Departments

From Best Metamorphosis in 2015 to a pair of runner-up awards and eventually to a second consecutive Golden Fork for Best Mexican Restaurant this year, Antojitos Mexicanos has solidified itself as a place of continual change, bucking industry standards in favor of constant innovation that keeps guests excited for more.

“We try to be unique compared to our competition around us,” says owner Fernando Almanza. “It’s very cool we’re getting this much support.”

Unlike other Mexican restaurants, Antojitos is known for a trendy cocktail-bar atmosphere with emphasis on margaritas where you’ll come for lime and strawberry flavors, but stay for the bizarre yet delicious blends found nowhere else. On the dinner menu, the restaurant goes for a clean, sauce-light Instagram-worthy plating aesthetic.

But Almanza says the most exciting feature is the rotating menu. One month customers could be served ahi tuna topped with pico de gallo, and another month could offer an ensemble of tacos with different ingredients and cranberry- or hibiscus-flavored tortillas.

“We always have something unique for whatever they’re craving,” says Almanza who has several plans for Antojitos next year.

“We’re going to do a different layout, add a waiting area with a lounge feel to it,” he says. “I [also] want to develop the lunch menu; people could come in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon. I have lots of good ideas. We’ll see.” –CW

The Cozzy Corner has two z’s in its name, but restaurant owner Natasha Banks tells us it’s pronounced “Cozy Corner,” and for good reason. During the 2012 opening, the name was taken by another restaurant, but rather than give up the perfect description for Southern-style cooking in a cozy environment, Banks added the extra letter and the rest is history.

For Banks, cozy represents what the tucked-away restaurant in downtown Appleton does best, and this year coziness earned the Corner a sixth consecutive Golden Fork for Best Homestyle Cooking.

“Homestyle cooking means family, love. It means southern roots. I think we connect with the community and we have our cozy family,” Banks says. “And just like any family, you keep coming back.”

Plus, it’s easy to keep coming back to a menu made with love, Banks says. The menu focuses on homestyle staples: ribs, chicken, catfish and sausage, and thanks to the two-meat plate, you don’t have to settle on just one.

Banks says first-time visitors should try the chicken and waffles, which may have single-handedly won Cozzy Corner this year’s runner-up for Best Chicken.

“Everyone wants to try chicken and waffles,” Banks says.

Looking forward, Banks plans to keep the Corner as cozy as ever. –CW

2019 marks the fifth consecutive year the Fox Valley’s favorite environmentally friendly micro-diner, Little Diner Xpress, has won the Golden Fork for Best Diner/Café.

Owners Rod Bergman and Mike Forrest attribute the community’s support over the years to offering sustainable, non-GMO products at a fair price, all served by friendly waitstaff.

“We look for as many clean-label products as we can to provide the best possible product without compromising anything and not have significantly higher prices,” Bergman says. “And our employees make up the face of our business. We make up a small role.”

“Even the oil we use, it’s a non-GMO sunflower oil,” Forrest adds.

This year, Forrest and Bergman plan to double down on their strengths after years of setting foundation.

“We’ve maintained the standard fare for roughly four, five years and now it’s just constantly perfecting,” Forrest says. “The vision is to maintain the quality, improve the quality and continue rewarding people for great performance.”

Additionally, renovations are on the owners’ radars, and planning is in early stages.

“We’re looking to improve the aesthetic of the restaurant as well,” Bergman says. “I’m pretty confident our customers would be happy with a refresh while still keeping that same homey diner feeling that everyone loves.” –CW

Food & Dining