No, G&D's doesn't beat Shakespeare's. It is good, though. Angelo's on S. Providence is also good if you like Greek style pizza. Same family, I believe.

There's a rumor that there's a good BBQ shack on Bus. 70 by Firestone. Drive through only, very low rent. Haven't been there myself, so can't say for sure. For burgers, Booches on 9th. Pool hall, but the sliders are awesome. For fine dining there's Sycamore on Broadway, Grand Cru on Providence and a few other places. Lots of bars downtown, and I can't think of any place down there that was just bad.

I tend to avoid Yelp. I try to use the establishment's own site as much as possible.

Flat Branch is pretty good, especially if you're a beer connoisseur.

Gyro sounds tempting....

More of a bourbon connoisseur. But I do enjoy quality brews.

Then 44 Stone Pub is your place.

I love both, though.

Flat Branch is a micro brewery, so that's its main claim to fame. Casablanca has good gyros and is on 5th and Elm. That might be durtyrute is thinking of.

The Rome for Italian

Quentins for sandwiches (get the potato or cheddar soup in a bread bowl)

CJ's for Chicken Wings - don't forget the loaded chips

Flatbranch for a pretty good variety of lots of stuff and a decent micro-brew.

The Gyro place is the International Cafe on 9th; very good Gyros.

And Wise Guys pizza in the back of McNally's bar for the best pizza and the only decent Chicago Style in town.

There are a few more, but that should get you started.

If you really did want barbecue, there's a newish BBQ place in town called Lutz's that is easily the best we have. They do burnt ends and have great chicken wings. They've won some awards at the Royal and just took an overall competition in Tuscon.

WHERE? I've been wanting BBQ for a while.

44 stone is mighty overrated, IMO.

Right at the Providence and AC/Nifong intersection where the old diner used to be (blueberry cafe or something like that).

They have a spicy sauce that's really strong and the owner's daughter is at the counter most days. She's pretty cute but she's just the friendliest damn thing you'll ever meet. They have hand-cut chips they make as well with a dozen different spices they put on them and a white-cheddar macaroni that's outstanding.

I highly highly recommend it.

G&D's pizza FTW!!!

I have just come out of something like 10 years in the food and beverage industry. I have seen where my place of business has gotten the highest rating and Yelp takes it down or disavows it because they believe it was a friend or family member. They police the crap out of their site and a lot of good honest reviews are removed. And I understand that people will play that game. Which just makes the whole thing pointless IMHO.

Thanks much. I'll give it a whirl. Blue Bird Cafe, maybe? I know where you're talking about, though.