New Jersey Town Rivalries Head to the Ballot as County Brief Launches 21-County Readers’ Choice Awards
Every New Jersey town has that one local fixture voters will fiercely defend. Whether it is the neighborhood slice that draws weekend crowds or the barber who has trimmed three generations of hair, those everyday flashpoints are about to settle the debate through a statewide program. County Brief, a free local news site covering all 21 New Jersey counties, has opened nominations for its first Best of [County] 2027 Readers’ Choice awards, newjerseystage.com reported.
The program spans every corner of the state, running separate competitions in each county from Sussex down to Cape May. Residents have until December 31, 2026, to submit their picks across 34 standard categories at countybrief.com. The lineup covers daily staples ranging from pizza, bagels, and diners to hair salons, auto repair shops, and local hiking trails.
County Voters Choose Custom Culinary and Cultural Categories
While the standard categories apply statewide, each county features a single, custom category tailored to local culinary and cultural traditions. Mercer County voters can weigh in on the best tomato pie, while Camden County residents debate local cheesesteaks. Passaic County features a category for the area’s top hot dog, Cape May highlights regional bed and breakfasts, and Sussex County showcases lakeside dining.
Participating businesses face zero financial barriers. Entry is entirely free for nomination, finalist selection, and winning stages, and organizers strictly prohibit businesses from offering discounts or prizes in exchange for votes. To level the playing field, County Brief provides a complimentary promotional kit for each county that includes a counter sign, flyer, QR code, and social media assets.
Timeline to the Winner’s Circle
The selection process moves through three distinct phases over the coming months. Nominations remain open through the end of December 2026, with every entry verified by email to filter out automated or duplicate submissions. Up to five establishments securing the most confirmed nominations in each category will advance as finalists.
Public voting for those finalists opens on January 11, 2027, and runs through January 31, 2027. Final winners will be revealed on February 15, 2027, receiving a digital badge and certificate to mark the achievement.
