Lorain County residents nominated their favorite restaurants, businesses, services and entertainment destinations. We've tallied the results and listed the top three finalists in each category. They range from dinner to dessert spots, galleries to farmers markets, festivals to theaters — and that's only scratching the surface.
On July 11, 2018, you can vote for your favorites at the ninth annual Best of Lorain County celebration at the Spitzer Conference Center, Norton Culinary Arts Center and Stocker Arts Center at Lorain County Community College. The finalists will show you why they deserve your recognition. Then, watch for the Fall 2018 issue of puLse Lorain County's Magazine, in which we'll reveal this year's winners.

FOOD 

Restaurant
Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
The Jailhouse Taverne, Grafton

Fine Dining
Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
Nemo Grille, Avon
Strip Steakhouse, Avon

Casual Dining
Avon Brewing Co., Avon
The Jailhouse Taverne, Grafton
Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst

Patio
Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Jackalope Lakeside, Lorain
The Jailhouse Taverne, Grafton

Sunday Brunch
Cafe Melissa, Avon Lake
Sugarcreek Restaurant, 
Village of Sheffield
The Feve, Oberlin

Family Dining
Mutt & Jeff’s, Lorain
Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst

Bar Food
Fort’s Olde Town Tavern, Wellington
Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst

Appetizers
Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
Cole’s Public House, Amherst
Wood & Wine, Avon

Sushi
Jin House, Amherst
The Mandarin, Oberlin
Wasabi Japanese House, Elyria

Cheap Eats
Blue Sky Restaurant, Amherst
Midway Oh Boy, Elyria
Two Bucks, Avon

Steak
Diso’s Bistro, Lorain
Jackalope Lakeside, Lorain
Strip Steakhouse, Avon

Italian
Fratello’s Restaurant, Avon Lake
Lenoci’s Spaghetti House, Lorain
Sorrento Ristorante & Pizzeria, 
Village of Sheffield 

Latin
Don Tequila Bar & Grill, Amherst
El Kefon, Lorain
Fiesta Jalapenos, North Ridgeville

Asian
Golden Crown, Amherst
Jin House, Amherst
Pine Garden Restaurant, Lorain

Ribs
Bubba’s-Q, Avon
Moosehead, Amherst
Mutt & Jeff’s, Lorain

Burger
Cole’s Public House, Amherst
Heck’s Cafe, Avon
The Feve, Oberlin

Wings
83 & Chestnut Pub and Eatery, 
North Ridgeville
The Brew Kettle, Amherst
ZZ’s Big Top, Avon

Sandwich
Melt Bar and Grilled, Avon
Smitty’s Place, Elyria
YOUR Deli, Amherst

Burrito
Agave Burrito Bar & Tequilaria, Oberlin
Don Tequila Bar & Grill, Amherst
Fiesta Jalapenos, North Ridgeville

Pizza (non-chain) 
Lorenzo’s Pizzeria, Oberlin
Olde Town Pizza House, Amherst
Yala’s Pizza, Lorain

Donuts (non-chain )
Becker’s Doughnut, North Ridgeville
Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst
Wellington Bakery & Pizza, Wellington

Coffee
Arabica Coffee Bistro, Amherst
Bread-N-Brew, Wellington
The Slow Train Cafe, Oberlin

Desserts
Cupcake Wishes, Avon
Little Devil Cupcakery, Amherst
Small Town Sweets, Vermilion

Chocolate
Faroh’s Candies & Gifts, Lorain
Malley’s Chocolates, Lakewood
Suzin L. Chocolatier, Elyria

Ice Cream
Cowhaus Creamery, Oberlin
K Cream Korner, Lorain
Mitchell’s Ice Cream, Avon

Wine Shop
Giuseppe’s Wine Cellar, Amherst
Matus Winery, Wakeman
The Wine Room, Avon

Deli
Fligner’s Market, Lorain
Rubin’s Deli & Restaurant, Elyria
YOUR Deli, Amherst

Pastry Shop
Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes, Avon Lake
Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery, Amherst
Little Devil Cupcakery, Lorain

Fish Fry
American Slovak Club, Lorain
Jake’s on the Lake, Avon Lake
The United Polish Club of Elyria, Elyria

Caterer
Fligner’s Market, Lorain
Lorain County Community College, Elyria
Pogie’s Catering, Amherst

ENTERTAINMENT 

Sports Bar
The Brew Kettle, Amherst
Wolfey’s Bistro & Pub, Elyria
Ziggy’s Pub & Restaurant, Amherst

Happy Hour
Bistro 83, North Ridgeville
Cole’s Public House, Amherst
Speak of the Devil, Lorain

Local Festival
FireFish Festival, Lorain
Lorain International Festival, Lorain
North Ridgeville Corn Festival, 
North Ridgeville

Wine Tasting
Cork Tree Tavern, Amherst
Matus Winery, Wakeman
The Wine Room, Avon

Theater
Apollo Theatre, Oberlin
The Lorain Palace Theatre, Lorain
Stocker Arts Center (of Lorain County Community College), Elyria

HEALTH

Fitness Center
Mercy Health & Recreation Center, Amherst
Planet Fitness, Elyria
UH Avon Health Center, Avon

Fitness Trail
Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation, Amherst
Bur Oak, Elyria
Day’s Dam, Lorain

Charitable Event (nonprofit) 
Difference Makers Gala, Elyria
L’Amour du Vin/Arthritis Foundation, Avon

Charitable Race
Avon Eagle Run, Avon
James A. Kerstetter 5K Run & Family 
Fun Walk, Elyria
Smiles for Sophie Forever, Avon Lake

Yoga Studio
3Sisters yoga + fitness, Avon
The Hive, Elyria
Unwind Yoga, Amherst

Healthy Menu
Aladdin’s Eatery, Oberlin
Fresh Planet, Avon
Salad Kraze, Avon Lake

Senior Living
Kendal at Oberlin, Oberlin
Sprenger Health Care Systems, Lorain

SHOPPING 

Florist
Off Broadway Floral & Gift, Lorain
Puffers Floral Shoppe, Elyria
Zelek Flower Shop, Lorain 

Garden Center
Don Mould’s Plantation Garden Center and Nursery, North Ridgeville and Amherst
Pandy’s Premier Garden Center, Elyria
Petitti Garden Centers, Avon

Beer Selection (retail) 
Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Giuseppe’s Wine Cellar, Amherst
Heinen’s Grocery Store, Avon

Health Food Selection
Dietary Health Foods, Elyria
Fligner’s Market, Lorain
Heinen’s Grocery Store, 
Avon

Book Store
Ben Franklin & MindFair Books, Oberlin
Keith’s Comics, Elyria
Lorain County Community College, Elyria

Jeweler
Elyria Jewelers and Repair, Elyria
Nielsen Jewelers, Lorain
Vandemark Jewelers, Elyria

Shopping Center
Main Street Amherst, Amherst
Downtown Oberlin, Oberlin
Olde Avon Village, Avon

Boutique
Nicole Kay’s Boutique, Elyria
Puffers Floral Shoppe, Elyria
The Mermaid’s Tail, Amherst

Farmers Market
Elyria Farmers Market, Elyria
Oberlin Farmers Market, Oberlin
Vermilion Farm Market, Vermilion

Gallery
Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery, Elyria
FAVA Gallery, Oberlin
Ginko Gallery & Studio, Oberlin

SERVICE 

Day Spa
Exhale Spa at UH Avon Health 
Center, Avon
The Kneaded Touch, Amherst
Spa B Skincare Boutique, Grafton

Mani Pedi
A David Anthony Salon + Spa, Lorain
Blue Water Salon and Spa, Grafton
Exhale Spa at UH Avon Health Center, Avon

Dry Cleaner
Crystal Clear Cleaners, Lorain  
Pat’s Cleaners, Avon
Ridge Cleaners, Avon Lake

Car Wash
Blue Falls Car Wash, Avon
Friendship Car Wash, Vermilion
Ridgeville Wash Wizzard, North Ridgeville

Pet Boutique
Barking Barbers, North Ridgeville
Paws By the Lake Pet Resort, Avon Lake
The Spotted Dog Pet Salon, Avon

CHILDREN

Gymnastics
Flippers Gym Program, Avon
Great Lakes Gymnastics, Avon Lake
Ten Point O Gymnastics, North Ridgeville

Learning Center
Kendal Early Learning Center, Oberlin
Lorain County Community College, Elyria
The Child Garden, Oberlin

Dance Studio
Avon Dance & Martial Arts, Avon
JAM Dance Academy LLC, 
North Ridgeville
Midwest School of Ballet, Amherst

Music Instruction 
Community Music School, Oberlin
Ron Zehel Guitar Center, Amherst
Woodshed Lesson Studio, Oberlin

PEOPLE 

Bartneder
Jamie Smith, Fort’s Tavern, Wellington
Kurt Hernon, Speak of the Devil, Lorain
Mary Goetz, The Unicorn Restaurant & Pub, Grafton

Local Volunteer
Bonnie Zimmerman, The Lorain Palace Theater, Lorain
Kel Arroyo, Lorain Historical 
Society, Lorain
Tory Mittler, Lorain County Dog 
Kennel, Elyria

Board Member
Clint Gault, French Creek 
Foundation, Avon
Ken Kramer, The Lorain Palace 
Theater, Lorain
Susan Bowers, Community Foundation of Lorain County, Elyria 

Chef
Anthony Martorello, Bistro 83, 
North Ridgeville
Brian Weaver, Avon Brewing Co., Avon
Chase Wilcox, LCCC Catering, Elyria

Personal Trainer
Gina Shaffer, UH Avon Health 
Center, Avon
Linda Vilagi, Mercy Health & Recreation Center, Amherst
Ted Kennedy, North Ridge Tennis and Golf Club, North Ridgeville

Master Stylist
Alea Stover, Fine Bella, Avon Lake
Bergan Krek-Dickinson, A David Anthony Salon + Spa & Hair Studio, Lorain
Megan Morgan, Hello Gorgeous, Avon