Best Breakfast
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad St., SLO

Charles Meyers, the owner of Big Sky Café, is convinced that the world is divided into people who eat breakfast out and those who don’t. He should know. Most of the people who like breakfast out end up in his café.

Not only are the tables widely spaced and comfortable, the warm atmosphere punctuated with brilliantly colored local art, the coffee hot and strong and the smells enticing, unlike most breakfast places, the food is not boring. And who wants to wake up just to be bored?

There are eggs of course, but at Big Sky, eggs come with a basil-parmesan glaze and a big side of red flannel turkey hash; there are pancakes too, but this pancake mix never saw the inside of a box. Sous Chef Jeronimo Castellanos conjures up three-grain journey cakes made with oatmeal, whole wheat flour, corn meal and molasses and serves them stuffed with Swiss cheese, or fresh berries on request.

For vegetarians there are black bean huevos rancheros, which are blue and red corn tortillas filled with black bean chili, eggs, cheddar cheese, smoked tomato salsa and cilantro.

Kitchen gossip has it that Castellanos, a stocky man with coal black mustache and thick head of hair, starts and ends each day dancing. "We’ve thought about limiting his double mocha intakes," says Meyers. But they would never want to dampen the joy he brings to his work and to his inspired crew. Castellanos worked in Meyers’ L.A. restaurant, the Gumbo Pot, then returned to his native Oaxaca, Mexico, to get married. He thought he would settle there and raise his children. But when Meyers moved north to San Luis Obispo, he convinced his friend and his family to move here, too.

That was eight years ago and local cuisine has never been the same since.

2nd: Margie’s Diner
3rd: Hobee’s

Best Brunch
Sea Cliffs Restaurant & Lounge
2757 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach

The best time to come to the Sea Cliffs Restaurant for brunch is when the whales are passing through San Luis Obispo County. There is nothing like eating delicious breakfast and lunch foods while watching a whale spout and glide through the water.

Of course, anytime is a good time to come for brunch at the Sea Cliffs. Their brunch is gargantuan in size and of a very high quality. Plus, the view is always amazing. The Cliffs is perched 150 feet above towering cliffs overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean.

The restaurant can seat 150 guests, but the feeling is still intimate. On a nice day, sit outside and enjoy panoramic ocean views.

It’s hard to take your eyes off the view, but the food will certainly distract you. It is fresh and colorful, not to mention abundant. Take your family their on Sunday–everyone will find something they like.

Everyone knows the traditional purposes for Sunday brunch. Go with the family after church and enjoy food with your family and a lot of other churchgoers. Or, take your Mom to brunch, because going to breakfast is too early and going to lunch usually means skipping an activity you lined up.

What many do not know is that Sunday brunch is an excellent place to recover after a long week, and maybe even after a long Saturday night. You can still sleep in, you are encouraged to sit there for a long time, and there is plenty of food.

Sea Cliffs has so much seating that it’s OK if you stay for a long time scarfing the food and being mesmerized by the ocean. Plus, there is live music and the mimosas flow.

So, next Sunday take your family to brunch, then the following impress your Mom at the Sea Cliffs and then the third Sunday go and have fun with your friends. Then repeat and you’ll have a beautiful and delicious tradition.

2nd: Sea Venture Restaurant
3rd: Shore Cliff Restaurant

Best Frozen Yogurt/Ice-Cream Shop
Cold Stone Creamery
860 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo
925 Rancho Parkway Rd., J-2, Arroyo Grande

You will not find banana-flavored ice cream with chunks of Butterfinger, peppermint patties, coconut, and boysenberries in the ice cream aisle at Ralph’s. Ditto for macadamia nut-encrusted peppermint ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, peanut butter ice cream filled with pieces of Twix bars and topped with butterscotch sauce, and root beer-flavored frozen yogurt with chocolate-covered espresso beans. While there may be a reason for this that appears obvious to the layperson, true ice cream enthusiasts appreciate the concept that limits should not apply. Enter Cold Stone Creamery, the ice cream shop that not only makes its own ice cream on-site every day, but allows customers to choose from a nearly infinite combination of ice cream flavors and mix-ins. This is the fourth win for Cold Stone Creamery in the Best Of’s frozen yogurt/ice cream shop category, proving that San Luis Obispo County just can’t get enough of a shop that caters to creative ice cream interpretation.

A good deal of the shop’s originality comes from the fact that the ingredients are actually blended into the ice cream on top of the namesake frozen granite Cold Stone. Using "imported Italian ice cream spades," employees then pack the concoction into a large waffle cone. Styrofoam bowls are indeed available, but the aroma of the freshly baked cones wafting out over Higuera Street makes the resistance of a cone futile. For a further sense of excitement, when a customer makes a contribution to one of the tip jars on the counter, the entire staff erupts into chaos. Brass bells are rung, cheers are shouted, and the tipper is able to make the entire block aware of his or her generosity.

Faced with a nearly infinite amount of choices, it is expected that some ice cream craftsmen and women may suddenly feel unadventurous or just downright confused. For this reason, the "Wall of Fame" features creative but still tasty combinations conjured up by (ice cream) prize-winning customers.

Cold Stone also offers Italian sorbets, smoothies, sundaes, mondaes, custom-made cakes and pies, floats and malts, banana splits, and just about everything else offered at other, run-of-the-mill ice cream shops.

2nd: Country Culture Yogurt
3rd: Bali’s Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt

Best Local Wine
Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards
1437 Wildhorse Winery Court, Templeton

Besides its exceptional wines, Wild Horse Winery’s label is the best example of Wild Horse’s personality.

The galloping mustang label hasn’t changed for 20 years–the age of the winery. This is rare for a winery. Most wineries change labels with the times or current fads. Wild Horse’s label is a classic, though, as is their wine.

The label and winery are named for the wild mustangs that roam east of the 44-acre vineyard in Templeton. The free and unbridled nature of the mustang is supposed to represent the constant exploration of winemaking techniques used at Wild Horse.

Founder Ken Volk, who was a fruit science major at Cal Poly and is still very supportive of his alma mater, does this with winemaker Jon Priest, a SLO county native. They love to experiment with wine to get the ideal taste. To do this, they will crush as many as 30 different varieties in a year.

Wild Horse isn’t just a local favorite, though. They are growing fast, with case production reaching 100,000, which is up from the 600 cases of the winery’s first release. Wine & Spirits, a nationwide magazine, voted Wild Horse Winery of the Year in 1996.

Another reason that Wild Horse is so popular is that their high-quality wines are reasonably priced. Most of the bottles are in the $15 to $30 range. For even higher quality wine, Wild Horse has a reserve program produced in the finest years, called Cheval Sauvage.

Wild Horse also produces a value-priced wine called Aqua Pumpkin that is more laid back and fun. Other labels produced by Wild Horse are Santa Lucia, EQUUS, and Rain Forest Wine, a table wine that raises awareness and funds for ecological causes.

Wild Horse is committed to the Central Coast. They buy grapes from 47 vineyards throughout the region. The Central Coast is committed to Wild Horse Winery, too. They have voted Wild Horse wine as the best local wine every year.

"I would like to thank the readers and supporters of our winery for voting us the best local wine all these years," Volk says. "We are really happy and honored to take it to 11 years."

2nd: Edna Valley Vineyard
3rd: Meridian Vineyards

Best Wine-Tasting Room
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 Biddle Ranch Rd., San Luis Obispo

The panoramic windows of Edna Valley Vineyard’s tasting room stretch into the valley like a great ship’s prow sailing in the wake of all seven Morros.

While the wild bunch are slamming down cold ones downtown, those with more discriminating palates seek out the Edna Valley Vineyard’s tasting room, which is only five minutes from Broad Street. A good mix of locals and visitors congregate here any day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy wines served in Reidel crystal glasses. Wines not sold in stores can be sipped here for free.

The experienced staff, all long-time employees, is part of the draw. They enjoy chatting with customers as much as discussing wine. "They can talk to you and make sure you have fun, you don’t have to know anything about wine," says tasting-room manager Meka Rudd. But if you do want to talk viticulture, "they can also pick it up a notch, " adds Rudd.

Novices and experts alike delight in the demonstration vineyard, which is right out front and on the way in. It was planted in 1997, and consists of 14 rows of vines. Most rows have seven wines each. Each row has either a different variety, or a different trellis design.

If you can turn yourself away from the view, the back of the tasting room is rich with colorful gifts. Merchandise buyer Lori Maraviglia makes sure that the selection at Edna Valley Vineyard is not the usual-wine-gift-store fare, but unique. Browsing through the kaleidoscope of wares with a wineglass in hand is not only allowed, it’s encouraged.

In the back is a wide lawn, patio and tables with umbrellas. When there isn’t a wedding going on, families are welcome to buy a bottle and picnic, and let the kids stretch their legs. Farther off, in a small grove of trees, there’s a rustic picnic area for romantics.

Edna Valley Vineyard is well known for its gift baskets and a major draw is its wine club. Members receive shipments of two bottles of wine every other month at 20 percent discount. But why have it mailed to you when only five minutes from downtown is the best wine-tasting room in SLO County?

2nd: Tobin James Cellars
3rd: Tie: Meridian Vineyards and Harmony Cellars

 

Best Salad Bar
Fresh Choice
876 Marsh, San Luis Obispo

On paper, it’s no competition.

No salad bar can compare with Fresh Choice, whose smorgasbord of more than 60 items can quickly overwhelm even the most hearty salad aficionado.

But bigger isn’t always better. Quality must be there to back up quantity.

According to SLO County readers, Fresh Choice backs it up, and its constant domination of the best salad bar award backs it up as well.

Upon entering the restaurant, the salad bar beckons you, daring you to make something new, trying something outside of the mold of simple salads. All the ingredients are there, from jalapenos to peas to croutons. You can top your new creation with 10 dressings, some of which are made by hand.

For those less adventurous, Fresh Choice also has a number of freshly prepared salads made daily by salad designers. It’s the easy way out, but there’s no penalty–chances are, they’re better than what you can make.

But calling Fresh Choice a salad bar is a bit like calling the Concorde an airplane. It’s true, but it just doesn’t describe it the way it deserves.

Salad bars shouldn’t have fresh pizza, pasta or muffins, should they? Fresh Choice does. Baked potatoes? Yup. Delectable desserts? It’s true - and after paying for one plate, it’s all you can eat.

2nd: Sizzler
3rd: New Frontiers Natural Foods

Best Coffeehouse
Uptown Espresso
1065 Higuera, San Luis Obispo

There’s no Norm. There’s no Cliff.

But owner Randy Coates does know the names of his customers, and along with the atmosphere at Uptown Espresso, it’s a little bit of "Cheers" on the Central Coast.

The combination of great coffee and remarkable service allowed Uptown Espresso to wrestle away the award of best coffeehouse amidst a sea of difficult competition.

Of course, coffeehouses must include more than just coffee, but Coates doesn’t overlook the essential. His custom blend has won over locals and students alike, who come in to enjoy both the coffee and the ambiance.

That ambiance includes the aroma of a cornucopia assortment of baked goods, with decadent carrot cake and muffins all screaming to be your coffee’s companion.

Bakers work through the night to prepare a plethora of fresh goodies for the morning crowd, when it’s amazing to find an open parking space.

On a typical afternoon, Uptown displays the diversity that has grown to characterize the small shop — businesspeople on their breaks, students studying and the regulars enjoying a cup of coffee and good conversation.

After a few visits, employees will get to know both your name and your favorite drink. It’s that kind of service that defines both Uptown Espresso and "Cheers" — but Uptown is in no danger of going into reruns.

2nd:
3rd:

Best Seafood
Great American Fish Company
1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

Beautiful view of Morro Rock? Check. Fresh seafood? Check. Great customer service? Check.

Morro Bay has plenty of seafood restaurants with all of the above, but none can compare with Great American Fish Company. It has conquered the best seafood category and claimed it as its own 10 of the last 12 years.

As for what sets it apart, there’s no secret. It’s impossible to go inside GAFCO and miss the mesquite charcoal grill on your right, its hot coals gladly sealing in the flavors from freshly caught fish. A clear window allows you to see your meal being prepared, taunting you to be patient and wait for the delicacy.

Repeat visitors clamor for the mesquite-grilled fish, with some coming nearly every week for 20 years and ordering the same thing. Pacific red snapper, halibut and shrimp are top sellers, but the menu offers a plethora of options, even for those who aren’t in the mood for fish. The hardest decision for customers may be what to choose from the comprehensive menu.

Employees say it’s the little things that make a difference at GAFCO–the casual atmosphere, good prices and consistent cooks.

But it all comes back to the fish on the grill, where’s it’s safe to say GAFCO has achieved seafood-grilling nirvana.

2nd: Olde Port Inn
3rd: Steamers of Pismo

Best Mexican Food
Pepe Delgado’s
1601 Monterey, San Luis Obispo

From its location on Monterey Street, Pepe Delgado’s is about 340 miles away from Mexico.

Stepping inside the large wooden doors sure makes the trip go quickly.

Everything about Pepe’s screams Mexico–from the murals on wall to the dresses worn by the waitresses and the mariachi music lightly playing in the background.

But the food trumps it all.

The house specialties include chile verde and an enormous burrito with the interesting title of "beached whale." Beef, chicken, beans, rice and cheese fill the whale, which is topped with enchilada sauce, guacamole and jalapenos.

If you’re not ready for the whale, one of the 26 combination plates is bound to satisfy any craving. Tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos and tamales are crafted with care, brimming over with the mouth-watering flavor of true Mexican cuisine. Pepe’s bounty of chips and salsa keeps guests happy while they prepare every dish fresh and to order.

People flock to Pepe’s for the fajitas, which can be prepared with beef, chicken, pork or shrimp. The marinated meat with spices and vegetables draws people in who walk by their Monterey Street eatery.

On any given night, the restaurant is filled with locals and tourists, each enjoying their own piece of Mexico. There’s enough for everyone–the kitchen replenishes daily.

2nd: Izzy Ortega’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
3rd: Tio Alberto’s Restaurant

Best Chinese Food
Golden China Restaurant
San Luis Obispo • Atascadero • Morro Bay

In hundreds of households across the county the debate continues: Chinese or pizza? Families with cranky hungry children, students with shaky budgets, and single men and women with no one to cook for them all choose between Italian or Asian when their tummies are empty and their desire to move fails them. Either the pizza guy or the Chinese guy will come to your doorstep and hand you warm, aromatic victuals.

And if these famished souls are aware of Golden China Restaurant, then the debate is quickly settled. Why bother with just one pie, with just a few toppings that everyone is sure to fight over, that will definitely leave you full but not necessarily buzzing with energy? With every kind of tempting dish from the Orient, the Golden China Restaurant will deliver delicious and nutritious dishes to your doorstep, free of charge. On top of that, the food from Golden China comes in such clever little boxes, and you’ll be able to impress everyone (or at least your cat) with your mad chopstick skills. Eating pizza just doesn’t have the capacity to impress while being consumed.

The Golden China Restaurant has an extensive menu, with classic munchies for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. The staples like rice and won-ton soup are spiced up with pork, beef, poultry, seafood, vegetable, egg-foo young, and chow-mein or chop-suey dishes. The poultry includes chicken and duck. The seafood offers lobster, shrimp, scallops and fish. The veggies are tossed around and spiced up combinations of broccoli, mushrooms, beans, and many yummy others.

That’s before the seasonal recommendations, which change with the weather and the trends. Golden China Restaurant also helps make choosing a dish easy for you, with their chef’s combination and family specials. As an extra bonus, they also have some fun and adventurous dishes, like bowls you can eat and flaming pu-pu platters. Their mouth tingling degrees of spiciness range from mild to extra hot, so your display of valor is up to you.

So, if you’re one of the five or so people in the county who have not tried Golden China Restaurant, or if you are in a pizza rut, head for the phone and call for some of their famous Mandarin, Hunan, and Szechwan cuisine

2nd: Mandarin Gourmet
3rd: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

Best Japanese Food
Tsurugi Japanese Restaurant
570 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Authenticity is the key to Tsurugi’s popularity. Half the customers are usually speaking Japanese, which is a good sign in any ethnic restaurant. It is also a good sign that the restaurant is almost always full when, from the street, the sign is barely visible.

As you pass through the curtains with Japanese calligraphy, the sushi chefs yell out hello in Japanese. The customer feels as if they have left SLO in the small restaurant that incorporates rice paper, bamboo and hanging portraits of Sumo wrestlers as decoration. Most of all, however, when you walk in your nose is hit with the delicious smells of another culture.

At the table, chopsticks (there are no forks) and the special appetizer of the day greet you. Your choice of sake, Japanese beer or tea is immediately offered, though soda is available as well. The miso soup is plentiful and the sushi and the rolls are liberally sprinkled with orange smelt. The tempura, especially the sweet potato, is crispy and salty. For those who shy away from sushi, there is flavorful teriyaki and California rolls.

For lunch, order the box where there is always a different little dish for you to expand your horizons, and for dinner order one of the plentiful San Luis Boats.

Sit at the sushi bar and watch the chefs create wraps and rolls for you. Or, for a special treat, reserve the back room, which is a traditional Japanese dining room. The private area is surrounded by rice paper screens and shoes are taken off outside. Diners sit cross-legged on bamboo mats at a low table. The servers slip off their shoes and kneel to serve. It’s a lot of fun and great for large parties and large consumptions of sake.

2nd: Sakura Rikyu Japanese Restaurant
3rd: Harada Japanese Restaurant

Best Thai Food
Thai-rrific Restaurant
San Luis Obispo • Atascadero

Thai-rrific Restaurantis clearly San Luis Obispo county’s premier Thai food restaurant. They have been open since 1985, and the awards and rave reviews have been pouring in ever since.

The entire restaurant is an impressive display of authentic Thai ornamentation, music and cuisine. Prominently positioned on one wall is a wood carving of jubilant elephants, showering diners with good luck. Jade Thai warrior sculptures are tucked into the scene, adding to the atmosphere of the exotic and the exciting.

Thai food is a unique type of Asian fare that has a flavor all of its own. The expert chefs, Sam, Teddy and Jay, at Thai-rrific take great care in their preparation and presentation of each dish. These master’s care and dedication ensure that the food here is unfailingly delicious.

All the traditional Thai dishes are served with rice as their foundation. Around this foundation, dishes of soups, salads, meats, fish and plenty of veggies are built with loving care. At the apex of the Thai dining pyramid, are the chilies, which are considered the guest of honor at Thai tables. The spices and chilies they use are what make Thai food so special, giving the famous curries that clean hot taste. And hot they are, unless you prefer a milder entrée, which they will be happy to prepare.

The unusual and colorful decorations and flawlessly prepared dishes are just part of the overall experience that is Thai-rrific. The restaurant strives to create a place where meals are a time for pleasing the senses and enjoying company. There is no rush, no harsh order-up cries from the kitchen, and nothing to worry about, except seeing, smelling, touching, tasting and loving the moment. A quick trip into the mythology of Thailand, from right off a sunny California sidewalk, is possible at Thai-rrific. So sit back, relax, and let your senses float away to Bangkok.

2nd: Thai Palace
3rd: Noi’s Little Thai Restaurant

Best Italian Food
Buona Tavola
San Luis Obispo • Paso Robles

The quality of the food is Buona Tavola’s main concern–and after tasting their dishes you know they are very concerned. The decor is clean and minimal, but the food is juicy and bountiful. The authentic Northern Italian cuisine is prepared by the chef and owner, Antonio Varia, who opened Buona Tavola in 1991. Varia is a second-generation chef, raised and trained in Northern Italy.

The level of concern that Varia puts into his dishes is evident in the ingredients that he grows himself. He owns a small ranch outside of Creston where he grows his own herbs and raises goats to make his own goat cheese. Varia has planted olive trees and will press his own oil. He plans to raise much of his own vegetables for the restaurants because he believes "it takes a lot of love to make good food."

When you arrive, bread is brought out immediately that is doughy and crispy at the same time, to be dipped in Italian oil. The menu is a bit overwhelming at first because a multitude of detailed dishes all sound delicious. The seafood pastas are amazing and the white wine sauces are delicate. Any dish with tomatoes will be fresh and appetizing. Do not miss the creme brulee, which is caramelized to perfection and is heaven in a dish.

The kitchen is designed to be open because Antonio loves to meet his customers. Say hello and ask him for a recommendation on a wine that complements the food–he picks well. On a nice day, enjoy your meal in the secluded and peaceful back garden. On any day, enjoy the best Italian food.

2nd: Guiseppe’s Italian Restaurant
3rd: Rosa’s Italian Restaurant

Best Vegetarian Food
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad Street, SLO

People frequently come to the kitchen window at Big Sky Cafe and ask to meet vegetarian sous chef Timothy Koch. The compliments he most covets are from people who say they don’t normally eat vegetarian cuisine but tried an entree at Big Sky because it just sounded so intriguing. Big Sky avoids the traditional vegetarian fare, such as a sticky rice bowl with steamed veggies. Instead the restaurant menu items, such as a tagine of vegetables with preserved lemon couscous or mixed vegetable grill, which is charbroiled fresh and seasonal vegetables surrounding a rice and lentil pilaf served with a trio of dipping sauces (Vietnamese sweet & sour, honey-ginger soy sauce & Thai peanut cilantro dressing),are enticing.

"In most parts of the world meat is not the center of the dish, but just a garnish," says Koch and that’s the way he likes it.

Koch researches world cuisine on the Internet, and combines elements he likes to make his unique creations. Rather than formal cooking schools, he has learned mostly by trial and error in the Big Sky kitchen. "Big Sky is the restaurant that has allowed me the freest hand," he says.

Owner Charles Meyers says that the "customer response shows us that Tim has his finger right on the pulse." Meyers and executive chef Greg Holt have learned to trust Koch’s creative impulses, and as soon as they see his enthusiasm for a new idea, the pair begins scouring oriental markets for the necessary ingredients.

Koch’s decade-long commitment to vegetarian fare springs from his belief that the out-dated methods of farming and harvesting place the rain forest and oceans in peril.

His culinary skills have won over many who sit down to eat under the Big Sky. Check it out under the Best Breakfast kudos in category No. 1.

2nd: New Frontiers Natural Foods
3rd: Fresh Choice

Best Pizza
Woodstock’s
1000 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo County residents don’t fool around when it comes to pizza. With a large college-age population, competition is barbarous. To come out a winner in this kind of market is akin to winning the Olympics, and Woodstock’s has earned its gold medal. A first-place winner five times since 1995, Woodstock’s is the Muhammad Ali of pizza restaurants in San Luis Obispo County; both are legendary and timeless.

To come up with a pie of this caliber, Woodstock’s pizza engineers must be held accountable to the public. Therefore, the pizzas are constructed behind a Plexiglas shield, in full view of the dining room. Both white and wheat crusts are available, as well as the usual assortment of pizza toppings with a freshness you won’t find at inferior establishments.

The secret to Woodstock’s success is not in the sauce, which is prepared daily on-site, but in the crust. Unlike traditional, lesser pizzas, Woodstock’s folds its crust over instead of leaving it flat. This creates a sort of "sauce-filled crust"- effect, which, when combined with the sauce, cheese, and toppings, makes for an experience that has obviously had a resounding effect on county residents. The ambiance of the dining room is enhanced by large televisions usually featuring seasonal sports, a small bar area featuring both domestic and imported beer, and a separate room filled with video game machines.

Prices are reasonable, the location on the corner of Higuera and Osos Streets makes for premium streetside people-watching, and, as if all this wasn’t enough, Woodstock’s also offers free delivery, lunch specials, salads, happy hours, buffalo wings, and more. Woodstock’s is an excellent place to dine for all occasions. Hours are 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday through Saturday.

2nd: Round Table Pizza
3rd: Fatte’s Pizza

Best Steak
F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House
Shell Beach • San Luis Obispo • Arroyo Grande • Paso Robles

The huge wooden cowboy beckons cars from Highway 101, goading them to stop in Shell Beach to see just what he’s standing for.

If the cowboy doesn’t get them, the neon cowboy boots on the outdoor sign can bring customers in to the best steak in SLO County.

F. McLintocks is well known to those on the Central Coast, for its restaurants are sprinkled around the county. But the crown jewel rests in Shell Beach, where the Western-themed saloon and restaurant are the perfect complement to a flame-broiled steak.

Steak connoisseurs will get their fill here, with filet mignon or porterhouse just two of the plentiful cuts available. It is tough, however, to save space for the beef because McLintocks showers guests with appetizers–homemade onion rings and salsa greet you on every table.

After polishing off the steak, visitors can take their next meal home with them–a butcher shop will give you any cut you desire to enjoy at your convenience.

Preparing steak is a very simple thing, but to grill it to perfection is an art. McLintocks’ palette is full of different colors and uses many brushes. Searching throughout the county, it’s the tastiest piece of grilled art available.

2nd: Jocko’s Steak House
3rd: A J Spurs Saloon and Dining Hall

Best Burger
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Which burger to choose? The double patty burger or the ABC burger–both of which have a lot of juicy meat. Perhaps the kid burger where you get basically the same size and quality of burger for a better price. You just can’t beat the Firestone original burger, though. Tender yet crispy meat grilled expertly, crunchy vegetables and special seasoning and sauce. Now, to cheese or not to cheese?

"The Firestone burger is made with tender-loving care," Firestone manager Darnell Harris says. "We use all fresh patties and vegetables and our own house seasoning."

There are, of course, obstacles to getting the best burger in the county. First, the hassle of parking. Then you have to walk by the disturbing glass heads in the nearby optometrist store.

The worst is stalking other patrons for their tables and if you are with a male of any age in the sports bar, good luck getting any attention.

When ordering, you have to decide if the people with you will make pig grunts if you get a whole basket of fries for yourself. Then there is the choice of ranch, ketchup or BBQ sauce for dipping–a hard, if not impossible, decision.

These hurdles are small once you bite into the best burger. Besides, these obstacles are easy to solve. Just park illegally in a bank lot, close your eyes and let a friend guide you past the freaky glass heads and, people would rather be asked if they are leaving than be hovered over. Then, say you are taking some of the fries home for later, and get all three of the sauces to alternate dips.

Finally, just deal without getting any attention for one night in the sports bar. A table is a table, don’t expect any man to ignore three big screens plus three 35-inch televisions, and anyway, you’ll be paying too much attention to your burger to care.

To fix your Firestone burger itch when you have been downtown on Fridays and Saturdays, burgers are served until 1:30 a.m. Don’t worry about the burgers not being as good as usual because it’s past the regular chefs’ bedtimes.

"The same guys always cook the burgers and they do a heck of a job keeping up the consistency of burger goodness," Harris says. "Consistency is the key."

The community has been consistent too. Firestone has won best burger for the last five years. If you haven’t heard about Firestone burgers you’re either new to the area or you have been hiding. If you’ve heard but haven’t tasted Firestone burgers, do it already.

2nd: Sylvester’s
3rd: In-N-Out Burgers

Best Greasy Spoon
Margie’s Diner
San Luis Obispo • Morro Bay • Paso Robles • Atascadero

Where oh where can a sleep-deprived, caffeine-needing, examination-taking, malnourished, poverty-stricken person go in this town to warm his poor heart? Why, Margie’s Diner of course! Margie’s will take care of all your needs and will put a smile on your face while they’re at it.

Even your adolescent football-playing, metabolism-cranking little brother will be lucky to clear the mammoth portions on his plate. Margie’s Diner is the place to go for huge portions of delectable homemade chow that will stick to your ribs and warm your soul. And they won’t break your budget.

Far from an intimate dining experience, Margie’s is all about serious eating of good food. They don’t mind if you just sit and drink a bottomless cup of joe (good coffee or great coffee, either is only 1.75!). They are happy to have you plant yourself in a booth with your study buddies for a five-hour algebra marathon. If you show up alone, or with your crazy aunt, or even with your three best hung-over mates for breakfast at three in the afternoon, you will feel loved inside Margie’s.

Whatever you desire, Margie’s Diner is more concerned with fueling you up than with milking your money. They don’t skimp on the real ingredients that make a hearty meal. The biscuits and gravy are straight out of a Tennessee matron’s kitchen. The thought of opening a box of instant potatoes is contrary to everything for which they are striving. Margie’s is aware of how much cheaper and faster making food would be for them if they just opened some cans, pre-mixed some pancakes, and invested in some vacuum-packed vegetables–but they are also aware of how yucky that sounds! Margie’s is known, among those who know, for fluffy omelets and fresh mushrooms, potatoes and choice ground chuck hamburgers.

According to Ken, "This ain’t Burger King. You get it our way or you don’t get it at all." And you definitely want it their way.

2nd: Louisa’s Place
3rd: Foster’s Old Fashion Freeze

Best Ribs
Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ
San Luis Obispo • Pismo Beach

Mo likes pigs.

Pigs provide the livelihood, the signature product of Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ–ribs.

Apparently, SLO County residents and tourists like Mo’s ribs too, with the tune of nearly 3,000 a week sold, both from their restaurant and at Farmer’s Market.

That’s 125 pigs a week, 500 a month and 6,000 a year.

That’s a lot of ribs.

SLO County’s best ribs start with seasoning, but then move on to what Mo says makes the difference–hickory smoking. The smoking both seals in the flavor and tenderizes the meat, leaving the rib consumer in awe.

Before they’re served, the ribs are doused in Mo’s own barbecue sauce, which kicks them up a notch above extraordinary. When biting into a rib, the meat gently comes off the bone, with no need to wrestle with your teeth. That tenderness allows for nothing being left after an order except a clean pile of bones.

Employees sing the praises of the restaurant’s ribs, but they add to truly experience Mo’s specialty, a trip to Farmer’s Market is necessary. There the ribs are cooked over an open-pit barbecue, sealing in flavors that just aren’t possible on a normal grill.

Mo’s rib recipe came from a pilgrimage he made to the best barbecue restaurants in the country, learning the best way to prepare the delicacy. He did all the work, and we reap the benefits of mouth-watering ribs. What a deal.

2nd: F. McLintocks Saloon and Dining House
3rd: Old Country Deli

Best Tri-tip
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

These guys are just so amazing at everything they do, especially their tri-tip! Check out their Best Burger kudos at category No. 17!

2nd: F. McLintocks Saloon and Dining House
3rd: Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ

Best Deli Sandwiches
Gus’s Grocery
1638 Osos St., San Luis Obispo

The best term to describe the essence of Gus’s Grocery is regular. No, not their food–their food is anything but regular. Gus’s is regular because they have a lot of regular customers who keep coming back for their not-so-regular sandwiches. Gus’s Grocery is also a regular in the Best of SLO category of Best Deli Sandwich. They have won first place every year. Their regular customers have spoken and they seem to be most of the community.

This community shows up at Gus’s all the time–especially in the summer. On a hot afternoon there is nothing like biting into a cool, fresh Gus’s sandwich and sipping a cold beer on the patio. Everyone seems to be friends as people lounge around talking from one table to the next while the resident cat prowls around for scraps.

During the week at lunchtime, SLO high school kids grab a quick bite. On weekend afternoons, college students hang out on the patio. But there are always regulars from the community who keep returning for more of Gus’s good sandwiches.

If you’re hungry or in a hurry, Gus’s Grocery is a good place to go. The sandwiches are huge. It seems that the only way to get such a big "half" sandwich is to simply cut off the crust on one side. The employees work quickly so you can have lunch on the go.

The meat and cheese are sliced in the back, and the vegetables are so crispy they make noise when you eat them. The grocery also has homemade snacks and cookies available, as well as a large selection of chips, fruit drinks, soda and beers.

Next time you crave a sandwich, go to Gus’s and see why they have so many regulars. After you sink into a sandwich you’ll be a regular too.

2nd: High Street Market and Deli
3rd: Kona’s Deli

Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad Street, SLO

Two comfortable benches wait outside the doors of Big Sky Cafe for customers hoping that a table will open soon in the restaurant consistently selected as the Best San Luis Obispo restaurant by New Times readers.

One reason for the restaurants’ repeated success could be found all the way in the back, in the kitchen under the direction of executive chef Greg Holt.

Holt, the two sous chefs working with him, Tim Koch and Jeronimo Castellanos, and owner Charles Meyers, are all talented men who have an obvious respect, admiration and affection for each other that’s grown over the last seven years. Here teamwork is not just a platitude mouthed by organizational management consultants; it’s a working dynamic that pays off year after year. The kitchen is smaller than they would like, but Holt is credited with finding "creative space solutions" to accommodate the eight to nine kitchen employees that must all work fast and accurately in there at the same time.

The simple hospitality of placing benches out front demonstrates Meyers’ understanding of his customer base. The benches offer respite for tourists who’ve just walked over from the Mission, and are a landmark where locals frequently agree to meet.

Meyers understands what each is looking for. The menu isn’t purely vegetarian, although it’s vegetarian fare is so varied and of such high quality it’s a favorite watering hole for the holistic. But Meyers offers a full menu, so, he says, "Cal Poly students who are vegetarian know they can bring their parents in here," and all of them can order something they’ll enjoy.

The Big Sky team debates prices "bi-annually" and makes every effort to tailor them for the local patrons. "We shouldn’t have to be a special occasion restaurant, people shouldn’t have to save to go out to dinner here. They should be able to walk in on impulse and have a nice dinner with a glass of wine for $12. It’s part of being downtown." And it’s one more reason why Big Sky is consistently voted the best.

2nd: Buona Tavola
3rd: Cafe Roma

Best North County restaurant
Ian McPhee’s Grill
416 S. Main St., Templeton

It is safe to say that most Americans, and, subsequently, San Luis Obispo County residents, take food quite seriously. We all know the feeling of having subsisted for an entire day only on donuts and cold pizza, followed by a late-night dinner of tacos and light beer. The abundance of gourmet restaurants in nearly every American city is a substantial indication that people want to eat good food.

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Was it a half-hearted scoop out of your neverending bucket of instant oatmeal, or seven-grain granola and almond pancakes with real maple syrup and nuskie applewood-smoked bacon with sweet potato sausage? Was it a flimsy pop-tart and bitter orange juice hastily purchased at the gas station on your way to work, or oak grilled steak hash with poached eggs and chipotle chile salsa?

How about lunch? You know you’ve been looking forward to your lunch break all morning. You could chow down on some of last night’s leftover Hamburger Helper heated up in the break room microwave, or you could be enjoying a large meal of macadamia-crusted salmon with ginger sesame vinaigrette, spicy cucumbers, and Asian slaw.

After a long day at work, nothing helps your quest to forget the day ever happened like a memorable gourmet meal out. You could make reservations at the local KFC for some fine fried fare, or you could dine on an appetizer of blue crab griddle cakes with pesto mayonnaise, roasted pepper sauce, and baby greens, followed by oak-grilled rack of spring lamb with sweet mustard, sherry, mint sauce, and grilled scallion mashed potatoes.

If your taste buds demand nothing less than the best and you happen to find yourself in the North County area, head over to Ian McPhee’s Grill in Templeton. Breakfast and lunch are available Monday through Saturday with a champagne buffet brunch on Sunday, and dinner is available every day of the week. The menu selections range from the gourmet exotic, such as duck tostadas, to the traditional, such as barbecued baby back pork ribs and hamburgers.

2nd: AJ Spurs Saloon
3rd: Bistro Laurent

Best North Coast Restaurant
Windows on the Water
699 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

It’s time to pop the question. You’ve got the two-months-salary-in-a-box ready. The tie is picked out and, thanks to a kindly woman friend, it matches your shirt and jacket. Now only one thing is left: the restaurant.

Wait. Let’s try another one.

After 25 glorious, and sometimes downright difficult, years, it’s time to show the man you love that even if things aren’t always great, he is your one and only. Your dress is picked out, your nails and hair are done, but there is just one more detail to figure out.

OK, just one more.

It’s Wednesday. An ordinary, nothing special Wednesday. Somewhere around 2:47 p.m. your boss calls you up and wants to see you in his office. Now. You start to panic. You sweat a little just above your upper lip. You tentatively walk into his office, sit down and wait for the bad news. Your intermediate boss has been fired and you’ve got his job. Go move in your new office.

Whether special occasions have to do with love, a promotion, the need to splurge on yourself when you’re depressed, or any other great reason to delve into the utmost luxury, look no further than Windows on the Water. They’ve got it all.

Forget the perfect ambiance, where the linens are crisp and where the walls are lined with beautiful paintings (some even created by non other than the manager himself) and forget the perfect view through amazing huge windows on the entire west side of the restaurant, and forget the great service from hosts and servers who know exactly what they’re doing.

Once you have one, tiny bite of the delectable cuisine proffered by their master chef, none of the rest will matter. Gourmet preparations, fresh ingredients of the best quality and a wine list to impress any snob, Windows on the Water is the place to spend all of your unnecessary cash. They’re also great at their theme dinners, winemaker dinners, and even beer dinners. After an amazing meal, spend a little time on their cigar deck with or without the smoke to take in the breathtaking view of the harbor.

But don’t even think of leaving without dessert. They made this cranberry ice cream dinner one time. To die for crème brulée once in a while. Chocolate, berries, cheese, fruit. If you want it, they’ve got it. No reason to go anywhere else.

2nd: Robin’s
3rd: Hoppe’s Garden Bistro & Wine Shop

Best South County Restaurant
Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant
891 Price St., Pismo Beach

You’re headed to Pismo Beach with a car full of restless kids for a "relaxing" day at the beach. Little Timmy tosses his entire deck of Pokémon game cards at Sissy, but misses and bonks you on the back of the head instead. In all the commotion, you accidentally turn left at the bottom of the 101 off-ramp instead of going straight and find yourself approaching a hive of a restaurant with a flock of classic Vespa scooters out front–hey, just like in Italia!

This is Giuseppe’s. But don’t expect to trot back here with the Mrs. on Saturday night after leaving the kids with the sitter and just get a table. The place is booked every night and with good reason. With items like Dolce Latte Gorgonzola pizza (that’s caramelized onions, buffalo mozzarella, and gorgonzola for the uninitiated) and their legendary Butternut Squash Ravioli, their tables are always full. All their dishes are prepared with natural ingredients and their bread is baked from scratch every day.

They also feature a healthy selection of local and regional wines. Not to mention the servers are helpful and knowledgeable. You won’t see these servers looking to the kitchen to remember the specials. They’ve got ‘em down pat each night. And, as for the wines, they will gladly recommend a great one to complement your meal.

The restaurant itself is open and comfortable despite the busy waitstaff. The large pizza oven sits at the back of the restaurant in plain view of the patrons in the main room and the adjoining bar is cozy and lively. During the day, the huge windows let in lots of natural light and, at night, the lower light suggests candlelight. They even have imported cigars for your post-meal smoking pleasure. Giuseppe’s recently opened another, smaller location down the street just to handle their delivery orders.

This makes Giuseppe’s fifth consecutive win for Best South County Restaurant. So, make a reservation, find a sitter for those rowdy kids, and take your significant other for a nice romantic dinner at Italy in Pismo.

2nd Place: Jocko’s Steak House
3rd Place: Rosa’s Italian Restaurant

Best New Restaurant
Grappolo
1040 Broad St., San Luis Obispo

It’s ideal that Grappolo’s was voted best new restaurant because it seems to represent the spirit of this county. The restaurant is elegant, yet laid back; the kitchen is open to give the place a community feel; the food is traditional yet has creative twists to it. Plus, the restaurant is perched above San Luis Obispo’s creek.

"Our food is traditional in many ways and we have a great focus on seafood," chef Mike Bowman said. "We also have a wood-burning stove so we do pizza with all kinds of toppings from seafood to fresh vegetables."

All of the food is made with the freshest ingredients, it is well presented and the sauces are delicate and perfectly balanced.

"We use truffle oil in some dishes and people seem to like it," Bowman said. "Other favorite dishes include the seafood stew that’s full of all kinds of shellfish and a pasta with a cream sauce, garlic, shrimp and broccoli."

Grapollo is Italian for grapes and is also the name of the owner’s similar restaurant in Santa Ynez, which has been successful for four years. The owners, Leonardo Curti and Daniele Serra, are from Italy. Curti works in the kitchen and Serra is involved in the extensive wine list.

Diners can sit in the bustling main room with a view of the kitchen’s creations and filled with bow-tied waiters. Or, on a nice night, eat on the candlelit patio overlooking the creek. It is very romantic and intimate. There is also a lounge where you can sip your wine down the stairs that will eventually be a full bar.

Grappolo’s is the perfect place to take a date and the prices are reasonable.

"I’ve been here since it opened," Bowman said. "Grappolo’s is awesome."

There is no lingering spirit of Fishdaddy’s, a restaurant that used to be in this space. Instead, Grappolo has made it it’s own and has melded the spirit of Italy with that of San Luis Obispo.

2nd: Oasis
3rd: Buona Tavola (Paso)

Best Romantic Restaurant
Café Roma
1020 Railroad Ave., San Luis Obispo

When you have a special occasion, you need to go to a nice place you wouldn’t normally go. When you have a romantic special occasion, you need to go to Café Roma.

"A night at Café Romas is a special evening because it is elegant and you will feel comfortable if you want to dress up," co-owner Marco Rizzo says. "If you don’t come dressed up, though, it’s still acceptable because other people will be dressed casually as well."

This makes Café Roma a good place to go on a date, because most of us look better dressed up. It also contributes to the atmosphere because the room is full of good-looking people.

The atmosphere is the main reason Café Roma is the best romantic restaurant. The warm Tucson walls, the crisp white tablecloths, the bright-colored flowers outside, the music and the dim candlelight all create a magical feel. Even the bathrooms have atmosphere. The bathrooms are huge, with nice tile and the music is piped in.

"The atmosphere is old-world charm because this is an Italian family-owned restaurant," Rizzo says. "Diners are transported to a nice place when they come to Café Roma."

Being transported to Italy is just on of the ways a date taken to Café Roma will be impressed. The food is delicious and pricey enough that it will impress a date, but definitely reasonable, especially after you taste the amazing dishes. There is no wrong choice on the wine list, and if you really want to go for broke, order a bottle of Tattinger, Cristal, or Dom Perignon Champagne. The waiters really know how to serve, too, going to such lengths as scraping up the breadcrumbs–good news for messy eaters.

Not only do the waiters whisk away the crumbs, but also most of them are hot and have accents. Some might wonder why they should take their dates there–because it shows you have confidence.

"It’s not every day you have a nice date," Rizzo says. "But when you do, come hare because Café Roma is not your everyday pizza place."

2nd: Windows on the Water
3rd: Buona Tavola

Best Outdoor Dining
Buona Tavola
1037 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo
943 Spring St., Paso Robles

In one word, Buona Tavola is amazing. They are so amazing, they decided to do it again, up in Paso where swanky food is now all the rage. But right here we’re talking about the best outdoor dining, and the SLO restaurant takes that category away from all of the power hungry other swanky restaurants. Wanna know how great these guys are? Check them out under Best Italian food, category #13.

2nd: Pete’s Southside Café & Parrot Trap
3rd: Mission Grill

Best Restaurant Service
Windows on the Water
699 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

These guys are not only the Best North Coast Restaurant (category No. 29) but are also Best Restaurant with a View (category No. 41). Not a bad combination at all. Perhaps the next Triple Crown?

2nd: F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House
3rd: Big Sky Cafe

Best Meal for Your Money
Margie’s Diner

San Luis Obispo • Morro Bay • Paso Robles • Atascadero

So good, these guys have twice this year! The Best Greasy Spoon, category #18, is where to find out about this delicious doll. Congrats!

2nd: Firestone Grill
3rd: Big Sky Cafe

Best Restaurant to Go to When Someone Else is Paying
Café Roma
1020 Railroad Ave., San Luis Obispo

Was there ever any doubt that someone else should always pay for a nice dinner at Café Roma? To get the scoop on these fantastic guys, check out Best Romantic Restaurant, category No. 27.

2nd: Windows on the Water
3rd: Madonna Inn

Best Desserts
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo

Say what you will about Madonna Inn’s neon green and pink sign, say what you will about the color patterns chosen for the rooms, just don’t say anything bad about their desserts.

Check out this list of pies: caramel-Dutch apple, peach, boysenberry, cherry, pecan and lemon meringue, apricot, apple, pumpkin, rhubarb, and mince meat. Amazing, huh? And that’s just the start of the menu. There’s also strawberry pies made with fresh local strawberries, served with whipped cream, and cream pies like banana, chocolate, coconut, cherry, and lemon. If you’re twitching with sugary anticipation, just wait. We’ve only made it through the pies.

Madonna Inn offers French pastries like cream puffs (with pink icing, of course), chocolate éclairs, apple strudel, and Napoleon. Just reading about it is enough to induce a diabetic seizure.

The icing on the cake, however, is the cake.

Madonna’s world-famous cakes, to be exact. The Black Forest cake is covered with rich chocolate chunks (served with or without cherries). The Toffee Crunch is covered in, you guessed it, toffee chunks. In fact all of their wonderful cakes–banana nut, lemon, coconut, and apple spice–are topped with something super yummy. Even the Pink Champagne Cake is covered in pink goodness to match the décor of the inn.

All the desserts can be served a la mode and are homemade fresh daily. So, if you’re looking to reward yourself with a huge blast to your sweet tooth, swing on by the place with the bright sign. They’ve got what you need.

2nd Place: Linn’s
3rd Place: Utopia Bakery

Best Bakery
Carlock’s Bakery
1024 Los Osos Valley Road, Los Osos

Attention: If you think Snack-Wells and Slim Fast are a tasty way to satisfy your sugar craving, don’t bother reading on! If, on the other hand, you are one of the sensible folks who allow themselves a healthy amount of indulgence in the ecstatic pleasures of pure sugar and yummy milk chocolate, then you probably already adore Carlock’s Bakery. Thanks for voting, again!

Gary Carlock has been baking decadent sweet and savory treats for San Luis Obispo County since 1941, and has improved every year. In fact, his motto is, "If we’re not better this year than we were last year, then we’re not doing our job." If he’s not changing and growing, Carlock feels stagnant. And if he feels stagnant, that’s the same as feeling stale. And nobody wants a stale bakery!

To maintain the freshest baked goods in the county, Carlock’s bakery revels in new ideas. They hire bakers from as far away as Russia and work with the bakers to develop their recipes into magical delights. Gary Carlock and his wife are constantly creating new baked goods to offer the public. Their cake and cookie repertoire is so large that they couldn’t possibly display everything they make at one time.

To be fair, they rotate the desserts and breads displayed as the current trends, the current seasons, and whims of the public so direct them. They listen to what the people want, and respond accordingly.

Right now they have a ground beef, cabbage, onion and black pepper sandwich, affectionately known as the Bierock, as one of their most popular savory items. Other goodies currently on the menu are Carlock’s own spinach filling vegetarian roll, a ham and Swiss croissant, and the Cajun-style sausage stick. They sell several hundred Cajun sticks each day.

The list of sweets may make you drool. A few of their favorites include the mint chocolate cookies, the Russian Tea Biscuit, the French pastries and the Danishes. They ship their wedding cakes as far away as San Francisco and San Diego, and are up almost 24 hours a day to keep up with our demand for lip-smacking, fresh baked delights.

Carlock’s Bakery will, according to their motto, be even better next year than they are this year. Still, don’t wait until then to treat yourself!

2nd: Utopia Bakery
3rd: Madonna Inn

Best Bagel
Boston Bagel Co.
1127 Broad St., San Luis Obispo

Blueberry bagels. Egg bagels. Onion bagels. Garlic bagels. Wheat bagels. Jalapeno bagels. Bagels with sundried tomatoes. Banana-walnut bagels. Bagels with sesame seeds. Bagels with poppyseeds. Orange-cranberry bagels. Chocolate chip bagels. Bagels with cream cheese. Bagels with cheddar cheese. Bagels with lox. Bagels with jam….bagels are quite possibly one of the world’s most versatile foods. Toasted for breakfast with strawberry-flavored cream cheese, topped with tomato sauce and melted cheese for lunch, or made into a sandwich with a garden burger or grilled chicken patty for dinner, bagels can go anywhere and do anything. Bagels are the superheroes of the bread and grain group. In fact, late at night, after the grocery stores and bake shops have been closed, the bagels and the sourdough rolls have been known to stage fighting matches. The rolls have the advantage of being hard, especially in stores where they are not baked on site, but the bagels’ holes makes for a super-aerodynamic fighting style that results in a guaranteed victory.

Not only are they excellent fighters, bagels also make great pets, frisbees, hats, cat toys, bird food, glasses, makeshift birthday cakes, jewelry, coasters, earmuffs, and whiteboard erasersBagels have a rich and fascinating history. According to the Kansas Wheat Commission, the very first bagel was born in 1683 when an Austrian baker reshaped the local bread so that it resembled the King’s stirrup. The word "bagel" is derived from the German word "bugel," which means stirrup. The Commission also claims that the bagel is the only bread product that is boiled before it’s baked, and packaged varieties first became available in grocery stores around 1950.

When San Luis Obispo County residents are in need of the best bagels, they go to downtown San Luis Obispo and visit Boston Bagel. They have regained the title of Best Bagel that they lost last year to Bagel Basement — the title that had rightfully belonged to them since 1995. The atmosphere at Bagel Basement is simple. No gimmicks, no noise, no loud screaming colors, just over 20 years of quality bagels. Soups and espresso are also available.

2nd: Bagel Café
3rd: Broadway Bagel Café

Best Martini
Gigi’s Mediterranean Café
969 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo

When you step into Gigi’s, it feels like you are in a local bistro in a European town. The atmosphere and decoration are warm and relaxed. Locals stop by just to say hi to the servers and local bistros in Europe inspire the food.

What aren’t bistro-like are the martinis. These martinis are not watered down, and doubles are served in a small glass followed by a decanter on ice. The inspiration for the martinis is owner Dawn Deibert's grandfather, who drank his martinis dry and dirty.

"We do not sacrifice the purity of the martini," Deibert says. "We have the best martinis because we serve it with style, flair and flavor."

There is a different martini special every night. "We serve all kinds, from traditional to trendy," Deibert says.

The perfect balance of gin, vodka and the little olive in addition to getting the perfect temperature is difficult, but Gigi’s nails it.

"We really care about how we blend our martinis," Deibert says. "We also care about the size, the presentation and a whole lot of other stuff people might not think of when making a martini."

Gigi’s is consistent in maintaining the purity of their martinis. They won best martini last year, too. While supreme martinis might be enough to recommend a place, Gigi’s has other exceptional aspects that draw people in.

The feeling of the place is intimate, the food is unique, the hors d’oeuvres are not to be missed and the people are friendly.

2nd: Windows on the Water
3rd: F. McLintock’s Saloon and Dining House

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
McDonald’s
Arroyo Grande • Atascadero • Grover Beach • Morro Bay • Nipomo • Paso Robles • San Luis Obispo

The toys, the playground, the food, the prices and the ease are why parents love McDonald’s. Of course, the kids love it, too.

McDonald’s might not be the first place that people without children would choose to go when thinking about eating out, but for parents it is first choice.

The best reason is that no other restaurant gets the excited faces of kids more than McDonald’s. When you mention most restaurants kids think of having to sit for an hour eating food they don’t really like. They can’t make pyramids out of the cream holders or eat the sugar packets.

Chances are they will be told to behave or be quiet at least once during the meal. If they spill something big or run around the restaurant or do not eat everything their parents pay for, there will be trouble when they get home. Not to mention they are taking time out from playing with their toys, something far more important than food to children.

McDonald’s solves all this. Kids don’t have to sit still or be quiet at McDonald’s. In fact, they are encouraged to go play in the playground. It’s OK if they play with the cream holders or eat the sugar, but why would they want to when they can slip down the slide or play in the pit of rainbow-colored balls.

The floor isn’t carpet so a spill is not a huge fiasco. Usually kids like the food better at McDonald’s than anywhere else, but if they don’t eat everything it’s no big deal because Mom and Dad didn’t pay that much for the meal. Most of all, though, kids love McDonald’s because they do not have to take time away from their toys because this friendly place provides toys.

Parents love McDonald’s for other reasons besides their children’s joyous faces. Going out for a meal with a family definitely makes a dent in the wallet, but the prices at McDonald’s make it a small dent.

Just going into the restaurant is quick, but for even more ease and speed, parents can just go through the drive-thru. The whining is minimal and there ARE those moments of peace when the kids are actually enjoying their food or outside playing in the "No persons over 4 feet tall allowed" playground. Thank goodness for that sign.

So next time the cupboard is bare, you don’t feel like being in the kitchen for another second, the kids are driving you crazy or you just want to see that excited look on your child’s face, go to McDonald’s and order the appropriately named Happy Meal.

2nd: Hudson’s Grill
3rd: Denny’s Restaurant

Best Place to Have a Beer
Frog & Peach Pub
728 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Frog & Peach Pub is devoted to beer. In fact, that’s all they serve.

One of the funniest happenings at this laid-back bar is watching newcomers to Frog & Peach asking for a shot, martini or other hard alcohol drink.

These patrons do not usually fit the rest of the crowd: they aren’t wearing the requisite jeans, they wish the live band was playing pop music and their hair has more product in it than Frog & Peach has beers, and they have a lot of beers.

If you come to Frog & Peach and exhibit one of the above qualities, it’s OK and no one will laugh because everyone is welcome–as long as you like beer. If you ask for something other than beer, you may be laughed at, but probably not to your face.

This is because people are nice at Frog & Peach. The relaxed atmosphere results in kinder patrons. People move aside at the bar so you can order a beer, strangers scootch over in the booths to make room, and the bartenders have time and are happy to make drink suggestions.

The place also features a kitchen, "Ben’s Big Buns," whose specialty is a sandwich made from halved French rolls stuffed in pita pockets.

If you are in the mood to hang out and actually have a conversation with a friend, Frog & Peach is the place to go. Oh, and don’t forget to be in the mood for beer.

2nd: SLO Brewing Co.
3rd: Spike’s Place

Best Margarita
Izzy Ortega’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
1850 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo

What makes a good margarita the best? A lot of things, according to Izzy Ortega’s manager David Stoothoff.

"The margarita is a signature item for us mainly because we put a lot of a good tequila, Sauza Gold, in our well Margarita," Stoothoff says.

Izzy’s margaritas are definitely "wells." They make up a batch of 100 gallons at a time so that the right blend is always served. The margaritas are a special mix of lime juice, sweet and sour, triple sec and, of course, tequila.

The house margarita is frozen on tap. Izzy’s also serves a variety of flavored margaritas all made with fresh fruit, ranging from strawberry and raspberry to peach, mango and melon.

It’s not just the margaritas that bring people to Izzy’s. At the bar there is a non-stop flow of warm and salty chips–another signature item of Izzy Ortega’s. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m., but pizzas are served until 9:30 p.m.

"If someone comes in after nine and they are starving I will personally make them a quesadilla or something," Stoothoff says. "I’ve made food for people at 11."

The atmosphere is different from most bars around here, too. The bar is long and spacious, Mexican decor abounds, there are pool tables and the bathrooms are actually nice.

Izzy’s is packed on Fridays with people having fun, due largely in part to the delectable margaritas. Taste the margaritas at lunch or dinner, too. Izzy Ortega’s food follows the example of their margaritas–they have consistently placed second or third in the Best Mexican Food category. Try the fresh fish with the fresh fruit margarita.

So come to the unique margarita experience of Izzy’s, where managers make food, there is room at the bar and in the bathroom to move and the margaritas are on tap.

2nd: Pepe Delgado’s Mexican Restaurant
3rd: Old Juan’s Cantina

Best Fish Taco
Cabo San Luis
981 Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo

The fish taco is an art unto itself, a precarious culinary feat forever balanced between the sublime and the just plain slimy. To do the elusive fish taco well is a harbinger for everything else on a restaurant’s menu. And the granddaddy of stunning fish tacos is Cabo San Luis, purveyor of fine Mexican and Caribbean cuisine.

Delicious deep-fried fish, yummy sauce, shredded cabbage, a squeeze of zesty lime, and lots of love, baby! Add ‘em together and you’ve got a healthy taste surprise! And talk about cheap! A fish taco for around two bucks is manna from heaven.

And where better to fill you face with fish than around Cabo San Luis’s gigantic fish tank, chalk full of exotic sea creatures. Walk into this restaurant and you’ll feel like you’ve taken an instant trip south of the border, a colorful seaside town where the warm trade winds blow.

This category is only in its second year, but Cabo San Luis has won both times. Oh, glorious fish taco, shine your ever-lovin’ light on me!

2nd: Taco Temple
3rd: Pete’s Southside Café

Best Place to Have a Business Lunch
Buona Tavola
San Luis Obispo • Paso Robles

Want to impress the boss or a new client? Well, it seems the best place to go is also where you can get the Best Outdoor Dining and the Best Italian Food in the county (categories # 28 and 13). Not a bad choice at all!

2nd: Big Sky Café
3rd: 1865

Best Restaurant with a View
Windows on the Water
699 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

With the water splashing up against the rocks just below the deck, and huge windows letting in sunshine from all sides, it’s hard to believe anywhere other than Windows on the Water could top this list. They made Best North Coast Restaurant, too, so check out category No. 24.

2nd: Steamers of Pismo
3rd: SeaVenture Restaurant