Best of Racine County 2022 nominations are open from July 13 – August 3 | Local News

Meli Café Pancake House & Restaurant, 1158 Prairie Drive, Racine

Douglas Avenue Diner, 5121 Douglas Ave., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

We are family owned and operated. We bring fresh food to the table and offer an array of traditional breakfast and lunch fare with a twist. Our full service bar offers a unique spin on the traditional breakfast cocktails, and we have become well known for our mimosa menu and flights. Our coffee drinks are made with the finest organic coffee and espresso beans. Our venue is large enough to host private events during or after business hours and we offer full service catering. Eat, drink and gather at The Maple Table.

How long have you be doing this?

Twenty-two years in the industry and a little over two years at The Maple Table.

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

We couldn’t succeed without our incredible, loyal and friendly staff who is like family to us and our amazing customers! The members of the community that have supported us our one of two reasons why we have found success.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

Co-owners Tony and Tamara LoPiparo began in the restaurant industry decades ago. Tony spent a lot of his childhood at his father’s restaurant, That’s Amore, and began working for him when he was a teenager. Tamara had been in the service industry since a teenager and worked her way up the ladder, learning many different positions in the front of the house. The two met when Tamara was managing the restaurant across from That’s Amore. Once they were married, Tamara began working for her in-laws. Tony went on to get his MBA and Tamara finished her business management and leadership studies program from the UW school system. During this time they started a family so, they found that the demands of working in a second shift restaurant was becoming hard to manage with small children. They felt confident through their education, work experience and mentorship from their fathers (both entrepreneurs) that they were ready to venture out on their own. In 2018, they moved to Caledonia and visited downtown Racine for the first time. It was love at first sight, they walked through the space that now occupies the restaurant and a few months later The Maple Table came to be. It was a dream come true.

Everyday we are always striving to be the best we can be. One of our biggest goals is to become an integral part of the community by developing relationships with the people and organizations throughout greater Racine. We want the community to not only know us as a great place to eat, drink and gather, but a place that gives back to the community that has given them so much.

Culver’s, 5801 21st St., 722 S. Sylvania Ave., Racine

Joey’s West, 9825 Kraut Road, Franksville

Wilson’s Coffee & Tea, 3306 Washington Ave., Racine

The Main Project & Café, 1014 State St., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Mocha Lisa Coffeehouse is more than just coffee; we are a gathering place for people to have a relaxing time to spend in our beautiful gardens in the summer and our 120-year-old farm house welcomes you with a quaint, warm and cozy feeling in the winter. We are locally focused and we believe that comes through in the quality of our products and our service. We feature local artisans in our coffeehouse with their art work on our walls and crafts on display. If you are looking for unique gifts, you can probably find what you are looking for in our gift section. We offer all seasonal favorites anytime of the year, and as you would expect, high-quality coffee and espresso drinks from Colectivo Coffee, premium teas and delicious local bakery. Our baristas are very friendly, cleanliness and customer service are priorities for us! We are blessed and thankful to have customers who are like family, that have supported us throughout the years. We are happy God has given us the opportunity to serve our friends and neighbors here in Racine.

How long have you be doing this?

We just celebrated our 12th year.

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

Our customers who faithfully support us and who have become part of our family. Also the baristas, who do a wonderful job to accommodate everyone.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

In 2009, I received a phone call that changed my life forever, because my previous position was coming to an end. I had been praying for a sign from God asking if we should buy the coffeehouse. Internally, as I was on the phone I knew this was the sign. As I hung up the phone, my husband Scott asked me if this was the sign I was praying for. At that moment, I knew we should purchased Mocha Lisa Coffeehouse and I knew this was a gift from God. My success partially comes from my staff of baristas who are wonderful and support me every step of the way, and my customers who have supported me continuously. I give all the glory to God and I am blessed to have been able to serve him in this capacity. I love my job!

I’m looking forward to getting back to normal, post COVID. This has been a difficult time for both our customers as well as our vendors, not to mention all small businesses.

DeRango’s Pizza Delivery, 6100 Washington Ave., Racine

Oh Dennis! Saloon & Charcoal House, 4301 Douglas Ave., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

We have always offered carryout services, but this past year it became our way to survive! Your support during our carryout only business from July 2020 to April 2021, helped us remain in business! We are blessed that our food carries out well and that our customers are so faithful. Our entire menu is available for carryout, also remember to ask for our day’s soups and desserts.

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

Our amazing staff and faithful customers.

A&W Restaurants, 13520 Northwestern Ave., Franksville

Joey’s Yardarm, 920 Erie St., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Our Culver’s team strives to provide hot, made-to-order food and fresh frozen custard to our guests. In these uncertain times, we want to ensure each and every guest receives quick, consistent service with a smile. We genuinely care, so every guest who chooses Culver’s leaves happy.

Danny’s Meats & Catering, 1317 Four Mile Road, Racine

Brossman’s Meat Market & Catering, 6900 Highway 31, Caledonia

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Long tradition of serving big, tasty and reasonably priced subs along with a great selection of homemade salads and desserts.

How long have you be doing this?

Lee’s is celebrating 50 years of serving Racine County!

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

The loyal Racine customers who continue to come back for great subs and specialty prepared items unlike any national franchise.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

Lee’s is a pioneer in the Wisconsin Sub sandwich industry dating back to 1971 when founded by Leroy Neu. Our unique sub sandwiches feature various combinations of tasty meats, cheeses, dressings and vegetables. In addition, Lee’s features an abundance of homemade salads and desserts. Lee’s traditional menu has been carried on since 1986 when three former Park High School friends (John Henes, Steve Hurley and Jim Dobbs) purchased one of their favorite places to eat to keep it thriving.

The Red Onion Cafe, 555 Main St., Racine

Chick-Fil-A, 5315 Washington Ave., Mount Pleasant

Spanky’s Sports Bar and Grill, 485 S. Jefferson St., Waterford

Mike & Angelo’s, 6214 Washington Ave., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Wells Brothers Italian Restaurant has been serving pizza in Racine for five generations. Our signature thin, crispy crust has remain unchanged. We continue to use the same family recipes for our dough, sauce and sausage. Our amazing staff continues to put out a consistently delicious product while using only the best ingredients!

How long have you be doing this?

Wells Brothers has been serving Racine for 100 years. 

Sebastian’s, 6025 Douglas Ave., Racine

Corner House On The Lake, 207 Gaslight Drive, Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

We can definitely say we have the best customers. We have been blessed to be in business over 14 years now and because of the support of our community, we have managed to stay open during the pandemic. Thank you.

Danny’s Meats & Catering, 1317 Four Mile Road, Racine

The Red Onion Café, 555 Main St., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Long tradition of serving big, tasty and reasonably priced sub sandwiches.

How long have you be doing this?

Lee’s is celebrating 50 years of serving Racine County!

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

The loyal Racine customers who continue to come back for more great subs that stand out from all of the franchise sub shops.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

Lee’s is a pioneer in the Wisconsin sub industry dating back to 1971 when founded by Leroy Neu who designed various combinations of tasty meats, cheeses, dressings and vegetables. The same formula has been carried on since 1986 by three former Park High School friends (John Henes, Steve Hurley and Jim Dobbs) who knew it was a great product that is hard to match.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, 6000 Durand Ave., Racine

Panera Bread, 5630 Washington Ave., Unit 6, Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

Our business is the best in Racine because we strive to do our very best to give our customers quality food and service. People love and enjoy our homemade soup and food as well as our quaint atmosphere.

How long have you be doing this?

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

We couldn’t succeed without our loyal customers.

Olde Madrid, 418 Sixth St., Racine

Blue Bear, 2920 Taylor Ave., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

As a family business, we pour our heart out in how we serve and deliver food and our customers know best. Kabab And Grill not only has fresh, flavorful food, but it is also served with the intention of leaving our customers content. We have many options of the types of bowls/wraps you can make, offer free samples and a variety of desserts. We serve a variety of vegan options daily and we encourage people to try samples before getting anything.

How long have you be doing this?

Our family has been in business for almost five years, since December 2016.

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

Kabab And Grill couldn’t succeed without the owner Sheikh Umar and his wife Zubda Naz, who started and funded the business as well as working in the kitchen when we couldn’t afford any workers due to COVID.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

Came into this field for the love of food. We’d have friends over all the time and they’d love how our homemade meals tasted. Our friends are the ones who recommended we start our own business and they have been the greatest support system since.

City of Racine has been an amazing home for us and people here make us into who we are today with their constant support. With the new location already up and running, so far we have added extraordinary vegan options, traditional dessert counter/cooler, air conditioning to comfort our customers and so much more is to come in the coming years! Slowly but surely we are making better improvements to better serve our customers!

Joey’s Yardarm, 920 Erie St., Racine

Sebastian’s, 6025 Douglas Ave., Racine

Scores, 4915 Washington Ave., Racine

TBG’s, 1814 Taylor Ave., Racine

What makes your business the best in Racine County?

For over 37 years our customers have come to rely on us for quality food, drinks and service. Customers know that when they come in to watch their favorite sports on our 51 TVs, they are going to have a great time. Whether they are in our main dining room, in our four-seasons room or under our covered patio, they will be surrounded by good people, great employees and great food and drinks. Each day we serve our homemade soups, fish dinners, appetizers, sandwiches and our award-winning wings with the same pride and quality we have for so many years.

How long have you been doing this?

Buckets Pub opened in February 1984.

Who couldn’t you succeed without? And why?

We couldn’t succeed without our hardworking and dedicated employees. Over the years, we have been so lucky to have great people on our staff. Our staff and the service they provide is one of the major reasons why people enjoy being at Buckets Pub. And, of course, we wouldn’t be successful without the continuous support we have received and our customers over the years. We cannot thank the Racine community enough for their support over the years.

Tell us the story of how you came into this field, and how you found success in it.

Before Buckets Pub opened, Chuck and Connie owned Riverside Pub on Rapids Drive from 1979 to 1982. They enjoyed the business and customers so much that when the opportunity to open another business came about they took the chance and opened Buckets Pub on Lathrop Avenue in 1984. The business’s success has been built by hard work, having great employees, creating relationships with customers and the community, and providing quality food and service.

We will continue to serve our customers quality food and drinks for years to come.