LEO Readers' Choice

I've always found that this takes me back to my high school days of "who's who" in the social world.....I do like the idea of "Favorite" as opposed to "best".....

Ballot stuffing - -

How is this being done? Is a person physically voting numerous times from a single source to gain favor in regards to their restaurant?

I would be interested in your list of best BBQ places. Car to start a thread?

Best BBQ (#1 is a perfect example of either (A) Ballot Box stuffing or (B) people who think life ends at the Watterson. I can think of at least 3 joints on the East side alone that blow every one of these places out of the water)

1) F.A.B.D.
(Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot)

2) Mark’s Feed Store

3) Smoketown USA

On the Eastside...which is where I frequent for the most part...Texican's is hands down the best BBQ I've had in the Ville (and I've had most of them). Jucy's is consistently inconsistent but on a good day their Brisket takes a back seat to no one. I started to throw Big R's in La Grange into the mix but the past two times I've been by there they have been closed. Not sure if that is temporary or what. When they are/were open they had a pretty darn good pork sammich. In fairness I've had FABD BBQ once...and found it lacking. Everything (that day) was way over cooked. That being said I'll give them another try as I've found most BBQ restaurants can be inconsistent due to the nature of the product. Mark's Feed Store - "Meh" on every level. Famous Dave - Corporate BBQ (BUT I have had some good Q at the original restaurant in MN), Smoketown - It wasn't bad, mof it was pretty good but the neighborhood is a little crusty for my tastes and it certainly wasn't enough to make me drive 15 miles past Texican's. All this being said BBQ is like Pizza or Chili or a great burger. In other words entirely subjective. I don't condemn people for voting Mark's as some of the best BBQ in town any more than I condemn people for voting for Sarah Palin...but doing so don't make 'em right

I'm a fan of FABD's ribs, but will concede that they can certainly be hit or miss. I would urge you to try them again, but then, they might very well be poor again, and i don't need anybody to come lookin for me. But when they're good, they're real good.

But as Steve P mentioned, I find that true of every barbecue joint I've been to more than a few times. Barbecue is about timing, and while I am no expert, it seems that it would be really difficult for any restaurant to consistently put out out top-quality product. I'm sure someone else could shed more light on the topic.

I am also a HUGE fan of the brisket sold by the barbecue guy (Back Porch?) at the st. Matthews farmer's market. The pork was just ok(for me), but I never had a batch of bad brisket from him. It might be my favorite barbecue dish in the city.

[Robin Garr]

I mean Cafe Lou-Lou ranked as one of the best "Cajun" restaurants and no mention of Selena's. Good Lord.

Well, yeah. But in fairness, bear in mind that one of the "Lous" stands for Louisiana, and Clay spent time there before he came back to Louisville (the other "Lou"). There is Creole stuff on the menu. In other words, argue the rank and I'm with you. But to be fair, there's a Louisiana vibe there.

I mean Cafe Lou-Lou ranked as one of the best "Cajun" restaurants and no mention of Selena's. Good Lord.

Well, yeah. But in fairness, bear in mind that one of the "Lous" stands for Louisiana, and Clay spent time there before he came back to Louisville (the other "Lou"). There is Creole stuff on the menu. In other words, argue the rank and I'm with you. But to be fair, there's a Louisiana vibe there.

Okie Doke. I take back what I said then...sort of.

[Robin Garr]

Okie Doke. I take back what I said then...sort of.

Well, it's okay to say you don't think they belong in the top three.

IBut as Steve P mentioned, I find that true of every barbecue joint I've been to more than a few times. Barbecue is about timing, and while I am no expert, it seems that it would be really difficult for any restaurant to consistently put out out top-quality product.

Timing is EVERYTHING...well almost everything. Running even a reasonably good BBQ joint has GOT to be one of the hardest food tasks I can imagine (that and a pizza shop). So really, hats off to all these folks for doing what they do.

FABD does a pretty good brisket, the rest of the stuff was acceptable. Most of it was better than Mark's and the only thing I'd return for is the brisket.

Haven't tried brisket from Back Porch, though did buy some of their sauce and it's quiet yummy! I'll have to see if he's got any brisket this weekend.

Ballot stuffing - -

How is this being done? Is a person physically voting numerous times from a single source to gain favor in regards to their restaurant?

You could basically "vote" as many times as you wish on their website...In other words, vote early and vote often...and I have no doubt some people did.

Ballot stuffing - -

How is this being done? Is a person physically voting numerous times from a single source to gain favor in regards to their restaurant?

You could basically "vote" as many times as you wish on their website...In other words, vote early and vote often...and I have no doubt some people did.

That's an old Chicago tradition!

In complete honesty,we are honored to be #1 Cajun/Creole, but for Selena's not to make the list is a true crime and baffling.

Judging from this thread, the awards served their purposes. The advertising has always been more important than the column inches.

I regard all such "vote for best ofs" as utter crap; having said that, it's nice to see Sergio's win Best Beer List when it actually has a beer list, as opposed to past winners that had, say, eight beers on tap. That's a step forward, and Sergio's actually deserves it.

I regard all such "vote for best ofs" as utter crap; having said that, it's nice to see Sergio's win Best Beer List when it actually has a beer list, as opposed to past winners that had, say, eight beers on tap. That's a step forward, and Sergio's actually deserves it.

Sergio has come a long way - I remember him from back in the day when he was a waiter/cigar smuggler at Marimba's in Shelbyville.... Decent server with a great knowledge of beer and the appropriate glassware for serving it, but he would also screw you on a tab in a heartbeat if he knew you had consumed enough to not notice - hopefully that has changed.