Summer 2017 has officially come to a close, though there’s no sign of that fact in the weather—nor in our appetites, thanks to our first-ever U-Pick Awards.
When we asked you two months ago to nominate the local eateries and producers responsible for making your Long Island summer so great (and tasty), we received over 1,000 nominations. And then, a few weeks later, when we presented you with groups of the most-requested nominees and asked you to vote for your favorites, we received over 2,000 votes.
Now, the results are in. Meet your 2017 U-Pick Award Winners.
Favorite Rosé
Winner: Wölffer Estate
This Sagaponack winery is famous for its pink stuff—and rightfully so. Coming in with 40% of your votes, Wölffer rosé was a clear (and rosy) winner.
Favorite Pale Ale
Winner: Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.
Brewed with honey, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Summer Ale is sweet and—as its name implies—super summery. 39% of our readers voted for it as their favorite, and that was more than enough to win.
Favorite Fruit-Flavored Beer
Winner: Montauk Brewing Company
Montauk Brewing Company’s Watermelon Session Ale is so popular—and, frankly, beloved—that it completely sold out by August 18 (with more than a month of summer to go)! Its popularity was highly supported by your U-Pick Awards voting; with 50% of the vote in its category, Watermelon Session Ale was this year’s most decisive favorite.
Favorite Ice Cream Shop
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYTjP4xnIbE/?taken-at=247821069
Winner: Magic Fountain
It’s hard to argue with lavender honey ice cream (though, honestly, it’s hard to argue with any of the offerings at this Mattituck mainstay). Receiving 38.1% of the final vote, Magic Fountain revealed that even now, after so many years in operation, it still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Favorite Lobster Roll
Winner: The North Fork Food Truck
The voting in this category was nail-bitingly close, but ultimately the North Fork Food Truck prevailed over runner-up Lunch in Amagansett with 30.1% of the vote. “North Fork’s lobster rolls are just the best,” one reader wrote. “It’s all about the chunks.” (And, looking at the photo above, we’re apt to agree.)
Favorite Oyster Bar
Winner: Salt & Barrel
No shucks about it: Bay Shore’s Salt & Barrel was a decisive winner in this category. Check out our recent story on Salt & Barrel—and its enviable cocktail program—in our latest drinks issue here.
Favorite Restaurant with a View
Winner: Prime
We Long Islanders are spoiled when it comes to waterside dining—but even so, Prime in Huntington is the crème de la crème. You love its steaks, sushi, and view of Huntington Bay. It’s hard to imagine a better place to toast summer’s end.
Favorite Taco
Winner: Lucharitos
If you haven’t been to Lucharitos in Greenport yet, you’re really missing out. This cult-favorite serves up some of the best tacos north of Mexico. You just have to try them for yourself.
Favorite Fruit Pie
Winner: Briermere Farms
Briermere pies are a Long Island institution—and your voting in our first-ever U-Pick awards certainly confirmed their footing. With 49% of the vote in a category filled with so many other popular bakeries, Briermere secured and maintained a sizable lead throughout.
Favorite Food Truck
Winner: Eat Me Drink Me
We here at Edible have a special place in our hearts for the Eat Me Drink Me truck, since its owner, Michelle Panciarello, first got her idea for the truck after attending one of our annual Food Truck Derbies. It turns out: You guys have a special place in your hearts for the Alice in Wonderland-themed truck too! With 29.2% of the vote, Eat Me Drink Me was your obvious winner.
Favorite Farmer
Winner: Peconic Escargot
Peconic Escargot finally started production earlier this year—and already they are U-Pick Award winners! We admire their innovation and dedication to practicing sustainable farming methods, and apparently our readers do, too.
Favorite Summer Eatery
Winner: Whale’s Tale
If you’ve never experienced Taco Tuesday at Whale’s Tale in Northport—right on the water in the marina—you really need to change that. Talk about a whale of a time! (#sorrynotsorry)
Favorite Burger
Winner: Mara’s Homemade
There’s a lot that Mara’s Homemade in Syosset does right: Crawfish-stuffed bread, barbecue, jambalaya, shrimp, etc. They also make a really mean burger. Coming in with 49.5% of the vote, the Big Easy-inspired eatery secured a big and easy U-Pick Awards win.
