We launched “5 to Try” in 2021 as a way to showcase the best of what Johnson County had to offer, from flavorful food to fun things to do.

Each week, we introduce a category, and then we let our readers do the suggesting.

Here are some of the most recommended “5 to Try” picks our readers sent us in 2022.

Comfort food

With the frigid winter weather upon us, this is the perfect time to look back on the best comfort food in Johnson County.

In mid-November, just before the Thanksgiving holiday, we asked readers to give us their top picks for where to enjoy the best comfort food.

Readers’ top favorites were:

• O’Neill’s Restaurant and Bar in Leawood
• Conroy’s Public House in Overland Park, Leawood and Westwood
• Mr. P’z Bar and Grill in Overland Park
• Pegah’s Family Restaurant in Shawnee and Lenexa
• Nick & Jake’s in Overland Park and Shawnee

Cookies

Let’s keep up with the warm and fuzzy. Johnson County really loves cookies, and what better way to enjoy the creative spirit of local bakeries than by trying out all the gooey, crispy goodness?

We asked readers in May to tell us where to find the best cookies around. Here are some hot takes straight out of the oven:

• Best Regards Bakery & Café in Overland Park
• KCookie Company in Olathe
• McLain’s Market in Overland Park and Shawnee
• French Market in Prairie Village
• The Upper Crust in Overland Park

Italian food

Mamma mia! In mid-January, we asked readers to help us find the best Italian in and around Johnson County.

Post readers overwhelmingly picked these spots:

• Viona’s Italian Bistro in Overland Park
• Va Bene Italian Eatery in Prairie Village
• Garōzzo’s Italian in Overland Park
• Papagallo Italian and Mediterranean Express in Lenexa
• Jasper’s Italian Restaurant at 103rd and State Line in Kansas City, Missouri

Sandwiches

Readers made it a grab-and-go kind of week with our “5 to Try” ask for the best sandwiches in town.

In mid-April, we kept our ask as broad as possible, counting everything ol’ fashioned sandwiches like hot ham and cheese to breakfast sandwiches, but readers kept their picks traditional in the sense of “sandwich.” So, reubens, clubs and chicken salads dominated this list.

Here are the top takes:

• Adrian’s Cafe in Lenexa
• Madison Meat & Deli in Overland Park
• French Market in Prairie Village
• Werner’s Fine Sausages in Mission
• Fritz’s Meats & Superior Sausage in Leawood

Mexican food

And to close out our “5 to Try” top five for this year, last but certainly not least are the best of the best Mexican restaurants in Johnson County.

At the start of April, readers gave us their favorite places to grab a burrito, enchilada and other delicious dishes south of the border.

Here’s what readers gave us:

• Ixtapa Fine Mexican Cuisine in Overland Park
• Jose Pepper’s Mexican Restaurant
• Mi Ranchito
• K-Macho’s in Overland Park and Olathe
• Dos Reales in Shawnee and Overland Park