Every year, the Daily asks the student body what companies and organizations in Ames they think are the best of the best. Below are the top from the drinking, dining and entertainment category.

The Daily will release the rest of the categories throughout the week. 

Best New Restaurant: Chick-fil-a

• Runner Up: HuHot

Best place to go on a date: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Brick City Grill
• Second Runner Up: Hickory Park

Best place for breakfast: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Perkins
• Second Runner Up: The Grove Cafe

Best place for lunch: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Brick City Grill
• Second Runner Up: Stomping Grounds

Best place for dinner: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Brick City Grill
• Second Runner Up: Hickory Park

Best place for fine dining: The Cafe/ Aunt Maude’s

• Runner Up: +39
• Second Runner Up: Fuji Steakhouse

Best casual dining: Brick City Grill

• Runner Up: Hickory Park
• Second Runner Up: Wallaby’s

Best Cafe: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Stomping Grounds
• Second Runner Up: Cafe Beaudelaire

Best Deli: West Street Deli

• Runner Up: Downtown Deli
• Second Runner Up: Depot Deli

Best Coffee Shop: Starbucks

• Runner Up: Stomping Grounds
• Second Runner Up: Cafe Diem

Best Bakery: Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery

• Runner Up: Ali Cakes
• Second Runner Up: The Cafe

Best Dessert: The Cafe

• Runner Up: Ali Cakes
• Second Runner Up: Coldstone Creamery

Best Carryout: Brick City Grill

• Runner Up: Jeff’s Pizza
• Second Runner Up: Hickory Park

Best Food Truck/Stand: Super Dog

• Runner Up: Rico’s Tacos
• Second Runner Up: Macubana

Best Italian Food: +39 Italian Restaurant, Market and Cantina

• Runner Up: GeAngelo’s Italian Restaurant

Best Mexican Food: El Azteca

• Runner Up: La Fuente
• Second Runner Up: Mr. Burrito

Best Asian Food: Mandarin

• Runner Up: The Spice
• Second Runner Up: House of Chen

Best Pizza: Jeff’s Pizza

• Runner Up: Great Plains Sauce & Dough Co.
• Second Runner Up: Vesuvius Wood-Fired Pizza

Best BBQ: Hickory Park

• Runner Up: Battlecry Smokehouse
• Second Runner Up: Texas Roadhouse

Best Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings

• Runner Up: Pizza Pit
• Second Runner Up: Brick City Grill

Best Burger: Brick City Grill

• Runner Up: B-Bops
• Second Runner Up: Hickory Park 

Best Sushi: Fuji Japanese Steakhouse

• Runner Up: HyVee
• Second Runner Up: Shogun Japanese Steakhouse 

Best Indian Food: India Palace

• Runner Up: Indian Delights
• Second Runner Up: The Spice

Best Bar in Ames: Welch Ave./ The District/ Es Tas

• Runner Up: AJ’s Ultra Lounge
• Second Runner Up: Outlaws

Best Drink Specials: Welch Ave./Es Tas

• Runner Up: The District
• Second Runner Up: Brick City Grill, Cafe Beaudelaire

Best Sports Bar: Brick City Grill 

• Runner Up: Es Tas
• Second Runner Up: Wallaby’s

Best Dance Bar: AJ’s Ultra Lounge

• Runner Up: Sips
• Second Runner Up: Outlaws

Best Hangout: Es Tas

• Runner Up: Cafe Beaudelaire
• Second Runner Up: Stomping Grounds

Best Live Music Venue: DG’s Tap House

• Runner Up: Outlaws
• Second Runner Up: Mother’s Pub, M-Shop

Best Karaoke: Mickey’s Irish Pub

• Runner Up: Outlaws
• Second Runner Up: McFly’s, Westowne Pub