Announcing the 2025 Restaurant and Chef America's Classics Winners

Today we announced the six recipients of our 2025 America's Classics Award presented by HEINZ. A category of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, the America's Classics Award is given to locally and independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal and beloved in their region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of its community.

This year’s winners join the ranks of over 100 restaurants across the country that have received the award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The winners of the 2025 James Beard America’s Classics Award presented by HEINZ are:


America's Classics: Great Lakes

Lem’s Bar-B-Q
Chicago, IL
Current Owner: Carmen Lemons

Carrying on a 70-year legacy that began with brothers Myles and Bruce Lemons in 1954, and James B. Lemons in 1968, Lem's Bar-B-Q continues to be a cornerstone in Chicago's culinary scene. Known for its rib tips and hot links, Lem’s keeps guests coming back for their unforgettable secret sauce. The unique flavor comes from their one-of-a-kind aquarium-style barbecue pit, where hickory wood, charcoal, and fire combine to create Chicago’s favorite barbecue spot. James’s youngest daughter, Carmen, with the help of longtime friend Lynn and nephews Billy and Kameron, proudly continues the legacy of service and community on Chicago’s South Side. Signature flavors, a lasting legacy, and a deep commitment to their community are what make Lem's Bar-B-Q truly special. For over seven decades, Lem's has not only served an iconic barbecue but also built a reputation for excellence and service that has stood the test of time.

America's Classics: Mountain

The Pioneer Saloon
Ketchum, ID
Current Owners: Sheila Witmer and Duffy Witmer

The Pioneer Saloon, affectionately known as the “Pio,” is a celebrated destination for its delectable, locally sourced steaks paired with a massive Idaho potato. Capturing the spirit of the American West, this saloon blends rustic charm with warm hospitality, making it the perfect spot to hunker down for the night and enjoy a hearty meal. Standouts at the Pioneer Saloon include the “Jim Spud,” a baked potato heaped with teriyaki beef, a variety of toppings, and cheese; smoked Idaho trout, steamed artichoke, and shrimp cocktail; and cocktails like “Hemingway’s Margarita” and the “Wild Lupine.” Locals and visitors head to the restaurant to unwind after a day on the slopes, host family gatherings, or enjoy a romantic date night.

Originally built in the 1940s as a gambling casino, the restaurant building has undergone notable additions and remodels that not only preserve its culinary history but also display an extensive collection of artifacts. These include memorabilia from Ernest Hemingway's time in Sun Valley, Native American collectibles, animal mounts preserved from across the country, and an array of Western sculptures, posters, and art. Since 1986, Duffy Witmer and Sheila Witmer have been the sole owners of the Pioneer Saloon. Together with their children, Alyson, Chloe, and Dillon, along with current general manager Chris Saxton, they strive to honor this historical gem while infusing fresh ideas into Ketchum's restaurant scene.

America's Classics: Northeast

Sullivan's Castle Island
Boston, MA
Current Owner: Brendan Sullivan

Sullivan’s Castle Island, lovingly referred to as ‘Sully’s’, is a Boston institution that has served working-class Bostonians for generations. Established in 1951 by Dan Sullivan, Sr. as a hot dog stand, for over 70 years the seasonal restaurant has been operated continuously by four generations of the Sullivan family. Every Bostonian has a story about Sully’s—whether from working there after school as teenagers, having their sports team or fundraiser supported by Sully’s, taking their children for some crinkle cuts like their grandparents took them, or simply enjoying it as a nostalgic seaside gathering place for locals. For transplants and visitors to Boston, going there has become a rite of passage. Now a seasonal spot on Castle Island with a year-round outpost in suburban Hanover, Sully’s is known for their double smash burgers with copious amounts of cheese, hot dogs, thick crinkle cut fries, lobster rolls, and locally sourced fresh seafood.

America's Classics: Northwest and Pacific

Lucky Wishbone
Anchorage, AK
Current Owners: Patricia Brown-Heller, Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag, and Carolina Stacey

Since Lucky Wishbone opened during a postwar population boom in Anchorage in 1955, it’s remained a city institution, serving up white cardboard takeout boxes of perfectly composed cheeseburgers, sizzling thighs and drums, and corn muffins with honey through its passenger-side drive-thru. In 1943, George Brown, a WWII pilot, met Peggy, who would become his wife of 67 years, in a restaurant in Denver. Together, they built a successful business, a loving family, and a community of customers who became their best friends. George himself built the restaurant that withstood the second-largest earthquake ever recorded at 9.2 and could often be found in his customary seat among the green vinyl booths until 2018, when he died at age 96. The restaurant is now owned by Carolina Stacey, who has been an employee since 1994; Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag, the first hostess hired at the restaurant in 1979; and George and Peggy Brown’s daughter, Patricia, whose first job was peeling potatoes every day before school. Lucky Wishbone’s interior pays homage to aviators—Anchorage is a pilot’s town and home to an Air Force base, a massive shipping hub, and more small airplanes per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.

The fried chicken, made according to a family recipe that dates back at least 100 years, is flour-breaded, lightly seasoned, and oil-fried, offered alongside classics like burgers, BLTs, homemade malts, and fried chicken giblets in a paper-lined basket. Aside from the consistently delicious diner dishes, Lucky Wishbone is filled with regular customers, sometimes three and four generations of families sharing a meal as they have for decades, creating an atmosphere of warmth that makes you feel lucky when you discover it.

America's Classics: South

Dooky Chase
New Orleans, LA
Owners: The Chase Family

Dooky Chase restaurant has been a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and Black American culture for over eight decades. The restaurant is situated in the New Orleans neighborhood of Treme, one of the oldest Black communities in the United States. Opened in 1939 as a convenience store and sandwich shop by Dooky Chase Sr. and his wife, Emily, it became a full-fledged restaurant in 1941 under Edgar "Dooky" Chase Jr. and his wife Leah Chase. Known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine," Leah Chase was a trailblazer in the culinary world. She was one of the first Black women to become a well-known chef and restaurateur in New Orleans. Under her leadership, Dooky Chase became famous for its classic Creole dishes, such as gumbo, jambalaya, fried chicken, and shrimp Creole, all prepared with the rich, flavorful seasoning characteristic of New Orleans cuisine.

During the 1960s, Dooky Chase became a haven for civil rights leaders, politicians, and activists. Figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Jesse Jackson were known to dine at Dooky Chase, and the restaurant provided a venue for strategy sessions and discussions that were crucial to the civil rights movement. With its walls adorned with Black art by local artists, Dooky Chase is not only a place for great food but also a cultural touchstone. Today, it remains a beloved New Orleans landmark, preserving its rich legacy while continuing to serve as a testament to the city's vibrant culinary traditions and its ongoing cultural evolution.

America's Classics: Texas

Gaido's
Galveston, TX
Current Owner: Nick Gaido

Gaido's has been a Galveston fixture for 114 years, with its fish-shaped logo and marquee sign among the most recognizable landmarks on the Seawall today. Italian immigrant San Giacinto Gaido became orphaned two years after arriving on the island and pulled himself out of poverty by working in the service industry. He eventually opened his own sandwich shop, and then Gaido's in 1911, which is now operated by fourth-generation Nick Gaido and his wife, Kateryna. The restaurant's focus is Gulf seafood—always fresh, never frozen, as the servers are quick and proud to remind you. The menu changes based on the best catch of the day. Expect classic preparations of offerings like catfish, snapper, and redfish; a bounty of crab varieties and scallops when in season; and of course, plenty of Gulf shrimp, whether cocktail, fried, grilled, blackened, in pasta, on a crostini, or on a shellfish tower. Texans and tourists alike come here for the great ocean views and warm service that makes you feel at home. Every table is asked if it's their first time, and if so, they'll receive a short history of Gaido's. Guests are also encouraged to walk around the restaurant and peruse the many old photos, menus, and artifacts throughout the space. The current owners are very involved in the community and raise money for causes they care about, including over $50,000 for Ukraine, where Kateryna is from, at the beginning of the war.