GNR Renewals 2014

As mentioned in June, we have decided to change the process for GNR Renewals this year. New GNRs are awarded for a two year term at the end of which they are evaluated for renewal. Once a GNR is renewed, it is re-evaluated every two years.

In the past, GNR Renewals was conducted as a site-wide discussion that reviewed the restaurants/resources that were up for renewal. When the program first began, each GNR was evaluated in a separate discussion thread. Over time, as the number of GNRs grew and some GNRs had been renewed multiple times (GNRs were first awarded in 2005!), the GNR Committee focused the discussion on the places we felt most needed it. This process was effective at highlighting which GNRs hadn't been talked about recently, but we felt that it didn't promote thoughtful discussion.

This year, we tried a new approach. First, we sought volunteers from the board to aid in the evaluation process. These volunteers, along with the GNR Committee members, considered the list of GNRs up for renewal to determine which restaurants/resources either had decreased in quality or required more discussion before making a decision. At that point we invited several members of the community that had participated in the GNR discussion in the past to provide their input on renewals. In all, 20 board members, including the GNR Committee, were involved in the process.

At every step of the process, the most important factor in making a determination was board posts. However, this year we asked individuals to consider their recent experiences as well. We recognize that people do not feel compelled to post about every meal they have, particularly at old favorites where it can be hard to add something new to the discussion.

In the end we decided that all the GNRs up for renewal should remain on the list. I was very encouraged to see how many people continue to visit and love so many GNRs even when discussion on the board has been quiet. The primary goal of this process was to determine if each GNR continues to do what made it special enough to be awarded. We will continue this process next year which will give even more board members an opportunity to participate in the renewal process. If there are any questions about the process or the GNRs in general, please feel free to pm me at any time.

-Onur, for the GNRs

GNR Renewals 2014

Class of 2006
Birrieria Reyes de Ocotlan
Burt's Place
Calumet Fisheries
Cemitas Puebla
Elephant Thai
Gene & Jude's Red Hot Stand
Honey 1 BBQ
Hopleaf
Johnnie's Beef
Katy's Dumpling House
La Quebrada
Nuevo Leon
Renga-Tei
San Soo Gab San
Scooter's Frozen Custard
Spacca Napoli
Sticky Rice
Sunshine Cafe
Tre Kronor

Class of 2008
Al's Deli
avec
Cajun Connection
Captain Porky's
Jimmy's Red Hots
Marie's Pizza and Liquors
Maxwell Street Market (Sundays)
Mekato's Colombian Bakery
Mixteco Grill
Moon's Sandwich Shop
New York Bagel & Bialy
Poochie's
Prairie Grass Cafe
Smak-Tak
Top Notch Beef Burgers
Violet Hour
Vito & Nick's Pizzeria

Class of 2012
Bad Apple
Barnaby's of Northbrook
Big Jones
Butcher and Larder
Cho Jung
Floriole Cafe and Bakery
Inovasi
Jimmy's Pizza Cafe
La Chaparrita
La France Cafe and Crepes
Lao Hunan
Nha Hang Vietnam
Owen and Engine
Pleasant House Bakery
Red Hot Ranch
Rip's Tavern
Romanian Kosher Sausage Company
Taqueria Los Gallos #2
Troha's Chicken and Shrimp House