Ribs/barbecue
Bub’s BBQ
676 Amherst Rd. (Rte. 116), Sunderland
(413) 548-9630 www.bubsbbq.com
This Sunderland roadhouse opened in 1979, inaugurating one of the Valley’s most popular places to “pig out in style.” Now owned by former manager Andrea Moroney and her husband Christopher, the restaurant’s menu has retained tried-and-true hits like the spare ribs and pulled pork. But the Moroneys have added fried chicken and are starting to incorporate more seasonal produce and nightly specials. They are particularly proud of the “hot and cold bar,” which provides eaters with unlimited sides like spicy dirty rice, baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw.
2nd: Wildwood Barbeque
325 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 584-4227 www.wildwoodque.com
3rd: Theodores’ Blues, Booze and BBQ
201 Worthington St., Springfield
(413) 736-6000 www.theodoresbbq.com
Southern/cajun food
Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou
63 Liberty St., Springfield
(413) 732-1011 www.chefwaynes-bigmamou.com
If Chef Wayne Hooker isn’t back in the kitchen at this iconic Springfield restaurant cooking up a storm, he’s in the front dining area grinning and shooting the breeze with some of this most long-standing clients. Dinner, lunch, and brunch are all BYOB, and the cajun and creole food — gumbo, crawfish, etoufee, pulled pork, and jambalya, to name a few — takes stick-to-your-ribs eating to the next level.
2nd: Eastside Grill
19 Strong Ave., Northampton
(413) 586-3347 www.eastsidegrill.com
3rd: Wildwood Barbeque
325 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 584-4227 www.wildwoodque.com
Place for appetizers/tapas
Ibiza Tapas Wine Bar
7 Strong Ave., Northampton
(413) 303-0808 www.ibizatapaswinebar.com
Ibiza Tapas is the place to go for seriously good snacking. Their delicious tapas — Spanish-style small plates — are especially perfect for customers who don’t want to feel married to a single meal. Don’t like the idea of choosing one plate amidst the many tantalizing options? Get several and share. Plus, the wine list is packed with Spanish favorites that pair perfectly with the cuisine.
2nd: Galaxy
60 Main St., Easthampton
(413) 203-2011 galaxy413.com
3rd: Center Square Grill
84 Center Square, East Longmeadow
(413) 525-0055 www.centersquaregrill.com
Grinders/sandwiches
State Street Fruit Store, Deli, Wines & Spirits
51 State St., Northampton
(413) 584-2301 www.statestreetfruit.com
The deli at State Street Fruit Store continues to thrive thanks to the staff members who have been there for years, says catering and deli manager Jess Maenzo-Tanner. “To me, that means we’re doing something right. Happy employees make happy customers.” The deli continues to come up with new products, many of them suggested by customers. The number of items for those with dietary restrictions (gluten-free, paleo, and vegan etc.) have increased, and the deli is also growing the number of selections in the cheese case and on the to-go menu. “As a manager, I like that it’s not monotonous,” Maenzo-Tanner says. “We can change and expand the menu every week, and include our customers in that process, always fine-tuning what we offer.”
2nd: Serio’s Market
65 State St., Northampton
(413) 584-2633 www.seriosmarket.com
3rd: The Black Sheep Deli
79 Main St., Amherst
(413) 253-3442 www.blacksheepdeli.com
Hamburgers
Local
16 Main St., Northampton (413) 586-5857 93 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-8300 www.localnorthampton.com
See write-up under “Best Late-night dining.”
2nd: Black Cow Burger Bar
125 Avenue A, Turners Falls
(413) 863-5183 www.blackcowburgerbar.com
3rd: Riff’s Joint
116 Pleasant St. (Eastworks), Easthampton
(413) 527-8811 www.riffsjoint.com
Hot dogs
Nick’s Nest
1597 Northampton St., Holyoke
(413) 532-5229 nicknestholyoke.com
Nick’s Nest may be the only restaurant in the Pioneer Valley at which the owner gets the door for you almost every time you’re there, but that’s just one of the old school treats you get at the Nest. There’s also: the best hot dogs in the Valley, popcorn — with extra butter — and french fries. Kevin Chateauneuf, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife Jennifer, installed a pulley system that allows staff, from the behind the counter, to open the front door for customers. “For some reason — I don’t know what it is — people are happier when they’ve got dogs on their mind,” Kevin says.
2nd: Tom’s Famous Long Hot Dog & Grill
37 State Rd. (Rtes. 5 & 10), Whately
(413) 665-2931
3rd: White Hut
280 Memorial Ave., West Springfield (413) 736-9390 1A Boltwood Walk, Amherst (413) 835-0455
www.whitehut.com
Pizza
Antonio’s Pizza
31 N. Pleasant St., Amherst (413) 253-0808 71 Main St., Easthampton (413) 527-8383 www.antoniospizza.com
Antonio’s has been voted Best pizza in the Valley so many times we almost lost count. Know what we didn’t lose track of? How awesome the pizza is. Whether it’s Chicken Bacon Ranch, Nacho, Beef Burrito, or just Hot Cheese UpFront Antonio’s makes a pie — and a slice — that satisfies.
2nd: Hillside Pizza
265 Greenfield Rd., South Deerfield (413) 665-5333 and various locations www.hillsidepizza.com
3rd: Joe’s Café
33 Market St., Northampton
(413) 584-3168 www.joescafenorthampton.com
French fries
Local
16 Main St., Northampton (413) 586-5857 93 Main St., Williamsburg (413) 268-8300 www.localnorthampton.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Late-night dining.”
2nd: The Sierra Grille
41 Strong Ave., Northampton
(413) 584-1150 www.thesierragrille.com
3rd: Riff’s Joint
116 Pleasant St. (Eastworks), Easthampton
(413) 527-8811 www.riffsjoint.com
Salads
Paul and Elizabeth’s
150 Main St. (Thornes Marketplace), Northampton
(413) 584-4832 www.paulandelizabeths.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Restaurant.”
2nd: Judie’s Restaurant
51 N. Pleasant St., Amherst
(413) 253-3491 www.judiesrestaurant.com
3rd: Riff’s Joint
116 Pleasant St. (Eastworks), Easthampton
(413) 527-8811 www.riffsjoint.com
Place for soup
Smithsonian Café and Chowder House
1 Roundhouse Plaza , Northampton (413) 727-3318 1 West St., West Hatfield (413) 247-5157 www.smithsonianchowderhouse.com
Owner Peter Langlois offers sandwiches, popovers, and a range of soups and chowders to diners in Hatfield and Northampton. He says Smithsonian likes to find not only the best ingredients for its soups, but also the best local ingredients. “We cut and freeze a lot of vegetables at the end of the summer,” Langlois says, “and we just made a batch of native corn chowder.”
2nd: Paul and Elizabeth’s
150 Main St. (Thornes Marketplace), Northampton
(413) 584-4832 www.paulandelizabeths.com
3rd: Panera Bread
Various locations
www.panerabread.com
Sushi
Osaka Japanese Restaurant
7 Old South St., Northampton
(413) 587-9548 www.osakanorthampton.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Japanese restaurant.”
2nd: Zen
41 Main St., Northampton
(413) 582-6888 zennorthampton.com
3rd: Moshi Moshi Japanese Restaurant
4 Main St., Northampton
(413) 586-5865 moshimoshisam.com
Vegetarian
Paul and Elizabeth’s
150 Main St. (Thornes Marketplace), Northampton
(413) 584-4832 www.paulandelizabeths.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Restaurant.”
2nd: Bela Restaurant
68 Masonic St., Northampton
(413) 586-8011 www.belaveg.com
3rd: Hearty Eats
24 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls
(413) 625-6460 heartyeats.org
Wings
The Hangar Pub & Grill
10 University Dr., Amherst (413) 549-9461 29 School St., Westfield (413) 526-9464 wingsoveramherst.com
It’s hard to beat the Hangar when it comes to good wings. Whether they’re boneless or bone-in, tossed in BBQ, spicy teriyaki or afterburner-grade buffalo, these wings are pieces of crunchy heaven. The restaurant uses fresh chicken and hand-batter it to customer satisfaction, “not that processed frozen junk,” the menu boasts.
2nd: Toasted Owl
21 Main St., Northampton
(413) 585-0055 www.toastedowl.com
3rd: Wings Over Springfield
1219 Parker St., Springfield
(413) 783-9464 www.wingsover.com
Deli
State Street Fruit Store, Deli, Wines & Spirits
51 State St., Northampton
(413) 584-2301 www.statestreetfruit.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Grinders/sandwiches.”
2nd: Serio’s Market
65 State St., Northampton
(413) 584-2633 www.seriosmarket.com
3rd: River Valley Co-op
330 N. King St., Northampton
(413) 584-2665 www.rivervalleymarket.coop
Bakery
Small Oven Bakery
36 Union St., Easthampton
(413) 527-1785 smallovenbakes.com
This year, a two-year-old, female-owned bakery has taken the top award for oven-produced treats. Small Oven has a commitment to quality food and giving back to the community. The menu changes seasonally and features ethically-source yummies such as dark chocolate cake with Italian buttercream frosting or one of the bakery’s delicious breads including pain au levain, three-seed sourdough, raisin walnut wheat, challah, and baguettes.
“The abundance of local food available in the Valley is really a big thing for us,” co-owner Julie Copoulos says. “You can go around and eat and get inspired by other people and other foods and it’s a really great thing.”
2nd: Hungry Ghost Bread
62 State St., Northampton
(413) 582-9009 www.hungryghostbread.com
3rd: Tart Baking Co.
192 Main St., Northampton
(413) 584-0717 www.tartbaking.com
Chocolatier
Richardson’s Candy Kitchen
500 Greenfield Rd. (Rtes 5&10), Deerfield
(413) 772-0443 www.richardsonscandy.com
Richardson’s may be the first winner in a brand-new category, but this Deerfield business is a tried-and-true Valley fixture. This year is fast-paced, says owner Kathie Williams, because the mild winter made for good holiday sales, and Easter came early this year. “Our holiday seasons drive us,” she says. The kitchen opened in 1954, and Williams’ family bought the business in 1983. “Tradition is very strong for us,” she says. “People want to see their favorites, but we try to introduce new ideas and products. Sea-salted sweets have become quite the craze in recent years, for example, as has white chocolate with peanut butter — which Richardson’s now makes regularly.
2nd: Heavenly Chocolate
150 Main St. (Thornes Marketplace), Northampton
(413) 586-0038 www.heavenly-chocolate.com
3rd: Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
141 Main St., Northampton
(413) 584-5695 www.benandbills.com
Candy store
Sweeties
68 Main St., Northampton
(413) 586-4180 www.sweetieschocolate.com
Sweeties has all of the unique candy creations you can’t find at the big-box stores. Chocolate-covered gummy bears, sea salt caramels, creme brulee chocolates, and chocolate covered potato chips are all handmade items that customers can find in the hip corner shop in downtown Northampton. And no, the lentils are not actually lentils — they’re just shaped like them. (Staffer Dominque Branco wants you to know.)
2nd: Richardson’s Candy Kitchen
500 Greenfield Rd. (Rtes 5&10), Deerfield
(413) 772-0443 www.richardsonscandy.com
3rd: Captain Candy
150 Main St. (Thornes Marketplace), Northampton
(413) 727-8248 www.captaincandy.org
Ice cream
Herrell’s Ice Cream
8 Old South St., Northampton
(413) 586-9700 www.herrells.com
What can we say about how incredible Herrell’s is that hasn’t been said before? This downtown mainstay has thrived in Thornes for more than three decades because of its amazingly creamy, sweet ice cream full of mix-ins and the ability to stay fresh with their menu. Among the ice cream shop’s 350 flavors — 365 soon! — are vegan, No-Moo (that’s lactose free), gluten-free, and no-sugar options. The shop is in the midst of a renovation that will create a culinary kitchen, expand the eat-in area and provide more room for Herrell’s pre-made desserts like cakes and cookies. Protip: don’t forget to get some hot fudge while you’re there. The fudge won the Serious Eats 2011 Best Hot Fudge award. “Our goal is to make things easier for the customer,” co-owner Judy Herrell says. “That means more items. And since New England is one of the few cold regions in the world that eats ice cream in the winter, our goal is to add some baked goods as well, like warm pie for pie a la mode, or cake with ice cream.”
2nd: Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream
34 Cottage St., Easthampton
(413) 529-2929 www.mttoms.com
3rd: Flayvors of Cook Farm
129 S. Maple St., Hadley
(413) 584-2224 www.flayvors.com
Gourmet food store
Provisions
30 Crafts Ave., Northampton
(413) 727-3497 www.provisionswine.com
Cheese, chocolate, wine, cured meats, cookies, fine sauces, roasted nuts, figs — if this all sounds good to you, you really need to check out Provisions in Northampton. One of the few places in Western Mass with a tasting cheese counter, Provisions is a playground of adult tastes. Since 2011, Provisions has been known as a good place to stop to pick up something interesting for a party or quiet night in, but the shop also prepares gift baskets. Call them up, set a budget, and pick it up later. It sounds like a good idea, but we’re pretty certain we’d rip into the basket’s cellophane before it got to the recipient — it’s got cheese in it, for Pete’s sake! So, maybe get two?
2nd: River Valley Co-op
330 N. King St., Northampton
(413) 584-2665 www.rivervalleymarket.coop
3rd: Whole Foods Market
327 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 586-9932 www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Local market/grocer
River Valley Co-op
330 N. King St., Northampton
(413) 584-2665 www.rivervalleymarket.coop
River Valley Co-op, nee River Valley Market, is a juggernaut of a cooperative grocery store. Since opening eight years ago, the market has expanded exponentially and is currently undergoing a renovation that will widen the aisles and allow for more items. And last year, the store added 900 new members to its roster. The nice thing about shopping at River Valley is the food is great, fresh and deliciously-quality, but a lot of it is also local. Last year, the market spent $4.2 million with local food vendors — $500,000 more than the year before, says general manager Rochelle Prunty. “We have a lot of impact on the local economy,” Prunty says, “and we love that. We love being a part of this great community and giving back as much as we can.”
2nd: Serio’s Market
65 State St., Northampton
(413) 584-2633 www.seriosmarket.com
3rd: Big E’s Supermarket
11 Union St., Easthampton
(413) 527-2125 www.bigessupermarket.com
Local farm stand
Atlas Farm
635 River Rd., Deerfield
(413) 773-3596 www.atlasfarm.com
There’s a lot of local greens at Atlas Farm, but soon there’s going to be even more — and at times you probably wouldn’t expect. Atlas recently installed a bunch of greenhouses to extend the growing season. They can start the season earlier with tomatoes and cucumbers and have winter greens sprouting long into the cold months.
“I think there are a few things we focus on that make us stand out,” purchasing and floor manager Meredith Lively says. “One is our focus on quality and making sure we’re doing the best we can for the customer. Excellent customer service makes a difference and we work hard at it.”
2nd: Golonka Farm
Rtes 5 & 10, Whately
(413) 247-3256 www.golonkafarm.com
3rd: Red Fire Farm
7 Carver St., Granby & 504 Turners Falls Rd., Montague
(413) 467-7645 www.redfirefarm.com
Local CSA
Mountain View Farm
393 East St., Easthampton
(413) 329-0211 www.mountainviewfarmcsa.com
Mountain View Farm grows over 300 varieties of about 50 crops, all of which are sold and distributed through the CSA model — no farmers markets or wholesalers involved. “CSAs are all about community and the relationship with the farmer,” explains greenhouse manager Ellen Schramm. “We have people and families who have been coming for years. People who split shares often become good friends and share recipes and ideas. And the CSA model also supports farmers, because the money goes straight to the people growing your food.” Summer shares begin in the first week of June.
2nd: Red Fire Farm
7 Carver St., Granby
(413) 467-7645 www.redfirefarm.com
3rd: Crimson & Clover Farm
215 Spring St., Florence
(413) 570-0337 crimsonandcloverfarm.com
Place for tea
Dobra Tea
186 Main St., Northampton
(413) 727-3471 dobrateama.com
A calm atmosphere and a steaming cup of tea await at Dobra Tea in downtown Northampton. The tea house prides itself on serving unique loose leaf teas and making some tasty blends of their own. For example, the staff have created the Memories of Prague recipe, which includes black Assam leaf tea mixed with bitter chocolate. There’s also the Taste of Kashmir, a blend of green, black and oolong teas with dried apples, orange peel and cloves. Dobra also serves food.
2nd: Tea Guys
110 Christian Lane, Whately
(800) 282-2859 www.teaguys.com
3rd: Crepes Tea House
261 Union St., West Springfield (413) 304-2052 90 Elm St., Enfield CT (860) 253-9381 www.crepesteahouse.com
Independent coffee house/cafe
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
322 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley (413) 582-1890 and various locations www.ibuycoffee.com
The Valley’s answer to Dunkin’ Donuts, Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters has claimed the top independent roasters spot in the Advocate Best Of reader poll again. With six locations in Western Mass, Shelburne may be the largest indie roaster in the Valley. The coffee house has been brewing up cups of toasted coconut, Peruvian, dark roast, la Minta, Costa Rican Tarrazu and more for 26 years. On the horizon: “We are working on our line of take-home products like our prepackaged cream cheeses and having growlers ready to take home cold brew coffee, making our chai mix more accessible, things like that,” says Annabelle Lytle-Rich, general manager.
2nd: Esselon Café
99 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 585-1515 www.esselon.com
3rd: Haymarket Café
185 Main St., Northampton
(413) 586-9969 www.haymarketcafe.com
Local coffee roaster
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
322 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 582-1890 and various locations www.ibuycoffee.com
See earlier write-up under “Best Independent coffee house/cafe.”
2nd: Esselon Café
99 Russell St. (Rte. 9), Hadley
(413) 585-1515 www.esselon.com
3rd: Pierce Brothers Coffee
76 Hope St., Greenfield
(877) 24-COFFEE www.piercebroscoffee.com
Farmers market
Amherst Farmers Market
Spring Street Parking Lot, Amherst Center,
(413) 786-2335 www.amherstfarmersmarket.com
When the Amherst Farmers Market started selling produce on the Common decades ago, it was just about the only one in the area. Today, though, there are scores of markets all over the Pioneer Valley on just about every day of the week during the growing and harvest seasons. Yet, the Amherst market remains one of the best. What’s the secret? “You can sit down enjoy the music and do some quality shopping, meet the farmers. It’s more than just a shopping experience,” says market manager Tammy Ryan. The market also features lessons on how to plant and take care of home gardens, local alcohol, wine and pre-made food vendors, and all kinds of dairy products. Does Ryan ever worry about competition from other markets? “No,” she says, “the more the merrier. The more access to good food, the better.”
2nd: Northampton Tuesday Market
Downtown Northampton next to the parking garage
(413) 586-7586 northamptontuesdaymarket.com
3rd: Greenfield Farmers’ Market
Court Square, Greenfield
(413) 625-9907 greenfieldfarmersmarket.com
Liquor store
Liquors 44
238 King St., Northampton
(413) 586-3007 and various locations www.liquors44.com
Liqueurs and cordials? Liquors 44 has that. Craft beers? You betcha. Flavored vodkas? Thirty-racks of an old faithful? That new local gin? Liquors 44 has all that and then some. One can spend hours perusing the racks and racks of liquor, beer, and wine provided at their three locations in Northampton, Hadley and Holyoke.
2nd: Ryan & Casey Liquors
55 Main St., Greenfield
(413) 772-6585 www.ryanandcaseyliquors.com
3rd: Table & Vine
1119 Riverdale St., West Springfield
(413) 736-4694 www.tableandvine.com
Store for wine selection
Table & Vine
1119 Riverdale St., West Springfield
(413) 736-4694 www.tableandvine.com
Open since 1962, Table & Vine has had over 50 years to build up their selection — and then some. The store boasts nearly 4,000 wine varieties, 2,700 spirits, 1,000 beers, and 1,700 specialty food items to pair them with. To go along with the hefty selection, Table & Vine is also known for having a knowledgeable staff to help navigate the aisles. After all, their staffers taste thousands of wines each year, so the advice they give is certainly informed!
2nd: Provisions
30 Crafts Ave., Northampton
(413) 727-3497 www.provisionswine.com
3rd: Liquors 44
238 King St., Northampton
(413) 586-3007 and various locations www.liquors44.com
Store for beer selection
Ryan & Casey Liquors
55 Main St., Greenfield
(413) 772-6585 www.ryanandcaseyliquors.com
Ryan & Casey may not look like a huge place — it’s an unassuming storefront on Greenfield’s main dag — but inside you’ll find a surprising and varied selection of beers from all over the country and the world.
2nd: Table & Vine
1119 Riverdale St., West Springfield
(413) 736-4694 www.tableandvine.com
3rd: Provisions
30 Crafts Ave., Northampton
(413) 727-3497 www.provisionswine.com
Locally crafted beer
Lefty’s Brewing Company
301 Wells St., Greenfield
(413) 475-3449 www.leftysbrew.com
An ode to Lefty’s: Your English-Style Porter sets our mouths to watering. The bubbles of Doc’s Double Whammy IPA sets our thoughts to drinking. The nostalgic aroma of ale; There’s nothing about Lefty’s commitment to brew that’s pale. Grab a growler and some friends for a picnic or just head over to the Lefty’s Olympics. Cheers to all who drink their beer terrific. “This is a people’s choice award,” says co-owner Melissa Goldfarb of the “Best Locally Crafted Beer” honor. “We’re all about pleasing the customer down to the variety of beer we’re choosing and we throw a lot of fun events, like our beer Olympics. We like to give back to the community as much as possible.” Beer Olympics? Yep. Check it out May 21 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
2nd: Berkshire Brewing Company
12 Railroad St., South Deerfield
(413) 665-6600 www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com
3rd: Abandoned Building Brewery
142 Pleasant St., Easthampton
(413) 282-7062 abandonedbuildingbrewery.com
Domestic beer
Sam Adams
www.samueladams.com
The Boston Brewing Company is bigger than it has ever been, but district manager Nick D’Angelo tries to keep the ethos of their flagship beer line, Sam Adams, as community-oriented as possible, whether it’s hosting beer tastings or finding opportunities to give charitably, as with their 26.2 Brew, which raises funds for those impacted by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Over time, D’Angelo hopes to appeal to the longtime Bud Light drinker who’s finally ready to level up and try something different. “We’re specializing more and more, but we keep appealing to everyone,” he says.
2nd: Budweiser
www.budweiser.com
3rd: Yuengling
www.yuengling.com
Imported beer
Guinness
www.guinness.com
Ireland’s most famous brew, pleasing beer-lovers since 1759, is often cited as the gold standard for stouts. These days, the company is branching out from its stout origins, offering styles like the new Guinness Blonde American Lager.
2nd: Stella Artois
www.stellaartois.com
3rd: Corona
coronausa.com
