Best of Chico 2003

Each year, readers, business owners—even the CN&R’s own staff—eagerly await the annual Best of Chico issue, which is also our fattest issue of the year.

After running full-page ballots for weeks leading up to the event, we round up various interns, teen kids of staffers and indentured servants to tediously and accurately tally the votes. Everyone waits with bated breath: What will take the coveted category of “Best thing about Chico"? Will it be the people, or the park? Or will the trees edge forth from their perennial third-place spot? The tension mounts.

Once the results are calculated, with the help of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen of Enron fame, we brace ourselves for the inevitable criticism and practice our comeback: “Hey, they’re readers’ picks. We have no control.” Inevitably, a business drops its ads.

This year, there were a few surprises among the readers’ picks. Amid our new, Homeland Security-endorsed anti-ballot-stuffing measures, some former front-runners have slid and allowed other contenders to rise to the top. New businesses have edged out some of the Chico mainstays.

Where our egos and observational skills do come in is with the editors’ picks, and we’re happy to offer you a fresh batch of the five CN&R editors’ “best ofs.”

Several readers also answered our call to relate in flowing prose their best experience in Chico, as part of our “Personal Best” contest. They’ll win fabulous prizes. (OK, dinner for two.)

So, enjoy, no whining, and be sure to take note of the winners next time you’re in search of somewhere to eat, shop or play.

Best of Chico 2003
CN&R readers and editors pick the best of the best and ignore the rest

Editors’ Picks
Our editors pick their own bests of Chico.

Readers’ picks

My Personal Best
It grows on you

My Personal Best
Let it rain

My Personal Best
My Chico life