of
Benito
Cindy Couling
2022
Voted the best
Through painstaking deliberations and difficult decisions, the community voted for their favorites. Now, in this issue, we unveil the winners of the annual Best of San Benito awards.
Readers had the chance to vote for a variety of businesses, organizations and more through an online ballot that was live for a month. With more than 100 categories to consider, at least
20 selections had to be made in order for the ballot to count
We received numerous entries, with the community telling us their favorite places to eat, where to shop, what they like to do on the weekend and more.
The results show many old favorites have once again reclaimed their titles, but plenty of others have been voted the best for the first time.
7455 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA
Phone: 408-842-6400
Dan Pulcrano
Erik Chalhoub
2 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
4 Food & Drink 10 Shopping 14 Care & Service 26 Fun 10 14 4
Publisher
Editor
Advertising Account Executive Carrie
Bonato,
Eric
Bocanegra,
Jeanie Johnson Creative Services Director Cindy Couling Production Coordinator Deb Fisher Designers Jennifer Meyer, Elena Razgonova, Jimmy Arceneaux, Hon Truong Production Operations Manager Sean George Editorial Production Manager Phaedra Strecher Cover Photograph by: Cindy Couling The shops in downtown San Juan Bautista invite visitors to step inside. Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission. TO PLACE AN AD Email: advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone: 408.709.3959 TO CONTACT EDITORIAL Email: echalhoub@newsvmedia.com Phone: 408.842.9505 MAGAZINE Thank You For Voting Us “Best Breakfast”, “Best Brunch” & “Best Dining Value Under $20” in San Benito County Come taste our delicious breakfast! 756 San Benito • Hollister • 831.635.0252 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-2:00pm • Friday-Sunday 7:00am-3:00pm Country Rose Cafe Serving Breakfast & Brunch for 18 years! Hazel’s Treasures Thank you for selecting us as your #1 Thrift Shop. 898 San Benito Street
3 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 WE BRING OUR BEST. YOU DESRVE THE BEST. #1 BEST CASINO 71 1 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, CA 93614 | 1-866-794-6946 | chukchansigold.com Located 30 Minutes from Yosemite Valley's South Entrance. WE BRING OUR BEST. YOU DESERVE THE BEST.
Best food & drink
4 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
2022 BAKERY Heavenly Bakery BAR/PUB Pour Decisions Taproom BBQ RESTAURANT Smoke Point BBQ— San Juan Bautista BEST DINING VALUE UNDER $20 Country Rose Café BREAKFAST Country Rose Café BRUNCH Country Rose Café BURGER Running Rooster BURRITO/ TACO Super Taqueria CATERER Louie's Smokey Trails CHEF 4th Street Eatery CHINESE FOOD Cheung Sheng COCKTAILS Running Rooster »6
HOLLISTER STAPLE
Running Rooster takes home the gold as the Best Family Restaurant in the area. The restaurant won seven awards. Juan Reyes
5 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 800 SAN BENITO STREET, HOLLISTER, CA, 95023 WWW.RUNNINGROOSTER.COM 831 - 634 - 0135 @RUNNINGROOSTERRESTAURANT THANK YOU SAN BENITO COUNTY FOR VOTING RUNNING ROOSTER "BEST OF!" We also want to acknowledge and thank our incredible Rooster team. It's their hard work and incredible customer service that have allowed us to serve the San Benito community for almost 20 years. Family Restaurant Kid-Friendly Restaurant Waitress: Amy Moore! Burger French Fries Cocktails Happy Hour We'd like to thank all our loyal customers for your continued support and for voting for us each year!
Best food & drink
KID-FRIENDLY
COFFEE SHOP—
SHOP
HAWAIIAN FOOD
HOT DOG
BEER
HAPPY HOUR
ICE CREAM/
FOOD
JAPANESE FOOD
6 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 DONUT
Spudnuts FAMILY RESTAURANT Running Rooster FOOD TRUCK Mansmith’s BBQ FRENCH FRIES Running Rooster
Running Rooster
LOCAL Calavera Coffee CRAFT
BREWER Pour Decisions Taproom DELI/SANDWICH SHOP 4th Street Eatery DESSERTS Heavenly Bakery
RESTAURANT Running Rooster LATE NIGHT DINING Jack in the Box LOCALLY MADE FOOD PRODUCT 4th Street Eatery MARGARITAS La Catrina MEDITERRANEAN FOOD Paine’s Restaurant MEXICAN FOOD Super Taqueria NEW RESTAURANT Las Micheladas PET-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 4th Street Eatery PHO RESTAURANT Super Noodle PIZZA Round Table Pizza
Panda Express
4th Street Eatery
YOGURT SHOP Baskin Robbins ITALIAN
Mangia
Miyako Japanese Restaurant »8 LOCAL FAVORITE Country Rose Café was voted the Best Breakfast, Brunch and Dining Value in San Benito County. Juan Reyes
2022
www.intero.com ©Intero Real Estate Services, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. All rights reserved. The logo is a registered trademark of Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This is not intended as a solicitation if you are listed with another broker. THE COMPANY YOU CHOOSE MATTERS Thank you for voting Intero Real Estate Services “Best Real Estate Company,” and thank you for buying or selling with us making Intero a market leader in the area. We appreciate your votes - and your trust - year after year! 800 San Benito Street Suite C. Hollister, CA 95023 (831) 637-2112 CHOOSE THE BEST! “BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT” KAREY GRIMSLEY CALBRE# 01116747 “BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY” A Berkshire Hathaway Af liate 7 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best food & drink
8 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 STEAKHOUSE 19th Hole VEGETARIAN FOOD Happy Café VIETNAMESE FOOD Super Noodle WAITRESS/WAITER Amy Moore— Running Rooster WINERY Leal Vineyards RESTAURANT 4th Street Eatery ROMANTIC WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE The Inn at Tres Pinos SALADS Saladworks SEAFOOD Seabrisas SPORTS BAR Grillin & Chillin » 10 BEST CRAFT BEER BREWER Pour Decisions Taproom is located on San Benito Street in Hollister. CAN’T GO WRONG 4th Street Eatery took home a number of awards, including Best Deli/Sandwich Shop. Juan Reyes Robert Eliason
2022
449 San Benito St. Hollister, CA. (831) 3130905449 San Benito St. • Hollister 831.313.0905 19191919 449 San Benito St. Hollister, CA. (831) 3130905449 San Benito St. • Hollister 831.313.0905 449 San Benito St. Hollister (831) 3130905449 San Benito St. • Hollister 831.313.0905 19191919 THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST MARGARITAS IN SAN BENITO COUNTY! 9 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 Thank you for voting us Best Sports Medicine in San Benito County! 101 McCray St. #108 Hollister (831) 638-4860 An affiliate of
Best shopping
ANTIQUES
ART GALLERY
10 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 FARMERS MARKET Hollister Farmers Market GARDEN/NURSERY CENTER Garden Mart CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Irma's Fashions ETHNIC MARKET Hollister Super AUTO DEALERSHIP Greenwood Chevrolet CANNABIS DISPENSARY Higher Level
Goodwill
San Benito County Arts Council » 12 FRESH FROM THE FARM The Hollister Farmers Market is a seasonal downtown staple. Juan Reyes
2022
THANK YOU SAN BENITO COUNTY FOR VOTING US #1 BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR & #1 BEST KITCHEN & BATH REMODELING COMPANY!! (831)297-3460 LIC 891214 •NEW CONSTRUCTION •REMODELS •ADU •ADDITIONS •FIRE RESISTANT HOMES DH CONSTRUCTION 11 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
12 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 THRIFT STORE Hazel's Thrift Shop WATER STORE The Water Store—SJB SHOE STORE Hollister Comfort Shoes SMOKE SHOP Green Rush SPORTING GOODS Big 5 Sporting Goods JEWELRY STORE Garden Shoppe n' Bar KID-FRIENDLY STORE Target PET/FEED STORE Lil Pals Pet World GIFTS/SPECIALTY SHOP Bene Gifts Hollister HARDWARE Ace Hardware HOME FURNISHINGS Discount Furniture Best shopping 2022 » 14 BEST ART GALLERY The San Benito County Arts Council moved into its new, larger space at 35 Fifth St., Suite D, in late 2021. Erik Chalhoub
13 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best care &
14 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 A/C-HEATING SERVICE Rianda Air ACCOUNTANT Bianchi Kasavan & Pope ACUPUNCTURE Dr. Robert Barry AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM YMCA of San Benito County ALLERGIST Dr. Felicidad LaoDomingo ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP Cat Crew of SBC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES Jason Guerra— Symmetry Design + Build ATTORNEY Paul Rovella—JRG Attorneys AUTO BODY SHOP Caliber Collision
Service 2022
BEST FLOWER SHOP Jeanette Melita is the owner of Moments Flower Shop in Hollister.
Juan Reyes » 16
920 Sunnyslope Road, Hollister • (831) 636-1332 Daniel Yu Wang, MD FAAFP You’re in Good Hands With Dr. Wang! • Urgent medical problems and minor injuries • Certified DMV medical examiner • Focusing on high blood pressure, diabetes & cholesterol • On-Site Lab, EKG, Stress test & Lung function test • Discount for self payment • Continuing nursing home care • Telemedicine available Thank You for Voting Dr. Daniel Wang & his Team #1 Best Physician & Staff for the 7th Year In a Row Proudly offering patient care for 36 years! 15 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 Move Your Body • Still Your Mind Classes Everyday! • Vinyasa Yoga • Hatha Yoga • Hot Yoga • Yoga Sculpt • Pilates • Gentle Flow • Restorative Yoga • Yin Yoga • Fitness and Many More. 14 consecutive days for only $59 New members only. Valid Oct. 24-Nov. 24 Download the MINDBODY app on your phone to view our schedule and book your class! 401 McCray St. Suite A#6, Hollister, CA 95023 | 831.313.1114 @theyogacostudio The Yoga Co.
Best care & Service
16 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER (TIE) Sal Duran Linda Lampe Rotary Club COMPUTER REPAIR CRS CARPET CLEANING Choice Tile & Carpet Cleaning CHIROPRACTOR Sam Breger Chiropractic Center COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION YMCA of San Benito County BANK/CREDIT UNION Union Bank BARBERSHOP San Benito Barbers BED/MATTRESS STORE Hollister Furniture CAR WASH Quick Quack AUTO DETAILING (TIE) Elite Auto Detailing Penguin's Car Wash & Detail Center AUTO GLASS REPAIR San Benito Glass AUTO REPAIR SHOP San Benito Tire » 18
2022 BEST DANCE STUDIO San Benito Dance Academy offers classical ballet instruction. Courtesy of San Benito Dance Academy
Thank You San Benito County for Voting Us #1 Best Caterer as well as #1 Best Wedding Caterer! Let Us Bring the BBQ to You Full service Catering Options • Private Events - Weddings, Parties, Brandings, Corporate Events • Personal Chef Options • We Customize All Menus Hollister CA • (831) 277-9713 • Louie@louiessmokeytrails.com Pitman: Louie Roybal • Louiessmokeytrails.com Karey Grimsley Broker Associate, Lic. 01116747 831.801.1222 KeywithKarey.com Thank You For the Votes! Dedicated to helping you achieve your real estate goals! 17 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best care & Service
DANCE INSTRUCTOR
AND FENCING
DOGGIE
CARE
FITNESS CENTER/ GYM (TIE)
YMCA of San Benito County
CrossFit San Benito
FLOWER SHOP
Moments Flower Shop
FRAMING SHOP
Marisa Duran
DANCE STUDIO
CLEANERS
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
DH ConstructionDarin Hopkins
HAIR SALON
DeLux Hair Salon
HEALTH CARE
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
HEARING CENTER
Central Coast
DOG GROOMER
FINANCIAL
HOME HEALTH
PROVIDER
San Benito Home
18 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 DECK
COMPANY Diaz Fencing DENTIST Dr. Leif Nordstrom DERMATOLOGIST Dr. Visoth Chhiap
Doggie Doos and Cats Too DOG TRAINER K9 Ambassador
Amy Redmond Waran—Flying Colors
San Benito Dance Academy DAY CARE/ PRESCHOOL Meadowlark Preschool DAY SPA Déjà vu Salon
DAY
Cradled Critters DRY
Heritage Cleaners ELECTRICIAN JB Electric
ADVISOR/ PLANNER Kyle Sharp— Edward Jones
Photography
FACILITY
Audiology
CARE
Health
2022 POOCH’S PLACE Cradled Critters in Hollister was voted the Best Doggie Day Care. » 20
WE DELIVER! Call 637-7444 Or Go To Roundtablepizza.com THANK YOU FOR VOTING #1 BEST PIZZA Sandwiches • Salads • Desserts • Beverages LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED FOR 45 YEARS! Marquez Plumbing Hollister, CA • 831.630.3000 contractors license #835215 Marquez Plumbing Hollister, CA • 831.630.3000 contractors license #835215 Thanks to our fantastic team for all the hard work you put in daily. It's your dedication that contributes to our success. Thanks to our fantastic team for all the hard work you put in daily. It's your dedication that contributes to our success. Thank you San Benito County for your business and support over the last 16 years of service. Thank you San Benito County for your business and support over the last 16 years of service. 19 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best care & Service
20 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 HOTEL / MOTEL / LODGING Fairfield Home & Suites HOUSE OF WORSHIP Sacred Heart—St Benedict’s INSURANCE AGENCY DDH InsuranceDiane Diaz Hopkins INTERIOR DESIGN Interiors with Flair KITCHEN BATH REMODELING COMPANY DH Construction— Darin Hopkins LANDSCAPE DESIGN COMPANY Alpine Landscape LANDSCAPER Silva Landscape LASIK EYE SURGERY Dr. Donald Wolff MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO Enterprise Academy of Martial Arts MASSAGE SERVICES Déjà vu Salon MORTGAGE BROKER (TIE) Prosperity Home Mortgage Lisa Freitas—Golden Eagle Mortgage MORTUARY/ FUNERAL HOME Grunnagle-AmentNelson Funeral Home MOTORCYCLE DEALER Hollister Powersports MOTORCYCLE REPAIR /CUSTOM SHOP Thunder Road Motorcycles » 22
2022 GET YOUR RIDES Hollister Powersports was named the Best Motorcycle Dealer according to the 2022 Best of San Benito. Juan Reyes
THANK YOU SAN BENITO COUNTY! Call Us for All Your Roofing Needs! 831-245-5684 www.sbcroof.com Thank you for Voting us Best Japanese Food! Come pay us a visit an experience our wonderful Sushi & Japanese Cuisine for yourself. MIYAKO JAPANESE RESTAURANT 321 San Felipe Rd, Hollister miyakojapanese.com | (831) 635-0800 21 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best care & Service
OPTHAMOLOGIST
PHOTOGRAPHER
PLASTIC SURGEON
NUTRITIONIST
PHYSICIAN—
PLUMBER/PLUMBING
TO TAKE
REAL
AGENT
22 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022 MOVING COMPANY Hollister Moving and Storage NAIL SALON Milady Nail Spa
Quake City Energy & Nutrition OB-GYN Dr. Ralph Armstrong
Dr. Robert Theaker— Hollister Vision OPTOMETRY/ VISION CENTER Hollister Vision Center PERSONAL TRAINER Brittany Renz PHARMACY Safeway
Marissa Duran Photography
GENERAL PRACTICE Dr. Daniel Wang— Hollister Urgent Care PLACE
A CLASS San Benito Dance Academy
Dr. AJ Matthews
COMPANY Marquez Plumbing
ESTATE
Karey Grimsley— Intero REAL ESTATE COMPANY Intero Real Estate Services » 24
2022 20/20 VISION Hollister Vision Center was voted Best Optometry/Vision Center.
A strong bank starts with a strong community. And it’s communities like Hollister that have helped Union Bank® grow. We live here, we do business here, and we are here for you. Stop by your local branch so we can express our gratitude in person.
Thank you, readers of the Hollister Free Lance, for voting us Best Bank.
Thank you. We’re honored to be voted Best Bank.
Hollister Main Branch Irene Recht unionbank.com Thank you for voting Garden Shoppe N’ Bar #1 Jewelry Store! Thank you for voting us #1 Garden/Nursery Center 23 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best care & Service
RECYCLE CENTER
ROOFER (TIE)
SKIN CARE
TATTOO
URGENT CARE
SCHOOL—PUBLIC
SUPPLIER
SPORTS MEDICINE
TIRE SHOP
WEDDING EVENT
SCHOOL—
STORAGE FACILITY
TRAVEL AGENCY
WEDDING
YOGA STUDIO
24 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
RJR Recycling
Gary Welch Roofing San Benito Roofing Company
Ladd Lane Elementary
PRIVATE Sacred Heart
Aesthetics by Alexandra SOLAR
Solaris
Focus Sports Therapy—Hazel Hawkins
Galaxy Storage
PARLOR Only The Honorable Tattoos
San Benito Tire
California State Auto Association—AAA TREE SERVICE Juan's Tree Service
CENTER Pinnacle HealthCare VETERINARIAN Family Pet Care Center VETERINARY HOSPITAL/ OFFICE San Benito Veterinary Center WEDDING CATERER Louis Smokey Trails
PLANNER Golden Coast Event Planning
RECEPTION VENUE Leal Vineyards WEDDING VENUE Leal Vineyards
The Yoga Co. Studios » 26
2022 HEALTHY PETS San Benito Veterinary Center is the go-to place for our four-legged friends’ routine checkups.
Thank You for Voting us Best Hotel/Motel/Lodging in San Benito County! Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Hollister 390 Gateway Drive, Hollister CA 95023 | 831.634.1101 Complimentary Breakfast Buffet Indoor Pool | Fitness Center Complimentary Internet Conference Room Rooms & Suites offering a microwave, refrigerator & coffee/tea maker. 25 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Best fun
BIKE RIDE
Hollister Hills
CASINO
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino
DAY TRIP
Pinnacles National Park
FESTIVAL/ OUTDOOR EVENT
Hollister Farmers Market
GOLF COURSE
Ridgemark Golf Course
KARAOKE
Johnny's Bar & Grill
LOCAL BAND
Soul Kiss
MOVIE THEATER
Premiere Cinema
MUSIC VENUE
Guerra Winery
Peppertree Ranch
PARK
Valley View Park,
"Wally the Whale"
PLACE TO TAKE THE DOG
Brigantino Park
PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS
Casa De Fruta
RUN / HIKE / WALK TRAIL Pinnacles National Park
SMALL THEATER COMPANY
San Benito Stage Company
SUMMER DAY CAMP
San Benito Dance Academy
SWIMMING
San Benito Aquatics
26 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
2022 OUTDOORS
Hollister Hills
is
a popular spot
for
those
who want to get
out and ride on either
two or four wheels.
Michael Moore
Thank You San Benito County for Voting Us the Best!
education
Pinnacle Healthcare,
expert providers
wide scope of treatments and on-site specialists
offer patients with the highest standard in modern healthcare services.
need to stay safe and healthy all in-house,
hard to provide you with everything
there is never a need to
a referral elsewhere. We are fully-equipped to meet
needs with compassionate and high-quality care
time.
Pinnacle HealthCare Open Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Thank You San Benito County for Voting us Best Urgent Care Center (831) 465-5157 591 McCray Street, Suite 101, Hollister, CA 95023 At
our
are proud to
Our
work
you
so
find
your
every
As an early
program we embrace the beauty of childhood and all the excitement that comes along with it. We appreciate all of our followers and all of our families who continue to entrust us to be a part of their children’s early education. 400 Isabel Lane, Hollister (831) 801-0033 www.meadowlarkschools.org Thank you Hollister for Voting us #1 Best Storage Facility! 1901 SAN FELIPE ROAD, HOLLISTER Located on the corner of San Felipe Road & Fallon Road. Directly across from the Hollister Airport. We look forward to serving you. Please stop by or call us at (831) 636-9323. 27 BEST OF SAN BENITO 2022
Thank you for voting us: BEST HEALTH CARE FACILITY BEST HOME CARE PROVIDER San Benito Home Health Agency 911 Sunset Drive Hollister (831)637-5711 www.hazelhawkins.com