Pizza, Mexican restaurants get top number of votes
When it comes to pizza and Mexican food, San Benito County
residents have strong opinions on what makes a good meal. The
Weekend Pinnacle staff received more votes for best Mexican
restaurant and best pizza than any other categories on the ballot.
And when the votes were tallied, it became clear which places are
crowd-pleasers.
Pizza, Mexican restaurants get top number of votes
When it comes to pizza and Mexican food, San Benito County residents have strong opinions on what makes a good meal. The Weekend Pinnacle staff received more votes for best Mexican restaurant and best pizza than any other categories on the ballot. And when the votes were tallied, it became clear which places are crowd-pleasers.
Nearly 130 votes were cast for best Mexican restaurants in San Benito County. Voters chose places such as burrito stands to those known more for the margaritas than the food to long-standing restaurants. Progresso’s Tamale Parlor, a staple in the community since 1939, topped the list.
Hot tamale
“Tamales, over all is the No. 1 seller,” said Margaret Zuniga, who co-owns the restaurant with her brother, Gil. “We do sell a lot of enchiladas and other things, but we are known for our tamales.”
The restaurant has a dining room where they serve sit-down meals, but as Zuniga mentioned, they are best known for their tamales. They sell between 16,000 and 20,000 tamales a year, many of them through direct sales. During the holidays, they sell beef, cheese and chili, and sweet tamales for those craving a taste of the Mexican Christmas tradition without all the work.
In addition to their tamales, Zuniga said they have made strides with their soups and salads.
“Our soups have become very popular and we have people calling in to see what soups we are making,” she said. “We do everything from scratch.”
With 68 years under their belt, the Zuniga family is doing something right.
“We’re enjoying the business still and as long as we enjoy it, we will keep at it,” Zuniga said.
Easy Mexican Potato Soup
1 large baking potato, peeled and cubed
2 c. half-and-half
1 c. canned, frozen or fresh corn kernels
1/2 small red bell pepper, finely diced
2 tsp. minced jalapeno, seeds and veins removed
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
salt, to taste
freshly ground pepper, to taste
Tabasco, to taste
Accompaniment: avocado slices, additional corn
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then cover and simmer until potatoes are cooked, about 15-20 min. Top with avocado slices and additional corn (if desired) and serve.
Yield: 4 servings Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 20 min
Pass me a slice
In addition to their passion for Mexican food, San Benito residents have a passion for pizza. And it seems the best pie in town comes from Round Table Pizza.
“We make everything fresh every day,” owner Michael Sicoli said. “We roll the dough and make the sauce seven days a week. Everything is fresh. Nothing is frozen.”
Sicoli owns the restaurant with his wife, Allison.
The most popular pie remains pepperoni, he said, but their specialty pizzas are also top choices. The King Arthur Supreme and the Garlic Italian Supreme top the list of gourmet pizzas they offer.
One other reason Round Table may top the list for locals is that they offer dine in, carry out, delivery and a take and bake option.
“It was offered to us about five years ago and since it’s been implemented we are one of nine Round Tables that still do it,” Sicoli said. “I try my best to please every customer I can. If I sell five [take and bakes] a week, I do it.”
The local franchise has been family owned and operated for 31 years.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Sicoli, who added that most of their employees are between 16-20 so it is often their first job. “It keeps you young. We really love what we do.”
The job can be hectic. One of the busiest days of the year is Halloween.
“A lot of people just want to throw something quick in their kid before they go out trick or treating,” Sicoli said.
Business tends to be consistent from month to month.
“We are a little busier when it rains,” he added.
The favorite topping in the nation makes an appearance on two of the favorite gourmet pizzas at Round Table.
King Arthur Supreme
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, Italian dry salami, linguica, mushrooms, green peppers, yellow onions, and black olives. Baked with a blend of 3 cheeses on a zesty red sauce.
Italian Garlic Supreme
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms, green onions, and lots of chopped garlic. Baked with a blend of three cheeses on a creamy garlic sauce.
Romance and celebration
When it comes to finding a special restaurant for a first date or a golden wedding anniversary, there are plenty to choose from in San Benito County. The Inn at Tres Pinos topped the list for special occasion restaurant, but another restaurant in the area is making strides.
Miles Neal, the general manager of the Cedar House pointed to the food and atmosphere as the reason his restaurant made the top two for special occasion restaurants.
“It’s a beautiful restaurant,” Neal said. “It has waterfalls, beautiful plantings and those two things coupled together with a great serving staff always delights people.”
The restaurant also received one write-in vote for best steakhouse.
“USDA prime meats, steaks and prime ribs, all those just melt in your mouth,” Neal said.
The restaurant also has other fare for those who prefer something other than red meat. They do a fishermen’s stew and wood-fired pizzas. All the desserts are baked in house.
Keep it cool
The Pinnacle Awards category for best original cocktail confused a lot of readers. Vodka cranberry is not an original cocktail. Neither is a mojito, margarita or a cosmopolitan. If you can order it at almost any bar in America, it’s not an original.
There was, however, one original cocktail that got a few votes from readers. Hollister Ice seems to be the drink to order at the Vault. None of the current staff at the Vault are clear where the drink came from, but they know how to make it. It is most likely a play on a Long Island Ice Tea, which is packed with alcohol and tiny bit of soda. Hollister Ice is a little bit sweeter, but has plenty of liquor to get a party started. The drink may not be the best tasting one in San Benito County, but the alcohol content is sure to keep it a local favorite. Drink up, but bring a designated driver along.
Hollister Ice
1 part triple sec
1 part vodka
1 part rum
1 part peach schnapps
1 ½ parts Pineapple juice
A splash of sweet and sour mix
All of the owners expressed gratitude to the customers who kept them at the top of the list for best restaurants in San Benito County.
“We at Round Table want to thank the community for their vote and for supporting us all these years,” Sicoli said.
Margaret Zuniga of Progresso’s echoed that.
“We are thankful to our customers,” she said. “We have a lot of long-time customers. They make our business.”
