salon - Bang! Salon (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Home Furnishings - Velvet Goldmine (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Kids Clothing - The Red Balloon (Winner)

 

Best Place to Buy Gender-Neutral Clothing - Big Bud Press (Winner)

 

Best Place to Buy Local Wares - Neighborly (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Place to Get Married - The Joinery (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Record Store - Reckless Records (Winner)

Best Sex Toy Shop - Pleasure Chest (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best T-shirt Shop - Transit Tees (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Cannabis

 

Best “Adult Use” (rec) Budtender - Sara Allen - Spark’d Wicker Park (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Cannabis Accessory Boutique (Non-dispensary) - St. Lucia (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Local CBD Source (local non-dispensary shop or brand) - CBD Kratom (1st Runner-Up)

 

Food & Drink

 

Best Bakery - Lost Larson (Winner), Mindy’s Bakery (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Bang for your Buck - Redhot Ranch (Winner)

 

Best Burger - Redhot Ranch (Winner), Small Cheval (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Caribbean Restaurant - Irazu (Winner)

 

Best Carryout or Delivery Cocktails - The Violet Hour (Winner)

 

Best Chinese Restaurant - Chef’s Special (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Chinese Takeout or Delivery - Chengdu Impression (1st Runner-Up), Chef’s Special (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Cocktail - Queen Mary (Winner)

 

Best Falafel - Sultan’s Market (Winner)

 

Best Fried Chicken Shack - Harold’s Chicken (Winner)

 

Best Gluten-Free Pizza - Paulie Gee’s (Winner)

 

Best Ice Cream - Margie’s Candies (Winner), Jeni’s (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Italian Restaurant - Club Lucky (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant - Sultan’s Market (Winner)

 

Best Overall Restaurant - Le Bouchon (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Pizza - Paulie Gee’s (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Polish Restaurant - Pierogi Kitchen (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Taqueria - Taqueria Chingon (Winner)

 

Best Vegan Restaurant - Handlebar (Winner)

 

Best Vegetarian Restaurant - Handlebar (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Vietnamese Restaurant - Phodega (1st Runner-Up)

 

Music & Nightlife

 

Best 4 AM Bar - Estelle’s (1st Runner-Up)

 

Best Established Bar - Queen Mary (2nd Runner-Up)

 

Best Hip-Hop Party - 606 Open Mic Tuesdays at Subterranean (Winner)

 

Best Venue for Jazz - Dorian’s (1st Runner-Up)

 

Sports & Recreation

 

Best Place to Skate (Roller or Board) - 606 (1st Runner-Up)