Awards and Accolades
Pegโs Glorified Ham and Eggs
Leaders at Northern Nevada Public Health bestowed an award for Excellence in Food Safety to Pegโs Glorified Ham and Eggs in Lemmon Valley in October. The award is given out quarterly to recognize businesses that thrive in food safety practices and staff training.
Brothers Barbecue
Readers have spoken and Brothers Barbecue in Reno has earned a spot on the Only In Your State 50 best barbecue spots in the U.S. list. That means Brothers beat out every other barbecue joint in the state of Nevada to earn the title. Joe Orduna is at the helm of the Texas-style restaurant that specializes in ribs, brisket, and more.
Tahoe Bloody Mary Festival
On Aug. 10, the 13th annual Tahoe Bloody Mary Festival was held at The Beach Retreat & Lodge in South Lake Tahoe, sponsored by Cutwater. There were 13 participants all vying for the coveted title of best bloody mary. A group of VIP judges crowned Beach Retreat top dog with its judgeโs choice award, and Delta Saloon out of Virginia City came in second for its homemade bloody mary mix and sliders. Participants also voted for their favorite drinks, crowning Delta Saloon the winner for โpeopleโs choiceโ with Max from Mixxology Inc. coming in second place.
11thย Annual Biggest Little City Wing Fest
Over the July 25 โ 26 weekend,ย the Silver Legacy in Reno hosted its 11thย annual Biggest Little City Wing Fest and the winners are in!ย A group of judges, community participants, and others crowned first through third place in five categories including best dry rub, best unique wing, best BBQ wing, celebritiesโ choice, and peopleโs choice.
28th Annual BBQ, Brews, & Blues Festival’s Best Tasting Beer Awards
On June 13 โ 14, the Eldorado Hotel & Casino hosted its 28thย annual BBQ, Brews, & Blues festival and crowned several local breweries as the winners of the best tasting beer at the Downtown Reno festival. The local winners were: First Place Dark Ale (Highland Stag 18 Year Elijah Craig Bourbon aged Wee Heavy Ale) โย Schussboom Brewing Co.ย in Reno, Second Place Hazy IPA (Thunder Pip Hazy IPA) โย Lead Dog Brewingย in Reno, and Second Place Red Ale (Irish Red Ale) โย The Fox Breweryย in Carson City. Photo by Donna Victor
Frey Ranch Distillery
In June,ย Frey Ranch Distilleryย received many honors at this yearโs 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 โMost Awarded Distillery of the Yearโ with five double platinum medals and 16 platinum medals in a variety of categories.ย The Fallon-based distillery took home the title of โMost Awarded Distillery of the Yearโ with five double platinum medals and 16 platinum medals in a variety of categories.ย Out of hundreds of submissions across multiple spirits categories โ including domestic and international whiskey, tequila, gin, vodka, rum, and others โ Frey Ranch was the most awarded distillery in this yearโs competition.ย 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, theย Reno Vegan Chef Challengeย 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): ZOZOโs Ristorante; Second Place (Dinersโ 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: Sรผp; 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 Mirandaโs; Outstanding Vegan Comfort Food: Noble Pie Parlor.
Archieโs Giant Hamburgers & Breakfast
Archieโs Giant Hamburgers & Breakfast,ย which first opened in 1995 on North Virginia Street, celebrated its 30th anniversary with an event on June 1. Krysta Palmer, an American athlete and UNR alumna, was in attendance.
Laughing Planet
Midtownโsย Laughing Planetย will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June 2025.
Toucan Charlieโs Gourmet Buffet and Grille
Toucan Charlieโs Gourmet Buffet and Grille was recently recognized by Yelp for having one of the countryโs best brunch buffets. The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa restaurant was the only Northern Nevada restaurant to make the list, ranking #14 on Yelpโs 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. Itโs 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 nonprofitโs 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 Barbecueย in Sparks โย known locally for 38 years of delicious food and deep-rooted community involvement such as mentoring culinary students and supporting first responders โ was honored nationally as a 2025 Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp Small Business Hero.ย 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 BJโs on May 8, 2025, to further honor his contributions to the community. ย 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 โBest Ice Cream in Every Stateโ 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.
Kwokโs Bistro
Kwokโs 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 brandโs 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 Chickieโs & Peteโs 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 Readersโ 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 โtop places to eatโ 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 Atlantisโ Bistro Napa.
Royce Burger Bar
Royce Burger Bar turned 10 in October 2024.
IMBฤชB Custom Brews
On Oct. 12, 2024, owner Matt Johnson announced that IMBฤชB Custom Brews had taken home gold in the bock category for its Pan is Alive Maibock.
Schรผssboom Brewing Co.
Schรผssboom 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 brandโs 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.
