It’s that time of year again, folks, when we highlight all the best the North Carolina Piedmont Triad has to offer. And what better way to source it than to ask our readers — the smartest, most informed and, frankly, best-looking readers of any publication in the nation?
The polls have closed, the votes tallied and the results are here. And in sifting through the data, some unusual trends emerge.
A lot of tried and true people and places were able to maintain their foothold as the Triad’s Best: College Hill Sundries benefited from a loyal (and web-savvy) customer base, as did the Green Bean, Krankie’s Coffee and the Village Tavern, which has locations in both Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Goodwill placed in a lot of categories, which may be indicative of the current state of the economy.
But this year saw a pronounced shift away from big chain establishments and towards more local businesses. This is the first Triad’s Best edition of any publication in the area where the Olive Garden did not win Best Italian Food and Outback did not place in the Best Steaks category. Nice work, people.
Plenty of folks tried to stuff the ballots this year — it always happens — but the sheer volume of voters, who numbered in the thousands, made the curve harder to shift. Still, those who mobilized their customers and fans seemed to come out ahead in the voting. Remember, ballot-stuffing goes against the spirit of the enterprise, but there’s nothing wrong with campaigning. In fact, with this volume of votes that’s one of the best ways to gain an edge.
Some other surprises:
Runner-up in the Best Burlesque category went to a dude, our pal Smokin’ McQueen, who may have invented the term “boy-lesque.”
We always get a lot of candidates for Best Female Bartender, but this year the category that garnered the most attention was Best Hairdresser, with scores of applicants. The woman who won, however, got way more votes than her nearest competitor.
Also, you might notice a lean towards Greensboro businesses. A couple reasons for this: We existed in Greensboro for three years before venturing out into the rest of the Triad, so the Gate City has a big head start. Also, Greensboro folks simply cast more ballots for their favorite people and places. A word to our friends in high Point and Winston-Salem: Get out the vote!
Anyway, here are the results. Look ’em over, start discussions, get into arguments. That’s what it’s for! And if your favorites didn’t make the list, drop us a line to let us know. And next year be sure to vote.
LOCAL POLITICS
Best State Senator
Winner: Sen. Don Vaughan (D-District 27)
Runner-up:
Sen. Linda Garrou (D-District 32)
Noteworthy: “They all suck” gets
40 votes,
more than any sitting NC senator
Best State Representative
Winner: Rep. Pricey Harrrison (D-District
57)
Runner-up: Tie, Rep. Maggie Jeffus
(D-District 59); Rep.
Larry Womble
(D-District 71)
Noteworthy: Many people seem to be
confused
about the difference between NC reps
and US reps, as
exemplified by the votes for
— and against — Rep Virginia Foxx.
Best County Commissioner, Forsyth
Noteworthy: No actual Forsyth County
commissioners
got a single vote — 93 people
voted for “nobody”
on purpose.
Best County Commissioner,
Guilford
Winner: Billy
Yow, District 5
Runner-up: John Parks, at large
Noteworthy:
Steve Arnold, District 2
Best City
Council Member, High Point
Winner:
None
Runner-up: None
Noteworthy: High Point aldermen better
work
on raising their profiles. Politically active —
but not
elected official — Jane Williams got
more votes than any sitting
alderman or the
mayor. So did NY Yankees relief pitcher Chan
Ho
Park.
Best City Council Member, Greensboro
Winner: Zack Matheny, District 3
Runner-up:
Trudy Wade, District 5
Noteworthy: None of the Above got
almost
half the votes in this category,
about three times as many as the
winner.
Best City Council Member,
Winston-Salem
Winner: Dan Besse, Southwest Ward
Runner-up:
Wanda Merschel, Northwest
Ward
Noteworthy: Allan Joines, mayor
Best Campaigner
Winner:
They all suck (that’s a direct
quote)
Runner-up: Cal
Cunningham, Ryan Shell
Noteworthy: A first-time candidate and one
who
failed top clear the primary got the
most votes in the category.
Really? Really.
Highest Profile
Winner: Rep. Howard Coble
Runner-up:
Rep. Virginia Foxx
Noteworthy: Got to love Don Kotix, who
pops
up everywhere in the voting.
Most Likely to
Run For Office
Winner:
Frank Eaton
Runner-up: Ryan Shell
Noteworthy: “Your Mom” got
three votes
Best Use of Public Funds
Winner: Education
Runner-up: The
arts
Noteworthy: Fire, police and military
Worst Use of Public Funds
Winner: Greensboro Natatorium
Runner-up:
“All entitlements”
Noteworthy: “Arresting people for smoking pot”
got
three votes.
SHOPPING & FASHION
Best Antiques
Winner:
The Red Collection,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Antiques
Marketplace,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Greensboro yard sales
garnered
almost a third of the vote
Best Auto
Repair Shop
Winner:
Triad Auto Specialty
Honda, Greensboro
Webster’s Import Auto
Service,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Der Wagon Haus,
Greensboro
Best Bank
Winner:
NC State Employees
Credit Union, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Wachovia, Triad wide
Best Boutique
Winner: Rebecca & Co.,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
Paparazzi, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Boutique Hypnotica of
Greensboro
scored a lot of votes, so
we’re giving it a special Best Head
Shop
award
Best Florist
Winner: George K. Walker
Florist,
Winston- Salem
Runner-up: Plants
& Answers, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Clemmons
Florist, Greensboro
Best Garden Store
Winner: New Garden Nursery,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
LA Reynolds, Winston-
Salem
Noteworthy: “The place that is
across
the street from my house.”
Best Gas Station
Winner:
Sheetz, Triad wide
Runner-up: Costco, Triad wide
Noteworthy:
When it comes to gasoline,
cheap is all that matters
Best Hardware Store
Winner: Lowe’s, Triad wide
Runner-up: Home Depot,
Triad wide
Noteworthy: Lowe’s doubled up on
its closest
competitor. Also, Holliday
Hardware, which closed for good last
year,
got 31 votes. Get with it, people!
Best Bike Shop
Winner:
Greensboro ReCycle
Runner-up: Cycles de Oro,
Greensboro
Best Home Maintenance
Winner: Alert Construction,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
Pikes Home
Maintenance, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Triad
Restorations,
Winston-Salem
Best Jeweler
Winner:
Custom Jewelers,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Simon Jewelers, High
Point
Noteworthy: Mark Holder Jeweller,
Greensboro
Best
Art Gallery
Winner:
Weatherspoon
Art Museum, Greensboro
Runner-up: Lyndon
Street
Artworks, Greensboro;
Urban Artware, Winston- Salem
Best
Museum
Winner:
Weatherspoon
Art Museum
Runner-up: Natural Science Center of
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Reynolda House, Winston-
Salem
Best
Frame Shop
Winner:
Hobby Lobby, High Point
Runner-up: Thousands O’ Prints,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: The Art Shoppe, Greensboro
Best Book
Store
Winner: Ed
McKay’s, Triad wide
Runner-up: Piedmont Books, Winston-
Salem
Noteworthy: McKay’s took this by more
than 300 votes
Best
Author
Winner: Orson
Scott Card
Runner-up: Nicholas Sparks
Noteworthy: Fred
Chappell
Best Bellydancing
Winner: Faun Finley, Soulflower
Studios,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Twisted Dance Studios
Best
Burlesque
Winner: Foxy
Moxy
Runner-up: Smokin’ McQueen
Noteworthy: Selia d’Katzmeow
Best
Live Theater Venue
Winner:
Triad Stage, Greensboro
Runner-up: Carolina Theatre, Greensboro
Best
Visual Artist
Winner:
Houston Patton
Runner-up: Kat Lamp
Noteworthy: Houston
Patton is a tattoo
artist who works out of Kingpin Studio in
Greensboro.
Best
Cinema
Winner: The
Palladium, High Point
Runner-up: The Grande, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
a/perture Cinema, Winston-Salem
Best Children’s Clothing Store
Winner: Goodwill, Triad wide
Runner-up:
The Lollipop, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Goodwill wins hands down.
Chalk
this one up to the economy.
Best Men’s Clothing Store
Winner: Tie: Jos A Banks, Triad wide; the
Hub,
Greensboro
Runner-up: The Destination, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Goodwill got a lot of votes, but
was not exactly what we were
looking for.
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Anthropologie, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Mack and Mack, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Again Goodwill puts up some
respectable
numbers.
Best Place to Buy
a New
Car
Winner: Rice
Toyota,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Vann York
Honda, Triad
wide
Noteworthy: What, no
American cars?
Best Place to Buy a
Pre-Owned Car
Winner:
Car Max, Triad wide
Noteworthy: No one else was even close.
Best Furniture Store
Winner: Furnitureland South, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Rooms to Go, Triad wide
Best Vintage
Clothing Store
Winner:
Design Archives, Greensboro
Runner-up: Wild N Crazy Vintage,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Carolina Thrift, Greensboro
Best Wine Store
Winner:
Total Wine & More, Triad wide
Runner-up: Wine Styles,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Zeto Wine Shop, Greensboro
Best Shoe Store
Winner:
DSW, Greensboro
Runner-up: The Shoe Market, Greensboro
Best Sporting Goods Store
Winner: Dick’s Sporting Goods, Triad wide
Runner-up:
REI, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Omega Sports, Greensboro
Best Thrift Store
Winner: Goodwill, Triad wide
Runner-up: Carolina
Thrift, Greensboro
Best Bakery
Winner:
Simple Kneads, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Delicious Bakery, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Dewey’s, triad wide; Sweet
Shop,
High Point
Best Bistro
Winner:
Printworks Bistro, Greensboro
Runner-up:
New Town Bistro, Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: Basil & Co.,
Greensboro
Best Breakfast
Winner:
Smith Street Diner, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Tex & Shirley’s, Triad wide
Noteworthy: Mary’s of Course,
Winston-Salem
Best Brunch
Winner:
Green Valley Grill, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Village Tavern, Triad wide
Noteworthy: Mary’s of Course,
Winston-Salem
Best Buffet:
Winner:
Golden Corral, Triad wide
Runner-up:
K&W, Triad wide
Noteworthy: Saffron Indian Cuisine,
Greensboro
Best Cheap Eats
Winner:
Cook Out, Triad wide
Runner-up: Jake’s Diner,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Someone named
Cristina Jones got a vote.
Best Chef
Winner:
Leigh Hesling, Green
Valley Grill, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Ben Sullivan, Vintage
301, Greensboro
Noteworthy: More entries
than any
other dining category
Best Chinese Food
Winner: PF Chang’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Phoenix
Asian Cuisine,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Winston-Salem’s
Hutch
& Harris garnered three votes.
Best Coffee
Winner:
The Green Bean, Greensboro
Runner-up: Krankie’s, Winston-Salem
Noteworthy:
Tate Street Coffee, Greensboro
Best Coffee Shop
Winner:
The Green
Bean, Greensboro
Runner-up: Tate Street
Coffee,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Krankie’s,
Winston-Salem
Best Curry
Winner:
Saffron
Indian Cuisine,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
Rearn Thai, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Clemmons Bicycle got four votes.
Best Delivery
Winner:
Jimmy Johns, Triad wide
Runner-up:
New York Pizza, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Greensboro blogger Sue
Polinsky
got a couple votes — she does have
great timing.
Best Dessert
Winner:
Ganache Restaurant &
Bakery,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Cheesecakes by Alex,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
We’re assuming the
person who voted for Beth Bostic
at Hair
Quintessence put her in
the wrong category.
Best Farmers Market
Winner: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
Runner-up:
Greensboro Farmers Curb Market
Noteworthy: PTFM and GFCM dominated
the
category
Best Female Waiter
Winner: Jessica Mashburn, Green Valley
Grill,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Sue Pham, Center City Caf,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Noel Barnes, Chelsee’s, Winston-
Salem. Also, Chris
Daughtry got three votes.
Best Male
Waiter
Winner: Bobby
“Jaybird” Williams,
Fincastle’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Bobby
Clark, Green Valley Grill,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Norman Kidby,
Finnegan’s Wake,
Winston-Salem
Best French Fries
Winner: Five Guys, Triad wide
Runner-up: Cookout,
Triad wide
Noteworthy: Grey’s Tavern, Greensboro
Best Greek Food
Winner: Acropolis,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Mykonos,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Jack’s Corner, Greensboro
Best Grocery Store
Winner:
Harris Teeter, Triad wide
Runner-up: Bestway, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Whole Foods Market, Winston-Salem
Best Hamburger
Winner:
Cookout, Triad wide
Runner-up: Five Guys, Triad wide
Noteworthy:
Fincastle’s, Greensboro
Best Hot Dog
Winner: Yum
Yum’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Carolina Diner,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Tony the Hot Dog
Guy outside Greene Street Club,
Greensboro
Best
Greek Food
Winner: Acropolis,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Mykonos,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Jack’s Corner, Greensboro
Best
Grocery Store
Winner:
Harris Teeter, Triad wide
Runner-up: Bestway, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Whole Foods Market, Winston-Salem
Best
Hamburger
Winner:
Cookout, Triad wide
Runner-up: Five Guys, Triad wide
Noteworthy:
Fincastle’s, Greensboro
Best
Hot Dog
Winner: Yum
Yum’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Carolina Diner,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Tony the Hot Dog
Guy outside Greene Street Club,
Greensboro
Best
Hotel
Winner: The
Proximity Hotel,
Greensboro
Runner-up: The O. Henry Hotel,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Hilton Hotels, Triad wide
MEDIA
Best Blog
Winner:
YES! Weekly Blog,
www.yesweklyblog.blogspot.com
Runner-up: a/perture Cinema,
www.aperturecinema.blogspot.com
Noteworthy: Ed Cone, www.edcone.com
Best Broadcast DJ
Winner: Clay JD Walker, 93.1 the Wolf
Runner-up: Josh
Neas, WQFS
Noteworthy: Chris Kelly edged out Chris
Demm from the
“Two Guys Named Chris”
show 23-9.
Best Facebooker
Winner:
Me
Runner-up: a/perture Cinema
Noteworthy: Yes, “Me” won
the category,
not unlike Time’s Person of the Year that
time.
Congratulations everybody!
Best Free Wi-Fi
Winner: The Green
Bean, Greensboro
Runner-up: Krankie’s, Winston-Salem
Noteworthy:
Downtown Greensboro
Best Television News Anchor,
Female
Winner:
Cindy Farmer, Fox 8
Runner-up: Julie Luck, Fox 8
Noteworthy:
No one else was even close
Best Print
Journalist
Winner:
Brian Clarey, YES! Weekly
Runner-up: Ryan Snyder, YES!
Weekly
Noteworthy: Props to Jeri Rowe, the
Greensboro News
& Record; Katei
Cranford, the UNCG Carolinian; Jordan
Green, YES! Weekly; and Scott Yost, the
Rhinoceros
Times who all placed in the
category.
Best Local Publication
Winner: YES! Weekly
Runner-up: The
Rhinoceros Times
Noteworthy: We were pretty sure we were
gonna
win this one, but we were unprepared
for the 4-1 margin. Got that
second-place
certificate on the way, fellas. Nice work.
Best Television News Anchor, Male
Winner: Cameron Kent, WXII
Runner-up:
Neil McNeill, Fox 8
Noteworthy: No one else was even close to
these
two, who were separated by just eight
votes.
Best Morning Radio Show
Winner: “Two Guys Named Chris”; 92.3
Rock 92
Runner-up:
“Murphy in the Morning”; 107.5
WKZL
Best Radio Station
Winner: Rock 92
Runner-up: WKZL
Noteworthy: WFDD,
WUAG
Best Reason to pick up YES! Weekly
Winner: Local Happenings
Runner-up:
Entertainment Guide
Noteworthy: Some of the funnier ones
included
“flyswatter,” “to throw it away,”
and “because people I know are in
it.”
Best TV News
Winner: Fox 8
Runner-up: WXII
Noteworthy:
“They all suck” gets 11 votes.
Best Meteorologist
Winner: Van Denton, Fox 8
Runner-up: Lanie Pope, WXII
Noteworthy:
“Not Lanie Pope” gets nine
votes
Best Wireless Service Provider
Winner: Verizon
Best
Irish Food
Winner: M’Coul’s Public
House,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Finnegan’s Wake,
Winston-Salem
Noteworthy:
The Claddagh,
High Point
Best Italian Food
Winner: Bianca’s Italian
Eatery,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Caf Napoli,
Greensboro; Elizabeth’s
Pizza,
Triad wide; Riva’s Trattoria,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
The closest category
— and Olive Garden
wasn’t even in the
running
Best Japanese Food
Winner: Arigato, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Asahi, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Sushi Republic,
Greensboro
Best
Late Night Eats
Winner:
New York Pizza,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Cookout, Triad
wide
Best
Latin Food
Winner: Rana
Loca, Winston-Salem
Runner-up: El Azteca, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
NC Sen. Don Vaughan got
five votes.
Best Lunch
Winner: Lox, Stock
& Bagel,
Greensboro
Runner-up: The Iron Hen, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Ghassan’s, Greensboro
Best Vegetarian Menu
Winner: Boba House, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Saffron Indian Cuisine,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: La Botana,
Winston-Salem
Best Mexican Food
Winner: Poblanos, Greensboro
Runner-up:
San Luis, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Kiosco, Greensboro
Best
Natural Food Store
Winner:
Deep Roots Market,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Whole Foods
Market,
Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: EarthFare, Greensboro
Best
Carolina Barbecue
Winner:
Stamey’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Carter Brothers, High Point
Noteworthy:
Anything in Lexington
Best
Greensboro
Restaurant
Winner:
1618 West
Seafood Grill
Best
High Point
Restaurant
Winner:
Liberty
Steakhouse &
Brewery
Best
Winston-Salem Restaurant
Winner:
The Mellow Mushroom
Best
Neighborhood Restaurant
Winner:
Fishbones, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Lindley Park Filling Station,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: West End
Caf, Winston-Salem
Best
Patio/Courtyard
Winner:
Caf Europa, Greensboro
Runner-up:
M’Coul’s Public House,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Fourth Street
Filling Station,
Winston-Salem
Best
Pizza
Winner: Mellow
Mushroom, Triad wide
Runner-up:
New York Pizza, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Brixx Pizza, Triad wide
Best
Fresh Produce
Winner:
Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
Runner-up: Fresh Market,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Deep Roots Market, Greensboro
Best
Family Dining
Winner:
Ci Ci’s Pizza, Triad wide
Runner-up: Brixx Pizza, Triad wide
Best
Romantic Dinner
Winner:
The Melting Pot, Greensboro
Runner-up: Meridien. Winston-Salem
Noteworthy:
Sweet Basil’s, Greensboro
Best
Sandwiches
Winner: Lox,
Stock & Bagel, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Jason’s Deli, Greensboro
Noteworthy: West End Caf , Winston-Salem
Best
Seafood
Winner:
BoneFish Grill, Triad wide
Runner-up: Bert’s Seafood Grille,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: 1618 West Seafood Grill,
Greensboro
Best
Steak
Winner: Ruth’s Chris
Steakhouse,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
&
Wine Bar, Greensboro
Noteworthy: YES! Weekly freelancer
Ian
McDowell got two votes.
Best
Sub
Winner: Jimmy
John’s, Triad wide
Noteworthy:
No one else was even close.
Best
Sushi
Winner: Sushi
Republic, Greensboro
Runner-up:
US Sushi , High Point
Noteworthy: Zen Sushi Bar, Greensboro
Best
Thai Food
Winner: Taste
of Thai, Greensboro
Runner-up: Rearn Thai, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Downtown Thai, Winston-
Salem
Best Diner
Winner:
Jake’s Diner, Greensboro
Runner-up: Smith Street Diner,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: A very close race.
Best Vietnamese Food
Winner: Pho Vien Huong, Greensboro
Runner-up: Binh
Minh, Greensboro
Best Wings
Winner: East Coast Wings, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Buffalo Wild Wings, Triad wide
BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Best Beer Selection
Winner: Cooper’s Ale House, Greensboro
Runner-up: Mellow Mushroom, Triad wide
Noteworthy: Pour House, Greensboro;
Foothills Brewing, Winston-Salem; Bestway,
Greensboro
The Best (& Worst) of the 70s, 80s & Beyond
Best Bloody Mary
Winner:
Village Tavern, Triad wide
Runner-up: Hutch & Harris,
Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: Stumble Stilskin’s, Greensboro
Best Brewery
Winner:
Natty Greene’s, Greensboro
Runner-up: Foothill’s Brewing,
Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: Red Oak Brewery, Whitsett
Best Club for
Hooking Up
Winner: Inferno,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
Greene
Street Club,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: The
Greensboro
Country
Club did not go
unmentioned in this
category.
Best Bar to End the Night
Winner: New York Pizza, Greensboro
Runner-up:
The Gold Club, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Tee Time, Winston-Salem
Best College Bar
Winner:
College Hill Sundries, Greensboro
Runner-up: The Blind Tiger,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: The hot spot on Spring Garden
Street
totally dominated this category, more
than doubling its closest
competitors.
Best Dance Club
Winner: Inferno, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Green Street, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Heaven, Greensboro
Best Dive Bar
Winner:
College Hill Sundries, Greensboro
Runner-up: Silver Moon
Saloon, Winston-
Salem
Noteworthy: The Pour House, Greensboro
MUSIC
Best Performance DJ
Winner: DJ Weapon X
Runner-up: DJ Phillie Phresh
Noteworthy:
Is there really a DJ
Thunderthighs?
Best Hip-Hop
Act
Winner: Urban
Sophisticates
Runner-up: Ed E. Ruger
Noteworthy: Don Kotix?
Best Cover Band
Winner:
Walrus
Runner-up: The Dickens
Noteworthy: Anything with
Evan Olson
Best New Band
Winner:
Funny Like a Funeral
Runner-up: The Brand New Life
Noteworthy:
Getting out the vote is part
of the
contest, folks. These
bands got a lot of votes.
Best Singer
Winner:
Richard Boyd, the
bo-stevens
Runner-up: Molly McGinn
Noteworthy:
With apologies
to Gavan Holden, Funny Like
a Funeral’s ride
ends here.
Best Bassist
Winner:
Andrew Lazare,
Five-Gallon Groove
Runner-up: Dana Bearror
(?)
Noteworthy: Tim LaFollette, Decoration
Ghost
Best Guitarist
Winner:
Jordan Bullock, Funny Like a
Funeral
Runner-up: Ian Tuten
Noteworthy:
A “Chris Nielsen” from a
band called “This is a Hold Up” garnered
more
than 430 votes — 22 percent of the
total — but we could not prove
he existed
as of press time. If you’re out there, Chris,
call us
at 336.316.1231 and tell us how you
got so many votes with
virtually no Google
footprint.
Best Percussionist
Winner: Rob Joyce, Live Through
Runner-up: John Rob,
Funny Like a Funeral
Noteworthy: Seth Oldham, S. Burns
Best Female Bartender
Winner: Beth Hunsinger, the Clubhouse
Runner-up:
Jessie Kirkman, Jakes Billiards
Noteworthy: So many bartenders named
Amber.
Best Male Bartender
Winner: Kyle Thompson, the Clubhouse,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Mark Weddle, Green Valley Grill,
Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Junior Cain, Tee Time, Winston-
Salem
Best Jukebox
Winner:
Old Town
Tavern, Greensboro
Runner-up: College Hill
Sundries,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Fincastle’s,
Greensboro
Best Karaoke
Winner: Ham’s, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Tee Time,
Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: Cooper’s Ale House,
Greensboro
Best Live Music Venue, Triad
Winner: Greene Street Club,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
The Garage, Winston-
Salem
Noteworthy: Aquarius Music Hall,
High
Point
Best Live Music Venue,
Greens-boro
Winner: The Blind Tiger
Runner-up:
Greene Street Club
Noteworthy: Legitimate Business
Best Live Music Venue, Winston-
Salem
Winner: The Garage
Runner-up: The
Werehouse
Noteworthy: Johnny & June’s
Best Lounge
Winner:
The Mixx, Greensboro
Runner-up: Caf Europa, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Someone’s porch on Wilson Street
managed to get a few votes.
Best Male Bartender
Winner: Kyle X, the Clubhouse, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Mark Weddle, Green Valley Grill,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Junior,
Tee Time, Winston-Salem
Best Martini
Winner: Village Tavern, Triad wide
Runner-up:
The Mixx, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Four-way tie for third place
between
the Bonefish Grill, Green Valley Grill,
Much and Vintage 301
Best Neighborhood Bar
Winner: College Hill Sundries, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Fisher’s Grill, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Oddly enough, Fisher’s Grill
won’t
allow YES! Weekly to distribute on the
premises. Stop by and
ask them why — and tell
’em you saw it in YES! Weekly!
Best New Bar
Winner:
Single Brothers, Winston-Salem
Runner-up: Benders Tavern,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Single Brothers is located in the
old
YES! Weekly Winston-Salem bureau on
Trade Street.
Best New Club
Winner:
Johnny & June’s Ultra
Saloon, Winston-Salem
Runner-up:
Center City Bar &
Grille, Greensboro
Noteworthy: The Venue,
Greensboro
Best Pool Tables
Winner:
Jake’s Billiards, Greensboro
Runner-up: Longshanks, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Recreation Billiards and Gate City
Billiards made strong showings.
Best Sports Bar
Winner:
JP Looney’s, Greensboro/Oak
Ridge
Runner-up: REFS,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Cooper’s Ale House, Greensboro
Best Wine Bar
Winner:
6th &
Vine, Winston-
Salem
Runner-up: Caf
Europa,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: 6
Vintage 301,
Greensboro
Best Wine List
Winner: Wine Styles, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Vintage 301, Greensboro
Trendiest Bar
Winner:
Much/Heaven, Greensboro
Runner-up: The Mixx, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Noma, Winston-Salem
HEALTH & FITNESS
Best Golf Course
Winner:
Sedgefield Country Club,
Sedgefield
Runner-up: Grandover
resort,
Greensboro
Noteworthy: Tanglewood Park,
Winston-Salem
Best
Gym
Winner: YMCA, Triad
wide
Runner-up: The Rush, Triad wide
Noteworthy: Gold’s
Gym, Triad wide
Best Hair Salon
Winner: Scissorhands Studio, Kernersville
Runner-up:
Chakras, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Super Cuts gets 36 votes? Come
on,
now people.
Best Hairstylist
Winner: Lauren Faulkner, Scissorhands
Studio,
Kernersville
Runner-up: Beth Hunsinger, Serenity Salon,
High
Point
Noteworthy: The most entries in the whole
survey — six
pages worth.
Best
Manicure/
Pedicure
Winner: Balance
Day Spa,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Buff
Natural Nail Bar,
Greensboro
Best
Massage Therapist
Winner:
Jessica X, Balance Day Spa,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Jami
Craver, Kneaded Energy,
Greensboro
Best Place
for
Family Fun
Winner:
Natural
Science Center,
Greensboro
Runner-up: North
Carolina
Zoo,
Asheboro
Noteworthy: The
Gold Club got a couple
votes.
Twisted.
Best Biking
Winner: Bur-Mil Park, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Salem Lake, Winston-Salem
Noteworthy: “Anywhere but the sidewalk”
Best
Pet Grooming
Winner:
Petsmart, Triad wide
Runner-up: Dog Days Grooming, Greensboro
Best
Plastic Surgeon
Winner:
Dr. William Barber, Barber Center
for Plastic Surgery, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Dr. Louie Patseavouras,
Patseavouras Center for Plastic &
Laser
Surgery, Greensboro
Noteworthy: “Dr. Barb E. Doll”
Best
Public Pool
Winner:
Tanglewood Park,
Winston-Salem
Runner-up: Bur-Mil Park,
Greensboro
Best Spa
Winner: Balance Day Spa,
Greensboro
Runner-up:
Chakras, Greensboro
Best Tanning Salon
Winner: Got Sun?, Triad wide
Runner-up:
Tahiti Tan, Greensboro
Best Tattoo Parlor,
Piercing Studio
Winner: Little John’s
Tattoo Shop,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Kingpin Tattoo
Studio, Greensboro
Noteworthy:
Golden Spiral
Tattoo Studio, Greensboro
Best
Tennis Courts
Winner:
Starmount Country Club,
Greensboro
Runner-up: Bur-Mil Park,
Greensboro
Best Vet/Animal Clinic
Winner: Friendly Animal Clinic, Greensboro
Runner-up:
North Elm Animal Hospital, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Animal Ark
Veterinary Hos., Clemmons
Best Waxing
Winner: The Brow Lounge, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Balance Day Spa, Greensboro
Best Yoga Studio
Winner: Bikram Hot Yoga, Greensboro
Runner-up:
Triad Yoga, Greensboro
Noteworthy: Mind Body Fitness, Greensboro
