Food & Drink

Best omnivore’s dilemma

Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

This place is pretty much a shoo-in for things like “best vegan” and “best vegetarian.” But if you’re thinking of it strictly in those terms, you’ve got it all wrong. Great Full Gardens has plenty to offer for the carnivores among us, too. It’s also a good place to put your picky eating preconceptions aside. If the thought of a warm kale salad sounds about as appealing to you as a side of fresh Styrofoam, you might be doing your tastebuds a disservice by sticking to your guns on this one. Who would have thought that warm kale would stay pleasantly crisp? Well, it totally does. Plus, when you order takeout, the staff members will write sweet, encouraging notes on the top of your to-go containers.

Best place to eat pork shepherd’s style

Mi Ranchito

500 Denslowe Drive, 337-8411

It’s impossible to distill Reno’s best Mexican food down to a single choice—not surprising, considering that about a quarter of our burg is Latino. We’ve got good spots for Mexican seafood, Mexican breakfast, traditional Mexican cuisine, gourmet Mexican fusion, and of course cheap and delicious taquerias. Need to take your in-laws out to a gringo-friendly Tex-Mex “Mexican” restaurant? Well, we’ve actually got some really good places for that too. Mexican food in the valley is so eclectic that the best destination differs on what dish you want. The best place for chicken mole is not the same as the best place for fish tacos. Now, case in point: You want al pastor—grilled and marinated pork cooked in the style of lamb, probably inspired by Lebanese shepherds who immigrated to Central Mexico? (Al pastor means “in the style of the shepherd.”) That one is easy. You’ve got to go to Mi Ranchito. Thank us later.

Best local holiday booze

Francovich Egg Nog

It’s not something to worry about for five months yet, but if “buy local” applies to booze in your consumer ethic, consider Francovich Egg Nog. Each winter for more than a century, this locally formulated, family-recipe nog has appeared, originally made by the Francoviches to be given away to friends and, in more recent decades, to be sold in local stores. It originated in the Wine House, opened in 1874 by Eli Francovich, eventually occupying 16-18 Commercial Row, then Reno’s main street. Watch for it in grocery stores when the holidays arrive.

Best ambience

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. Brasserie Saint James

901 S. Center St., 348-8888

Best appetizers

1. Bunny Ranch Bar

10025 US Hwy 50 E., Mound House, 246-4477

2. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Bistro Napa

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, 3800 S. Virginia St., 335-4539

Best bagel

1. Truckee Bagel Company

538 S. Virginia St., 420-5903

2. Rounds Bakery

294 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800

3. My Favorite Muffin

340 California Ave., 333-1025

Best bakery

1. Rounds Bakery

294 E. Moana Lane, 329-0800

2. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

3. Josef's Vienna Bakery & Café

933 W. Moana Lane, 825-0451

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

1. Louis' Basque Corner Restaurant

301 E. Fourth St., 323-7203

2. Sante Fe Hotel

235 Lake St. 323-1891

3. J T Basque Bar & Dining Room

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

Best Bloody Mary

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. Pignic Pub & Patio

235 Flint St., 376-1948

3. Chapel Tavern

1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

Best breakfast

1. Clary's Bar & Grill

2780 S. Virginia St., 823-9444

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Peg's Glorified Ham & Eggs

420 S. Sierra St., 329-2600

Best brunch

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. The Stone House Café

1907 S. Arlington Ave., 624-5745

3. Brasserie Saint James

901 S. Center St., 348-8888

Best burger

1. Awful Awful at the Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Juicy's Giant Hamburgers

301 S. Wells Ave., 322-2600

2. Midtown Eats

719 S. Virginia St., 324-3287

Best business lunch

1. Mario's Portofino Ristorante Italiano

1505 S. Virginia St., 825-7779

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

Best Carson restaurant

1. Adele's Restaurant and Lounge

1112 N. Carson St., 882-3353

2. Ming's Restaurant

2330 S. Carson St., Carson City, 887-8878

3. Red's Old 395 Grill

1055 S. Carson St., 887-0395

Best catering company

1. Collaborative Catering

615 Spice Island Drive, Sparks, 830-5323

2. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Cherry Bomb Catering

PO Box 4275, Sparks, 287-4121

Best cheap eats

1. Jox

3652 S. Virginia St., 827-6688

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. Gold 'N Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

Best chef

1. Carlos Douriet, Mario's Portofino

2. Haley Moseley, Two Chicks

3. Clint Jolly, Great Thyme Catering

Best chicken wings

1. Jox

3652 S. Virginia St., 827-6688

2. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

3. Wingstop

5100 Mae Anne Ave., 746-9464

3. Pizza Plus

2005 Sierra Highlands Drive, 747-4444

Best Chinese

1. Palais De Jade Fine Chinese Cuisine

960 W. Moana Lane, 827-5233

2. Jazmine

9333 Double R Blvd., 851-2888

3. Crawfish Asian Cuisine

1296 E Plumb Lane, 622-6802

3. Dynasty China Bistro

1185 California Ave., 391-5086

Best coffee

1. The Hub Coffee Co.

727 Riverside Drive, 323-1911

2. Purple Bean

1315 W. Seventh St., 787-2827

3. Coffeebar Reno

682 Mount Rose St., 800-1090

Best coffee roaster

1. Hub Coffee Roasters

727 Riverside Drive, 453-1911

2. Magpie Coffee Roasters

1715 S. Wells Ave., 391-0102

3. Wood-Fire Roasted Coffee Company

30 Ohm Place, 856-2033

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. Lanna Thai Cafe & Culinary School

800 W. Second St., 284-1080

Best dessert

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

Best doughnuts/pastries

1. Doughboy's Donuts

57 Damonte Ranch Pkwy., 853-6844

2. Rounds Bakery

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. 4th St. Bistro

3065 W. Fourth St., 323-3200

3. Lulou's Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979

Best food truck

1. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

2. Still Rollin'

826-7655

3. Battle Born

853-6464

Best French fries

1. Jox

3652 S. Virginia St., 827-6688

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Still Rollin'

826-7655

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 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 frozen yogurt

1. Yogurt Beach

3882 Mayberry Drive, 787-2024

2. Yogurt Beach

748 South Meadows Parkway, 853-2761

3. Yogurt Beach

113 Los Altos Parkway, Sparks, 626-0884

Best gluten-free dining

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. BFF Cafe

3594 W Plumb Lane, 322-4103

Best greasy spoon

1. Gold 'N Silver Inn

790 W. Fourth St., 323-2696

2. Big Ed's Alley Inn

1036 E. Fourth St., 348-6494

3. The Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Beefy's

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

Best Greek

1. Niko's Greek Kitchen

148 West St., 284-3678

2. Naan & Kabab

2740 S. Virginia St., 825-3113

3. Nick's Greek Deli

600 S. Virginia St., 786-9613

Best hot dog

1. Sinbad's Hot Dogs of Nevada

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

2. Scoopers

4040 Kietzke Lane, 657-9511

3. Taste of Chicago food truck

www.organictasteofchicago.com

Best Indian

1. India Kabab & Curry

1091 S. Virginia St., 348-6222

2. Flavors of India

1885 S. Virginia St., 323-4100

3. Thali

Café Deluxe, 1690 S. Wells Ave., 737-9735, Friday and Saturday Nights (DISCONTINUED)

Best Italian

1. Mario's Portofino Ristorante Italiano

1505 S. Virginia St., 825-7779

2. ZOZO's Ristorante

3446 Lakeside Drive, 829-9449

3. Johnny's Ristorante Italiano

4245 W. Fourth St., 747-4511

Best Japanese

1. Ichiban

206 N. Virginia St. 323-5550

2. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

2. Ijji Sushi

685 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 356-8668

Best juice

1. Rawbry

50 S. Virginia St., 384-3468

2. Jüs

191 Damonte Ranch Parkway, 852-1401

3. The Mill Juice Shop

935 N. Virginia St., 357-9200

Best late-night dining

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Noble Pie Parlor

239 W. Second St., 622-9222

3. Awful Awful at the Nugget

233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

3. Coach's Grill & Sports Bar

1573 S. Virginia St., 329-2202

Best local beer

1. Red Rye Lager

Pigeon Head Brewery

2. Icthyosaur India Pale Ale

Great Basin Brewing Co.

3. Red Headed Stranger

Brasserie Saint James

Best Margarita

1. Si Amigos

1553 S. Virginia St., 348-1445

2. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

3. Miguel's Mexican Food

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

Best martini

1. Roxy's Name

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

2. Death & Taxes

26 Cheney St., 324-3287

3. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

3. Picasso & Wine

148 Vassar St., 453-1168

Best Mexican

1. Si Amigos

1553 S. Virginia St., 348-1445

2. El Adobe Café

55 W. Arroyo St., 327-4422

3. Miguel's

1415 S. Virginia St., 322-2722

Best milk shake

1. Scoopers

1356 Prater Way, Sparks, 331-6221

2. Beefy's

1300 S. Virginia St., 870-1333

3. Steak 'N Shake

1140 N. Hills Blvd, 677-9900

Best new restaurant

1. Feast

516 S. Virginia St., 686-6969

2. Centro Bar & Kitchen

236 California Ave., 737-9062

3. Calafuria

725 S. Center St., 360-5175

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. Brasserie Saint James

901 S. Center St., 348-8888

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. J.J.'s Pie Co.

555 W. Fifth St., 786-5555

Best place to eat when drunk

1. Awful Awful at 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 produce

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Trader Joe's

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

Best Reno restaurant

1. Mario's Portofino Ristorante Italiano

1505 S. Virginia St., 825-7779

2. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

3. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

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. Hiroba Sushi

3005 Skyline Blvd., 829-2788

3. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

Best salad

1. Great Full Gardens Cafe

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

3. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

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, 3800 S. Virginia St., 824-4433

Best sandwich shop

1. Deli Towne USA

3650 Lakeside Drive, 826-4466

2. Rubicon Deli

445 California Ave., 322-9792

3. Yellow Submarine

920 Holman Way, Sparks, 358-6040

Best seafood

1. Rapscallion Seafood House & Bar

1555 S. Wells Ave., 323-1211

2. Oceano

Peppermill, 2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

3. Red Lobster

5015 Kietzke Lane, 827-1203

Best server

1. Jayme Craig-Broome, Coach's Grill & Sports Bar

2. Trevor Hutton, Famous Dave's BBQ

3. Bri Ferro, Two Chicks

Best smoothie

1. Rawbry

50 S. Virginia St., 384-3468

2. Jüs

191 Damonte Ranch Parkway, 852-1401

3. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

Best solo dining

1. Two Chicks

752 S. Virginia St., 323-0600

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

Best soups

1. Süp

669 S. Virginia St., 324-4787

2. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

3. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Famous Dave's BBQ

4925 Kietzke Lane, 826-7427

Best Sparks restaurant

1. Great Basin Brewing Company

846 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 355-7711

2. BJ's Nevada Barbecue Company

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

3. Sparks Coffee Shop

2290 Oddie Blvd., 355-9440

Best steak

1. Harrah Steakhouse

219 N. Virginia St., 788-2929

2. The Steakhouse, Western Village Inn & Casino

815 Nichols Blvd., Sparks, 353-4916

3. Atlantis Steakhouse

3800 S. Virginia St., 825-4700

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 Tahoe restaurant

1. Gar Woods Grill & Pier

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

2. T's Mesquite Rotisserie

901 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, 831-2832

3. Lone Eagle Grill

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

Best Thai

1. Bangkok Cuisine

55 Mt. Rose St., 322-0299

2. Thai Chili Cuisine

1030 S. Virginia St., 786-7878

3. Thai Lotus

6430 S. Virginia St. A, 852-5033

Best Truckee restaurant

1. Moody's Bistro, Bar & Beats

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

2. Squeeze In

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

3. Cottonwood Restaurant

10142 Rue Hilltop, Truckee, (530) 587-5711

3. Truckee Tavern and Grill

10118 Donner Pass Road, (530) 587-3766

Best vegan

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

Best vegetarian

1. Great Full Gardens

555 S. Virginia St., 324-2013

2. Laughing Planet

650 Tahoe St., 360-2592

3. Nom Eats

www.renonomeats.com

Best Vietnamese

1. Golden Flower Vietnamese Restaurant

205 W. Fifth St., 323-1628

2. Pho 777 Vietnamese Restaurant

201 E. Second St., 323-7777

3. Viet Pho

315 E. Moana Lane, 329-8889

Best Virginia City restaurant

1. Café Del Rio

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

1. Red Dog Saloon

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

3. Mustang Ranch Steakhouse

5 C St., Virginia City, 847-4188

3. Palace Restaurant & Saloon

54 C St., Virginia City, 847-4441

Best whiskey/bourbon/Scotch selection

1. Chapel Tavern

1099 S. Virginia St., 324-2244

2. Death & Taxes

26 Cheney St., 324-3287

3. Ceol Irish Pub

538 S. Virginia St., 329-5558

Best wine bar

1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

85 Foothill Road, 622-8080

2. Picasso & Wine

148 Vassar St., 453-1168

3. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9463

Best wine list

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9463

3. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

85 Foothill Road, 622-8080

3. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

Most romantic restaurant

1. Beaujolais Bistro

753 Riverside Drive, 323-2227

2. Wild River Grille

17 S. Virginia St., 284-7455

3. Lulou's Restaurant

1470 S. Virginia St., 329-9979