Yes, it's the annual voting period for the Press Citizen's Best of the Area (2012) and things are getting way out of control! I mean, Best Place To Have Kid's Birthday Party? Best Place To Enjoy Nature? I typed out my choices on a Word Document while I voted and single spaced it ran to a page and a half. So here you go, The Cigar's choices for the Best of the Area:
Best New Restaurant: Michoacana Taqueria (serious good tacos- and not at all spendy.)
Best Overall Restaurant: Atlas
Mexican Restaurant: El Banditos
Coffee Shop: T-Spoons
American Food: Short’s
Italian: Givanni’s (putting an asterix in this one. Haven't been to Basta or Baroncini yet and wasn't going to pick the Olive Garden.)
Chinese: Taste of China (I judge my Chinese food on the taste of their crab rangoons, General's Chicken and Orange Chicken. And yes, I still miss Easy Place Chinese Food. Anyone else remember that place?)
Japanese: Oyama
Thai: Thai Spice (LOVE the moo pad prik. And now I'm craving it.)
Indian: Exotic India (Vindaloo! And their buffet isn't bad either.)
Romantic Dinner: Blackstone (Think the Missus and I need to expand our repertoire of romantic dinner spots. Will work on that.)
Family-Friendly: Hamburg Inn
Pizza: Pizza on Dubuque (Went in here not that long ago- and they've raised their game. It was a sentimental choice as POD was my go to post bar food as an undergraduate but they're better than ever and delicious to boot!)
Ice Cream: Heyn’s (East side!)
FroYo: YoTopia (#SupportLocal I ain't no Leaf Peeper- Aspen or Orange!)
Breakfast: Hamburg Inn
Bakery: Yorkshire Lass Bakery (Shameless Plug! IC Peeps, get your orders in!)
Hamburgers: 2Dogs (Another asterix here. Short's has good burgers but 2Dogs has more creativity and I have yet to try George's Buffet.)
French Fries: Oasis
Falafel: Oasis
Best Wings: The Vine
Best Salsa: La Reyna (this was my first eye-rolling moment. I mean, who thinks about salsa?)
Best BBQ: The Pit (Jimmy Jack's and The Pit can trade this back and forth.)
Vegetarian: Oasis
Sushi: Oyama
Margaritas: Los Portales
Martini: Blackstone
Mediterranean: Oasis
Bar: Sanctuary (Think the Quiet Man and I need to get another Townie Bar Challenge in the books...)
Art Gallery: AKAR (Um... OK? AKAR is an interesting place, I guess.)
Festival: Arts Festival
Live Entertainment: Blue Moose (Saw Fun. there with the Missus. Awesome time.)
Tattoo Parlor: Nemesis (Old School Jeff FTW!)
Theater Group: Riverside Theatre (Yeah, this was another random pick.)
Bookstore: Prairie Lights (Haunted Bookstore was a close second, but sentiment wins again and PL is an old haunt.)
Grocery Store: John’s (For the beer, duh.)
Pet Store: Petco (Adopted 2 cats from PetCo. So much better than Petland.)
Women’s Clothing: Revival (Because Von Maur gets NO VOTES FROM ME! Traitors.)
Men’s Clothing: Ewers (See above)
Consignment Store: Ragstock
Gift Shop: Silver Spider
Jewelry Store: Hands
Hardware Store: Menards
Furniture Store: McGregors
Car Dealer: Carousel
Bank: US Bank
Vet: Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails (AWESOME PLACE! Love these guys! Caring, friendly staff and just awesome service.)
Optical Store: Eye Associates
Salon: G-Spot
Barbershop: Hawkeye Barbershop (There are still barbershops?)
Tanning Salon: Electric Sun (At this point in my ballot, I stopped caring.)
Fitness Center: CRWC
Auto Repair: Lovetinsky Harapat (Decent, quick and didn't screw me over.)
Yoga: Heartland Yoga
Dance Studio: Kate Carol & Company
Martial Arts Academy: Hawkeye Brazilian Ju-Jitsu (I've always wanted to learn Capoeira.)
Best Place For A Kid’s Birthday Party: Iowa Gym-Nest (How about this: your own damn house! Seriously?)
Playground: Downtown Ped Mall (I disapprove of the new stuff. The old stuff was so much better- but it's still kind of cool.)
Park: Hickory Hill
Bikes: Geoff’s Bike and Ski
Trail: Hickory Hill
Place To Enjoy Nature: Hickory Hill
Outdoor Store: Active Endeavors
Golf Course: Finkbine (Because I play LOTS of golf. Yeah.)
So there it is, the insanity that is the Best of the Area. If you're super, super, super bored, then fill out a ballot! Remember: You gotta vote!
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