Excellence Awards / Hitzel Approved Awards
There are only two ways a restaurant may receive an Excellence Award from the Ed Hitzel Organization. The first is to be reviewed in Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Newsletter. Restaurants are reviewed anonymously. Reviewers pay their own way. The reviews are honest and are accompanied by a rating of zero to ten for food and service. Any restaurant receiving a rating of eight or above for both food and service is placed on the excellence list. It is as difficult to be placed on the list as it is to be removed from the list. Changes in chefs and ownership or in food quality and service are some of the obvious considerations. Because of the nature of the business, Ed has become friends with some chefs and owners; those restaurants will not be reviewed. The second way a restaurant may receive an award for excellence is if the restaurant is visited more than once by a Hitzel writer or staffer and there is agreement among staffers that the restaurant deserves to be on the list. See non-review awards under the listings. Recipients of the Excellence Awards are listed in Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Magazine and Ed Hitzel's Restaurant Newsletter and are announced on the Hitzel radio show from time to time. Recipients are given a certificate to be placed in the restaurant. Restaurants eligible for the Excellence Award are in the southern and central New Jersey area.

   
Hitzel Approved Awards may be given to any hospitality operation that provides customers with an impressive experience in their area of expertise. Awards winners are chosen by any staffer who finds a combination of good food, service, atmosphere and or comfort in their travels and hospitality experiences. We also welcome recommendations from readers, viewers and listeners. Email us at edhitzel@earthlink.net. Recipients are given a sticker that might be displayed in the facility. There are no geographic limits to this award.