Best Of

Readers Have Spoken

Readers Have Spoken
Tiffany Patterson

Welcome back to another Best of the Inland Northwest readers poll issue! This year our poll turns 21, so we're completely legal. (Finally!) As the poll enters its third decade, we've been busy keeping up with technology. New this year, voters were able to share their favorite questions via Facebook and even fill out a ballot on their smartphone. For 2014, we also asked more questions than ever — making this not only the original readers poll, but also the biggest in the Inland Northwest.

We have a great issue for you to dig into, featuring original artwork by Tiffany Patterson, stories by all the great Inlander writers you know and love and lots of comments from our voters. You'll find our annual clip-and-post Zags poster in the People section, and in Shopping there's a hilarious list of your ideas for a marketing slogan to attract marijuana tourists. New questions this year include Best Bloody Mary and Best Twentysomething Making a Difference, and there's even a whole mini-section on the Best of the Palouse. You'll also meet four new inductees to our Best of Hall of Fame — Stephanie Vigil, the Davenport Hotel, Anthony's and the MAC — winners of a first place award in 10 different years.

So settle in for a good read — then get out there and take advantage of all the best things our region has to offer!


Contributors

Section Editor: Jacob H. Fries
Art Director: Chris Bovey
Art Work: Tiffany Patterson
Layout Assistant: Alissia Blackwood
Photographers: Meghan Kirk, Zach Mazur, Mike McCall, Young Kwak
Writers: Mike Bookey, Eli Francovich, Annemarie Frohnhoefer, Heidi Groover, Clarke Humphrey, E.J. Iannelli, Laura Johnson, Jacob Jones, Scott A. Leadingham, Ted S. McGregor Jr., Jo Miller, Deanna Pan, Chey Scott, Carrie Scozzaro, Leah Sottile, Lisa Waananen, Daniel Walters


Full List of Winners

FOOD

Best Outdoor Dining & Best Seafood: Anthony's

Best Catering: Beacon Hill

Best Ice Cream: The Scoop/Brain Freeze

Best Farmers Market: Perry Street Farmers Market

North Idaho's Best Rural Restaurant: Snakepit

Best Cheap Eats: Dick's

Best Late-Night Dining: The Satellite

Best Barbecue: Longhorn BBQ

Best Interior Design/Ambiance & Best Thai: Thai Bamboo

Best Pizza: The Flying Goat

Best Burritos: Neato Burrito

Best Mexican Food: Azteca

Best Italian Food: Tomato Street

Best Asian Food: Gordy's

Best Sushi: Sushi.com

Best Local Winery: Arbor Crest

Best Local Brewery: No-Li Brewhouse

Best Local Drive-Thru Espresso: Dutch Bros.

Best Coffee Roaster: Thomas Hammer

Best Bakery & Best Local Coffee/Espresso: Rocket Bakery

Best Cupcakes: Sweet Frostings

Best Desserts: Just American Desserts

Best Frozen Yogurt: Froyo Earth

Best Special Diet Options: Boots Bakery

Best Fries: Zip's

Best Buffet: Golden Corral

Best Food Truck: Tacos Tumbras

Best Rural Restaurant: The Harvester

Best Appetizers: Twigs

Best Breakfast: Frank's Diner

Best Donuts: Donut Parade

Best Sandwiches: Domini's

Best Burgers: Red Robin

Best Steaks: Churchill's Steakhouse

Best Fine Dining: Clinkerdagger

PEOPLE

Best Artist: Kristen Stobie

Best TV Anchorperson: Stephanie Vigil

Best Twenty-something Making a Difference: Mariah McKay

North Idaho's Best Elected Official: Steve Widmyer

Best Elected Official: Jon Snyder

Best Author: Jess Walter

Best Actor: Patrick Treadway

Best Chef: Jeremy Hansen

Best Waiter: Greg Hubbard

Best Athlete: Kevin Pangos

Best TV Sportscaster: Dennis Patchin, KXLY

Best TV Weathercaster: Tom Sherry, KREM

SHOPPING

Best Barbershop: Porter's

Best Ethnic Grocery Store: De Leon Foods

Best Hotel: The Davenport

Best Slogan to Promote Local Marijuana Tourism: Welcome to Spocannabis

Best Mall: River Park Square

Best Furniture: Tin Roof

Best Florist: Liberty Park

Best Plant Nursery: Ritter's

Best Bookstore: Auntie's

Best Gifts: Boo Radley's

Best Jewelry: Jewelry Design Center

Best Bank: Washington Trust

Best Credit Union: STCU

Best New Car Dealership: Larry H. Miller Toyota

Best Independent Auto Repair: Craig's Automotive Collision & Repair

Best Organic/Natural Foods: Huckleberry's

Best Vet Clinic: Hunter Vet Clinic

Best Hair Salon: Oasis Hair

Best Spa: Spa Paradiso

Best Med Spa: Glo Medical Spa

Best Women's Boutique: Lolo Boutique

Best Men's Clothes: Nordstrom

Best Vintage Boutique: Finders Keepers

Best Pet Boutique: Urban Canine

Best Store the Inland Northwest Needs: IKEA

THE PALOUSE

Best Palouse Coffee Shop: Daily Grind

Best Palouse Restaurant: South Fork Public House

Best Palouse Bar: The Coug

Best Palouse Farmer: The McGregor Company

Best University of Idaho or WSU Professor: Frank Hill (WSU, History)

NIGHTLIFE

Best New Nightspot & Best All-Ages Venue: The Bartlett

Best Bloody Mary: Press

North Idaho's Best Cocktails: 315 Martinis and Tapas Bar

Best Wine Bar: LeftBank Wine Bar

Best Beer Bar & Best Bar Food: Manito Tap House

Best Sports Bar: The Swinging Doors

Best Cocktails: Twigs

Best Happy Hour: Zola

Best Trivia Night: Flamin' Joe's

Best Jukebox: Baby Bar

Best Live Music Venue: The Knitting Factory

Best Dance Club: Irv's

Best Bowling Center: Hugo's on the Hill

Best Movie Theater: AMC River Park Square

Best Casino: Northern Quest Resort & Casino

OUTDOORS

North Idaho's Best Golf Course: Circling Raven

Best Yoga Instructor: Lee Bear Tobin

Best Idea for Riverfront Park's Next 40 Years: A New Amphitheater

Best Jogging Trail: Centennial Trail

Best Rock Climbing: Minnehaha

Best Hiking: Riverside State Park/Bowl & Pitcher

Best Summer Camp: Camp Reed

Best Dog Park: Spokanimal Dog Park

Best Outdoor Rec Supplies: REI

Best Bike Shop: Wheel Sport

Best Golf Course: Downriver

Best Health Club: YMCA

Best Camping: Priest Lake

Best Place to Ski: Mt. Spokane

Best Place to Snowboard: Schweitzer

100% LOCAL

Best Mom-and-Pop Business: Mary Lou's Milk Bottle

Best Single-Location Coffee Shop: Atticus

Best Neighborhood Watering Hole: The Elk

Best Walkable Neighborhood: South Perry District

ARTS

Best Arts Organization: Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Best Concert You Would Like to See in 2014: Prince

Best Radio Station: ZZU, 92.9 FM

Best Radio DJ: Dave, Ken and Molly, ZZU 92.9

Best Charity Event: Coaches vs. Cancer

Best Kids Event: First Night Spokane

Best Arts Festival: ArtFest

Best Outdoor Music Festival: Elkfest

Best Local Band: Covers: The Cronkites

Best Touring Musical of 2013-14: Hello, Dolly!

Best Local Play/Musical of 2013-14: Les Miserables, Civic

Best Local Band: Originals: Terrible Buttons

Best Concert of 2013-14: Pearl Jam

Zero Waste Kitchen: Earth Day Edition @ Second Harvest

Mon., April 22, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
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