So having a Ruth's Chris means Fresno finally made it? Really?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Dyer is a publicly elected official.

And why in the hell isn't Patrick Contreras on this list? Sippy and Old Guzzler? Fricken really??

Wow. People voted for the Met as Best Renovated Building before it even reopened. Legit.

I'd be worried if I thought people gave a s*** about Fresno Magazine.

And so it continues....

i know the owner of plana ventana isn't going to like a 3rd place finish. he takes pride in winning the top award. Guadalajara is good, but i prefer Castillo's over on the east side.

I do like Plaza Ventana the best. The double wammy burrito is the best burrito in town.

I was supposed to go to the event tonight but after seeing the winners a few days ago, I refuse to support a magazine who calls their launch parties the best "place to be seen".
Gag.

Of course Fresno Magazine would corner the market by saying that the "Place To Be Seen" is a Fresno Magazine Launch Party. Some of these I don't necessarily agree with, like for example "Local Elected Official". Jim Costa and Devin Nunes are from the area and should've made that list.

No "Best Tattoo Parlor"?

Right. While I don't have an opinion on ALL of these things, there are a few that I gotta say SOMETHIN' about!

Coffeehouse - Why is JavaJet even ON here? Their cr*p tastes like they melted brown crayons in hot water...

Asian - D'hou

Breakfast - Waffle Shop on Blackstone!

Local Burger - Vahan's lunch truck @ Courthouse Park (used to be in front of the Mariposa bldg.)

But, Anyway...

OOOH! BEST TATTOO PARLOR!!!

Skin Decor!!!

(Mad props to Christy Bird!)

Nah!!! It's all about La Luna Loca on Wishon behind Bank of America!

this list, and all the others like it (including the bee's version), is always straight up comedy, and only ensures continued advertising revenue by the "top place" finishers.

its cool tho, it means the real stuff does not get blown out by the suv crowd.

Man, does this really surprise you brudda! Look Magazines such as this one are lost, I know it's a survey and all but come on now!

Roe is the best club in town, to go and waste money at! Are we all truly haters or are we just mature to the point that getting drunk every night, taking strange women or men home, getting into drunken "Matches", pullin' up in our fancy cars (Pinto's), and wearin' cool clothes just don't matter that much?

Who would choose Applebee's over Japanese Kitchen? How many Applebee's are there in town to even warrant a distinction as "The Best"?

This city is in for a rude awakening one of these days... We've already scene why there isn't true art, excuse me the best art on the Northside of the Valley.

Some people just don't get it! They need to bring Stacy Johnson Klein back on the cover with Scott Johnson and then call that story the BEST COUPLE EVER TO HOOK UP, SWINDLE A UNIVERSITY, AND MAKE A CUTE BABY...

Pfff... The Best of... PLEASE!!!

I guess it sounds like I'm not the happiest but in all honesty, I'll be at the deal tonight smiling and bumpin' elbows with the BEST of the FRESNO MAGAZINE... (I spy a funny guy).

North Fresno wins again.

How about best Fresno Mortgage company? Maybe they can include this category next year.

Maybe this should be called Best of Fresno Magazine Advertisers. I'm suprised anything south of Nees was even mentioned on here.

I'm also suprised they didn't vote themselves Best Magazine and Best Awards Show as well.

You gotta love best ofs. And speaking of (ofs), The Bee has opened voting for its People's Choice Awards. That means there'll be another of these too.

I hope that last comment was a joke... There's nothing like a shameless plug!

There are probably, oh I don't know, THOUSANDS of people who are out of homes because of the best Mortgage companies of the Valley.

Well, then again if you happen to have a killer deal on a Foreclosure or short sale, hit me up...

They forgot a category:

BEST WAY TO SOAK ADVERTISING DOLLARS FROM EGO-DRIVEN BUSINESSES:

1. The annual Best of Fresno issue

(It isn't just Fresno Magazine, of course. The Bee's advertising department does it, too. Every city across the country is littered with "best of" contests. The honor almost always translates into "safe, bland and upscale.")

Personally?

I think it rocks that CyclePath Bike Shop
(across from People's church, just up Cedar, past Hearndon and in the same building as the waffle joint,)

Got in the top 3 for cycle places.

--First off?
Their prices are excellent

--Second?
They are a (2)man shop that seriously know their stuff.

--Third?
They are two of the nicest people you'd want to meet, (ever) in NO WAY ostentatious and walking around with a pole up their arse...

--And when you realize that they pulled up next to
Tri-Sport and Stevens?
(both mega-buck, both overpriced, both not the greatest in dealing with 'average joe' bikeriders...)

CyclePath totally holds their own, (and they're like, one fifth the size of either Steven's or Tri-Sports)
-and present a quality of ride that is 'doctor-lawyer' grade
-yet they're totally approachable and can throw together a ride for you that is worth everypenny
--and they're not wallet-rapers...

Nate? Mr. Owner Guy?
Job well done.

-talk about 'the little bike-shop that could.'

Another excellent shop?
--Fresno Schwinn (Ashlan and Fresno)
-KILLER 'family Bike' store, Father and son(s) run (and owned,) and tremendous customer care (with a great line of anything you may want ---also excellently priced...

Patronize these two... they're going up against some big-coin giants, and are such excellent enterprises...

You're forgetting that this is FRESNO. (And those of you who try to say Fresno is not all for mainstream stuff, stop lying to yourselves).

I mean look at the "vegetarian selection" list. The only reason those 3 places are on there is 1) Sweet Tomatoes is a salad bar, and the other 2 are THE ONLY vegetarian restaurants in this town besides a new Indian one that opened up on Marks (or wherever it is).

The Tower District and things like KFSR will never get their dues because there are still people that say "Oh my God, YOU go to Tower? Isn't it like...SCARY down there?"

And KFSR- I used to DJ on that station and a lot of people just don't know it exists.

All in all, a lot of Fresnans like to stay in their little bubbles so they don't venture out. That's just how it is and I'm sure everyone is going to say "you're wrong" but too bad...Ive lived here 27 years, I'm still waiting for the masses to prove me wrong.

For the best TV personality, who the heck is Nicole Giordano? I have never even heard of her! What station is she on? That pick is laughable!

so, i'm not going to get ticked off by this ridiculous list this year. i'm going to do my damndest to not blog about it. and, i'm going to avoid recommenting when the eventual fresno magazine defenders show up here.

but i have to comment on one of the categories:
best local burger:
1. in n out
2. colorado grill
3. red robin

hmm, one of these things is not like the other...colorado grill. way to make the list, only local burger joint there. seriously, how effin stupid are you to vote for red robin or in n out for a category that specifically says local? take that word out, fine. but it's there you morons. grrrr.

It's a good thing there will be F-Famous awards (and I'm sure Beehive too), otherwise Fresno's blogosphere would be completely gone from local awards. Not even the Fresno Bee Choice Awards have a website/blog category.

If that omission is because the Bee didn't want to be self-serving (with their many websites that would likely win the category), that's cool. Otherwise it's weak, weak I say.

Best of Downtown, could you only think of two? Come on. And what's up with Max's sweeping? 2 First place, 4 second, and 1 third. Including second place bakery. Have you been to Charlotte's?

The picks for best Golf Course is a laugh! Who can afford to play there? For my money go to Riverbend Golf Course. It's reasonable, great course, and decent restaurant.

This list is a joke. I am embarrassed for Fresno right now. Are there any alternative publications willing to take a stab at a better list? Pretty please??!!

Yes, it's a shame to hear folks vote
Taco Bell as "Best Mexican Food" and
WalMart as "Best Purveyors of Handmade Wares".

I remember reading someone's criticism of both George W.and
Sarah Palin
where they cited their "complete lack of intellectual
curiosity".

Is that what we're dealing with here?

Someone mentioned people happy to stay in their 'bubbles'.
Some people go to San Francisco dozens of times in their lives and only ever go to Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf.

Can you 'turn someone on' to...stepping out and exploring a bit?and how?

[I sort of wish to blame people's I.V.drip reliance on commercial TV for many of our shallow expectations...but that's just cranky old me.]

Any hopeful ideas?

and speaking of KFSR...well *someone* was.
I'm listening to them right now (Wed. early evening)
and they're playing all these Valley produced records and bands from the early and mid 60s that are AMAZING. and, I am interested in this subject, and I've *never* heard most of this stuff---no never even HEARD of most of these guys----that's what radio *can* do: turn you onto something you've never heard and might enjoy.
Props to KFSR!
---I mean, a whole cache' of little-heard vintage local music (this guys been going for like almost 2 hours here)....shouldn't there be a TEE VEE news story about this?

i amused that Best Theatre House (not sure what that means, venue I suppose) lists the same group in all three spots. Does GCP have a 3rd Space or something?

its like being in elementarty school and saying your three favorite foods are Pizza, Pizza and Pizza!!! (any food here would work three times, not saying pizza is mine--just an example)

oui vey

Ok I just noticed that #3 on places to propose is Pismo Beach. Um that ain't in Fresno, Fresno Magazine.

I also noticed that the infamous Basque Hotel made the dining list. Nice.

I used to write proudly for Fresno Magazine, until Melanie had a staff meeting and announced her intention to emulate the Bend, Oregon magazine. She talked while I studied the magazine, and how Fresno Mag would be advertiser driven, stories would be about advertisers, and that's how she would make money.

I said "I take it you really like the first two issues of 'Bend?'"

"How did you know??"

"Cuz those first two are the only ones with stories only about advertisers. The rest have become a fantastic magazine on it's own. Why not just make the best magazine possible? Advertisers will certainly follow...just mold it after yourself. You're classy, you like style, just make a great magazine and make sure it gets out there."

"Okay, Steph, great idea. But let's not do that...let's do this advertiser-driven thing. That'll make more money!"

And so Warnor's Jewelry and all things advertising will always lead the way with this magazine...along with Melanie's close and personal friends (SJK on the cover HOW many times????).

It's a shame. The Magazine has amazing graphics, well-made ads, and they obviously don't hold back on paper, style, graphics, or art. Still, it's pretty tough to read now, trying to find actual stories amongst the ads and the advertorials.

What a joke to find a lovely story about Roe and mentions of the fabulous food, only to find a large Roe ad on the following page.

Best of Fresno? Notatall. Best money-paying advertisers? And HOW.

shenanigans... is a nice way to put it. I'm only surprised to know that somebody actually read it.

I got some free tix to go last night, and had a pretty good time.

two things I noticed in comparison to last year:

1.It was quite a low turnout to 2007's 'best of'

2 No Brian Kenney with his Tower District shirt on.

The food of the night goes to two places.

The Vintage Press from Visalia. that was some crazy good food. The Wild Mushrooms with some sauce over puffed pastry was serious. Were talking mushrooms here..that tasted good....wow.

Also, The North India Bar and Grill. I love the food at that place. great flavor. I recommend it to anyone.

In my mind, Best of Fresno would be alot different(and cafe corazon would stil be open with four locations!)..but hey....FREE FOOD B*TCHES!!

If someone proposed to me in Pismo, I would cry. And not in a good way. It's Fresno at the beach. Why not just do it here if you live here? I don't get it.

The first thought of the readers should be, is how you can spin their list of crap into a good thing.
It teaches you to buy local, dine local, and not be a sheep in the fields of lables.
With the holidays coming up, this should really be a good reminder of what to buy for people.
Shop local boutiques, salons, jewelers with smaller overhead and bigger designs.
Shop artist and crafters for gifts worth giving.
Buy local wines and foods.

Places like Fig Garden and Sierra Vista Mall are great because they still have the local businesses, gift shops, dress shops, food shops.
Walk through the Tower District and Downtown. Too many choices for cool wacky fun gifts and gift certificates.
You can do it. Buy local, support local.

RECOGNITION OF THE FACT FRESNO HAS NOT MADE IT:
Applebee's, Denny's, Taco Bell, Starbucks, and Red Robin are on a "Best of Fresno" list.

They did do a good job of making sure that list looked like it's from a high-school yearbook though.

Smog City Roller Grrls---Best ass kickin chicks in the Valley.
And no, we arent the only ones.

So, how many of you who are unhappy with the list actually participated and voted for this year's best list? I agree with everything people are saying, but if we aren't willing to take action and see a different list, then it's all talk...

Jenn:
I hear ya, but where do you vote?
I read in the intro to this that Fresno Mag "distributed thousands" -- but I don't know where. I've never seen one. Any year.

And I never saw anywhere you could vote on the mag's Web site.

Did you vote jenn?

Hell they used to work down the hall from me and I never saw a voter's card.

This is simply an advertisement thing thinly veiled as an awards show.

Ooo, I can't wait until the Fresno Bee's People's Choice Awards come out, so I can throw up in my mouth. Just thinking about the establishments that are going to win is making me gag. Before I die, I'd like to see Chris, I mean April, win something, anything!

Best place to get your car windows cleaned! (fingers crossed)

Ummm..............I wasn't aware that there was a "Best of Fresno" survey?. Was this publicized to the general Fresno public? In anycase, I was disappointed to see that there was voting in regards to who had the best "personality" in the Fresno music scene and not by popular vote for musical talent. Did that mean "personality" WHILE performing? If so........ I'll have to start checking that perspective next time I watch a band perform............."personality" huh? And to think all this time I was waisting enjoying the singing, song writing, and orginal content.

Next time one of my musician friends perform, I'm going to wish them luck on that "personality!"

Ballots were placed in two of the issues in the beginning of the year...March and April I think. So yeah, they don't plaster the ballots everywhere, but every subscriber and reader who bought the magazine got a ballot Which makes sense... only those who care enough to pick up the magazine will vote for the magazine's annual awards show. Also, I know it looks (very much) like the magazine only gives the top spots to advertisers, but you gotta admit, it's not exactly true. Like Mercedes was one of the big sponsors (prob cost a buttload of money to do that) and yet Lexus won for best car dealership?? I'm sure if it was all about advertisers, surely they would bump up Mercedes because of the sponsorship! I dunno, just some things I noticed. Also, think about it: The readers are the ones who vote, since it's inserted into the ballots. So, it would make sense that some advertisers win -- the readers who are voting are constantly seeing and probably visiting those advertisers. isn't that the whole points of advertising? To bring in business from readers! You can't blame the magazine if their advertisers are actually getting business from the readers! Oh yeah, and like a comment above, if you really are disgusted with some of the votes (like Taco Bell, Red Robin, and other chains) then go and vote yourself next year! Don't criticize the list if you aren't willing to be a part of it!

ya know, I'm reading the comments, and the company line hoopla about how Fresno is selling out to big-box and no personality corp-efforts?
And, looking at this list again, and what strikes me is how many things are being overlooked by the 'they only love chains' naysayers.

Sorry, folks, you're spinning it to make a point,
but it's kind of discrediting your stance. (
IE: your drunk on what you're shovelling.)
Are there chains in there? Sure, some of this stuff (actually) happens to be 'the best in (their) Fresno,' and legitimately might be where people get the best service, products, convenience (etc.) --Which is just the naked truth.

I already mentioned the bike shop 'best-of's --where you have mega buck (locals) Tri-Sport and Stevens (not the best in service, definitely high priced,
getting major competition by a true 'little guy,' shop like CyclePath.
-These are all local efforts (I have no idea where the (current) owners of Stephens and Tri-Sport live, (One of the founders spun off and has done another 'small' shop (Rubber Soul,) But there are NO outside chains there...
--And considering that this is a big bicycle town, and considering the competition by Big-Box sellers (I know, cause I build for two of the largest sites,) It totally rocks that a 'little guy,' like CyclePath is eating somebody elses lunch... (that's been completely overlooked in your zeal.)

Auto Repair?
Lessee Two locals beating an outside chain.

Deli?
All three are locals? (at least two are..)

Business Lunch, Antiques, PhotoStudios (all look like locals.)

Dining in the Tower?
Landmark, Irenes, Taiphoon...
(yeah, they're ALL major chains, and you'd NEVER find the hip and alt.-culture rebels hangin' there... (nope.)

I mean once the preaching and protests have stopped?
For a 'glossy,' that is supposed to be so skewed to the nat. and intl. intersts (and cares only about fresno's euro-trashe-riche,)
--I'm seeing some pretty serious down home and lo-buck efforts being counted and actually winning.

Again, I'm not saying that big 'outside' efforts don't exist on the list
--and there's even local chains (Sals) (when do we start talking 'chain' btw, --two stores, several stores under different names run by one family (or corp?)
-Do they have to (still) live and operate only in Fresno?

But the reality of it is? Fresnans use a variety of places, and will go for convenience and quality of service.
I've talked to several people about some local efforts where they were like '..yeah, I tried to support them, but the service sucked.'
-(But if they went to a 'chain' because they had something else to do that day, besides 'support a local business,'
-they were a 'traitor.'

Meanwhile? For a bunch of people who (supposedly) never go into the tower, and don't know 'what's real' --I'm staring at Landmark, Irenes, and Taiphoon... (which, if they didn't care to venture into deepest darkest dangerous stoner-ville? -Would have never mentioned nor known about it.)

Well put Mike Oz, but this list doesn't surprise me one bit.. I'm sure that if we look at the demographics of people who subscribe to this mag, they're on the North Side.

As far as best clubs go.. I recently attended a Fresno Mag launch party at Roe and enjoyed half a tray of free sushi just before my friend was kicked out by the owner for offering his opinion about the venue's horrible music selection.. which was coming out of a juke box might I add haha.. enough said.