Out and About

Out and About Voters' Choice Awards announces new categories

With several new categories, the second Out and About Voters' Choice Awards will be bigger and better than ever.

Posted Updated

The WRAL Out and About Voters Choice Awards is expanding to include more than just dining categories this year.

This year, you will be able to cast your votes for the best in retail, apartments, and more nightlife categories as well as your favorite restaurants and southern cuisine. We’ve even added a special category for biscuits! We want you to tell us your favorites across the state of North Carolina.

The nomination period opens May 16 and runs through the end of the month. During that time, you can nominate your favorites in all categories (below). Encourage your favorite local businesses to help spread the word through their email and social media channels to make sure they get as many nominations as possible by May 29.

On June 1, voting officially opens featuring the top nominated local businesses. You can select one of five finalists for each category or write in your favorite. Voting ends July 10. Winners will be honored in August. Use #WRALVCAs to join the conversation.

So start thinking about the businesses you want to nominate. Look at last year's winners, but note that this year we want to keep the focus on local business and less large chain restaurants and businesses.
And if you are a business interested in sponsoring this year's awards, check out sales package info on WRAL Works.

2016 WRAL Out & About Voters’ Choice Awards Categories

*Denotes NEW for 2016
  • Cuisine
    • Bakery
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Burgers
    • Coffee
    • Deli
    • Dessert
    • Fast food*
    • French fries
    • Gluten-free options
    • International cuisine
    • Italian cuisine
    • Late-night menu
    • Mexican
    • Pizza
    • Seafood
    • Steaks
    • Sushi
    • Vegetarian menu
    • Wings
  • Experiences
    • Bang for your buck
    • Brewery/Distillery
    • Business lunch
    • Festival (music, community or other)*
    • Food truck
    • Kids night out/Kids eat free
    • NC beach destination*
    • NC mountain destination*
    • Outdoor dining
    • Pet-friendly location*
    • Place for a date
    • Place to watch a game
    • Special occasion or splurge restaurant
    • Summer concert series*
    • Takeout and/or delivery
    • Worth the drive
  • Nightlife
    • Bottle shop*
    • Cocktails
    • Dancefloor*
    • DJ*
    • Local band*
    • Neighborhood bar*
    • Trivia*
    • Wine selection
  • Southern Experience
    • Biscuits*
    • Eastern NC BBQ
    • Mac N Cheese
    • Ribs
    • Sweet Tea
    • Western NC BBQ
  • Lifestyle*
    • Apartments*
    • Boutique*
    • Country club/ Golf course*
    • Florist*
    • Hair Salon*
    • Massage / Spa Treatments*
    • Nail Salon*
    • Place to Break a Sweat*
    • Place to Walk/Run/Bike*
    • Unique gifts*
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