The best of San Benito county
The ballots are in, the votes are counted and it’s time once
again for us to reveal the results of the Pinnacle Awards.
This year, readers voted for their favorites in more than 120
categories that we’ve divided into best eats, best services and
best activities. More than 3,000 entries were submitted this year,
most of them to the newspaper’s Web site. Other hand-written
ballots were turned in as well.
The best of San Benito county
The ballots are in, the votes are counted and it’s time once again for us to reveal the results of the Pinnacle Awards.
This year, readers voted for their favorites in more than 120 categories that we’ve divided into best eats, best services and best activities. More than 3,000 entries were submitted this year, most of them to the newspaper’s Web site. Other hand-written ballots were turned in as well.
The number of votes this year was nearly three times the 600 votes we received in 2008. And we hardly had to publicize the contest ourselves, as businesses took the reins for us by sending out mass e-mails asking customers to vote for them or posting links to the Pinnacle Web site on their own homepages.
Once again, the categories that received the most votes were the ones related to food, proving that San Benito County residents take their eats seriously. The winners range from well-established eateries that have placed first or second in previous Pinnacle Awards contests to new restaurants on the block that have opened since last year and fast food joints that offer quick service.
Voters also had some clear-cut favorites when it came to other businesses. In the service category, we have incorporated almost everything from A to Z, starting with arts and craft hobby store and ending with western store. Readers also voted for their favorite local places for hair cuts to car washes to pet supplies.
The last category for best activities incorporates things people can do or participate in around town. It includes best club or organization, best local band, best local event and few other categories.
The winners listed below can claim the title of best in San Benito County, at least according to the 2009 Pinnacle Awards.
Best eats
Appetizer
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Bakery
1. El Nopal
2. Spudnut
Bar
1. Cheap Seats
2. Johnny’s Bar and Grill
Bar food
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Breakfast
1. Ding-A-Ling Cafe
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Burger
1. Cheap Seats
2. McDonald’s
Caterer
1. Knife and Fork Cafe
2. Victoria’s Italian Deli and Catering
Chinese food
1. Wong’s
2. Happy Cafe
Coffee
1. McDonald’s
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Deli/sandwich shop
1. Best of Times
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Dessert
1. The Elegant Touch
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Diner
1. Best of Times
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Dinner
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Donut
1. Spudnuts
2. Donut & Deli
Fast food
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. McDonald’s
French fries
1. McDonald’s
2. Cheap Seats
Fruit drink
1. Juice It Up
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Home cooking
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. Victoria’s Italian Deli and Catering
Hot dog
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. A&W
Ice cream
1. Baskin Robbins
2. McDonald’s
Japanese/sushi
1. AJ Sushi
2. Miyako’s
Lunch
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Meat
1. Tri-way
2. Safeway
Mexican food
1. Taco Bell
2. Super Taqueria
Mixed drink
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin;
2. Paine’s
Nachos
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Pizza
1. Roundtable Pizza
2. Neighborhood Pizza
Produce
1. Hollister Super
2. Bertuccio’s
Restaurant to take a date
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Seafood
1. El Michoacano Restaurant
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Steak
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. 19th Hole
Taco
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. Taco Bell
Tri-tip sandwich
1. Cheap Seats
2. Mansmith’s
Wine selection
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Winery
1. Leal Vineyards
2. DeRose Vineyards
Best services
Accountant
1. Grace & Associates
2. Bianchi, Kasavan and Pope
Arts & crafts/hobby
1. BCT Hobby
2. Homespun
Attorney
1. Greg LaForge
2. William Tiffany
Auto repair
1. G&M Auto
2. San Benito Tire
Bank
1. San Benito Bank
2. Chase Bank
Bartender
1. Norma at Cheap Seats
2. Carlette at Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Car dealer (new or used)
1. Greenwood Chevrolet
2. Tiffany Ford
Car salesperson
1. Greg Zazueta
2. John Sanchez
Car wash
1. Suds
2. Penguins
Carpet cleaning
1. Y Wait
2. 5 Star
Chiropractor
1. Dr. Brandon
2. Sam Breger
Church
1. New Life Fellowship
2. Sacred Heart-St. Benedict’s
Clothing store
1. Kmart
2. She’s
Computer repair
1. MJM
2. Rx-Tek
Contractor
1. JMT
2. Lindgren
Customer service
1. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
2. Victoria’s Italian Deli and Catering
Day care
1. Lynette Jewett
2. Connie’s
Day Spa
1. Heaven Scent
2. Tranquility Day Spa
Dentist
1. Mark Stevens
2. Craig Nagareda
Dental hygenist
1. Cheri Buzzetta
2. Beverly at Dr. Nagareda’s office
Doctor/physician
1. Al Hasan
2. Paul Percival
Doctor/specialist
1. Enis Martinez
2. Dr. Roco
Drug store
1. Rite Aid
2. Target
Dry cleaners
1. Plaza
2. French’s
Electrician
1. Keen
2. Enterprise
Electric Company
Employer
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Esthetician
1. Pam at Attitudes and Images
2. Cameron
Family practitioner
1. Al Hasan
2. Dr. Roco
Floor store
1. Pinnacle Hardwood Floors
2. Blue Ribbon Carpets
Flower shop
1. Hollister Flowers
2. Barone’s
2. Precious Petals
Glass shop
1. Milgard
2. San Benito Glass
Grocer/market
1. Nob Hill
2. Safeway
Local grower
1. Tonascia Farms
2. Swank Farms
Hair coloring
1. Arcilias
2. Jen Ferguson at Attitudes and Images
Hair salon
1. Arcilias
2. Super Cuts
Hair stylist
1. Arcilias
2. Jessica Powell
Hardware store
1. Ace
2. True Value
Health club/gym
1. Gold’s Gym
2. Mainstreet Kick Boxing
Heating/cooling
1. Marquez
2. Rianda Air
Home improvement
1. Serene Home
2. Ace Hardware
Horse trainer
1. Ramona Koch
2. Bourdets
Insurance company
1. Farmers Insurance Group
2. Calvista
Janitorial service
1. Cinderella’s Cleaning Services
2. Paula Bonilla
2. Bob’s
Jeweler
1. Maddux
2. Garcia
Lumberyard
1. McKinnon’s
2. Lowe’s
Martial arts studio
1. Mainstreet Kick Boxing
2. Technique
Massage therapy
1. Fritter
2. Julie Cattaneo
Motorcylce sales/service
1. Faultline Power Sports
2. Honda
Nail salon
1. Perfect Nails
2. Tip Top Toe
Nurse
1. Glenda
2. Mandy Lopez
Oil change
1. Speedy
2. San Benito Tire
Optometrist
1. Littacoat
2. Gary Mayeda
Organic producer
1. Tonascia Farms
2. Swank Farms
Party Supplies
1. Dollar Store
2. Target
Personal trainer
1. Cathy Huggins
2. Danny Kelly at Mainstreet Kick Boxing
Pest control
1. Pinnacle West
2. Clark’s
Pet groomer
1. Brinity at Country Groomers
2. Doggone Groomers
Pet supply stores
1. Country Groomers
2. Lil’ Pals Pet World
Pharmacist
1. Olga at Rite Aid
2. Steve and Jeannie Rosati at Pennywise Drug Store
Photographer
1. Zoom
2. Estevan Guzman
Plumber
1. Marquez Plumbing
2. Royal Flush
Pool service
1. Carl’s
2. South Valley
Ranch/farm supply
1. Ranchers Feed
2. McAbee’s
Real estate – commercial
1. Dough Kuerschner Jr
2. Marilyn Ferreira
Real estate – residential
1. Doug Kuerschner Jr
2. Marilyn Ferreira
Roadside fruit stand
1. Bertuccio’s
2. Swank Farms
Roofing
1. Hollister Roofing
2. Gary Welch
Service station
1. Safeway
2. San Benito Tire
Sporting goods
1. Big 5
2. Muenzer’s Cyclery and Sports Center
Shoes
1. Target
2. She’s
Tattoo artist
1. Matt Gomez
2. Pete Prado
Tax service
1. Grace and Associates
2. Mariposa Tax Service
Tires
1. Art’s Tires
2. San Benito Tire
Veterinarian
1. Alan Painter
2. Robert Wilson
Waiter/waitress
1. Carolyn, Cheap Seats
2. Nikole, Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Western store
1. Ranchers Feed
2. McAbee’s
Local politician
1. Victor Gomez
2. Anthony Botelho
Retail bargain
1. Goodwill
2. Target
Senior discount
1. Goodwill
2. Cheap Seats
Teacher – elementary
1. Mrs. Querie
2. Kathy Hudson
Teacher – middle or high school
1. Mrs. Creapue
2. Matt Hudson
Youth coach
1. Chris Cameron
2. Danny Kelly
Best activities
Local Band
1. The Jillian Project
2. 8 Second Ride
Local club/organization
1. Rotary
2. League of United Latin American Citizens
2. Salvation Army
Local Event
1. San Benito County Fair
2. Lights on
Free wi-fi
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Golf course
1. Bolado Golf Course
2. San Juan Oaks Golf Club
Place for entertainment
1. Cheap Seats
2. Relax! Grillin’ and Chillin’
Local Web site
1. http://relaxgrillinchillin.com/
2. www.pinnaclenews.com
Wine tasting
1. Leal Vineyards
2. DeRose
