Food & Drink

Editors’ choices
Best bubbles to pop

Many former big city dwellers are familiar with bubble tea—also known as boba, the cold tea drink with balls of tapioca at the bottom, slurped up through a big straw. It’s a staple drink in places like the Bay Area or Seattle, and while there are a few places in town that offer it—mostly prepackaged—none do it quite like Honey Bakery. The list of flavors is extensive and unique, like mango, avocado, mocha and even taro, made from the tubers of a taro plant. The hole-in-the-wall bakery, off of Keystone, is easy to miss unless you happen to be in the shopping center. The bakery also offers a variety of ridiculously inexpensive meat buns—most for under $1—and other cute breads and baked goods. Ahh. Tastes like Chinatown.

Best place to wear a mask at noon

OK, you can pretend you’re parking to eat at Thai Chili, but everybody knows, if you’re on the south side of the parking lot at lunchtime, you’re really visiting the XXX Adult Theatre & Book Store. Word is our venerable dirty bookstore has fallen on difficult times with the closing of the 1099 Club and the gentrification of the neighborhood. C’mon people, it’s clean, safe and rumor has it, it’s the only full adult movie theater between Oakland and the Rocky Mountains. Not only that, but it’s been family-owned by generations. You’ve heard the whole “shop local” thing, right? And it’s not just a dirty bookstore, it’s a full-service adult toyshop with appendages for any orifice you can think of, pornos for any itch you want to scratch, and god only knows what else. After all, how would anyone over here know?

Readers’ choices

Best Cooking School

1. Nothing to It! Culinary Center

225 Crummer Lane, 826-2628

2. Back of the House [closed]

800 W. Second St., 284-1080

3.Truckee Meadows Community College

7000 Dandini Blvd., 674-7660

Best hot dog

1. Freeman’s Natural Hotdogs

106 California Ave., 322-3434

2. Sinbad’s Hot Dogs of Nevada

418 N McCarran Blvd., Sparks, 331-4762

3. Costco

2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200

4810 Galleria Pkwy., Sparks, 356-4400

Best frozen yogurt

1. Yogurt Beach

multiple locations

2. U-Swirl

multiple locations

3. Honey Treat Yogurt

5000 Smithridge Drive, 827-2221

Best French fries

1. In-N-Out Burger

280 Pyramid Way, Sparks

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

2. Imperial Bar & Lounge

150 N. Arlington Ave., 324-6399

3. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

Best smoothie

1. Keva Juice

Multiple locations

2. Jamba Juice

Multiple locations

3. My Favorite Muffin

Multiple locations

Best chicken wings

1. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Wing Stop

720 S. Meadows Pkwy, 852-3223

5100 Mae Anne Ave., 746-9464

3. Bully’s Sports Bar & Grill

Multiple locations

Best salad

1. Süp

719 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

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

3. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best Mexican

1. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Beto’s Mexican Food

575 W. Fifth St., 324-0632

3. Bertha Miranda's Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina

336 Mill St., 786-9697

Best Italian

1. Johnny’s Ristorante Italiano

4245 W. Fourth St., 747-4511

2. Zozo'S Ristorante

3446 Lakeside Drive, 829-9449

3. La Vecchia

3005 Skyline Blvd., 825-1113

Best Indian

1. India Kabab & Curry

1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222

2. India Garden

1565 S. Virginia St., 337-8002

3. Naan & Kebab

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. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best Greek

1. Niko’s Greek Kitchen

148 West St., 284-3678

2. Nick’s Greek Deli

600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613

3. Blue Plate

236 California Ave.,786-3463

Best Thai

1. Bangkok Cuisine

55 Mount Rose St., 322-0299

5851 S Virginia St., 284-3802

2. Cafe de Thai

7499 Longley Lane 829-8424

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. Beach Hut Deli

6160 Mae Anne Ave., 747-7873

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 21

10580 N. McCarran Blvd. 424-2121

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. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

3. In-N-Out Burger

280 Pyramid Way, Sparks

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

Best doughnuts/pastries

1. Doughboy’s Donuts

57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., 853-6844

2. Donut Bistro

1550 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 355-4848

465 S. Meadows Pkwy., 853-4009

3. Jelly Donut

1750 S. Virginia St., 324-7272

Best bakery

1. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston, 323-8952

2. Josef’s Vienna Bakery & Cafe

933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451

3. Franz’s Backstube

3882 Mayberry Landing, 624-2921

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. The Hub Coffee Co.

32 Cheney St., 323-3482

2. Bibo Coffee Co.

various locations

3. Starbucks Coffee

various locations

Best seafood

1. Rapscallion Seafood House and Bar

1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211

2. Oceano

Peppermill Hotel Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St.,689-7050

3. Red Lobster

5015 Kietzke Lane, 827-1203

Best steak

1. Harrah’s Steak House

219 N Center St., 788-2929

2. Ruby River Steakhouse

2750 S. Virginia St., 827-4007

3. Atlantis Steakhouse

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

Best pizza parlor

1. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Blind Onion Pizza & Pub

multiple locations

3. J.J.’s Pie Company

555 W. Fifth St., 786-5555

Best breakfast

1. Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs

Multiple locations

2. Squeeze In

Multiple locations

3. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

Best business lunch

1. The Grill

6520 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-6262

2. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

3. Cheeseboard American Bistro and Catering Co.

247 California Ave., 323-3115

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

multiple locations

Best Reno restaurant

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

3. Old Granite St. Eatery

243 S. Sierra St., 622-3222

Best Carson restaurant

1. Adele’s Restaurant and Lounge

1112 N. Carson St., 882-3353

2. Red’s Old 395 Grill

1055 S. Carson St., 887-0395

3. Sassafras

318 N. Carson St., 887-8879

Best Sparks restaurant

1. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

2. Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8677

3. 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

3. Harrah’s Steak House

219 N. Center St., 788-2929

Best new restaurant

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

3. Ling and Louie's Asian Bar and Grill

4965 S. Virginia St., 826-5464

Best fine dining

1. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

2. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

3. Harrah’s Steak House

219 N. Center St., 788-2929

Best wine list

1. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

2. West Street Wine Bar

148 West St., 336-3560

3. Napa Sonoma

550 W. Plumb Lane 826-0595

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. Gold-N-Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

3. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

Best dessert

1. The Chocolate Bar

95 N. Sierra St.,337-1122

7001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, Calif.,(530) 562-1800

2. Campo Restaurant

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

3. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

Best martini

1. Roxy's Restaurant and Bar

Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

2. The Chocolate Bar

95 N. Sierra St.,337-1122

7001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, Calif.,(530) 562-1800

3. 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

Best solo dining

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

Best outdoor dining

1. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-3895

2. Silver Peak Restaurant & Brewery

124 Wonder St., 324-1864

135 N. Sierra St., 284-3300

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Best late-night dining

1. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

3. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

Best food truck

1. GourMelt Grilled Cheese Truck

410-4124

2. Dish Truck

848-3525

3. Kenji's Food Truck

247-3299

Best ambience

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Best restaurant view

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. La Vecchia

3005 Skyline Blvd., 825-1113

3. Moxie’s Spirits & Dining

4792 Caughlin Pkwy.,826-2665

Best restaurant worth the long wait

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

3. Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs

multiple locations

Best chef

1. Mark Estee, Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Tae Sung Lee, Tha Joint

222 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 626-8677

3. Natalie Sellers, 4th Street Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best server

1. Tamara Suarez, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

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

720 South Meadows Pkwy., 851-7200

3. Elise Vandenberg, 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best tequila selection

1. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

2. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

3. Arroyo Mexican Grill

250 Evans Ave., 334-7092

Best vodka selection

1. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

2. Ben’s Fine Wine & Spirits

Multiple locations

3. Roxy's Restaurant and Bar

Eldorado Hotel Casino, 345 N. Virginia St., 786-5700

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. The Stone House Cafe

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 284-

3. PJ & Co.

1590 S. Wells Ave., 323-6366

Best barbecue restaurant

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. BJ’s Bar-BQ

Multiple locations

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. Men Wielding Fire

180 E. First St., 786-1117

Best appetizers

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Fuego

170 S. Virginia St., 322-1800

3. BJ’s Bar-BQ

754 N. McCarran Blvd., 355-1010

Best soups

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Dish Cafe & Catering

855 Mill St., 348-8264

2. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

Best place to eat when drunk

1. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Pie-Face Pizza Co.

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

3. Gold-N-Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

Best juice

1. Pneumatic Diner

501 W. First St., 786-8888

2. Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs

multiple locations

3. Keva Juice

multiple locations

Best fondue

1. The Chocolate Bar

95 N. Sierra St.,337-1122

7001 Northstar Drive, Truckee, Calif.,(530) 562-1800

2. The Grill

6520 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-6262

3. Napa Sonoma

550 W. Plumb Lane, 826-0595

Best produce

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

3. Raley’s

multiple locations