Best Of Memphis Competition Comes with Votes and History

The mission of the “Becca Does Best Of” social media project was not to encourage voters to vote for certain things, but rather to remind them that the Best of Memphis competition that launched in 1994 is covered with history, much like Memphis itself. I found that whether I was talking to dominating winners of the BOM media categories, restaurant categories or retail categories – everyone I spoke to was passionate about Memphis and thankful to have the enduring love of their city in the annual Flyer poll.

Here are the past dominating winners in the Best of Memphis broadcasting category:

• Action News 5 TV Anchor, Joe Birch, jokes that after winning, he calls his wife and thanks her for voting for him.

Joe Birch, who has won first place in the Best TV Anchor category since it began in 1994, said that winning Best Of Memphis is always a thrill. “I aspire to be the best everyday and often fail,” Birch said, “but I do really love this city. For every problem, there are armies of Memphians to solve them.”

• Dave Brown, who has been a Weatherman for Action News 5 for 36 years, jokes that aspiring weather-people also shouldn’t forget to take the class “Waving at a Green Screen 101.”

”It’s very gratifying! We do this job for the people, and we try to give the best information to the viewers,” said Dave Brown, who has been awarded Best TV Weatherperson since 1995. He advises hopefuls to do the best they can, adding ‘“technology is changing much faster than it did for me.”

• Action News 5 sportscaster, Jarvis Greer, gives some wonderful advice to those looking to get into the business: “talent without work equals nothing.”

Jarvis Greer, who strongly values his family as his support system, said he is honored to have been awarded Best TV Sportscaster since 1997. “I am humbled and honored the people like what I do. I just try to have fun with it,” he said.

Read on for the reigning Best in Memphis competition’s winning restaurants:

Several Memphis eats have been awarded “Best of Memphis” in their various categories every year since the categories originated. These places are Huey’s (Best Burger), Folk’s Folly (Best Steak), Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous (Best Ribs), Sekisui (Best Japanese/Sushi) and Memphis Pizza Cafe (Best Pizza – Non-Chain).

• Huey’s has been winning Best Burger in Best of Memphis since 1994, as well as Best Lunch since 2005.

• Since 1994, Folk’s Folly has claimed the title Best Steak in Memphis.

• The Rendezvous has been our readers’ favorite place for ribs since 1994.

• Dominating winner of Best Japanese/Sushi, Sekisui, has also won the category since 1994.

• Memphis Pizza Cafe has been voted Best Pizza (Non-Chain) in Memphis since 1995.

And now for the dominating retail winners of Best of Memphis:

A few Memphis retailers have also been first in our Best of Memphis readers’ hearts for many years: Buster’s (Best Liquor Store), First Tennessee (Best Bank), Burke’s (Best Used Bookstore) and Tobacco Corner (Best Smoke Shop).

• Buster’s Liquor Store has dominated the Best Liquor category since the beginning in 1994.

(Not pictured: First Tennessee – Best Bank since 1996.)

• Best (Used) Bookstore, Burke’s, has been charming BOM readers since 1997.

• Tobacco Corner has graced the number one Best Smoke Shop spot since 1997.

Take a gander at the history of Best of Memphis on Memphis Flyer’s Instagram, @memphisflyer/ #bestofmemphis or #beccadoesbestof. And as you look through these little pieces of Best Of Memphis history, become a part of history yourself by voting for this year’s winners. Voting for 2013 ends this Sunday, July 28th at midnight!