AKRON, Ohio -- We've been curious about what happens in the weeks and months after we present the first place plaque to a winner in one of cleveland.com's "Best of" contests.

So we hit the road this month to check in on three recent winners located in the southern portion of our coverage area.

Being August, we chose to revisit some summer staples -- winners of Best Barbecue, Best Ice Cream and Best Tacos (which let's face it, are good 12 months of the year) to see what's new and what has transpired since their victory.

Our journey took us to ice cream winner Pav's Creamery in Green; The Funky Truckeria in Norton; and Ol'Chefski's BBQ in Aurora.

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Greater Cleveland's Best Ice Cream winner

Pav's Creamery

Where: Pav's Creamery has four locations: Green, Cuyahoga Falls, Portage Lakes and North Canton. All but Portage Lakes are open year-round.

Phone: 330-644-8524.

Website: www.pavscreamery.com

Owner: We spoke with Nik Pappas, who owns the Green location with his wife, Melody. His mother, Michelle Micochero, owns and operates the Portage Lakes store.

Our review during the contest: Pav's Creamery flavor reviews, photos

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The article after online voting concluded, with Pav's finishing first:

Pav's Creamery named best ice cream shop in Greater Cleveland 2016

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Bourbon Banana Split

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When Pav's won the contest in 2016, they were one of only two ice cream shops outside of Las Vegas that held a liquor license. They still offer their full menu of "adult" ice cream treats, including several decadent alcoholic milkshakes.

The bourbon banana split is served in a real Jack Daniels bottle, which has been shaped into a dish. When you finish with the ice cream, you can still enjoy the melted spirits in the bottom -- just remove the lid and chug!

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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When they won in 2016, Pav's had just opened its second location in Green. Today, they have four locations.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Inside the North Canton store

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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All their ice-cream is made fresh, in-house, daily.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Adult Push Pop - Blood Orange Margarita. Ole.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Yes folks, they still have it! The Baklava Specialty Sundae was a real favorite of reporter Brenda Cain when she first visited Pav's in 2016 and it's still on the menu.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Cain and Pappas.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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This is the Almond Joy Adult Shake. It consists of Nuts Over Coconut ice cream, blended with chocolate syrup, coconut rum and amaretto and topped with whipped cream, shredded coconut, dark chocolate flakes and salted almonds.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Starting “Cleveland’s Best” dream day at Best Ice Cream winner Pav’s Creamery. You won’t believe these alcoholic shakes! What is your all-time favorite ice cream flavor? Chat with us in comments. Posted by cleveland.com on Thursday, August 8, 2019

Pav's Creamery

See a video of our visit to Pav's Creamery this month, including everything we sampled.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Greater Cleveland's Best Tacos winner

The Funky Truckeria

Address: 3200 Greenwich Road, Norton

Phone: 330-208-0560

Website: www.thefunkytruckeria.com

Owners: Steve Sabo and Juan Gonzales

When it opened: October 2015

Our review during the contest: The Funky Truckeria serves beloved food truck favorites at brick-and-mortar shop

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The Funky Truckeria wins Best Tacos in Greater Cleveland contest

The Funky Truckeria was started by Sabo and Gonzales, who also own The Orange Truk and Wholly Frijoles food trucks, as the brick and mortar answer for their food truck-inspired creations.

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Juan Gonzales

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Steve Sabo

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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What started as a handshake deal between food truck owners has blossomed into a booming business and a life-long friendship. Now the owners are exploring expanding their shop. (Cleveland, please!)

The partners now operate three food trucks and often have lines out the door at their store.

Demand for their world-inspired tacos exploded on Taco Tuesdays, so Gonzales and Szabo expanded their specials to "Taco Thursdays" as well.

While they would like to stay in their hometown of Norton, the current location is rapidly becoming too small. They have explored expanding into neighboring shops and have looked at other locations, but have yet to find a solution that works for them, and their customers.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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The lines on Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays often stretch out the door. (You read that right, not only do they have Taco Tuesday but they celebrate Taco Thursday as well.) Buy two tacos and get a third free (under $3.99).

They offer much more than tacos, as you'll see below. Don't worry, we didn't forget about the tacos.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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Chorizo Funky Balls: Deep-fried risotto balls filled with chorizo, goat cheese, Monterrey Jack cheese and topped with poblano sauce, queso fresco and cilantro.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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Guacamole is made each morning.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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The queso has a smooth, creamy texture.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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Carnitas Nachos: Fresh corn tortilla chips, slow-roasted pork, chipotle BBQ, queso, pico de gallo and cilantro.

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Our sampling of tacos included, from top, Thai chicken, mahi mahi and Korean BBQ pork belly.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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The award-winning taco menu offers everything from Thai, Korean, Caribbean and even fried octopus. Whatever you are craving, it's likely you can get it on a taco at The Funky Truckeria.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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Order tham "gringo style" with a flour tortilla or "Mexican street style" with a corn tortilla.

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Taco Thursday! We’re at Best Tacos winner The Funky Truckeria as we revisit recent winners. See Mexican spread and send in your thoughts, questions and comments. Posted by cleveland.com on Thursday, August 8, 2019

Funky Truckeria

See video from our visit to The Funky Truckeria, including everything we ate.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Greater Cleveland's Best Barbecue winner

Ol'Chefskis BBQ

Where: 1199 East Garfield Road, Aurora

Phone: 330-356-1106

Facebook: facebook.com/pg/olchefskisBBQ

Our review during the contest: You won't believe the tasty BBQ that comes out of this shed in Aurora

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The article after online voting concluded, with Ol'Chefski's finishing first:

Best Barbecue in Cleveland winner is Ol'Chefski's BBQ in Aurora!

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Jason Olszewski and his wife, Grace, opened the Aurora stand after cooking for their wedding rehearsal dinner in 2016. Guests raved about the fare -- encouraging Jason to fire up the smoker more often.

They named it Ol'Chefski's to make it easier for people to pronounce.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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The award-winning ribs are so popular, you must now reserve your slab 24 hours in advance. They are worth it!

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Pulled Pork Combo

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Fresh-cut French fries are a side option, cooked fresh when you order them. These are another favorite of this reporting team.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Reporter Yadi Rodriguez, right, with owners Grace and Jason Olszewski.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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Sliders are the newest item on the menu. Choose between shredded beef or pork -- or mix and match.

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Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com

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The smoker is always full.

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At the Best BBQ in Northeast Ohio winner, Ol’Chefski’s as dream “Cleveland’s Best” day comes to an end. Look at these ribs! Where is your to go spot? Posted by cleveland.com on Thursday, August 8, 2019

Ol'Chefski's

See video from on our recent visit to Ol'Chefski's.

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Kristen Davis, cleveland.com

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Cleveland's Best team -- Yadi Rodriguez, Brenda Cain and Kristen Davis -- thank you for your support, of our content, and especially of our winners!

Thanks for coming along on this journey and, if you can't already tell, we highly suggest you check out Pav's Creamery, The Funky Truckeria and Ol'Chefski's BBQ when you're in their area.