10TH ANNUAL BUBBA AWARDS: THE FINALS HAVE ARRIVED

VOTING BEGINS THURSDAY, JUNE 22

More than 101,000 votes were cast from six continents, nominating potential Bubbas winners in dozens of categories.

Each year we get the same question, “Why did you not nominate my business for the Bubbas?”

The answer is simple — we didn’t nominate anyone for the Bubbas.

For the past several weeks over 10,000 different people cast over 100,000 votes to nominate the three finalists in each Bubbas category. In fact, votes were cast from every continent outside of Antarctica, including places like Johannesburg (South Africa), Ribeirão Preto (Brazil), Kailua (Hawaii), Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Budapest, Slovenia, Switzerland, Alaska and many more.

And beginning on Thursday, June 22, voters can log into keysweekly.com once a day to cast their votes in the 2023 Bubbas finals. Voting takes place from noon on June 22 through midnight on Sunday, July 9. Winners will be announced July 22 at the Key West Theater during the Bubbas Awards gala, which will certainly be one of the most coveted tickets in town.

For 10 years Key West has celebrated our very own in Key West. It’s a subjective process (and yes, “a popularity contest” as some love to say). With so many amazing restaurants, businesses, nonprofits, people and places to celebrate, we are the first to admit there is truly no way to determine who or what is best in Key West, but the Bubbas offer our island community and the millions who visit a chance to celebrate what they love most about the Southernmost City. In addition, the Bubbas have raised close to $200,000 for local nonprofits during that span, with all proceeds of the 2023 Bubbas being allocated to Samuel’s House — fittingly, the event’s very first beneficiary 19 years ago.

“I’m overwhelmed by the significant increase in the votes each year of the voting,” said Britt Myers, Key West Weekly publisher. “Key West is such a nostalgic destination for so many people because the places, cuisine and characters on our island offer a positive escape from the daily norms of Americana. Everyone has a favorite because everything in Key West is deserving. The purpose of our contest is to enhance every element of our island across the globe, while offering locals a brief moment each year to celebrate one another.”

This year, voters can vote in over 90 categories in the Bubbas finals. And with more and more nominations each year, there are plenty of newcomers in the mix, along with some familiar favorites throughout Key West and the Lower Keys. And there are no rules of engagement when it comes to self-promotion. After all, “the best” of anything lies within the eye of the beholder, so vote enthusiastically and often.

“I would like to remind everyone to take note of our sponsors,” said Myers. “These are the businesses and individuals who make the Bubbas happen year after year. Their generosity and philanthropic spirit encapsulates what is truly best about Key West. And I want to thank our community for embracing us for 20 years as your locally owned media source, along with a decade of Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards moments and memories.”

Visit keysweekly.com to vote.

First State Bank of the Florida Keys, Waste Management, Key West Theater, Catered Affairs, Hemingway Home, Niles Sales & Service, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Horan Law, Bascom Grooms Real Estate and Doc Guzman Family Dentistry.

Food And Drinks

Best Key Lime Pie: Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe / Blue Heaven / Square Grouper Bar and Restaurant

Best Cuban Sandwich: Sandy’s Cafe / Kim’s Kuban / 5 Brothers Grocery & Sandwich Shop

Best International Restaurant: Benihana / El Siboney / Bel Mare Restaurant

Best Cup of Co ee: Cuban Co ee Queen / Keys Co ee Co. / Baby’s Co ee

Best Breakfast: Harpoon Harry’s / Two Friends Patio Restaurant / Blue Heaven / Goldman’s Deli (tie for 3rd)

Best Best Brunch: Hot Tin Roof / Azur Restaurant / Blue Heaven

Best Lunch: Moondog Cafe / Little Whitehouse Subs / Hogfish Bar & Grill

Best Gay Bar: Aqua Bar & Nightclub / 22&Co / 801 Bourbon Bar

Best Bar: Green Parrot Par / Virgilio’s / Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon

Best Wine Selection: Grand Vin Wine Bar / La Trattoria Oceanside / A&B Lobster House

Best Beer Selection: Bearded Lady / My New Joint / The Retro Room

Best Mojito: El Meson De Pepe / Willie T’s / Seaside Cafe

Best Bloody Mary: Rams Head Southernmost / Two Friends Patio Restaurant / The Saint Hotel Key West

Best Margarita: Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar / Old Town Mexican Cafe / Pepe’s Cafe

Best Martini: Virgilio’s / Martin’s / Berlin’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge

Best Bartender: Alex Tolmachenko (Virgilio’s) / Carlos Home (22&Co) / Micaela Elechko (Green Parrot)

Best Waterfront Dining: La Trattoria Oceanside / A&B Lobster House / Latitudes

Best Pizza: Roostica / Clemente’s Wood-Fired Trolley Pizzeria / Duetto Pizza & Gelato

Best Seafood: Conch Republic Seafood Co. / The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / Hogfish Bar & Grill

Best Steak: Prime Steakhouse / A&B Lobster House / Tavern N Town

Best Taco: Sinz Burritos / Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks! / Chico’s Cantina

Best Food Truck: Garbo’s Grill @ Hanks! / One Love Food Truck / Taco Express

Best Dessert Spot: Better Than Sex / Cupcake Sushi / Square Grouper

Best Ice Cream / Gelato: Flamingo Crossing / Dairy Queen / Kilwins

Best Conch Chowder: Louie’s Backyard / Alonzo’s Oyster Bar / Conch Republic Seafood Co.

Best Wings: Wing Masters / Big Cheezees Pub & Grub / Roostica

Best Smoothie: Smoothie Shuttle / Morning Joint / Grain & Berry Cafe

Best BBQ: Smoked BBQ / Eaton Good / Big Cheezees Pub & Grub

Best Sushi: Misohappy Sushi and Thai / Origami Sushi Bar / Benihana

Best Raw Bar / Oysters: Half Shell Raw Bar / Alonzo’s Oyster Bar / Pepe’s Cafe

Best Ceviche: The Docks Restaurant + Raw Bar / Bel Mare Restaurant / Thirsty Mermaid

Best Late Night Spot: Green Parrot Bar / Mary Ellen’s Bar & Restaurant / Virgilio’s

Best Catering Company: Catered A airs of Key West / Great Events Catering / Destination Catering & Events

Best Organic Health Food: Date & Thyme Organic Cafe & Market / Sugar Apple Organic Cafe & Market / The Cafe

Best Bar or Restaurant Restroom: Tavern N Town / 22&Co / My New Joint

Best Service & Sta : La Trattoria Oceanside / A&B Lobster House / Miami Subs

Best Happy Hour: Boat House Bar & Grill / Alonzo’s Oyster Bar / Two Friends Patio Restaurant

Overall Restaurant: La Trattoria Oceanside / A&B Lobster House / Hot Tin Roof

Our Community

Best Place to Take the Kids: Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / Truman Waterfront Park /

The Waterfront Brewery

Best Event / Local Festival: Fantasy Fest / Key West Songwriters / Mile 0 Fest

Best Tourist Attraction: The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory / The Hemingway Home and Museum / Conch Train Tour

Best Local Celebrity: Mike Stack / Bill Hoebee / Landon Bradbary

Best Teacher / Professor / School Admin: Ali Ferguson (Poinciana Elementary) / Lauren “Lo” Albury (Poinciana) / Eli Jannes (Sigsbee)

Best Nonprofit Organization: Florida Keys SPCA / Samuel’s House / Reef Relief

Best Elected O cial: Sam Steele (Tax Collector) / Craig Cates (Monroe County Mayor) / Teri Johnston (Key West Mayor)

Best Local Musician: Ca eine Carl / Oren Polak / Cli Cody

Best Local Band: The Durtbags / The Marshall Morlock Band / Ca eine Carl and the Buzz

Best Local DJ: DJ Sanaris / DJ Buggy / DJ Top Jimmy

Best In Drag: Sushi / QMitch / Christopher Peterson

Best Artist: Wyland / Billy Kearins / Lance Berry

Best Thespian / Performing Artist: Erin McKenna / Arthur Crocker / Susannah Wells

Best Volunteer / Community Activist: Kirby Myers / Bernadette Restivo / Grace Epperly

Best Live Music Venue: Co ee Butler Amphitheater / Green Parrot Bar/ Smokin' Tuna Saloon

Best Performing Arts Venue: Key West Theater / Waterfront Playhouse / Red Barn Theatre

Best Art Gallery or Studio: The Studios of Key West / Sacred Space Gallery / COAST

The Businesses

Best Accounting Firm: Oropeza & Parks / Zuelch & Zuelch Accounting & Tax Services / Niles, Kight & Company PLLC

Best Law Firm: Horan Law / Oropeza Stones & Cardenas / Smith, Hawks P.L.

Best Charter Fishing Captain or Guide: Peak Charters / FishMonster Charters / DJ Barrios (Rough Shot Charters)

Best Furniture Store: Royal Furniture & Design / Fast Buck’s At Home / Soul House

Best Dive Shop: Captain’s Corner Dive Center / Divers Direct / Lost Reef Adventures

Best Bait & Tackle: Key West Bait & Tackle / Esky Rods / Cudjoe Sales Fishermen’s Warehouse

Best Watersports Company: Fury Water Adventures / Sebago Watersports / Danger Charters

Best Marina: A&B Marina / Garrison Bight Marina / The Galleon Marina

Best Customer Service: Monroe County Tax Collector / Strunk Ace Hardware / First State Bank of the Florida Keys

Best Resort / Hotel: Casa Marina Key West / Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel / Ocean Key Resort & Spa

Best Grocery Store: Fausto’s Food Palace / Publix / Winn Dixie

Best Contractor: Keystar Construction / Charley Toppino & Sons / Lee Mattingly Construction

Best Photographer: Nick Doll / Rob O’Neal / Larry Blackburn Photography

Best Doctor: Dr. Melanie Youschak / Dr. Jack Norris / Dr. Rocky Tingle

Best Veterinarian: All Animal Clinic / Lower Keys Animal Clinic / Keys Animal Care Center

Best Realtor: Bascom Grooms / Will Langley / Krystal Thomas

Best Real Estate O ce: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Knight & Gardner Realty / Bascom Grooms Real Estate / Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate

Best Bank or Credit Union: First State Bank of the Florida Keys / Gulf Atlantic Bank / Keys Federal Credit Union

Best Jewelry Store: Je ’s Gems & Nautical Designs / Neptune Designs / Mine Shaft Jewelry Designs

Best Car Dealer: Niles Sales & Service / Kia of Key West / Key West Adventures — Jeep Rentals & More

Best Bed & Breakfast / Guesthouse: The Conch House / The Gardens Hotel / Southernmost Point Guest House

Best Chiropractor: Key West Chiropractic (Ryan Barnett) / Excel Chiropractic (Liz Morin) / Oropeza Chiropractic Center (Steven Oropeza)

Best Dentist: Dr. Claude Harris / Dr. Lou Spelios / Dr. Hector Guzman

Best Florist: Love in Bloom Florist / Petals & Vines / Kutchey’s Flowers in Key West

Best Insurance Company: United Atlantic Insurance / Porter Allen Company / Fullers Insurance

Best Liquor Store: Jolly’s / Tipsy Rooster Liquor Store & Bar / Conch Town Liquor & Lounge

Best Local Retailer: Kirby’s Closet / Ramona’s Conch Creations / Besame Mucho

Best Fitness Center/Gym: FYT Key West / BODYZONE FITNESS / Sweat Society KW

Best Nail Salon: Nail Bar & Lounge / Nailtini Nail Bar & Day Spa / Lee Nails

Best Spa: Prana Spa / Ocean Wellness Spa & Salon / Flow Spa Key West

Best Hair Salon: Salty Roots / Blown Away Hair Studio / Kai & Co. Salon

Best Barber: Beards & Brews Barbershop & Bar / Cottar Cuts Barber Shop / Moore Than Fades Barbershop

Best Airline With Key West Service: Delta Airlines / American Airlines / Allegiant Air

Best Summer Camp: Reef Relief / Camp Bravo / Seacamp Association, Inc.

Best Family-Owned Business: Ramona’s Conch Creations / Fausto’s Food Palace / Miami Subs

Best Overall Business: Ramona’s Conch Creations / First State Bank of the Florida Keys / La Trattoria Oceanside

Explore the newly revitalized Key West Firehouse Museum and enjoy the fruits of its 114-year-old mamey tree with mamey ice cream and mojitos from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 24.