Photo: Marvin Shaouni

Derby Girls get impatient with Frederick Amady at Iridescence in the MotorCity Casino Hotel. It's a past staff pick as "best place to blow your casino winnings" (not that you need to strike it rich to dine there, our critics noted).

Xochimilco Restaurant
3409 Bagley St., Detroit; 313-843-0179

When it comes to Wayne County Mexican fare, our readers spoke loud and clear: Xochimilco's is the place to go. Apparently, however, our readers just can't get the name right. (We fielded Xochilmoco, Xochimikos, Xochimillico's, Xochimillo, Xocomilcos, Xomilco's, Xomochillos, Xoxomilco and Zochimilko's, to name a few.) But, no matter how you spell it, our readers agreed it was the right answer.

Best Mexican Cuisine in Oakland County

Cantina Diablo's
175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 248-808-6633; cantinadiablos.com

Last year, Cantina Diablo's opened in the former Rosie O'Grady's on the street just south of Nine Mile Road. And our readers went for this purveyor of Tex-Mex cuisine in a big way. In addition to the stick-to-your-ribs fare, Diablo's seems a good place to get your Drinko de Mayo on, with a host of frosty drinks at your beck and call.

Best Mexican Cuisine in Macomb County

El Charro
21519 21 Mile Rd., Macomb Twp.; 586-598-7556; elcharrousa.com
For more locations, see elcharrousa.com

With the motto "Experience the essence of Mexico," El Charro has been bringing Mexican flavor to Macomb County for more than 30 years, and has even expanded into a drive-through in Saint Clair Shores. The prices are reasonable for their large dinners, but you can always order a la carte if you must. The expected margarita and tequila choices abound.

Best Mexican Cuisine in Washtenaw County

Prickly Pear Southwest Cafe
328 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-930-0047; pricklypearcafe.com

In the competitive Ann Arbor restaurant business, the fact that the Prickly Pear has been around for 20 years under the same management out front and in the kitchen is a tribute to its faithful as well as innovative renditions of the Southwestern fare. Although the Prickly Pear bills itself as a Southwestern bistro, it's really Tex-Mex plus. Try the sweet and tender buffalo meat empañada, the sweet-potato enchiladas and the jicama cole slaw.

Best Caribbean Cuisine

Bahama Breeze
539 E. Big Beaver, Troy; 248-528-1674
See bahamabreeze.com for more locations

From the people who brought you Red Lobster and Olive Garden comes this trade winds-themed, alcohol-oriented crowd-pleaser. That said, it's not always a jerk move to shoot for the accessible good time. If that means forgoing more authentic island delights and going for the gaudy pleasures of tropical decor, where you can nosh on American-friendly fare and wash it down with selections from the sun-splashed beverage menu (think Bahamian Sunsets, BahamaTinis and Bahamaritas) so be it. In a frostbitten Michigan winter, it could just be that taste of paradise that helps you hang on.

Best African Cuisine

The Blue Nile
545 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-547-6699
221 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-998-4746; bluenilemi.com

The Blue Nile has been given awards year after year for a reason. First, its menu offers Ethiopian dishes that are both great for the taste buds and, in many cases, overall health. The veggie dish menu, for instance, offers the wonderful Yemisir Kik Wat, a concoction of split red lentils, barbere sauce, onions, and spices. Second, the eating arrangement — you and your friends huddled around a small table — is quite conducive to friendly dining. Third, you get to roll your sleeves up and allow your bread to do the food-scooping. And, thankfully, there's a full bar.

Best Chinese Cuisine in Wayne County

Shangri-La Midtown
4710 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-974-7669

A great low-key Wayne State-area hangout, Shangri-La has a menu notable for the diversity of its Asian fare, ranging from sushi to dim sum to Americanized staples like Almond Boneless Chicken. There are also plenty of vegetarian options. Shangri-La also deserves praise for offering Wayne State-area folk things to do on weeknights, such as their Monday night Twin Peaks fests, at which patrons huddle around the restaurant's big-screen TV. Full bar.

Best Chinese Cuisine in Oakland County

Mon Jin Lau
1515 E. Maple Rd., Troy; 248-689-2332; monjinlau.com

One only needs to visit Mon Jin Lau on a Saturday night — when it is invariably bustling with vitality — to catch a glimpse of the widespread love it has garnered. This is no doubt due in part to the exhaustive "Nu Asian" menu. Try the ginger garlic eggplant (eggplant rolled with wood ear mushrooms, pesto, pine nuts, red pepper and rice noodles) or the Thai lemongrass chicken (cooked with peapods, asparagus, straw and shitake mushrooms, onion, red pepper and baby corn) or the Mongolian beef or the Maine lobster or ... you get the idea.

Best Chinese Cuisine in Macomb County

Lotus Pond
28747 Hoover Rd., Warren; 586-751-4020

When it comes to Chinese for our Macomb County readers, they chose Lotus Pond, naming it as an exceptional choice for classic American-friendly fare. What's more, given the restaurant's generous portions, you'll have plenty of leftovers to warm up the next day — or perhaps an hour later.

Best Chinese Cuisine in Washtenaw County - Tie

Kai Garden
116 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-1786; kaigarden.com

Middle Kingdom
332 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-668-6638; annarbormiddlekingdom.net

Our Ann Arbor-area readers straddled an interesting divide this year. Middle Kingdom serves up quite a lot of the classic, Americanized fare that's like a national comfort food to diners of a certain generation. Kai Garden, on the other hand, also offers plenty of authentic Chinese fare, such as Hong Kong and Taiwanese delicacies, including jellyfish, spicy pig's ear and beef tendon. In Treetown, you really can have the best of both worlds!

Best Thai Cuisine in Wayne County

Sala Thai
3400 Russell St., Detroit; 313-831-1302
2751 E. 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-939-5456; salathai.us

A highlight of not only the Eastern Market area, but of southeast Michigan in general, Sala Thai's pad Thai has just the right levels of succulence in juice — not too dry, not too slimy. Their gaeng phanaeng has the perfect levels of coconut milk and green curry, so that the two flavors strengthen each other's clarity. And they have a pad see-ew that is drenched in the sweetest of brown sauces and a pad prik king that is a flat-out spicy wonder.

Best Thai Cuisine in Oakland County

Siam Spicy
29838 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-545-4305

This isn't the first year Oakland County readers went with Siam Spicy. This friendly joint specializes in providing a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere where entrées are stir-fried or prepared in coconut milk with plenty of pepper. Curries are red or green and very flavorful. The pad Thai should be enough for two, maybe three meals. It has won Best Thai honors on and off since 1996.

Best Thai Cuisine in Macomb County

Bangkok Cuisine Express
43237 Garfield Rd., Clinton Twp.; 586-226-8000
2149 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-977-0130; bangkokcuisineexpress.com

Wresting the laurels away from last year's winner, Sy Thai Shore Restaurant, this Thai joint has been in business since 1983, long before Thai food became so popular in the 1990s. They have an extensive list of Thai specialties to please every palate, with the usual protein options that range from tofu to beef.

Best Thai Cuisine in Washtenaw County

Tuptim Thai Cuisine
4896 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-528-5588; tuptim.com

Since 2002 Tup Tim has built a reputation for using fresh ingredients to create authentic Thai food, including hard-to-find dishes for advanced diners. The kitchen is happy to dial down the hotness, and every other facet of the experience — atmosphere, service, prices — is designed to leave you hungry for more.

Best Indian Cuisine in Wayne County

Aladdin Sweets & Café
11945 Conant St., Hamtramck; 313-875-9999; aladdincafe.com

Last year, this was just a small neighborhood place, lacking cloth doilies and polished steel cutlery, serving food on plastic plates and beverages in polystyrene cups. But what Aladdin lacked in china and stainless steel it more than makes up for in flavor and authenticity. And now, after an expansion last year that doubled the dining area and added an outdoor patio, it's bigger and better than ever.

Best Indian Cuisine in Oakland County

Priya Restaurant
72 W. Maple Rd., Troy; 248-269-0100; priyarestuarant.com

Virtually every dish served at Priya — from those offered on the main menu or on the extensive South Indian menu — pops, and that is likely why Priya has been the primary stronghold of delicious Indian cuisine in Oakland County for such a long while. And the portion sizes are huge: Whether one is ordering the creamy vegetable biryani or the intensely spicy and delicious chicken tikka masala, one is guaranteed an enlarged belly and lasting grin.

Best Indian Cuisine in Washtenaw County

Shalimar
307 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-1500; shalimarrestaurant.com

This year, Ann Arbor-area voters edged out the buffet-licious Raja Rani for Shalimar, where you get the fare of northern India, which includes Mughlai creations, vegetarian choices, plenty of meat-based fare, and grand "mixed grill" plates — all with a full bar to wash it down.

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in Wayne County

La Pita
22681 Newman St., Dearborn; 313-563-7482; lapitadearborn.com

This lively little Dearborn spot offers a juice bar, a large selection of appetizers, sandwiches and combination dinners. And it just gets fancier from there, including char-broiled swordfish and lamb, with the usual assortment of vegetarian-friendly Middle Eastern fare, such as vegetarian stuffed cabbage.

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in Oakland County

Anita's Kitchen
22651 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-0680; anitaskitchenonline.com

Anita's Kitchen serves food made up of only the freshest of ingredients. Highlights on the menu include the roasted red pepper hummus, the out-of-this-world mujadara (topped with the most perfect caramelized onions: perfectly crispy, perfectly sweet), and their falafel, which comes baked or fried depending on your preference. Don't miss out on the lentil soup, which is imbued with a light burst of lemon, or any of their Mediterranean pizzas. Also, a surprising and welcome choice of Michigan beers available.

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in Macomb County

Sahara Mediterranean Grill
45199 Market St., Shelby Twp; 586-566-9777
3625 E. 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-264-0400
See saharagrill.com for more locations

Established in 1982, Sahara has grown to several locations with its unusual blend of cuisines: They serve a mix of Lebanese and Chaldean fare. How is a Chaldean restaurant different from the more familiar Lebanese? Many dishes are the same, but expect such rarities as purshee (pickled cabbage), plus some tomato-based stews, and such Iraqi faves as burgul (bulgur wheat) or pacha.

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in Washtenaw County

Jerusalem Garden
307 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5060; jerusalemgarden.net

Treetown abounds with options for penny-pinching students, but Jerusalem Garden beat them all out for cheap, quality honors. The brick garden patio is the perfect environment to enjoy a meal from what's billed as Ann Arbor's oldest Middle Eastern restaurant. It covers the basics for less than $5 or $6: falafel with baba ghanoush and hummous options, shawarma, kebabs. It's fast, but not fast food as we know it. Splurge and have a cup of lentil soup.

Best Korean Cuisine

Wasabi
15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 313-638-1272; wasabidetroit.com

Wasabi has a smart, smooth, refined interior, and it serves a commendable variety of Asian cuisine, offering not just one menu, but several, including ones for Korean fare, for Japanese fare, and for sushi. The joint also happens to be located in the fashionable Park Shelton, so you can saunter happily out of Wasabi with a stomach full of gyoza and bibimbap, and into, say, Leopold's Books for some satisfactory book browsing.

Best Japanese Cuisine

Ronin
326 W. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-546-0888; roninsushi.com

In a stylish setting, bandana-clad sushi chefs vigorously chop and slice at the sushi bar turning out first-rate sushi and sashimi, but entrées include fish, fowl and beef for those unaccustomed to the bite-sized Japanese delicacies. Adding to the dining experience, six beers are on tap, including Kirin Ichiban, and there's also a well-stocked sake bar.

Best Chicken and Waffles

New Center Eatery
3100 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit; 313-875-0088; newcentereatery.com

Specializing in breakfast and lunch for white-collar workers who toil in the office buildings along West Grand Boulevard, this neat little place feels like a trendy little art gallery. The menu is extensive enough to provide variety even if you're a regular — salmon fillet on top of rice or grits, pasta marinara, and more common breakfast fare — but our readers clamor for New Center's fried chicken wings atop a plate of waffles.

Best Coney Island in Wayne County

Lafayette Coney Island
118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-964-8198

Quality is what makes Lafayette's plain coney dogs dependable: the thick, meaty chili sauce, fresh onion and mustard, and only all-meat franks — not the filler-laden "hot dogs" on the menu at lesser eateries. But perhaps what makes Lafayette one of the best hot dog spots in town is the character: the rattling plates, the shouted food orders and a bevy of cool characters around 2:30 a.m.

Best Coney Island in Oakland County
Best Coney Island in Macomb County
Best Late-Night Eatery

National Coney Island
1812 N. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-398-6111
More locations at nationalconeyisland.com

Here's another coney island that serves its full duty: it works as both a midday getaway and as a prime-time locale for quelling late-night stomach rumblings. The Royal Oak National is especially good on the latter point, as it is open 24 hours and is located just across the street from Luna.

Best Coney Island in Washtenaw County

Abe's Coney Island
402 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-448-5200

This popular after-bar stop has a kind of self-deprecating humor, billing itself as "Ypsilanti's finest four-star coney dog, steak-and-egg joint." Whether you're stopping in for eggs over easy with hash browns "burned" in the morning, or sopping up booze and making ironic jukebox selections at 3 a.m., Abe's will hit the spot.

Best Slider in Wayne County
Best Slider in Macomb County
Best Slider in Washtenaw County

White Castle
See whitecastle.com for dozens of locations

Leave it to the white-enamel-steel-clad mini-burger chain to practically sweep our slider category! Their website's helpful Find-a-Castle function will help you when you have your next craving.

Best Slider in Oakland County

Hunter House
35075 Woodward Ave., Birmingham; 248-646-7121; hunterhousehamburgers.com

Founded in the 1950s, Hunter's patties mostly derive their flavor from the onions, pressed into the patty while it's still on the grill. In fact, if there's a single ingredient that sums up the burger, it's onions. The burgers are served on moist hot buns, with a glistening sheen on them. And even seldom-ordered items show some attention to detail.

Best Cheap Breakfast in Wayne County

Duly's
5458 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076

Duly's is a tiny coney island with counter stools and a few tables in the back. They have a whole legion of followers raving about things like their chili cheeseburgers and atmosphere of controlled chaos. They've got breakfasts and coney dogs and they serve it all up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Cash only.

Best Cheap Breakfast in Macomb County - Tie

The Pantry Restaurant
34220 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-939-1370
44945 Morley Dr., Clinton Twp.; 586-465-5514
58884 Van Dyke Rd., Washington; 586-677-4135; thepantryrestaurant.com

Travis Coffee Shop
23500 Greater Mack, St. Clair Shores; 586-778-0101

An interesting split: The Pantry is a successful mini-chain that's been catering to locals with the usual eggs, waffles and pancakes, but there are also surprises, including crêpes, "pantry-style" fried chicken and even a prime-rib steak Caesar salad. And it locked it up with Travis, the quirky corner diner in the heart of St. Clair Shores, open 24 hours every day (except 10 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday). Travis has it all, and breakfast all day, whether it's bright and early or you're there at 3 a.m. with the night owls of the Nautical Mile's bar scene.

Best Cheap Breakfast in Washtenaw County

Fleetwood Diner
300 S. Ashley St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-5502

Though it's mostly known as the only Ann Arbor joint that's open 24 hours a day, it's also often crowded for breakfast. You can get a mysterious-sounding dish called "Hippie Hash" — hash browns grilled with onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, broccoli and feta cheese — with eggs and toast for a little more than $6. Adding meat costs extra, but they make their own corned beef, gyros and chicken gyros.

Best Breakfast or Brunch in Wayne County

Atlas Global Bistro
3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-831-2241; atlasglobalbistro.com

At Atlas, you'll find Carolina catfish, pork taquitos, short ribs, ravioli and polenta, Hawaiian shrimp and Moroccan beef. Ingredients — which don't necessarily remain with their cuisine-of-origin — include lemongrass, cactus, Gorgonzola, wasabi, coconut, pancetta, caviar and black-eyed peas — and all in a historic building that was saved from the wrecking ball. Brunch is served until 3 p.m. on the weekend.

Best Breakfast or Brunch in Oakland County

Toast
23144 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-398-0444

Toast Birmingham
203 Pierce St., Birmingham; 248-258-6278; eatattoast.com

In Ferndale, it's difficult to make a poor choice when ordering at Toast. The Grand Marnier French toast pairs vanilla-soaked challa bread with toasted almonds and other ingredients perfectly, and the more-than-filling granola banana cakes are made to delight. And the Birmingham spinoff serves great food and wine "with humor in a fun, casual environment." The hostess station is an old white Detroit Liner stove, a 1940s model with legs and drawers. Serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week, with a menu almost like Ferndale's served till 4 p.m.

Best Breakfast or Brunch in Macomb County

The Pantry
thepantryrestaurant.com

Winners of Macomb County's Best Cheap Breakfast award (see above), they edged out Travis for the brekky-and-brunch honors.

Best Breakfast or Brunch in Washtenaw County - Tie

Angelo's
1100 E. Catherine St., Ann Arbor, 734-761-8996; angelosa2.com

Beezy's
12 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti, 734-485-9625; beezyscafe.com

Hardly a surprising tie here. Beezy's, winner of our Best Restaurant to Spend Less Than $15 in Washtenaw category, pours on the quality, serving excellent breakfasts. And Angelo's takes egg-centric breakfasts to the nth degree, with eggs Benedict, Florentine, lox Benedict and omelets that include the lox omelet, the farmer's, Mexican, Greek, broccoli-and-cheddar, and Western (green pepper, onion and ham). There are also plenty of extras to add on, and no standard omelet costs more than $9.25.

Best All-Around Buffet

Assembly Line Buffet
Inside the MotorCity Casino Hotel, 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-237-7711

The food is all-you-can-eat fare, meat being the main attraction. Of course, everything is done to excess in casino-land, so nobody should walk away unfulfilled. And be sure to leave room for the desserts, which are all above average or better, including many varieties of cheesecakes, pies, tortes, cookies and tartlets with surprisingly noble crusts.

Best Soul Food in Detroit

Steve's Soul Food Restaurant
1440 E. Franklin St., Detroit; 313-393-0018
8447 Grand River Ave., Detroit; 313-894-3464

It's been a frequent winner for Best Soul Food since 1987. But have you seen its spacious digs near downtown on Franklin Street? Have you stopped in for their peerless $5 lunch deal, which gives you a choice of main, two sides, a hunk of fresh cornbread and more? It's one of the best deals going in downtown lunches.

Best Soul Food in Suburbs

Beans & Cornbread
29508 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-208-1680; beanscornbread.com

A busy, colorful dining spot which features bright artwork and a bustling open kitchen, and another frequent winner in this category. This is the place for upscale soul food with a fresh twist, including excellent meat loaf, barbecue-style chicken and a dreamy sweet potato cheesecake. Arrive early and plan to stand in line for this perpetually full house.

Best Sushi

Noble Fish
45 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-585-2314; noblefish.com

The insular Japanese keep things intensely focused, whether it be decor or food customs or table manners, which is what makes Noble Fish an experience. Out front are isles of packaged foodstuffs. But in back is a magnificently serene sushi bar, staffed by iron chefs of the first order: a no-nonsense, inexpensive, delicious alternative to too-Westernized sushi madness.

Best Vegan or Vegetarian

Inn Season Café
500 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak; 248-547-7916; theinnseasoncafe.com

As we keep saying, Inn Season Café — a rare provider of vegetarian cuisine in metro Detroit — has gotten better as it has gotten older. Fine, organic ingredients have always been its hallmark, but it's so much more than "health food." With great effort, they comb farmers' markets and community supported farms to ensure only the freshest, best and most local food makes it to your plate. Very open to diners with dietary restrictions.

Best Raw Food

RAW Café
4160 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-778-9774; therawcafe.com

Vegan food prepared without cooking? It's true, and it's a newcomer to Detroit's mid-city area, occupying the former CPOP Gallery. They change up their menus seasonally, and even offer classes for those who'd like to learn more about raw food's health benefits. If you love natural food or are simply curious to learn more, drop in.

Best Food Truck

Jacque's Tacos
jacquestacos.com

Jacques' Tacos is the brainchild of Wes Holton, a skilled chef whose focus is now on selling tacos from his catering truck. The selection is limited to tacos filled with braised short ribs, grilled chicken, slow-roasted pork or marinated avocado, all a bargain at $2.50 each. There are also a few sides. The flavors are decidedly Mexican, but a bit different from standard taqueria fare. See the website for his schedule.

Best New Barbecue
Best Barbecue in Oakland County

Lockhart's
202 E. Third St., Royal Oak; 248-584-4227; lockhartsbbq.com

Named after a town reputed to be the barbecue capital of Texas, opened last year in Royal Oak opposite City Hall. Handsomely retrofitted on the high-ceilinged first floor of an old bank building, the kitchen turns out reasonably priced, hefty portions, with appetizers averaging around $8, sandwiches with one side around $9 and barbecue plates with two sides around $13. Wash it all down with an excellent selection of Michigan beer on tap.

Best Barbecue in Macomb County

Lazybones
27475 Groesbeck Hwy., Roseville; 586-775-7427; lazybonessmokehouse.net

This east side joint has sandwiches starting around $7, and $17.99 for a slab of ribs. Lazybones boasts Black Angus beef, Grade-A fresh pork, and Amish country chickens, done broasted, pit-smoked or grill-ready for pick-up. And for those who want to throw a home party without running the grill, Lazybones caters with party pans for 100 ribs.

Best Barbecue in Washtenaw County

Blue Tractor
205 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor; 734-222-4095; bluetractor.net

The menu aims for a down-home feel, but the beers are pure contemporary craft. This place, which has a quirky interior and inventive specials year-round, has earned its good word of mouth, and now top honors for Washtenaw County 'cue for the second year in a row.

Best Seafood Restaurant in Wayne County

Mitchell's Fish Market
17600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia; 734-464-3663; mitchellsfishmarket.com

At this upscale chain, you get to watch the executive chef cut freshly caught fish by hand. Choices run from lobster to tilapia, all fresh enough to carry the lingering scent of the sea, with more than 80 items on the menu and 12 different species of fish on their "Fresh Catch" shortlist.

Best Seafood Restaurant in Oakland County

Lily's Seafood
410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-591-5459; lilysseafood.com

Lily's Seafood is a hot spot that offers not only a stunning interior and friendly service, but most importantly a kitchen that believes homemade is best. Even the beverage menu includes house-made root beer, cream soda and four varieties of house-made beer. Both the entrées and desserts are special, full of mixtures of both flavor and texture. Mondays offer an "all-you-can-eat fish fry," while Saturdays and Sundays cater to a "build your own Bloody Mary bar."

Best Seafood Restaurant in Macomb County

Red Lobster
25901 Hoover Rd., Warren; 586-759-0010; redlobster.com

Who can master the mysterious minds of Macombers. Nautical Mile? Check. Right on the water? Check. Restaurants serving seafood from Beach Grill out to Harbor House on Groesbeck? Check. So ... what's with Red Lobster? Must be those biscuits.

Best Seafood Restaurant in Washtenaw County

Real Seafood Co.
341 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 888-456-3463; realseafoodcorestaurant.com

Located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, Real Seafood Co. provides locals with the freshest selections of seafood from the East Coast and a raw oyster bar, all in an atmosphere that's comfortable, open and lively.

Best Steak in Wayne County

Roast
1128 Washington Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-2500; roastdetroit.com

The "beast masters" at this hip downtown restaurant — inside the renovated showpiece that is the Book-Cadillac Hotel — have earned their honors. It's no ordinary steakhouse: They offer several cuts, all naturally raised and dry-aged a minimum of 21 days. But from the biggest roast to the most modest sandwich, everything is done with care. Add an attractive setting (restrained lighting, white linens and floor-to-ceiling windows), competent but casual waitstaff and high-toned classic cocktail service, and you have Wayne County's winner.

Best Steak in Oakland County

Ruth's Chris Steak House
755 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy; 248-269-8424; ruthschris.com

What's it going to take to outdo a Ruth's Chris steak? With more than 100 locations worldwide, this isn't the first time they've topped a readers' steakhouse poll.

Best Steak in Macomb County

Mr. Paul's Chop House
29850 Groesbeck Hwy, Roseville; 586-777-7770; mrpaulschophouse.com

More than 40 years old, Mr. Paul's is a charmed place lost in time somewhere back in the early postwar era. Here you can have one of the area's best Caesar salads, prepared with a theatrical flair at tableside, often by the owner himself. The chateaubriand steak for two and the cherries jubilee for dessert also involve a tableside show. The skilled, liveried waitstaff and the impressive French red-dominated wine list complete the picture.

Best Steak in Washtenaw County

The Chop House
322 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 888-456-3463; thechophouserestaurant.com

This isn't your run-of-the-mill neighborhood steakhouse. Expect luxurious comfort, plush trimmings, billed as "an elite American dining experience." You'll find prime beef, grain-fed meats and a substantial wine list. Right next door are the gourmet pastries of La Dolce Vita.

Best Burger in Wayne County

Miller's Bar
23700 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-565-2577; millersbar.com

Metro Times readers consistently rate Miller's Bar's burger the best in Wayne County. Don't let the spartan setting and limited menu options fool you, the choices are few, but they're finely tuned classics. Table service has been paperless for years — all on the honor system. Unless you want to be known as an outsider, don't ask for a menu or a tab. Just order the burger and a beer. When you're done, tell the bartender what you got. Done and done.

Best Burger in Oakland County

Red Coat Tavern
31542 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak; 248-549-0300
6745 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield; 248-865-0500

In our annual readers' poll for Best Burger in Oakland County, the Red Coat comes out on top year after year, with 20 add-ons, from burnt onions to olives to smoked Gouda, and five breads, including grilled rye or pumpernickel. The thick, juicy succulent two-handers require lots of extra napkins. This place is crowded every day at lunch, dinner and usually in between.

Best Burger in Macomb County

Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Seven locations in metro Detroit, including Macomb County; see fiveguys.com for info

The Five Guys empire has grown from one shop in Arlington, Va., to more than 500 locations in dozens of states. Their appealing gimmick allows customers to custom-order a burger, and they say there are more than a quarter-million possible combinations.

Best Burger in Washtenaw County

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger
551 S. Division St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-4590; blimpyburger.com

Where Packard meets South Division lies arguably one of the best burger houses in the country, where they're made on the grill right in front of you. And it's an Ann Arbor institution spanning six decades, right down to its R. Crumb-influenced menu. And the prices are so reasonable, it makes sense that their slogan is "Cheaper than food." Remember: Read the "instructions" before ordering.

Best Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings
More than a dozen locations in metro Detroit; see buffalowildwings.com for info

Ah, B-dubs. When you're surrounded by beers the size of your forearm, an army of high-def TVs, and buckets upon buckets of chicken wings (and a host of other deep-fired thingies) you're probably sitting in a Buffalo Wild Wings. The bar's mid-day and late-night happy hours show that it's recession friendly, and it flies flags of local pro and college sports teams so that when you're too broke for game tickets, the next best place to be is inside one of these joints.

Best Neighborhood Pizza in Wayne County
Best Gourmet Pizza

Supino's
2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-7879; supinopizza.com

Serving brilliant thin-crust pizza with imaginative fresh ingredients — even an egg — with a delectable thin crust that's not too chewy. They serve five red pizzas and six white, meaning no tomato sauce; almost all are made with traditional ingredients. The red sauce is supremely simple, nothing much besides some fresh-tasting though canned crushed tomatoes. The Primavera, a white, is topped with fresh tomatoes, artichokes, eggplant, red onion, mozzarella and spinach — lots of flavors.

Best Neighborhood Pizza in Oakland County

Buddy's
Nine locations in metro Detroit, including four in Oakland County; see buddyspizza.com for info

Before we broke up our pizza by county, Buddy's was the clear, perennial winner of our best neighborhood pizza category. After a full life as a neighborhood speakeasy, Buddy's original location on Conant only started pumping out pizza in 1946. And though it has expanded to nine locations all over southeastern Michigan, it has clearly retained the neighborhood cred.

Best Neighborhood Pizza in Macomb County

Jet's
Dozens of locations in metro Detroit; more than 20 locations in Macomb County; see jetspizza.com for info

Jets' deep-dish, square, Detroit-style pizza is a regular crowd-pleaser. But it's not just a Macomb County thing; with locations all over the metroplex — as well as Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. How do they do it? It's right on the box: The pizzaiolo wears a jetpack!

Best Neighborhood Pizza in Washtenaw County

Cottage Inn
See cottageinn.com for dozens of metro Detroit locations

It's Michigan pizza with a history. The first Cottage Inn occupied 512 E. William St., Ann Arbor, in 1948, and they lay claim to being the first restaurant in Ann Arbor to serve pizza. What's more, they've expanded into a mini-metro Detroit pizza empire. You can't argue with that.

Best Deli in Wayne County

Mudgie's
1300 Porter St., Detroit; 313-961-2000

This Corktown spot used to be the old Eph's, and they carry on the sandwich tradition with a slew of options including the award-winning "Madill." Composed of turkey, apple-wood-smoked bacon, avocado, tomato, romaine lettuce and melted pepper jack cheese layered on an 8-inch-sub spread with Mudgie-made garlic mayo, you'll understand the award-winning part when you chomp on this open-faced sub.

Best Deli in Oakland County

Steve's Deli
6646 Telegraph Rd., in Bloomfield Plaza, Bloomfield Hills; 248-932-0800; stevesdeli.com

Everyone has their own yardstick for measuring the quality of a deli. For many it is a pastrami sandwich. Like corned beef, pastrami starts as a brisket pickled in brine, but then the two meats part company. Pastrami is coated with cracked peppercorns, garlic and other spices, then smoked. Steve's makes a great pastrami sandwich on hand-cut rye bread with a crunchy crust. It's piled high with meat, but not so high that you can't get your mouth around it.

Best Deli in Macomb County

New York Deli
2715 E. 14 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-826-9330; three more locations in Macomb County

At New York, you get your deli classics — subs, burgers, any and all concoctions created with cold cuts — all served in a family-style environment with friendly service.

Best Deli in Washtenaw County

Zingerman's
422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor; 734-663-3354; zingermans.com

Zingerman's is more than a deli, with its huge selection of olive oils, vinegars, cheeses and sausages, many from the far corners of the world. Crusty European breads come from the Zingerman's Bakehouse. This place is truly a gourmand's delight. Lest we forget the deli staples, you will not find better corned beef and pastrami anywhere. The sandwiches, in numerous combinations, are expensive and worth it. They are available in "nosher size" for the "small eater," and "fresser" for the "big eater," sharable for all but a young, growing college student.

Best Brewpub or Microbrewery in Wayne County

Motor City Brewing Works
470 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-832-2700; motorcitybeer.com

This brewpub has a quirky tiled interior, with its concrete bar, its Wednesday-night art shows, and its sturdy menu of pizzas and small plates. For less than $10, you can get a pizza made with ingredients from as local as possible. The beers are excellent, and they include classics (Ghettoblaster) and a rotating cast of summer brews, meads and more. Their Wednesday night art shows are a tightwad's dream, and the bar's new "green alley" connects it conveniently with Second Avenue.

Best Brewpub or Microbrewery in Oakland County

Woodward Avenue Brewers
22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-546-3696; thewabsite.com

Dubbed, "a neighborhood bar with lots of style," the top floor has huge windows overlooking Woodward. Downstairs has a sidewalk café and lounge with a view of the brewhouse. WAB serves a selection of its own award-winning microbrewed beer and root beer. You won't find your typical bar food here, but gourmet sandwiches, quesadillas, bruschetta, huge salads and more.

Best Brewpub or Microbrewery in Macomb County

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
5919 Chicago Rd., Warren; 586-979-8361; kbrewery.com

Prizing away the Macomb County honors from Dragonmead this year, Kuhnhenn offers the very fullest in flavor with its knock-you-in-the-teeth sours, but there are also many a mild brew to please the less-extreme beer crowd. Knowledgeable, chatty staff, free popcorn (watch the salt!) and an entire brew supply house across the parking lot make this a must-see for anybody interested in beer in Macomb County.

Best Brewpub or Microbrewery in Washtenaw County

Jolly Pumpkin
311 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-913-2730: jollypumpkin.com

While pub-like in atmosphere, the food is a bit more up-to-date. Expect tofu cracklings, French fries flavored with rosemary and truffle salt, and a butcher's snack board of cured meats and more. Diners not yet familiar with Jolly Pumpkin beers might want to ease into the experience with something slightly tamer, like a North Peak Amber Ale. But hardcore fans will likely find the cask ale to be the liquid they want in their glass. Along with a few Michigan wines and spirits, and a list of non-alcoholic cocktails, there's a drink for everyone.

Best Wine Selection in a Restaurant

Andiamo
andiamoitalia.com

Naturally, you expect an Italian restaurant to know their wines, and to offer pours that complement everything from rich southern Italian veal dishes to spare risottos. Not only does Andiamo do it right, their status as metro Detroit's undefeated Italian chain gives them the means to keep a somewhat more comprehensive cellar than the usual candlelit room.

Best Wine Bar

Vinotecca
417 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-544-6256; vinotecca.com

The delish wine list, the stainless-steel-and-slate decor, that it's in Royal Oak ... no wonder Vinotecca's a prime nesting ground for the upwardly oenophilic. Keep eyes peeled for nasal tittering and discussions on tannins, and you'll be privy to mating habits of the prematurely wealthy. If you're out Washtenaw way, check out Vinotecca's sister business, Vinology.

Best Crêpes

Good Girls Go to Paris
15 E. Kirby St., Detroit; 877-727-4727; goodgirlsgotopariscrepes.com

The traditional French pancake gets an American treatment at this stylish Midtown eatery. Each crêpe takes almost four minutes, from first careful pouring to when it is handed to the customer. Some come savory, and some come sweet, but given the wide variety of choices, nobody will walk away unsatisfied. You can even design your own.

Best Outdoor or Patio Dining in Wayne County

La Dolce Vita
17546 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-865-0331; ldvrestaurant.net

La Dolce Vita is one of those hidden gems Detroit offers to those in the know, as it's nearly invisible, marked only by the neon letters LDV on a building just north of McNichols Road. Park in back, then walk through a courtyard that, in summertime, will transport you magically to a delightfully romantic, shady, treed oasis. Sunday brunch is especially popular, punctuated with jazz that accompanies the mimosas and Bloody Marys, a prelude to a short menu of eggs Benedict, Mascarpone-stuffed French toast and similarly delectable treats.

Best Outdoor or Patio Dining in Oakland County

Como's
22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-548-5005

Whether it's pizza, pasta, or anything that can conceivably be breaded and deep-fried, this fixture on the corner of Nine Mile and Woodward has been serving it up since 1961. Rain or shine, Como's sheltered outdoor dining area offers a place for al fresco eating and open-air boozing, with heating elements for added comfort on chilly days.

Best Outdoor or Patio Dining in Macomb County - Tie

Beach Grill
24420 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores; 586-771-4455; beachgrillrestaurantandresort.com

Gator Jake's
36863 Van Dyke Ave., Sterling Heights; 586-983-3700; gatorjakes.net

Macombers got tied up on this one. As for Beach Grill, "deck space" doesn't begin to cover it: 5,000 square feet of it, with 32 tables and a full tiki bar, along with a dance floor and a spectacular view indoors or out. But enough people enjoyed Gator Jake's varied menu and its less spectacular but still-pleasing outdoor options.

Best Outdoor or Patio Dining in Washtenaw County

Dominick's
812 Monroe St., Ann Arbor; 734-662-5414

Located south of U-M's Ann Arbor campus, Dominick's serves up pizza, pasta, apps and sammiches. A favorite is the chicken quesadilla (which you can never go wrong with) and tomato bruschetta on a toasted baguette. Michigan microbrews are also on tap. And then there are the sprawling outdoor options, as seating is available in three spots: the balcony, the front or the back yard — your choice!

Best Bakery in Wayne County

Avalon International Breads
422 W. Willis St., Detroit; 313-832-0008; avalonbreads.net

Sure, Avalon's breads are among the best, regularly featured at restaurants far beyond their Cass Corridor location. But if you like your sandwiches made for you, show up at lunchtime as the focaccia comes out of the oven. It might be topped with organic roasted zucchini, tomatoes, basil and Parmesan. Avalon has branched out from the baguettes and crusty peasant loaves of yore. Now brioche, scones and cinnamon rolls expand the meaning of "bread."

Best Bakery in Oakland County

Pinwheel Bakery
220 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-398-8018; pinwheelbakery.com

This tiny little Ferndale bakery turns out some big-tasting treats. Their scones are among the best we've had, crisp on the outside, moist and soft on the inside, coming in a variety of flavors. Our favorite is cinnamon cherry, but the ginger toffee and cranberry orange come a close second. We love to pick up a variety of tiny little cookies by the pound boxed up with a ribbon. The vanilla bean buttons are garnished with a sparkly pink sugar rim and the cardamom walnut rounds are just plain delicious.

Best Bakery in Macomb County

Vito's Bakery
36578 Moravian Dr., Clinton Twp.; 586-791-0360; vitosbakery.net

In the same family for almost 40 years, Vito's does it all: cakes, breads, candies, cookies, pizza dough to go, and so much more than just loaves. In fact, more than a bakery, Vito's qualifies as a pasticceria, a genuine pastry shop. If you're not convinced, try a cannoli; you'll be back!

Best Bakery in Washtenaw County

Zingerman's Bakehouse
3711 Plaza Dr., Ann Arbor; 734-761-7255; zingermansbakehouse.com

Sure, you can pick up these terrific breads at Zingerman's Deli, but you can also check out the offerings of the bakehouse, which rotate monthly specials. For April, it's paesano bread, carrot cake, with upcoming "bakes" of cranberry-pecan bread and scallion-walnut bread. Sound enticing? It should: Washtenaw readers put it over the top.

Best Desserts
Best Sweets Shop

Astoria Sweets
541 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-963-9603
320 S. Main St., Royal Oak; 248-582-9220; astoriapastryshop.com

Astoria has logged 40 years in its Greektown location. How do they do it? By serving the kinds of desserts that make you want to snap a photo before they go down the hatch. And it's quite a sight: a glistening array of mouthwatering cakes and pies and cookies and puddings. Then there's the chocolate-peanut butter frozen yogurt, a rich delight made from low-fat frozen yogurt, but chock-full of thick peanut butter, a necessity for low-carbers. They'll happily box them up for a gift or to go.

Best Indie Coffeehouse in Wayne County

Café 1923
2287 Holbrook, Hamtramck; 313-319-8766; cafe1923.com

Built in 1923, this former corner store has been lovingly restored with the period details that now make it such an appealing coffeehouse. However, the way Café 1923 differs from most coffeehouses is the price. Coffees and other specialties are affordably priced; nothing on the menu is more than $5. Art exhibits are showcased along the walls featuring local artists. In fair weather, their back yard is a sun-splashed delight. In foul weather, enjoy the street views in the front or retreat to the book-filled lounge in the rear. It's a great place to get some work done peacefully, since Café 1923 offers free wireless Internet.

Best Indie Coffeehouse in Oakland County

Five15
515 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-515-2551; five15.net

It's more than the good java, friendly folks, gift-shop-lite atmo, free Wifi, appetizing snacks and other goodies that make Five15 a fun destination. It's also the fun events that lend a surreal quality to your cup of coffe, such as their Saturday night Drag Queen Bingo. Yup, see their website for a video of the fun, honey.

Best Indie Coffeehouse in Macomb County

Che Cosa
90 Macomb Place, Mount Clemens; 586-954-2677

Quirky little joint in downtown Mount Clemens has snacks, coffee, couches and a friendly vibe. Plus, if you want to grab some coffee to go, you can walk right over to the Clinton River and take it easy. Just goes to show that, even in seven-lane-heaven Macomb County, location still means something.

Best Indie Coffeehouse in Washtenaw County

Ugly Mug Café & Roastery
317 W. Cross Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-484-4684; uglymugcafeandroastery.com

This attractive, quality little shop isn't ugly, it just has a little bit of 'tude in the names. Drop in for a "paralyzer" espresso or a "killer" bagel sandwich. (We presume you will emerge agile and restored from the experience!)

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