A Mexican takeaway in Co Donegal this evening won three awards, including top prize for Best Takeaway in Ireland, in the Just Eat National Takeaway Awards. Thousands of the delivery service's customers voted for Letterkenny-based takeaway Burrito Loco and it bagged awards for Best Takeaway (Lunchtime), Best Takeaway (Ulster) and the overall Best Takeaway (Ireland) in the fourth annual awards.
Meanwhile, the nation's taste for spicy food was confirmed with Thai Green Curry winning Ireland's Favourite Dish and a more Irish take on a takeaway – the spice bag – even got its own dedicated award category (Lin Kee takeaway in Swords won the highly competitive" title).
Phibsborough's Camile Thai won in the Thai category for the second time, and Firehouse Pizza in Ballymun, Dublin nabbed Best Pizza.
The 20 categories included Best Chinese, Best Salad, Best Mexican and Best Indian, and customers voted for their own favourite Irish takeaway restaurant, and their favourite takeaway dish.
Representatives from dozens of shortlisted restaurants celebrated the Just Eat gongs in in Dublin on Tuesday, with comedian Colm O'Regan and radio host Louise Duffy presenting. Restaurants' own customers make the nominations and do the voting for the awards, which are described as recognising and celebrating quality of food, choice and service.
More than 20,000 votes were cast over the past few weeks for customers' favourites in the 2,000 restaurants on the Just Eat network. Managing director Amanda Roche said: As the takeaway sector continues to diversify and expand, the scope for these awards can only increase. I would particularly like to say a huge congratulations to Burrito Loco who scooped the overall prize this year as well as winning in two other categories. Over the years, they have been a firm favourite at the awards and it's fantastic to see their efforts and hard work pay off with the recognition this evening."
Just Eat National Takeaway Awards Winners 2017
Best Takeaway Chinese - Lin Kee, Swords, Co. Dublin
Best Takeaway Indian - Bombay Pantry, Fairview, Dublin 3
Best Takeaway Thai - Camile Thai, Phibsborough, Dublin 7
Best Takeaway Chipper - Friar’s Rest, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Best Takeaway Mexican - Boojum, Dublin 8
Best Takeaway Japanese - Zakura, Wexford Street, Dublin 2
Best Takeaway American - Eddie Rocket’s, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
Best Takeaway Healthy - Chopped, Clontarf, Dublin 3
Best Takeaway Lunchtime - Burrito Loco, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Best Takeaway Pizza - Firehouse Pizza, Ballymun, Dublin 11
Ireland’s Best Curry - Ajanta Indian Takeaway, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Ireland’s Best Spice Bag - Lin Kee, Swords, Co. Dublin
Ireland’s Best Salad - Sprout & Co. Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Best Takeaway Dublin - Camile Thai, PHibsborough, Dublin 7
Best Takeaway Leinster - Gino’s Diner, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Best Takeaway Munster - Ramen, Sunday’s Well, Cork
Best Takeaway Connaught - Danolla’s Fish & Chips, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Best Takeaway Ulster - Burrito Loco, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Best Takeaway Ireland - Burrito Loco, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Ireland’s Favourite Dish - Thai Green Curry