Is there anything better than sinking your teeth into a warm, flaky apple croissant from Simple Kneads? Or devouring a Cook Out burger with crispy bacon and melted cheese? Or hunkering down with a nice, cold beer at Natty Greene's outdoor patio?
Every year, these are the places you consistently vote for in Go Triad's annual Readers' Choice Awards. These are the places that have become your favorites, your mainstays, your standbys.
Of course, there are always a few new candidates that emerge every year, some of which have managed to knock out the reigning champs in the competition. Did your favorites make the cut? Read ahead to find out.
- Carla Kucinski Seward Go Triad Editor
Food and Drink
Best New RestaurantWinner: Print Works BistroRunner-up: Sweet Basil's RestaurantHonorable mention: Grey's Tavern, Riva's Trattoria, Sticks and Stones
Best Overall RestaurantWinner: Liberty OakRunner-up: Biancas' Italian EateryHonorable mention: Green Valley Grill, Village Tavern, Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar
Best Restaurant for LunchWinner: Moose CaféRunner-up (tie): Elizabeth's Pizza and Liberty OakHonorable mention: Panera, Grey's Tavern, Lindley Park Filling Station
Best Outdoor DiningWinner: Village TavernRunner-up: Liberty OakHonorable mention: Green Valley Grill, Natty Greene's, Café Europa
Best Kept SecretWinner:Winner: Biancas' Italian EateryRunner-up: Moose CaféHonorable mention: Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar, Grey's Tavern
Best Restaurant For First DatesWinner: Biancas' Italian EateryRunner-up (tie): Liberty Oak and Melting PotHonorable mention: Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar, Village Tavern
Best BakeryWinner: Simple KneadsRunner-up: Cheesecakes by AlexHonorable mention: Ganache, Delicious, Spring Garden Bakery
Best BarbecueWinner: Stamey'sRunner-up: Country BarbecueHonorable mention: Carter Brothers Barbecue
Best BreakfastWinner: Moose CaféRunner-up: Tex and Shirley'sHonorable mention: Smith Street Diner
Best BuffetWinner: Golden CorralRunner-up: SaffronHonorable mention: Taste of Thai
Best CafeteriaWinner: K&W CafeteriasRunner-up: J&S Cafeteria
Best CaribbeanWinner (tie): Zion Bar and Grille and Montego BayRunner-up: Da Reggae Cafe
Best ChineseWinner: P.F. Chang'sRunner-up: Phoenix Asian CuisineHonorable mention: Golden Dragon
Best CoffeehouseWinner: StarbucksRunner-up: The Green BeanHonorable mention: Tate Street Coffee House
Best DeliWinner: Lox, Stock and BagelRunner-up: Jason's DeliHonorable mention: First Carolina Delicatessen, Jay's Deli, Giacomo's
Best DessertsWinner: Cheesecakes by AlexRunner-up: GanacheHonorable mention: Maxie B's, Delicious
Best HamburgerWinner: Cook OutRunner-up: FuddruckersHonorable mention: Red Robin, Fincastles Diner
Best Hot DogWinner: Yum Yum Better Ice CreamRunner-up: Cook OutHonorable mention: Fuddruckers, Skippy's, Fincastles
Best Ice Cream ShopWinner: Cold Stone CreameryRunner-up: Yum Yum Better Ice CreamHonorable mention: Bruster's, Ben & Jerry's
Best FrenchWinner: Bistro SofiaRunner-up: Print Works BistroHonorable mention: Undercurrent Restaurant
Best GreekWinner: AcropolisRunner-up: Ghassan'sHonorable mention: Jack's Corner, Pita Delite, Mykonos Grill
Best IndianWinner: SaffronRunner-up: India PalaceHonorable mention: Tandoor India Restaurant
Best ItalianWinner: Biancas' Italian EateryRunner-up: Positano RistoranteHonorable mention: Elizabeth's Pizza
Best JapaneseWinner: Arigato Japanese Steak HouseRunner-up: Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi BarHonorable mention: Asahi Japanese Steak House, Sapporo Fantasy Japanese Steak House
Best Late NightWinner: Cook OutRunner-up: Grey's TavernHonorable mention: Natty Greene's, The Burro
Best MexicanWinner: La Bamba'sRunner-up: MexicoHonorable mention: La Fiesta, Monterrey, Casa Vallarta
Best PizzaWinner: Elizabeth's PizzaRunner-up: Mario'sHonorable mention: Papa John's, Sticks and Stones
Best SeafoodWinner: Bert's Seafood GrilleRunner-up: 1618 West Seafood GrilleHonorable mention: Bonefish Grill
Best Steak HouseWinner: Ruth's Chris Steak HouseRunner-up: Outback SteakhouseHonorable mention: Chop House Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Best SushiWinner: Sushi RepublicRunner-up: US SushiHonorable mention: Asahi Japanese Steak House, Wasabi
Best Takeout Winner: Cook OutRunner-up: Elizabeth's PizzaHonorable mention: Grey's Tavern
Best ThaiWinner: Taste of ThaiRunner-up: Rearn ThaiHonorable mention: Thai Pan, Tara Thai, Pad Thai
Best VegetarianWinner: Boba House Runner-up: Zaytoon Mediterranean Café
Best Neighborhood BarWinner: Grey's Tavern Runner-up: Fishers GrilleHonorable mention: Natty Greene's, M'Coul's Public House, Fishbones
Best Sports BarWinner: JP Looney's Runner-up: Grey's TavernHonorable mention: Beef 'O'Brady's, Natty Greene's
Best Beer SelectionWinner: Natty Greene'sRunner-up: M'Coul's Public House Honorable mention: Brixx Wood-Fired Pizza, The Press
Best Martini SelectionWinner: Solaris Tapas Restaurant and BarRunner-up: Churchill's On ElmHonorable mention: Green Valley Grill
Best Wine SelectionWinner: The PressRunner-up: Green Valley GrillHonorable mention: Melting Pot, Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar
Shopping and Services
Best Shopping Mall/CenterWinner: The Friendly Center Runner-up: The Shops at Friendly CenterHonorable mention: Four Seasons Towne Center
Best Ladies' Apparel StoreWinner: Chico'sRunner-up: Ann Taylor LoftHonorable mentio n: Talbot's, Kohl's
Men's Apparel StoreWinner: Banana RepublicRunner-up: Brooks BrothersHonorable mention: Jos. A. Bank, Belk
Best Local Clothing BoutiqueWinner: Rebecca & Co.Runner-up: Scout and Molly'sHonorable mention: Mack and Mack
Best Children's Clothing StoreWinner: Lollipop ShopRunner-up: The Children's PlaceHonorable mention: Gymboree
Best Jewelry StoreWinner: Schiffman'sRunner-up: Bardy'sHonorable mention: Mark Holder
Best Shoe StoreWinner: DSWRunner-up: SRI Shoe WarehouseHonorable mention: Shoe Market, Monkee's
Best Thrift StoreWinner: GoodwillRunner-up: Carolina ThriftHonorable mention: Bargain Box
Best Vintage Clothing BoutiqueWinner: Design ArchivesRunner-up: GoodwillHonorable mention: Clothesline
Best Antiques StoreWinner: Thrill of the HuntRunner-up: Antique MarketplaceHonorable mention: Red Collection, Rhyne's Corner Cupboard Antiques
Best Used Book StoreWinner: Edward McKay Used BooksRunner-up: Empire BooksHonorable mention: Paperback Exchange
Best Used CD/Record StoreWinner: Edward McKay Used BooksRunner-up: BB's Compact Discs (R.I.P.)Honorable mention: Record Exchange
Best Farmers' MarketWinner: Piedmont Triad Farmers MarketRunner-up: Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market
Best Health Food StoreWinner: Earth FareRunner-up: Deep Roots MarketHonorable mention: Whole Foods
Best Wine ShopWinner: Total Wine And MoreRunner-up: Wine WarehouseHonorable mention: Zeto
Best Day SpaWinner: Balance Day SpaRunner-up: ChakrasHonorable mention: Indigenous Spa at Indigo, Grandover Resort
Best Hair SalonWinner: ChakrasRunner-up: Indigo The SalonHonorable mention: Leon's Salon, Salon Blu
Best Health Club/GymWinner: The RushRunner-up: YMCAHonorable mention: Gold's Gym, Planet Fitness
Best Massage TherapyWinner: Yoga CaféRunner-up: Balance Day SpaHonorable mention: Chakras, Indigenous Spa at Indigo
Best Nail SalonWinner: Buff Natural Nail BarRunner-up: Balance Day SpaHonorable mention: Chakras
Best Tanning SalonWinner: Got Sun? TanningRunner-up: Balance Day SpaHonorable mention: Aah-Som-Rays
Best Yoga StudioWinner: Yoga CaféRunner-up: Family YogaHonorable mention: Triad Yoga
People and Media
Best Local TV PersonalityWinner: Eric Chilton (WFMY News 2)Runner-up: Rosemary Plybon (WFMY News 2)Honorable mention: Sandra Hughes (WFMY News 2), Kent Bates (WFMY News 2)
Best Local Radio PersonalityWinner: Jeff Wicker (WSMW Simon 98.7 FM)Runner-up: Chris Kelly and Chris Dem (Two Guys Named Chris, Rock 92 FM)Honorable mention: Jack Murphy (WKZL 107.5 FM), Skip The Prize Guy (WSMW Simon 98.7 FM)
Best Morning Radio ShowWinner: The Wicker Show (WSMW Simon 98.7 FM)Runner-up: Two Guys Named Chris (Rock 92 FM)Honorable mention: Murphy In The Morning (WKZL 107.5 FM), Brad and Britt In The Morning (WZTK 101.1 FM), Bob and Wendy (WTHZ Majic 94.1 FM)
Best College Radio StationWinner: Guilford College's WQFS 90.9 FM Runner-up: UNCG's WUAG103.1 FM Honorable mention: N.C. A&T's WNAA 90.1 FM
Arts and Entertainment
Best Art GalleryWinner: Weatherspoon Art MuseumRunner-up: Marshall Art GalleryHonorable mention: Heart of Living Home Gallery, Green Hill Center For North Carolina Art, Lyndon Street Artworks, Art Mongerz
Best Comedy ClubWinner: Idiot Box Improv Comedy ClubRunner-up: The Comedy Zone
Best Dance ClubWinner: InfernoRunner-up: HeavenHonorable mention: The N Club, Greene Street Club, Much
Best Live Music VenueWinner: The Carolina TheatreRunner-up: The Greensboro ColiseumHonorable mention: The Blind Tiger, Solaris Tapas Restaurant and Bar, Greene Street Club
Best Live TheaterWinner: Triad StageRunner-up: Community Theatre of GreensboroHonorable mention: The Broach Theatre, Barn Dinner Theatre, Open Space Café Theatre
Best Karaoke BarWinner: McPherson'sRunner-up: Ham'sHonorable mention: The Box Seat
Best Movie TheaterWinner: The Grande (Friendly Center)Runner-up: Regal Palladium Stadium 14Honorable mention: Carousel Luxury Cinemas
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