Best of San Benito
Happy Hour Margaritas Cocktails & Mexican Restaurant
From all of us at La Catrina, thank you, San Benito County! These awards belong to you, our loyal guests and community who fill our tables with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
We promise to keep sharing our passion for Mexican cuisine and creating memories that bring people together.
With sincere appreciation, La Catrina Family
449 San Benito St., Hollister (831) 313-0905
catrinagrill
La Catrina Mexican Grill catrinagrill.com
MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY
Thank you for voting and making Paine’s part of your lives. This honor belongs to you, our community, who bring joy to our dining room, bar, banquet hall, and events.
At Paine’s, every meal is a celebration, every event a memory, every guest part of our story.
With gratitude, The Paine’s Family
The community speaks
The readers have voted and it is that time of the year when we reveal the San Benito County community’s favorite places to eat, have fun, relax, shop, make donations, run errands, seek services and more. In this issue, we unveil the winners of the annual Best of San Benito awards.
With more than 120 categories, readers had the chance to vote for their favorite businesses, organizations and more through an online ballot. Those receiving
the most votes are recognized as the Best of San Benito (with additional recognitions this year for runnerup favorites).
The results show many established Hollister, San Juan Bautista and San Benito County staples and landmarks have retained their titles, while plenty of other local spots have been voted best for the first time.
—Michael Moore
7455 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA Phone: 408-842-6400
CEO Dan Pulcrano
Publisher Robert Airoldi
Editor Michael Moore
Advertising Account Executives
Mark Fenichel, Christopher Filice, Tiffany Birch
Director of Creative Services
Cindy Couling
Creative Services Production Manager
Deb Fisher
Designers
Jennifer Meyer, Jackie Mujica, Elena Razgonova, Rowdy Tompkins
Editorial Designer
Arnie Mallorca
Photographer Tarmo Hannula
Editorial Production Manager Zk Bradley
Assistant Editorial Production Manager Haley Tweedell
TO PLACE AN AD
Email:
Email: mmoore@newsvmedia.com Phone:
Best of san benito
The best and more
The people have spoken, and this year’s Best of San Benito results feature a diverse mix of longtime local favorites (some of which are community staples) and new shops, offices, restaurants and destinations that have made an immediate impression on the community’s consumers.
In fact, there are so many wonderful businesses and places in Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Tres Pinos and beyond that for this year we have expanded our Best of San Benito published listings. For the first time, in more than 150 categories the pages ahead include “Silver” and “Bronze” runner-up winners in the annual vote tally.
Conventional wisdom holds that although only one winner can gain the most votes in each category, there are still plenty of other worthy favorites throughout San Benito County. We think you, the reader, is best served by knowing about all of the crowd favorites—from the best bed and mattress stores, auto detailing and banks or credit unions, to the best nonprofits, hardware stores and margaritas.
Of course, some of this year’s winners and runner-ups are so well established that many consider them local landmarks. These include Running Rooster (Best Cocktails, Best French Fries and more), Dunneville Market and Kitchen (Best Lunch, among other accolades), Swank Farms Barn (Best Wedding Venue and Best Wedding Reception Venue), Jardines de San Juan (Best Margaritas, Best Mexican Restaurant and more) and The Heavenly Bakery (numerous wins).
And the examples above don’t even begin to fully tell how many attentive, helpful and welcoming people and businesses there are in San Benito County—or how much the community appreciates them. Read ahead to see how your favorites fared in the 2025 Best of San Benito voting.
– Michael Moore
THAT TIME OF
YEAR A fruit tree blooms behind a street lamp in downtown Hollister on a recent fall morning.
Best of food & drink
Best Bakery
The Heavenly Bakery
SILVER
El Nopal Bakery
BRONZE
Suncoast Organic Farm
Best Bar or Pub
Mad Pursuit
Brewing Company
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Harvest Time Roadhouse
Best Barbecue
Mansmith's BBQ
SILVER
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
BRONZE
Danny's Smoke N Grill Barbecue
Best Breakfast
Country Rose Café
SILVER
Buenos Dias Cafecito
BRONZE
The Heavenly Bakery
Best Brunch
Country Rose Café
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
McCann’s, San Juan Oaks
Best Burger
The 19th Hole
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Harvest Time Roadhouse
Best Burrito or Taco
Super Taqueria
SILVER
El Grullense Jal
BRONZE
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
Best Butcher Counter
Hollister Super
SILVER
Tri-Way Freezer Meats
BRONZE
San Benito Meat Market
Best Caterer
Mansmith's BBQ
SILVER
Louie's Smokey Trails
BRONZE
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
Best Chef (and restaurant)
Becky Herbert, Farmhouse Cafe
SILVER
Louie Roybal, Louie's Smokey Trails
BRONZE
David Jamrock, Jamrock Culinary Arts Center
Best Chinese Restaurant
Cheung Sheng
SILVER
Happy Cafe
BRONZE
The Wok
Best Cocktails
Running Rooster
SILVER
Las Micheladas Bar & Grill
BRONZE
La Catrina Mexican Grill
Best Coffeehouse
Java Express Coffee
SILVER
Vertigo Coffee Roasters
BRONZE
Cafe con Leche
Best Deli or Sandwich Shop
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
SILVER
Victoria's Deli and Catering
BRONZE
Lolla
Best DessertsRestaurant
The Heavenly Bakery
SILVER
Geli Mex
BRONZE
36 Degrees North, San Juan Oaks
Best Desserts-Retail
The Heavenly Bakery
SILVER
DeBrito Chocolate Factory
BRONZE
Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor
DOWNTOWN’S BEST Cheung Sheng, located on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister, was voted this year’s Best Chinese Restaurant and Best Restaurant Carryout in 2025.
Your
Thank you for shopping local, supporting your community, and standing by your local farmers. We couldn’t do this without you!
With
Best of food & drink
Best Dining
Experience
36 Degrees North, San Juan Oaks
SILVER
Paine's Restaurant, Bar, & Banquet
BRONZE
The 19th Hole
Best Donuts
Spudnut & Deli
SILVER
Bagel Bakery
BRONZE
Donuts & Deli
Best Food Truck
Hapa Bros.
SILVER
Mansmith's BBQ
BRONZE
El Guapo
Best French Fries
Running Rooster
SILVER
The 19th Hole
BRONZE
Hapa Bros.
Best Happy Hour
La Catrina Mexican Grill
SILVER
Crave Wine Company
BRONZE
Running Rooster
Best Healthy Eats
Farmhouse Cafe
SILVER
Panera Bread
BRONZE
Cultiva
Best Horchata
Super Taqueria
SILVER
Lilly's Fresh Fruit
Best Hot Dog A&W
SILVER
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
BRONZE
Daisy's Saloon
Best Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt La Michoacana
SILVER
Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor
BRONZE
Kai's Ohana Shave Ice and Creamery
Best Japanese Restaurant
Miyako Japanese Restaurant
SILVER
Supreme Sushi
Best Late Night Dining
Taqueria El Grullense
Best Liquor Store
Diaz liquors
SILVER
Pacheco's Express Way Liquor
Best Locally Made Food Product
Sourdough bread and sweets, The Kneaded Dough
SILVER
Almond Butter Crunch Candy,
Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor
BRONZE
Haybaler Blond Ale, Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Best Lunch
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Harvest Time Roadhouse
Best Margaritas Jardines de San Juan
SILVER
La Catrina Mexican Grill
BRONZE
Las Micheladas Bar & Grill
Best Mexican Restaurant
Jardines de San Juan
SILVER
La Villa de Jerez Restaurant
BRONZE
La Catrina Mexican Grill
Best Microbrewery
Mad Pursuit Brewing Company
SILVER
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Best New Restaurant (opened since Jan. 1, 2024)
Catch 25
SILVER
36 Degrees North, San Juan Oaks
BRONZE
McCann’s, San Juan Oaks
VARIETY Running Rooster in downtown Hollister was the people’s choice in a slew of categories this year, voted Best Cocktails, Best French Fries and Best Salads.
Best Outdoor Dining
Jardines de San Juan
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
Best Pizza
Round Table Pizza
SILVER
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
BRONZE
Running Rooster
Best Produce Stand
Bertuccio's
SILVER
Pinnacle Farms
Best Restaurant
Paine's Restaurant, Bar, & Banquet
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Jardines de San Juan
Best Restaurant Carryout
Cheung Sheng
SILVER
Super Noodles
BRONZE
Supreme Sushi
Best Salads
Running Rooster
SILVER
Saladworks
BRONZE
Harvest Time Roadhouse
Best Seafood Restaurant
Seabrisa's Eatery
SILVER
Catch 25
BRONZE
Paine's Restaurant, Bar, & Banquet
Best Server (and restaurant)
Maddie Solorio, Harvest Time Roadhouse
SILVER
Amy Moore, Running Rooster
BRONZE
Kat, Country Rose Café
Best Steaks
The 19th Hole
SILVER
Paine's Restaurant, Bar, & Banquet
BRONZE
Mansmith's BBQ
Best Sushi
Miyako Japanese Restaurant
SILVER
Supreme Sushi
Best To-Go Eats
Super Taqueria
SILVER
Lolla
BRONZE (TIE)
Danny's Smoke N Grill Barbecue
The Heavenly Bakery
Best Vegetarian or Vegan Menu
Farmhouse Cafe
SILVER
Jardines de San Juan
BRONZE
Cultiva
Best Wine Bar
Crave Wine Company
Best Winery
Calera
SILVER
Derose
BRONZE
Eden Rift
Best of health & beauty
Best Barbershop
Rios Barber Shop
Best Chiropractic Office
Sam Breger Chiropractic Center
SILVER
Red Eagle Chiropractic
Best Day Spa
Dream Haus
SILVER
All Things Aesthetics
BRONZE
Flow & Glow Spa + Studio
Best Dental Practice
Derek W. Banks DDS
SILVER
Dr. Louis G. Rayas, DDS
BRONZE
Krish Family Dental
Best General Practitioner (and practice)
Paul Percival, Hazel
Hawkins Memorial Hospital
SILVER
Ray S. Kusumoto, BASS Medical Group
Best Hair Salon
Vintage Pearl Salon
SILVER
DeLux Hair Salon
BRONZE
The Glam Room
Best Massage Services
Paradiso Spa & Salon
SILVER
The Wellness Studio by Vina Statua
BRONZE
Body Machanics Massage Studio
Best Nail Salon
Milady Nails & Spa
SILVER
Blue Diamond Nail Spa
BRONZE
Tip N' Toe Salon
Best Skin Care Spa
Hailo Beauty
SILVER
Flow & Glow Spa + Studio
BRONZE
Beautified by Jeanna Marie
Best Tattoo & Piercing Parlor
Only The Honorable Tattoos & Body Piercings
Best Vision Center
Spectrum Eye Physicians
SILVER
Vistasight Optometric Center
Best Waxing or Sugaring Studio
Haylie’s Beauty Creations
SILVER
Esthetic Beauty Realm by Jocelyne
BRONZE
Beautified by Jeanna Marie
LOCAL CARE Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital is the host of this year’s Best General Practitioner, Paul Percival.
We are incredibly honored and grateful to be voted Best Clothing Boutique in San Benito County! Thank you to our amazing customers and the community for your continued support, love and loyalty. This recognition means the world to us, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with style, passion and heart. – Love, The Girls at Irmas Fashions
Best of services
Best Accounting or Bookkeeping Practice
Kris Nolan
SILVER
Larry L. Snyder, EA
Best Attorney (and practice)
Christine Breen, Breen Law Firm
SILVER
Jesse Danoff, Mitchell & Danoff Law Firm
BRONZE
William G. Tiffany
Best Auto Body Repair
Dennis's Body Shop
Best Auto Service Center
San Benito Tire Pros & Automotive
SILVER
San Benito Smog
BRONZE
Rossi Bros. Tire & Auto Service
Best Car Wash
Penguin's Car Wash of Hollister
SILVER
Quick Quack Car Wash
Best Carpet Cleaning
Choice Carpet Cleaning
Best Cleaning Service
Choice Carpet Cleaning
Best Commercial Real Estate Agent (and agency)
Kristen Jurevich, Intero Real Estate Services
SILVER
Luke Brigantino, Intero Real Estate
BRONZE
Elizabeth Callahan, Coldwell Banker
Best Community Organization
Community Food Bank of San Benito County
SILVER
CASA of San Benito County
BRONZE
Hollister Downtown Association
Best Computer Repair Service All
Best Customer Service
Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor
SILVER
Diane Diaz Hopkins Insurance
BRONZE (TIE)
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
San Benito Smog
Best Dry Cleaner Heritage cleaners
SILVER
Colonial Cleaners
Best Electrical Contractor
JB Electrical Services
SILVER
Rod Power Electric
BRONZE
Noriega Electric
Best Financial Advisor
Kyle Sharp, Edward Jones
SILVER
Alexis Winder, Edward Jones
Best Insurance Agency
AAA Hollister
SILVER
Diane Diaz Hopkins Insurance
Best Kitchen and Bath Remodeler
JMP Construction Services
SILVER
DH Construction
BRONZE
DR Domenichini Construction
Best Landscape Design Company
Lee Landscaping
FARM FRESH Bertuccio’s Market was voted this year’s Best Produce Stand in San Benito County.
Best of services
Best Mortgage Brokerage
H&M Property Management
SILVER
Premier Mortgage
Best Nonprofit Organization
YMCA of San Benito County
SILVER
CASA of San Benito County
BRONZE
Hollister Veterans' Memorial Building
Best Photographer
Liz Morales Photography
SILVER
Marisa Duran Photography
BRONZE
Mayra Bojorquez, MD Photography
Best Place to Worship
St Benedict Catholic Church
SILVER
Catholic Church
Immaculate Conception
BRONZE
Gateway City Church
Best Plumbing Service
A & N Plumbing
SILVER
Pro Plumbing Service
Best Pool/ Spa service
Pinnacle Pool and Spa
SILVER
Crystal Clear Pool & Spa
Best Real Estate Agency
Intero Real Estate Services
SILVER
Nino Real Estate
BRONZE
CENTURY 21 Showcase, REALTORS
Best Residential Building Contractor
JMP Construction Services
SILVER
DH Construction
Best Residential Real Estate Agent (and agency)
Kristen Jurevich, Intero Real Estate Services
SILVER
Jackie McAbee, Nino Real Estate
BRONZE
Luke Brigantino, Intero Real Estate
Best Roofing Contractor San Benito Roofing
Best Storage Facility Premiere Storage
SILVER
Hillcrest Mini Storage
Best Tire Store
San Benito Tire Pros & Automotive
SILVER
Les Schwab
BRONZE
Rossi Bros. Tire & Auto Service
HOUSE OF WORSHIP St. Benedict Catholic Church in Hollister was voted this year’s Best Place of Worship in San Benito County.
2025 San Benito Best
Best of Shopping
Best Art Gallery
Luna Gallery & Studio
Best Auto Parts Store
Hollister Auto Parts
Best Clothing
Boutique
Irma's Fashions
SILVER
Ella Boutique
Best Farmers' Market
Farmers' Market, Hollister
Downtown Association
SILVER
Hollister’s Certified Farmers' Market
Best Flower Shop
Moments Flower Shop
Best Garden Center
Hollister Ace Hardware
SILVER
Sánchez Nursery
Best Gift Boutique
CGR Farmhouse
SILVER
Bene Gifts Hollister
Best Grocery Store
Nob Hill
SILVER
Safeway
BRONZE
Hollister Super
Best Heating & Air Conditioning Service
Extreme Air
SILVER
Ponce's Climate Control
BRONZE
Kendall Air Solutions
Best New Business (opened since Jan. 1, 2024) Hill's Bookstore
Best Painting Contractor
GG's Painting
SILVER
John Avila
BRONZE
Park Place Painting
Best Thrift Store
Hazel's
SILVER
Flamingo Thrift Store
FRESH AND LOCAL The downtown Hollister Farmers’ Market was voted this year’s best Farmers’ Market in San Benito County.
Best of families & pets
Best After-School Program
YMCA of San Benito County
SILVER
Meadowlark Preschool
Best Animal Rescue Group
Pet Friends and Rescue
SILVER
Cat Crew
Best Community Volunteer
Deanna Barth
SILVER
Lora Hernandez
BRONZE
Wanda Guibert
Best Company to Work For
Diane Diaz Hopkins Insurance
SILVER
H&M Property Management
BRONZE
Pride Conveyance Systems
Best Day Care or Preschool
Little Bridges Preschool
SILVER
Meadowlark Preschool
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Best Doggie Day Care
Parkland Pet Resort
SILVER
Cradled Critters Pet Sitting Services LLC
Best Family Restaurant
Country Rose Café
SILVER
Running Rooster
BRONZE
Dunneville Market & Kitchen
Best House of Worship
Sacred Heart/ St. Benedict Parish
SILVER
Gateway City Church
BRONZE
Sunnyslope Christian Center
Best Pet Grooming Service
Doggie Doo's & Cats Too
Best Pet Sitting
Cradled Critters Pet Sitting Services LLC
SILVER
Furry Friends RGV
Best Place for a Date
Jardines de San Juan
SILVER
Buenos Dias Cafecito
Best Private or Charter School
Hollister Prep School
Best Public School
Hollister Dual Language Academy
SILVER
Spring Grove School
BRONZE
Sunnyslope Elementary School
Best Senior Living Community
Twin Oaks
Best Veterinary Clinic
San Benito
Veterinary center
SILVER
Family Pet Care Center
Best Wedding Planner
Emily Skow, Paicines Ranch
Best Wedding Reception Venue
Swank Farms Barn
SILVER
Jardines de San Juan
BRONZE
Hollister Veterans' Memorial Building
Best Wedding Venue
Swank Farms Barn
SILVER
Jardines de San Juan
BRONZE
Hollister Veterans' Memorial Building
IN SEASON The Swank Farms Barn, pictured on the right in the background, was voted this year’s Best Wedding Reception Venue and Best Wedding Venue.
Best of Fun
Best Dance Lessons
San Benito Dance Academy
SILVER
Flying Colors
Best Gym or Health Club
Revive Pilates Studio
SILVER
Pilates Body by B-Fit
BRONZE
YMCA of San Benito County
Best Martial Arts School
Enterprise Academy of Martial Arts
Best Music Venue
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Best Musician
Jillian Shaw Band
SILVER
Isaiah Pickett
Best Outdoor Event
Hollister’s Certified
Farmers Market
SILVER
San Juan Bautista Rib Cook Off Festival
Best Personal Trainer (and facility)
Brittany Renz, B-Fit
SILVER
Linda Molinari, Pilates Lollie
BRONZE
Kristi Agan, Agan Fitness
Best Place to Take a Class
The Yoga Co. Studio
SILVER
Pilates Body by B-Fit
BRONZE
San Benito County Arts Council
Best Summer Camp
Summer Theatre Camp, San Benito Stage Company
SILVER
Ninja Summer Camp, World Ninja Sport
Best Yoga Studio
The Yoga Co. Studio
SILVER
Flow & Glow Spa + Studio
BRONZE
Dana Butler Yoga
FUN ON STAGE San Benito Stage Company, which is currently producing “Beetlejuice Jr.” on stage (pictured), was voted the Best Summer Camp for its annual Summer Theatre Camp.
