Food & Drink

Editors’ Picks

Best chicks

To be honest, it took us a little time to warm up to Two Chicks, 752 S. Virginia St. There was a lot of hype surrounding the business when it opened—enthusiasm carried over for the owners’ old food truck, Gourmelt, which is itself now a standalone restaurant. The bright primary colors of the Two Chicks interior are a little jarring. It’s also tempting to begrudge the business its central location—right in midtown, in one of the only parts of Reno that requires an active search for a parking place, which is inevitably followed by a long wait for a table, even on weekdays. And at first glance, the fare is deceptively simple—just classic American breakfast and lunch favorites. But here’s the thing: all those omelets and scrambles, sandwiches and salads are perfectly executed. Everything is fresh and local, and there’s never the hour-later lethargy that often follows a big breakfast. We recommend the farmhouse omelet or the apple-cinnamon French toast, and the bloody Marys are not to be missed. We’ve even learned to love the long wait for a table—it’s a nice excuse to pop over to nearby Recycled Records.

Most habit-forming condiments

Shawarmageddon might be the tiniest eatery in town, and it’s surely in the running for shortest menu—chicken, lamb or falafel, either in a wrap or over tabbouleh, with a few snack-ey sides, including small, Arabic donuts. That’s about it. But the condiments at this heavy-metal hole-in-the-wall are fresh and extravagant, the kind of concentrated flavor amalgams that take each bite of shawarma from solid to crave-worthy. The staff are patient as customers narrow down their options: thick, yogurty labneh; cilantro-heavy zhug with cardamom; tomato-ey, cumin-ey charif; lemony, garlicky toum; a harissa that’s hotter than most; and a positively atomic habañero with a slightly sweet, just acidic enough structure. And the staff don’t sound like jerks as they gently correct the mispronunciations that their dear condiments inevitably endure. Oh, and those donuts? They have their own special condiment—cardamom orange blossom frosting.

Readers’ Picks

Best salad bar

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Sizzler

615 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-3969

3. Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille

Atlantis Resort Spa Casino, 3800 S. Virginia St., 824-4433

Most romantic restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. Bricks Restaurant

1695 S. Virginia St., 786-2277

3. La Vecchia

3005 Skyline Blvd., 825-1113

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Best whiskey/bourbon/Scotch selection

1. Chapel Tavern

1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

2. Death & Taxes

26 Cheney St., 324-2630

3. Ceol Irish Pub

538 S. Virginia St., 329-5558

3. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

Best Greek restaurant

1. Nikos Greek Kitchen

171 Disc Drive, Sparks, 499-5777

2. Nick’s Greek Deli

600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613

3. Naan & Kabab

2740 S. Virginia St., 825-3113

Best appetizers

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

3. Centro Bar & Kitchen

236 California Ave., 737-9062

Best bagel

1. Truckee Bagel Company

538 S. Virginia St., 420-5903

2. Rounds Bakery

294 E Moana Lane, 329-0800

3. Einstein Bros. Bagels

5050 Kietzke Lane, 825-1045

Best bakery

1. Rounds Bakery

294 E Moana Lane, 329-0800

2. Josef’s Vienna Bakery & Café

933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451

3. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

Best barbecue restaurant

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company

80 E. Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-9920

3. Brothers Barbecue

463 Roberts St., 384-3547

Best Basque restaurant

1. Louis’ Basque Corner Restaurant

301 E. Fourth St., 323-7203

2. Santa Fe Hotel

235 Lake St. 323-1891

3. J T Basque Bar & Dining Room

1426 U.S. 395, Gardnerville, (775) 782-2074

Best breakfast

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. Peg’s Glorified Ham & Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

3. The Stone House Café

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 624-5745

Best brunch

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. The Stone House Café

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 624-5745

3. Squeeze In

25 Foothill Road, 853-6090

Best burger

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Beefy’s

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

3. Burger Me!

6280 Sharlands Ave., 737-9404

Best Carson restaurant

1. Cafe at Adele’s

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

2. Red’s Old 395 Grill

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

3. Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint

1500 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City, 884-4471

Best place to eat when drunk

1. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

3. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

Best cheap eats

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Gold ’N Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

3. Betos Mexican Food

575 W. Fifth St., 324-0632

Best Chinese restaurant

1. Palais De Jade

960 W. Moana Lane, 827-5233

2. P.F. Chang’s

5180 S. Kietzke Lane, 825-9800

3. Jazmine

9333 Double R Blvd., 851-2888

Best coffee

1. Hub Coffee Roasters

727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911

2. Coffeebar Reno

682 Mount Rose St., 800-1090

3. Old World Coffee

104 California Ave., 391-0189

Best coffee roaster

1. Hub Coffee Roasters

727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911

2. Wood-Fire Roasted Coffee Company

30 Ohm Place, 856-2033

2. Magpie Coffee Roasters

1715 S. Wells Ave., 391-0102

Best ambiance

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best dessert

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

Best doughnuts/pastries

1. Doughboy’s Donuts

5115 Mae Anne Ave., 787-8586

2. Rounds

294 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800

3. Jelly Donut

1750 S. Virginia St., 324-7272

Best fine dining

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

3. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

Best food truck

1. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Kenji’s Food Truck

www.kenjisfoodtruck.com

Best French fries

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Gourmelt

101 University Terrace, 501-5250

3. Burger Me!

6280 Sharlands Ave., 737-9404

3. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

Best fresh bread

1. House of Bread

1185 California Ave., 322-0773

2. Rounds Bakery

294 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800

3. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

Best business lunch

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best frozen yogurt

1. Yogurt Beach

3882 Mayberry Drive, 787-2024

2. Yogurt Beach

113 Los Altos Parkway, Sparks, 626-0884

3. Yogurt Beach

748 South Meadows Parkway, 853-2761

Best gluten-free dining

1. Great Full Gardens Midtown

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

Best greasy spoon

1. Gold ’N Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Big Ed’s Alley Inn

1036 E. Fourth St., 348-6494

Best cooking school

1. Nothing to It! Culinary Center

225 Crummer Lane, 826-2628

2. Truckee Meadows Community College

7000 Dandini Blvd., 674-7660

3. Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology

380 Edison Way, 861-4418

Best hot dog

1. Bam!Dog Righteous Hot Dogs

5000 Smithridge Drive, 824-9070

2. Sinbad’s Hot Dogs of Nevada

418 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks, 331-4762

3. Taste of Chicago

180 E. First St., 971-4462

Best Indian restaurant

1. India Kabab & Curry

1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222

2. Thali

148 West St., 470-5898

3. Naan & Kabab

2740 S. Virginia St., 825-3113

Best Italian restaurant

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 Japanese restaurant

1. Ichiban

206 N. Virginia St. 323-5550

2. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

3. Kauboi Izakaya

1286 S. Virginia St., 453-2592

Best juice

1. Jüs

191 Damonte Ranch Parkway, 852-1401

2. RAWBRY

50 S. Virginia St., 384-3468

3. Keva Juice

5102 Meadowood Mall Circle, 824-0202

Best late-night dining

1. Gold ’N Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

3. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

Best local beer

1. Great Basin Brewing Co.

846 Victorian Ave., 355-7711

2. IMBB Custom Brews

785 E. Second St., 470-5996

3. Under the Rose Brewing Company

559 E. Fourth St., 657-6619

Best Bloody Mary

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Chapel Tavern

1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best martini

1. Roxy

Eldorado, 345 N. Virginia St., 785-9066

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Death & Taxes

26 Cheney St., 324-2630

Best Mexican restaurant

1. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Miguel’s

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

3. Bertha Miranda’s

336 Mill St., 786-9697

Best milk shake

1. Scooper’s Drive-in

1356 Prater Way, Sparks, 331-6221

2. Steak ‘N Shake

1140 N. Hills Blvd, 677-9900

3. Beefy’s

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

Best new restaurant

1. Gourmelt

101 University Terrace, 501-5250

2. Morgan’s Lobster Shack

1401 S. Virginia St., 683-9300

Best outdoor dining

1. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

2. The Stone House Café

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 624-5745

3. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

Best pizza parlor

1. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Wild Garlic Pizza & Pub

670 Mt. Rose St., 284-8900

3. The Blind Onion Pizza & Pub

3605 Kings Row, 747-7744

Best Margarita

1. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Miguel’s Mexican Food

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

Best produce

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

3. Trader Joe’s

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

Best Reno restaurant

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Ijji Sushi

4955 S. Virginia St., 825-6688

Best restaurant view

1. La Vecchia

3005 Skyline Blvd., 825-1113

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

Best restaurant worth the long wait

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

3. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

Best salad

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Great Full Gardens Midtown

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

3. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

Best French restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

3. Lulou’s Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best sandwich shop

1. Deli Towne USA

3650 Lakeside Drive, 826-4466

2. Rubicon Deli

445 California Ave., 322-9792

2. Yellow Submarine

920 Holman Way, Sparks, 358-6040

Best seafood

1. Rapscallion Seafood House & Bar

1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211

2. Morgan’s Lobster Shack

1401 S. Virginia St., 683-9300

3. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best server

1. Trevor Hutton

Famous Dave’s BBQ

2. Bri Ferro

Two Chicks

3. Dake Clarke

Roundabout Grill

Best smoothie

1. Keva Juice

5102 Meadowood Mall Circle, 824-0202

2. Jüs

191 Damonte Ranch Parkway, 852-1401

3. Rawbry

50 S. Virginia St., 384-3468

Best solo dining

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

Best soups

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Gino the Soup Man, Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

3. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

Best Sparks restaurant

1. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

2. BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Company

80 E. Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-9920

3. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

Best steak

1. The Steakhouse, Western Village Inn & Casino

815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 353-4916

2. Harrah Steakhouse

219 N. Virginia St., 788-2929

3. Ruby River

2750 S. Virginia St., 827-4007

Best sushi

1. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

2. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

3. Tha Joint Sushi & Grill

222 Los Altos Parkway, Sparks, 626-8677

Best Tahoe restaurant

1. Gar Woods Grill & Pier

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

2. Lone Eagle Grill

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

3. T’s Mesquite Rotisserie

901 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, 831-2832

Best Thai Restaurant

1. Bangkok Cuisine

55 Mt. Rose St., 322-0299

2. Thai Chili Cuisine

1030 S. Virginia St., 786-7878

3. Moo Dang

1565 S. Virginia St., 420-4267

Best Truckee restaurant

1. Squeeze In

10060 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California, (530) 587-9814

2. Moody’s Bistro, Bar & Beats

10007 Bridge St., Truckee, California, (530) 587-8688

3. Jax At The Tracks

10144 W. River St., Truckee, California, (530) 550-7450

Best vegan

1. Great Full Gardens Midtown

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. The DeLuxe

148 West St., 686-6773

Best chef

1. Sabina Engelken

Famous Dave’s BBQ

2. Colin Smith

Roundabout Catering/Roundabout Grill

3. Mark Estee

Liberty Food and Wines

Best chicken wings

1. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

2. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Wingstop

5100 Mae Anne Ave., 746-9464

Best vegetarian

1. Great Full Gardens Midtown

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. The DeLuxe

148 West St.

Best Vietnamese Restaurant

1. Golden Flower Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Pho 777 Vietnamese Restaurant

201 E. Second St., 323-7777

3. 999 Pho

2309 Kietzke Lane, 686-6599

Best Virginia City restaurant

1. Café Del Rio

394 S. C St., Virginia City, 847-5151

2. Red Dog Saloon

76 N. C Street, Virginia City, 847-7474

3. The Roasting House

55 N. C St., Virginia City, 847-0708

Best catering company

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Cherry Bomb Catering

421 W. Plumb Lane, 287-4121

3. Blend: A Catering Company

blendcateringreno.com, 843-5297

3. Roundabout Catering & Party Rentals

631 Dunn Circle, Sparks, 851-2091

Best wine bar

1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9463

2. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

85 Foothill Road, 622-8080

3. Midtown Wine Bar

1527 S. Virginia St., 800-1960

Best wine list

1. Famous Dave’s BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

2. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9463

3. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

85 Foothill Road, 622-8080