Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2019 Goods & Services

Best Antiques Store

1. Cotton Row Uniques

2. Sheffield Antiques Mall

3. Palladio Antiques

Best Gift Shop

1. Cotton Row Uniques

2. The Paisley Rooster Boutique

3. Babcock Gifts

Best Home Furnishings

1. Cotton Row Uniques

2. Stash Home

3. IKEA

Cotton Row seems to offer something for everyone. How else to explain their first-place wins in three categories? For readers who like Neat Old Stuff, they provide an ever-changing display of vintage goods, but the spacious store also offers its own line of sauces, dips, and other treats and gift items. One visit, and you won’t leave empty-handed.

Best Beer Selection (in a store)

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wines — tie — Madison Avenue Growler & Bottle Shop/Cash Saver

2. Superlo Foods

3. Joe’s Wines & Liquor

It’s not hard to find beer in this town. But if you want the really good stuff, and we’re talking every possible brand, from every possible country, you will be astonished at the variety offered by our two top (and tied) winners. Drink up (but don’t drive).

Best Bicycle Shop

1. Peddler Bike Shop

2. Victory Bicycle Studio

3. Outdoors Inc.

Some of us remember when Peddler was tucked away in a ramshackle place on Southern, and the yellow “barn” didn’t seem the most likely place to buy high-end road-racing and mountain-biking gear. Starting out in 1971 with a handful of Raleighs for sale, they’re now the largest Trek dealer in Tennessee, with three locations in this area.

Best Bookstore

1. Novel

2. Barnes & Noble

3. Burke’s Book Store

When Booksellers at Laurelwood closed its doors two years ago, a chapter ended, but the story wasn’t over. Some 27 local investors stepped forward to revive the store. With a monthly book club, Miss Marjorie’s storytime for the kids, and a well-stocked selection of local bestsellers, Novel is the bookstore that Memphians just can’t live without.

Best Butcher

BOM 1. Charlie’s Meat Market

2. Thomas Meat & Seafood Market

3. Superlo Foods

Charlie Hogan opened his first butcher shop on Lamar in 1967. It moved to its current location on Summer in 1971, but it’s been owned and operated by the same family since the beginning. That’s one way to build customer loyalty. Another is to offer the best meats at the best prices in town.

Best Creative Agency

1. Sauce Marketing

2. Archer Malmo

3. Ray Rico Freelance

Sauce says that “every business needs some flavor,” and their talented team does just that, with a wide range of clients. They’re not the biggest agency in town, not by a long shot, but our readers think they offer the best recipe for their business success.

Best Day Care for Kids

1. Lindenwood Christian Child Care Center

2. Memphis Jewish Community Center

3. Calvary Episcopal Church

It’s never easy to turn the care of your children over to strangers while you venture out in the world every day to earn that paycheck, but Lindenwood makes the kids (and parents) feel right at home.

Best Event Rental Venue

Memphis Botanic Garden

1. Memphis Botanic Garden

2. Cadre Building

3. 409 South Main Events

The Japanese Bridge may be one of the most-photographed locations in Memphis, but MBG also offers Hardin Hall, the Goldsmith Civic Garden Center, and some of the most beautiful gardens in Memphis. It’s a natural (and we mean that literally) pick for anyone seeking a venue for weddings, reunions, and events of all kinds.

Best Farmers Market

1. Memphis Farmers Market

2. Agricenter Farmer’s Market

3. Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market

Saturdays come alive at the Memphis Farmers Market. Music mingles among the aromas of fresh flowers and coffee and through the conversations of the hundreds who shop or browse (or fuel their Instagram) there every week.

Best Florist

1. Pugh’s Flowers

2. Holliday Flowers

3. Garden District

You gotta love a company with a sense of humor. A florist named Pugh? Let’s lean into it. So, a skunk mascot? Absolutely. Pugh’s Flowers opened here in 1976 by Bill Pugh. Run now by his three sons, Pugh’s Flowers brings fresh-cut flowers to Memphis every day.

Best Garden Center

1. Dan West Garden Center

2. Midtown Nursery

3. Urban Earth Garden Center

East Memphians know if you need garden supplies (and the expertise to help you use them), you go to Dan West Garden Center. It was a feed and seed store when it opened in 1952, supporting (can you believe it?) the East Memphis farm community.

Best Grocery Store

Kroger

1. Kroger

2. Trader Joe’s

3. ALDI

Kroger is a staple in Memphis — an important one. Remember the outrage (and public hearings, even) after the company closed two stores here last year? Even if you don’t, you know you have your Kroger, and you know your Kroger, aisle by aisle.

Best Specialty Food Shop

1. Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies

2. Charlie’s Meat Market

3. Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company

I know I’m at a legit event if it has products (hopefully chocolate) from Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies. The golden logo on that wrapper quietly conveys quality and old-school Memphis charm. Where else are you gonna find an Elvis TCB milk chocolate bar?

Best Shopping Center

Shops of Saddle Creek

1. Shops of Saddle Creek

2. Carriage Crossing

3. Laurelwood Shopping Center

The Shops of Saddle Creek thrives on balance. It’s where you’ll stand in line for the newest iPhone and get the proper attire for a traditional occasion. It has national brands and Memphis originals. If they’re shopping for quality when nothing less will do, Memphians go to Saddle Creek.

Best Hotel

1. Guest House at Graceland

2. Peabody Hotel

3. The River Inn of Harbor Town

Luxury on Elvis Presley Boulevard isn’t just for The King anymore. The $90 million Guest House at Graceland envelops visitors in comfort from the pool to the bar and to their tastefully appointed rooms and expansive theater.

Best Law Firm

1. Baker Donelson

2. Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz

3. Ballin, Ballin & Fishman

Legal situations probably don’t come around very often for most of us. But when they do, it’s not the time to mess around. That’s why people pick Baker Donelson. Established in Memphis 130 years ago, the law firm has more than 700 attorneys.

Best Lingerie Shop

1. Coco & Lola’s

2. Trousseau

3. A Fitting Place

Leather. Lace. Latex. Fishnet. Fur. Satin. Silk. Panties. Bodysuits. Thigh-highs. Garters. Bustiers. Babydolls. Steel-boned corsets. You won’t find anything X-rated at Coco & Lola’s, but selections at the Midtown lingerie shop are chosen with “playfulness” in mind. Coco’s tastes are refined. Lola’s are spicy. Find it all on Central for some “lacy, frilly confidence.”

Best Liquor Store

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wines

2. Joe’s Wines & Liquor

3. Kirby Wines & Liquors

Buster’s Liquors & Wines is the candy store for kids over 21. Looking for a Tennessee-made Imperial IPA? Go to Buster’s. What about that single-malt Scotch your father-in-law likes? Go to Buster’s. How about cheese, meats, crackers, corkscrews, ice buckets, openers, stoppers, and flasks? Yep. Go to Buster’s.

Best Local Athletic Goods Store

1. Outdoors Inc.

2. Fleet Feet Sports

3. Breakaway Running

I get lost in adventure at Outdoors Inc. I paddle whitewater and sleep under stars. I bike gravel and hike mountain trails. I then snap myself back into the store and hope no one caught me daydreaming. When I get serious about these adventures, though, I ask the experienced folks at Outdoors.

Best Local Bank or Credit Union

1. Orion Federal Credit Union

2. Southern Security Federal Credit Union

3. First Tennessee

In the last few years, Orion has upped the ante on customer service as well as community involvement. It also has something most credit unions don’t: cool factor. Just check out its new headquarters in the old Wonder Bread building near Downtown.

Best Local Fine Jewelry Store

1. Mednikow Jewelers

2. Ed Harris Jewelry

3. Sissy’s Log Cabin

For more than 125 years, the Mednikow family has delivered top quality in all they do, from service to design to watches and jewelry. It’s Memphis’ signature store for whatever you need that sparkles.

University of Memphis

Best Local College

1. University of Memphis

2. Rhodes College

3. Christian Brothers University

The University of Memphis has been showing its mettle in recent years by aiming high, getting there, and then going further. That includes everything from a planned new music facility to ambitious research and innovation goals to campus improvements. And, of course, Penny.

Best Local Private School

1. Christian Brothers High School

2. St. Mary’s Episcopal School

3. Lausanne Collegiate School

With a top-tier academic structure, a vision to the future, and unbeatable alumni support, Christian Brothers High School has become a deeply respected Memphis institution.

Best Local Public School

1. White Station High School

2. Houston High School

3. Central High School

With its award-winning faculty and programs, White Station High School continues to make a mark by turning out high-achieving students.

Best Place to Get Vintage/Used Clothing

1. Flashback

2. City Thrift

3. Goodwill

Don’t ever go to Flashback expecting to walk away empty-handed. You’re guaranteed to find something from an era you adore in Millett Vance’s terrific vintage store that’s a joy to visit even if you don’t get anything. But you will.

Best Local Store for Men’s Clothing

1. Oak Hall

2. Lansky Bros.

3. James Davis Men’s Store

Best Local Store for Men’s Shoes

1. Oak Hall

2. James Davis Men’s Store — tie — Outdoors Inc.

3. Fleet Feet

Oak Hall is not just a men’s store, it’s a gentlemen’s store. You’ll get attentive service and find yourself walking out with perfectly fitted outfits from this legendary haberdashery.

Best Local Store for Women’s Clothing

1. The Paisley Rooster Boutique

2. Indigo

3. Crazy Beautiful

Look smart and shop smart at this store with locations in Collierville and Arlington, although if you just can’t get out to either one, hit them up online and make your wish list come true.

Best Local Store for Women’s Shoes

1. Kaufman Shoes

2. Joseph

3. Indigo

Kaufman Shoes has long known that Memphis women are interested in both style and comfort. That has made the difference since 1947 when it started selling shoes, and it has been striding purposefully ever since.

Best Music Equipment Store

1. Amro Music

2. Memphis Drum Shop

3. Martin Music

The longtime family-owned music store can get you a piccolo or a piano, some music to go with your choice, and service it as well. And if it was good enough for Elvis, B.B. King, and John Mayer, then it should be for you, too.

Browndog Lodge

Best Pet Boarding/Day Care

1. BrownDog Lodge

2. Camp Bow Wow

3. Claridge Spa Pet Resort

Don’t agonize over how well your pup is going to be treated while you’re away. BrownDog has enough love to go around to take care of your four-legged friend. Or friends.

Best Pet Store

BOM 1. Hollywood Feed

2. House of Mews

3. Three Dog Bakery

Freshly made pupcakes, a great selection of food and toys, and treats galore — Hollywood Feed is my pack’s favorite place, and, like our readers, we enjoy the excellent service from knowledgeable staff.

Best Vet

1. Walnut Grove Animal Clinic

2. McGehee Clinic for Animals

3. Utopia Animal Hospital

When my doggies are ailing, I want to take them to a vet’s office whose staff is skilled and kind. Walnut Grove Animal Clinic fits the bill, and Flyer readers trust them with their beloved pets.

Best Realtor

1. Joshua Spotts, Crye-Leike, Realtors

2. Ashley Onsby, MidSouth Residential

3. Julie Upchurch, McWaters & Associates Realtors

The housing market’s on fire right now, and whether you’re buying or selling, Crye-Leike’s Joshua Spotts has what it takes to get the results you’re looking for, and our voters attest to that.

Best Home Remodeling Service

1. Crone Construction

2. Salvaggio Group

3. RKA Construction

You’ve seen the shows on HGTV. A remodeling project can be a nightmare, but the fine folks at Crone Construction get the job done right without hassle or headache. That’s why our readers consider them the best.

Best Record Store

1. Goner Records

2. Shangri-La Records

3. Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Looking for vintage vinyl? How about a freshly pressed copy of your favorite new album? Since 2004, Goner has stocked its shelves with new and used punk, rock, soul, and blues records, and we love thumbing through them, searching for musical treasure.

Best Sex Shop

1. Christal’s

2. Inz & Outz

3. Romantix

When Flyer readers need a little something to spice things up in the bedroom, they look to Christal’s. Lube, lingerie, whips, and toys — there’s a reason their slogan is “The Fun Starts Here.”

Best Tattoo Artist

1. Sarah Workman, Underground Art

2. Jordan Epperson, No Regrets

3. Claire Faulhaber, Bluff City Tattoo

A delicate butterfly, cherubs ripping a woman’s heart out — whether you’re looking to get something dainty or something fierce, Sarah Workman’s skills with a tattoo needle are unsurpassed.

Best Tattoo Studio

1. No Regrets

2. Trilogy

3. Bluff City Tattoo

From custom work to cover-ups, the crew of talented tattoers at No Regrets has years of experience making a mark on Memphians’ skin, as well as their hearts. Our readers love the shop’s cleanliness and quality work, and, of course, the fact that they leave with beautiful skin art and no regrets.

Best Tobacco Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Tinder Box

3. Robusto by Havana Mix

Best Vape Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Wizard’s

3. Vapor World

Best Alternative Smoke Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Wizard’s

3. VaporWize

When it comes to smoking and smoking accessories, Whatever packs the pipe … er, lights the cig … um, puffs a big cloud. Well, you get it. Whatever’s got the goods to cover your smoking needs, alternative or otherwise.

Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle

1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson

2. Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson

3. Vintage Motorcycle

Looking for a new hog? Our motorcycle-riding readers think the best place to shop for one is Bumpus Harley-Davidson, with pre-owned and new inventory to get you on the road on two wheels, in style.

Best New Car Dealership

1. Principle Toyota

2. Lexus of Memphis

3. Wolfchase Honda

Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Tacoma — Principle Toyota carries the top-of-the-line Toyota models Memphis loves and trusts, which makes them a favorite among those looking for a fresh new ride.

Best Used Car Dealership

1. CarMax

2. City Auto

3. AutoNation Ford Wolfchase

No-haggle pricing, awesome inventory selection, and hassle-free trade-ins make CarMax the go-to for Memphians’ used-car needs.

Best Auto Repair

1. Christian Brothers Automotive

2. Steve’s Tire & Auto

3. Barton’s Car Care

Fuel pump go out? Leak spots on the driveway? No problem. The mechanics at Christian Brothers Automotive can resolve just about any issue without breaking your bank, and our readers like that.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2019 Food & Drink


Huey’s

Best Burger

BOM 1. Huey’s

2. Tops Bar-B-Q

3. LBOE

Best Bar Food

1. Huey’s

2. Young Avenue Deli

3. Bardog Tavern

Best Hangover Food

1. Huey’s

2. Slider Inn

3. Bardog Tavern

Best Kid-friendly Restaurant

1. Huey’s

2. Railgarten

3. Belly Acres

Best Service

1. Huey’s

2. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

3. Catherine & Mary’s

You want a good burger? Go to Huey’s. It’s that simple. You want a taste of a Memphis institution that helped make Midtown famous? Go to Huey’s. You want to park the kids in front of some grub they’ll love while you sneak a beer? Huey’s. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s Huey’s.

Rendezvous

Best Barbecue

BOM 1. Central BBQ

2. The Bar-B-Q Shop

3. Germantown Commissary

Best Ribs

1. Central BBQ

2. The Rendezvous

3. The Bar-B-Q Shop

Since our last BOM issue, the Central BBQ empire has continued to grow. Now, all of the city is just a few minutes away from our barbecue award-winners. What do they do well? Everything. Consistency is the key to their success, as they continue to spread the good word of Memphis ‘cue to the world.

Best Breakfast

1. Brother Juniper’s

2. Bryant’s Breakfast

3. Sunrise Memphis

Brother Juniper’s has been fueling up the University of Memphis area for decades. With their roots in San Francisco’s utopian Haight Ashbury of the 1960s, and a rebirth in 1999 when the Koplin family took over, this breakfast spot is the Bluff City’s favorite.

Best Lunch

1. Elwood’s Shack

2. Huey’s

3. Soul Fish Cafe

Elwood’s is no upstart anymore. It’s a full-fledged champion of the lunchtime hour. The menu is extensive: burgers, hot dogs, barbecue, cold-cut subs, po’ boys, tacos … And its central location means it’s easy to get to from anywhere and get back to work on time.

Best Brunch

1. The Beauty Shop

2. Owen Brennan’s

3. The Majestic Grille

See and be seen at Karen Blockman Carrier’s Beauty Shop. The setting in the former Cooper-Young salon is both funky and elegant, just like Memphis. The mimosas are overflowing, and the beignets come 10 at a time. Dress your best for Sunday funday. You don’t want to be caught looking homely at the Beauty Shop.

Best Bloody Mary

1. Bayou

2. The Beauty Shop

3. Sunrise Memphis

Ah, the bloody mary. It is the most enigmatic of the classic drinks. Is it a cocktail or a soup? Is its purpose to recover from a hangover or get you a head start on the next hangover? What is the proper garnish? Celery? Olives? Pickles? One thing’s for sure: The Bayou makes the best Bloody Mary in Memphis.

Second Line

Best Cajun/Creole

1. The Second Line

2. Bayou

3. Elwood’s Shells

Kelly English’s first spinoff from Restaurant Iris is an Overton Square favorite. The Verno, a pulled chicken with gravy po’ boy, is a perennial favorite, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Best Chinese

1. Mulan Asian Bistro

2. Wang’s Mandarin House

3. A-Tan

Is it just us, or did Memphis start to feel like a Real Big City™ the moment you could get good Chinese food delivered to your door? You can thank Mulan Asian Bistro for that. But their menu is so much deeper than General Tso’s chicken and fried rice. Mulan also has a fully operational sushi bar, making it a truly pan-East Asian operation.

Best Ethiopian

1. Blue Nile Ethiopian Kitchen

2. Abyssinia Restaurant

3. Derae Restaurant

It is a sign of our continually diversifying city that we now have enough Ethiopian restaurants to make a real contest out of this category. Blue Nile on the Madison corridor took the top prize this year, spurred on by their vegetarian options and hearty platter experiences.

Best Indian

1. India Palace

2. Golden India

3. Bombay House

It may not be set in a literal castle, but India Palace certainly makes its customers feel like royalty. Nothing drives that home more than the veritable feast provided by the lunch buffet, where Palace-goers gorge themselves on lamb meatballs, tandoori chicken, curry varieties, lentils, rice … oh, there’s no room left on the plate. Guess you’ll need to grab another!

Best Italian

1. Pete & Sam’s

2. Ciao Bella Italian Grill

3. Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen

Memphis’ favorite Italian restaurant boasts over seven decades of serving Italian cuisine satisfying faithful customers. Fill up on all the ravioli, cannelloni, pizza, lasagna, and Italian spinach imaginable; plus, you can even bring your own bottle of wine!

Best Margarita

1. Molly’s La Casita

2. Las Delicias

3. Babalu Tapas & Tacos

Frozen or on the rocks? Doesn’t matter. The devil’s in the details, so whatever Molly’s is putting into its secret recipe has seduced even the most snobbish of Memphis margarita enthusiasts. When it’s time for the fiesta to escalate, hit the top shelf with the Sauza Gold-featuring “The Perfect Margarita.”

Best Mexican

1. Las Delicias

2. Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana

3. Molly’s La Casita

It’s all in the name: “The Delights” boasts high-quality offerings across traditional staples of Mexican cuisine. Having started out selling tacos out of his garage as a hobby, Antonio Martinez’s restaurant portfolio now includes three locations across Memphis, serving some of the best burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and fajitas in the metropolitan area.

Best Middle Eastern

BOM 1. Casablanca

2. Global Café

3. Grecian Gourmet Taverna

When it comes to covering all of the Middle Eastern dining classics, Casablanca stuffs its menu fuller than one of its shawarma super sandwiches. Beef, chicken, and lamb accompany many dishes for the carnivores, while each location has plenty of vegan options.

Best Latin American/Caribbean

1. Evelyn & Olive

2. Bahama Breeze

3. Arepas Deliciosas

For a small sample of the best that the Caribbean has to offer, visit Wayne and Caroline at Evelyn & Olive. Serving up some of the finest Jamaican dishes including jerk chicken, fried plantains, and Kingston cabbage, it’s as authentic as it comes.

Bhan Thai

Best Thai

1. Bhan Thai

2. Bangkok Alley

3. Pho Binh

Curry is one of the greatest recipes ever created by mankind, and Bhan Thai sits at the top of the pedestal with its red, green, massaman, and panang varieties. Nothing beats kicking back on Bhan Thai’s patio on a crisp Memphis night and digging into one of its spicy dishes accompanied by a sweet Thai iced tea.

City Silo Table + Pantry

Best Vegetarian

1. City Silo Table + Pantry

2. Pho Binh

3. Café Eclectic

Tasty food that’s good for you and the earth? At City Silo Table + Pantry, sustainability is key. The result of that mindset is some of the freshest vegetarian options around, with the restaurant sourcing humanely produced ingredients from local farmers and striking the right balance between healthy eating and heavier Southern-style dishes.

Best Vietnamese

1. Pho Binh

2. Pho Saigon

3. Lotus — tie — Phuong Long

A simple utterance of the words “Pho Binh buffet” will see even the most resilient among us make a beeline for the restaurant’s lemongrass tofu, fried chicken wings, and dizzying array of other Vietnamese classics. Even if you can’t make it for lunch, Pho Binh’s giant menu has plenty of pho and vegetarian options to suit all diners.

Best Home Cooking/ Soul Food

1. Soul Fish Cafe

2. The Cupboard Restaurant

3. The Four Way Soul Food Restaurant

Best Seafood

1. Soul Fish Cafe

2. Half Shell

3. Tsunami

When you fish upon a star, makes no difference where you are, as Soul Fish has locations all over Memphis with catfish baskets and hush puppies galore. Nothing screams Delta dining more than Soul Fish, with seafood offerings ranging from tacos to po’ boys to even more catfish plates and beyond.

Best Fried Chicken

BOM 1. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

2. Joes’ Fried Chicken

3. Jack Pirtle’s Chicken

If you want to know how popular Gus’s is, drive down Front Street when this chicken place is open. You’ll probably see a crowd. All you have to say is “Gus’s,” and people think, “Yummy fried chicken.”

Best Farm-to-Table

1. Bounty on Broad

2. The Trolley Stop Market

3. Belly Acres

Bounty on Broad brought fine dining to Broad Avenue. And it still delivers great cuisine in a beautiful setting, whether you’re dining downstairs or drinking at the upstairs bar.

Best Hibachi

1. Nagasaki Inn

2. A-Tan

3. Osaka Japanese Cuisine

If you haven’t seen chef/owner Harold make a “Pokemon rabbit” at your table, you’ve missed a great experience. Fabulous-tasting food cooked right in front of you. And a ginger salad dressing to die for.

Best Hot Wings

1. Ching’s Hot Wings

2. Central BBQ

3. Alex’s Tavern

You might be overwhelmed when you get your order of large hot wings slathered with sauce, but you will eat every bite. This is the after-school spot for teenagers, but adults love it, too.

Best Pizza

1. Memphis Pizza Cafe

2. Aldo’s Pizza Pies

3. Broadway Pizza

This is the first food station you’ll see when you enter Zoo Rendezvous, the annual Memphis Zoo fund-raiser. And with good reason. This veteran pizza restaurant is the first place many people think of when they think of locally made pizza pies.

Best Sandwiches

1. Young Avenue Deli

2. Elwood’s Shack

3. Fino’s Italian Deli & Catering

This is a Cooper-Young hot spot that’s been around for years. Delicious sandwiches. (And don’t forget about those famous French fries). Plus, you can hear live music many nights while you eat.

Best Smoothies/Juices

1. Smoothie King

2. Raw Girls

3. I Love Juice Bar

If you want a smoothie in winter as well as summer, you visit the “King.” The name says it all.

Best Steak

BOM 1. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

2. The Butcher Shop Steakhouse

3. Buckley’s Grill

The elegant decor at Folk’s Folly gets you in the mood for one of the truly fine steaks — whether it’s a filet or a tomahawk steak. And it’s fun to sit at one of the intimate tables, where a curtain separates you from the rest of the world.

Best Sushi

1. Sekisui

2. Sakura Japanese Restaurant

3. Red Koi Japanese Cuisine

Sekisui has been on a roll — and not just sushi rolls — since the first restaurant opened years ago. Diners were required to remove their shoes at the original location. This was part of the Japanese tradition — just like the great food that’s stood the test of time in Memphis.

Best Taco

1. Maciel’s

2. Las Delicias

3. Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana

Maciel’s sells tacos called “Tinga” — a spicy chicken taco — and “Ahogado” — pork, avocado, and onions. If you’re still reading and haven’t jumped in your car to go get these, Maciel’s is a restaurant that offers traditional cooking, which is more like everyday cooking in Mexico. Now you can get in your car and go.

Best Donut Shop

BOM 1. Gibson’s Donuts

2. Howard’s Donuts

3. Midtown Donuts

With almost 40 types of donuts, Gibson’s keeps folks happy. Check out the diversity of the customers standing in line and anxiously waiting for the maple bacon, old fashioneds, or Gibson’s acclaimed glazed.

Best Dessert Shop

1. Muddy’s Bake Shop

2. Frost Bake Shop

3. Cheesecake Corner

Best Bakery

BOM 1. Muddy’s Bake Shop

2. Frost Bake Shop

3. La Baguette French Bread and Pastry Shop

Some of us may have grown up eating mud pies. But now, as adults, we’ve upgraded to eating Muddy’s Bake Shop treats, and rightfully so. Between their Shady Wake Pecan Pie and Prozac Cupcakes, it’s no wonder they’ve made it to the top of two of our BOM lists this year.

El Mero Taco

Best Food Truck

1. El Mero Taco

2. Say Cheese

3. Fuel

Southern and Mexican foods combine to create El Mero Taco’s diverse menu. The best part? You can book El Mero Taco for a private event. If not, the food truck gets around Memphis, having been spotted at the Levitt Shell, Food Truck Rodeo, Trolley Night, and much more.

Best Frozen Treat Shop

1. Jerry’s Sno Cones

2. MemPops

3. La Michoacana

Jerry’s Sno Cones has long been a popular destination for people seeking out frozen treats. Their Sno Cone Supreme is to die for. If you don’t believe us, go try one!

Best Beer Garden

1. Railgarten

2. Wiseacre Tap Room & Patio

3. Loflin Yard

Beer garden, Railgarten. Tomato, tomahto. Railgarten isn’t just known for its beer selection, though. With an expansive property full of activities, food, ice cream, and live music, you’ll be sure to remain entertained for hours.

Best Patio

1. Loflin Yard

2. Brookhaven Pub

3. Slider Inn

Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant/Bar

1. Loflin Yard

2. Slider Inn

3. Railgarten

With a deck view of Loflin Falls, front yard green space for gathering and frolicing, and a backyard for watching the trains go by, Loflin Yard makes for a supreme hot spot in Downtown Memphis for people — and their dogs.

Best Place for People Watching

1. Peabody Hotel

2. Crosstown Concourse

3. Beale Street Entertainment District

Centrally located in Downtown Memphis, where people from all walks of life come to hang out or reside, Peabody Hotel is not only a place to watch the ducks, but people, too.

Best Late-Night Dining

1. Earnestine & Hazel’s

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. Slider Inn

While Peabody Hotel is the best place for people watching, Earnestine & Hazel’s is undoubtedly the best place for ghost watching — and enjoying a Soul Burger while doing so.

Best Shared/Small Plates Menu

1. Babalu Tapas & Tacos

2. Hog & Hominy

3. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

Between house-made guac, starters, and tapas (or small plates), Babalu Tapas & Tacos offers no shortage of shareable plates.

Best Local Brewery

1. Wiseacre Brewing Co.

2. Meddlesome Brewing Company

3. Memphis Made Brewing Co.

Wiseacre Brewing Co., the makers of Ananda, Gotta Get Up to Get Down, and Tiny Bomb, has more to give than just these attractively packaged and delicious brews. The brewery also offers a variety of seasonal and specialty beers. And with their brand available for sale at locations as far as the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, it appears that much of the South would agree with our readers on Wiseacre’s No. 1 ranking.

Best Local Coffeehouse

1. Ugly Mug

2. Otherlands Coffee Bar

3. Muddy’s Bake Shop + Coffee

Ugly Mug

Best Coffee Roaster

1. Ugly Mug

2. French Truck Coffee

3. J. Brooks

With an emphasis on only supplying ethically sourced, fair trade coffee and meticulously roasting it for the ultimate flavor, Ugly Mug’s coffee definitely does not taste ugly.

Best Restaurant for Dessert

BOM 1. Muddy’s Bake Shop + Coffee

2. Cheesecake Corner

3. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

The “little blue house on the hill” at 585 S. Cooper adds a double shot of awesome in addition to their treats: a full-service espresso bar.

Best Server

1. Calvin Bell, The Rendezvous

2. Taylor Pfohl, Bayou

3. Tony Dortch, Huey’s

Calvin Bell, 23-year veteran at The Rendezvous, tops the charts for the third year in a row as best server on the BOM list. He’s had the honor of serving top-notch clientele like renowned chef Guy Savoy of Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris.

Best Chef

1. Kelly English, Restaurant Iris, The Second Line

2. Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Hog & Hominy, Gray Canary, Catherine & Mary’s

3. Erling Jensen, Erling Jensen the Restaurant

Kelly English tops the Best Chef list for the 11th year in a row. If you’ve ever sampled the fare at his restaurants, Restaurant Iris or The Second Line, you know exactly why.

Best New Restaurant

1. Elwood’s Shells

2. Global Café

3. Lucky Cat Ramen

When Elwood’s opened its Shack on Summer, it became an instant hit, despite its unlikely location — the Lowe’s parking lot. They’ve done it again, but in a more traditional location: a former home in Cooper-Young. Just as with the Shack, the Shells, with a focus on seafood, has caught the attention of our readers.

Best Date-Night Restaurant

1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

2. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

3. Southern Social

Best Fine Dining

1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

2. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

3. Restaurant Iris

Best Wine List

BOM 1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

2. Catherine & Mary’s

3. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

Best Restaurant

1. Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar

2. Restaurant Iris

3. Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

We hate to be so blunt, but let’s face it, if you go to Flight and don’t have a fantastic dining experience, something must be wrong with you. Our readers voted this innovative restaurant their top choice in four categories, including Best Restaurant. They’re going to need more wall space for all the plaques.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2019 Arts & Entertainment

Best Casino

BOM 1. Southland Casino Racing

2. Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino

3. Gold Strike Casino Resort

The fact that our most beloved gaming experience includes a top-notch dog track is truly Memphis as all-get-out. Beyond the canine appeal, Southland Casino Racing has games aplenty, with slots, table games, and a high-limit room.

Best College Gallery

1. Memphis College of Art

2. Art Museum of the University of Memphis

3. Christian Brothers University

Our love for the Memphis College of Art Gallery has a bittersweet edge, knowing that it likely won’t be around after next spring. Now is the time to savor its local character, such as the annual exhibit of student works from Horn Island, now celebrating its 35th year.

Best Gallery

1. Dixon Gallery & Gardens

2. Crosstown Arts

3. Orange Mound Gallery (OMG)

Having a verdant, landscaped oasis of lush greenery in the heart of the city gives the Dixon Gallery & Gardens a unique charm when contemplating works of art. And the art itself is imaginatively curated, from the popular art of Mexico’s El Taller de Gráfica to the diversity of Southern women artists and everything in between.

Best Dog Park

The Outback at Shelby Farms

1. The Outback at Shelby Farms

2. Overton Bark

3. Tobey Park

It’s doubtful that many dog parks in the country, let alone the county, could compare with The Outback at Shelby Farms. It’s a true doggie paradise, with more than 100 acres of open fields, ponds, and unpaved trails.

Best Park

BOM 1. Shelby Farms

2. Overton Park

3. Memphis Botanic Garden

Just knowing there’s a buffalo herd in the heart of Memphis is somehow reassuring. Yet Shelby Farms has so much more than bison. One can explore it on foot, on wheels, on horse, with dogs, wet or dry, and, thanks to the zip line, tree by tree.

Shelby Farms

Best Family Entertainment

Levitt Shell

BOM 1. Memphis Zoo

2. Levitt Shell

3. Memphis Redbirds

Given the imaginative environmental immersion of the Memphis Zoo’s various habitats, it’s no wonder it’s considered one of the top zoos in the country. The fact that baby giraffe Mashamba was named in honor of Fields Falcone, a much-beloved former Zoo associate, just adds that personal Memphis touch.

Best Festival

1. Cooper-Young Festival

2. Beale Street Music Festival

3. Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

All of Memphis’ many festivals must honor our plethora of local musical talent, but the Cooper-Young Festival makes local music its centerpiece. Beyond that, this gathering of the city’s best artisans, craftspeople, and food trucks is a feast for the eyes and palate as well.

Cooper Young Festival

Best Local Band

1. Lucero

2. Marcella & Her Lovers

3. The Bo-Keys

Lucero is no stranger to the top slot in the Best of Memphis, and their continual reinvention is one reason why. Still riding high on last year’s album, Among the Ghosts, this band of over two decades now mines a darker literary vein, commingled with their reliably rocking catalog.

Best Local Comedian

1. Katrina Coleman

2. Mo Alexander

3. Hunter Sandlin

As co-creator and producer, with director Craig Brewer, of the the LOL Network’s You Look Like series, Katrina Coleman is a comedic powerhouse. And, containing multitudes, she manages to be both an advocate for domestic abuse survivors and incredibly funny, often at the same time.

Best Local Singer

1. Joyce Cobb

2. Marcella Simien

3. Louise Page

Though Joyce Cobb first came to Memphis at the behest of Stax Records, even as that label was in its death throes, it wasn’t all bad. Since she decided to stay anyway, the city has long benefitted from her direct linkage of contemporary R&B with the classic soul and jazz singers of the ’50s. She’s all that, with a show on WEVL to boot.

Best Movie Theater

1. Malco Powerhouse Cinema Grill & Bar

2. Malco Paradiso Cinema Grill & IMAX

3. Ridgeway Cinema Grill

The former coal-fired steam plant that provided heating and energy for the Downtown train station has a rich history. The building, with its towering smokestack, was transformed into a state-of-the-art movie palace by Malco. The flagship MXT theater, with 4K projection and Dolby Atmos sound, is the best place in the Mid-South to see a film. And you can have concessions or go to the restaurant for a sit-down meal and a glass of wine. This is the future of the theatrical experience.

Best Museum

1. Pink Palace Museum

2. National Civil Rights Museum

3. The Children’s Museum of Memphis

This year, Memphis turned 200 years old. The Pink Palace put on a meticulously researched exhibit of artifacts telling the story of those two centuries, with emphasis on those who have been overlooked in the past — not only African Americans, whose saga of oppression, redemption, and tragedy is intertwined with the city, but the growing Hispanic population, the tight-knit Vietnamese community, and the refugees who have found a home here. The exhibit helped earn the museum the top slot.

Best Performing Arts Venue

BOM 1. The Orpheum

2. Levitt Shell

3. GPAC | Germantown Performing Arts Center

Best Live Theater

BOM 1. The Orpheum

2. Playhouse on the Square

3. Hattiloo Theatre

The Grande Dame of Beale Street had the performing arts categories in the bag the moment Hamilton‘s three-week run was announced. But the traveling Broadway shows like Waitress and Wicked are just one part of what The Orpheum does. There’s the well-curated film series, popular comedians, and musical acts, too. The theater is wearing its recent revamp well and promises to be a Downtown anchor for decades to come.

Best Place to See Live Music

BOM 1. Levitt Shell

2. Live at the Garden

3. Lafayette’s Music Room

Actual, inadvertent Yogi Berra-ism overheard in Midtown: “Nobody goes to the Shell anymore. There’s too many people.” Well, unknown Midtown hipster, you were right about one thing: The Shell’s music series has grown from our cozy little secret to one of the most popular attractions in the city. You can’t just saunter in at showtime and expect to get a good spot on the lawn — not that there are any bad spots. With the addition of new food and drink options, it’s gotten even better.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2019 Introduction

We asked, and you made your opinions heard. Of course, I’m referring to the Memphis Flyer‘s annual Best of Memphis, when Flyer readers do the heavy lifting by casting their votes for their favorite Memphis restaurants, record stores, radio stations, and more. This year, more than 20,000 people voted. Not to be outdone, we, the Flyer staff, have added our own personal favorites. Best Semi-Nude Gardening. Best Conspiracy Theory. You know — that kind of thing. Real serious journalism.

Winners with “BOM” next to their name absolutely dominated their category. Any ties have also been noted.

This issue was written by Shara Clark, Toby Sells, Maya Smith, Jackson Baker, Michael Donahue, Jon Sparks, Julia Baker, Michael Finger, Alex Greene, Chris McCoy, Samuel X. Cicci, and Bruce VanWyngarden. It was designed by Carrie Beasley and illustrated by Bryan Rollins (who had the foresight to be in another country during BOM production. We’ll talk when you get back, Bryan). Images by Justin Fox Burks.

As always, we thank our readers, those who submitted nominations and voted and those who didn’t. Y’all are the real Best of Memphis. And we thank our advertisers, who make it possible to keep the Flyer free, always. — Jesse Davis

Categorical links to each section are at the bottom of the your browser window.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: The Party!

Last Wednesday evening, the Flyer celebrated its latest Best of Memphis issue at Mud Island with about 2,000 other folks — Flyer friends, advertisers, winners. On the monorail from Mud Island post-party, guests filled the car, happily gabbing about the evening. There was dancing and music and great food from BOM-winning restaurants. There were exciting performances by Opera Memphis and Collage dance collective. There were treks along the mini-Mississippi from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico and back again. It had all the elements of a perfect party. Here’s the proof. — Susan Ellis

Special thanks to the hosts of the event Memphis Flyer and Mud Island/Memphis River Parks Partnership, and to all the Best of Memphis Sponsors: A.S. Barbaro, Southern Glazers, Principle Toyota, European Wax, The Shops of Saddle Creek, Indigo, MLGW, Southland Gaming & Racing, Shelby Co. Air Quality Improvement, Beleaf Cigar Company, and Dumars & Neal.

Photography by Don Perry & Cole Wheeler
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Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: Staff Picks

Funnest New Thing

Call me basic AF. But Birds are fun AF. Will they *super official voice* “change the face of Memphis transit?” DKDC. They’re easy, fast, cheap, and a little dangerous (sounds like a pulp novel). Fight me, bro. I’ll die on this hill, until I bust my ass on one. — Toby Sells

Slowest-Burning Dumpster Fire

It’s been hard to watch Gannett gut The Commercial Appeal and drive our once-proud daily into near-irrelevance. It started with layoffs and continued with a rash of laughable-but-awful typos, and obliteration seems to be Gannett’s end game with jacked-up subscription rates. Memphians see you, Gannett, and we ain’t happy. — TS

Best Hire

The University of Memphis hired Tiger legend Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway to breathe life into a basketball program that had fallen on hard times in recent years under Josh Pastner and Tubby Smith. A former All-America at then-Memphis State and first-team All-NBA player with the Orlando Magic in the mid-’90s, Hardaway immediately signed the city’s top two recruits — Cordova High School’s Tyler Harris and Alex Lomax, who helped Hardaway win three state titles at East — and targeted none other than John Calipari’s Kentucky Wildcats among future Tiger opponents. Can one man — one Penny — fill seats at FedExForum when the likes of South Dakota State visit the Tigers on a December night? We’re convinced the answer is yes. — Frank Murtaugh

The Best Bookend to 2017

When the Confederate statues were removed from city parks late last year, it was the culmination of months-long efforts by city officials and local activists. The statues were symbols of an unsavory past. It was long overdue for them to come down and for Memphis to be propelled out of a past marred by racism and into the modern era.

Maya Smith

The Best Gathering of People

On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, thousands gathered peacefully Downtown to commemorate the civil rights leader. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before in Memphis. People of all different shades stood side by side that day, paying homage to a man who quite literally died to make scenes like that possible. MS

Best Class Pet

Many school classrooms have a beloved class pet: perhaps a cute little hamster, or maybe even a lizard? Kirby High School, however, took it to the next level by playing host to a swarm of rats. The school closed for weeks, and the district is preparing to divide the students up between several different schools until the new year. On a serious note, it’s an extreme example of the issues Shelby County public school students have to deal with.

Samuel X. Cicci

Best Robin Williams Tribute

Dead Poets Society is a cinematic classic featuring a top performance by the late Robin Williams. During a trial’s closing remarks, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Corman decided to pay tribute by standing on a desk similar to Williams’ character, John Keating. What seemed to be forgotten amid the dramatic reenactment is that Keating is fired at the end of the film. Coincidentally, Corman’s website now lists him as a “former prosecutor.” — SC

Best New Sports Team

Memphis is about to turn into a soccer city with the introduction of 901 FC. The team will kick off its 2019 season as a member of the United Soccer League, the second tier of professional American soccer. With experienced staff in place and Tim Howard on board as an advisor, Memphis’ soccer contingent can’t wait for the season to kick off.

SC

Best Demonic Dust-up

The City Council was up in arms over a zombie-themed mural overlooking Lamar by local nonprofit Paint Memphis. The mural, which the council called “satanic” despite no overt religious motifs, was deemed offensive enough to merit censorship. The only problem? The city scrubbed the wrong mural, painting over other, not-so-undead murals elsewhere. — Jesse Davis

Best Mural Meltdown, Part Two

Critics of the city’s (now aborted) plan to remove a civil rights-themed mural Downtown called the move “mystifying.” The mural, which is painted on a garage at the corner of South Main and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, depicts a civil rights timeline with historical figures like Ida B. Wells, but some perceived historical inaccuracy and the inclusion of the phrase “Black Lives Matter” had some officials questioning the appropriateness of the mural and calling for its removal. Thankfully, Mayor Strickland vetoed that “mystifying” idea.

JD

Best Reason to be Optimistic: Student-Led School Walk-Out

Okay, so this is a fun issue, all about our favorites in the Bluff City, but if we’re being honest, 2018 had plenty of “worst of” moments on offer, too. But if there’s any reason to be optimistic, I can’t think of a better one than this: In March, students from around 20 high schools staged a school walk-out in protest of gun violence. Whatever your thoughts on a solution for gun violence, that such a big group of high school students got involved in such a huge way makes us feel pretty hopeful. — JD

Best reason to Listen to Memphis

Beale Street Caravan has recorded and broadcast some of the best live performances from Memphis for a while now, but this year, with “I Listen to Memphis,” they’re expanding and evolving. With performances from Negro Terror and Marcella Simien, the program is all over the map, genre-wise, and the addition of a video component puts the project over the edge. What better showcase for the musical diversity of the Bluff City? — JD

Best Contribution to Civilized Life in Memphis

Thanks should go to the Tennessee legislature (a sentence I seldom write) for finally passing a state law allowing alcohol sales on Sunday. No longer do Memphians wake on Sunday morning and think, “Oh crap, I forgot to buy booze yesterday,” which — let’s be honest about it — is a lousy way to wake up on Sunday morning. Now, thanks to the semi-enlightened hicks in Nashville, if you need to pick up a bottle of Maker’s Mark to take to your buddy’s NFL watch party, you just pop over to your local spirits store, Sunday or not. No more Blue Laws blues, praise Jeebus.

Bruce VanWyngarden

Best Oil Change

No, I’m not talking about dropping off your Subaru for a lube job. I’m talking about CBD oil, the hemp-based product that is flying off the shelves of various and sundry shops around town. It’s purportedly good for relieving anxiety, inducing sleep, and easing various aches and pains, and until the day when our legislators see the light and legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee, it’s the next best thing going. It’s even good for your pets. — BV

Best Double Dip

Memphis City Council members Janis Fullilove, Bill Morrison, and Edmund Ford Jr. each won county offices in the August 2nd election. They had the option to resign their council seats immediately, thereby giving their council constituents a chance to vote on their replacements. Or, they could continue taking their council salaries for 90 days and also start receiving the salaries from their new county jobs — the ol’ double dip into taxpayer funds. Which option do you think they took? Hint: It involves two paychecks.

BV

Best Close Encounter with a Rock Star

A lot of parents take their kids to the Memphis in May Music Festival, hoist them on their shoulders, and let them see the bands work their sonic magic. Some such parents, taking their kid to a Flaming Lips show, might even expect the wild onstage and offstage spectacles that the band is famous for. But no parent can guess that when Wayne Coyne launches over the upraised hands of the audience in his giant bubble, he’ll somehow be propelled straight to your child’s head, and (harmlessly) roll right over him. One can only surmise that, at that moment, the Lips won another lifelong fan in Memphis.— Alex Greene

Best Mechanically

Powered Musical Event

Since the digital revolution, all sounds have become possible, and, seemingly, unavoidable. A ukulele can be made to sound like an orchestra, a mouse like an elephant. But amid all this, older inventions persist. Take the Mellotron. A curious Rube Goldberg Machine of an instrument, it was developed over 50 years ago to play tapes of real instruments at the touch of an organ key. Because it uses motors, springs, and tape heads, every performance is uniquely tweaked. Packed houses at Crosstown Arts’ Mellotron Variations concerts this spring heard it, especially when a quartet played (probably) more Mellotrons than have ever graced a single stage at one time. — AG

Best Makeover of a Stately Midtown Home

Many live music fans had seen shows at the Memphis Music Mansion before, but few were prepared for the mise-en-scène that greeted us at the Harlan T. Bobo show. Designer Charlotte Davis used once-luxurious curtains to transform the spiral staircase into a wall-to-wall, velveteen tableaux. The focal point was the antique grand piano that had lured Bobo into playing there in the first place. Above the performers hung a crude portrait of “Grandpa Hector,” paterfamilias of the Bobo universe. Flanking the piano was a rather eclectic band, including vibes, pedal steel, noise guitar, and cellist Jonathan Kirkscey in his concert tux. It was the picture of decadence, and an ideal setting for Bobo’s songs of dissolution. — AG

Best Wave

Local Democrats not only reconstitute defunct party, but within a year’s time generate a genuine Blue Wave at the polls.

Jackson Baker

Best Entrepreneur

Memphis entrepreneur Journi D’Khaos Prewitt decided, at age 16, that African-American youth needed to read more, especially about their culture and history. Thus was born Black Butterfly Beautiful, a monthly subscription box for ages 5 to 19. Each box is based on subscriber age, gender, and the month’s theme, and it contains a book, at least one product from a black-owned business, and other relevant items.

Jon Sparks

https://blackbutterflybeautiful.com

Best Makeover

If you’re already “Best Chef,” “Best Restaurant” and “Best Fine Dining,” one would think you were at your zenith, but Kelly English closed his Restaurant Iris this year so he could come up with a new look and a new menu. And people love it. A generous-but-cozy bar greets guests as they enter the now darker but more magnificent-looking restaurant. Food-related paintings, including a portrait of English, grace the walls. And the food is fabulous. As English said of the new menu, “We’ve pulled in more groups of people that are represented around town. There’s a large portion of people who live here that have come here to make our community better and we take notice of that.”

Michael Donahue

Best Views for an Existential Crisis

If you find yourself asking questions like, “What’s it all mean?” or “Where do I fit in?” don’t go laying all that heavy shit on some unsuspecting friend or stranger at the bar. Instead, bike the West Memphis trails accessible by way of Big River Crossing. You may not find any answers on the other side, but it’s peaceful there. And, for shifting perspectives, there’s nothing like an unobstructed view of Memphis, hovering on its bluff, like an island in a sea of green. — Chris Davis


Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: Wellness

Best Barre Studio

1. Barre None @ Kroc

2. Pure Barre

3. Cardio Barre

Barre None reached the highest rung this year as our city’s fave place to stretch, sculpt, and tone their bodies. We like to move it, move it — and flex our our rockin’ bods at Kroc.

Best Crossfit

1. CrossFit Hit and Run

2. CrossFit 901

3. CrossFit Chickasaw — tie — CrossFit Memphis

With an emphasis on sense of community and elite fitness, CrossFit Hit and Run teaches exercise regimens that include aerobic exercise, body weight exercises, and Olympic weightlifting and offers nutrition counseling.

Best Day Spa

1. Gould’s

2. Pavo Salon Spa

3. The Skin Clinics

Best Place to Get a Facial

1. Gould’s

2. The Skin Clinics

3. Pavo Salon Spa

For more than 80 years, Gould’s has been a prime go-to spot to “treat yo’self,” whether

that be for a massage, facial, or other beauty and cosmetic services, so it’s no wonder they continually end up at the top of our BOM lists.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Hair Salon

1. Pavo Salon Spa

2. Gould’s

3. Rachel’s Salon & Day Spa

Pavo Salon Spa prides itself on quality and excellence, and it shows on their clients as they leave the salon singing to themselves, “I feel pretty, oh, so pretty.”

Best Hair Stylist

1. Sarah Coward, Pavo

2. Barbara Barnett Blakey, Dabbles

3. Kristin Watson, Gould’s

Pavo hair stylist Sarah Coward comes highly recommended on Yelp, Google, and, once again, on our BOM list for her level of care and attention to detail.

Best Nail Salon

1. Nail Bar & Co.

2. Gloss Nail Bar

3. Diva Nails & Spa

Shellac, gel, and vinyl, oh my! Nail Bar & Co. offers a variety of mani and pedi packages (for both men and women), and they even take groups and parties.

Best Health/Fitness Club

1. Salvation Army Kroc Center

2. Germantown Athletic Club

3. YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South

The Kroc Center is a community center, gym, church, and theater all rolled into one, and members from all walks of life can utilize its many sports and fitness programs, gym, church services, art and theater programs, and more.

Best Place to Get Waxed

BOM 1. European Wax Center

2. Gould’s — tie —Rachel’s Salon & Day Spa

3. Pavo Salon Spa

Hairy situation? European Wax Center has you covered (literally) with waxing options and skincare products for the entire body.

Best Tanning Salon

1. The Skin Clinics

2. Eden Spa & Laser

3. Southern Tans

The Skin Clinics have the whole gamut of skin services, one of those being custom spray tans, and our readers think they’re pretty darn good at it.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Yoga Studio

1. Midtown Yoga

2. Better Bodies Yoga

3. Delta Groove Yoga

Midtown Yoga offers a variety of classes, from Vinyasa to hot and aerial yogas, that help align and heal the body and soul.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: Goods & Services

Justin Fox Burks

Best Antiques Store

1. Sheffield Antiques Mall

2. Palladio Antiques

3. Antique Warehouse

In its nearly 80,000 square feet of showroom space, treasure hunters can spend a full day looking for loot at Sheffield Antiques Mall. From knick-knacks and collectibles to art and outdoor furnishings, the mall’s 300 dealers have reeled in our readers since 1995.

Best Beer Selection (in a store)

1. Madison Avenue Growler Shop/Cash Saver

2. Buster’s Liquors & Wine

3. Joe’s Wines & Liquor — tie —Kroger

There’s a reason why 901ers frequently head to Midtown for a beer run. Cash Saver has an unparalleled selection (over 330 brands) of local, national, and international brews, and at great prices to boot! If you’re in the mood for more volume, the specially curated 30 taps at the Growler Shop provide a fresh option.

Best Bicycle Shop

1. Peddler Bike Shop

2. Outdoors, Inc.

3. Victory Bicycle Studio

With so many trailways and routes around Memphis these days, it would be a shame not to take advantage. Peddler Bike Shop keeps all the right wheels spinning, providing the best bike outlet for veterans and new cyclists alike.

Best Bookstore

1. Novel

2. Burke’s Book Store

3. Tiger Bookstore

Let’s hear it for Novel’s founders, who could not bear a Memphis without a locally owned bookstore. The space is small, smart, and has books and magazines galore for those who like nothing better than settling in with a good read.

Best Butcher

1. Charlie’s Meat Market

2. Thomas Meat & Seafood Market

3. Superlo Foods

That’s one fine piece of meat! We aren’t sexually harassing anyone, we swear. We’re just admiring the offerings at Charlie’s Meat Market — chops, tenderloin, roasts. You name it, they’ve got it. Even veggies! 

Best Creative Agency

BOM 1. Sauce Marketing

2. Archer Malmo

3. Neon Canvas

With a name like Sauce, this small firm has blended the best ingredients to garner their first-ever win as Best Creative Agency. Founded in 2007 by “Sauce Boss” Kim Garmon Hummel, the firm’s tools include brand strategy, market analysis, web design, and other services for NeuroSource, Mid-South Orthopedic, Fusion Fitness, and other clients.

Best Day Care for Kids

1. Lindenwood Christian Child Care Center

2. Memphis Jewish Community Center

3. Germantown Baptist Church Weekday Preschool — tie — La Petite Academy of Cordova

It’s a tough decision when parents are trying to find somebody (or someplace) to take care of their children, but readers obviously think Lindenwood is the next best thing to home.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Event Rental Venue

1. Memphis Botanic Garden

2. 409 South Main

3. Balinese Ballroom

From small to grand and from indoors to outdoors, the Garden can accommodate whatever your event. It’s been the site for some of the city’s grandest fund-raisers and most gorgeous weddings.

Best Farmers Market

1. Memphis Farmers Market

2. Agricenter Farmers Market

3. Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market

When it comes to fresh produce and handmade wares, the Memphis Farmers Market is the place to be. Open every Saturday from April to October in the Central Station Pavilion Downtown, this market is the perfect place for Memphians looking to buy the freshest produce and enjoy delicious foods from more than 70 vendors.

Best Florist

1. Pugh’s Flowers

2. Holliday Flowers & Events

3. Garden District

Quite frankly, we never thought a skunk would be the best logo for a florist. Well, that just shows what we know about noses. Pugh’s Flowers, in business since 1976, has been a reader favorite for years, with four shops in Memphis and landscape companies in Tennessee and Arkansas.

Best Garden Center

1. Dan West Garden Center

2. Midtown Nursery

3. Urban Earth Garden Center

It’s an unassuming place, jammed into a former gas station, but don’t let the humble surroundings fool you. Year after year, Dan West is our reader favorite. Need advice about plants, mulch, watering, shade, insects? Everyone who works here has a green thumb.

Best Gift Shop

1. Babcock Gifts

2. Falling into Place

3. The Broom Closet — tie — More than Words Gifts

Is there a bride in Memphis who hasn’t listed Babcock Gifts on her wedding registry? With a seemingly endless selection of fine china, silverware, cookware, pottery, and more, if you can’t find a gift here for the newlyweds, you just aren’t trying.

Best Grocery Store

1. Whole Foods Market

2. Kroger

3. Sprouts

Opened in East Memphis and with another location in Germantown, Whole Foods is dedicated to providing high-quality organic products — including food, household, and health items — to its customers. If you’re looking for a quick way to pick up something healthy and delicious, this is the place.

Best Specialty Food Shop

BOM 1. Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies

2. Cordova International Farmers Market

3. Viet Hoa

Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies is a perennial favorite for Memphians with a sweet tooth. And after five generations making cashew crunch, chocolate-covered strawberries, and other delectable desserts all with only the most wholesome ingredients, the folks at Dinstuhl’s know what they’re doing in the candy kitchen.

Best Shopping Center

1. Shops of Saddle Creek

2. Carriage Crossing

3. Laurelwood Shopping Center

Shops of Saddle Creek offer the savvy shopper a shopping center with class to spare. With Apple Store, Chico’s, American Threads, and Rise Biscuits Donuts all on the premises, the Germantown center has everything from technology to fashion to food all in one spot, offering a whole experience.

Best Home Furnishings

1. IKEA

2. Stash Home

3. The Find by Frugal Home Finds

If you want to furnish your home for cheap, you go to IKEA. Whether you’re in the market for a new bed or dining room table, IKEA has it. The massive Swedish store is a maze of furniture, decor, and everything else one might need in their home. The prices are reasonable, and the products never disappoint.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Hotel

BOM 1. The Peabody

2. The River Inn of Harbor Town

3. The Guest House at Graceland

Ornate interior, a rooftop with a view of Downtown Memphis, and of course, the world-famous ducks easily make the Peabody Hotel the best hotel in town. Marble floors and columns accented with gold decorate the hotel’s two-story lobby, drawing visitors into its historic grandeur.

Best Law Firm

1. Nahon, Saharovich, and Trotz

2. Baker Donelson

3. Ballin, Ballin & Fishman

NST gets the job done. The law firm has been around for 30 years, advocating for injured people. The staff is polite, efficient, and eager to help people get the compensation they deserve.

Best Lingerie Shop

1. Coco & Lola’s

2. Trousseau

3. A Fitting Place

Coco & Lola’s is bringing sexy back with vintage, contemporary, and exotic lingerie. The shop has lingerie for all occasions, from body suits to bridal whites to corsets. You’ll find garments made of lace, silk, leather, fur, latex, and fishnet in the homey Midtown shop.

Best Liquor Store

1. Buster’s Liquors & Wines

2. Joe’s Wines & Liquor

3. Kirby Wines & Liquors

They have everything. That’s what you’ll often hear people say about Busters on Highland. It’s like a mall for alcohol. Other than having the largest wine selection in Memphis, the spacious store has all kinds of craft beer, spirits, and even some staple mixers.

Best Local Athletic Goods Store

BOM 1. Outdoors, Inc.

2. Academy Sports + Outdoors — tie — Fleet Feet Sports

3. Breakaway Running

If you need a water bottle or some hiking sandals, Outdoors, Inc. is the best place in town to find them. They’ve got all the quality brands outdoorsy people know and love, like Chaco, North Face, and Patagonia. And the friendly staff makes the great Outdoors experience even better.

Best Local Bank or Credit Union

1. Orion Federal Credit Union

2. First Tennessee Bank

3. Southern Security Federal Credit Union

Banking is how it should be at Orion Federal Credit Union — secure and easy. The staff is efficient, knowledgeable, and helpful.

Best Local Fine Jewelry Store

1. Mednikow Jewelers

2. Ed Harris Jewelry

3. Las Savell Jewelry

At Mednikow Jewelers, where timeless, elegant diamonds and other precious jewels abound, everything that glitters is gold — or another hand-selected precious metal. Mednikow has a vast selection of rings, necklaces, watches, and other fine jewelry for every occasion.

Best Local Store for Men’s Clothing

1. Baer’s Den

2. James Davis Men’s Store

3. Oak Hall

A cozy boutique in Laurelwood, Baer’s Den offers the season’s best men’s fashions. They carry high-quality brands like Hugo Boss, Polo, and Citizens of Humanity. The racks are lined with all the wardrobe essentials, like jeans and button downs.

Best Local Store for Men’s Shoes

1. Oak Hall

2. Fleet Feet Sports

3. Outdoors, Inc.

Shoes from Oak Hall will make your feet happy. They’ve got the best selection of stylish, comfortable, and quality shoes for men in town.

Best Local Store for Women’s Clothing

1. Paisley Rooster Boutique

2. Baer’s Den

3. Indigo

Look smart and shop smart at this store with locations in Collierville and Arlington, although if you just can’t get out to either one, hit them up online and make your wish list come true.

Best Local Store for Women’s Shoes

1. Joseph’s

2. Cook & Love

3. Kaufman Shoes

Who doesn’t need a Valentino ankle strap for the evening, or a Louboutin glitter sandal, or a Gucci over-the-knee boot? You’d best hike on over to Joseph to treat your feet stylishly right.

Best Music Equipment Store

1. Amro Music Stores

2. Memphis Drum Shop

3. Martin Music

The fourth generation family-owned music store can get you a piccolo or a piano, some music to go with your choice, and service it as well. And if it was good enough for Elvis, B.B. King, and John Mayer, then it should be for you, too.

Best Pet Boarding/Day Care

1. BrownDog Lodge — tie — Camp Bow Wow

2. Dogs Rule Day Care & School

3. Barks and Recreation

Luxury pet hotel BrownDog Lodge and pet care experts Camp Bow Wow are where you can feel confident taking your furry loved ones. They’ll miss you, but they get to socialize with their pals, are well fed, and well taken care of.

Best Pet Store

BOM 1. Hollywood Feed

2. PetSmart

3. House of Mews

With half a dozen stores around town (and expanding around the country), this is the place to get your natural, holistic, and American-made pet food and products. And it supports local rescues.

Best Vet

1. Walnut Grove Animal Clinic

2. Utopia Animal Hospital

3. McGehee Clinic for Animals

The doctors and staff make your four-legged family members their number one priority. And now that its big expansion was completed earlier this year, the treatment, amenities, and care are better than ever.

Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle

BOM 1. Bumpus Harley-Davidson

2. Southern Thunder Harley-Davidson

3. Honda-Yamaha of Memphis

With five dealerships from here to Lynchburg, Bumpus provides everything Harley lovers need in new and used motorcycles, from service to support and including the most awesomely legit gear.

Best Place to Get Vintage/Used Clothing

1. Goodwill

2. Flashback

3. City Thrift

There’s a great satisfaction in getting compliments on your stylish ensemble and only you know it came from Goodwill. That’s good for the ego, great for the budget, and it’s all going to a good cause.

Best Realtor

1. Ashley Onsby, MidSouth Residential LLC

2. Todd “Too Tall” Adams, Keller Williams

3. Max Rubenstein, Keller Williams

Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s? Doesn’t really matter since, with years of experience in the real estate industry, Ashley is a go-getter who dedicates herself to moving that property of yours.

Best Record Store

1. Goner Records

2. Shangri-La Records

3. Dixie Pickers

Not every record store hosts its own music festival or its own music label, but Goner Records in Cooper-Young is not your average record store. The little shop is so crammed with limited-edition vinyl, rock memoirs, and used CDs that it’s a wonder they can make room for a drum set when they host their occasional in-store shows. If you respect serious garage-rock riffage, go give them a visit. Tell them the Flyer sent you.

Best Sex Shop

1. Christal’s

2. Inz & Outz

3. Romantix

For a little something to add some spice between the sheets, Memphians choose Christal’s. And it’s no wonder. The selection is, well, massive, and the staff are friendly. The nighttime is the right time, and Christal’s is the right place — Memphians’ choice for Best Sex Shop.

Best Tattoo Artist

1. Anthony “Tony” Max, No Regrets

2. Jordan Epperson, No Regrets — tie — Claire Faulhaber, Underground Art

3. Sarah Workman, Underground Art

Anthony “Tony” Max has got skills with an electric needle. He excels at detail work, and he’s on staff at BOM-winning tattoo studio No Regrets. Maybe it’s time to finally get that shoulder piece you’ve been dreaming of.

Best Tattoo Studio

1. No Regrets

2. Underground Art

3. Trilogy

It’s reassuring to see the words “No Regrets” in big, bold letters on the sign before taking the tattoo leap. And this Midtown studio, Memphians’ choice, employs some of the best artists in town. So there are no worries, no regrets. Now just go get that sick zombie Elvis tattoo.

Best Tobacco Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Tinder Box

3. Havana Mix

Best Vape Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Create A Cig

3. VaporWize Highland

Best Alternative Smoke Shop

1. Whatever Shop

2. Wizard’s

3. Tater Red’s Lucky Mojos

Whatever Shop pulled a hat trick this year, taking first place in Best Tobacco Shop, Best Vape Shop, and Best Alternative Smoke Shop. The shop is always cool and dark and faintly smelling of incense, with something spaced-out trickling from the speakers. It’s pretty much the Platonic ideal of a little, tie-dyed smoke shop. But don’t take our word for it; go see for yourself.

Best New Car Dealership

1. Wolfchase Honda

2. Principle Toyota

3. Jim Keras Subaru

Do you need Clarity in your life? Then head on over to Wolfchase Honda for this hybrid plug-in. They can set you up in an Accord or Civic or whatever Honda model is your preferred wheels. Great service, too.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Used Car Dealership

BOM 1. Collierville Auto Center

2. City Auto

3. Gossett Motor Cars

Best Auto Repair

BOM 1. Collierville Auto Center

2. Steve’s Tire & Auto

3. Barton’s Car Care

It should put your mind at ease that the best place to buy used cars just happens to be the best place to repair them, if it comes to that. Collierville Auto Center is our readers’ choice for anything from a tune-up to a complete overhaul.

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: Media & Personalities

Best Local Athlete

1. Penny Hardaway

2. Marc Gasol

3. Mike Conley

Former Memphis Tiger and NBA star Anfernee Deon “Penny” Hardaway is the new head coach of Tiger basketball at the University of Memphis — and Memphians’ choice for Best Local Athlete. And judging by the explosion of Tiger-blue T-shirts sporting a blown-up image of a one-cent coin seen around town after Penny got the head coach position, Memphians are all pretty proud of their Penny.

Best Podcast

1. Memphis Type History

2. The Outsiders Podcast tieRoundtable of HooliganstieSurf Memphis

3. Dr. Heckle

Caitlin Horton and Rebecca Phillips host Memphis Type History, a podcast about the Memphis behind the blues and barbecue everyone knows. The general focus of the show is on distinctive or historic signs, but the enlightening conversations can include Sputnik Monroe, fault lines, Machine Gun Kelly (the gangster, not the rapper), zines, and the birth of liquor-by-the-glass sales in Memphis.

Best Local Radio Show

1. Drake in the Morning

2. Ron Olson and Karen Perrin

3. Gary Parrish Show

Best Radio Personality

1. Drake Hall

2. Ron Olson

3. Stan Bell

Working Memphis wakes up with Drake. Radio is the media that has long connected and defined Memphis and our intimate bond with music. The undisputed king of the Memphis airwaves is Drake Hall, who follows in the footsteps of Dewey Phillips and Rufus Thomas as immortal Memphis radio personalities.

Best Newspaper Columnist

1. Geoff Calkins, Daily Memphian

2. Michael Donahue, Memphis Flyer

3. Bruce VanWyngarden, Memphis Flyer

Best Sports Radio Show

1. Geoff Calkins

2. Gary Parrish

3. Chris Vernon

Geoff Calkins has his finger on the pulse of Memphis’ sports. He’s the narrator for the Grizzlies’ ups and down, and the highest profile hire at the new Daily Memphian.

Best Radio Station

1. WEVL-FM 89.9

2. 98.1 The Max Maximum Rocks

3. WRVR-FM 104.5 The River

WEVL could exist in nowhere else but Memphis. Not only has this city produced some of the world’s greatest musicians, but it also has some of the world’s most intense music geeks. You can hear them strut their stuff every day on WEVL, independent, commercial free, and powered by the contributions of the listeners.

Best Sports Team

1. Memphis Grizzlies

2. Memphis Tigers Football

3. Memphis Tigers Men’s Basketball

Nothing has come to symbolize the hopes and dreams of Memphians like the NBA’s Grizzlies. They have become more than a basketball team, something like an avatar of civic identity.

Best TV News Anchor

1. Joe Birch

2. Kontji Anthony

3. Joyce Peterson — tie — Mearl Purvis

2018 is Joe Birch’s 40th year with WMC-5. The CBU graduate started out as a production assistant, got himself an anchor chair in 1983, and now he’s the face of the most popular newscast in the Mid-South — and, most importantly, the favorite of Memphis Flyer readers.

Best TV Sportscaster

BOM 1. Jarvis Greer

2. Pete Pranica

3. Doc Holliday

Jarvis Greer started at WMC the year after Joe Birch. Now, Memphis athletes from the Griz to the Tigers to high schoolers live to hear him call their name for a great play on his nightly newscasts. Jarvis is as Memphis as it gets.

Best TV Weatherperson

1. Ron Childers

2. Brittney Bryant

3. Joey Sulipeck

When skies darken and the wind gets ominously still, the Bluff City turns to WMC’s Ron Childers to tell us where the tornado’s going to hit. This indefatigable weather man is there to hold our collective hand until the mean old supercell leaves the viewing area. Thanks, Ron!

Categories
Best of Memphis Special Sections

Best of Memphis 2018: Nightlife

Justin Fox Burks

Best Bar

1. Railgarten

2. The Cove

3. Alchemy Memphis

In 2018, everybody goes to Railgarten. The primo live music selections and diverse entertainment options (beach volleyball! Ping pong!) have put it on top for the first time. They also make a mean meatloaf.

Best Bartender

1. Dave Parks, the Cove

2. Allan Creasy, Celtic Crossing

3. Vincent Hale, Dodici at Bari

He’s the captain of the pirate-themed bar of your dreams, master of the craft cocktail, and pourer of pints. Tip him, and everyone else on our list, well.

Best Beer Selection in a Bar

1. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

2. Young Avenue Deli

3. Boscos — tie —Lucchesi’s Beer Garden

All we’re going to say about the Flying Saucer’s extensive draught selection is this: They have a beer search engine on their website.

Best College Hangout

1. RP Tracks

2. Railgarten

3. Newby’s

If you go to the University of Memphis, or know someone who goes to the University of Memphis, or know a vegan who likes nachos, you’ve probably been to RP Tracks. It’s one of those places that seems eternal, even when it’s changing with the times.

Justin Fox Burks

Best Dance Club

BOM 1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

2. Lafayette’s Music Room

3. Rumba Room

Best After Hours Night Spot

1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

2. Earnestine & Hazel’s

3. Alex’s Tavern

Best Nightclub

1. Paula & Raiford’s Disco

2. Lafayette’s Music Room

3. B.B. King’s Blues Club

The readers have spoken: Paula Raiford is the queen of Memphis nightlife. Raiford’s reign predates the Downtown Memphis revival, making it a true Bluff City original. If you’re down for a good time, you know where to go.

Justin Fox Burks

Best New Bar

1. Carolina Watershed

2. Atomic Tiki

3. The Gray Canary

Carolina Watershed is a cool space, no doubt about it. Set in grain bins with an enclosed garden-like patio out back. The water features and patio envelope diners in a wave of serenity backed up by an excellent beer selection and menu from chef Andy Knight.

Best date bar

1. Alchemy Memphis

2. Loflin Yard

3. Lafayette’s Music Room

Best Happy Hour

1. Alchemy Memphis

2. Bardog Tavern

3. Babalu Tapas & Tacos — tie — The Blue Monkey

Best Craft Cocktails

1. Alchemy Memphis

2. Hog & Hominy

3. Dodici at Bari

Taking the win in three very important categories, Alchemy hits all the right notes for a night out. With a half-price happy hour and creative cocktails like the Memphis Jam, a concoction of Old Dominick Honeybell, fresh lime, cane sugar, and a hint of local jelly, this Cooper-Young spot is a reader favorite.

Best Gay Bar

1. Mollie Fontaine Lounge

2. Dru’s Bar

3. The Pumping Station

Memphians love this historic haunt for its late-night DJ sets, perfectly potent cocktails, and eclectic ambience. Pick your poison at the bar and dance the night away until, as they say, the spirits go to sleep.

Best Jukebox

1. Earnestine & Hazel’s

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. Young Avenue Deli

Best Hole in the Wall

1. Earnestine & Hazel’s

2. Alex’s Tavern

3. The Cove

Always a good choice, Earnestine & Hazel’s Soul Burgers, topped with a perfectly simple mix of mustard and caramelized onions, are known as a middle-of-the-night pick-me-up to usher in a second wind. If the night is without live music, no worries. The E&H jukebox is filled with classics to please even the most persnickety patrons.

Best Karaoke

1. P&H Cafe

2. The Blue Monkey

3. Dru’s Bar

When Memphians are ready to grab a mic and belt out their favorite tunes, on key or not, their go-to is the beloved P&H Cafe. Don’t stop believin’ — their karaoke game is on point, and we’ll be there to kill it with our best rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Best Place to See Stand-up

1. Chuckle’s Comedy House

2. P&H Cafe

3. Minglewood Hall

Nothing heals the soul like a good, hard laugh. At Chuckle’s, comedy is king and our readers enjoy the venue’s lineup of nationally renowned acts — and resulting guttural laughs. Fun just got funnier at this Cordova gem.

Best Place to Shoot Pool

1. Young Avenue Deli

2. Highpockets

3. The Absinthe Room

The game is on at Young Avenue Deli, where the pool tables stay racked and packed. A pocket full of quarters and some geometric strategy line your night up for a straight shot across the green. Eight ball, corner pocket!

Best Sports Bar

1. Brookhaven Pub & Grill

2. Celtic Crossing

3. Bayou Bar & Grill

This neighborhood spot, where everybody knows your name, is loved well beyond its borders. Live music, weekly trivia, and sports on the big screens keep ’em coming in to hang with their favorite friends and bartenders.

Best Strip Club

1. Gold Club

2. The Pony

3. Purple Diamond Gentlemen’s Club

At Gold Club, the pole and patrons get plenty of attention. Whether stopping by for a strip show or settling in with a private lap dance, when our readers want a little risqué action, this is their happy place.