225BatonRouge.com

BEST OVERALL RESTAURANT

Juban's Restaurant

3739 Perkin's Rd. • 346-8422

Why would you go anywhere else? The food's amazing; the decor is inviting, but but overly pretentious; and the service is impeccable. We once heard someone describe the lamb chops as "finger-licking, bone-sucking good." Can't argue with that.

BEST SUSHI

Tsunami 27.9%

100 Lafayette St., 6th Floor 346-5100

Proprietor Leah Simon brought a little Acadiana joie de vivre to the Capital City when she opened the trendiest restaurant in Baton Rouge atop the Shaw Center. The sushi is buttery, fresh and delicious; the rolls are creative and witty (there's even a John Breaux roll named for the former senator). And Tsunami has one of the best views in town.

BEST BARBECUE RESTAURANT

T.J. Ribs 37%

2324 South Acadian Thwy. • 383-7427

T.J. Moran figured out a long time ago Baton Rougeans love barbecue, and his landmark spot next to I-10 has been a meat Mecca ever since. Lobbyists and lawmakers not at Ruth's Chris can usually be found here either chewing on Memphis-style spare ribs, or gobbling up fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs, all under the nostalgic gaze of LSU sports heroes immortalized in memorabilia covering the walls.

225 STAFF FAVORITE

BEST WALK-UP FOOD

Snowflake Barbecue

1327 E. Washington St.

383-3049

Something magical happens somewhere inside this nondescript brick building tucked between LSU and downtown. They cook up decadent smothered pork chops, succulent fried chicken and the most savory ribs and sauce in town. Mingling in line with neighborhood locals, you're also might bump into the occasional downtown business executive or an Hispanic painting crew because everyone loves great barbecue.

BEST FAST FOOD

Raising Canes 54.1%

raisingcanes.com

The best bite sequence is this: Texas toast, French fry, then sauce-dipped chicken finger. There aren't many combinations to be made at Raising Canes, where coleslaw and soft drinks are the only other menu choices. But whether it's business professionals taking it out for lunch, or college students digging into boxes in the wee hours, this homegrown guilty pleasure makes a strong, carb- and lipid-loaded case for being Baton Rouge's "one love."

BEST PO-BOY

Rocco's New Orleans Style Po-Boys 20.6%

3358 Drusilla Ln. # 2 • 248-1999

You know it's a real N'Awlins po'boy joint when French bread filled with steak fries and gravy is a signature sandwich. That's what they call the French Quarter Fry at Rocco's, and it's the kind of homegrown indulgence those who've only done market research on New Orleans would overlook. Owner Troy Moreau's Crescent City Combo with mounds of hot roast beef, ham and turkey is another mouthful of classic Big Easy eats.

BEST BREAKFAST

Louie's Café 34.9%

209 West State St. • 346-822

We once saw a guy with an open chest wound walk through Louie's to the bathroom. Somehow he stopped the bleeding and walked back out. We kept eating. That's how good the breakfast is. Louie's does the most important meal of the day just right, no matter when you choose to take it. Gear up for your big Saturday with a handful of fluffy buttermilk biscuits, or end the night right with a Western omelet and Cajun hash browns as you justify to your friends why you danced with your ex.

225 STAFF FAVORITE

SHORTEST DRIVE TO CAJUN COUNTRY

Boutin's Restaurant

8322 Bluebonnet Blvd.

819-9862

You wouldn't know it, but Boutin's Restaurant on Bluebonnet Boulevard backs up to a petite swamp filled with turtles, birds and almost no sign of civilization. (It is just down the road from BREC's Bluebonnet Swamp, after all). The restaurant's back room offers a great view, and the deck is like stepping onto a Cajun back porch. Order yourself some boiled crawfish or pepperjack shrimp and pass yourself a good time, yeah. Aaiiiieeee!

BEST HAMBURGER

George's 18.9%

2943 Perkins Rd. • 343-2363

8905 Highland Rd. • 768-8899

In the tightest race this year, George's juicy burger edged out competitors with its signature ground beef patty, soft sesame seed bun topped with a slab of salty cheddar cheese and dressed to the nines. Paired with a pile of French fries and an ice cold longneck, you'll think you've died and gone to dimly-lit heaven.

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Gino's Restaurant 27%

4542 Bennington Ave. • 927-7156

It's dimly lit, the sauces are rich and heavy, the wine is bold and hearty and the mood is old-school. Gino's is no nouveau Italian chic restaurant--this is where you go when you want to feel like mama fills you up on homemade meatballs and spaghetti or rich seafood dishes. And with great live jazz shows, Gino's is the Don of Baton Rouge Italian.

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant 25.5%

4738 Constitution Ave. • 924-0377

First off, the excellent chips and salsa are "bottomless" as they say. When the waitress asks if you'd like another basket with your fajita and shrimp platter, just say yes, 'cause you'll regret it otherwise. If good food were judged by the size of weekend crowds, Ninfa's would win hands down. Other restaurants wouldn't even have any hands. The place is that crowded. But when you can grab a seat at the bar and a frozen margarita, somehow an hour wait seems kind of cool.

225 STAFF FAVORITE

BEST UNDERRATED FOOD

Chelsea's Café

2857 Perkins Rd. • 387-3679

What other college bar offers gourmet lunches on a budget? Rachel Ray would have a field day at this place. The mojo chicken salad is among the best barbecue chicken in Baton Rouge, and one of our staffers insists their hummus is the best in town. Tucked under the Perkins Road overpass it's easy to miss, but well worth seeking out. Owner Dave Remmeter says lunches will be postponed until Fall 2006, but until then, there's dinner.

BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Mike Anderson's Seafood Restaurant 31.7%

1031 West Lee Dr. • 766-7823

Some might say a hot, deep fry can make anything taste good--chicken wing, pickle, Oreo--but this former Tiger linebacker begs to differ. Mike Anderson's is one of those places families look for when passing through town on cross-country road trips. The oysters Bienville, Cajun stuffed shrimp and golden hushpuppies scream south Louisiana, and they're also fresh and mouthwateringly good.

BEST BOILED CRAWFISH

Tony's Seafood 43.1%

5215 Plank Rd. • 357-9669

If aliens (the green kind) flew over Baton Rouge during Lent, even they could spot the best place to get boiled crawfish by the line of cars backed up onto Plank Road and the sheriff's deputy directing them. In a city that loves its crawfish, Tony's has long reigned as the king of crustaceans with its well-balanced blend of salt and spices, prompt service and competitive prices. And if the line's too long, you can always nosh on their fried boudin balls while you wait.

BEST BUFFET

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant 37.0%

132 College Dr. • 928-3213

The art of the buffet is a delicate balance between full-fledged smorgasbord and keeping the selection just restrained enough to prevent confusion. The purveyors of mass food options at Great Wall have been straddling the line of absurd and delicious for years, supplying equal parts sunflower chicken, French fries and ice cream, all for a nominal fee. The focal points are held in the highest esteem, with beef and broccoli and egg drop soup at a finer quality than you might expect.

BEST BAKERY

Ambrosia Bakery 54.5%

11358 Perkins Rd. • 763-6489

Boasting "the food of the gods," 13-year-old Ambrosia Bakery has won over Baton Rouge's heart, not to mention its sweet tooth. Ambrosia is best known for its fresh, rich cakes. Try the fresh strawberry cake -- it's almost as good as going to the Pontchatoula Strawberry Festival.

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Albasha Greek & Lebanese 43.5%

3 locations • 216-1444

Baton Rouge must have been a Mediterranean seaport in its previous life. Lamb-stuffed fig leaves, chicken shwarma wraps and hummus abound here like cheesesteaks in Philly. Next time you're in Austin ask for the nearest Greek and Lebanese restaurants and get ready to collect the blank stares. But it's the spiced-right gyros and perfectly flaky baklava that makes Albasha the local agapitos.

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT

The Chimes 26.7%

3357 Highland Rd. • 383-1754

10870 Coursey Blvd. • 296-4981

Baton Rouge is a college town, and The Chimes is its restaurant. Crawfish etouffee, gator sausage, gumbo and shrimp po'boys--all right there at the north gates of LSU. With a neighborhood like that, who needs another? Coursey Boulevard, that's who. The Chimes East cozied up to the southeastern corner of the parish late last year and is shouldering the mantle well. Whether its on Highland or Coursey, you can drink your way around the world from well within the confines of the neighborhood.

BEST SALAD

Louis Deangelo's Casual Italian Dining 21.4%

deangelospizzeria.com

multiple locations

They should call them magic salads. Not only are they savory and crunchy, but if you order the large one you might spend 15 minutes grazing and chomping on Romaine lettuce, sweet peppers and parmesan cheese only to look down into the bowl and discover you've hardly made a dent. Behold the fresh, bountiful goodness.

BEST COFFEE SHOP

CC'S Coffee House 45.1%

ccscoffee.com

multiple locations

Caffeinating Baton Rougeans on the go since the mid-'90s, CC's serves up a traditional cup of joe, or more complex gourmet offerings. Not to be confused with our neighbor to the east, the Mochasippi is it's signature frozen, blended delight. Not too friendly on the waistline, but a tasty treat--think milkshake for grownups. Plus, it's fun to say. Mochasippi. See?

BEST PIZZA

Fleur-De-Lis Cocktail Lounge 46.3%

5655 Government St. • 924-2904

It's dark, cramped and a little outdated, but there's a reason people wait more than an hour on Friday and Saturday nights to savor the warm, cheesy goodness that is a Fleur-de-Lis pizza served up with a pile of napkins. Who needs a plate? It's all part of the experience. You haven't lived until you've eaten an Around-the-World off of a napkin and sipped your Bud Lite out of a tiny juice glass.

BEST FANCY RESTAURANT

Juban's Restaurant 23.8%

3739 Perkin's Rd. • 346-8422

Carol and Miriam Juban have been making customers feel like family for the last 20 years. Whether you're a Tuesday night regular or a Friday night amateur, you're guaranteed to get great service and memorable Creole cuisine in the immaculate dining room, or in the cool bar atrium. It's like Cheers, but Cliff and Norm are wearing Armani suits and discussing stock options.

BEST PLACE FOR A STEAK

Ruth's Chris Steak House 49.9%

4836 Constitution Ave. • 925-0163

The city's most influential and successful people gather here for power-lunches every day, but Ruth's really hits its stride when the Legislature is in session. Cocktails flow, buttery slabs of prime beef sizzle on plates and laws get made right there within the paneled, hallowed walls.