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Best Burgers: George’s, multiple locations

Founded: 1984

Owner: Smokey Bourgeois

Perennial favorite George’s edges out the competition again this year with its juicy grilled three-quarter-pound burgers grilled to order, but it’s a narrower margin of victory than ever for this king of the onion ring. Bocage Shopping Center’s Dearman’s, Baton Rouge’s long-established and much-reincarnated burger-and-malt joint, placed a very close second. Back on our burger radar after an absence, Dearman’s Hamburgers was once a byword in this town; it looks like it’s on its way up again. Meanwhile, Brew-Bacher’s hangs tight to third place thanks to a bevy of classics that satisfy any hunger.

Best New Restaurant: Zea Rotisserie & Grill, 2380 Towne Center Blvd., Ste. C, 927-9917

Founded: 1999

Owner: Greg Reggio

This formerly small Harahan-based restaurant isn’t just catching our eye—this up-and-coming chain has won awards everywhere it opens, including Best Restaurant in Lafayette in a 2007 Times of Acadiana poll. Looks like Baton Rouge has caught on to a good thing.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN a carnivorous voice inside your head says "Oh, yeahhhh."

Harahan-based Zea Rotisserie & Grill opened during a two-year period in Baton Rouge that saw literally dozens of new eateries, making its win as Best New Restaurant that much sweeter. Zea distinguishes itself with fall-off-the-bone tender roasted meats and a savory seafood grill. Dare yourself to try a gator-and-grits “pirogue” or stick to tamer but still decadent fare like the American-Kobe beef burger. The food is fab, and the prices won’t empty your wallet.

Best Asian Restaurant: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 7341 Corporate Blvd., 216-9044

Founded: 2005

Owner: Rick Federico

Each PF Chang’s is meant to reflect a certain period in Chinese history, and some locations have even won national awards for their unique architecture.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you spot the life-size replicas of Xi’an warrior statues standing guard.

After a surprising victory in Best Oriental Cuisine as a relative newcomer last year, P.F. Chang’s leads the pack again for best Asian restaurant in Baton Rouge. This chic Chinese eatery clearly has its chopsticks on the pulse, offering everything from unique dishes like warm duck spinach salad to more familiar (but still extra-savory) fare like Moo Goo Gai Pan. Their sweet and sour offerings with whole chunks of pineapple and bell peppers will make you swear off the orange paste you get with other Chinese takeout. It’s raw fish all the way otherwise, as sushi slingers Ichiban and Tsunami place strongly in second and third.

Best Overall Restaurant: Juban’s, 3739 Perkins Rd., 346-8422

Founded: 1983

Owners: Carol and Miriam Juban

Juban’s hosts several special food and wine events throughout the year, reservations for which sell out quickly. Their most popular event, their Abita Beer Dinner, features food prepared with and served alongside the eponymous local lager.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN a fried soft-shell crab waves hello to you.

This was a nail-biter, folks, but ’06 champ Juban’s reclaims their title from last year’s Best Overall, The Chimes, by an oh-so-slender margin of a quarter of a percent. One can hardly find two restaurants more diametrically opposed—Juban’s is more hoity-toity where The Chimes is hoi polloi—but together they form a perfect microcosm of our fair city’s tastes. Hallelujah crab versus crab cake sandwiches, shrimp aubergine versus shrimp po-boys, we love it all, and these two eateries never let us down.

Best Cajun: Parrain’s, 3225 Perkins Rd., 381-9922

Founded: 2001

Owners: Tim Hood and Michael Ryan

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN they call you in from the packed front porch when your table is ready.

The Chimes-owned Parrain’s wins top honors for the contentious Cajun category this year; delectable Gulf Coast seafood offerings range from standards like gumbo and crawfish etouffee to unique and palate-pleasing twists like andouille-encrusted fish. Drop in Tuesday for 25-cent oysters, or just chill and treat yourself to some boudin balls and fried alligator at their seriously underrated bar. Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant lands at close second for the first time in this category with classic dishes prepared with care, and Mike Anderson’s credentials among Acadian cuisine connoisseurs remain intact.

Best French: Juban’s, 3739 Perkins Rd., 346-8422

This category’s finish was closer than the final stage of the Tour de France, with finalists placing within just a few points of each other. Upscale Juban’s takes first place on the podium, however, winning our pollsters over yet again with their delectable Creole-French fare. Second-up Maison Lacour offers more traditional French dishes with a focus on local ingredients, and third-place Mansur’s delights with themed dishes and decadent portions. Add a gargantuan wine selection, and any epicurean would be hard-pressed to make up his mind among the three.

Best Mexican: Superior Grill, 5435 Government St., 927-2022

Founded: 1991

Owners: Bill BarBaree, Robert Kirchoff

Live music and margaritas are the backbone of nightlife at Superior.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN think you’ve wandered into the happeningest cantina in the world.

Superior Grill is right, if our polls are any indication—generous portions and a huge selection of Mexican dishes served hot has kept this well-known establishment at the top of the list for three years. Sizzling fajitas, spicy enchiladas, and mesquite-fired meats all add up to a first-rate dining experience. Still, 2006 winner Ninfa’s is starting to creep back up with weekend crowds rivaling even those of Superior’s. And with the help of another recent facelift, La Carreta lands firmly in third.

Best Italian: Gino’s Italian Restaurant, 4542 Bennington Ave., 927-7156

Founded: 1966

Owner: Gino Marino

Few restaurants can boast the kind of pedigree Gino’s has—84-year-old Grace “Mama” Marino’s award-winning, handmade Italian food has been cooked in the same way since the restaurant first opened in 1966.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you spot Gino or Mama Marino checking sauce in the kitchen.

Italian-Creole fusion restaurant Ruffino’s nearly ties with downtown’s friendly neighborhood haunt, The Little Village, but both behind mainstay Gino’s. Hearty cuisine with rich, authentic flavors, Mama Marino’s food will fill you up and still leave you wanting more. Their signature dishes and insistence on buying local has clearly endeared them to readers, who voted them to the top in this category for the third year.

Best Mediterranean: Albasha, multiple locations

Founded: 1992

Owners: Kamal, Nasir, Neil, and Nabil Albasha

Albasha means “number one,” and having ridden the top of our poll every year, they’re living up to it.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you learn to accept garlic breath as a fact of post-lunch life.

With the sheer and frankly astounding number of Mediterranean restaurants in the greater Baton Rouge area, it’s hard to distinguish yourself from the pack. Yet Albasha consistently rules the roost, topping the Best Mediterranean category this year for the fourth time. Is it the succulent shwarma, the juicy grape leaves, or have they slipped something in the hummus to keep us coming back? Who cares? Another kibbi, please! Serop’s Cafe places a distant but still respectable second, offering kebabs and convenience with their Serop’s Express offshoots around the city. Meanwhile Roman’s Cafe tenaciously hangs on to third with fewer locations but dozens of tasty choices on their menu.

Best BBQ: TJ Ribs, two locations

Founded: 1986

Owner: T.J. Moran

TJ Ribs houses what practically amounts to an LSU museum within its walls, including Billy Cannon’s much-vaunted 1959 Heisman trophy. But don’t miss the other incredible memorabilia, like a basketball rim from the Pete Maravitch Assembly Center that Shaq broke from the backboard, or the shoes LSU players wore in the 1986 Final Four.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN a waitress writes her name upside down on your paper tablecloth.

A close race this year between established eatery TJ Ribs and last year’s winner, Voodoo, with TJ Ribs edging out the competition by less than a percent. TJ Ribs—the true sportsman’s paradise if you’re an LSU fan—serves up mouthwatering racks of ribs, whereas New Orleans-based Voodoo offers the classics but has more of an array of burgers and sandwiches. When it comes to popularity, though, it seems they’re nearly evenly matched. Zea Rotisserie & Grill makes a strong showing as newcomers to the game—still, the fact that they’ve made a splash on the Baton Rouge BBQ radar may mean promising things for the New Orleans-area chain’s future.

Best Steaks: Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 4836 Constitution Ave., 925-0163

Founded: 1976

Owner: T.J. Moran

The New Orleans-based steak house may not be the original Ruth’s Chris, but the Baton Rouge eatery was the chain’s first franchise operation. With more than 100 locations in eight countries—some as far away as Dubai and Hong Kong—it’s an odd comfort to know that Baton Rouge was the first to catch on to the trend.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN your mouth begins watering involuntarily.

In all four years we’ve conducted our survey, not once has Ruth’s Chris slipped from the top tier. The famous Capital City eatery has clearly perfected the art of the prime cut, with meat so tender it hardly requires a knife. Fleming’s and Sullivan’s are left to battle it out for second and third, respectively, but don’t make the mistake of missing their steaks—both serve buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cuts in sumptuous surroundings of their own.

Best Brunch: The Chimes, two locations

Founded: 1983

Owners: Tim Hood and Michael Ryan

Doggone thieves: the Chimes’s prized ceramic RCA pooch, “Nipper,” has been stolen and successfully recovered twice by nimble customers. To prevent further attempts by would-be dognappers, Nipper now wears a leash that chains him to the bar.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN the first mouth-watering bite makes you feel like you’re back in college.

Seafood-stuffed French toast. Cornbread and crabmeat pancakes. Crawfish omelets. Dare you resist Sunday brunch at The Chimes? Although known more for beer than brunching, the restaurant’s weekly event is an outré mix of morning meal mainstays and scrumptious Louisiana seafood that truly satisfies. Fresh biscuits and heaping sides of cheese grits only drive home that this is a real flavors-of-the-city deal.

Best Breakfast: Louie’s Café, 209 W. State St., 346-8221

Founded: 1941*

Owner: James Wetherford

* The sign may say “since 1941,” but Louie’s has been around much longer than that. “Louie’s Dutch Mill” was started downtown in the late 1930s and moved to the LSU area during World War II. Read more about Louie’s interesting history here.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN the busy grill man nods “hello” in your direction.

Campus institution Louie’s has been a staple of LSU life so long its food is practically legendary. Huge, fluffy pancakes, mounds of Zatarain’s-flecked hash browns and their signature veggie omelet (served at all hours) have lured night owls and early risers to their doors since 1941. Don’t miss the giant biscuits, which are served at limited hours (the only food on the menu that is).

Best Gumbo: The Chimes, two locations

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN one taste has you searching the room for your grandma.

A shocking near-20% of our respondents couldn’t choose a good place for gumbo in the Capital City, but in a town where most everyone’s mama is a Cajun chef, we can’t really blame y’all. Still, if it’s home-cooked flavor you’re craving, The Chimes’ seafood or duck and sausage variants of this classic Cajun dish might be just what you desire. Mike Anderson’s crabmeat-laden offering is a peppery feast for both the senses and the stomach. Don’s places third, but this long-established company is anything but third-rate; their shrimp and okra-stuffed variety is a generation-spanning favorite.

Best Coffee: CC’s Community Coffee House, multiple locations

Founded: 1995

Owner: The Saurage family (CEO, Matt Saurage)

Not just a coffee shop, Community Coffee is the largest family-owned coffee brand in the United States, and they don’t forget their small-town roots. Charities like their long-running Cash for Schools program (how many of us remember bringing bags of CC’s UPCs to school?) have raised more than $4 million for local schools.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you you’re distracted from the enchanting scent of freshly ground coffee by a courteous barista offering you a latte.

Tall Mochasippi, chai latte with whip, caramel cappuccino, we all have our favorites. Is it love, or caffeine addiction? For fourth time winner CC’s, it might just be both. Loyal customers wouldn’t even let java juggernaut Starbucks budge them from the top. With signature blended drinks and nearly a dozen locations across the city, is it any wonder CC’s is Baton Rouge’s best-loved bean bar?

Best Pizza: Fleur de Lis, 5655 Government St., 924-2904

Founded: 1946

Owner: Pam Rushing

Why square pizza? The founders had square pans.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN square pizza suddenly seems like the way it should be.

Baton Rougeans love their pizza square and with good reason; Fleur de Lis has been serving their distinctive baked specialties for more than 50 years. Generations can wax rhapsodic about their “famous Roman pizza pies,” especially their signature “Round the world,” and they were far and away the favorite of our tally. Still, DeAngelo’s Pizzeria and Pastime make respectable showings in second and third, and in a city where pizza places are more plentiful than pepperoni on cheese, that’s no small victory.

Best Grilled Fish or Seafood: Bonefish Grill, 7415 Corporate Blvd., 216-1191

Founded: 2005

Owners: Tim Curci, John Cooper

It may not be local, but Bonefish doesn’t buy its product sight unseen—a dedicated team of fish buyers constantly scouts suppliers all over the world to make sure the best fish is served at its signature restaurants.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you realize barbecue has reached the Gulf.

Stylish Bonefish Grill takes the cake this year as Best Grilled Fish or Seafood, with a truly “have it your way” strategy. Offering a worldwide selection from swordfish to sea bass, Bonefish flies it in daily and cooks it to juicy perfection over a wood-fired grill, serving it with your choice of four tasty sauces. Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant lands a satisfactory second in this category, serving up succulent dishes with a focus on more local catches. Mike Anderson’s namesake eatery places third in this category, though ruling in overall Best Seafood.

Best Asian Buffet Restaurant: Great Wall Restaurant, 3132 College Dr., 928-3213

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN your eyes widen at the dizzying, multi-laned array of foods.

It’s no secret that the appropriately named Great Wall Restaurant is a nigh-insurmountable leader among Baton Rouge buffets. Spicy second-placer Hunan makes a stout showing, and Thai Kitchen earns an impressive third place showing for a lunchtime-only buffet. Still, Great Wall’s enormous spread (impressive enough to feed a horde of Mongols) along with the just-right all-you-can-eat price range put all the buffet competition in Great Wall’s shadow.

Best Burgers: George’s, multiple locations

Founded: 1984

Owner: Smokey Bourgeois

Perennial favorite George’s edges out the competition again this year with its juicy grilled three-quarter-pound burgers grilled to order, but it’s a narrower margin of victory than ever for this king of the onion ring. Bocage Shopping Center’s Dearman’s, Baton Rouge’s long-established and much-reincarnated burger-and-malt joint, placed a very close second. Back on our burger radar after an absence, Dearman’s Hamburgers was once a byword in this town; it looks like it’s on its way up again. Meanwhile, Brew-Bacher’s hangs tight to third place thanks to a bevy of classics that satisfy any hunger.

Best Salads: DeAngelo’s Casual Italian Dining, multiple locations

Founded: 1991

Owner: Louis DeAngelo Jr.

No wonder their food tastes authentic—DeAngelo got his start working in his parents’ pizza shop in New Jersey at age 10 before starting up his own pizza company here as an adult after moving south.

Don’t think salads can be exciting? You haven’t tried DeAngelo’s. There’s no wussy, watery iceberg lettuce here, just dark romaine and baby greens in giant portions. Fresh garlic, basil and Italian cheeses, homemade croutons, sliced apples: DeAngelo’s really knows how to do a salad right. And if you require more than veggies to satisfy your cravings, they’ll top any of their crunchy creations with shrimp or chicken for just a couple dollars more.

Best Po-boys: George’s, multiple locations

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN your pupils adjust to the darkness so you can read names scrawled on the dollar bills stuck to the ceiling.

George’s has yet another close shave in the po-boys category, just barely squeaking past Rocco’s with the help of a single vote. Let it never be said that your vote doesn’t matter, dear readers; it sure made the difference here. George’s has been voted Baton Rouge’s favorite po-boy in our polls since ’06, but self-proclaimed “King of Po-boys” Rocco’s is swiftly living up to its title. Both places serve their sandwiches hot and fresh on soft French bread, and neither skimps on the fillings—it’s not hard to see why this category would be so hotly contested.

Best Burritos and Tacos: Izzo’s Illegal Burrito, multiple locations

Founded: 2001

Owners: Gary Kovacs, Ozzie Fernandez

Whence Izzo? The name of the burrito joint comes from owner Ozzie Fernandez’s name spelled backwards—sans the “e”, of course.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN breaking the law never tasted so good.

Izzo’s prices are so good and its portions so generous you really will feel like you’re getting away with something. From the misdemeanor up through the eponymous “illegal” size, their burritos rule, and the tacos (made from the same good stuff) are just as tasty. Their emphasis on “roll your own” —e.g., they make your food to your exacting specifications—gave them the edge over even Best Mexican winners Superior Grill and Ninfa’s.

Best Seafood: Mike Anderson’s Seafood, 1031 W Lee Dr., 766-7823

Founded: 1975

Owner: Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson’s has a way of honoring the little guy in their signature dishes; two of their most popular items, the Norman and the Guitreau, were named for a plumber and a maintenance man, respectively.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you spot a gulf of fried seafood platters.

Leading the Best Seafood category for the third year, former LSU football star Anderson proves that Baton Rougeans like their fish with a dash of tiger. You could ignore the calories and order a fried seafood platter—your taste buds will thank you—but if you prefer a walk on the lighter side, a seafood salad with one of Anderson’s homemade dressings will surely satisfy. Louisiana Lagniappe makes a strong showing this year, with succulent selections that continue to win over B.R. palates. Parrain’s, which won in a separate category, captures third here; and yet with all the seafood restaurants available in this town, that’s no mark of dishonor. Choices like this make us feel privileged to live so near the coast.

Best Sushi: Tsunami, 100 Lafayette St., 346-5100

Tsunami rides a wave of victory, though it’s far from a tidal wave this year with rival eatery Ichiban just a handful of votes away from overcoming the Shaw Center’s premier sushi servers. Both sushi places are on a roll with their coastal seafood-incorporated specialties, and both can more than competently handle sushi mainstays like the crab-stuffed crunchy roll or the avocado and eel-stuffed dragon roll. Relative newcomer Sushi Yama pulls a surprising third place victory; the tiny, half-hidden Perkins Road eatery is a true diamond in the rough.

Best Bakery: Ambrosia Bakery, 8546 Siegen Ln., 763-6489

Founded: 1993

Owners: Felix and Cheryl Sherman

The bakery goes through more than 27 tons of fresh strawberries in a year.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN the scent of cake makes you wish your birthday is today.

What celebration these days is complete without an Ambrosia Bakery strawberry cake? They may have equally delicious breads, cheesecakes and king cakes available for order, but the ubiquitous berry confections undoubtedly reign supreme. Our poll agrees, placing the perennially popular patisserie firmly ahead of the competition. Ensconced in its new, larger Siegen Lane location, there’s no question Ambrosia Bakery is a frosting-fueled force to be reckoned with. Still, with other family-owned favorites like Baum’s and The Cake Palace in second and third place, Baton Rouge clearly loves to shop local when it comes to sweets.

Best Place for Dessert: Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, 6171 Bluebonnet Blvd., 761-1110

Founded: 1999

Owner: Al Copeland Jr.

The bistro’s most popular sweet treat is, without a doubt, their white chocolate strawberry cheesecake. This tasty slice makes up one out of every five desserts sold. You know you’re there when your mental hard drive locks up from trying to choose one of so many cheesecake flavors.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN your mental hard drive locks up from trying to choose one of so many cheesecake flavors.

Their cheesecake is so decadent you feel sinful just for considering it. Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro has ruled this category since we started running this contest in 2006. Their 21 flavors, each one more enticing than the last, will tempt even the most disciplined diner. But if sugary nirvana is what you’re craving, and cheesecake isn’t your confection of choice, you need look no further than Best Bakery winner and runner-up Ambrosia Bakery. Or if you’re in the mood for something really different, a candy-coated chocolate-and-fruit fondue at third-placed The Melting Pot could be just what your sweet tooth is aching for, as the Corporate Boulevard eatery makes a cameo on our list.

Best Outdoor Dining: Tsunami, 100 Lafayette St., 346-5100

Founded: 2005

Owners: Leah Simon and Michele Ezell

The scenery you’re enjoying at the top of the Shaw Center with your drink almost didn’t happen—a dispute with LSU over rowdy crowds almost shut down the popular rooftop eatery soon after it opened. Fortunately, the matter was resolved, meaning you’re free to enjoy that bird’s-eye view with a cocktail or two.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you think, if only for a moment, that you’re in New York City.

With stunning, unobstructed views of downtown and the Mississippi, Tsunami’s sixth-floor rooftop view just can’t be beat. Take in some fresh air with your appetizers, gaze at the sunset while you sup on sushi and linger over dessert to catch the bridge light up. You won’t be disappointed.

Best Restaurant Worth the Drive: Middendorf’s Restaurant, 75 Manchac Way in Akers, (985) 386-6666

Founded: 1934

Owners: Horst and Karen Pfeifer

This legendary eatery celebrates its 75th anniversary on July 4th of this year, but it’s a race to see if it’ll be back in its historic location in time; hurricanes last year damaged the restaurant, and the owners are taking the opportunity to update and renovate while they continue to serve their classic catfish in the new building.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE THERE WHEN you're compelled to re-evaluate the lowly catfish.

The road may be long, the journey may be arduous, the tummy may be firmly empty by the time you get there, but when seafood is this good, you know it’s worth it. Celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, Middendorf’s near-mythic establishment between Ponchatoula and LaPlace is a true gourmand’s haven, with crispy, flaky catfish served in the same unpretentious style it’s been served for generations. Their seafood po-boys and broiled shrimp with tangy-sweet lemon butter sauce don’t disappoint, either. Much closer to home, Roberto’s gourmet offerings put it in close second, while that River Road legend Hymel’s finished a strong third.

Click here to return to the 2009 Best of 225 Awards.