The James Beard America's Classics Award is a prestigious award presented to locally owned restaurants since 1998 that have “timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of their community.” This year, six restaurants were added to the list of award recipients, including Wagner's Village Inn, 22171 Main St., Oldenburg.

“The mission of the James Beard Awards is to celebrate excellence and that means recognizing the incredible work of long-standing restaurants that play such a crucial role in our communities, as our America's Classics winners do,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation.

“We are so excited to announce this year's winners. Congratulations to all!”

Former owner Ginger Saccomando's parents opened Wagner's Village Inn in 1968. According to Saccomando, the roots of the signature recipe run even deeper. Her parents learned to fry chicken from the owners of the Hearthstone in Metamora, a now-closed restaurant that she says pioneered the regional fried chicken style.

This year's honorees join the ranks of more than 100 restaurants across the country that have received the award since the category was introduced in 1998. They will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The other recipients of the America's Classics award were:
Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop - Austin, Texas 
La Casita Blanca - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Manago Hotel - Captain Cook, Hawaii
Nezinscot Farm - Turner, Maine
Pekin Noodle Parlor - Butte, Montana 

The public may submit recommendations for this category for consideration by committee members. To be eligible for this award, establishments must have been in existence for at least 10 years.