Readers Choice 2020: Meeker County

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