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Best Liquor Store
Friar Tuck Beverage » 1333 Savoy Plaza Lane, 217-355-7933
Runners Up:
Picadilly's » 505 S. Neil St.,
Corkscrew » 203 N. Vine St., 217-337-7704
Friar Tuck, the defending champions for “Best Liquor Store,” take the prize again in 2009. With its wide variety of alcohol and its friendly team, the store has built a strong following, making it the alcohol destination in CU for all occasions. After opening locations in Springfield and Peoria, Mark Maskey, the owner of the liquor store chain, said the CU area ...
Best Wine Selection
Corkscrew » 203 N. Vine St., 217-337-7704
Runners Up:
Friar Tuck Beverage » 1333 Savoy Plaza Lane, 217-355-7933
Sunsinger Wine & Spirits » 1115 W. Windsor, (217) 351-1115
With more than 1500 different types of wine and a well-informed staff, the winner of this year’s “Best Wine Selection” is Corkscrew, located in Urbana. For 10 years, Corkscrew’s mission as a business has been to “help people make informed, intelligent and knowledgeable choices about the wine they purchase,” said Christine Graves, a wine consultant at Corkscrew. She added that employees ...
Best New Business
Cocomero » 709 S. Wright St., (217)328-3888
Runners Up:
The Blind Pig Brewery » 120 N Neil St , (217) 398-5133
Fleurish
Amara Yoga & Arts » 300 S. Broadway Avenue, 217-328–9642
Last April, Cocomero replaced Moonstruck on Wright Street, bringing Champaign-Urbana its first self-serve frozen yogurt shop. With ideal location, bright atmosphere, and wide variety of yogurt, it’s no surprise that Cocomero was voted by readers as the best new business of the year. Owner Colin Kim thinks that Cocomero’s authentic frozen yogurt may have something to do with the store’s ...
Best Drunk Food
Antonio's Pizza » 619 E. Green St., 217-724-0053
Runners Up:
La Bamba » 606 S. Sixth St., 217-344-6600
One World Pizza » 508 E. Green St., 217-344-4000
Fat Sandwich Company » 502 E. John, St, 2173285035
It can be a quick fix for just a lunch break, but at night, it’s a whole different pizza stop. The Best Drunken Food in Champaign Urbana is Antonio’s. The crew at Antonio’s is very carefree; they know how to go with the flow. A great environment and many regulars is what Kyle De Lap, supervisor at Antonio’s, said about ...
Best Best Green Business
B Lime
Runners Up:
Common Ground Food Co-op » 300 S. Broadway Suite 166, (217)352-3347
Strawberry Fields (Deli) » 306 W. Springfield Ave., 217-328-1655
Organic cat treats lie adjacent to pamphlets for Zipcars and bicycle maps on a dimly lit, round table. Unbleached coffee filters, along with organic coffee and tea, sit atop a shelf just a few feet away. And on the opposite end of the store sit organic spa products, bamboo nesting baskets and organic cotton T-shirts. B. Lime: A Green Store, ...
Best Best place to buy organic groceries
Strawberry Fields (Deli) » 306 W. Springfield Ave., 217-328-1655
Runners Up:
Common Ground Food Co-op » 300 S. Broadway Suite 166, (217)352-3347
Lincoln Square Mall » 300 S. Broadway Ave.,
Strawberry Fields, located at 306 W. Springfield Ave. in Urbana, has once again been voted as the best organic grocery store in CU. And with the increasing popularity and awareness in health foods, it’s no wonder Strawberry Fields is a great shopping choice for health-minded CU residents. There is a good selection and variety of organic dairy, frozen foods, snacks, and ...
Best Place to buy sex toys
Illini Arcade » 33 E. Springfield Ave., 217-359-8529
Runners Up:
Fantasy's » 124 N. Neil St., 217-352-2415
Lion's Den Adult Superstore
Ever wanted to go into a porn store but were just too embarrassed? The Illini Arcade caters to sexed-up shoppers with a self-conscious ego. “Our job is to make sure you walk into the store and get the help that you need, and walk out happy,” said store employee Joy Shanks. Both the shy and the curious as well as ...
Best Vintage store
Dandelion » 9 E. Taylor St., 217-355-9333
Runners Up:
Carrie's Antiques & Jewelry » 204 N. Neil St., 217-352-3231
Furniture Lounge » 9 E. University Ave. , 217-352-5150
On Halloween at Dandelion, a vintage store in downtown Champaign, owner Sara Hudson is dressed in an eighties mixed zebra-and-reptile-print pink and black dress, fur-lined knit gloves, and cat ears — all of which she found in the store. Her cute and quirky ensemble (and actually very wearable, besides the ears) is proof that this is the place to go ...
Best Hair salon
H2O Salon and Spa » 109 N. Broadway Ave., 217-351-7512
Runners Up:
Ippatsu Hair Salon » 122 N. Neil St., 217-356-6547
Rod Sickler Salon » 2520 Village Green Place, 217-403-1790
Metallic silver lettering set on a backdrop of vibrant blue sets H2O salon in Urbana apart from the buildings surrounding it. The uniqueness of the eye-catching storefront continues through the salon doors, and is accompanied by a trendy atmosphere, welcoming staff and a goal of not only beauty, but giving back as well. Just four years old, H2O, has established itself ...
Best Thai food
Siam Terrace » 212 W. Main St., 217-367-8424
Runners Up:
Basil Thai @ Urbana » 701 S. Gregory St., Ste. B, 217-344-8662
Thara Thai » 912 1/2 Bloomington Rd., 217-378-1986
On a recent Wednesday night, downtown Urbana was almost silent. Walking down Main Street was a quiet affair — that is, until we opened the door to Siam Terrace. Immediately we were greeted by the sounds of happy diners, clinging silverware and the friendly banter of the staff. For this Thai restaurant, atmosphere is an ingredient to success as much ...
Best Sushi
KoFusion » 1 E. Main St., 217-531-1166
Runners Up:
Kamakura Japanese Restaurant » 715 S. Neil St., 217-351-9898
Sushi Kame » 132 W Church St., 217-356-3366
At Kofusion, the atmosphere is as appealing as the sushi. The stylish interior design, including a waterfall wall and a brightly colored fish tank that eminates a blueish glow from the neon lights that outline it, create a contemporary ambience. “It’s an interesting looking place,” said manager Nigel Morgan. “It’s certainly different for Champaign.” The modern restaurant, voted CU’s best place ...
Best Mexican food
Dos Reales » 1106 W. University Ave., 217-328-0411
Runners Up:
El Toro Restaurante Mexicano » 1104 N. Cunningham Ave., 217-344-7855
Fiesta Cafe » 216 S. First St., 217-352-5902
Are you looking for the perfect place to eat authentic, affordable Mexican food? Dos Reales was voted the most delicious Mexican cuisine according to the CU residents. The lively Latin American atmosphere gives the restaurant a fun personality that enhances the eating experience. Dos Reales has two convenient locations: one on North Prospect and the other on University Ave. Both ...
Best Pizza
Papa Del's Pizza Factory » 206 E. Green St., 217-359-7700
Runners Up:
Jupiter's » 39 Main St., 217-398-5988
Monical's Pizza » 103 W. Kirby, 217-356-4243
What with being one of the biggest names in pizza in the CU area for the past 39 years, it is no wonder that Papa Del’s has won the Best Pizza award for the second year in a row. Papa Del’s, located at 206 E. Green St., is owned by Bob Monti, a U of I alumnus. The name of ...
Best Breakfast food
Le Peep » 2209 S. Neil St., 217-352-7599
Runners Up:
Original Pancake House » 1909-D W. Springfield Ave., 217-352-8866
Merry Ann's Diner » 1510 S. Neil St., 217-352-5399
The sizzle of bacon as it cooks on the grill. The dense, sweet smell of pancake batter as it combines with heat. A mountain of blended melted cheese atop a stuffed omelet. All of the senses can be satisfied at Le Peep, this year’s Best Breakfast restaurant. Le Peep, 2209 S. Neil St., C. is a locally owned breakfast and lunch ...
Best On campus bar
Murphy's Pub » 604 E. Green St., 217-352-7275
Runners Up:
Firehaus » 708 S. Sixth St., 217-344-4171
The Clybourne » Sixth Street, 217-383-1008
Murphy’s Pub — where everybody knows your name. Well, maybe not everybody, but all the tables do. “Murphy’s is just a classic, campus Irish bar that’s been here for the past 40 years,” said Ryan Block, general manager of 12 years. “I want people to be able come back and say ‘Hey kids, there’s my name still carved into the table!’” The ...
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Best Off-campus bar
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
Runners Up:
Boltini Lounge » 211 N. Neil St., 217-378-8001
Esquire Lounge Inc. » 106 N. Walnut St., 217-398-5858
If the fast pace of most bars on campus isn’t your thing, then maybe you’ve found yourself perched on a barstool or lounging at a sidewalk table at The Blind Pig. Tucked in a historic building in downtown Champaign on Walnut St., The Blind Pig offers its patrons a laid-back atmosphere to go with an extensive top shelf and a ...
Best Beer selection
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
Runners Up:
Mike 'n' Molly's » 105 N. Market St., 217-355-1236
Radio Maria » 119 N. Walnut St., 217-398-7729
The Blind Pig has many traits that set this bar apart from the rest, but the most notable is its incredible beer selection. With 14 taps and more than 100 bottled beers, the Blind Pig lets patrons step out of their comfort zone and encourages them to try beers that they have never even heard of before. When asked what ...
Best Barbeque
Black Dog Smoke and Ale House » 201 N. Broadway Ave., 217-344-9334
Runners Up:
Lil Porgy's BBQ » 101 W. University Ave., 217-367-1018
Blues BBQ » 1103 W. Oregon St., 217-239-9555
Although relatively new in the CU, Black Dog Smoke & Ale House is making a big name for itself. Since opening in February, the Black Dog has been providing a one-of-a-kind barbeque experience in downtown Urbana. “We do true barbeque — over wood, with indirect heat, low and slow,” said owner Mike Cochran, who turned his long-time backyard hobby into ...
Best Live music venue
Canopy Club » 708 S. Goodwin Ave., 217-367-3140
Runners Up:
Cowboy Monkey » 6 Taylor St., 217-356-0006
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts » 500 S. Goodwin Ave., 217-333-6700
Every once in a while you will have a day where you know you want to do something, but you don’t have definitive plans. Chances are, you spend hours trying to figure out what to do and end up wasting your time in the searching process. Well, as for the rest of us, you can most likely find us at ...
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Best Men's clothing
Board Boutique » 702 S. Neil St., 217-355-7850
Runners Up:
Urban Outfitters » 507 E. Green St.,
Express » 2000 N. Neil St., 217-356-9542
After walking into the Board Boutique, one will notice all of the assorted graphic t-shirts and skateboard decks that line the walls of the boutique. The Board Boutique has provided Champaign-Urbana with up-to-date trends in skateboarding apparel and skateboards since it opened in March of 2008. It is not a surprise that the Board Boutique has been voted the Best ...
Best Women's clothing
Circles Boutique » 114 N. Neil St., 217-359-2195
Runners Up:
Pitaya » 625 E. Green St., 217-365-6666
Urban Outfitters » 507 E. Green St.,
Shoppers will forget what they learned in geometry. Triangles and rectangles? So passé. For a unique shopping experience, Circles is in and the competition ends up looking like squares. Circles Boutique offers a fashion forward selection in women’s clothing in downtown Champaign. Circles offers “quality over quantity,” said Danelle Jameson, the store’s owner for the past ten years. “It evolves as ...
Best Coffee shop
Cafe Kopi » 109 N. Walnut St., 217-359-4266
Runners Up:
Espresso Royale » 1117 W. Oregon St., 217-337-6160
Caffe Paradiso » 801 S. Lincoln Ave., 217-384-6066
Located in the heart of downtown Champaign, Café Kopi has been voted the best café in CU. “It’s just kind of a downtown staple,” said barista Sarah Ursini. “I love getting to know the regulars, and knowing that there are people who look forward to seeing you every day and you look forward to seeing them.” Kopi brews locally ...
Best Smoke shop
Jon's Pipe Shop » 509 E. Green St. , 217-344-3459
Runners Up:
Smoke Shack » 208 E. Green St.,
Under Cover
Stick that in your $1,800 pipe and smoke it. From Massachusetts to California, Jon’s Pipe Shop serves several loyal customers around the United States. It could be the large variety of smoking materials — 3,000 pipes, 60,000 cigars and 357 types of tobacco — or the three employees’ dedication to their products. “We’re probably the best pipe shop outside ...
Best Place to bust a move
Joe's Brewery » 706 S. Fifth St., 217-384-1790
Runners Up:
Soma Ultralounge » 320 N. Neil St., 217-359-7662
Chester Street » 63-65 Chester St., 217-356-5607
Fog machines, stripper poles, dark corners and banging music all add up to three words: BUST A MOVE. With all of these elements, Joe’s Brewery becomes the perfect location to dance the night away. Walking into the bar, besides the various locations to buy the liquid courage for the evening, it’s easily noticed that there is a completely separate room specifically ...
Best Find a one night stand
Kam's » 618 E. Daniel St., 217-337-3300
Runners Up:
Joe's Brewery » 706 S. Fifth St., 217-384-1790
Station 211 » 211 E. Green St., 217-367-9915
College is about those last great years before you hit the real world. Be it studying for a big test, partying after football games or for many students, the one-night stand, the best place, for Champaign-Urbana residents, to find others looking for a good time is none other than Kam’s. “Kam’s is just an experience,” said Vadim “Dirty V” Glozman, ...
Best Art gallery
Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion » 500 E. Peabody Drive, (217) 333-1861
Runners Up:
Heartland Gallery » 112 W. Main St., 217-337-4767
Amara Yoga & Arts » 300 S. Broadway Avenue, 217-328–9642
As Illinois’ second largest art museum, with 48,000 square feet of exhibition space and 9,000 works of art it its collection, it’s no wonder that Krannert Art Museum (KAM) won the title of “Best Place to see art in CU.” The museum offers 12-15 exhibitions each year and has developed a strong museum education and programming department that aims to ...
Best Best Place to live
309 Green
Runners Up:
Green Street Towers
309 Green is one of the many apartment buildings on campus owned by Roland Realty. Standing 24-stories tall, it is conveniently located just three blocks away from the quad. With floor to ceiling windows, granite topped kitchen counters and contemporary cabinets and furniture, this place is definitely a step up from the dorms and many apartments on campus. This high-rise building ...
Best Theatre venue
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts » 500 S. Goodwin Ave., 217-333-6700
Runners Up:
Virginia Theatre » 203 W. Park St., 217-356-9053
The Station Theatre » 223 N. Broadway Ave., 217-8384-4000
The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts seems like a logical choice for Best Theatre Venue. Its Goodwin Avenue location makes it easily accessible. The shows are reasonably priced but still high-quality. It’s everything a theatre should be. What may surprise people, though, is exactly how much there is at the Krannert Center. The Krannert Center puts on over 100 shows ...
Best Friendliest wait staff
Milo's » 2870 S. Philo Road, 217-344-8946
Runners Up:
Fiesta Cafe » 216 S. First St., 217-352-5902
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
When I walked into Milo’s, the restaurant was mostly empty except for a couple of women who were sitting in the corner. I didn’t take notice of them initially, until they got up in the middle of the interview and left. Milo’s had been closed for almost an hour when they left, but the two ladies stayed until almost three ...
Best Place to work out
Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) » 201 E. Peabody Drive, 217-333-3806
Runners Up:
Campus Recreation Center East - CRCE » 1102 W. Gregory Drive, 217-244-3603
The Refinery » 2302 W. John St., info@refineyou
At first glance, the ARC’s updated furniture and nifty Courtside Café make it look more like an airport than a gym. The ARC is so big, though, that even multiple visits wouldn’t cover all that it has to offer, and that’s the point. The ARC is CU’s Best Place to Work Out because of the huge variety of workout options ...
Best Place to buy music
Parasol Records
Runners Up:
Exile on Main Street » 1 E. Main St., 217-398-6246
Finding Parasol Records in Urbana may be a challenge, but readers in the know have voted this unique shop the Best Place to Buy Music in CU for a good reason. “We cater to a fringe group of consumers, the music fanatics,” said Jim Kelly, the head of Parasol Label Group and Publicity. The shop carries mostly releases from independent ...
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Best Place to buy home furnishings
Furniture Lounge » 9 E. University Ave. , 217-352-5150
Runners Up:
Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County » 119 E University St., 217-359-0507
Carter's
About ten years ago, Urbana resident Scott Schaub began collecting furniture while he was stationed in Palm Springs, CA as a member of the military. What began as a hobby slowly evolved into a need for more space. Eventually, Schaub succumbed to his overcrowded apartment by opening up a small business. In March of 2002, Schaub and co-owner Amanda McWilliams ...
Best Place to see a movie
Savoy 16 Theater » 232 W. Burwash Ave., 217-355-3456
Runners Up:
Boardman's Art Theater » 126 W. Church Street, 217-355-0068
Beverly Cinemas » 910 Meijer Drive, 217-359-4995
Movie lovers in the CU have spoken, and the best place to see a movie in Champaign-Urbana is actually in Savoy. Yes, the Savoy 16 Theater, located at 232 W. Burwash Ave. in the lovely town of Savoy, resonates with cinema fans across campus. Maybe this adoration is a result of cozy, comfortable atmosphere. “I just love the seats!” said ...
Best Place to get a tattoo
Vision World Tattoo Studio » 104 W. University Ave. # C, 217-328-7131
Runners Up:
No Regrets Tattoos & Body Piercing » 117 W. Church St.,
New Life » 404 E. Green St., 217-367-5320
Buzz, buzz, buzz. The sound of the needle fills the studio, while rock music (think Guns ‘n Roses and Metallica) plays in the background. An eclectic assortment of paintings — from Stonehenge to dragons to a skeleton with music notes bursting forth from its skull — fill the walls, giving the place a feel that’s somehow simultaneously rock-and-roll and artsy. ...
Best Place to declare your love for someone
The Quad » Green Street,
Runners Up:
Allerton Park and Retreat Center » 515 Old Timber Road, 217-333-3287
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
The Main Quad is a place we all know well. Students cross it on a daily basis on the way to lunch, class and nights out at the bars. Centrally located between Champaign and Urbana, the quad is literally the heart of the campus community. As such, it’s no surprise that it was voted this year’s “best place to confess ...
Best Place to get a bike
Champaign Cycle Co. » 506 S. Country Fair Drive, 217-352-7600
Runners Up:
Durst Cycle & Fitness » 1112 W. University Ave. , 217-367-3600
Urbana Bike Co-op
A friendly and knowledgeable staff, a wide variety of bicycles and a 40-year history in the CU community led to Champaign Cycle Co. winning this year’s award for Best Place to Get a Bike. Peter Davis has been the owner of Champaign Cycle for the past 38 years and has been working to incorporate biking into the CU community. Earlier this ...
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Best Place to buy shoes
Board Boutique » 702 S. Neil St., 217-355-7850
Runners Up:
Circles Boutique » 114 N. Neil St., 217-359-2195
Heel to Toe » 106 W. Main St., 217-367-2880
Nestled between abandoned offices, The Board Boutique brings an urban flare to the Midwest skating scene with its exclusive collection of t-shirts, skateboards, and sneakers. Unlike the average skate shop, The Board Boutique personifies skateboard culture. It offers a lounge, equipped with two leather couches, an Xbox 360 running the latest skating games on a 40-inch TV, a skate ramp ...
Best Tanning salon
Classic Tan » 710 S. Goodwin Ave. , 217-344-6840
Runners Up:
Ultimate Tan
Tan Co.
For the second year in a row, Classic Tan was voted best tanning salon in Champaign-Urbana. Don Kermath, president of Classic Tan, believes that his salons stand out from others because of several factors, the most important being cleanliness. “I travel all over the country, stopping at local tanning salons to see how they’re run,” said Kermath. “I’m always surprised at ...
Best Date spot
KoFusion » 1 E. Main St., 217-531-1166
Runners Up:
Radio Maria » 119 N. Walnut St., 217-398-7729
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
Dates encompass a wide range of categories. Some dates are fun. Some dates are romantic. Some dates are exciting. Some dates have you thinking what the heck you were smoking when you agreed to them. Some dates have your palms sweating. Some dates have your heart fluttering. But no matter what kind of date you are having, the best place ...
Best Gay-friendly nightlife
Chester Street » 63-65 Chester St., 217-356-5607
Runners Up:
Boltini Lounge » 211 N. Neil St., 217-378-8001
Murphy's Pub » 604 E. Green St., 217-352-7275
With its huge dance floor, fog machines, strobe lights and reputable all-inclusive environment, Chester Street Bar — affectionately known as C Street by CU residents — was once again voted “Best Gay-Friendly Night Life” in Champaign-Urbana. According to Tom Bermingham, the club’s manager of 15 years, the bar’s success can be attributed to the staff’s dedication to create a fun ...
Best Vegetarian restaurant
Red Herring Coffeehouse » 1209 W. Oregon, 217-367-2340
Runners Up:
Common Ground Food Co-op » 300 S. Broadway Suite 166, (217)352-3347
Radio Maria » 119 N. Walnut St., 217-398-7729
Walk down the steps of the Red Herring vegetarian restaurant, located in the basement of the Channing-Murray Foundation on Oregon Street, and you walk into a mellow, subterranean indie retreat. The red brick walls contrast richly with the haphazard, brightly-colored artwork around the room: the jungle mural and newspaper collage painted on the center columns, a giant Ren & Stimpy ...
Best Park
Meadowbrook Park » Windsor Road and Race Street,
Runners Up:
West Side Park » 400 W. University Ave.,
Carle Park » W. Indiana Ave. & S. Garfield Ave.,
With the stresses of everyday life, many CU residents like to go to their favorite relaxing place to calm down. It might be out on the Quad, or in their best friend’s apartment. They may want to go down Green Street to Pita Pit or catch a bus to Beverly Movies Theatres in downtown Champaign. Or they could go straight ...
Best Place to have sex in public
The Quad » Green Street,
Runners Up:
Blind Pig Co., The » 120 N. Walnut St., 217-398-1532
Allerton Park and Retreat Center » 515 Old Timber Road, 217-333-3287
Sometimes screwing in a dorm just isn’t good enough — that’s why buzz readers voted The Quad as the best place for public sex in CU! Regardless of fetish, The Quad is the place for public fornication. Do soliloquies, synecdoche and Shakespearean sonnets stimulate your sex drive? Then draw thy naked sword and thrust up against the pillars of the English ...
Best Bathroom
Carmon's Restaurant » 415 N. Neil St., 217-352-5880
Runners Up:
The Blind Pig Brewery » 120 N Neil St , (217) 398-5133
English Building » 608 S. Wright St.,
The bathrooms at Carmon’s are nothing short of per-fection. Everything about the single bathrooms screams of French décor, from the Eiffel Tower art titled “Le ‘érection” in the men’s bathroom (a joke that owner Mike Nelson is very proud of), to the French porcelain sink and matching purse shelf in the women’s bathroom. Each unique aspect of these bathrooms strikes ...
Best 24-hour hangout
Merry Ann's Diner on Main » 1 E. Main St., 217-531-1160
Runners Up:
Geovanti's » 401 E. Green St., 217-344-4600
Undergraduate Library » 1402 W. Gregory Drive, 217-333-3477
The typical American diner is beloved by young and old, and buzz readers have kept the spirit alive by voting Merry Ann’s Diner this year’s Best of CU 24-Hour Hangout. Merry Ann’s has all the requisite charm of the diner appeal — neon lighting, spinning bar stools, bright old posters and friendly staff. By any standards, it is a place ...
Best Bakery
Pekara Bakery & Bistro » 116 N. Neil St., 217-359-4500
Runners Up:
Mirabelle Fine Pastries » 124 W. Main, 217-384-6460
Cakes on Walnut » 114 N Walnut St. , 355-5400
Nestled on Neil St. in downtown Champaign, Pekara Bakery and Bistro offers European baking at its finest. One of the winners in this years Best of CU Awards for best bakery, Pekara offers fresh bread and pastries that stand apart from others. All of their freshly baked products have no artificial additives or preservatives. Ruzcia Cuk, having moved here from ...
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