Awards and Accolades
Frey Ranch Distillery
In June 2025, Frey Ranch Distillery received many honors at this year’s ASCOT Awards, with a total of 28 medals awarded to its portfolio of bourbon, ryes, and specialty American whiskeys. The Fallon-based distillery took home the title of “Most Awarded Distillery of the Year” with five double platinum medals and 16 platinum medals in a variety of categories. The Fallon-based distillery took home the title of “Most Awarded Distillery of the Year” with five double platinum medals and 16 platinum medals in a variety of categories. Out of hundreds of submissions across multiple spirits categories — including domestic and international whiskey, tequila, gin, vodka, rum, and others — Frey Ranch was the most awarded distillery in this year’s competition. The platinum medal winners include Frey Ranch Farm Strength Uncut, Frey Ranch 100% Barley Whiskey, Frey Ranch 100% Wheat Whiskey and Frey Ranch 100% Oat Whiskey, among other expressions.
Reno Vegan Chef Challenge Awards
On June 3, 2025, the Reno Vegan Chef Challenge wrapped up and chefs were presented awards at a private awards ceremony at The Club at Rancharrah in Reno. Winners were chosen by Reno residents who dined at the participating restaurants during the challenge, with more than 350 ratings and reviews submitted for all dishes. The list of winners follows: First Place (Chef of the Year & Best Date Spot): ZOZO’s Ristorante; Second Place (Diners’ Choice Award): Kei Sushi Reno; Third Place (Excellence in Culinary Experience): Noodle Box Kitchen; Best Appetizer: A Taste of Thai Cuisine; Best Cupcakes: Batch Cupcakery; Best Dessert: Dipdee Stix; Best Gluten-Free Option: Engine 8 Urban Winery; Best Global Flavors: Thali; Best Lunch Spot & Whole Foods Excellence: Elixir Superfood & Juice; Best Overall Menu & Exemplary Local Sourcing: Great Full Gardens; Best Overall Menu & Sustainable; Dining Option: Buenos Grill; Best Sandwiches: Süp; Best Veganized Dish: Pasta Fresca; Best Beverage Experience: Underworld Distillery; Excellence in Baking: Wheatberry Baking Company; Excellence in Plant-Based Catering & Meal Prep: Cherry Bomb Catering; Most Creative Flavors: Rolled Mountain Creamery; Most Innovative Chef: Bertha Miranda’s; Outstanding Vegan Comfort Food: Noble Pie Parlor.
Archie’s Giant Hamburgers & Breakfast
Archie’s Giant Hamburgers & Breakfast, which first opened in 1995 on North Virginia Street, celebrated its 30th anniversary with an event on June 1, 2025. Krysta Palmer, an American athlete and UNR alumna, was in attendance.
Laughing Planet
Midtown’s Laughing Planet will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June 2025.
Toucan Charlie’s Gourmet Buffet and Grille
Toucan Charlie’s Gourmet Buffet and Grille was recently recognized by Yelp for having one of the country’s best brunch buffets. The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa restaurant was the only Northern Nevada restaurant to make the list, ranking #14 on Yelp’s all-time list of the best brunch buffets. Yelp Elite Squad Members are responsible for the awards, based on their rankings and the volume of reviews.
Reno Food Systems
Reno Food Systems, a five-acre urban farm and nonprofit group, recently was awarded a $350,000 United States Department of Agriculture Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grant. It’s the first Nevada-based farm to receive this national grant. Out of more than 650 applications, the group was one of only 17 organizations/businesses to receive it. This is a big milestone for Reno Food Systems and the local food movement. The grant will allow the nonprofit’s leaders and volunteers to continue growing food regeneratively and holistically with perennials, natives, and annuals. (This past year, the group used a large percentage of the farm for this endeavor and implemented a mobile chicken operation). The grant also will provide increased food access to community members and educate the community and host volunteers. In addition, the group is working with Washoe County officials to expand its site at Betsy Caughlin Donnelly Park on Mayberry Drive and McCarran Boulevard in Reno. The expansion would let Reno Food Systems increase its regenerative agriculture footprint plus potentially grow more food for the community and create more space for education and training programs.
BJ’s Nevada Barbecue
BJ’s Nevada Barbecue in Sparks — known locally for 38 years of delicious food and deep-rooted community involvement such as mentoring culinary students and supporting first responders — was honored nationally as a 2025 Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero. The recognition came with a surprise $20,000 check, which was presented to owner and chef Jay Rathmann on April 25, 2025. Intuit team members will join Rathmann and his team at BJ’s on May 8, 2025, to further honor his contributions to the community. Photo by Asa Gilmore
Frost Giant Creamery
Frost Giant Creamery, in Reno, was rated the best ice cream in Nevada by Eat This, Not That, in the “Best Ice Cream in Every State” guide published this year.
Base Camp Pizza Co.
Base Camp Pizza Co. received national recognition, being named one of the Top 10 Pizzerias in the Nation in a recent SFGate article. The Heavenly Village pizza shop not only was praised for its delicious fare but also its community-first dedication to service.
Kwok’s Bistro
Kwok’s Bistro was recognized by Food & Wine as No. 12 on a list of Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in America for 2024.
Kimmie Candy
Kimmie Candy received the Best Nevada Grown Product prize in the 2024 Best in Business Awards, presented by Northern Nevada Business Weekly.
Urban Roots
Urban Roots celebrated 15 years on Nov. 2, 2024.
Shoe Tree Brewing Co.
Shoe Tree Brewing Co. in Carson City always seems to be winning something. Participating in global beer competitions, the local brewery brought home a couple of silver medals. The first was awarded to the Wicked Shifty, a tart American sour, at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival. That follows an award received earlier this year from the World Beer Cup for the brand’s Lahontan Brown Ale.
Grand Sierra Resort
Grand Sierra Resort was recognized with 22 awards from Best of Sierra Nevada. They included awards those for casino concert venue, hotel pool, and restaurants such as Chickie’s & Pete’s and Charlie Palmer Steak. A full list of awards includes nine golds, five silvers, and eight bronzes in categories across entertainment, dining, and hospitality.
Atlantis Steakhouse
Atlantis Steakhouse was recognized as one of the top casino restaurants in the United States by USA Today as part of the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Coming in at No. 4, the restaurant scored higher than any other Nevada-based nominees.
Yelp Elite’s Top Places To Eat
Yelp Elites announces a fresh list of “top places to eat” in Reno-Tahoe in October 2024. The list includes R Town Pizza, The Steak House at Western Village, La Condesa Eatery, Arario, Kuma Sushi, Belleville Wine Bar, Mexcal, Cosmos Snack Bar, Two Chicks, and Atlantis’ Bistro Napa.
Royce Burger Bar
Royce Burger Bar turned 10 in October 2024.
IMBĪB Custom Brews
On Oct. 12, 2024, owner Matt Johnson announced that IMBĪB Custom Brews had taken home gold in the bock category for its Pan is Alive Maibock.
Schüssboom Brewing Co.
Schüssboom Brewing Co. in South Reno also took home an award from the 2024 Great American Beer Festival. It was announced on Oct. 12 that the brand’s Bear Bait Raspberry Honey Wheat Ale won bronze.
Sterling Farms Nevada
Jeannie Damonte, a Nevada farmer and owner of Sterling Farms Nevada, represented the U.S. at a panel hosted by Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome on Sept. 30, 2024. She was the only representative from the U.S. on the panel of women-only farmers.
Bistro Napa
Bistro Napa, an Atlantis restaurant, received a AAA Four Diamond designation on Sept. 30, 2024. This marks the restaurant as part of the top tier of the hospitality industry in North America. It is not, however, Atlantis’ first similar recognition. With the Atlantis Steakhouse holding the title since 2013 and the resort as a whole having its own AAA Four Diamond rating since 2012, the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is now the only property in Northern Nevada to boast multiple AAA Four Diamond restaurants in addition to being a AAA Four Diamond hotel.
ReStore Reno
ReStore Reno has been providing money to downtown businesses as part of its effort to reinvigorate the area. In the second round of giving, ReStore Reno handed out $589,000 in grants to 29 businesses. Awardees include Dead Ringer Analog Bar, Our Bar, Horseshoe, The EP Listening Lounge and more. In total, ReStore has given more than $1 million.
Atlantis Steakhouse
Atlantis Steakhouse recently received the Forbes Four-Star Award, and it’s the first restaurant in Northern Nevada to do so. In fact, only 121 restaurants worldwide received the honor this year. The designation comes from inspectors who visit anonymously. In addition, Bistro Napa received a Forbes Recommended Rating.
The Depot Brewery & Distillery
The Depot Brewery & Distillery in Reno has 10 years of business under its belt, and to celebrate, it’s launching a new initiative called Helping Hops. The yearlong program will use proceeds from a series of collaborations to benefit Northern Nevada charities. One dollar of every collaboration beer sold will be donated.
Frey Ranch Distillery
Frey Ranch Distillery owners Colby and Ashley Frey are celebrating 10 years of making whiskey at their Fallon ranch. The business is continuing the festivities all year long with several events and specials to commemorate the milestone.
