The Times-Union and the Kosciusko Convention & Visitors Bureau asked county residents the opinions on where the best places to eat, visit and stay are, and more than 100 people responded.
Drawing and awarding of the prizes for those who completed the survey will be done after Thanksgiving.
There were eight categories, including restaurants, bars/nightlife, what to do, shopping, family fun, lodging, outdoors and cities/towns. For the cities/towns category, voters were asked, "If you had time to do only one thing in the following communities, what would it be and why?"
RESTAURANTS
For best restaurant for breakfast, Maria's House of Pancakes received the most votes.
Asked why Maria's was the best breakfast place, readers wrote, "The food is sooo good," "best selection," "big portions and good quality," "good food, good value" and "pancakes!"
After breakfast is lunch, and readers voted Cerulean as the best restaurant for lunch. "Bento box rocks!" wrote one person. Other reasons given include "food and atmosphere, lunch prices decent," "food is excellent and lunch prices are great" and "great bento box lunch with delicious and healthy food choices". Another voter wrote, "Awesome atmosphere. Great deal and they provide a fun way of letting you choose a few different things to eat, and they put it in a fun box."
And for those looking for a romantic place to dine, Cerulean also won for best romantic restaurant. It has an "awesome atmosphere," "private booths," "quiet booths by candle light" and the "most romantic ambiance and intimate feel," readers responded.
For the final meal of the day, dinner, readers chose Noa Noa as the best restaurant.
Noa Noa has "great food and atmosphere," wrote one reader. Another county resident wrote, "excellent food, good wine choices and service is improving." One person wrote "great food not found anywhere else in area, great service," while another reader boasted Noa Noa has "delicious sushi and fresh seafood, the service is always excellent, and has a great atmosphere ... it is just the best!"
Noa Noa also won for best restaurant for seafood. The seafood there, readers wrote is "always deliciously prepared," "excellent taste" and "hands down the best seafood in Kosciusko County."
While many restaurants serve chicken dishes, poll takers decided Kentucky Fried Chicken has the best chicken. Readers wrote KFC has a "variety of chicken dishes" and you "can't ruin a good thing." Another person wrote, "they know how to make chicken good," while another person thought KFC has a "wonderful variety of different kinds of chicken and wonderful side dishes to go with them."
In the mood for steak rather than chicken? Readers recommend Bogey's Steakhouse.
One reader wrote Bogey's "actually made it the way I ordered it and it tasted awesome." Another reader was pleased "the waitresses listen to the temperature and cook it the way you like. Also, the steaks are high quality."
When it comes to pizza, Kosciusko County residents voted Pizza Hut as the place to buy pizza. They said the "food is always fresh and hot," "good flavor," "good ingredients and variety" and "of all the places, it's still the best."
If it's ethnic food you want, winning the poll this year was El Arriero. The restaurant, readers wrote, has "authentic food," "good food" and a "variety" for a "low price."
There are several places around the county for lakeside dining. However, readers strongly voted The Boathouse Restaurant in Winona Lake as the best.
Why? "Great food, atmosphere and view" wrote one reader. "Locally owned, good service and consistently good food," wrote another. Several people just responded it had a "great view."
Taking the whole family out for dining. The best place for family dining, readers decided, is American Table. It's "clean and has variety," "affordable," has a "large menu" and has "something for everyone," readers answered about why it's a good place for the complete clan.
But if you're eating solo, readers couldn't quite make one decision, resulting in a four-way tie. That tie includes Ruby Tuesday, Mad Anthony's, Noa Noa and Brown Bag Deli.
Ruby Tuesday is good, readers wrote, because it has a "salad bar" and "good value." Some readers preferred Mad Anthony's because it has "good food options and window seats are good for people watching." One reader suggested people should "get a seat at the sushi bar" while another reader said the sushi bar and bar was great because you "have others talk to you while they fix sushi or drinks." The Brown Bag Deli was a choice for some readers because it has "perfect portions" and "plenty of options."
BARS/NIGHTLIFE
Want to go to the best place for live music? Spike's Beach Bar & Grill won the readers' choice. It "always has something going on," "enough room and great atmosphere," "outdoor music that is not too loud" and they have "great music that isn't 'bar music,'" readers wrote.
As for best sports bar, readers picked Wings Etc. "All those TVs!" one reader wrote. "The big TV and 45-cent wing nights. They only need more seating," wrote another reader. But other readers agreed, Wings Etc. is the best sports bar because of "lots of TVs," the "number of TVs" and a "big TV."
WHAT TO DO
When it comes to the best town festival in Kosciusko County, readers selected Downtown Days. "I always enjoyed them since I was a child," wrote one reader.
The best fine arts activity is the Winona Art Fair, readers picked. It has a "variety of street vendors, everything from crafts to artists."
Like sports? To catch a good football, basketball, baseball or other sporting events, readers think Warsaw Community High School offers the best sporting events.
"Friday night WCHS varsity football," one reader wrote. "It's great to see everyone come out and support the kids."
Readers mentioned everything from WCHS tennis to football and basketball. One reader said the "kids work hard for their school."
During any event, people get the munchies. The best event for food, according to readers' answers, is the Kosciusko County Fair.
"The fair because it is only here once a year," said one reader. It offers "a lot of choices," said another reader.
SHOPPING
If it's clothing you're looking for, readers selected Ruby as the best place to buy it. It's a "unique boutique, has plus sizes and things you would find in the big city," one reader wrote. "The customer service is excellent and their clothes always make you stand out. Great quality!" another reader responded.
The best handcrafted artisan shop, readers decided, is Whetstone Woodenware. It has "fantastic woodenware," "wonderful handmade wooden kitchen tools and great selection" readers wrote.
For antique shoppers, readers chose the town of Pierceton. "Hard to pick just one," one reader wrote. "Someplace in Pierceton, just because that's where they all are," said one reader.
Best gift shop in Kosciusko County? The Party Shop, readers voted. They said it has "great variety," "has everything," "something for everyone" and "when I don't know what to buy for someone, I always find something there."
FAMILY FUN
When it comes to finding the best place to go on a rainy day, readers said head to the movies and go to North Pointe Cinemas. The movie theater offers nine screens and lots of seating.
Where is the best place for family fun? Readers chose Something Funn on North Lake Street, Warsaw. "My 7-year-old loves the go-carts," wrote one person. "Lots to do for kids and their friends," said another. "They have things for all ages," said one voter. "Parents can play, too!" another said.
Heading to the beach? The best one chosen by readers this year is Center Lake Park. It also won for best playground/park.
"It has nice picnic areas, nice walking area, and a pavilion and a great play area. It's fun to go with family," said one reader.
"The beaches are cleaner and the park is right there," said another.
"Center Lake because it's a large beach, clean and the bottom is not gross," wrote one person.
The Kiddie Land at Center Lake Park has a "great new jungle gym, fun for lots of different aged kids, seating for adults," said one person, while another wrote, "it has the beautiful Biblical Gardens, playgrounds and beach."
LODGING
Whether you're looking for lodging for your family or just yourself, readers named only one local hotel for both categories. They chose the Ramada Plaza Hotel.
The Ramada, readers wrote, has "pool, restaurants and bar," "pool, video games, family suites" and "you have the Wagon Wheel right next to the hotel, who could ask for more, and it's a great hotel to stay at."
OUTDOORS
If staying indoors isn't your thing, readers said Central Park in Warsaw has the best scenic view in the county.
"It's very pretty," wrote one reader. "It is beautiful," said another.
Want to go golfing? The best golf course, according to vote takers, is Stonehenge Golf Club.
"Good food and challenging course," said one reader. "Very challenging and well kept," said another.
Others find the best way to relax is by fishing. Readers said the best place to go fishing in Kosciusko County is Lake Wawasee. It's a "big lake, big fish, great tournaments," one reader wrote.
For best wildlife viewing and best place to take a hike, readers picked Winona Lake for both categories.
"Lots of birds, little ground animals and deer," were given as some of the reasons. "I've heard there is even a bald eagle there now, along with several other forms of wildlife," one reader responded.CITIES/TOWNS
- Warsaw
If you had time to do one thing in Warsaw, the response with the most answers was Giverny Fitness Studio.
