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2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award: Winners

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2008 NATIONAL WINNERS

2008 Restaurant Neighbor AwardThe National Restaurant Association and American Express salute restaurateurs who go above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award. Each year four national winners receive $5,000 each to continue their charitable works.

Scroll down to view the 2008 National Winners and State Finalists

CORNERSTONE HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

Valerie Daniels-Carter
V&J Holding Co., Inc.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Owner of a quickservice empire of 137 restaurants in six states, Valerie Daniels-Carter’s business accomplishments rival her 26-year commitment to philanthropy. In the United States and Africa, she has been involved in many philanthropic initiatives, including educational and economic empowerment programs.

NATIONAL LARGE BUSINESS WINNER

Chili's Grill & Bar
Dallas, Texas

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What does it take to raise a record $18 million in just five years for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? Chili’s Regional Vice President of Operations Kevin Carroll says it’s a combination of incredible team members and a worthwhile cause. This is just one of the company’s many philanthropic endeavors.

NATIONAL MID-SIZE BUSINESS WINNER

Keystone Apple
DBA Applebee's

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

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With eight units and diverse interest in community outreach projects, Keystone Apple created its ATeam to coordinate events that make a strong impact on the central Pennsylvania community.

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WINNER

Barry's Cafe
Raleigh, North Carolina

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Nearly 15 years ago, Barry Doyle was inspired by local firefighters who saved a customer’s house by quickly responding at 3 a.m. When a huge ice storm hit the area, Doyle and the Barry’s Café crew brought hot coffee to firefighters and police managing the crisis. The café became a favorite firefighter hangout, and Barry’s Café found a new mission.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2008 STATE FINALISTS
Choose a state or scroll down to view the state finalists

Arizona
McMahon Restaurant Group, DBA Outback Steakhouse
Scottsdale


Arkansas
Mickie's Bluefish Grill
Conway


California
BJ's Restaurants Inc.
Huntington Beach

Del Taco
Lake Forest

Johnny Rebs Southern Roadhouse
Los Alamitos

Mimi's Cafe
Tustin


Colorado
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Colorado Springs

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.
Greenwood Village

Rioja
Denver

Rock Bottom Restaurants
Louisville


Connecticut
The Woodward House LLC
Bethlehem


Delaware
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant
Wilmington


District of Columbia
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
Washington

Poste Moderne Brasserie
Washington

Thinkfoodgroup
Washington


Florida
Arturo's Italian Restaurant
Marco Island

Hard Rock International
Orlando

Stillwell Enterprises
Captiva Island

The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc.
Tampa

Tijuana Flats Burrito Company
Maitland


Georgia
Applecreek Managment Co., DBA Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar and Up the Creek Grill
Duluth

AppleGrove Restaurants, DBA Applebee's Neighborgood Grill & Bar
Atlanta

Homegrown Restaurant Concepts: Doc Chey's, Stella, Osteria 832
Atlanta

Marlow's Tavern/Greazy spoon Development Company
Atlanta

Metrotainment Cafes Inc.
Atlanta


Hawaii
Hoaloha Na Eha, DBA Old Lahaina Luau & Aloha Mixed Plate
Lahaina


Illinois
Harry Caray's
Rosemont

Morton's Restaurant Group
Chicago

Nick's Pizza & Pub
Crystal Lake

Palmer Place Restaurant and Beer Garden
La Grange


Indiana
Scotty's Brewhouse
Indianapolis


Iowa
Barmuda Corporation
Cedar Falls


Kansas
Edesia's Bakery & Cafe
Manhattan

PJ Wichita LLC, DBA Papa John's Pizza
Wichita


Kentucky
Proof On Main
Louisville

Texas Roadhouse
Louisville


Louisiana
Zea Rotisserie & Grill
Lafayette


Maine
Damariscotta River Grill
Damariscotta


Maryland
Bill Bateman's
Havre de Grace

Glory Days Grill
Gaithersburg

Sodexo
Gaithersburg

The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille
Edgewater


Massachusetts
Jake's Seafood Restaurant & Market
Hull


Michigan
Big Boy Restaurants International
Warren

Buddy's Pizza
Farmington Hills

Zukey Lake Tavern
Pickney


Minnesota
Common Cup Coffeehouse
Morris

D'Amico & Partners
Minneapolis


Missouri
Border Enterprises Inc., DBA Taco Bell
Fulton

Dickey's Barbecue Pit/BKNJ Restaurants Inc.
Valley Park

Panera Bread LLC
St. Louis

Victory Trade School
Springfield


Nebraska
Lazlo's Brewery & Grill, Fire Works Restaurant
Lincoln

Raising Cane's Lincoln LLC
Lincoln


Nevada
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Reno

Memphis Championship Barbecue
Las Vegas

Origin India Group LLC
Las Vegas


New Hampshire
Patrick's Pub & Eatery
Gilford

The Common Man Family of Restaurants
Ashland


New Jersey
Blue Moon Mexican Cafe
Wyckoff


New Mexico
Tomato Cafe Inc.
Albuquerque


New York
TL Cannon Companies, DBA Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar
Williamsville


North Carolina
Barry's Cafe
Raleigh

Dugan's Pub
Pinehurst

Jax LLC, DBA Golden Corral
Charlotte


Ohio
Louie's Bar & Grille
Akron

Roosters
Dublin


Oklahoma
The Roadhouse Restaurant
Monkey Island


Oregon
Bedrock's
Reedsport

Martin Hospitality
Cannon Beach

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants
Portland

Mother's Bistro & Bar/Mama Mia Trattoria
Portland


Pennsylvania
C.R. Lapp Family Restaurant
Quarrysville

Keystone Apple DBA Applebees
Mechanicsburg

Riverstone Cafe/Winner's Circle Sports Grille
Exton


Puerto Rico
Encanto Restaurants
Guaynabo


Rhode Island
Chow Fun Food Group
Providence

Evelyn's Nanaquaket Drive-In
Tiverton

Gracie's Venture
Providence


South Carolina
Caffe Ventures Inc.
Columbia

Gilligan's Steamer & Raw Bar
Johns Island


Tennessee
MAFIAoZA's
Nashville

Ruby Tuesday Inc.
Maryville

Shoney's of Knoxville Inc.
Knoxville


Texas
Bennigan's Grill & Tavern
Plano

Blue Bonnet Cafe Inc.
Marble Falls

Chili's Grill & Bar
Dallas

Cordua Restaurants
Houston


Utah
Bambara/Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Salt Lake City


Vermont
Bruegger's
Burlington

Moe's Southwest Grill
South Burlington


Virginia
J.R. Goodtimes Inc.
McLean

Outback Steakhouse of Virginia
Fairfax

Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen
Fredericksburg


Washington
Amy's on the Bay
Port Orchard

Clinkerdagger/Restaurants Unlimited Inc.
Spokane

Reverie BBQ
Mount Vernon

Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar
Bellevue


Wisconsin
Champps Americana Restaurants
Brookfield

Culver Franchising Systems Inc.
Prairie du Sac

John Michael's Inc., DBA Michael's Frozen Custard
Verona

Valerie Daniels-Carter
Milwaukee


Wyoming
Shadows Pub & Grill
Cheyenne

Signal Mountain Lodge
Moarn

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