Food & Drink

Editor’s Choices

The Chariot: Best group to fight the power

The Chariot represents a battle that can be won if the seeker has the willpower for it. It’s always in motion, even when it may appear still. The members of the Electric Automobile Association of Northern Nevada are fighting a quiet battle, though it may often look like a bunch of geeky guys in garages discussing “regenerative breaking” and “range.” They act as a community resource about electric vehicles and encourage political leaders to make it easier for people to buy, drive and use them in Nevada. Several members first converted a car to an electric vehicle decades ago. Now, as EVs gain street cred and have become a more accepted mode of transportation, the geeks are the cool kids, and the rest of us could learn a lot from them. This group holds monthly meetings to discuss building, driving, maintaining and fawning over electric vehicles. 826-4514, www.electricnevada.org.

The Magician: Best shredder

Josh “Jawsh” Hageman has played—drums and/or guitar—in a ton of great Reno bands, including stints in The Juvinals, Royal Noble and The Humans, and in This Computer Kills, a band that broke up nearly 10 years ago but still garners votes in the “Best Local Band” category of this readers’ poll. He can often be found at rock shows, usually in the front row, rockin’ out with a big grin. He’s generally a quiet, unassuming guy, but when he straps on a guitar, he becomes a powerful conjurer of magical sounds. His newest band, Thee Indoors, recently opened for Iceage and Cult of a Youth, and blew those two critically acclaimed, internationally touring bands out of the water. If you’re a fan of, say, Nirvana, or really any guitar-based rock ’n’ roll, you’ve got no excuse not to be there whenever Thee Indoors plays.

Readers’ choice

Best Cooking School

1. Back of the House

800 W. Second St., 284-1080

2. Nothing to It! Culinary Center

225 Crummer Lane, 826-2628

Best hot dog

1. Freeman’s Natural Hotdogs

106 California Ave., 322-3434

2. Costco

2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200

4810 Galleria Pkwy., Sparks, 356-4400

3. Sinbad’s Hot Dogs of Nevada

418 N McCarran Blvd.

Sparks, 331-4762

Best frozen yogurt

1. U-SWIRL

multiple locations

2. Yogurt Beach

multiple locations

3. TCBY

multiple locations

Best French fries

1. In-N-Out Burger

280 Pyramid Way, Sparks

8215 S. Virginia St. (800) 786-1000

2. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. McDonald’s Restaurant

various locations

Best smoothie

1. Keva Juice

various locations

2. Jamba Juice

various locations

3. Organic Juice Bar at Ageless Zone Medical Spa

5060 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8888

Best chicken wings

1. Joe Bob’s Chicken Palace

7689 S. Virginia S., 852-1942

4385 Neil Road No. 116, 829-9777

2. Wing Stop

720 S. Meadows Pkwy, 852-3223

5100 Mae Anne Ave., No. 101, 746-9464

3. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

various locations

Best salad

1. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

2. Süp

719 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

3. Pinocchio’s

5995 S. Virginia St., 826-5151

Best salad bar

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Sizzler

615 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-3969

Best Mexican

1. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Beto’s Mexican Food

575 W. Fifth St., 324-0632

3. Murrieta’s

various locations

Best Italian

1. La Famiglia Ristorante

170 S. Virginia St., 324-1414

2. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano

4245 W. Fourth St., 747-4511

3. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant

4900 S. Virginia St., 829-1500

Legends, 1481 E. Lincoln Way, 356-9500

Best Indian

1. India Kabab and Curry

1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222

2. India Garden

1565 S. Virginia St., 337-8002

3. Naan & Kebab

(Note: This is a Mediterranean, notIndian restaurant)

2740 S. Virginia St.,825-3113

Best Japanese

1. Ichiban Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar

206 N. Virginia St., 323-5550

2. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

3. Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Pkwy, Sparks, 626-8677

Best Greek

1. Niko’s Greek Kitchen

148 West St., 284-3678

2. Blue Plate

236 California Ave.,786-3463

3. Nick’s Greek Deli

600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613

Best Thai

1. Bangkok Cuisine

55 Mount Rose St., 322-0299

5851 S Virginia St., 284-3802

2. Thai Lotus

6430 S. Virginia St., 852-5033

3. Thai Chili

1030 S. Virginia St., 786-7878

Best Chinese

1. Palais De Jade Fine Chinese Cuisine

960 W. Moana Lane, 827-5233

2. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

5180 Kietzke Lane, 825-9800

3. Dynasty Chinese Bistro

1185 California Ave., 786-5768

Best Salvadoran

1. El Salvador Restaurant

517 Forest St., 329-3022

2. El Paisano Taqueria y Pupuseria

1901 Silverada Blvd., Sparks, 324-5255

3. El Rincon Salvadoreno

668 Greenbrae Drive., Sparks, 355-1569

Best sandwich shop

1. Deli Towne USA

3650 Lakeside Drive, 826-4466

2. Yellow Submarine

920 Holman Way, 358-6040

3. Rubicon Deli

445 California Ave., 322-9792

Best French restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

130 West St., 323-2227

2. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

3. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best Vietnamese

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Pho 777 Vietnamese Noodle Restaurant

102 E. Second St., 323-7777

3. Pho Restaurant

6775 Sierra Center Pkwy., 852-6100

Best sushi

1. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

2. Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Pkwy, Sparks, 626-8677

3. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best vegetarian

1. Pneumatic Diner

501 W. First St., 786-8888

2. Anthony’s Dandelion Deli & Catering

1170 S. Wells Ave., 322-6100

3. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

Best burger

1. Awful Awful at The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. In-N-Out Burger

280 Pyramid Way, Sparks

8215 S. Virginia St. (800) 786-1000

3. Juicy’s Giant Hamburger

301 S. Wells Ave., 322-2600

Best doughnuts/pastries

1. Doughboy’s Donuts

57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, 853-6844

2. Jelly Donut

1750 S. Virginia St., 324-7272

3. Donut Bistro

1550 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 355-4848

465 S. Meadows Pkwy. No. 21, 853-4009

Best bakery

1. Josef’s Vienna Bakery & Cafe

933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451

2. 5th Street Bakehouse

953 W. 5th St., 323-1885

3. House of Bread

1185 California Ave., 322-0773

Best fresh bread

1. House of Bread

1185 California Ave., 322-0773

2. Great Harvest Bread

530 W. Plumb Lane, 323-7733

3. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

Best coffee

1. Bibo Coffee Co.

various locations

2. The Hub Coffee Co.

32 Cheney St., 323-3482

3. Starbucks Coffee

various locations

Best seafood

1. Rapscallion Seafood House and Bar

1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211

Best steak

1. Ruby River Steakhouse

2750 S. Virginia St., 827-4007

Best pizza parlor

1. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 West Second St., 622-9222

2. Blind Onion Pizza & Pub

various locations

3. J.J.’s Pie Company

555 W. Fifth St., 786-5555

Best breakfast

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs

various locations

2. Squeeze In

various locations

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best business lunch

1. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

2. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

3. Old Granite St. Eatery

243 S. Sierra St., 622-3222

Best greasy spoon

1. Gold-N-Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

6300 Mae Anne Ave., 624-2700

Best Reno restaurant

1. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

2. Old Granite St. Eatery

243 S. Sierra St., 622-3222

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best Carson restaurant

1. Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge

1112 N. Carson St., Carson City, 882-3353

2. Red’s Old 395 Grill

1055 S. Carson St., Carson City, 887-0395

3. The Basil Restaurant

311 North Carson Street, Carson City, 841-6100

Best Sparks restaurant

1. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

1. Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Pkwy, Sparks, 626-8677

3. The Vista Grille

1250 Disc Drive, Sparks, 626-9922

Best Tahoe restaurant

1. Garwoods Grill & Pier

5000 N. Lake Blvd., Carnelian Bay, Calif., (530) 546-3366

2. T’s Mesquite Rotisserie

901 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, 831-2832

3. Lone Eagle Grille

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, 111 Country Club Drive, Incline Village, 886-6899

Most romantic restaurant

1. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

2. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best new restaurant

1. Old Granite Street Eatery

243 S. Sierra St., 622-3222

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Creme

25 Saint Lawrence Ave., 348-0571

Best fine dining

1. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

2. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best wine list

1. West Street Wine Bar

148 West St., 336-3560

2. Bistro Napa

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

3. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best wine bar

1. West Street Wine Bar

148 West St., 336-3560

2. Jungle Vino

246 W. First St., 329-4484

3. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9463

Foothill Road, 622-8080

Best cheap eats

1. Beto’s Mexican Food

575 W. Fifth St., 324-0632

2. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

Best dessert

1. The Chocolate Bar

475 S. Arlington Ave., 337-1122

13979 S. Virginia St., No. 505, 852-9966

2. Dish Cafe & Catering

855 Mill St., 348-8264

2. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

Best martini

1. The Chocolate Bar

475 S. Arlington Ave., 337-1122

2. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best Margarita

1. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Bertha Miranda’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

336 Mill St., 786-9697

3. Miguel’s Mexican

1415 S.Virginia St., 322-2722

3. Murrieta’s

Various locations

Best solo dining

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

3. Gold-N-Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

3. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 West Second St, 622-9222

Best outdoor dining

1. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best late-night dining

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 West Second St, 622-9222

3. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

Best food truck

1. GourMelt Grilled Cheese Truck

410-4124

2. Calvin’s Sausages

762-9808

3. Stephon’s Mobile Bistro

219-9954

Best ambience

1. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

2. Old Granite Street Eatery

243 S. Sierra St., 622-3222

Best restaurant view

1. Moxie’s Spirits & Dining

4792 Caughlin Pkwy., No. 201,826-2665

2. Francis’ Asian Bistro

4796 Caughlin Pkwy., 827-3111

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Best restaurant worth the long wait

1. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

2. Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

6300 Mae Anne Ave., 624-2700

3. Squeeze In

5020 Las Brisas Blvd., 787-2700

25 Foothill Road, No. 3, 853-6090

Best chef (name and location)

1. Tae Sung Lee, Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8677

2. Natalie Sellers, 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

3. Paul Abowd, Stone House Café

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best server (name and location)

1. Derrick Theel, Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs

720 South Meadows Pkwy., 851-7200

2. Mickie Brown, Country Garden Restaurant

606 W. Plumb Lane, No. 37, 825-0213

2. Elise Vandenberg, 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best tequila selection

1. Arroyo Mexican Grill

250 Evans Ave., 334-7092

2. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

3. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best vodka selection

1. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best whiskey/bourbon/scotch selection

1. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

2. Whisky Bar

100 N. Arlington Ave.

2. Ceol Irish Pub

538 S Virginia St., 329-5558

Best Bloody Mary

1. Chapel Tavern

1495 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

2. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

various locations

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best barbecue restaurant

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. BJ’s Bar-BQ

754 N. McCarran Blvd., 355-1010

3. Men Wielding Fire

180 E. First St., 786-1117

Best catering company

1. Dish Cafe & Catering

855 Mill St., 348-8264

2. Cherry Bomb Catering

287-4121

3. The Cheese Board

247 California Ave., 323-3115

Best appetizers

1. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

13999 St. Virginia St., 853-7575

2. El Fuego

170 S. Virginia St., 322-1800

Best soups

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Pathways Cafe

1664 N. Virginia St., 784-1380

3. Dish Cafe & Catering

855 Mill St., 348-8264

Best place to eat when drunk

1. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 West Second St, 622-9222

3. Gold-N-Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

Best juice

1. Keva Juice

various locations

2. Organic Juice Bar at Ageless Zone Medical Spa

5060 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8888

3. Pneumatic Diner

501 W. First St., 786-8888

Best fondue

1. The Chocolate Bar

475 S. Arlington Ave., 337-1122

2. Melting Pot Restaurant

6950 S. Mccarran Blvd., 827-6500

3. Vino Reno

closed

Best produce

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Great Basin Community Food Cooperative

542 1/2 Plumas St., 324-6133

2. Raley’s

various locations