Best of Columbia Winners 1989-2007

Every year since 1988, Free Times has polled its readers on the best that Columbia has to offer. And every year, you have come through with your opinions on everything from the best restaurants, bars and bands to the best politicians, newscasters and neighborhoods.

Sometimes we agree with your verdicts, sometimes we don’t. That’s why the following pages offer both Readers’ Picks (in which our editorial staff backs you up) and Writer’s Picks (in which we chastise you for your lack of discerning judgment).

Regardless of what we think, however, the Best Of issue is really about you — and our winners. So, thanks for taking the time to vote in the real, original Best Of Columbia poll.
And to all the winners, congratulations! — Dan Cook

Best Local TV News
WIS
Runner-up: WLTX

Best Anchorperson
Dawndy Mercer Plank (WIS)
Runner-up: Judi Gatson (WIS)

Best Weatherperson
Ben Tanner (WIS)
Runner-up: Brooks Garner (WIS)

Best Sportscaster
Rick Henry (WIS)
Runner-up: Mandy Mitchell (WIS)

Sexiest Local Television Personality
Brooks Garner (WIS)
Runner-up: Dawndy Mercer Plank (WIS)

Best Local Web Site
WISTV.com
Runner-up: Free-times.com

Best Local Blog
TheShopTart.com
Runner-up: SceneSC.com

Best Radio Station
WXRY 99.3 FM
Runner-up: WUSC 90.5 FM

Best Local Radio Personality
Jonathan Rush (WCOS 97.5 FM)
Runner-up: Steve Varholy (WXRY 99.3 FM))

Best Media Hog
Governor Mark Sanford
Runner-up: Joe Pinner

Best Thing to Happen to Columbia in 2009
Mayor Coble Announcing He Will Not Run
Runner-up: Mark Sanford’s Scandal

Best Use of Public Funds
Road Repaving
Runner-up: Security in Five Points

Biggest Waste of Public Funds
Innovista
Runner-up: “Famously Hot” Slogan

Best Local Politician
Mayor Bob Coble
Runner-up: Joe Wilson

Scariest Local Politician
Governor Mark Sanford
Runner-up: Joe Wilson

Best Reason to Live in Columbia
Low Cost of Living
Runner-up: Friendly People

Biggest Gripe About Columbia
The Heat
Runner-up: Lack of Parking

Biggest Columbia Eyesore
Confederate Flag at the Statehouse
Runner-up: Busted Plug Plaza

Most Powerful Corporate Monopoly
SCE&G
Runner-up: Time Warner Cable

Most Annoying Billboard
All Digital Billboards
Runner-up: Maurice’s

Best Activist Group or Effort
South Carolina Pride Movement
Runner-up: Conservation Voters of South Carolina

Biggest Local ‘Hero’
Ann Timberlake (Conservation Voters of South Carolina)
Runner-up: Mayor Bob Coble

Biggest Local ‘Zero’
Governor Mark Sanford
Runner-up: Joe Wilson

Best Charity
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Runner-up: SisterCare

Best Free Wi-Fi
Starbucks
Runner-up: Panera Bread

Biggest Political FAIL in 2009
Gov. Mark Sanford’s Hiking Trip and Affair
Runner-up: Joe Wilson’s “You Lie!”

Best Place to Expand Your Mind
Richland County Public Library
Runner-up: Columbia Museum of Art

Best Place to Get Naked
At Home
Runner-up: Travelites Nudist Club

Best Neighborhood
Shandon
Runner-up: Rosewood

Best Apartment Complex
Olympia and Granby Mills
Runner-up: Vista Commons

Best Annual Event or Festival in 2009
St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points
Runner-up: Greek Festival

Best Art Gallery
701 Center for Contemporary Arts
Runner-up: City Art

Best Local or Regional Museum
Columbia Museum of Art
Runner-up: South Carolina State Museum

Best Local Artist
Ernest Lee – The Chicken Man
Runner-up: Blue Sky

Best Dance Company
Columbia City Ballet
Runner-up: Vibrations Dance Company

Best Local Theatre Company
Trustus
Runner-up: Workshop Theatre

Best Local Theatre Production
The Producers – Workshop Theatre
Runner-up: The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Trustus

Best Movie Theatre
The Nickelodeon
Runner-up: Columbiana Grande

Best New Restaurant to Open in 2009
Z Pizza
Runner-up: Rosso Trattoria Italia

Best Restaurant
Mr. Friendly’s
Runner-up: Motor Supply Co.

Best Place for a First Date
Gervais and Vine
Runner-up: Mr. Friendly’s

Best Place for a Last Date
McDonald’s
Runner-up: Waffle House

Best Late Night Food
Waffle House
Runner-up: Pita Pit

Best Place to Dine Outdoors
Carolina Ale House
Runner-up: The Gourmet Shop

Best Take Out Food
Eggroll Chen
Runner-up: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Best Bang for the Buck
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Runner-up: El Burrito

Best Wine List
Gervais and Vine
Runner-up: Cellar on Greene

Best Coffee
Starbucks
Runner-up: Cool Beans

Best Sweet Tea
Bojangles’
Runners-up: McAllister’s, Groucho’s

Best Breakfast
The Original Pancake House
Runner-up: IHOP

Best Brunch
Café Strudel
Runner-up: Motor Supply Co.

Best Deli/Sub/Sandwich Shop
Groucho’s
Runner-up: Which Wich?

Best Vegetarian Menu
Blue Cactus
Runner-up: Which Wich?

Best Barbecue
Maurice’s
Runner-up: Hudson’s Smokehouse

Best Burrito
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Runner-up: El Burrito

Best Pizza
Mellow Mushroom
Runner-up: Z Pizza

Best Chicken Wings
Wild Wing Café
Runner-up: D’s Wings

Best Ribs
Hudson’s Smokehouse
Runner-up: Carolina Wings and Rib House

Best Hot Dog
Sandy’s Famous Hot Dogs
Runner-up: Rush’s

Best Hamburger
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Runner-up: Rockaway Athletic Club

Best French Fries
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Runner-up: McDonald’s

Best Salad
California Dreaming
Runner-up: Zaxby’s

Best Steak
Longhorn Steakhouse
Runner-up: Ruth’s Chris

Best Asian
M Vista
Runner-up: Miyo’s

Best Mexican Restaurant
San Jose
Runner-up: Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Best Chinese Restaurant
Miyo’s
Runner-up: Eggroll Chen

Best Italian Restaurant
Villa Tronco
Runner-up: Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Best Greek Restaurant
Zorba’s
Runner-up: Devine Foods

Best Japanese Restaurant
Yamato
Runner-up: Camon

Best Southern Restaurant
Lizard’s Thicket
Runner-up: Mr. Friendly’s

Best Indian Restaurant
Panjabi Dhaba
Runner-up: Touch of India

Best Thai Restaurant
Mai Thai
Runner-up: Baan Sawan

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Al-Amir
Runner-up: Mediterranean Tea Room

Best Sushi
Tsunami
Runner-up: Saki Tumi

Best Seafood Restaurant
Blue Marlin
Bonefish Grill

Best Dessert
Nonnah’s
Runner-up: Cupcake

Best Service
Which Wich?
Runner-up: Mr. Friendly’s

Best Concert
Fallout 2009
Runner-up: Free Times Music Crawl

Best Music Venue
New Brookland Tavern
Runner-up: Headliners

Best Blues or Jazz Club
Speakeasy
Runner-up: Blue Martini

Best Karaoke
Mr. B’s Good Time Karaoke Explosion at Art Bar
Runner-up: DJ Ray at The Saloon

Best CD by a Local Artist
“No One is Fine” – The Fire Tonight
Runner-up: “Time is the Road” – DB Bryant

Best Local Band
The DB Bryant Band
Runner-up: The Fire Tonight

Best Local Solo Artist
Danielle Howle
Runner-up: Joal Rush

Best CD Store
Papa Jazz
Runner-up: Manifest Discs and Tapes

Best Store For Vinyl
Papa Jazz
Runner-up: Manifest Discs and Tapes

Best Musical Instrument Store
Pecknel
Runner-up: Sims Music

Best Recording Studio
Jam Room
Runner-up: Strawberry Skys

Best New Bar or Club to Open in 2009
Elbow Room
Runner-up: The White Mule

Best Bar or Club
Art Bar
Runner-up: The Whig

Best Bar To Go To With Only $10 to Your Name
The Whig
Runners-up: Art Bar, Chubby’s 2x4

Best Place to Pick Up Guys
Art Bar
Runner-up: Liberty Tap Room

Best Place to Pick Up Girls
Art Bar
Runner-up: Red Hot Tomatoes

Best Bathroom Wall Wisdom
Art Bar
Runner-up: New Brookland Tavern

Best Bar Trivia
Publick House
Runner-up: Flying Saucer

Best Bar Service
Art Bar
Runner-up: Karl’s Korner

Best Hippie Bar
Tavern on Greene
Runner-up: Utopia

Best College Bar
Sharky’s
Runner-up: Group Therapy

Best Dance Club
Art Bar
Runner-up: Element

Best Neighborhood Bar - Downtown/The Vista
Art Bar
Runner-up: The Whig

Best Neighborhood Bar - Five Points
Jakes
Runners-up: Delaney’s, Bar None

Best Neighborhood Bar - Shandon/Rosewood/Forest Acres
Cock N’ Bull
Runner-up: Publick House

Best Neighborhood Bar - Harbison/Irmo
Hemingway’s
Runners-up: Copper River Grill, Wild Hare

Best Neighborhood Bar - St. Andrews/Dutch Square
Wings and Ale
Runner-up: McCary’s

Best Neighborhood Bar - West Columbia/Cayce
State Street Pub
Runner-up: Karl’s Korner

Best Neighborhood Bar - Lexington
Wild Hare
Charlie’s Sports Bar

Best Neighborhood Bar - Northeast
Icy’s Sports Bistro
Runner-up: Wild Wing Café

Best Outdoor Deck
Jake's
Runner-up: Carolina Ale House (The Vista)

Best People-Watching Bar
Art Bar
Runner-up: Group Therapy

Best Gay Bar
Art Bar
Runner-up: PT’s Cabaret

Best Sports Bar
Carolina Ale House
Runner-up: Wild Hare

Best Pool Hall
Karl’s Korner
Runner-up: Jillian’s

Best Happy Hour
Village Idiot
Runner-up: blue.

Best Bottled Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-up: Speakeasy

Best Draft Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-up: Liberty Tap Room

Best Margarita
Mucho Margaritas
Runner-up: San José

Best Specialty Drink
Wet Willie’s – Daiquiris
Runner-up: Liberty Tap Room – Bloody Mary

Best Place to Work
University of South Carolina
Runner-up: Palmetto Health Richland

Best Car Dealership
Jim Hudson Toyota
Runner-up: Dick Smith Nissan

Best Motorcycle Store
Thunder Tower Harley
Runner-up: Harley Haven

Best Auto Repair
Complete Car Care
Runner-up: Nuttall’s

Best Tanning Salon
Ultra Tan
Runner-up: Planet Beach

Best Hair Salon
Logan Raye
Runner-up: Pia & Steve

Best Day Spa
Urban Nirvana
Runner-up: Logan Raye

Best Tattoo Experience and Artist
Animated Canvas
Shane Anderson
Runner-up: Body Rites Tattoo – Shannon Purvis

Best Piercing Experience and Artist
Immaculate Body Piercing
Sarah Wooten
Runner-up: Knotty Headz – Cassidy Rose

Best Furniture Store
Whit Ash
Runners-up: Strobler, Bohemian Home

Best Pet Supply Store
Petsmart
Runner-up: Pet Supplies Plus

Best Kennel/Pet Boarding Facility
Camp Bow Wow
Runner-up: Wescott Acres

Best Pet Grooming
Petsmart
Runner-up: Groomingdales

Best Hospital
Lexington Medical Center
Runner-up: Palmetto Health Baptist

Best Continuing Education College/University
Midlands Technical College
Runner-up: Columbia College

Best Heating and Air
Comfort Services
Runner-up: 2nd Wind Heating and Air Conditioning

Best Chiropractor
Dr. Matthew Miller – Family Chiropractic Center
Runner-up: Dr. Andrew Fields – Fields Chiropractic Clinic

Best Real Estate Agency
Coldwell Banker
Runner-up: Russell & Jeffcoat

Best Dating Service
Eharmony.com
Runner-up: Plentyoffish.com

Best Men’s Clothing Store
Brittons
Runner-up: Granger Owings

Best Women’s Clothing Store
M Boutique
Runners-up: Wish, Mary

Best Alternative Clothing
Sid & Nancy
Runner-up: Hip-Wa-Zee

Best Jewelry Store
Handpicked
Runner-up: Jewelry Warehouse

Best Florist
The Blossom Shop
Runner-up: Rosewood Florist

Best Bakery
Publix
Runner-up: Tiffany’s Bakery and Eatery

Best Place for Fresh Meat and Seafood
The Fresh Market
Runner-up: Old Timey Meat Market

Best Place for Fresh Produce
The Fresh Market
Runner-up: All Local Farmer’s Market at 701 Whaley

Best Natural Food Store
Earth Fare
Runner-up: Rosewood Market

Best Beer and Liquor Store
Green’s
Runner-up: Morganelli’s

Best Wine Store
Total Wine and More
Runner-up: Green’s

Best Store for Used Books
Ed’s Editions
Runner-up: The Book Dispensary

Best Consignment Store
Revente
Runner-up: Sid & Nancy

Best Local Athlete
Eric Norwood, USC Football
Runner-up: Stephen Garcia, USC Football

Best Gamecock Store
Jewelry Warehouse
Runner-up: Addam’s Bookstore

Best Tailgating Location
S.C. State Fairgrounds
Runner-up: The Farmer’s Market

Best Tailgating Dish or Food
Wings
Runner-up: Barbecue

Best Tailgating Cocktail
Sweet Tea Vodka and Lemonade
Runner-up: Bourbon and Coke

Best Public Park
Finlay Park
Runner-up: Cayce/West Columbia Riverwalk Park

Best Local or Regional Golf Course
Forest Lake Golf Club
Runner-up: Fort Jackson Golf Course

Best Dog Park
Columbia Dog Park (Humane Lane)
Runner-up: Sesquicentennial State Park

Best Cycle Shop
Outspokin’
Runner-up: The Cycle Center

Best Outdoors/Camping Gear Store
The Backpacker
Runner-up: Half Moon Outfitters

Best Sporting Goods Store
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Runner-up: Todd & Moore

Best Fitness Club
Gold’s Gym
Runner-up: New Life Fitness Club

Best Bowling Lanes
Anchor Lanes
Runner-up: AMF Lanes


Let us know what you think: Email editor@free-times.com.