The James Beard Foundation announced today the five recipients of it’s 2017 Americas Classics award. This year’s winners will be celebrated at the 27th annual James Beard Foundation Awards Gala on Monday, May 1, 2017, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In an ever-changing culinary landscape, these honorees have created enduring restaurants and food establishments that have not only stood the test of time but continue to bring people together in celebration of the unique flavors in America’s vast food scene, says Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation.

Key Takeaways:

• On North Meeting Street, the flavors of the Lowcountry boldly emanate from this robin’s-egg-blue spot, where Albertha Grant first opened shop in 1980.
• For a century, Gioia’s has been a fixture of the Hill, the neighborhood that is the heart of St. Louis’ Italian-American community. First it served the community as a grocery store, run by Marcallo, Italy, native Challie Gioia.
• Through the years, La Taqueria has stood out as a standard-bearer, and a barometer upon which to argue over other burritos. Jara is from villa Guerrero, Jalisco and grew up in Tijuana. The burritos he serves are not of any specific region of Mexico.

“The America’s Classics award is given to restaurants that have timeless appeal and are cherished for quality food that reflects the character of their community.”

http://www.restaurantnews.com/james-beard-foundation-announces-2017-americas-classics-award-honorees/