By Becky Layne, Gretchen Pressley, Huang Qianyi & Kathy Casteel
Introduction By Sandy Selby

If you ever question whether Columbia has passion, just hang out in the offices of Inside Columbia during Best of Columbia season. The e-mails are flying, the phones are ringing, and people are weighing in on what we did right, but mostly on where we went wrong on our picks. We know when we compile this sort of list that it’s bound to generate debate, but this year the staff of Inside Columbia got completely out of the way of the democratic process. These aren’t our picks at all; they are yours.
We chose the categories and that’s where our contribution to the final result ended. Our readers selected the nominees during a month-long nomination process last November. The top nominees in every category appeared on the final ballot and for six weeks, the public was allowed to vote for the Best of Columbia 2009. We granted the public even more access to the process by making a constantly updated tally available online during the voting period.
That unprecedented access to the process sparked new zeal for this year’s contest. So much so, that some voters decided to ignore our one-vote-per-computer rule and voted multiple times. Although their enthusiasm was admirable, their attempts to outsmart the system were in vain. Those extra votes were eliminated before the results were certified.
On the following pages, you’ll find out who came out on top in this year’s Best of Columbia contest. You’ll be delighted by some of the picks and disappointed in others. But remember, nominations for the Best of Columbia 2010 open in just eight months, and if the recent presidential election taught us anything, it’s that it’s never too early to start campaigning.

Best Artist
Brilliant colors … famous paintings … internationally known local artist: We could only be talking about one person. Best Artist honors go to Paul Jackson for his watercolor art. This master painter was one of three American artists chosen to strut his stuff in The International Watercolor Master Invitational Exhibition in China during the 2008 Olympic Games. But for the two of you who haven’t heard of our local legend, don’t take our word for it. Check out Jackson’s talent for yourself at www.pauljackson.com/home.asp.
Silver Award: Kate Gray, www.kategrayartist.com
Bronze Award: Joel Sager, www.perlow-stevensgallery.com/painting/sager.php

Best Female Athlete
With one kick, senior Mo Redmond propelled not only the soccer ball through the net at the 2008 Big 12 Championship, but also the University of Missouri women’s soccer team into school history. Redmond scored the only goal in the game against Colorado to earn the program its first conference championship and its fourth NCAA tournament appearance. Scoring is not all that Redmond can do. She also likes helping others: Her game-winning assists are among the highest career totals in Mizzou soccer history. Her phenomenal skill and teamwork are why Redmond scored so highly with Columbians.
Silver Award: Whitney Davis (Columbia College basketball)
Bronze Award: Amanda Hanneman (Mizzou basketball)

Best Male Athlete
Whether it’s a football or the attention of Columbians, Chase Coffman catches nearly everything that comes his way. In 2008, Coffman’s awesome 90 receptions and 10 touchdowns earned him the John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end. His 30 career touchdowns made him Missouri’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns and a favorite among NFL scouts. With hands like steel traps, we’re sure he’ll catch on somewhere.
Silver Award: Jeremy Maclin (Mizzou football)
Bronze Award: Carl Edwards (NASCAR)

Best Band
Blues, rock and a whole lot of funk are the ingredients of Cannery Row’s music (think The Roots). With Hendrix-like guitar riffs that are reminiscent of ’70s classics and a bluesy front man, it’s difficult to place the band into a specific musical category. But their definition-defying style and groove-tastic performances are what make it Columbia’s favorite band. Rock on! www.myspace.com/thecanneryrowband
Silver Award: The Norm Ruebling Band, normrueblingband.com
Bronze Award: The Bubbas

Best Barber
Although the answers to “What do you want?” change every day, Brad Holt’s ability to get it right does not. Even wriggling toddlers don’t affect his trimming. Consistency is the theme for the shop that prides itself on its old-school appearance, quick service and low prices. Holt knows that in a rapidly changing world, sometimes it’s best to stick with what works, and Holt’s haircuts do. 118 S. Ninth St.; 573-449-5951
Silver Award: Curtis at The Clip Joint, 1001 E. Cherry St., 573-443-8711
Bronze Award: Tom at Forum Barber Shop, Forum Shopping Center, 573-446-4844

Best Bartender
He can slide a foaming beer down the wooden bar without spilling a drop. He can also fill your glass and have it in front of you before you can even open your wallet. And he does all this with the speed of a Wild West gunslinger. Because of his adept people- and beer-handling skills, Kenny Townsend at McNally’s is Columbia’s choice to deliver the drafts. 7 N. Sixth St., 573-441-1284
Silver Award: Pants at Eastside Tavern, 1016 E Broadway, 573-256-1500
Bronze Award: Teddy at Harpo’s, 29 S. 10th St., 573-443-5418

Best Chef
For Craig Cyr, food is not to be devoured and forgotten after five minutes of consumption. It is meant to be enjoyed and savored like a fine wine. Columbians voted Cyr, owner of The Wine Cellar & Bistro as the best chef in the city for his cooking creations, which balance French artistry with local, organic ingredients. Cyr was one of nine featured chefs at the 2008 Wine & Food Festival. 505 Cherry St., 573-442-7281
Silver Award: Ben Clay at Les Bourgeois, 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Bronze Award: Mike Odette at Sycamore, 800 E. Broadway, 573-874-8090

Best College Coach
Gary Pinkel has made University of Missouri football relevant again. Finishing a 10-4 campaign in 2008 on the heels of a 12-2 season in 2007 with two consecutive Big 12 North titles is quite a feat for a team who was accustomed to finding itself in the middle of the conference pack, or worse. Pinkel has the Tigers revving on all cylinders and attracting big-name recruits who want to play for a winning coach.
Silver Award: Mike Anderson (Mizzou men’s basketball)
Bronze Award: Bob Burchard (Columbia College men’s basketball)

Best High School Coach
Dribbling, passing and shooting are basics in basketball, but Jim Scanlon teaches something much bigger: success. With 19 or more wins in the last three seasons and a perfect start to the 2008-2009 season, the Rock Bridge High School boys’ basketball team has come to expect a winning tradition. Success starts at the top, and Jim Scanlon is there to teach it.
Silver Award: Tonya Mirts (Hickman girls’ basketball)
Bronze Award: Jill Nagel (Rock Bridge girls’ basketball)

Best Local Blogger
Politics provides rich fodder for bloggers, who in turn provide the rest of us with a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our CoMo world go ‘round. Former political reporter Jason Rosenbaum guaranteed that Columbia would get political updates on his daily blog in the Columbia Daily Tribune so Columbians voted him the blogger who has the most to say. Readers can catch Rosenbaum’s reporting in Missouri Lawyers Weekly, where he is a contributing writer, as well as in other freelance outlets.
Silver Award: Mike Martin, columbiaheartbeat.blogspot.com
Bronze Award: Pete Bland, www.new.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/cool-Dry-place

Best Local Politician/Public Servant
His quest for governor didn’t end the way he would have liked, but Columbians are still fond of their former congressman, Kenny Hulshof. Hulshof’s career as a politician extended from 1997 to 2009, when he represented Missouri’s 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His stance on ethics and transparency in government kept people’s faith in the popular Republican when other politicians were surrounded by scandal and controversy. With a fundamental belief in right and wrong, Hulshof will surely find another important way to make a difference in the lives of mid-Missourians.
Silver Award: Mayor Darwin Hindman
Bronze Award: Former state Rep. Judy Baker

Most Famous Columbian (Historical)
A man who founded a store where you can find odds and ends for your lawn, your closet, your refrigerator, your medicine cabinet and your makeup bag can only be described as a hero. Sam Walton began his climb to hero status early: The Wal-Mart founder was a basketball player and a quarterback for Hickman High School in 1935 when the undefeated Kewpies won the state football title. Founding Wal-Mart extended the hero worship for the University of Missouri alumnus because he provided people with so many choices for so much less coinage. The achievements and influence of Walton and Wal-Mart make it easy to understand why Columbia finds him a local legend.
Silver Award: Ragtime musician J.W. “Blind” Boone
Bronze Award: Singer-actress Jane Froman

Most Famous Columbian (Present)
Driving racecars and doing backflips like a teenager on Red Bull have made Carl Edwards every local NASCAR fan’s role model and hometown hero. Starring in Fox’s “24″ and posing shirtless on the cover of ESPN magazine have made him a national celebrity, giving beauty salons everywhere a reason to keep the sports magazine on their racks. At 29, Edwards might not win all his races, but he sure is driving circles around the competition in Columbia.
Silver Award: Former Mizzou basketball coach Norm Stewart
Bronze Award: Mizzou quarterback Chase Daniel

Best Radio Personality/Team
They give Columbians a reason to avoid the snooze button. In fact, more people probably go to work because of them. They’re miracle workers saving listeners from the morning doldrums by making them laugh, even in the coldest of daylight hours. The dynamic duo of Cosmo & JC has spent years fine-tuning their morning show into a fan favorite with daily contests and commentary on life, show biz and local events, and as long as they laugh, Columbia will be laughing with them. (KTXY Y107)
Silver Award: Simon Rose (KFRU/KBXR)
Bronze Award: Uncle Scotty (Clear 99 KCLR)

Best Female Solo Musician
Violet Vonder Haar has something to say and she tells you through her folk music. Her guitar and lyrics, sung in an enchanting voice that reverberates with wisdom and soul, have captivated Columbians’ ears and hearts. If she’s not singing about politics or the environment, Vonder Haar is vocalizing about personal stories of love and Facebook. Her unique blend of youth and soulful tunes makes mid-Missourians proud to have her as their local chanteuse. www.myspace.com/violetvonderhaar
Silver Award: Lizzie West, www.lizziewestlife.com
Bronze Award: Lisa Rose, www.lisarosejazz.com

Best Male Solo Musician
Once again Columbians are turning to Noah Earle for toe-tapping beats, adept guitar strumming and memorable lyrics of Quick Shops, growing up in the country and lost love. A mixture of country, blues and folk, Earle’s music never gets mistaken for the pop that New York production studios pop out. Now living on a farm in Hallsville, Earle is far from the contaminants of the big city but not too far from Columbia’s eager ears. www.noahearle.com
Silver Award: Clay Cumbie, www.claycumbie.com/Home.html
Bronze Award: Trey Davis

Best Teacher
Bill Priest loves history, but he loves teaching it more. Priest is chairman of the Rock Bridge High School Social Studies Department, where he teaches European and U.S. history. Priest makes old seem like new, relating to students whose historical knowledge only goes back as far as the Britney and Madonna kiss. As a master motivator of meandering minds, Priest is sure to teach his students that history is not just something on the computer they have to erase.
Silver Award: Terry Overfelt (Rock Bridge High School)
Bronze Award: Christina Weaver (Parkade Elementary School)

Best Female TV News Personality
As anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast at KOMU-TV, Sarah Hill is not just a pretty face or another talking head. She’s an Emmy award-winning reporter whose work has taken her to Vietnam and to the classroom as adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Hill recently won the Kansas City Press Club’s Heart of America award for her weekly feature “Sarah’s Stories” and her documentary with Scott Schaefer called “Mercy in Motion,” which details the lack of wheelchairs in Vietnam. “Mercy in Motion” also won a Missouri Broadcaster Association Award.
Silver Award: Teresa Snow (KRCG-TV 13)
Bronze Award: Angie Bailey (KOMU-TV 8)

Best Male TV News Personality
His smile and the twinkle in his eyes are genuine. When Jim Riek delivers the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on KOMU-TV, he give Columbians what they need: news with a caring face. Riek’s regular investigative reporting feature with Scott Schaefer, “The Follow Up Files,” earned him a bronze Kansas City Press Club Heart of America Award and respect from Columbian voters. As if keeping us updated on the world isn’t enough, he is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Silver Award: Kermit Miller (KRCG-TV 13)
Bronze Award: Ryan Tate (KMIZ-TV 17)

Best Morning TV News Personality
She’s pretty, she’s spunky and she’ll wake you up faster than a cup of coffee. Lauren Whitney gives Columbians and mid-Missouri a fresh face with a smile during her morning newscast at KOMU-TV. Never mind that it’s 5:30 a.m. Whitney doesn’t go by “normal” times. Instead, she’s on news time, and sometimes headlines happen while we’re sleeping. But as long as Whitney’s awake, Columbians will get their news on time.
Silver Award: Megan Murphy (KOMU-TV 8)
Bronze Award: Michelle Linn (KMIZ-TV 17)

Best TV Weathercaster (Evening News)
With the flip of a coin, Missouri’s weather can become two-faced. It’s so manic that Columbians need someone rational to tell them what to expect outside their windows. Like a psychologist, KOMU-TV’s Dave Schmidt confidently and soothing informs us that the warm weather we are all basking in will end in a snowstorm. The Missouri Broadcasters Association took notice of these talents and honored him with its Certificate of Merit for best weathercast in January 2008.
Silver Award: Sharon Ray (KMIZ-TV 17)
Bronze Award: Mike Roberts (KRCG-TV 13)

Best TV Weathercaster (Morning News)
Eric Aldrich tells us the good and the bad, the sunny and the snowy. He knows mid-Missouri weather like the back of his hand, and with a flourish of that hand he can tell us where weather is coming and where it is going on his huge weather map. Columbians trust KOMU-TV’s Aldrich to deliver their weekly weather warnings correctly and promptly, and he does not disappoint. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Silver Award: Jeff Huffman (KMIZ-TV 17)
Bronze Award: Anthony Slaughter (KOMU-TV 8)

Favorite Restaurant
Being the best all-around restaurant takes some doing, but Murry’s has earned the moniker through listening to their diners and giving them what they want. If the diners want to design their own dish, give them an a la carte menu that allows them to fashion their meal the way they want it. If they want jazz, give them live jazz music five nights a week. Murry’s provides all this along with reasonable prices on entrées. 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969
Silver Award: Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400
Bronze Award: Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995

Best 24-Hour Restaurant
Late-night munchies are cured with a stop at the Broadway Diner. Its cheap, tasty fried food is a 1 a.m. blessing … or a 4 a.m. blessing if you don’t know when the party is over. But whenever your party clock stops, make time to stop in at the best 24-hour restaurant in the city. 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173
Silver Award: IHOP, 51 Conley Road, 573-442-9242
Bronze Award: Steak ‘n Shake: 3004 Clark Lane, 573-886-8535; 1912 W. Worley St., 573-445-3097

Best Appetizer
Columbians want an appetizer that will get their salivary glands jumpstarted before they gear up for their main entrée. CC’s City Broiler’s Shrimp Atascadero is this pre-dinner delight. The appetizer is a jumbo shrimp butterflied around a jalapeno pepper and then wrapped in bacon and broiled. Served on a hot sauce with a side of ranch, it’s sure to get your taste buds popping. 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Silver Award: Nachos Bianco (Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995)
Bronze Award: Brock’s Green Pepper Rings (Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969)

Best Bakery
When you open the door of Uprise Bakery, the smell of fresh bread, muffins and pastries hit you like a bread truck barreling down the highway. The assortment of food fills Columbians’ needs throughout the day: cheese croissants to wake you up in the morning, soups and sandwiches to get the gastric juices churning at lunch, and cupcakes for a sweet bonus at the end of a long day. 10 Hitt St., 573-256-2265
Silver Award: Upper Crust: 904 Elm St., Suite 108, 573-874-3033; 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-874-4044
Bronze Award: Panera Bread Co: 3709 S. Providence Road, 573-449-6466; 102 S. Ninth St., 573-442-4455; 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-446-7374

Best Bang For The Buck
There’s nothing flashy about the little burger joint with billiards on the side. Year after year, Booche’s proves to restaurants everywhere that mouth-watering food costs only a few bucks – good enough to make USA Today’s list of the top 10 burgers in America. With burgers priced at less than $3, you can get lunch for less than the change in a 2-year-old’s piggy bank. Ka-ching! That’s the sound of you saving money. 110 S. Ninth St., 573-874-9519
Silver Award: El Maguey: 504 Business Loop 70 W., 573-449-6558; 21 Conley Road, 573-443-7977; 901 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-874-3812
Bronze Award: Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969

Best Bar Food
Juicy burgers you can eat in three bites, fries that taste like they’re right out of the deep fryer, and country ham sandwiches that sizzle with flavor – that’s a recipe for good times and great food. If you’re looking for healthy, look somewhere else because Booche’s delivers delicious with a side order of finger-lickin’ grease. 110 S. Ninth St., 573-874-9519
Silver Award: Trumans, 3304 Broadway Business Park Court, 573-445-1669
Bronze Award: D. Rowe’s, 1005 Club Village Drive, 573-443-8004

Best Barbecue
The barbecue on Buttonwood is the best in Columbia. Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q’s pulled pork, baby back ribs, smoked chicken and sausage and a whole lot of simmering sweet barbecue on top are meat lovers’ delights. It’s so good, presidential candidate John McCain followed his nose to Buckingham in hopes of having some of that sweet success rub off on him. 3804 Buttonwood Drive, 573-499-1490
Silver Award: Smokin’ Chicks BBQ, 4603 John Garry Drive, 573-256-6450
Bronze Award: Bandana’s Bar-B-Q, 1705 N. Providence Road, 573-256-2229

Best Beer Menu
Need a cold one? Flat Branch Pub & Brewing will get your spirits soaring. With home-brewed beverages, its beer menu is unique as well as flavorful. A favorite for the real beer drinkers is the Oil Change Oatmeal Stout, a creamy, chocolate drink with a sharp, rich flavor. 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400
Silver Award: The Blue Fugue, 120 S. Ninth St., 573-815-9995
Bronze Award: Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995

Best Breakfast
Lucy’s Corner Café might be small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in taste. Sizzling bacon, homemade biscuits and a cozy dining area with six booths and a counter where diners can talk openly are three good reasons for Columbians to get up in the morning. Add a smile and a hearty hello from owner Lucy Reddick, and you’ve got a cookin’ café that cares. 522 E. Broadway, 573-875-1700
Silver Award: Ernie’s Café and Steak House, 1005 E. Walnut St., 573-874-7804
Bronze Award: Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173

Best Brunch
On Sundays, Boone Tavern serves Columbians’ favorite brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Waffles? Check. Eggs and sausage? Check. Fried chicken? Check. The historical pictures on the walls and the large dining area add to Boone Tavern’s allure. For people who can’t decide between breakfast and lunch, pancakes or burgers, Boone Tavern’s brunch will have something for everyone’s undecided palate. 811 E. Walnut St., 573-442-5123
Silver Award (TIE): The Heidelberg, 410 S. Ninth St., 573-449-6927; Upper Crust (Elm Street), 904 Elm St., Suite 108, 573-874-3033

Best Burger
Culver’s Butter Burger comes sandwiched between two buttered buns with a topping choice of lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, bacon, pickle, mushroom and ketchup. The hamburger is thin, but there’s enough taste in it to satiate burger-buying Columbians into choosing it as their patty of preference. 2520 Broadway Bluff Drive, 573-442-5976
Silver Award (TIE): Booche’s Burger, 110 S. Ninth St., 874-9519; Addison’s Super Deluxe Happy Funtime Burger, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995

Best Place For A Business Lunch
Want to discuss portfolio reviews over prime rib or your boss’s comb-over while eating a burger? Boone Tavern is a quiet place to talk in private with tasty cuisine at your fingertips. An elegant atmosphere and high-backed booths provide a good place to gossip or get down to business. 811 E. Walnut St., 573-442-5123
Silver Award: Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995
Bronze Award: Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400

Best Place For Casual Dining
Although jazz music, a pianist extraordinaire and high-quality food sound upscale, Murry’s great prices and casual dining area bring it back down to earth. Murry’s pulls off a neighborhood feel with its baseball motif and regular staff members whose tenures sometimes exceed a decade. Here, casual dining is where chefs are called cooks and nobody’s food feelings get hurt. 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969
Silver Award (TIE): Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400; Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995

Best Caterer
Hoss’s Market & Rotisserie offers Thanksgiving every night. The homemade-cooking staff prepares seven to eight hot dinner entrées that change daily, along with their sizzling rotisserie chicken. Everything is served with a side of friendly from the staff, who along with owners Jim and Trish Koetting, know what customers want. There is also a butcher shop, seafood case and deli in the Market. 1010A Club Village Drive, 573-815-9711
Silver Award (TIE): Jack’s Gourmet, 1903 Business Loop 70 E., 573-449-3927; Hy-Vee, 3100 W. Broadway, 573-447-0133

Best Chinese Food
As one of the few Chinese restaurants in a town that’s driven by both good food and the owner’s personality, House of Chow presents a neighborhood atmosphere for new patrons as well as regular diners. Serving Columbia for nearly 30 years, the restaurant continues to broaden the horizon of its customers and its menu with its increased variety of well-designed dishes. The House brings not only the taste of Chinese delicacies across the ocean, but also a whole lot of hospitality. 2101 W. Broadway, 573-445-8800
Silver Award: Formosa, 913A E. Broadway, 573-449-3339, 573-442-8562
Bronze Award: China Garden, 3420 Clark Lane, 573-814-0007

Best Chocolate Treat
Naughty and nice, chocolate and strawberry. This bittersweet combination is a favorite of Columbians who want to add a little oomph to their fruit. Satisfy your inner health and cocoa nut and bite down into a Chocolate-Covered Strawberry from The Candy Factory. 701 Cherry St., 443-8222
Silver Award: Nemesis (Les Bourgeois, 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133)
Bronze Award: Stout Brownie Sundae (Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400)

Best Place To Get A Cup Of Coffee
Move over Starbucks, there’s a new coffee king in town. Kaldi’s spacious coffee house and lounge area combined with simmering cups of mocha madness and a lot of latte attract both students and Columbia residents. After you’ve bought your coffee, you’ll have a hot reason not to go out into the cold. 29 Ninth St., 573-874-2566
Silver Award: Lakota Coffee Company, 24 S. Ninth St., 573-874-2852
Bronze Award: Cherry Street Artisan, 111 S. Ninth St., Suite 10, 573-817-3274

Best Delivery
Did someone call for Jimmy John’s? Columbia sure did. Voted best delivery in the city, these lightning-quick sandwiches are “freaky fast, freaky good” and come in pretty much any combination of meats, vegetables and cheese. 1019 E. Broadway, 573-815-0043; 912A Rain Forest Parkway, 573-256-7600; 212 Corporate Lake Drive, 573-499-4442; 4008 W. Broadway, 573-256-1661
Silver Award: Sub Shop: 209 S. Eighth St.; 2105 W. Worley St; 212 Green Meadows Road; 573-449-1919
Bronze Award: Pickleman’s: 2513 Old 63 S., 573-886-2300; 1106 E. Broadway, 573-875-2400

Best Dessert
It’s gooey. It’s buttery. And it’s delicious. Room 38 has hit Columbia’s restaurant scene with a bang – a gooey buttery bang. Columbians’ favorite dessert is drizzled with raspberry glaze and powdered sugar along with a buttery sauce. With just enough to quench your palate, but not too much to send you home with a stomachache, the Gooey Butter Cake is the perfect size of heavenly, buttery goodness. Did we mention it’s buttery? 38 N. Eighth St., 573-449-3838
Silver Award: Stout Brownie Sundae (Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400)
Bronze Award: Black Beast (Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969)

Best Diner
From the looks of the Broadway Diner’s red neon sign and aluminum siding, you might expect to see girls with poodle skirts and guys with rolled-up jeans come bouncing out. The diner, which has been moved but barely touched, boasts some of the best food for those willing to give up glamour for some good, old-fashioned eats. Quick service and late night hours make this a favorite with Columbians and out-of-towners. 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173
Silver Award: Ernie’s Café and Steak House, 1005 E. Walnut St., 573-874-7804
Bronze Award: Lucy’s Corner Café, 522 E. Broadway, 573-875-1700

Best Place For Doughnuts
Mmmm … rich caramel crunch … exotic vanilla bean … decadent dark chocolate expresso … Bleu Market brightened downtown mornings with these gorgeously glazed circlets of sweetness. But alas, the upscale little café and deli on Eighth Street closed earlier this year, leaving us with only tasty memories. RIP
Silver Award: Dixie Cream Donuts, 805D E. Nifong Blvd., 573-442-0886
Bronze Award: Daylight Donuts, 1203 E. Broadway, 573-449-8957

Best Frozen Treat
You’ve held on long enough. It’s time to break those New Year’s resolutions and try something that will satiate those guilty dessert cravings. Ice Cream Cakes from Columbia’s Cold Stone Creamery will do just that. Devil’s food and red velvet birthday cakes, signature cakes and petite cakes that serve up to two people will give you a justifiable reason to eat these goodies any time you want. Say, isn’t your birthday this week? 904 Elm St., Suite 100, 573-443-5522
Silver Award: Cake Batter Ice Cream (Sparky’s, 21 S. Ninth St., 573-443-7400)
Bronze Award: Cookie Dough Custard (Shake’s, RIP)

Best Happy Hour
From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, Trumans serves up drink, appetizer and entrée specials to Columbians who just punched out for the day. Monday bratwursts, Tuesday tenderloins, Wednesday wings, Thursday quesadillas and Friday rib eyes are all within your reach, along with drink specials offered every day. If you want to relax, watch a game and eat well, Trumans will gladly seat you and serve you ‘til your happy time is over. 3304 Broadway Business Park Court, 573-445-1669
Silver Award: Addison’s, 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995
Bronze Award: The Heidelberg, 410 S. Ninth St., 573-449-6927

Best Place For Healthy Food
If you are tired of eating rabbit food and bland salads on your diet, head to Café Berlin, CoMo’s go-to place for healthy food. From the ingenious breakfast burrito with everything in it, including apples, to the tasty lunch sandwiches, Café Berlin supplies the best organic food around. Even those who think they can’t live with salt and grease will love Café Berlin’s eclectic munchies, which come with a laid-back diner atmosphere and a warm welcome on the side. 21 N. Providence Road, 573-441-0400
Silver Award (Tie): The Main Squeeze, 28 S. Ninth St., 573-817-5616;
Clover’s: 2100 Chapel Plaza Court, 573-445-0990; 2012 E. Broadway, 573-449-1650

Best Place For Ice Cream
Indulge in a sweet, creamy treat at Cold Stone Creamery. Try one of the creamery’s signature creations, such as Founder’s Favorite or Apple Pie A La Cold Stone. Or if you already know your dish, get them to make it just the way you like it; with enough sweet yumminess it melts in your mouth quicker than usual. 904 Elm St., Suite 100, 573- 443-5522
Silver Award (TIE): Sparky’s, 21 S. Ninth St., 443-7400; Shake’s, RIP

Best Place For Italian Food
The Pasta Factory has Old Country cuisine with a new cultural ambience. A brick courtyard, brick interior walls and high-backed wooden booths give the restaurant a vintage feel. With a menu serving delights from linguini to lasagna to Italian sandwiches, The Pasta Factory has the right mix of old-school and new-school Italian. 1020 E. Broadway, 573-449-3948
Silver Award: Sophia’s, 3915 S. Providence Road, 573-874-8009
Bronze Award: Bambino’s, 203 Hitt St., 573-443-4473

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
What’s better than a room full of rowdy kids bouncing off the walls? OK, we admit there are a lot of things that top that. But nothing compares to seeing the joy on your child’s face during a date with Chuck E. Cheese’s games, food and entertainment. This wild playground for whirling dervishes has a game room divided into three sections depending on your child’s age: toddler zone, kiddie area, and skill games and arcades. Chuck E. Cheese (the big mouse, lest we forget) and his friends also make guest appearances in the restaurant. If this doesn’t do it for you, then you might be one of the saner readers of this magazine. But remember, do it for the kids! 2003 W. Worley St., 573-445-1728
Silver Award: G&D Steakhouse, 2001 W. Worley St., 573-445-3504
Bronze Award: Cici’s Pizza, 2609 E. Broadway, Suite 216, 573-814-1230

Best Place For Mexican Food
It’s cheap. It’s authentic. It’s fast. It’s a Mexican miracle on Broadway. El Rancho is a slice of Mexico right here in CoMo and Columbians can’t get enough of the burritos and the thick gooey cheese that livens up most entrées. If refried beans make your heart go pitter-patter, you’ll find true love at El Rancho. 1014 E. Broadway, 573-875-2121
Silver Award: El Maguey: 504 Business Loop 70 W., 449-6558; 21 Conley Road, 443-7977; 901 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-874-3812
Bronze Award: Tequila, 3605 S. Providence Road, 573-256-1115

Best Place For Margaritas
Once it hits your lips, it’s so good. Chevy’s Fresh Mex makes the premier margarita in town, and Columbians love it. With fresh-squeezed lime juice, a splash of tequila and a touch of fruity flavor, Chevy’s margaritas make you feel like you’re on the beach in Cabo. Prickly pear, apple, strawberry, blue agave, melon and peach are just some of the fruity tastes available, frozen or on the rocks. 1010 I-70 Drive S.W., 573-817-9595
Silver Award: El Maguey, 504 Business Loop 70 W., 573-449-6558; 21 Conley Road, 573-443-7977; 901 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-874-3812
Bronze Award: El Jimador, 3200 Penn Terrace, 573-474-7300

Best Place For Martinis
Time for a drink? How about something sweet? Get them both together and have a martini at Forge & Vine. As soon as you sit down on the cushy couches in the upstairs lounge, you know it’s not a night for just a beer. Try a mojito, either the original or peach-flavored. Or for that chocolate craving, get a smooth, sweet chocolatini. Every drink is flavorful and enjoyable on its own or paired with Forge & Vine’s yummy dinner menu. 119 S. Seventh St., 573-443-6743
Silver Award: On The Rocks, 1011 E. Broadway, 573-874-0680
Bronze Award: Tellers Gallery and Bar, 820 E. Broadway, 573-441-8355

Best Mixed Drink
The Voo Doo Brew at Tropical Liqueurs might sound like a deadly concoction of black magic and sinister side effects, but it’s actually a lighthearted mix of tropical banana flavor and liqueur. The combination of banana Schnapps, sloe gin, vodka and fresh bananas will put you in an I’m-on-a-beach good mood to chase away that I-want-to-put-pins-in-a-doll-that-looks-eerily-like-my-boyfriend bad mood. 515 E. Broadway, 573-442-8098
Silver Award: Long Island Iced Tea (Houlihan’s, 2541 Broadway Bluff Drive, 573-815-7210); Bronze Award: Bleu Rosemary Lemonade (Bleu, 23 S. Eighth St., 573-442-8220)

Most Creative Dish
Creative dishes can be scary if the right chef isn’t behind the cooking. But Mackenzie’s Crab Stuffed Bistro scores style points and taste points among curious Columbians. The entrée, which is Angus beef stuffed with house crab salad (remember their seafood expertise?), has Columbians voting it as the “I would never have thought of that, but dang it’s good!” dish. 907 Rain Forest Parkway, Suite D, 573-449-4004
Silver Award: Brock’s Green Pepper Rings (Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969)
Bronze Award: The Stretch (Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173)

Best New Restaurant
Columbia has earned some big-city cred with Room 38. Walk into this new restaurant and you might think you’ve stepped into one of New York City’s swanky establishments. The tables are black, the booths are suede, and the darkly lit dining area accentuates the large-screen TV on the wall. Jazzy music plays in this small and cozy atmosphere, accompanied by the clink of glasses and low conversation. Small plates and sandwiches round out a tasty menu. So forget the Big Apple; think Columbia with pizzazz. 38 N. Eighth St., 573-449-3838
Silver Award: Bleu Restaurant & Wine Bar, 23 S. Eighth St., 573-442-8220
Bronze Award: Hemingway’s, 3910 Peachtree Drive, Suite H, 573-443-2779

Best Nightclub
It’s Friday night in Columbia, and you want some great music and awesome drink specials. Think Déjà Vu. It’s not all about the laughs at this watering hole. The Vu’s 10,000-square-foot club comes equipped with the latest in stereo technology and lighting effects. And when you aren’t in the mood to shake your thing on the dance floor, come listen to one of the talented comedians and national headliners in the Déjà Vu Comedy Club or one of the many live bands that play on the patio. 405 Cherry St., 573-443-3216
Silver Award: Room 38, 38 N. Eighth St., 573-449-3838
Bronze Award: Quinton’s, 124 S. Ninth St., 573-815-1047

Best Place For Outdoor Dining
You might be getting tired of hearing how magnificent the dining and the view are at Les Bourgeois, but we’re going to say it anyway: They’re magnificent, and Columbians think so too. The patio at the blufftop winery and bistro overlooks the Missouri River Valley – when the sun sets over the horizon, it’s must-see dining for any Columbiaphile. 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Silver Award: Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, 115 S. Fifth St., 573-499-0400
Bronze Award: Boone Tavern, 811 E. Walnut St., 573-442-5123

Best Place For Pastries
Satisfy your pastry palate with Uprise Bakery’s fluffy, moist and fresh-out-of-the- oven pastries. Croissants, muffins, scones and cupcakes are just some of the goodies you can get with organic ingredients. Grab some coffee and make it a morning ritual you won’t be able to break. 10 Hitt St., 573-256-2265
Silver Award: Upper Crust: 904 Elm St., Suite 108, 573-874-3033; 3107 Green Meadows Way, 874-4044
Bronze Award: Panera Bread Co.: 3709 S. Providence Road, 573-449-6466; 102 S. Ninth St., 573-442-4455; 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-446-7374

Best Pizza Place
When Columbians want pizza, Shakespeare’s comes to mind immediately. The line outside the downtown restaurant has become almost as iconic of CoMo as the pizza itself. But the array of delicious, gourmet toppings and the smell of hot cheesy goodness prove it’s totally worth the patience and expectations of waiting in line. No wonder this pleasant place is always packed. 225 S. Ninth St., 573-449-2454; 3304 Broadway Business Park Court, 447-1202
Silver Award: Arris’Pizza, 1020 E. Green Meadows Road, Suite 102, 573-441-1199
Bronze Award: Gumby’s Pizza & Wings, 1201 E. Broadway, 573-874-8629

Best Place For A Romantic Dinner
The blufftop view at Les Bourgeois Winery and Vineyards can transform a first date into a marriage proposal after one meal. Overlooking the rural countryside of Rocheport and the banks of the Missouri River, Les Bourgeois is a getaway for those seeking some quiet time and fine food. Grab a bottle of wine and mix the scenery with some bistro cuisine to feel the full effect of Les Bourgeois’ romantic, love-at-first-sight atmosphere. 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Silver Award: CC’s City Broiler, 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Bronze Award: The Wine Cellar & Bistro, 505 Cherry St., 573-442-7281

Best Salad
Bugs Bunny, eat your heart out. Two cucumbers wrapped around green, red and yellow peppers with some diced onions topped with a spring mix of lettuce is enough to get you hopping down to CC’s City Broiler for the House Salad. Add your choice of dressing and you have the best salad in town. 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Silver Award (TIE): Dinner Salad (Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969); Pit Salad (Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q, 3804 Buttonwood Drive, 573-499-1490)

Best Sandwich
With its eclectic assortment of yummy foods stuffed on your choice of bread, the John Schyler at Café Berlin is Columbia’s favorite sandwich. The breakfast sandwich is made with egg, jalapeños, bacon, red onion, tomato and chipotle mayo. Add a side of roasted potatoes, and you might be coming back for it during your lunch break. 21 N. Providence Road, 573-441-0400
Silver Award: Turkey Bacon Club (Pickleman’s: 2513 Old 63 S., 573-886-2300; 1106 E. Broadway, 573-875-2400)
Bronze Award: Vegetarian (Sub Shop: 209 S. Eighth St.; 2105 W. Worley St.; 212 Green Meadows Road; 573-449-1919)

Best Seafood
Ignore all those fast-food chains that offer “authentic” seafood. If it’s covered in batter and tastes like chicken, it’s most likely not found in the sea. Mackenzie’s brings tilapia, lobster, mussels, ahi tuna, crab and mahi mahi from the salty oceanic and fresh river depths to your dinner plates without battering it up. If you haven’t joined fellow Columbians in dining at Mackenzie’s for fresh sea fare, cast your anchor now! 907 Rain Forest Parkway, Suite D, 573-449-4004
Silver Award: CC’s City Broiler: 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Bronze Award: Jazz, 1605 Chapel Hill Road, 573-443-5299

Best Service
Don’t let your clothes go out of style while waiting for your food to arrive. CC’s City Broiler promises that polyester won’t come back in fashion while you’re there. The food is served with a friendly smile and a guarantee you’ll be comfortable during your culinary consumption. 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Silver Award: Murry’s, 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969
Bronze Award: Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173

Best Sports Bar
Trumans has so many televisions that only a fly could view all of them at once. They hang from the ceiling and dot the walls of the bar. They remind you of why you came: sports, sports, and more sports. Cheers and boos encourage you to choose a side even if you just came along for a good meal. And because your dreams of becoming a pro athlete died years ago when you failed to make the high school varsity team, will your favorite team to victory the only way you can: Put on your lucky socks, slide into your favorite jersey and make your way to Trumans. 3304 Broadway Business Park Court, 573-445-1669
Silver Award: D. Rowe’s, 1005 Club Village Drive, 573-443-8004
Bronze Award: Harpo’s, 29 S. 10th St., 573-443-5418

Best Place For Steak
CC’s City Broiler’s steaks are thick and juicy with enough flavor to sate any meat lover. The restaurant offers a 23-ounce Porterhouse and a slowly aged bone-in filet with more meat than bone. You’ll need a big knife, a big napkin and a hearty appetite when you devour CC’s big, tasty steaks prepared by Columbia’s finest chefs. 1401 Forum Blvd., 573-445-7772; 131 S. 10th St., 573-875-2282
Silver Award: Mackenzie’s, 907 Rain Forest Parkway, Suite D, 573-449-4004
Bronze Award: LongHorn, 31 Conley Road, 573-874-3000

Best Place For Sushi
Sushi originated from ancient people’s impatience. They couldn’t wait for the fish to be fermented in rice with vinegar, so they decided to eat them together. If you happen to share their impatience, Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro has a placid décor and ambience to soothe your anxious appetite. The high partitions block out any distraction, so you can fully appreciate the delicacies. The wide selection of roll, sushi and sashimi with creative names – hungry for “Yin & Yang” or “Money Goes Nuts”? – might make it hard to decide what to order, but even if you close your eyes and point at the menu, you can’t go wrong. 2200 Forum Blvd., Suite 108, 573-446-5462
Silver Award: Osaka, 120 E. Nifong Blvd. Suite A, 573-875-8588
Bronze Award: Sake, 16 S. 10th St., 573-256-7252

Best Place For Thai Food
You don’t have to torch your taste buds to enjoy good Thai food, although the ability to handle hot food can definitely bring you more options at Bangkok Gardens. This restaurant can always add more spice to the dishes. Providing a scale of spiciness, the Thai restaurant manages to keep the dishes authentic. The airy interior is open and spacious, so even if the food packs a little extra “warmth,” it goes away quickly. But if the heat starts getting to you, head for a seat on the balcony near the ceiling fans! 811 Cherry St., 573-874-3284
Silver Award: Chim’s Thai Kitchen at Cooper’s Landing, 11505 Smith Hatchery Road, 573-657-2544
Bronze Award: Blue Moon, 200 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-449-6325

Restaurant With The Best View
Sitting atop a bluff in the beautiful Missouri River Valley, Les Bourgeois offers diners a majestic view that will leave them ordering a second dinner just so they can stay a little longer. Diners have a choice of sitting indoors, where large windows serve as the restaurant’s eyes over the valley, or outdoors amid the clouds. With this kind of scenery, you might not want to go home. 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Silver Award: Quinton’s, 124 S. Ninth St., 573-815-1047
Bronze Award: Tellers Gallery and Bar, 820 E. Broadway, 573-441-8355

Best Wedding Cake Baker
It’s such a understatement to call Edith Hall a cake baker. She is a cake craftsman, a master of perfecting the ultimate combination of flour, sugar, icing and artistic flair. Hall prepares your cake just the way you like it. Give her a design, and she can mimic it expertly while adding her own personal touch. Your wedding deserves a towering cake that looks too good to eat from Edith Hall, Cakes With The Personal Touch. 4830 E. Flamingo Drive, Hallsville, 573-696-2505
Silver Award: The Upper Crust: 904 Elm St., Suite 108, 573-874-3033; 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-874-4044
Bronze Award: Hy-Vee, 3100 W. Broadway, 573-447-0133

Best Wine List
There are so many wine choices at The Wine Cellar & Bistro that more than 300 people could each have their own different type of wine. The Bistro also stocks more than 1,000 bottles on its premises with many of them from all over the world. If you had the time and the tolerance, you could spend days sampling the wine, but we suggest just choosing one and staying sober enough to enjoy the delightful cuisine as well. 505 Cherry St., 573-442-7281
Silver Award: Les Bourgeois, 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Bronze Award: Hemingway’s, 3910 Peachtree Drive, Suite H, 573-443-2779

Best Place For Wings
Amid the day-glow orange shorts, tight shirts and desirable female body parts that bounce effortlessly back into place is a favorite edible delight of Columbians. The sights at Hooters may lure male customers into the restaurant, but it’s the tasty chicken wings that really attract diners of all genders. Flavors range from mild to Parmesan garlic samurai to 911, which delivers a hotness to rival that of the youthful, perky staff. 1101 Woodland Springs Court, 573-886-4700
Silver Award: CJ’s, 704 E. Broadway, 573-442-7777
Bronze Award: Buffalo Wild Wings, 3908 Peachtree Drive, 573-441-2244

Best Place To Find A Bargain
The latest fashions … the cutest clothes … styles to fit any occasion: Kohl’s has it all and is the place to go if you are looking for a good deal on fashion. But that’s not all. Kohl’s also sells the trimmings – accessories and household items -for prices that won’t have you digging into your change purse like a miner digging for gold. 1010 E. Green Meadows Road, 573-256-1188
Silver Award: Wal-Mart: 415 Conley Road, 573-499-4935; 1201 Grindstone Parkway, 573-449-0815; 3001 W. Broadway, 573-445-9506
Bronze Award: Target, 2400 Bernadette Drive, 573-445-9544

Best Customer Service
The nicest people selling you the best products -. that’s what makes Hy-Vee Columbia’s top place to find employees willing to help you out no matter what you need. Looking for an exotic ingredient? No problem. Need a birthday cake from the bakery? They’ll be happy to make you one. Just ask. 3100 W. Broadway, 573-447-0133
Silver Award: Boone County National Bank, 573-874-8535
Bronze Award: Westlake Ace Hardware: 1910 W. Worley St., 573-445-4012; 1900 Business Loop 70 E., 573-449-7277

Best Place For Men’s Casual Fashions:
And the prize for best place to find duds for dudes goes to – Kohl’s again! They don’t just keep the ladies happy; the men of Columbia also think Kohl’s is the place to go for the next hot new look. And because Kohl’s is also the best place to find a bargain in Columbia, you know the price is right. 1010 E. Green Meadows Road, 573-256-1188
Silver Award (TIE): Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600; Binghams Traditional Clothing, 827 E. Broadway, 573-442-6397

Best Place For Men’s Business Fashions
Men who want to look professional and cool – think George Clooney – shop at Binghams Traditional Clothing in Columbia. Binghams offers suits, trousers, sport coats, formal wear and sportswear. Binghams also sells cologne for men who want to add some extra fire power to their cool clothing artillery. 827 E. Broadway, 573-442-6397
Silver Award: Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600
Bronze Award: Jos. A. Banks, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-447-3813

Best Place For Women’s Casual Fashions
Yet again, Kohl’s paves the way for Columbia fashion. Colorful, stylish clothes for active lifestyles stake their claim on fun and comfort when casual and cool come together at this popular retailer. 1010 E. Green Meadows Road, 573-256-1188
Silver Award: Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600
Bronze Award: Britches, 130 S. Ninth St., 573-499-1401

Best Place For Women’s Business Fashions
Sophistication and class are etched into the fabrics and designs at Ann Taylor Loft. That’s why women in Columbia go there for their business attire: cardigans, suits, dresses, jackets, shoes or accessories. Colors range from soft and muted to cheerful and vibrant. With so much selection, Loft appeals to both college graduates looking for job-interview apparel and women whose careers require no-nonsense business dress. 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-445-4008
Silver Award: Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600
Bronze Award: New York & Company, 2300 Bernadette Drive, #309, 573-445-8806

Best Place For Women’s Formal Fashion
Looking for the prom dress that whispers class and doesn’t scream trash? Or the wedding gown that makes you look chaste despite years of proving otherwise? The Villager on Broadway has it. It’s the place to shop for your formal extravaganza. 916 E. Broadway, 573-442-2110
Silver Award: Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600
Bronze Award: Elly’s Couture, 914 E. Broadway, 573-499-4401

Best Place For Women’s Accessories
Women know all about the difference between buying stuff they need and shopping for things they love. That’s why “once in a while” they indulge themselves in the great joy that only the finest jewelry and accessories can bring. Poppy’s artistic accessories brighten your appearance with their vintage style and enrich your life with the stories behind them. At Poppy, splurging never felt so good. 920 E. Broadway, # 1, 573-442-3223
Silver Award: Dillard’s, 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-876-8600
Bronze Award: Envy, 814 E. Broadway, 573-442-0712

Best Place For Children’s Clothing
Ever see adults spending hours in The Children’s Place? Don’t let them fool you – instead of shopping for their children, they’re wishing they were a kid again. Finally, the only way to satisfy their color cravings is to buy their child what they wish they had a chance to wear as a toddler. So to parents everywhere: The gig is up! 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-234-2880
Silver Award: Old Navy, 207 N. Stadium Blvd., 573-445-4640
Bronze Award: The Butterfly Tattoo, 36 N. Ninth St., 573-443-6688

Best Place To Buy Art
Deck The Walls is the appropriate name for the store that offers pictures on every inch of wall and floor space. From paintings and pictures of Missouri athletes, nature and still life, Columbians shop at Walls to further enhance their art collection. The store also offers photo and document restoration, custom framing and needle art. 1305 Grindstone Parkway, Suite 107, 442-4522; 2300 Bernadette Drive, 573-445-4908
Silver Award: PS:Gallery, 812 E. Broadway, 573-442-4831
Bronze Award: Bluestem Missouri Crafts, 13 S. Ninth St., 573-442-0211

Best Place To Buy Antiques
If there is something old, it’s in The Marketplace: a 38,000-square-foot explosion of antiques that would enthuse octogenarians anywhere. There is, however, something for all generations at this antique mall, whether it be home appliances, vintage clothes or cool accessories. Even for the browser, the abundance of antiques from all generations provides a good history lesson that you might not have gotten in school. 1100 Business Loop 70 W., 573-443-1970
Silver Award: Artichoke Annie’s Antique Mall, 1781 Lindberg Drive, 573-474-2056
Bronze Award: McAdams’ Ltd., 32 S. Providence Road, 573-442-3151

Best Place To Buy Gifts
Forget about those large money-making toy stores and gag-gift shops with obscene body parts popping out of every goody. Find local Missourian craftsmanship embedded in each ceramic sculpture, stained glass and piece of woodwork at Bluestem Missouri Crafts. Missouri artists and craftspeople can showcase their talents in Bluestem’s three-room gallery, and Columbians can go home happy knowing they’ve supported their local artisans. 13 S. Ninth St., 573- 442-0211
Silver Award: The Butterfly Tattoo, 36 N. Ninth St., 573-443-6688
Bronze Award: Cool Stuff, 808 E. Broadway, 573-875-5225

Best Grocery Store
It’s no surprise that the best place to go for your nutritional needs is Hy-Vee. From the fresh vegetables to the fantastic-smelling bakery, Hy-Vee has the food you want and the freshness you crave. 3100 W. Broadway, 573-447-0133
Silver Award: Gerbes: 205 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-874-2939; 1729 W. Broadway, 573-445-9433; 2900 Paris Road, 573-474-1427
Bronze Award: Schnucks, 1400 Forum Blvd., 573-446-2800

Best Resale Shop
Maude Vintage’s clothes are a combination of “The Partridge Family” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” sprinkled with a touch of “Facts of Life” and “Miami Vice” for variety. Vintage belts, hats, jewelry, T-shirts, bellbottoms and the polyester of Grandma’s closet abound in this groovy attic of antiques. The racks and racks of clothes stretching all the way into the back of the store and the smell of the past give you the confidence to throw up the peace sign and bring home something to make Grandma – or Rick James – jealous. 818 E. Broadway, 573-449-3320
Silver Award (TIE): Upscale Resale, 1729 W. Broadway, 573-445-4803; Blackberry Exchange, 16 S. Ninth St., 573-499-0420
Bronze Award: Play It Again Sports, 1206 Business Loop 70 W., Suite N, 573-442-9291

Best Hardware/Home Improvement Store
Columbians went with low prices and unlimited choices when they chose Lowe’s as their favorite home improvement store. Lowe’s has tools, hardware, flooring, paints, lawn-care equipment and basically anything that will wake the neighbors or the spouse when used or installed. If your home is your heart and your lawn is your love, Lowe’s is where you should start looking for your beautification tools and appliances. 201 Conley Road, 573-499-6767
Silver Award: Westlake Ace Hardware: 1910 W. Worley St., 573-445-4012; 1900 Business Loop 70 E., 573-449-7277
Bronze Award: Home Depot, 3215 Clark Lane, 573-814-1900

Best Place To Buy Sporting Goods
Columbians satisfy their sports addictions at MC Sports. With so much athletic paraphernalia, sometimes a quick glance into the store can satiate the more moderate sports junkie. MC Sports has equipment ranging from golf clubs to fishing rods, and apparel – sneakers, parkas and Under Armour tops – that only the truly athletic should squeeze into. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, then maybe you should stick to the sidelines. 2300 Bernadette Drive, # 228, 573-445-9481
Silver Award: Red Weir Athletic Supplies, 2101 W. Broadway, # 25, 573-445-4931
Bronze Award: Bass Pro Shops, 3101 Bass Pro Drive, 573-886-7100

Best Pet Supply Store
Awarded the best place to spoil your furry friends, Award Pet Supply wins this doggy treat for the second year in a row. Award employees will give you a personal tour of the shop as they show you the most popular cat toys or give suggestions on which dog brush to buy – the employees that aren’t licking their paws or grooming their feathers, that is. 1610 I -70 Drive S.W., # B, 573-445-8249
Silver Award: Petco, 2101 W. Broadway, # W, 573-446-6929
Bronze Award: Treats Unleashed, 1400 Forum Blvd., # 35, 573-234-2275

Best Toy Store
Toys make kids happy, but toys that teach make mothers happy, too. Ann’s Teachers Store … and More has everything for the children who don’t know they’re learning because they’re having too much fun. Board games, telescopes, science kits, paints, puzzles and learning DVDs are just some of the “more” that Ann’s offers. 1004 W. Worley St., 573-443-2667
Silver Award: Toys R Us, 1901 Bernadette Drive, 573-446-4151
Bronze Award: Target, 2400 Bernadette Drive, 573-445-9544

Best Place to Get Younger Looking Skin
Let’s all admit it: We aren’t in high school anymore. These days, wrinkles, facial hair and sun spots sprout up like crabgrass on lawns. To take care of these problems, Skintuition Medical Spa offers Botox, laser hair removal, skin peels, photorejuvination and other dermatological services. Skintuition can’t give you your youth back, but it can stop you from screaming every time you pass a mirror. 2011 Corona Road, Suite 207, 573-446-5166
Silver Award: Salon Nefisa, 825 E. Walnut St., 573-256-1220
Bronze Award: Salon Adair, 3301 W. Broadway, 573-234-1560

Best Hair Salon
You can usually tell what you’re getting into when you walk into a hair salon. If the stylists have frosted perms or ‘80s tidal wave bangs, then you could be in trouble. If the chairs and hair products look like they were used by Sam Walton, that’s even worse. Have no fear at The Clip Joint. The chic interior and the hip stylists will give you confidence that your ‘do won’t become a don’t. And Columbians can attest to this: they’ve chosen The Clip Joint as their favorite place to get trimmed, waxed and painted with style. 1001 Cherry St., 573-443-8711
Silver Award: Studio E, 10 W. Nifong Blvd., Suite D3, 573-442-0556
Bronze Award: The Marc, 32 N. Eighth, 573-449-7900

Best Place To Get A Tattoo
You know that feeling you get when you’re going in for your first tattoo and the seedy interior of the parlor makes you feel like an extra on “Road House”? Well, rest assured that won’t happen at Columbia’s Living Canvas. Its high ceilings, wooden floors, fireplaces and gallery art on the walls exude class, not crass. The chic, snow-white chairs don’t hurt its image, either. One word of advice: Choosing the unicorn tat will definitely hurt your image. 520 E. Broadway, 573-442-8287
Silver Award (TIE): Hollywood Rebels Tattoos, 11 N. 10th St., 573-499-1200; Dream Catchers, 1020 E. Broadway, 573-499-1313

Best Place To Work Out
Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” made exercising funny, but Wilson’s Total Fitness makes it fun. Columbians choose to sweat out those despised calories at their favorite fitness center with Pilates, cardio training, group spin lessons, swimming, saunas, and nutrition and personal-training seminars. When the workout is over, you can treat yourself to a massage or a dip in the whirlpool. Can Simmons offer that? We don’t think so. 2902 Forum Blvd., 573-446-3232
Silver Award: Mizzou Rec Center, 320 Student Recreation Center, 573-882-2066, 573-882-2067
Bronze Award: The ARC, 1701 W. Ash St., 573-874-7700

Best Annual Fundraiser
The days of gluing your ears to the radio to listen to “Buck Rogers” or “Avenger” are over. Now it’s free tickets or money we want. But Columbians are finding something new and important to listen to with the Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon. Since 1997, Children’s Miracle Network has conducted radiothons to raise money for injured or sick children around the country. The annual event makes the radio fun, providing listeners a reason to give instead of take.
Silver Award: Boys & Girls Town Diamond Night
Bronze Award: UPC Easter Seals Heartland Wing Ding

Best Art Gallery
Don’t feel like traveling? You can also experience worldwide culture by staying in CoMo. From Asian Buddha sculptures to Greek, Roman and Egyptian wonders, the University of Missouri Museum of Art & Archaeology showcases a wide collection of global heritage. It also plays an important role in presenting the state’s living folk arts and folk life with the Missouri Folk Arts Program. The online exhibitions make the rich artistic heritage even more accessible to the public, but we all know nothing beats an actual visit. 1 Pickard Hall South, University of Missouri, 573-882-3591
Silver Award: PS: Gallery, 812 E. Broadway, 573-442-4831
Bronze Award: Columbia Art League, 207 S. Ninth St., 573-443-2131

Best Family-Friendly Attraction
Need to get the kids out of the house? Throw little Johnny and Suzie into the van and head to the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival held in Columbia every fall. Not only will the kids get to eat all the barbecue and candy they can fit into their stomachs, but the festival has games for kids and plenty of space for them to run around. Every other family in Columbia will be there too, so Johnny and Suzie will have plenty of playmates. Listen to some of the best blues in the land as you stroll through the booths with your energetic munchkins in tow. They will love the sights, smells and sounds of the best local festival in town.
Silver Award: Mizzou football games, 573-884-PAWS (7297)
Bronze Award: Shryock’s Corn Maze, 2927 County Road 253, 573-592-0191

Best Golf Course
Eagle Knoll is on par to be one of the best golf courses in America. Its 180 acres of verdant rolling hills and gorges has caught the attention of Columbians and Golf Digest, which ranked it as the third-best value in the nation. If you have a long iron and a knack for being on par, this might be the golf course for you. 5757 E. Eagle Knoll Drive, Hartsburg, 573-761-4653
Silver Award: Columbia Country Club, 2210 S. Country Club Drive, 573-449-4115
Bronze Award: Old Hawthorne, 6221 E. Highway WW, 573-442-5280

Best Live Music Venue
If the walls of The Blue Note could talk, they would hum some of the best music from some of the most talented musicians in history. They’ve heard Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson’s boot-tappin’ performances, and they’ve rocked out to REM. For those Columbians who are lucky enough to snatch up the fast-selling tickets, The Blue Note offers the finest live music around. An intimate theater that glowingly shows its age is definitely the prettiest note in town. 17 N. Ninth St., 573-874-1944
Silver Award: Mojo’s, 1013 Park Ave, 573-875-0588
Bronze Award: The Blue Fugue, 120 S. Ninth St., 573-815-9995

Best Live Theater
Columbia stretched its city limits a few miles to embrace the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre as the winner for Best Live Theater, and it’s no wonder. This big attraction in a tiny town has been bringing top-notch entertainment to mid-Missouri for nearly 50 years. In 2009, the Lyceum will again bring “big city” actors and talent to the stage for a lineup that includes crowd pleasers such as “Hairspray,” “Annie,” “Hello Dolly” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
Main Street, Arrow Rock, 660-837-3311
Silver Award: Missouri Theatre, 203 S. Ninth St., 573-875-0600
Bronze Award: Columbia Entertainment Company, 1800 Nelwood Drive, 573-474-3699

Best Local Festival
For the second year in a row, the Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival has won best local festival in Columbia. How could it not? More than 70,000 people flock to Columbia to hear the musical styles of more than 30 nationally known blues singers such as Taj Mahal and The Blind Boys of Alabama. And did we mention all the barbecue, ribs, brisket, jerky and cotton candy you can eat? Last year, the festival got even more adult-friendly by opening up the beer gardens to include more of the festival.
Silver Award: True/False Film Festival, truefalse.org
Bronze Award: Art in the Park, artinthepark.missouri.org

Best Place to Get Married
The Big Day usually comes with both happiness and nail biting. But if you get married at Les Bourgeois, the great scenery, ample supply of wine and luxurious dining area can assuage some of those anxieties. Couples can choose to have a buffet service or a fully staffed sit-down meal, depending on the number of guests. Any way you choose to celebrate, it’s hard to go wrong on a bluff overlooking a piece of Missouri paradise. 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Silver Award: Shelter Gardens, 1817 W. Broadway, 573-445-8441
Bronze Award: Firestone Baars Chapel, Stephens College, 1306 E. Walnut St., 573- 876-7257

Best Place To Go Dancing
Warning! You might experience Déjà Vu. You’ve heard the nightclub has an awesome dance floor. You know about the extreme surround sound and fancy light equipment. You’ve heard it has great live music on the patio. So is it any wonder Déjà Vu was not only voted best nightclub but also best place to go dancing? If when the urge to boogie strikes, grab your friends and head down to The Vu to party. Don’t be shy – we know you’ve been there before. 405 Cherry St., 573-443-3216
Silver Award: Cody’s, 2508 Paris Road, 573-474-3004
Bronze Award: Tonic, 122 S. Ninth St., 573-256-6633

Best Place To Go Fishing
The mile-and-a-half stretch of water at Finger Lakes State Park is an ideal place to swim alongside the fish, but we know some of you would rather eat the fish than swim with them. Throw out your line and reel in crappie, black bass, striped bass and catfish in from these fertile waters of a reclaimed coal strip-mining operation. 1505 E. Peabody Road, 573-443-5315
Silver Award: Little Dixie Lake, Route RA & Route J, Millersburg, 573-884-6861
Bronze Award: Missouri River

Best Place To Get In Touch With Nature
The best way to run away from the bustle of city life is to explore the forests, streams and restored grasslands of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. For weekend relaxation, the park extends its warm welcome to hikers, bicyclists, horse riders and picnic-goers with its 15 miles of trails, 750-acre Gans Creek Wild Area, its picnic shelter and its playground. The Devil’s Icebox Wild Cave Tour challenges you with its more than seven miles of passages, both water and land. Call yourself a champion if you finish it! 5901 S. Highway 163, 573-449-7402
Silver Award: Katy Trail, 573-449-7402
Bronze Award: MKT Nature and Fitness Trail, 573-874-7460

Best Place To Take A Tourist
It’s hard to say when is the best time to come to The District, the bustling center of Columbia, but “anytime” is a good option. The event calendar is packed with celebrations, festivals and parades throughout the year. In an ordinary day, downtown Columbia boasts its lively mix of historic architecture, aromatic coffee houses, trendy boutiques and art galleries. Restaurants run the gamut of local, organic food, fine dining fare and international-inspired cuisine. A walk on campus at sunset and cutting-edge performances in theaters, bars and clubs enrich Columbian’s life after dark.
Silver Award: Mizzou campus
Bronze Award: Les Bourgeois Winery & Vineyards, 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573- 698-2133

Best Place To Throw A Child’s Birthday Party
If the name “Going Bonkers” doesn’t give you a clue as to why it’s a great place to throw a child’s birthday party, then you might be a little bonkers yourself. The large indoor playground looks like something a large mouse would play in, and its arcade games will keep the tiny tots and twisted teenagers busy for hours. And after hours of strategically trying to coax your kid out of the many tubes and mazes, your youngster might not be the only one going bonkers. 3812 Buttonwood Drive, 573-499-0366
Silver Award: Empire Roller Rink, 1305 Business Loop 70 E., 573-443-7375
Bronze Award: Chuck E. Cheese’s, 2003 W. Worley St., 573-445-1728

Best Place To Go For A Day Trip
A gateway to urban adventure, St. Louis is just a two-hour drive from Columbia. Get a bird’s eye view of the city from the Gateway Arch, and then take a close look at one of the world’s largest mosaic collections at Cathedral Basilica; go behind the scenes on the free Anheuser-Busch Brew Master Tour or feed the baby goats at Grant’s Farm. The city also offers plenty of hands-on discoveries for both kids and adults at the St. Louis Science Center, the Magic House and the City Museum. The Missouri Botanical Garden and St. Louis Zoo put you in touch with nature, saving you the time, energy and money it would take to see this flora and fauna in their natural habitats.
Silver Award: Lake of the Ozarks
Bronze Award: Rocheport

Best Girls’ Night Out Location
The Penguin has a transforming effect on women in Columbia. Once the singers start pounding away on the dueling pianos and the drinks start flowing, previously quiet women flock to the stage to hike up their dresses and get down. Those beset by stage fright still manage to conjure up enough nerve to dance at their tables and sing along loudly. Whether you’re single, married or somewhere in-between, The Penguin Piano Bar will make you forget about your worries (ahem, men) and remember what college was like with your best friends. 1025 E. Broadway, 573-449-8005
Silver Award: Ragtag Cinema, 10 Hitt St., 573-443-4359
Bronze Award: Déjà Vu, 405 Cherry St., 443-3216

Best Guys’ Night Out Location
Guys who like beer and fast service enjoy Harpo’s, the top pick of Columbia’s men out for a breather from the old ball and chain. The spacious interior, ample seating, Mizzou paraphernalia on the brick walls and inexpensive appetizers make for a fun experience. But who are we kidding? It has beer, and it’s fast. That’s all that matters. 29 S. 10th, 573¬443-5418
Silver Award: Club Vogue, 912 Business Loop 70 E., 573-442-7491
Bronze Award: Hooters, 1101 Woodland Springs Court, 573-886-4700

Best Place To Take A First Date
First dates call for comfort and an affordable bill. You don’t want to say to yourself, “Well, I’ve spent a lot of money on her so I might as well marry her.” At Addison’s, it’s not marriage or bust. Its cozy booths, intimate tables and dimly lit bar provide a comfortable setting with delicious food that will make your date ask for seconds – of food , and possibly you. 709 Cherry St., 573-256-1995
Silver Award: Les Bourgeois, 14020 W. Highway BB, Rocheport, 573-698-2133
Bronze Award: Sophia’s, 3915 S. Providence Road, 573-874-8009

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Dry Cleaner
“No stain, no gain” is the motto for Tiger Cleaners. These efficient cleaners clean the clothes you care about most and get rid of stains you thought were impenetrable. With their five locations around Columbia, residents can feel at ease knowing their clumsiness won’t be the end of their costly clothes. 126 S. Eighth St., 573-442-6107; 1608 Chapel Hill Road, 573- 234-2528; 3905 Peachtree Drive, 442-6613; 3302 W. Broadway Business Park Court, 573-445-5657; (in Hy-Vee) 3100 W. Broadway, 447-0133
Silver Award: Robinson’s Cleaners: 1204 Business Loop 70 E., 875-2568; 3601 Buttonwood Drive, 573-442-8526; 2901 W. Broadway, Suite 115, 573-445-6712; 21 Conley Road, Suite O, 573-875-2537
Bronze Award: Concord Custom Cleaners (write-in winner): 2716 Paris Road, Suite 8, 573-474-8633; 204 E. Nifong Blvd., 573-442-3138; 2101 W. Broadway, 573-445-1487

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Hotel
Want to stay in a lodge but can’t get away to the mountains? Stoney Creek Inn demonstrates Columbia’s hospitality to out-of-towners and locals by providing a luxurious wilderness experience indoors. The hotel has 180 guest rooms, some with enough wooden paneling and accoutrements to light up a logger’s eyes. There are also stone fireplace-equipped suites and a total of 11,000 square feet of meeting space for business gatherings, weddings and reunions. The extended-stay cottages are also available for the family that looks for a vacation with a taste of home. 2601 S. Providence Road, 573-442-6400
Silver Award: Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 I-70 Drive S.W., 573-445-8531
Bronze Award: Hampton Inn & Suites, 1225 Fellows Place, 573-214-2222

[READERS' CHOICE]
Most Passionate Small Business Owner
Leigh Lockhart squeezes her heart and soul into her business more than she squeezes juice from her fruits. Lockhart created Main Squeeze, which serves locally grown food, in 1998. When economic hard times recently hit, Lockhart had to rally to save her business by asking for loans and sending out e-mails explaining the business’s financial dilemma. The response was an increase in customers and a better future outlook not only for the tireless owner of Main Squeeze but for all Columbians looking for great food created with genuine devotion. 28 S. Ninth St., 573-817-5616
Silver Award: Arnie Fagan, Cool Stuff, 808 E. Broadway, 573-875-5225
Bronze Award: John Pham, Bangkok Gardens, 811 Cherry St., 573-874-3284

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Convenience Store/Gas Station
The only thing the QuickTrip on Clark Lane doesn’t offer is a bed for weary travelers. Everything else can be found for the person on the go: gasoline, hot breakfast sandwiches, fountain drinks, chips of every flavor and headache medicine to treat the pain of deciding among such extensive offerings. Add fast service to the mix, and you’ve just made the quickest trip in mid-Missouri. 3211 Clark Lane, 573-886-0171
Silver Award: Break Time (Forum & Stadium), 1410 Forum Blvd., 573-446-3213
Bronze Award: Sinclair/Mutrux Automotive (Stadium Boulevard): 2100 W. Rollins Road, 573-445-1070; 1300 Fellows Place, 573-449-2817

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Plumber
Do your pipes clog? No, we don’t mean do they put on wooden shoes and dance. Does your toilet run? OK, never mind. Columbians with toilet turmoil choose MasterTech Plumbing to get their pipes unclogged and their toilet, septic system and faucets running efficiently with same-day service. Friendly plumbers keep you and your waterworks happy when things are going – or not going – down the tubes. 5150 I-70 Drive S.W., 573-445-7283
Silver Award: Bob Lawrence, 1410 Truman Drive, 573-239-8005
Bronze Award: Wallace Plumbing (write-in winner), 1819 Gordon St., 573-449-4014

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Place For Swimming Lessons
Michael Phelps made swimming cool, but Macher’s Swim School can make it easy. With lessons for toddlers up to adults, Macher’s turns novices into experts. Instructors teach balancing, blowing bubbles and back floating to the kiddies and breaststroke, backstroke and butterfly to the adults. So throw away those floaties – the 2012 Olympiad is right around the corner. 2004 Corporate Place, 573-875-7946
Silver Award: The MAC, 2900 Forum Blvd., 573-449-2606
Bronze Award: Mizzou Rec Center (write-in winner), 320 Student Recreation Center, 573-882-2066

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Place To See & Buy Christmas Decorations
It’s no secret that My Secret Garden becomes a Christmas decorator’s delight come December. With Polish handblown ornaments and Santas, angels, and fairies in every corner, My Secret Garden is a tiny, winter wonderland in downtown Columbia. Some Columbians like the decorations so much they even ask the talented staff of My Secret Garden to come decorate their homes! 16 N. Ninth St., 573-443-1546
Silver Award: Allen’s Flowers, 111 S. Ninth St., 573-443-8719
Bronze Award: Kent’s Floral Gallery, 919 E. Broadway, 573-443-0232

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Shoe Repair Shop
If you don’t want to get rid of your favorite shoes, Dawson’s Shoe Repair will make them new again. Did your wingtip become a doggy chew toy? No problem. Did the heel break as you were doing a mean electric slide at your friend’s wedding? That might be a problem for your image, but it’s still not a problem for Dawson’s. 212 S. Eighth St., 573-442-1014
Silver Award: Cobbler Brothers, 1400 Forum Blvd., Suite 40, 573-445-5135
Bronze Award: Wren’s Birkenstock, 1009 E. Broadway, 573-443-1814

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Boss
Lewis and Clark, Batman and Robin, Bill and Ted … and now Sheals and Moore. With more than 30 years of friendship and a business partnership in their back pockets, Bill Sheals and Gary Moore are still going strong as the co-owners of Murry’s. The pair founded the restaurant in 1985 and created their own vision of success. It must be working because the staff loves working there – the eatery staff boasts one of the lowest turnovers and highest longevity rates in town. Now, if these two bosses could just learn to sing, look out Simon and Garfunkel! 3107 Green Meadows Way, 573-442-4969
Silver Award: Ed Johnson, Broadway Diner, 22 S. Fourth St., 573-875-1173
Bronze Award: Bob Pugh, MBS Textbook Exchange, 2711 W. Ash St., 573-445-2243

[READERS' CHOICE]
Best Performance Season
The “We Always Swing” Jazz Series not only swings, it also strums, pops, shakes and jives into Columbia every season. Some of the best jazz bands and solo artists have brought their flutes, saxophones and guitars to the city to show off their musical mojo. If the sounds of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis jazz you up, the musicians in “We Always Swing,” will not disappoint. 216 N. Eighth St., 573-449-3009
Silver Award: Missouri Theatre “Hot Summer Nights”
Bronze Award: MU Theatre Department Academic Year Season

[READERS' CHOICE]
Favorite Locally Owned Business
As a local icon, Shakespeare’s has been a steady community partner. From giving away free pizzas to freshmen (Hello! Ever heard of the freshmen 15?) to helping with giveaways and local fundraising, Shakespeare’s has become an integral part of Columbia. The pizza parlor also reaches beyond city limits and sends their pies everywhere. How far is it going? Just look at the wall of pictures of devoted customers all over the world in Shakespeare’s T-shirts and you’ll see! 225 S. Ninth St., 573-449-2454; 3304 Broadway Business Park Court, 573-447-1202
Silver Award: Booche’s, 110 S. Ninth St., 573-874-9519
Bronze Award: The Blue Note, 17 N. Ninth St., 573-874-1944