Readers’ Choice Readers’ Choice
Advertiser Meeker County
2020
READERS’ CHOICE
Awards
Published by: LITCHFIELD
Independent Review
2 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2020
YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES!
Litchfield Independent Review
NORTHLAND BODY & PAINT THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT VOTED FOR ME! I AM HONORED TO BE RECOGNIZED AS #2 IN MEEKER COUNTY! Dave Carlson 101 North Miller • Litchfield, MN 55355 • 320-693-0298
Voted Favorite Fast Food and Favorite French Fries in Meeker County!
Thank you, for your support and patience from all of us during these times.
1021 E Hwy 12 • Litchfield • 320-593-7182
Cassandra Bulau
Bridey Boese
Whether it’s at our East or West clinics in Litchfield, our clinic in Dassel or at the hospital, you can count on Meeker Memorial providing you and your loved ones the best care possible. That’s our commitment to you. That’s our commitment to our community. That’s Care as it should be.
www.meekermemorial.org
Thank you for voting us for having the Favorite Car Wash in Meeker County! 1025 East Frontage Road, Litchfield, MN 55355 Station: 320-693-2821 • 800-923-7481 Ag Dept.: 320-693-6014 • 800-260-6650 Atwater: 320-974-886
Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review
September 2020 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 3
Who’s your favorite? Voters name their ‘best’ in Readers’ Choice Awards
W
ho’s your favorite … ? T he people have spoken. This special edition turns the spotlight on winners of the Litchfield Independent Review’s first Readers’ Choice Awards. In August, the Independent Review began asking readers to vote for their favorites in more than 50 categories — from hamburger to chicken dinner, and bank teller to bartender — and readers were pretty eager to share their opinions. More than 2,000 votes were cast in the more than 50 categories. Voting was conducted online at www.independentreview.net, as well as in print in the Meeker County Advertiser. The top two (more if there were ties) finishers in each category are listed
on following pages. Several businesses earned top finishes in more than one category. When he and his wife opened Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant in January 2017, Luis Alvarez told an Independent Review reporter he wanted the restaurant to be one of the best within a 45-mile radius. “I think the freshness of the food will make it stand out,” Alvarez said then. And voters in the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards balloting agreed that Herradura does, indeed, stand out. They named the restaurant their Favorite Mexican Resaturant and Favorite Date Place in the Meeker County area. Meanwhile, Alvarez himself earned recognition as Favorite Bartender, which might not surprise many who
STORE HOURS Mon, Wed, Thur, & Fri 8:30am-5:00pm Temporarily closed on Tuesday and Saturday 390 State St N Eden Valley, Minnesota 55329 320-453-3673 tomscarpetkingdomllc@gmail.com
have met the outgoing, energetic man, who prior to opening Herradura had been managing restaurants for a decade. “I like to be around people,” Alvarez said. “I like to know people, to take care of people. I have always liked serving others.” Litchfield American Legion also was a top vote-getter in multiple categories, winning for Best Hamburger and Favorite Sports Bar. Swan’s Café was another multiple winner among hospitality categories, taking a top finish in Favorite Breakfast with its breakfast skillet, and Favorite Pie. McDonald’s in Litchfield landed three first-place finishes, for Favorite Fast Food Restaurant, Fastest Drive-Thru Service and Favorite French Fries.
Top-notch service also was called out in the voting, where Family Fare Supermarket received recognition for Favorite Customer Service. Darwin Municipal Liquor Store received second-place recognition in the category. Family Fare also earned a top finish for Favorite Place to Buy Groceries, in addition to a second-place mention for Favorite Meat Market, where Ziegenhagen Meats earned top spot. On the following pages, you can read what many of your friends and neighbors proclaimed as their “favorite.” And you can use it as a guide to choosing a restaurant or service provider. And, of course, you can disagree with the voters – and remember to cast your ballot in the Readers’ Choice Award voting next year.
4 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2020
Litchfield Independent Review
AND THE WINNERS ARE ... Fans have chosen their favorites in more than 50 categories
Second Place: Lost & Found, Eden Valley
FAVORITE ASSISTED LIVING
E
veryone has their favorites. Find out who the Litchfieldarea favorites are in this issue featuring the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. The results were culled from online and print voting in more than 50 categories in the Independent Review’s Readers’ Choice balloting.
FAVORITE ACCOUNTANT Winner: Karen McCarthy’s Tax Service Second Place: Mark Nicholson at Christianson
FAVORITE ANTIQUE STORE Winner: Sibley Antiques
Winner: Ecumen of Litchfield — Gloria Dei Second Place: Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center
FAVORITE AUTO BODY SHOP Winner: Davis Auto Body Shop Second Place: Northland Body & Paint
FAVORITE AUTO MECHANIC Winner: Andy Miller at Miller Automotive LLC Second Place: Randy Losleben at Randy’s Repair
File photo
Litchfield Golf Course was named Favorite Golf Course in the inaugural Meeker County Readers’ Choice balloting.
FAVORITE BANK TELLER AND WHERE Winner: Bev Ziegler at Center National Bank Second Place: MidCountry Bank
FAVORITE BARTENDER AND WHERE Winner: Luis Alvarez at Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant
Second Place: Cheyenne at the Litchfield Eagles Club
THANK YOU to all of my wonderful patients!
Dr. Katie Tancabel
I find myself so fortunate to be able to work in such a wonderful community! It is a joy to educate and preserve your vision and eye health! I love that every patient encounter allows me to continue to learn and I look forward to continuing to provide you with the BEST eye care you deserve!
135 N Sibley Ave. Litchfield, MN 55355
320-593-3100
is honored to be awarded as a favorite Internet provider. Thank you for your support! VIBRANT Broadband brings you Award Winning “Rip Snort’n FAST” fiber-fed Internet. FIND OUT IF YOU LIVE IN THE VIBRANT ZONE BY CALLING 320-693-3231 OR GO ONLINE AT VIBRANTBROADBAND.COM.
September 2020 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 5
Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review
VOTED BEST IN MEEKER COUNTY! #1 BINGO PLACE #1 SPORTS BAR #2 FAVORITE FRIES
Stop in today! (320) 373-5505 915 Hwy. 12, Litchfield
STAFF PHOTO BY SARV MITHAQIYAN
Litchfield McDonald’s earned three first-place fi nishes in Readers’ Choice voting — Favorite Fast Food Restaurant, Fastest Drive-Thru Service and Favorite French Fries.
FAVORITE BINGO PLACE Winner: Muddy Cow, Litchfield Second Place: Litchfield Eagles Club
FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR
FAVORITE BOWL OF SOUP AND WHERE
Winner: Patten Chiropractic Center, Litchfield Second Place: Dr. Timothy Kinsella at Kinsella Chiropractic Clinic
Winner: Wisconsin Cheese at the American Legion Second Place: Wild Rice at Parkview Grille
Winner: Church of St. Philip Second Place: Cornerstone Church
FAVORITE BREAKFAST AND WHERE Winner: Breakfast Skillet at Swan’s Cafe Second Place: Omelets at Tavern on Main Street
FAVORITE CABLE/INTERNET PROVIDER Winner: Nuvera Second Place: Meeker Cooperative Light Association
THANK YOU FOR SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE MUDDY COW!
We are honored to be voted favorite auto mechanic and one of the top favorite places to buy tires!
THANK YOU for the vote!
FAVORITE CHURCH DINNER
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP Winner: Bikes by Bob Coffee Shop Second Place: Mimi’s Cafe
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE Winner: Speedway Second Place: Casey’s
FAVORITE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WHERE Winner: Family Fare Supermarket Second Place: Darwin Municipal
THANK YOU for voting me as one of the top Favorite Massage Therapists in Meeker County!
FAVORITE CAR WASH Winner: Central Counties Co-op Cenex Second Place: Speedway
FAVORITE CELEBRATION/FESTIVAL Winner: Litchfield Watercade Second Place: Twine Ball Day, Darwin
FAVORITE CHICKEN AND WHERE Winner: Peter’s Ribs and Catering, Litchfield Second Place: V’s Grill, Darwin
FAVORITE DATE PLACE Winner: Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant Second Place: Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant
FAVORITE DENTIST Winner: Drs. Solbrack, Swenson, Haugo at Litchfield Family Dental Second Place: Dr. Amber Cziok at Sibley Dental Winners to 6
Heavenly Hands Massage ‘Treat Yourself to a Piece of Heaven’
320-693-8075
6 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2020
WINNERS continued from 5
FAVORITE EMPLOYER Winner: Peter’s Signs Second Place (Tie): Custom Products Second Place (Tie): Ecumen Home Care
Litchfield Independent Review
FAVORITE FAMILY FUN SPOT
FAVORITE FLORIST
FAVORITE GARDEN CENTER
Winner: Starlite Drive-In Theater Second Place: Lake Ripley Campgrounds
Winner: Essence of Flowers/ESSENCE BOUTIQUE Second Place: Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Garden Center
Winner: Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Garden Center Second Place: Runnings
FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT Winner: McDonald’s Second Place: Taco John’s
FAVORITE GOLF COURSE AND HOLE FAVORITE FRENCH FRIES AND WHERE Winner: McDonald’s Second Place: Muddy Cow
Winner: Litchfield Golf Course Second Place: Island Pine Golf Club, Atwater
FASTEST DRIVE-THRU SERVICE FAVORITE EYE CARE PROVIDER Winner: Katie Tancabel, O.D. at Litchfield Second Place: Mike Nagel, O.D. at Fischer Laser Eye Center
Winner: McDonald’s
FAVORITE FISH FRY
FAVORITE FROZEN TREAT AND WHERE
FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST/BARBER
Winner: Mint Oreo Blizzard at Dairy Queen
Winner: Brenda Koch at Shears to You Second Place: Emily Driver at Backyard Salon
Winner: Church of St. Philip Second Place: American Legion
Thank you for your support and voting me as Meeker County’s Favorite Florist! I am truly trul honored!
THANK YOU
for choosing us as your
Favorite Cable/ Internet Provider 421 County Road 34
nuvera.net
WE ARE HONORED OUR EMPLOYEES NAMED US FAVORITE EMPLOYER
Thanks
For the Vote of Confidence! In Return, Custom Products Votes Its Employees as The Best Workforce! Cheers to ALL our Employees Past, Present and Future Thank You Team!
Litchfield
320.593.2323
September 2020 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 7
Hutchinson Leader/Litchfield Independent Review FAVORITE HAMBURGER AND WHERE
FAVORITE MEAT MARKET
Winner: Litchfield American Legion Second Place: Parkview Grille
Winner: Ziegenhagen Meats Second Place: Family Fare Supermarket
FAVORITE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL
FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT Winner: Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant Second Place: Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Cassandra Bulau, MD at Meeker Memorial Hospital and ACMC Second Place: Bridey Boese, RN, CNP at ACMC
FAVORITE NAIL SALON SPA Winner: Da-Vi Nails Second Place: Backyard Tan
FAVORITE INSURANCE AGENT Winner: Jason Tibbits Second Place: Anderson Insurance
FAVORITE PIE AND WHERE Winner: Swan’s Cafe Second Place: Rhubarb Pie at Mimi’s Cafe
FAVORITE LAW FIRM Winner: Dolan & Besser Second Place: Wood & Rue PLLP
FAVORITE PIZZA AND WHERE Winner: Pizza Hut Second Place: Pepperoni Pizza at Jimmy’s Pizza
FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST AND WHERE Winner: Michaella Nelson at Kneaded Relief Massage Second Place: Colleen Erpelding at Heavenly Hands
Winners to 8
RANDY’S REPAIR Automotive Repair
Voted one of the top Favorite Auto Mechanics in Meeker County! Thank you for your support! Randy Losleben • 326 East Highway 12, Litchfield • 320-693-7065
Voted Favorite Insurance Agent of Meeker County! Good day, bad day or any day – I’m here for you in all life’s moments, backed by the #1* insurance company for auto, home and life. CALL ME TODAY.
Darwin Liquor q
Voted Favorite Customerr Service in Meeker Countyy Hours Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm Fri-Sat 9am-10pm Sun 11am-4pm
130 130 US US Hwy-12 Hwy -12Darwin, Darwin,MN MN••(320) (320)693-2586 693-2586
*Based on written premium as reported by SNL Financial 2014.
Tibbits Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Jason Tibbits, Agent 105 N Sibley Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Bus: 320-693-3404
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL 1606042
State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, Dallas, TX
8 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2020
WINNERS
Litchfield Independent Review
FAVORITE PLUMBER/HVAC
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY A VEHICLE
ď Ž Winner: Rick’s Plumbing & Heating ď Ž Second Place: Dave Johnson
ď Ž Winner: Davis Motors Inc ď Ž Second Place: Litchfield Chrysler Center
FAVORITE REAL ESTATE AGENT AND WHERE
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY APPLIANCES
ď Ž Winner: Pat Raiber, RE/MAX ď Ž S e c o n d P l a c e : Kim Olson, RE/MAX
continued from 7
ď Ž Winner: Sears Hometown Store ď Ž Second Place: The HomeSource Store Inc.
FAVORITE SANDWICH AND WHERE ď Ž Winner: Muffuletta Panini ď Ž Second Place: Tavern on Main
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY FLOORING ď Ž Winner (Tie): Huikko’s Custom Tile and Flooring ď Ž Winner (Tie): Tom’s Carpet Kingdom
FAVORITE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER ď Ž Winner: Jessie Jensrud at Hick’s ď Ž Second Place: Bob Powers at Hick’s
FAVORITE SPORTS BAR FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY GROCERIES ď Ž Winner: Family Fare Supermarket ď Ž Second Place: Walmart Supercenter
ď Ž Winner (Tie): Litchfield American Legion ď Ž Winner (Tie): Muddy Cow — Litchfield
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY TIRES ď Ž Winner: Binsfeld Tire ď Ž Second Place: Miller Automotive LLC
Photo by Cam Bonelli
Contestants hurry to complete their masterpiece during the Watercade’s sand sculpture contest in 2019 at Lake Ripley beach. Like many town festivals, Watercade was canceled this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But that didn’t stop Watercade from being named voters’ Favorite Celebration/Festival in the 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Congratulations
Bev
Center National Bank is proud to have the Top Teller in Meeker County! We salute all our tellers that give our customers great customer service every day. ,
301 Ramsey Ave N Litchfield, MN 55355
320-693-3255 cnbmn.com