Congratulations to this year’s winners and finalists! And thank you to all of our readers who voted in this year’s poll. Special thanks to Sarah Andrews, who assisted with this project.
Locations Guide: Search the Indy‘s database for current and previous Best of the Triangle winners
Google Maps: Winners in Wake County | Durham County | Orange & Chatham counties
Categories: Out & About | Wine & Dine | Goods & Services
Out & About
Best neighborhood bar in Wake County
The Goat Bar 5111 Western Blvd. Raleigh 233-4143 goat-bar.com
Finalists: The Borough, The Raleigh Times Bar
Best neighborhood bar in Durham County
The Federal 914 W. Main St. Durham 680-8611 www.thefederal.net
Finalists: Dain’s Place, James Joyce
Best neighborhood bar in Orange/ Chatham County
Orange County Social Club 108 E. Main St. Carrboro 933-0669 www.orangecountysocialclub.com
Finalists: Hell, Milltown
Best bar staff in Wake County
The Borough 317 W. Morgan St., Suite 117 Raleigh 832-8433 www.theboroughraleigh.com
Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, The Raleigh Times Bar
Best bar staff in Durham County
Steel Blue 1426 S. Miami Blvd., Suite A Durham 596-5876 www.clubsteelblue.com
Finalists: The Federal, Tyler’s Taproom
Best bar staff in Orange/ Chatham County
Hell (tie) 157 E. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-9666 www.chapelhell.com
Orange County Social Club (tie) 108 E. Main St. Carrboro 933-0669 www.orangecountysocialclub.com
Finalist: Lantern
Best club DJ
DJ Joey (Legends) 330 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 831-8888 www.legends-club.com
Finalists: Son of Sam, DJ Merlin
Best band in Wake County
Chatham County Line www.chathamcountyline.com
Finalists: The Annuals, The Rosebuds
Best band in Durham County
Tooth www.myspace.com/toothrocks
Finalists: Midtown Dickens, Future Kings of Nowhere
Best band in Orange/ Chatham County
The Old Ceremony (tie) www.theoldceremony.com
The Never (tie) www.thenever.org
Best art gallery
Artspace 201 E. Davie St. Raleigh 821-2787 www.artspacenc.org
Finalists: N.C. Museum of Art, Lump Gallery
Best live theater
Raleigh Little Theatre 301 Pogue St. Raleigh 821-3111 www.raleighlittletheatre.org
Finalists: Manbites Dog Theater, PlayMakers Repertory Company
Best theater to see a blockbuster movie
Southpoint 8030 Renaissance Parkway Durham 572-9966 www.streetsatsouthpoint.com
Finalists: North Hills, Mission Valley
Best theater to see an independent film
The Rialto 1620 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 856-8683 www.therialto.com
Finalists: The Carolina Theatre, The Chelsea
Best outdoor music venue
Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek 3801 Rock Quarry Road Raleigh 831-6400 www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/502
Finalists: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, N.C. Museum of Art
Best place to see music before 10 p.m.
The Cave 452 1/2 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-9308 www.caverntavern.com
Finalists: Cat’s Cradle, Sadlack’s Heroes
Best strip club
Pure Gold www.puregoldclubs.com
Finalists: The Men’s Club, Teaser’s Palace
Best sports bar
Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com
Finalists: Hi-5, Bailey’s Pub
Best dance club
The Office 310 S. West St. Raleigh 828-9994 www.theofficenightclub.com
Finalists: Legends, Steel Blue
Best lesbian bar
Steel Blue 1426 S. Miami Blvd., Suite A Durham 596-5876 www.clubsteelblue.com
Finalist: Legends
Best gay bar
Legends 330 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 831-8888 www.legends-club.com
Finalists: Steel Blue, Flex
Best place to shoot pool
The Green Room 1108 Broad St. Durham 286-2359 www.myspace.com/greenroomshow
Finalists: Tyler’s Speakeasy, Bailey’s Pub
Best jukebox
Hell 157 E. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-9666 www.chapelhell.com
Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, Orange County Social Club
Best karaoke
Fat Daddy’s 6201 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 787-3773
Finalist: Flex
Best place to salsa dance
The Red Room 510 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 835-1322 www.redroomraleigh.com
Finalist: Carmen’s Cuban Café
Best place to hear jazz
Yancy’s 319 Fayetteville St. Raleigh 821-7171 www.yancysonline.com
Finalists: Amra’s, Talullas
Best place to hear hip-hop
Cat’s Cradle 300 E. Main St. Carrboro 967-9053 www.catscradle.com
Finalist: Five Star
Best place to hear rock ‘n’ roll
Cat’s Cradle 300 E. Main St. Carrboro 967-9053 www.catscradle.com
Finalists: Local 506, Lincoln Theater
Best place to hear country music
City Limits Saloon 901 Tryon Hill Drive Raleigh 829-3939 www.hellyeahraleigh.com
Best place to hear bluegrass
The Pour House 224 S. Blount St. Raleigh 821-1120 www.the-pour-house.com
Best place to watch televised ACC in Wake County
Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com
Finalists: Hi-5, Ba-Da Wings
Best place to watch televised ACC in Durham County
Satisfaction 905 W. Main St., Suite 37 Durham 682-7397 www.satisfactionrestaurant.com
Finalists: Dain’s Place, Carolina Ale House
Best place to watch televised ACC in Orange/ Chatham County
Four Corners 175 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-3809
Finalists: Bailey’s Pub, Carolina Brewery, Orange County Social Club
Best place to watch Monday night football
Carolina Ale House www.carolinaalehouse.com
Finalists: Hi-5, Ba-Da Wings
Best place to watch televised international soccer
Italian Pizzeria III 508 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 968-4671 italianpizzeria3.com
Finalists: Hibernian, Tir Na Nog
Wine & Dine
Best new restaurant in Wake County
Café Capistrano 8471 Garvey Drive, Durant Station Raleigh 872-1127 www.cafecapistrano.com
Finalists: Poole’s Downtown Diner, The Mint
Best new restaurant in Durham County
Watts Grocery 1116 Broad St. Durham 416-5040 www.wattsgrocery.com
Finalists: Blu Seafood & Bar, Toast
Best new restaurant in Orange/ Chatham County
Southern Rail 201-C E. Main St. Carrboro 967-1967 www.sr-nc.com
Finalists: Crawdaddy’s, Chipotle
Best chef in Wake County
Ashley Christensen @ Enoteca Vin & Poole’s Downtown Diner 410 Glenwood Ave Suite 350 Raleigh 834-3070 www.enotecavin.com & 426 S. McDowell St. Raleigh 832-4477 www.poolesdowntowndiner.com
Finalists: Jason Smith @ 18 Seaboard, Todd Ohle @ 1705Prime
Best chef in Durham County
Ben Barker @ Magnolia Grill 1002 Ninth St. Durham 286-3609 www.magnoliagrill.net
Finalists: Amy Tornquist @ Watts Grocery, Tim Lyons @ Blu Seafood
Best chef in Orange/ Chatham County
Andrea Reusing @ Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com
Finalists: Damon Lapas @ The Barbecue Joint, Bret Jennings @ Elaine’s on Franklin
Best waitstaff in Wake County
The Borough 317 W. Morgan St., Suite 117 Raleigh 832-8433 www.theboroughraleigh.com
Finalists: Angus Barn, J. Betski’s
Best waitstaff in Durham County
Watts Grocery (tie) 1116 Broad St. Durham 416-5040 www.wattsgrocery.com
Elmo’s Diner (tie) 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 www.elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Blu Seafood & Bar, Magnolia Grill
Best waitstaff in Orange/ Chatham County
Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com
Finalists: Spotted Dog, Elmo’s Diner, Top of the Hill, Elaine’s on Franklin
Best place to people watch
Weaver Street Market 101 E. Weaver St.Carrboro 929-0010 www.weaverstreetmarket.coop
Finalist: Whole Foods
Best coffee shop
Cup A Joe www.cspot.com & www.joevangogh.com
Finalists: Starbucks, Open Eye Café, The Third Place, Helios
Best outdoor dining in Wake County
Mellow Mushroom 601 W. Peace St. Raleigh 832-3499 www.mellowmushroom.com
Finalists: Whole Foods, Humble Pie
Best outdoor dining in Durham County
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: Foster’s Market, Alivia’s
Best outdoor dining in Orange/ Chatham County
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: Top of the Hill, Crook’s Corner
Best romantic restaurant
Lantern 423 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 969-8846 lanternrestaurant.com
Finalists: The Melting Pot, Five Star, Second Empire
Best business lunch
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: Winston’s Grille, Bogart’s
Best super cheap meal
Cosmic Cantina 1920 Perry St. Durham 286-1875 & 128 E. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 960-3955
Finalists: Cook Out!, Snoopy’s
Best children’s menu
Elmo’s Diner 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 & 200 N. Greensboro St., Carr Mill Mall Carrboro 929-2909 www.elmosdiner.com
Finalist: Twisted Fork
Best salad
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: Panera Bread, Sweet Tomatoes, Lilly’s Pizza, Green Tango
Best sandwich
Sandwhich 431 W. Franklin St., Suite 16 Chapel Hill 929-2114 www.sandwhich.biz
Finalists: Panera Bread, The Rockford, Sunflowers, Jason’s Deli
Best bagel
Bruegger’s Bagels www.brueggers.com
Finalists: Whole Foods, Panera Bread, Bagels on the Hill
Best desserts
The Cheesecake Factory 8030 Renaissance Parkway Durham 206-4082 & 4325 Glenwood Ave., Suite 2086 Raleigh 781-0050 www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Finalists: Hayes Barton Café, Francesca’s, Mad Hatter’s Bakeshop
Best steak
Angus Barn 9401 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 781-2444 www.angusbarn.com
Finalists: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Best burger in Wake County
Char-Grill www.choppedonion.com/id37.html
Finalists: Five Guys, Mo Joe’s
Best burger in Durham County
Dain’s Place 754 Ninth St. Durham 416-8800 dainsplace.net
Finalists: Red Robin, Cook Out!, Five Guys
Best burger in Orange/ Chatham County
Tyler’s Taproom 102 E. Main St. Carrboro 929-6881 www.tylerstaproom.com
Finalists: Acme Food & Beverage Co., Sutton’s Drug Store, Carolina Brewery
Best fries
Five Guys www.fiveguys.com
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, McDonald’s
Best wings
Hooters www.hooters.com
Finalists: Ba-Da Wings, Wild Wing Café
Best hot dog
Snoopy’s www.snoopys.com
Finalists: The Dog House, The Roast Grill
Best pizza
Lilly’s Pizza Five Points 1813 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 833-0226 www.lillyspizza.com
Finalists: Mellow Mushroom, Amante Gourmet Pizza
Best barbecue
Allen & Son 6203 Millhouse Road Chapel Hill 942-7576 & 5650 US Highway 15 501 N. Pittsboro 542-2294
Finalists: The Q Shack, Smithfield’s, Clyde Cooper’s
Best sushi
Sushi Blues 301 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 664-8061 www.sushibluescafe.com
Finalists: Waraji, Sushi Thai
Best Vietnamese cuisine
An 2800 Renaissance Park Place, Cary 677-9229 www.ancuisines.com
Finalists: Lime & Basil, Dalat
Best Italian cuisine
411 West 411 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 967-2782 www.411west.com
518 West 518 W. Jones St. Raleigh 829-2518 www.518west.com
Finalists: Casalinga, Bella Monica
Best Caribbean cuisine
Bahama Breeze 3309 Wake Forest Road Raleigh 872-6330 www.bahamabreeze.com
Finalists: Jamaica Jamaica, Blu Seafood & Bar
Best Greek cuisine
Taverna Agora 6101 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 881-8333 www.tavernaagora.com
Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Taverna Nikos & Nikos Taverna, Spartacus
Best French cuisine
Rue Cler 401 E. Chapel Hill St. Durham 682-8844 www.ruecler-durham.com
Finalists: Vin Rouge, Bonne Soiree
Best Chinese cuisine
P.F. Chang’s www.pfchangs.com
Finalists: Neo-China, Five Star, Jade Palace
Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Wake County
Dos Taquitos 5629 Creedmoor Road Raleigh 787-3373 & 106 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh 835-3593 www.dostaquitosnc.com
Finalists: El Rodeo, Los Tres Magueyes
Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Durham County
El Rodeo Brightleaf Square 905 W. Main St. Durham 683-2417 & 3404 Westgate Drive Durham 402-9190
Finalists: Torero’s, Blue Corn Café
Best Mexican/ Latin American cuisine in Orange/ Chatham County
Fiesta Grill 3307 NC Highway 54 W. Chapel Hill 928-9002 www.fiestagrill.us
Finalists: Carrburritos, Margaret’s Cantina
Best Thai cuisine
Sawasdee Thai Restaurant 3601 Capital Blvd., Suite 107 Raleigh 878-0049 sawasdeerestaurant.com
Finalists: Sushi Thai, Thai Café
Best Japanese cuisine
Kanki www.kanki.com
Finalists: Waraji, Akai Hana
Best Indian cuisine
Sitar India Palace 3117-D Shannon Road Durham 490-1326 sitarindiapalace.net
Finalists: Tandoor Indian, Royal India Restaurant, Dale’s Indian Cuisine
Best Middle Eastern cuisine
Neomonde 3817 Beryl Road Raleigh 828-1628 & 10235 Chapel Hill Road Morrisville 466-8100 www.neomonde.com
Finalists: Mediterranean Deli, Baba Ghannouj
Best seafood
Squid’s 1201 N. Fordham Blvd. Chapel Hill 942-8757 www.squidsrestaurant.com
Finalists: 42nd Street Oyster Bar, Kemp’s Seafood, Fins Restaurant
Best bakery
Guglhupf Bakery 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Suite 1 Durham 401-2600 www.guglhupf.com
Finalists: Whole Foods, La Farm, Mad Hatter’s Bakeshop
Best comfort food
Mama Dip’s 408 W. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 942-5837 www.mamadips.com
Finalists: Elmo’s Diner, Whole Foods, K & W
Best brunch/ breakfast
Elmo’s Diner 776 Ninth St. Durham 416-3823 & Carr Mill Mall 200 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro 929-2909 www.elmosdiner.com
Finalists: Brigs Restaurants, Whole Foods, Humble Pie
Best Irish pub
Tir Na Nog 218 S. Blount St. Raleigh 833-7795 www.tirnanogirishpub.com
Finalists: Hibernian, James Joyce, Napper Tandy’s
Best bar food in Wake County
The Raleigh Times Bar 14 E. Hargett St. Raleigh 833-0999 www.raleightimesbar.com
Finalists: The Borough, Hi-5
Best bar food in Durham County
The Federal 914 W. Main St. Durham 680-8611 www.thefederal.net
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Dain’s Place
Best bar food in Orange/ Chatham County
Milltown 307 E. Main St. Carrboro 968-2460
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Fuse
Best margarita
El Rodeo
Finalists: Dos Taquitos, Margaret’s Cantina
Best bloody mary
NoFo 2014 Fairview Road Raleigh 821-1240 www.nofo.com
Finalists: East Village, Acme Food & Beverage Co.
Best draft beer selection
Flying Saucer 328 W. Morgan St. Raleigh 821-7468 www.beerknurd.com
Finalists: Tyler’s Taproom, Milltown
Best martini
Blue Martini 116 N. West St., Suite 100 Raleigh 899-6464 www.bluemartiniraleigh.com
Finalists: Bogart’s, East End
Best meal after 10 p.m.
Blue Martini 116 N. West St., Suite 100 Raleigh 899-6464 www.bluemartiniraleigh.com
Finalists: Cosmic Cantina, Cook Out!, The Borough
Goods & Services
Best CD/ record store
Schoolkids Records 2712 Hillsborough St., Suite 100 Raleigh 821-7766 www.schoolkidsrecords.com
Finalists: CD Alley, Best Buy, Offbeat Music
Best place to buy music gear
Guitar Center 1720 Guess Road, Suite 70 Durham 286-5600 & 3100 Capital Blvd. Raleigh 872-0331 www.guitarcenter.com
Finalists: The Music Loft, Harry’s Guitar Shop
Best camera/ video shop
Wolf Camera www.wolfcamera.com
Finalists: Peace Camera, Southeastern Camera
Best local bookstore
Quail Ridge Books 3522 Wade Ave. Raleigh 828-1588 quailridgebooks.booksense.com
Finalists: The Regulator, Nice Price Books
Best comic book store
Chapel Hill Comics 412 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 967-4439 www.chapelhillcomics.com
Finalists: Capitol Comics, Ultimate Comics
Best thrift store
PTA Thrift Shop 103 Jones Ferry Road Carrboro 967-1272 & 103 S Elliott Road Village Plaza Chapel Hill 942-6101 ptathriftshop.com
Finalists: Goodwill Thrift, Father & Son Antiques, Time After Time
Best jewelry store in Wake County
Bailey’s 415 Daniels St. Raleigh 829-7337 www.baileysfinejewelry.com
Finalists: Jared’s, Jolly’s
Best jewelry store in Durham County
Jewelsmith 2200 W. Main St., Suite A-170 Durham 286-2990 www.jewelsmithonline.com
Finalists: Hamilton Hill International Designer Jewelry, Jared’s
Best jewelry store in Orange/ Chatham County
Grimball Jewelers 79 S. Elliott Road Chapel Hill 929-2580 www.grimballjewelers.com
Finalists: Goldworks Fine Jewelry, Light Years Jewelry
Best vintage jewelry store
Beggars & Choosers 38 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro 542-5884 www.pittsboroshops.com/bnc.htm
Finalists: Tough Love Boutique, Father & Son Antiques, Joint Venture Estate Jewelers
Best place to buy new furniture
Ecko 2218 Nelson Hwy., Suite A Chapel Hill 493-6311 & 6740 Fleetwood Drive Raleigh 781-0081 www.eckointernational.com
Finalists: Rooms to Go, Havertys, Ambiente
Best place to buy used furniture
Father & Son Antiques 107 W. Hargett St. Raleigh 832-3030 www.swankarama.com
Finalists: Furniture Follies, Shelton’s Furniture
Best local place to buy a wedding gift
Belk www.belk.com
Finalist: Nested
Best local hardware store in Wake County
Ace Hardware www.acehardware.com
Finalists: Burke Brothers Hardware, Lowes, Briggs Hardware
Best local hardware store in Durham County
Public Hardware 505 N. Mangum St. Durham 688-4321
Finalists: True Value Hardware, Ace Hardware
Best local hardware store in Orange/ Chatham County
Fitch Lumber 309 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro 942-3153 fitchlumber.com
Finalists: Ace Hardware, Pope’s True Value Hardware, Dual Supply Co.
Best garden store
Logan’s Trading Co. 707 Semart Drive Raleigh 828-5337 www.logantrd.com
Finalists: Southern States, Stone Brothers
Best bike shop
The Bicycle Chain thebicyclechain.com
Finalists: Flythe Cyclery, The Clean Machine, Performance Bicycle
Best outdoor outfitters
REI www.rei.com
Finalists: Great Outdoor Provision Co., Townsend Bertram & Co.
Best place to buy erotic gifts
Adam & Eve www.adameve.com
Finalists: Cherry Pie, Priscilla’s
Best place for kick-ass shoes
DSW www.dsw.com
Finalists: Nordstrom, Vertical Urge, Monkee’s, SRI
Best local women’s boutique
Tough Love Boutique 3114 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 833-0073 toughloveboutique.com
Finalists: Uniquities, Scout & Molly’s
Best men’s clothing
Jos A. Bank www.josbank.com
Finalists: Vertical Urge, NV
Best store to buy eyewear
Specs 701 Ninth St. Durham 286-4426 & 8030 Renaissance Parkway, Suite 850 Durham 572-1200
Finalists: Vertical Urge, Eye Care Associates, LensCrafters
Best hair salon in Wake County
DS Parada Color Café 9660 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 151 Raleigh 870-6601 www.dsparada.com
Finalists: Marigold Parlour, Salon Blu
Best hair salon in Durham County
Wavelengths 704 Ninth St. Durham 416-9705 www.wavelengthsalon.biz
Finalists: Funky Monkey, Perfection
Best hair salon in Orange/ Chatham County
Moshi Moshi 416 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 933-1272 www.moshimoshimeanshello.com
Finalists: Mina’s Studio, Syd’s
Best day spa
Iatria www.iatria.com
Finalists: Skin Sense, Mina’s Studio
Best place to get a manicure/ pedicure
Mina’s Studio The Galleria Shopping Center 400 S. Elliott Road, Suite K Chapel Hill 968-8548 www.minasstudio.com
Finalists: Iatria, Lee Spa Nails
Best place to get a facial
Iatria www.iatria.com
Finalists: Mina’s Studio, Aveda Institute
Best hotel in Wake County
The Umstead Hotel and Spa 100 Woodland Pond Cary 447-4000 www.theumstead.com
Finalists: Embassy Suites, Marriott
Best hotel in Durham County
Washington Duke Inn 3001 Cameron Blvd. Durham 490-0999 www.washingtondukeinn.com
Finalists: Marriott, Hilton
Best hotel in Orange/ Chatham County
The Franklin Hotel 311 W. Franklin St. Chapel Hill 442-9000 www.franklinhotelnc.com
Finalists: Siena Hotel, The Carolina Inn
Best gym/ health club in Wake County
YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org
Finalists: Peak Fitness, Gold’s Gym, Seaboard Fitness & Wellness
Best gym/ health club in Durham County
YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org
Finalists: Peak Fitness, Duke Center for Living
Best gym/ health club in Orange/ Chatham County
Peak Fitness www.peakfitnessclubs.com
Finalists: Carolina Fitness, Millennium Sports Clubs
Best tattoo studio
Blue Flame Tattoo 3015 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 755-3355 www.blueflametattoo.com
Finalists: Phoenix Tattoo, Dogstar Tattoo
Best place to get pierced
Pro-gress Body Piercing 1213 Hillsborough St. Raleigh 833-4559 www.myspace.com/progresspiercing
Finalists: Blue Flame Tattoo, Dogstar Tattoo, Warlocks Tattoo
Best candy selection
A Southern Season University Mall 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill 929-7133 www.southernseason.com
Finalists: Parker and Otis, Fresh Market
Best retail cheese selection
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: A Southern Season, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe’s
Best retail beer selection
Peace Street Market 804 W. Peace St. Raleigh 834-7070
Finalists: Sam’s Quik Shop, Total Wine
Best retail wine selection
Total Wine www.totalwine.com
Finalists: A Southern Season, Seaboard Wine Warehouse, Trader Joe’s
Best local wine store with knowledgeable staff
A Southern Season University Mall 201 S. Estes Drive Chapel Hill 929-7133 www.southernseason.com
Finalists: Total Wine, Wine Authorities
Best place to shop for a new vehicle
Leith
Finalists: Fred Anderson, Johnson Lexus, Southern States
Best place to shop for a pre-owned vehicle
CarMax 8520 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh 783-9494 & 3809 Capital Blvd. Raleigh 790-9433 www.carmax.com
Finalist: Leith
Best dance studio
Ninth Street Dance 1920 1/2 Perry St. Durham 286-6011 www.ninthstreetdance.com
Finalists: The Ballet School of Chapel Hill, Barriskill Dance Theatre School
Best dry cleaner
Medlin-Davis Cleaners www.medlindavis.com
Finalists: Brothers Cleaners, Hilkers Cleaners, White Star Laundry & Cleaners
Best real estate agency
Fonville Morisey www.fmrealty.com
Finalists: Linda Lee Realty Group, Allen Tate Realtors, Jayme Hicks RE/MAX United
Best medical practice
Raleigh Family Practice 4414 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 502 Raleigh 875-0539 www.rfppa.com
Finalists: Bruce Wilks, Carrboro Family Medicine; Triangle Family Practice
Best dental practice
Dinah Vice, Sunrise Dental www.dinahvice-sunrisedental.com
Finalists: Kennedy Dental Group; Milo Hoffman, Hoffman & Jordan
Best optometrist
Dr. Amanda Steele Eye Care Associates www.eyecareassociatesnc.com
Finalist: Carrboro Family Vision
Best chiropractor
Dr. Chas Gaertner North Carolina Chiropractic 212 W. Rosemary St. Chapel Hill 929-3552 www.ncchiropractic.net
Finalist: Dr. Jennifer Greenfield, Center for Chiropractic & Wellness
Best auto shop
Pinnacle Automotive Service 3101 Spring Forest Road Raleigh 828-3113 www.bimmercare.com
Finalists: Chapel Hill Tire, Tao Auto
Best radio DJ
Bob and the Showgram (G105) 3100 Smoketree Court, Suite 700 Raleigh 878-1500 (main)/ 860-1051 (request/contest) www.bobandtheshowgram.com
Finalists: Foster and the Blade (96 Rock), Salt and Demitri the Greek (96 Rock)
Best radio station
WKNC 88.1 NCSU Campus Box 8607 Raleigh 515-2401 (business)/ 860-0881 (request)/ 515-2400 (request) www.wknc.org
Finalists: WUNC 91.5, Sunny 93.9, 96 Rock
Best local television personality
Greg Fishel, WRAL PO Box 12000 Raleigh, NC 27605 (mail) 2619 Western Blvd., Raleigh (street) 821-8555 www.wral.com/weather
Finalists: David Crabtree, WRAL; Pam Saulsby, WRAL
Best salvage/ reuse business
The Scrap Exchange 548 Foster St. Durham 688-6960 www.scrapexchange.org
Finalists: Habitat for Humanity, Joel Haas Studio, Father & Son Antiques
Best green business
Whole Foods www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Finalists: Larry’s Beans, JDavis Architects
Best children’s toy store
Tookie’s Toys Cameron Village 2028 Cameron St. Raleigh 828-5574 & 6675 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh 841-4955 www.tookiestoys.com
Finalists: Toys R Us, Learning Express, The Play House
Best children’s clothing store
The Red Hen 201 Weaver St. Carrboro 942-4420 theredhen.com
Finalists: Moxie Kids, The Children’s Place
Best birthday cakes
Edible Art 3801 Hillsborough St., Suite 405 Raleigh 856-0604 www.edibleartbakery.com
Finalists: Mad Hatter’s Bakeshop, Once in a Blue Moon Bakery
Best summer camp
YMCA www.ymcatriangle.org
Finalists: Camp Kanata, Arts Together
Best after-school program
A.E. Finley YMCA 9216 Baileywick Road Raleigh 848-9622 www.ymcatriangle.org/A.E._Finley_YMCA.aspx
Finalist: Arts Together
Best school principal
Dave Thaden, East Chapel Hill High 500 Weaver Dairy Road Chapel Hill 969-2482 www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=5
Finalists: Jim Key, Riverside High (Durham); Roy Teel, Broughton High (Raleigh)
Best pet-sitting service
Dogwalk Durham 697-6048 www.dogwalkinc.com
Finalist: Love ’em and Leave ’em Pet Sitting
Best place to board your pet
Camp Canine (tie) 333 James Jackson Ave. Cary 468-8301 www.campcanine.com
Doggie Spa and Day Care (tie) 1101 Dawson Road Chapel Hill 932-4738 www.doggiespa.com
Finalist: Sunny Acres Pet Resort
Best pet specialty store
Phydeaux 103 W. Weaver St. Carrboro 960-3606 phydeauxpets.com
Finalists: PetsMart, Petco, Gourmutt’s Bakery, Wag Pet Boutique
Best veterinarian
Oberlin Animal Hospital www.caringfirst.us
Finalists: Triangle Veterinary Hospital, The Animal Hospital of Carrboro, Park Veterinary Hospital, Banfield