Elmhurst Businesses, Park, Museum Mentioned in 'Best of the West' Rankings

"West Suburban Living" magazine published its 17th annual Best of the West winners based on readers' rankings of everything from restaurants to auto repair shops to movies. Elmhurst businesses cleaned up. Take a bite out of these:

Elijah's Coffee House was listed third in the Best Independent Coffee House, and NuCrepes was listed under Other Favorites in the Best New Restaurant category.

Taking first place for Best Hot Dog was Portillo's, and Best Italian Restaurant was Francesca's, with Roberto's in Elmhurst coming in second in a tie with Villa Verone in Elgin and Geneva.

Elmhurst also has an Oberweis, which came in second for Best Ice Cream or Dessert, and Elmhurst's Brain Freeze was listed under Other Favorites in that category.

Egg Harbor came in third for Best Sunday Brunch and first in Best Place for Breakfast.

You can never have too many choices for burgers, unless you're trying to award them. In the category of Best Burger, Back Alley in Elmhurst and La Grange was listed under Other Favorites.

Here's a look at how other Elmhurst restaurants measured up:

• Best Sushi: Wok 'n Fire, second
• Best Asian: Wok 'n Fire, first, and Bambu Thai, Other Favorite
• Best Deli: Jersey Mike's and Panera, Other Favorites
• Best Cheap Eats: Rainbow Restaurant, Other Favorites

A couple of businesses formerly in Elmhurst also were recognized: Serene Teaz in Wheaton earned Best Tea Room, and McNally's Irish Pub in St. Charles was named Best Irish Pub.

Non-food Categories

Elmhurst Farmer's Market was listed under Other Favorites in Best Farmers Markets category, as was Elmhurst Historical Museum in the Best Museum category, Elmhurst Public Library in the Best Library category, Mindy's Classic Finds in the Best Place to Buy Antiques category, Courageous Bakery in the Best Bakery category and Elmhurst Animal Care Center in the Best Vet category.

Kohl's earned various rankings in four categories: Bargain Store, Department Store, Place to Buy Women's Jeans and Place to Buy Kids Clothes.

Here's how our other businesses stacked up:

• Recently Closed Spot You'll Miss Most: Bleeding Heart Bakery, second
• Best Movie Theater: The York, third
• Best Craft or Art Show: Art in the Park, third
• Best Park: Wilder, Other Favorites
• Best Place for a Kid's Party: Pump it Up in Elmhurst, second
• Best Place to Buy Jewelry: Cottage Hill Diamonds, third
• Best Decorative Accessories for the Home: Pier 1, Other Favorites
• Best Pet Store: Petco, second
• Best Bowling Alley: Fitz's Spare Keys, third
• Best Sports Bar: Buffalo Wild Wings, first; Fitz's Spare Keys, third

Elmhurst tied with Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn for second place as the Town You'd Want to Live in Other Than Your Own (Geneva was first).

And, we saved the Best of the Best for last: Best Website was a four-way tie between Patch, Amazon, Google and Pinterest.