Andersonville Honors Awards Preview: Restaurant/Bar of the Year

We have covered the nominations for Arts Organization of the Year, Health/Service Organization of the Year and Retailer of the Year.  However, this next category seems to be the nearest and dearest to the hearts of many in Andersonville because it was the category that BY FAR had the most nominations - the Restaurant/ Bar of the Year Award.   This honor goes to a favorite drinking and/or dining establishment in Andersonville, and the lineup this year features two newcomers, two relatively established restaurants and one old, old, OLD neighborhood favorite!

The following are the nominees up for the Restaurant/Bar of the Year Award:

• Hamburger Mary’s serves a wide selection of burgers, sandwiches, and soups with a twist. Hamburger Mary’s also has a sports bar, brewery, and an entertainment venue upstairs.  They were the winners of the Eco-Andersonville Award at last year’s Andersonville Honors Gala!

• Jerry’s was a newcomer in 2012 and features a 100+ menu of warm and cold sandwiches, burgers, sausages, po boys, and entrée salads along American craft beer and whiskey.  Look for their patio to open in the spring of 2013!  

• Lady Gregory’s had their soft opening during Midsommarfest weekend 2011 and have been packing in the crowds ever since.. Their menu features distinctive specialties with an emphasis on farm-to-table, sustainable, and local ingredients. A nominee last year for the Welcome Addition Award!  

• Another newcomer in 2012, the menu at Ombra is inspired by the regional flavors of the Italian Tre Venezie which features cured meats, vegetables, bruschetta, and tramanzzini along with a full bar menu of cocktails and beer. All served in one of the most eye-catching interiors in the neighborhood!

• Famous across Chicago for their delicious glogg served during the holiday season, Simon’s Tavern is a friendly neighborhood bar whose blue and yellow neon ‘herring holding a martini glass’sign has welcomed visitors to Andersonville for a long time.  In fact, next year will mark Simon’s 80th anniversary!

This award will be presented along with seven others at the Andersonville Honors Gala on Thursday, April 18th at the Swedish American Museum.  In additional to final voting starting on March 1, tickets to this fun event also go on sale that day.  To vote and get more information about tickets, visit www.andersonville.org! You can also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/andersonville or follow us on Twitter @avillechamber for more updates.