Sentinel Colorado's BEST OF AURORA 2022

B2 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

It’s all not just good, but the best

S

o the best thing about The Sentinel’s Best of Aurora 2022 conferrals is that so much wonderful is so close to

home.

If you’re thinking you have to drive or fly far, far away for the creamiest and poignant French feta cheese, you’re wrong. The stuff that dreams are made of are just down Parker Road near Yale Avenue at the Arash grocery store.

Just around the corner is green chili at Sam’s No. 3 so good it’ll cause the socks to be removed from your lower extremities.

There are hundreds of places in Aurora that are not only the best you can find nearby, but anywhere as well.

If there’s a slow-roasted chicken better than Juan’s Super Pollo across the street from the Anschutz Medical Complex, you need to tell us about it.

After weeks of soliciting first Best of Aurora nominations from about 2,500 Sentinel Colorado readers across almost 200 categories, more than 5,000 more of you narrowed down the list to finalists and another 5,000 readers

picked 2022 winners.

This week we celebrate Aurora’s best. Read and peruse what makes living here so good and what draws so many to A-Town.

It’s clear Aurora has a lot to boast about.

When it comes to bringing the people, the languages, the cultures and the foods of the world all right here, there’s no place like Aurora.

Luscious Ethiopian injera and some of the most incredible, exotic things ever to wrap it around are right here. African goat soup. Russian chocolates. Polish sour cream and sausages. Moroccan pastilla. Indian potato curry. Korean pork dumplings. Cuban tostones. You get the idea.

And the best doesn’t stop at what’s for dinner. Top local athletes, banks and credit unions, services, shops, the place to get the perfect garden flowers or find bargains for kids clothing are right here.

Did we miss something or did Sentinel readers get it wrong? Look for next year’s effort to even the score.

Best Place to Park When you Go to the Airport DIA Park 25200 E. 68th Ave. 303 288-7275 info@parkdia.com

CANNABIS Best Dispensary for a Newbie Colorado Harvest 11002 E. Yale Ave. 720-535-9489 coloradoharvestcompany.com Best Loyalty Rewards Program Lightshade 16821 E. Iliff Aurora 720-575-6702 lightshade.com Best Dispensary for a Connoisseur Medicine Man 1901 S. Havana St. 303-923-3825 medicineman.com Best Head Shop Myxed Up Creations 1718 S. Chambers Rd. 303-695-9500 https://myxedup.com/ Best CBD Store Rocky Road Aurora 1712 S. Chambers Rd. (720) 741-2501 https://rockyroad.com/ Best Dispensary Terrapin 11091 E. Mississippi Ave. 303-954-8402 terrapincarestation.com

Sentinel notebook on 2022 Best of Aurora

Read on for the results from voting readers. Here are some notes from staffers at the Sentinel on the streets regularly and reporting observations and a few additions.

Sentinel Staff Writers

– Best place to park at King Soopers at Parker Road and Peoria Street Nothing like extra caffeine, road construction, wretched traffic and a windy day to make your trip to the grocery store as enjoyable as possible. You pull into the parking lot only to be surrounded by a herd of lost people pushing buggies, cars filled with drivers trying to text and back up all at the same time and the line for gas taking up what little car space is left. To make your day just a bit better, drive into the north driveway. Keep going until you almost run into the ramen shop. Go straight up that row and for some reason, people forget that you can practically drive to the front door of King Soopers, and with all the empty pick-up-only parking slots, you’re in. You’re out, and there’s a buggy corral right there. You’re welcome.

– Best Local TV Weather Forecaster: Mike Nelson, The Denver Channel 7 From wind shear to the drought is here and what about that climate change, one person in Colorado has for years provided not just what you need to know to manage the snow on your windshield, but maintain the calm in the storm. When Mike offers up the forecast, he wraps it up in a soft, comfortable feeling of everything is going to be OK. If someone has bad news to pass your way, readers agree that Mike Nelson is the guy you want giving it to you.

— Best Place to Meet for Coffee: Jubilee Roasting Co. Over the past two years, many of us have sorely missed meeting up at Aurora’s coffee houses, and among the best has to be at Jubilee Roasting Co. Between the vanilla lattes and general vibe, it’s a good place to get comfortable and talk about Aurora happenings, work gossip or catch up with an old friend.

Find a table at the 1452 Kenton Street location in north Aurora and we’ll bet you’ll see a familiar face there, too. ›› See Notebook, B6

Best High School Mascot Eaglecrest High School 5100 S. Picadilly St. 720-886-1000 cherrycreekschools.org Best Preps Marching Band Eaglecrest High School 5100 S. Picadilly St. Best Preps Athlete, Male Evan Johnson, Grandview HS Football/Track & Field Best Public Middle School Fox Ridge 26301 E. Arapahoe Rd. 720-886-4400 cherrycreekschools.org Best Hotel for an Intown Escape Gaylord 6700 N. Gaylords Rockies Blvd.

720-452-6910 marriott.com Best Hotel for Out of Town Guests Hyatt House 12230 E. Colfax Ave. 303-364-1468 hyatt.com Best Prep Sports Coach, Male John Reyes, Grandview HS Track and Field 20500 E Araphoe ave cherrycreekschools.org Best Prep Sports Coach, Female Lisa Sparrow, Overland HS Gymnastics 12400 E. Jewell Ave. 720-747-3883 cherrycreekschools.org Best Private School Regis Jesuit High School 6300 S. Lewiston Way 303-269-8000 regisjesuit.com

CITY LIFE Best Preschool Aurora Public Schools 15701 E. First Ave. #109 303-367-3060 aurorak12.org Best Preps Athlete, Female Blythe Cayko, Eaglecrest HS Wrestling, Track Best Public High School Cherokee Trail 25901 E. Arapahoe Rd. 720-886-1900 cherrycreekschools.org

Best Local Attraction Stanley Marketplace 2501 Dallas St. 720-990-6743 stanleymarketplace.com Best Public Elementary School Sunrise 4050 S. Genoa Way 720-886-2900 cherrycreekschools.org

›› See BEST OF AURORA, B3

BEST OF AURORA 2022 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | B3

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B2

Best Burrito Casa Vallarta 4002 S. Parker Rd. 303-617-4957

casavallartafamilymexicanrestaurant.com Best Brunch Denver Biscuit Company 3237 E. Colfax Ave. 303-777-7900 denbisco.com

EATING OUT Best Fried Chicken Angry Chicken 1930 S. Havanna St. #13 angrychickenco.com Best Place to Impress Out of Town Guests Annette 2501 Dallas St. ste 108 720-710-9975 annetescratchtotable.com Best Romantic Restaurant Annette 2501 Dallas St. ste 108 720-710-9975 annettescratchtotable.com Best Pierogi Baba and Pops 9945 E. Colfax Ave. 720-4767183 babaandpops.com Best Farm to Table Restaurant Bettola Bistro 10253 E. Iliff Ave 303-750-1580 www.bettolabistro.com Best Iced Tea Black Bear Diner 14100 E Iliff Ave, 720-616-1768 blackbeardiner.com Best Burger Bookmakers 25791 E. Smoky Hill Rd. #50 303-353-8298 bookmarkersbarandgrill.com Best Middle Eastern Cafe Paprika 13160 E Mississippi Ave, 303-755-4150 Best Chicken Sandwich Chick-Fil-A 14210 E. Alameda Ave. 303-366-0779 chick-fil-a.com Best for Healthy Eating Coco Loco 2353 S. Havanna St. D-14 303-284-2959 cocolococolorado.com Best Hot Dogs Costco 1471 S. Havana St. 303-750-2116 costco.com Best Bakery Daniels of Paris 12253 E. Iliff Ave. 303-751-6084

Best Biscuit Denver Biscuit Company 3237 E. Colfax Ave. 303-777-7900 denbisco.com Best Pizza Dion’s 15150 E. 104th ave 720-836-5282 dions.com

Best Juice / Smoothies Jamba Juice 14151 E. Cedar Ave. 303-343-9090 jamba.com

Best Noodle House Katsu Ramen 1930 S. Havana St. 303-751-2222 ramendenver.com

Best ColoMex La Cueva 9742 E. Colfax 303-367-1422 lacuevacolfax.com

Best Barbecue Jim and Nicks 24153 E. Prospect Ave 720-274-5300 jimnnicks.com

Best Place to Eat Alone Katsu Ramen 1930 S. Havana St. 303-751-2222 ramendenver.com

Best Tamales La Cueva 9742 E. Colfax 303-367-1422 lacuevacolfax.com

Best Rotisserie Chicken Juan’s Super Pollo 1593 Peoria St. 303-367-2738 juanssuperpollocolorado.com

Best Vietnamese Kim Ba Vietnamese Cuisine 12201 E. Mississippi Ave. 303-745-1637

Best Mexican Bakery La Luna 4132 S. Parker Rd. 720-751-9037

Best Ramen Katsu Ramen 1930 S. Havana St. 303-751-2222 ramendenver.com

Best Boba Kim Ba Vietnamese Cuisine 12201 E. Mississippi Ave. 720-592-0969 kungfutea.com

›› See BEST OF AURORA, B4

DSA

Best Breakfast Doug’s Diner 15444 E. Orchard Rd. 720-870-6228 dougsdiner.com Best Chinese Dumplings East China 15510 E. Centretech Parkway 303-363-6689 eastchinaaurora.com Best TexMex EL TEQUILENO 2790 S. Havanna St. x1 720-784-1260 tequilasmexrest.com Best Steak El Zarandiao 15109 E Colfax Ave. 720-500-3139

DANIELLE

SHANNON

INSURANCE

AGENCY

303-676-8071 My agency offers trust, confidence & expertise with the value of the Allstate Brand & it's array of products & services designed to protect from life’s uncertainties & to prepare for the future.

Danielle Lammon DSHANNON@ALLSTATE.COM

Best Chef Enrique Socarras Bettola Bistro 10253 E Iliff Ave. Aurora 303-750-1580 bettolabistro.com Best French Fries Five Guys Multiple locations 303-371-0314 fiveguys.com Best Japanese Fontana Sushi 19741 E. Smoky Hill Road.

303-680-8080 fontanacuisine.com Best Wings Golden Flame 18757 E Hampden Ave 303-690-1171 gfhwings.com Best Gyros Gyroz 13698 E iliff Ave 720-748-7650 zmenu.com/gyroz-aurora Best Ribs Hog Heaven 10797 E Mississippi Ave Aurora 80012 720-808-4083

We Build Insurance around your needs.

HOME

AUTO

CONDO

RENTERS

(303)-956 -6058

Umbrella

MOTORCYLE

COMMERCAIL

ORV

B4 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B3

Best Torta Las Tortugas 712 Peoria ave.

303-367-1123 foodbooking.com Best Veggieburger Lazy Dog 24110 S. State Ave. 719-372-5724 lazydogrestaurants.com Best Coffee Legends 13690 E. Iliff Ave. 303-671-0560 legendsofaurora.com Best Tacos Los Carboncitos 15210 E. 6th Ave. 303-364-2606 loscarboncitoscolorado.com Best Central American Food Maria Empanada 1298 S. Broadway 303-934-2221 mariaempanada.com

Best Vegetarian / Vegan Masalaa Restaurant 3140 S Parker Rd #7, Aurora, CO 80014 303-755-6272 masalaausa.com Best Russian Masha and the Bear 12101 E. Iliff Ave. 720-209-4748

Best Ethiopian Nile Ethiopian 1951 S. Havanna St. 720-858-7127 Best Italian Nonna’s 11877 E. Arapahoe Rd. 303-790-9999 www.nonnasitalianrestaurantonarapahoe.com

Best Dim Sum Mason’s Dumpling Shot 9655 E. Montview Blvd.

303-600-8998 masonsdumplingshop.com

Best Jewish NY Bagel Deli 7105 E. Hampton Ave. 303-759-4741 nydelinews.com

Best Restaurant for Takeout Monsoon 24107 E. Commons Ave. 303-627-5444 www.monsoonsouthlands.com

Best Caterer Panera Bread 13100 E. Colfax Ave. 303-731-8300 panerabread.com Best Papusas Papusas Paradise 15462 E. Hampden Ave. 303-862-8652

Best Paleteria Neveria Las Mariposas 9509 E. Colfax Ave. 720-858-7127

GOT KIDS?

MEGA SAVINGS EVENT!

AUGUST 18-21, 2022 Arapahoe County Fairgrounds

GET IN FREE with this ad

$2 admission at the door without ad. No cash value.

jbfsale.com

Thurs 9a- 7p Fri 9a- 7p Sat 9a- 4p Sun 9a- 2p

RESALE EVENT • SIZES NEWBORN THROUGH TEENS | SHOES | BOOKS | TOYS | BABY GEAR | STROLLERS + MORE!

Best Chinese Paradise Cafe 6180 S. Gun Club Rd. 11 720-876-1808 Best Thai Pearl of Siam 18660 E. Hampden Ave. 303-617-7408 pearlofsiam.net Best Pho Pho 75 13736 E. Qunicy Ave. 303-699-7777 places.singleplatform.com Best Chicken Fingers Raising Cane’s 14241E. Alameda Ave. 303-364-8836 raisingcanes.com Best Real Mexican Real de Minas 11101 E. Colfax Ave. 303-367-1504 places.singleplatform.com Best Deli Rosenberg’s at Stanley 2501 Dallas St 303-955-0466 Best Bagels Rosenberg’s Bagels 2501 Dallas St 303-955-0466 rosenbergsbagels.com/ stanley/ Best Wait Staff Rosie’s Diner 14061 E. Iliff Ave 303-752-3663 rosiesdiner.com Best Milkshake Rosie’s Diner 14061 E. Iliff Ave 303-752-3663 rosiesdiner.com Best Green Chili Sams No 3 2580 S Havanna st.

303-751-0347 samsno3.com Best Mexican Breakfast Sams No 3 2580 S Havanna st.

303-751-0347 samsno3.com Best Diner Sams No 3 2580 S Havanna st.

303-751-0347 samsno3.com Best Breakfast Burrito Santiago’s 10400 E 6th ave 303-343-7040 eatatsantiagos.com Best Guacamole Senor Ric’s 13200 E. Mississippi ave 303-750-9000 senorrics.net Best Korean Seoul Barbecue 2080 S. Havana st 303-632-7576 seoulkoreanbbq.com

Best Korean BBQ Seoul BBQ 2080 S. Havana st 303-632-7576 seoulkoreanbbq.com Best Frozen Yogurt Snowl 1930 S. Havannast #5-6 720-542-9902 snowlcafe.com Best Indian Star of India 3102 S. Parker rd.

303-755-1921 starofindiadenver.com Best Sushi Sushi Den 1487 S. Pearl st 303-777-0826 sushiden.net Best Ice Cream Sweet Cow 2501 N. Stanley Market 303-484-1573 https://www.sweetcowicecream.com/stanley/ Best Cheesesteak Taste of Philly 18121-b E. Hampden Ave. 303-699-2080 tasteofphilly.biz Best Banh Mi Taste of Saigon 14200 E. Alemenda ave nothing places.singleplatform.com Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant Texas Roadhouse 14200 e Iliff Ave. 303-745-3838 texasroadhouse.com Best Greek The Athenian 15350 E. Iliff ave.

720-449-0224 theathenianrestaurant.com Best Donuts The Donut House 360 S. Chambers Rd 303-632-7832 thedonuthouse.com Best Seafood The Juicy 2727 S. Parker Rd 720-808-3138 thejuicyseafoodusaco.com Best Cajun Soul The Lost Cajun 6105 S. Main St Unit F 303-627-5747 thelostcajun.com Best Outdoor Dining The Rock 22934 E. Smoky Hill Rd 303-690-7934 rockrestaurantandbar.com Best Nachos The Rock 22934 E. Smoky Hill Rd 303-690-7934 rockrestaurantandbar.com ›› See BEST OF AURORA, B9

BEST OF AURORA 2022 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | B5

B6 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

›› Notebook, from B2

— Best Ice Cream: Sweet Cow at the Stanley Marketplace Nothing says summer like ice cream, and nothing delivers quite like Sweet Cow at Stanley Marketplace. There are plenty of popular homemade outlets across the metro area but Sweet Cow is unique — and eclectic. Their ice cream is handcrafted and fresh every day, with a rotating cast of flavors that keep you on your toes and ensures that nobody ever gets bored. From the simple (ozo coffee, dutch chocolate), to the unique (California fig, Bailey’s Irish cream) to the “what even is that” (E.T. phone home — crunchy peanut butter with Reese’s, apparently) the flavorboard is sure to offer something for everyone no matter when you show up (including the dairy free — there’s always one or two delectable sorbets and vegan ice creams). Our only complaint is how long the line can stretch at Stanley, but hey, that just goes to show that it’s popular.

— Best Place to Sneak Off to on WFH Days: Nick’s Garden Center We’’re not ashamed to admit that we’ve taken a few work calls while perusing the aisles of Nick’s Garden Center. In the early days of the pandemic it was one of the few places we felt safe visiting. When all the bad news felt a bit too much, we’d promise ourselves a new jade plant or planter of petunias for the patio from the nursery at 2001 South Chambers Road.

Even today, if it’s a slow day while we’re working from the home office, we won’t shy away from a mid-day jaunt to Nick’s. Pop in the AirPods, go off-camera and load up your cart as you digest another meeting that should have been an email.

— Best Food Truck: What Would Cheesus Do If there’s one thing we love around here, it’s puns. That alone would make What Would Cheesus Do a frontrunner in the race to best food truck, but it’s actually the impressive menu that sets this cafe on wheels apart from the rest. Grilled cheese dippers and a cup of tomato soup go fast, so make sure you’re at the head of the line. Otherwise you can’t go wrong with the Forsaken Bacon: Sharp cheddar, honey ham, bacon, apple butter and a wildflower honey drizzle. Yum.

— Best Place to Take In World Class Art: Fulginiti Pavilion at the Center for Bioethics and Humanities You might not think that Aurora is a big art town, and for the most part, you’d be right. But one of the region’s best kept secrets is that the Fulginiti Pavilion at the Center for Bioethics and Humanities on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus brings in some heavy hitters. In 2017, you could find works by Monet, Rodin, Degas and Picasso on exhibit. Currently, a photo exhibit of portraits of older LGBTQ+ women is on display. The pavilion is still only accessible to students and staff of the campus because of COVID-19 restrictions, but definitely worth keeping on the radar once it’s open to the general public again.

— Best Non-Human Power Couple: George and Gracie Aurora’s reputation for welcoming new arrivals has yet to win over George and Gracie — two migratory Canada geese who returned recently to their seasonal nest in a planter outside of the Aurora Municipal Center. The birds are notoriously territorial and protective of their young, which at one point forced the city to put out a sign warning visitors away from Gracie and her goslings. According to Mayor Mike Coffman, George and Gracie have been nesting in the same planter for at least five years, and their return signals the arrival of spring to city workers. Geese are also known to mate for life, meaning their flightless cohabitants at City Hall can look forward to many more years of terror from the two lovebirds.

— Best pastries: House of Bread House of Bread on 2020 S. Parker Road is just a few short minutes down the road from The Sentinel’s office, which is an extreme source of temptation for your caffeine-addicted correspondent. Even in a city with such a rich diversity of ethnic food as Aurora, this Armenian coffee shop is unique. Straight from the Caucasus to our hearts (and stomachs), House of Bread serves up a daily array of delicious fresh pastries and desserts, from croissants and cakes to Armenian specialties like Uzbek puffs (pastries stuffed with steak and onions) and perashki (deep-fried bread with a variety of fillings). It also offers up more substantial food on a made-to-order basis, including kabob plates and khachapuri — a baked bread boat containing a delicious combo of cheese and eggs. Bread to-go and European candy and drinks that you aren’t likely to find at your local grocery store are also on offer for those interested in trying something new or wanting to feel like they’re on a foreign vacation after the last several years. Though after you’ve eaten here, you might never want to leave Aurora.

BEST OF AURORA 2022 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | B7

— Best place to learn something new for free: Aurora Public Library

— Best Place to Shop Sustainably: My Best Friend’s Closet

In our consumption-powered society, there are few places you can go to spend time without any expectation that you have to spend money. Public libraries are one of the few places bucking that trend, and while in the past they might have been considered just somewhere to sit quietly and read, the Aurora Public Library offers so much more.

Its six branches are host to all sorts of programs and activities, from summer reading programs, book clubs, author visits, a seed library for all the gardeners out there and even a craft brews tour (where do I sign up?). APL is also hosting plenty of virtual activities for those who are homebound or still at high-risk for the coronavirus. In fact, online events have proved so popular that it caused program attendance to increase by 185% last year, according to APL. So be sure to stop by the library in person or virtually sometime in the next few months — you’re almost guaranteed to find something that’s up your alley.

There is something thrilling about a good thrift find, and those are more common than not at My Best Friend’s Closet, located in the Southlands mall in southeastern Aurora. The Colorado chain is similar to Plato’s Closet – you can sell gently used clothing and accessories for cash or credit in the store. The best part is that you’ll find brands you’d likely pay full price for, and that little extra boost of shopping serotonin is the best kind.

— Best Aurora City Council Guest: Blu, the Shelter Dog Blu met council members in April, when her handlers from the Aurora Animal Shelter presented her as an example of a friendly pup available for adoption. According to shelter reps and a councilor who posted about the dog on social media, Blu was riding in the back of a truck in 2021 when she fell out onto the road. She was then dragged behind the vehicle, causing injuries and scarring across much of her body. But the rescue dog greeted lawmakers with a wagging tail and winning smile at her council debut, trotting behind the dais to say “hello” to the group. Her story has a happy ending — a city spokesman said Monday that Blu has been adopted. For her resilience and for bringing some joy to the weekly knife fight that is Aurora’s City Council, Blu deserves a spot among The Sentinel’s “Best Of”s. She already earned a spot in our hearts.

— Best Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Rookie: Zeke Jones Zeke was sworn in as the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office’s newest therapy-dog-in-training at the end of April. He joined the ranks of the Jones family around the same time, taking the name of deputy Travis Jones’ childhood pet, who also worked as a narcotics dog in the Aurora Police Department. The black Labrador puppy’s current assignment is at Newton Middle School, supporting students with special needs as well as those suffering from anxiety and depression. Travis Jones said in April that Zeke had already made friends with his kids. “They play together and act like siblings,” he said. “It was the same way with the first Zeke.”

— Best Addictive Snack: Annette’s Popcorn There is no shortage of good snacks in Aurora, but perhaps the most unlikely contender that’ll keep you coming back for more is the popcorn at Annette, the brainchild of James Beard Award-winner Caroline Glover at Stanley Marketplace. The House Popcorn is simple: garlic, onion and nutritional yeast. “There’s no way that could be the BEST snack,” you might say. But Glover elevates a classic in such a simple way. It’s just great. Add a few orders to your burger dinner and bring them home for movie night. That’s the way to do it.

— Best Policy Proposal for Beating the Summer Heat: Free the Ice Cream Trucks The sweet music of ice cream trucks could return to the streets of Aurora as soon as this summer in light of a proposal by Councilmember Dustin Zvonek to roll back a decades-old ban on the vehicles. Since 1957, treat trucks have been outlawed in Aurora — an ordinance at the time mentioned a citizen petition as well as the danger caused by children darting into traffic. But Zvonek and others say it’s time to pry the ice cream scooper out of the hands of overzealous regulators and make Aurora a place where enterprising drivers can again dispense cool treats on warm summer days. The proposal has already earned an early thumbs up from the president of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. And the Arapahoe County libertarians! ›› See Notebook, B8

Invisalign · Clear braces · Metal Braces · TMJ · REtainers

VOTED BEST OF AURORA: BEST ORTHODONTIST Schedule a free consultation with our office and bring in this ad to receive $300*off full orthodontic treatment.

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 6020 S Gun Club Rd E-1

16756 E Smoky Hi

Aurora, CO, 80016

Centennial, CO,

(303)-699-6051

(303)-248-72 Visit our website:

WWW.AOBRACES.COM *For new patients only. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers.

B8 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

›› Notebook, from B7

— Best Place to Donate a Bike: Second Chance Bicycle Shop Ernie Clark began his nonprofit bicycle rehab out of a one-car garage; today, Second Chance Bikes boasts that it has given away tens of thousands of bicycles to young children, veterans and the homeless. The bike shop was in the news earlier this year, once it became clear that it would be displaced by the redevelopment of the East Bank Shopping Center. Ernie says he’s still looking for a permanent home for the nonprofit — they need to find a spot by October to pull off their yearly annual of bikes around Christmas. For the time being, you can find Ernie at 4122 S. Parker Road. Bring your old ride by, or, if you have time, help him and his volunteer crew fix up some bikes for kids and others in need. He says they’re always looking for help.

— Best Preps Marching Band: Eaglecrest High School Quality music programs abound around Aurora, but Eaglecrest rises to forefront when it comes to the energy created by its band, especially during football games. The fields at Legacy Stadium or Stutler Bowl get filled with marching Raptors with festooned outfits, playing joyfully and with precision. Basketball games at the Nest get loud with the band filling half of the stands and taking center stage at key moments, while the band has occasionally appeared on the hill above school’s the softball and baseball fields to add to the ambience of competition.

All that in addition to multiple concerts and performances.

— Best Preps Athlete, Boy — Evan Johnson, Grandview High School, football/track & field: If you came out to a Grandview football game or a track meet this season, if you blinked, you might have missed Johnson. Electric speed helped him lead Grandview in receiving (averaging nearly 20 yards per catch) and his kick returning prowess helped the Wolves — who made it to the Class 5A semifinals — field one of the state’s most dangerous special teams units. Johnson (who is headed to Colorado State-Pueblo) was a key part of Grandview’s 5A state championship on the track in 2021 and he was just as important as the Wolves repeated this season. He anchored the state championship-winning 4x100 meter relay team, which set the Colorado state record in the event in the prelims of the Centennial League Championship meet, where he also set Grandview’s school record in the 100 meter dash.

— Best Prep Sports Coach, Man: John Reyes, Grandview High School Track & Field Reyes’ track record (pun intended) at Grandview is impossible to argue with, as he has guided both the boys and girls teams to at least one state championship in the past six years and has done so by largely molding together a group of athletes with little to no experience in track and field coming into high school. Reyes’ boys teams have won back-to-back Class 5A state championships in commanding fashion, while he also led the Grandview girls team to a title in 2017 that saw the Wolves rack up a stunning 120 points in the process. Beloved by his athletes, Reyes stands out in an area that is loaded with quality coaches.

— Best Prep Sports Coach, Woman: Lisa Sparrow, Overland High School Gymnastics Gymnasts at Aurora high schools have only one program in the area to compete for — which is based at Overland High School — and it is one that so many want to be a part of, largely because of the presence of Sparrow and assistant coach Alan Herron. Sparrow used to serve as Herron’s assistant, but the two flipped roles several seasons ago for a program that has long held the status of one of the state’s powerhouses.

Overland is one of the most successful programs in Colorado history terms of winning state championships and it picked up its sixth title in 2021 with one of its most commanding performances, as it had the winners of four of the five individual events (allaround, floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bars and vault) besides winning the team title. ›› See Notebook, B12

2022 Legends of Aurora Best Sports Bar

Imbibe

VoteD Best Sports Bar 33 TVs • Gluten Free Menu • Kid Friendly Daily Specials • Party Rooms • Catering

303.671.0560 www.legendsofaurora.com

13690 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO

BEST OF AURORA 2022 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | B9

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B4

Best Menudo Victorias Mexican Resturant 1650 Tower Rd 303-363-4131 places.singleplatform.com Best Waffles Waffle House 12880 E. Mississippi ave.

303-696-1566 wafflehouse.com Best Poke Wanna Poke 16748 E. Smoky hill rd 303-693-0998 places.singleplatform.com Best Food Truck What Would Cheesus Do Varies 303-733-7000 Best Romantic Night Wine Experience 6240 South Main st. L114 303-690-1025 wineexperiencecafe.com Best Queso Yolanda’s 9612 E Arapahoe Rd. 303-792-2664 yolandatacos.com Best Desserts Yum Yum Cake & Pastries 2680 S.Havanna st.

303-353-8266 yumyumcakehouse.com

FOODIES

Best Big Grocery Store King Soopers Various Locations 303-343-0064 kingsoopers.com

Best Crossfit Crossfit Crush 4530 S Reservoir Road Ste F 720-765-5221 crossfitcrush.net

Best Health Food Store Natural Grocers 3440 S Tower rd.

303-680-2344 naturalgrocers.com

Best Cooking Party Schools Aurora Rec Center 15151 E Alameda Pkwy 303-326-8700 auroragov.org

Best Croissant Daniels of Paris 12253 E. Iliff ave.

303-751-6084

Best Seafood Store Ocean Pacific 12303 E. Mississippi Ave. 720-858-8818 pacificoceanmarket.com

Best Carniceria El Rancho 15401 E Mississippi ave.

303-751-6053

Best Place to Buy Spices Savory Spice Shop 6235 S. Main St. #107 303-680-2117 savoryspiceshop.com

Best Vegan Store Everest 848 illinois ave. ste 104 630-907-7661

Best Asian Market H Mart 2751 S Parker rd 303-745-4592 myhmart.com

Best Dermatologist Anne Hansen Advanced Dermatology 1390 S. Potomac st124 303-368-8611 aobraces.com

FITNESS Best Gym for Starters Crossfit Crush 4530 S Reservoir Road Ste F 720-765-5221 crossfitcrush.net

aobraces.com

Best Hospital Children’s Hospital Colorado 12123 E 16th Ave. 720-777-1234 childrenscolorado.org Best Assisted Living Center Garden Plaza at Aurora 14221 e Evans Ave 303-750-0820 centurypa.com/ Best Dentist Ginther Family Dentistry 6240 S.Main st. #200 303-693-2288 gintherfamilydentistry.com

HEALTH

Best European Market Helga’s 14197 E Exposition Ave. 303-344-5488 helgasdeli.com

Best Orthodontist Advanced Orthodontics 6020 S. Gun Club rd E-1 303-699-7700

Best Pharmacy CVS Pharmacy in Target on Quincy 16910 E Qunincy Ave. 303-680-3284 cvs.com

Best Eye Doctor Highline 24200 E. Smoky Hill rd 720-870-2828 highlinevisioncenter.com Best Urgent Care On Point Urgent Care on Smoky Hill Road 24300 E Smokey Hill Rd. 303-330-0410 rockymountainurgentcare.com Best General Practitioner Stephanie Stevens 5657 S himalyaa St #100 303-693-1404 advancedpediatricassociates.com ›› See BEST OF AURORA, B9

B10 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B9

Best Happy Hour Lazy Dog 24110 E. State ave 719-372-5724 lazydogrestaurants.com

Best Veterinarian / Vet Clinic - Cats Tallgrass Animal Hospital 21699 E. Qunicy Ave #j 720-420-9922 tallgrassanimalhospital.com

Best Sports Bar Legends of Aurora 13690 E Iliff ave.

303-671-0560 legendsofaurora.com Best Bar with Live Music The Stampede 2430 S. Havanna st.

303696-7686 www.stampedeclub.net

IMBIBE Best Margarita Casa Vallarta 4002 S. Parker rd.

303-617-4957 asavallartafamilymexicanrestaurant.com Best Liquor Store Chambers Discount Wine & Liquors 15260 E. Iliff ave 303-751-6935 chamberswineandliquor.com Best Colorado Craft Beer Launchpad Brewery 884 S. Buckley rd 303-745-4599 launchpadbrewery.com

LOOKING GOOD Best Hair Stylist Deb Fairbanks 6908 S Biloxi Ct 303-284-9258 Best Tattoo Artist Larry Foussat Havana Street 303-369-5025 havanastreettattoo.com Best Hair Salon Sola Salon Studios 13923 E. Exposition ave. www.solasalonstudios.com

HOME AND GARDEN

PETS Best Dog Run / Dog Park Cherry Creek State Park 4201 S. Parker Rd 303-690-1166 cpw.state.co.us Best Pet Supply Store Chuck and Don’s 6380 S. Parker rd. ste 107 303-577-1198 chuckanddons.com Best Kennel / Boarding Dugan’s Dog House 6830 S. Liverpool St. 720-902-7240 dugansdoghouse.com Best Pet-Friendly Bar Lazy Dog Restaurant 24110 E State Ave 719-372-5724 lazydogrestaurants.com

Best Garden Store / Nursery Nick’s Garden Center 2001 S Chambers Rd 303-696-6657 nicksgardencenter.com

Best Veterinarian / Vet Clinic - Dogs Tallgrass Animal Hospital 21699 E Qunicy Ave unit J 720-420-9922 tallgrassanimalhospital.com

Best Pet Groomer Pretty Paws Pet Grooming 15300 E Smoky Hill rd 303-699-3906 ttypawspetgromers.com

NEWS AND MEDIA Best Local TV Station Channel 31 Best Local TV Anchor Mark Koebrich Best Local TV Weather Forecaster Mike Nelson ›› See BEST OF AURORA, B11

We are honored that Bellco has been voted Best Credit Union in 2022 by the readers of the Sentinel Colorado.

We will continue striving to exceed members’ expectations.

BELLCO.ORG

|

INSURED BY NCUA

BEST OF AURORA 2022 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | B11

Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company Colorado Discount 303-566-1090 calldenverhvac.com

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B10

Best Local Radio Personality Rick Crandall

RECREATION AND LEISURE

SERVICES AND PROFESSIONALS Best Electrician Amp Electric 303-963-6711 Best Fishing Hole Aurora Reservoir 5800 S Powhaton rd Best Shooting Range Family Shooting Center and Cherry Creek State Park 4201 S. Parker rd 303-680-5401 familyshootingcenter.com Best Golf Course Murphy Creek 1700 S Old Tom Morris Rd 303-739-1560 golfaurora.com Best Local Hiking Trail Quincy Reservior

Best Credit Union Bellco 14302 E. Cedar Ave. Unit D 800-235-5261 bellco.org Best Painting Company Certa Pro 3164 Wheeling Way #103 303-751-0866 certapro.com Best Retirement / Independent Living Facility Cherry Creek Retirement 14555 E. Hampden Ave. 303-693-0200 cherrycreekretirement.com Best Auto Service / Repair Christian Brothers 14755 E Arapahoe rd 720-789-8352 cbac.com

Best Car Wash Dutch Car Wash 4301 S Parker Rd 720-243-3300 dutchcarwash.com Best Lawyer / Law Firm Criminal and DUI Eduardo Ferszt 1010 S. Jolilet st #21 303-696-9155 edfersztlaw.com Best Roofing Company Ethos Roofing 720-464-3687 ethosroofing.com Best Mortgage Company FirstBank 2300 S Havana St 303-337-2000 efirstbank.com Best Bank FirstBank 2300 S Havana St 303-337-2000 efirstbank.com Best Moving Company GrassRoots Moving 50 S, Havanna St 720-933-6842 grassrootsmovingllc.net

Best Place to Get An Oil Change Grease Monkey 1790 s Buckley rd 303-369-5823 greasemonkeyauto.com

Best Day Care Center Primrose School of Tallgrass 21537 E Qunincy Ave 303-699-8001 primeroseschools.com

Best Mortuary Services Horan & McConaty 1091 S Colorado Blvd 303-757-1238 horancares.com Best Home Improvement Contractor JR Remodeling Ltd. 720-450-2077 ..

Best Insurance Company Meghan Bowen State Farm 3131 S Vaughn Way 720.216.5553 www.meghanbowensf.com Best Dry Cleaner Parker Cleaners 3108 S Parker rd 303-755-6484 Best Florist Blossom Flower Delivery (877) 414-7903 blossomflowerdelivery.com Best Plumbing Services Pipe It Up 18121 E. Hampden Ave 720-361-0200 pipeitup.com

SHOPPING Best Used Bookstore 2nd & Charles 6606 S Parker rd 303400-2948 2ndandcharles.com Best Hardware Store Ace Hardware at Buckley & Iliff 17190 E Iliff Ave 303-745-7177 acehardware.com Best Furniture Store American Furniture Warehouse 1700 S Abilene st 303-368-8555 afw.com Best Used Donation Store ARC Parker Road 3106 S Parker rd C-1 303-283-0337 arcthrift.com ›› See BEST OF AURORA, B12

B12 | SENTINELCOLORADO.COM | BEST OF AURORA 2022

›› Notebook, from B8

— Best Preps Athlete, Girl: Blythe Cayko, Eaglecrest High School, wrestling/track & field The people have chosen well, as Cayko is a multi-sport standout who finished her season in both girls wrestling and track & field on the medal podium at the state tournament. Cayko was simply dominant in the girls wrestling season with a 32-0 record with all 32 wins coming via pin, the last of which won her the 185-pound state championship in the first girls wrestling state tournament held at Ball Arena. Cayko also was one of Aurora’s best throwers during the track season and earned ninth place in the girls shot put at the Class 5A state meet.

— Best High School Mascot: Eaglecrest High School, yup, and eagle

›› BEST OF AURORA, from B11

Best Tire Store Discount Tire, Iliff & Buckley 16710 E iliff Ave 303-695-6035 discounttire.com

Best Women’s Clothing Store Mainstream Boutique 6224 Progress Ln 303-841-5866 mainstreamboutiqueaurora.com

Best Ski Shop Epic Mountain Gear 2650 S. Havana St. 303-377-1734 epicmountaingear.com

Best Craft Store Michaels pl. 80 Abliene st 303-343-7049 michaels.com

Best Jewelry Store Jared 235 S Abilene st 303-364-0800 www.jared.com

Best Auto Dealer (New) Stevinson Toyota 4440s. Havanna st 855-902-2145 www.stevinsontoyotaeast.com

Best Children’s Clothing Store Just Between Friends Consignment 25690 E Quincy rd 720-277-9091 aurora.jbfsale.com

Best Bookstore Tattered Cover 2501 dallas st ste 144 720-420-5437 www.tatteredcover.com

Best Local Theater Company Aurora Fox 9900 E Colfax ave 303-739-1970 aurorafoxartscenter.org

Best Auto Dealer (Used) Tynans Pre-owned Superstore 2150 S Havnna st 720-717-7070 tynanspreowned.com

Best Art Gallery Downtown Aurora Visual Arts 1405 Florence st 303-367-5868 davarts.org

Best Men’s Clothing Store K&G Fashion Superstore 13940 E Mississippi 303-369-1015 kgstores.com Nothing against any of the students who dress up in costumes and try to whip their classmates into a frenzy, but nothing does that like the live mascot that is brought to various Eaglecrest school events. Through a partnership with nonprofit HawkQuest, Eaglecrest — which has the nickname of the Raptors — gets the inspiring appearance of a Bald Eagle at graduations, pep-rallies and sometimes at dances.

ARTS AND CULTURE Best Local Cinema AMC Dine-in Southlands 23955 E Plaza ave 303-627-5430 amctheatres.com