Best of San Diego 2008: Reader's poll

Best Tourist Attraction
1. Balboa Park
www.balboapark.org
2. Hotel Del Coronado
3. Old Town San Diego

Best Annual Event    
1. ComiCon
www.comic-con.org
2. Gay Pride
3. ArtWalk, Little Italy

Best Annual Music Festival or Event
1. San Diego Street Scene
www.street-scene.com
2. Adams Avenue Street Fair
3. Gator by the Bay

Best Business or Vocational School
1. San Diego Art Institute
1439 El Prado, Balboa Park
2. Mueller College
3. Fashion Institute of Design, San Diego

Best San Diego College or University
1. University of California
San Diego
www.ucsd.edu
2. San Diego State University
3. University of San Diego

Best San Diego Resort  Hotel
1. Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Coronado Ave., Coronado
2. Catamaran Resort Hotel
3. Lodge at Torrey Pines

Best San Diego Boutique Hotel
1. Ivy Hotel
600 F St., Downtown
2. Hotel Solimar
3. Tower 23

Best Hotel Swimming Pool
1. Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave., Downtown
2. Lafayette Hotel & Suites
3. Hotel Solamar

Best San Diego Monument
1. Cabrillo National Monument
2. Mount Soledad
3. The Lemon Grove Lemon

Best San Diego County Beach
1. Coronado
2. Black’s Beach
3. Moonlight Beach

Best San Diego DUI Attorney
1. Kerry Steigerwalt’s
Pacific Law Center
www.pacificlawcenter.com
2. Mr. DUI - Eugene Ellis
3. The DUI Guys - Philip L. Gagnon, Jr.

Best Financial Institution
1. San Diego County Credit Union
21 locations in San Diego County
www.sdccu.com
2. Mission Federal Credit Union
3. North Island Credit Union

Best Oil Change
1. Jiffy Lube
14 locations in San Diego County
www.jiffylube.com
2. Genie Oil Change & Car Wash
3. Econo Lube

Best San Diego Theme Park
1. San Diego Zoo
www.sandiegozoo.com
2. Sea World
3. San Diego Wild Animal Park

Best Bail Bond Company
1. King Stahlman Bail Bonds
www.kingstahlmanbail.com
2. Aladdin Bail Bonds
3. All Pro Bail Bonds

Best San Diego Hair Salon
1. The Electric Chair
4944 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. Disconnected
3. Hair Drezzers on Fire

Best Yoga Studio
1. Bikrams Yoga
www.bikramyoga.com
2. Yoga One
3. Bird Rock Yoga

Best Day Spa
1. Spa La Costa
2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad
2. Spa Tiki
3. Bella Tosca

Best Tanning Salon
1. California Tan
Locations throughout San Diego County
www.californiatan.com
2. Tan Line
3. Ocean Beach Tanning

Best Place to get a Massage
1. The Knot Stop
1080 University Ave., Hillcrest
2. Massage Envy
3. Chirpractique

Best Tattoo Parlor
1. Avalon II
3039 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Two Roses Tattoo
3. Tower Tattoo

Best Lasik Surgeon
1. Advanced Ophthalmology
4150 Regents Park Row, La Jolla
2. Global Laser Vision
3. Dr. Flowers Vision Institute

Best San Diego Tattoo Artist
1. Sulu’ape Angela
(Big City Tattoo)
2913 University Ave., North Park
2. Dave Warshaw (Avalon 2)
3. Nes (Body Marks Tattoo)

Best Piercing Place
1. Apogee Body Piercing
4944 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. Enigma
3. Absolute Tattoo & Piercing

Best Workout Gym
1. 24 Hour Fitness
Locations throughout San Diego County
www.24 hourfitness.com
2. Undisputed
3. Powerhouse Gym

Best Boxing Gym
1. City Boxing
Locations Downtown
and in Pacific Beach
2. Undisputed
3. Encinitas Boxing and Fitness

Best Chiropractor
1. Spence Chiropractic Center
8555 Station Village Lane,
Mission Valley
2. Chiropractique
3. Life Within Chiropractic

Best Antique Store
1. Ocean Beach Antique Mall
4926 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. La Mesa Antique Mall
3. India Street Antiques

Best Smoke Shop
1. The Black
5017 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. 420 Smoke Shop
3. Inner World

Best Local Liquor Store
1. Adams Avenue Liquor
2740 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Chip’s Liquor
3. Par Liquor

Best Independent Pet Store
1. Muttropolis
Locations in Solana Beach
and La Jolla, www.muttropolis.com
2. Natural Pet
3. Pet Me Please

Best Skate Shop
1. Overload Skate Shop
3064 University Ave., North Park
2. Hangar 94
3. Route 44

Best Surf Shop
1. Ocean Beach Surf Shop
4885 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. Mitch’s Surf Shop
3. Clairemont Surf Shop

Best Bike Shop
1. Adams Avenue Bicycles
2606 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Mission Hills Bikes
3. Cal Coaast Bicycles

Best Place to buy Eyewear
1. Sunglass and Optical
3 locations in San Diego County
www.sunglassoptical.com
2. Arena Eyeworks
3. Newport Optometry

Best Adult Bookstore & Gift Shop
1. F Street
Locations throughout
San Diego County
2. The Crypt
3. Dr. Love’s

Best San Diego CD Store
1. M Theory Music
915 W. Washington Ave., Mission Hills
2. Record City
3. Off the Record

Best North County CD Store
1. Lou Records
434 N. Highway 101, Encinitas
2. Spin Records
3. Gary’s Record Paradise

Best Used CD Store
1. Lou’s Records
434 N. Highway 101, Encinitas
2. Music Trader
3. M-Theory Music

Best Record Store to buy Vinyl
1. Folk Art Rare Records
2881 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Access Music
3. California Sound & Lighting

Best Music Equipment Store
1. Guitar Center
Locations in La Mesa and
San Marcos
www.guitarcenter.com
2. Guitar Trader
3. Old Time Music

Best Bead Store
1. Black Bead
5303 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. South Sun
3. The Sheperdess

Best Local Men’s Clothing Store
1. Attic
520 5th Ave., Downtown
2. G Star
3. Mesh

Best Local Women’s Clothing Store
1. Kate Ross
3013 University Ave., North Park
2. The River
3. Neighborhood Boutique

Best Vintage/Resale Clothing Store
1. Buffalo Exchange
Locations in Pacific Beach
and Hillcrest
www.buffaloexchange.com
2. Wear it Again Sam
3. Flashbacks

Best Place to Buy a Bathing Suit
1. Gone Bananas
3785 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
2. Pilar’s
3. Sun Diego

Best Art Supply Store
1. Blick
1844 India St., Little Italy
2. Artist’s & Craftsman Supply
3. Michael’s

Best Comic Book Store
1. Comics-N-Stuff
Locations throughout San Diego
2. Comickaze
3. Galactic Comics

Best Independent Bookstore
1. Adams Ave Books
3502 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Bluestocking Books
3. Ducky Waddles

Best Furniture Store
1. Underground Furniture
1345 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
2. Boomerang for Modern
3. Pomegranate

Best Mattress Store
1. Sleep Train
www.sleeptrain.com
2. Banner Mattress
3. Mattress Discounters

Best Auto Dealer
1. Mossy Nissan
6 locations in San Diego County
www.mossynissan.com
2. Bob Baker Lexus
3. Toyota Carlsbad

Best Romantic Restaurant
1. Old Venice
2910 Canon Road, Point Loma
2. The Prado
3. Humphrey’s by the Bay

Best Restaurant to Impress a First Date
1. Dussini
275 5th Ave., Downtown
2. George’s at the Cove
3. The Guild

Best Breakfast Spot
1. Richard Walker’s
Pancake House
520 Front St., Downtown
2. Hash House A Go-Go
3. Broken Yolk

Best Sunday Brunch
1. Hash House a Go-Go
3628 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. Humphreys by the Bay
3. House of Blues Gospel Brunch

Best Lunch Spot
1. Urban Solace
3823 30th St., North Park
2. Sushi Deli
3. Pizza Fusion

Best Late Night Eatery
1. Rudford’s
2900 El Cajon Blvd., North Park
2. Brian’s American Eatery
3. City Deli

Best Cheap Eats
1. Chicken Pie Shop
2633 El Cajon Blvd., North Park
2. El Zarape
3. O.B. Noodle Shop

Best Cajun Restaurant
1. Gulf Coast Grill
4130 Park Blvd., San Diego
2. Bud’s Louisiana Cafe
3. Chateau Orleans

Best Chinese Restaurant
1. Red Pearl Kitchen
440 J St., Downtown
2. China Inn
3. China Camp

Best Italian Restaurant
1. Busalacchi’s
3683 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. Asti Ristorante
3. The Godfather

Best Sushi Restaurant
1. Harney Sushi
Locations in Oceanside and Old Town
www.harneysushi.com
2. Ra Sushi
3. Sushi on the Rock

Best Thai Restaurant
1. Taste of Thai
527 University Ave., Hillcrest
2. Lotus Thai
3. Rama

Best Indian Restaurant
1. Bombay Exotic
Cuisine of India
3960 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. Monsoon
3. Ashoka the Great

Best Greek Restaurant
1. Daphne’s Greek Café
10 locations in San Diego County
www.daphnesgreekcafe.com
2. Cafe Athena
3. EXY

Best Spanish Restaurant
1. Cafe Sevilla
555 4th Ave., San Diego
2. Costa Brava
3. La Gran Tapa

Best Mexican Restaurant
1. Old Town Mexican Café
2489 Old Town Ave., Old Town
2. Gringo’s
3. Jimmy Carter’s Mexican Café

Best Mexican Taco Shop
1. Roberto’s
7 locations throughout
San Diego County, www.robertos.com
2. El Indio
3. Santana’s

Best Steak House
1. Donovan’s
Locations in La Jolla and Gaslamp
www.donovanssteakhouse.com
2. Bully’s
3. Rei do Gado

Best Casino Buffet
1. The Buffet at Valley View
www.valleyviewcasino.com
2. Ranch House Buffet at Barona
3. Viejas Harvest Buffet

Best Coffeehouse
1. Claire De Lune
2906 University Ave., North Park
2. Lestat’s
3. Caffé Calabria

Best New Restaurant
1. Sea Rocket Bistro
3382 30th St., North Park
2. Cowboy Star
3. PB Ale House

Best Bagel
1. Einstein Brothers
Locations throughout San Diego County
www.einsteinbros.com
2. Baltimore Bagels
3. Big City Bagels

Best Donut
1. OB Donut Shop
1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ocean Beach
2. VG’s Donuts
3. Golden Donuts

Best Fish & Chips
1. Shakespeare’s Pub
3701 India St., Middletown
2. Tin Fish
3. Princess Pub

Best Burger
1. Hodad’s
5010 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. Rocky’s Crown Pub
3. Tioli’s Crazee Burger

Best Barbeque
1. Phil’s BBQ
3750 Sports Arena Blvd., Sports Arena
2. The Barbecue Pit
3. Baby Back Jack’s

Best Seafood
1. Oceanaire
400 J St., Downtown
2. The Fish Market
3. Pacifica Del Mar

Best Pizza
1. Woodstocks
6145 El Cajon Blvd., College Area
2. Bronx Pizza
3. Basic

Best Deli
1. D.Z. Akins
6930 Alvarado Road, La Mesa
2. City Deli
3. Giorgino’s Deli

Best Sandwich Shop
1. The Cheese Shop
627 4th Ave., Downtown
2. EZ J’s
3. Board and Brew

Best Vegetarian
1. Rancho’s
3910 30th St., North Park
2. Veg-n-Out
3. Sipz

Best Bakery
1. Bread & Cie
350 University Ave., Hillcrest
2. DZ Akins
3. Azucar

Best Smoothie
1. OB Smoothie Bar
5001 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach
2. Chronic Smoothie
3. Krakatoa

Best Ice Cream
1. Mootime Creamery
1025 Coronado Ave., Coronado
2. Mariposa Ice Cream
3. Heaven Sent Desserts

Best Yogurt
1. Paradise Yogurt
5664 Mission Center Road,
Mission Valley
2. Yog-Art
3. Yogurt Mill

Best Dessert Place
1. Extraordinary Desserts
2929 5th Ave., Bankers Hill
2. Heaven Sent Desserts
3. Eclipse Chocolat

Best Grocery Store
1. Seaside Market
2087 San Elijo Ave.,
Cardiff by the Sea
2. Stumps
3. Keil’s

Best Health Food Store
1. Trader Joe’s
10 locations in San Diego County
www.traderjoes.com
2. Henry’s
3. O. B. People’s Co-Op

Best Farmers Market
1. Hillcrest
2. Little Italy Mercato
3. North Park

Best Fast Food
1. In-N-Out
Locations throughout
San Diego County
www.in-n-out.com
2. Jack in the Box
3. McDonald’s

Best New Bar
(open since Sept. 1, 2007)
1. Toronado
4026 30th St., North Park
2. Tilted Kilt
3. The Office

Best Wine Bar
1. Wine Steals
3 locations in San Diego County
www.winestealssd.com
2. Sogno Di Vino
3. The Grape

Best Wine Shop
1. 3rd Corner
2265 Bacon St., Ocean Beach
2. San Diego Wine Company
3. The Wine Bank

Best Tequila Bar
1. El Agave
2304 San Diego Ave., Old Town
2. Fred’s Mexican Café
3. Cantina Mayahuel

Best Gaslamp Bar
1. The Bitter End
770 5th Ave., Downtown
2. Henry’s Pub
3. Tivoli

Best North County Bar
1. Coyote Bar and Grill
300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad
2. En Fuego Cantina and Grill
3. Hensley’s Flying Elephant

Best Beach Bar
1. Wave House
3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
2. P.B. Shore Club
3. Beachcomber

Best College Bar
1. PB Bar & Grill
860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
2. McGregor’s Ale House
3.  U-31

Best San Diego Dive Bar
1. Nunu’s
3537 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. Pacific Shores
3. The Silver Fox

Best Outdoor Patio at a Bar
1. Firehouse American
Eatery and Lounge
722 Grand Ave., Pacific Beach
2. PB Bar and Grill
3. Moondoggies

Best Open-Air Bar
1. Wave House
3146 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach
2. Altitude Sky Lounge
3. Envy at Ivy Hotel

Best North County Dive Bar
1. Surf and Saddle
123 W. Plaza St., Solana Beach
2. Duke’s Cardiff Office
3. The Shanty

Best Neighborhood Bar
1. The Waterfront
2044 Kettner Blvd., Little Italy
2. Cass Street Bar & Grill
3. The Local

Best Gay Bar
1. Urban Mo’s
308 University Ave., Hillcrest
2. Bourbon Street
3. Universal

Best Dance Club
1. Stingaree
454 6th Ave., Downtown
2. On Broadway
3. Aubergine

Best Bar to listen to Local DJs
1. The Whistle Stop
2236 Fern St., South Park
2. U-31
3. Air Conditioned

Best Jazz Club
1. Anthology
1337 India St., Little Italy
2. Croce’s
3. Onyx Room

Best Bar to be Seen
1. Hard Rock Hotel
207 5th Ave., Gaslamp
2. Stingaree
3. Envy at Ivy Hotel

Best Irish Pub
1. The Field
544 5th Ave., Downtown
2. Dublin Square
3. Hooley’s

Best Comedy Club
1. The Comedy Store
916 Pearl St., La Jolla
2. The Comedy Palace
(at the Greek Palace)
3. Ocean Beach Comedy @ Winston’s

Best Strip Club
1. Déjà Vu
Locations throughout San Diego
www.dejavu.com
2. Hustler Club
3. Cheetahs

Best San Diego Sports Bar
1. East Village Tavern and Bowl
930 Market St., East Village
2. Seau’s
3. Player’s

Best North County Sports Bar
1. Yogi’s
2005 San Elijo Ave.,
Cardiff-by-the-Sea
2. Rookies
3. Tidewater Tavern

Best Bar to Play Pool
1. Nick’s at the Beach
809 Thomas Ave., Pacific Beach
2. Society
3. Dussini

Best Karaoke Bar
1. The Lamplighter
817 W. Washington St., Mission Hills
2. Carriage House
3. JT’s Pub

Best Open-Mic Night
1. Lestat’s
3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. O’Connell’s
3. Tiki House

Best Jukebox at a Bar
1. Live Wire
2103 El Cajon Blvd., North Park
2. Liars Club Alpine
3. Cherry Bomb

Best San Diego Beer
1. Firehouse American Pale Ale
www.firehousebrew.com
2. Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale
3. Stone Arrogant Bastard

Best Domestic Beer
1. Bud Light
www.budlight.com
2. Coors Light
3. Pabst Blue Ribbon

Best Import Beer
1. Corona
www.corona.com
2. Bass Ale
3. Guinness

Best San Diego Beer Bar
1. Hamilton’s Tavern
1521 30th St., South Park
2. Toronado
3. The Tap Room

Best North County Beer Bar
1. Pizza Port
Locations in Solana Beach
and Carlsbad
www.pizzaport.com
2. Stone Brewery
3. Rookies Restaurant & Sports Bar

Best Bloody Mary
1. Hash House A Go-Go
3628 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. The Waterfront
3. World Famous

Best Margarita
1. Baja Betty’s
1421 University Ave., Hillcrest
2. Old Town Mexican Café
3. Gringos Cantina y Cocina

Best Energy Drink (that is NOT Red Bull)
1. Monster
www.monsterenergy.com
2. Rock Star
3. Sobe No Fear

Best Happy Hour
1. PB Bar and Grill
860 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach
2. Turquoise Cafe Bar Europa
3. Cass Street Bar & Grill

Best San Diego Bartender
1. Doug @ The Turf Supper Club
2. Thaddeus Robles @ Live Wire
3. K8 Wince @ Starlight

Best San Diego Cocktail Waitress
1. Beverly Weber @ The Local
2. Randi @ Imperial House
3. Jen Olsen @ Sweetwater Saloon

Best Museum
1. Museum of
Contemporary Art
Locations in La Jolla and Downtown
www.mcasd.com
2. Museum of Natural History
3. Museum of Photographic Arts

Best San Diego Movie Theater
1. Hillcrest Landmark
3965 5th Ave., Hillcrest
2. Ultra Star Hazard Center
3. Gaslamp 15

Best Live Theatre
1. Old Globe Theatre
1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park
2. La Jolla Playhouse
3. Cygnet Theatre

Best Live Music Venue (All Ages)
1. Soma
3550 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego
2. Lestat’s
3. Epicentre

Best Live Music Venue (21+)
1. The Casbah
2501 Kettner Blvd., Middletown
2. House of Blues
3. Anthology

Best Indoor Concert Venue
1. Belly Up Tavern
143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach
2. House of Blues
3. Dream Catcher at Viejas

Best Outdoor Concert Venue
1. Humphrey’s by the Bay
2241 Shelter Island Dr.,
Shelter Island
2. Viejas Concerts in the Park
3. Valley View Casino

Best Place to Listen to Local Music
1. The Casbah
2501 Kettner Blvd., Middletown
2. Bar Pink
3. Beauty Bar

Best Coffeehouse with Live Music
1. Lestat’s
3343 Adams Ave., Normal Heights
2. Claire de Lune
3. Rebecca’s

Best Gaming Casino
1. Viejas Casino
5000 Willows Road, Alpine
2. Sycuan Casino
3. Valley View Casino

Best Bowling Alley
1. East Village Tavern & Bowl
930 Market St.,East Village
2. Mira Mesa Bowl
3. Parkway Bowl

Best Public Park
1. Balboa Park
2. Mission Bay Park
3. Chicano Park

Best San Diego Sports Team
1. San Diego Chargers
www.chargers.com
2. San Diego Padres
3. USD Toreros

Best San Diego Golf Course
1. Torrey Pines
2. Singing Hills
3. Riverwalk

Best San Diego Athlete
1. Ladainian Tomlinson
www.chargers.com
2. Tony Hawk
3. Adrian Gonzalez

Best San Diego Radio Personality
1. Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw
www.101kgb.com
2. Halloran
3. Mikey

Best San Diego Radio Station
1. FM 94/9
www.fm949.com
2. Sophie 103.7
3. 88.3 Jazz 88

Best San Diego TV Personality
1. Sam the Cooking Guy
www.samthecookingguy.com
2. Michael Turko
3. Ruben Galvan

Best Local TV News Station
1. KUSI Channel 9/51
www.kusi.com
2. XETV Channel 6 CW
3. KNSD Channel 7/39 NBC

Best San Diego TV Station
1. XETV Channel 6 CW
www.sandiego6.com
2. KNSD Channel 7/39 NBC
3. KFMB Channel 8 CBS