Every year the Mankato Free Press polls residents and visitors alike to develop their annual Best of Mankato issue. This publication is full of listings of the best places to go to based on specific categories. Below is a list of winners in different dining and drinking categories. Please keep in mind that it’s a snapshot-in-time survey, and doesn’t mean that anyone who didn’t “win” isn’t very good at what they do.
Below is a partial list of winners. Check out the FULL LIST of winners here.
Asian Cuisine
2nd China Star
Atmosphere
1st Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery, & Distillery
3rd Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen
Bakery / Donut Shop
1st Krusty’s Donuts
2nd 2 Pins Bakery by Tony Friesen
3rd Diamond Dust Bakery & Coffee Shop
Breakfast
2nd The Thunder Bar & Restaurant
Brewery
1st Mankato Brewery
2nd Schell’s
Burger Joint
1st The Thunder Bar & Restaurant
Business Lunch
1st Tav on the Ave
2nd Pub 500
3rd Olives Mediterranean Restaurant
Chain Restaurant
2nd Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Coffee Shop
1st Coffee Hag
2nd Neutral Groundz
3rd Caribou Coffee
Family Restaurant
3rd Dino’s Pizzeria
Fine Dining
2nd Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar
3rd Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen
Food Truck
1st Lola
2nd The 507
3rd Scotty Biggs BBQ
Happy Hour
1st The 507
2nd The Thunder Bar & Restaurant
3rd Pub 500
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
1st Mom & Pop’s
2nd Culver’s
Locally-Owned Restaurant
1st Pagliai’s Pizza
Mexican Cuisine
1st El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant
2nd La Plaza F!esta
3rd La Terraza Mexican Grill and Bar
Patio Dining
1st Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery, & Distillery
2nd Tav on the Ave
3rd The 507
Place to get a Steak
1st Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar
2nd The Thunder Bar & Restaurant
3rd George’s Fine Steaks & Spirits
Pizza Place
1st Pagliai’s Pizza
2nd Dino’s Pizzeria
Signature Cocktail Joint
2nd Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery, & Distillery
3rd Flask
Social Lunch
2nd Flask
Sports Bar
2nd Tav on the Ave
3rd The Boulder Tap House – Mankato
Sub / Sandwich Shop
3rd Jimmy John’s
Take Out / Curbside
1st Pagliai’s Pizza
2nd Sadaka’s Deli
3rd Tav on the Ave
Vegetarian Options
2nd St. Peter Food Co-op & Deli
3rd India Palace
Winery
1st Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery, & Distillery
3rd Morgan Creek Vineyards and Winery
Wings
2nd Tav on the Ave