What a great response
Readers’ Choice Best of the Press was a first for us last year. The community’s engagement was once again amazing in 2021 with overall votes up by 49%. When we put the word out for our readers to nominate their favorites for eating and drinking, health and fitness, arts and entertainment, sports and recreation, shopping and other local services you the reader responded. When we finalized the list, we asked for your votes on the Best of the Press, and tens of thousands of you weighed in.
I love our local communities. The Best of the Press helps us highlight them. To do this we needed a vendor that has catered to newspapers across the country. They have figured out the little quirks and tricks people try to use to manipulate these contests. We are pleased to be partnering with them to produce the results the readers have come to trust with our papers. We are thankful to have such strong community participation and growth. It’s a privilege to live and work with these dedicated business owners. Get out and shop local.
A huge congratulations and thank you to all who participated in the Best of the Press, from the readers who took the time to submit nominations and later cast their votes for their favorites, to the local businesses who were nominated and the finalists. We look forward to highlighting and recognizing you in the coming weeks.
FINALISTS:
BLUE HERON DAYS
Bald Eagle Waterski Show Discover Aviation Days Summer Fest
Gary
Shalo Lee
Carter Johnson, Publisher
BOULEVARD BAR & GRILLE
3800 Restwood Rd, Circle Pines 763) 204-8091 • boulevardbarmn.com
Boulevard Bar & Grille is the premier hometown destination in the northern suburbs. Whether it’s our All-Day-Every-Day Happy Hour, catching a game on one of our many flatscreen TVs, our group of managers, servers, chefs and bartenders, we are ready to take care of you and your family – without breaking the bank. With locations in Lexington and Coon Rapids, we offer that hometown atmosphere with historic images and memorabilia from the area.
BEST BLOODY MARY
WINNER: THE TAVERN GRILL
Kelly’s Korner
BEST FRENCH FRIES FINALISTS: Lucy’s Burgers | Tavern On Main
BEST BAR FINALISTS:
American Legion Post 566 | Trappers Bar and Grill
LEXINGTON LIQUORS 9271 S. Highway D., Lexington 763-786-0198 • ci.lexington.mn.us/page/depts_liquor_store
Lexington Liquors, a municipal liquor store owned by the City of Lexington, Minnesota, features a generous selection of fine wines and spirits, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff to assist customers. Our store employs three full-time and nine part-time personnel. Profits from the liquor store directly support public services and projects. Buying locally will benefit you locally.
FINALISTS:
JP’s Liquor Wine and Beer
PIZZA T
6511 Ware Rd, Lino Lakes
651 797-3807 • pizzatlinolakes.com
Locally owned and operated, we have been offering our signature-made sauces and doughs for over 20 years. We also have offered a wide variety of other menu items from hoagies to BBQ and Buffalo Chicken Poppers to salads. We have also offered delivery to Lino Lakes, Circle Pines, Lexington, Centerville and parts of Shoreview and Blaine. We are so happy to be part of this community and fully realize our success is only attainable through the support of the many families that have supported us through the years. Thank you so much for your vote. We’re proud to be Number One!
FINALISTS:
Wiseguys Pizza & Pub | Carbone’s Bar & Grill
APITZ GARAGE
325 Birch Street, Lino Lakes 651-484-9046 • apitzgarage.com
Since establishing our family-owned business in 1968, we have provided unmatched automotive service, repair and diagnostics for domestic and foreign vehicles. We are licensed, bonded and insured, as well as ASE Certified.
FINALISTS:
Precision Tune| Lenfer Automotive & Transmission
MY TRIBE FITNESS
6511 Ware Rd, Suite 180, Lino Lakes 651-797-4017 • www.mytribefitness.org
My Tribe Fitness was created to inspire and motivate our members to achieve their goals by providing a positive safe space and welcoming environment for all.
FINALISTS:
Endurance Fitness | Planet Fitness
F & M BANK
7641 Lake Dr, Lino Lakes 651-784-8000 • fmbankia.com
F&M is a true community bank founded in 1925. Beyond solid financial footings and modern, full service branches in Vadnais Heights and Lino Lakes, what sets F&M apart is the culture and true relationships with customers. F&M can meet virtually any banking need including full business banking, home mortgage, and private banking and services.
We focus on tailoring products and services to meet the needs of the small to middle market businesses and their owners. The F&M team goes the extra mile to build a strong and trusting foundation for our clients and community. Our team is dedicated to this community, volunteers with local organization and takes pride in our commitment.
FINALISTS:
First Resource Bank | Wells Fargo, Lino Lakes
KEY: WINNER | Finalist
EATING & DRINKING
BEST APPETIZER
BLUE HERON GRILL
Kelly’s Korner
American Legion Post 566
BEST APPETIZER SELECTION
TAVERN ON MAIN
American Legion Post 566
Blue Door Pub
BEST BBQ RIBS
BLUE COLLAR BBQ
Rudy’s Redeye Grill
Cowboy’s Saloon
BEST BEER SELECTION
THE TAVERN ON MAIN
Trappers Bar and Grill
Carbone’s Bar & Grill
BEST BREAKFAST
RUSTY COW FAMILY RESTAURANT
Keys Cafe & Bakery
Carol’s Restaurant
BEST BURRITOS
FIESTA CANCUN
El Loro
Chipotle
BEST CHEESE CURDS
TAVERN ON MAIN
Carbone’s Bar & Grill
Kelly’s Korner
BEST CHICKEN
BLACKSMITH LOUNGE & BROASTER
Tavern on Main
Trappers Bar & Grill
BEST DELI
FESTIVAL FOODS
Kowalski’s, White Bear
Lunds & Byerly’s
BEST CUP OF COFFEE
CARIBOU COFFEE
Rusty Cow Family Restaurant
Dunn Bros Coffee
BEST FAJITAS
EL ZOCALO GRILL & CANTINA
Fiesta Cancun
Don Julio Mexican Restaurant
BEST FAST FOOD
LUCY’S BURGERS
Culvers
Jimmy John’s
BEST FISH FRY
AMERICAN LEGION POST 566
Boulevard Bar & Grille
Kelly’s Korner
BEST GROCERY STORE
FESTIVAL FOODS
Super Target
ALDI
BEST HAMBURGER
LUCY’S BURGERS
Trappers Bar and Grill
Kelly’s Korner
Tavern Grill Blaine
BEST HAPPY HOUR
AMERICAN LEGION POST 566
Carbone’s Bar & Grill
Cowboy’s Saloon
BEST ICE CREAM CONE
BIG DIPPER CREAMERY
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
C.G. Hooks Eatery
BEST LUNCH
MISONO SUSHI & ASIAN BISTRO
Fiesta Cancun
Kelly’s Korner
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
CARBONE’S BAR & GRILL
Admiral D’s Waterfront Tavern
Boulevard Bar & Grille
BEST PIE
KEY’S CAFE
Bakers Square Restaurant & Bakery
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery
BEST RESTAURANT
TRIA RESTAURANT BAR AND EVENT
CENTER
Tavern on Main
Kelly’s Korner
BEST SALAD
TRIA RESTAURANT
Panera
Tavern On Main
BEST SOUP
PANERA BREAD
Tavern On Main
Misono Sushi & Asian Bistro
BEST STEAK DINNER
RUDY’S REDEYE GRILL
TRIA RESTAURANT BAR AND EVENT
CENTER
Blue Heron Grill
BEST STIR FRY
ORCHID RESTAURANT
Misono Sushi & Asian Bistro
Chili Thai Cousine
BEST SUB/SANDWICH
JERSEY MIKE’S, NORTH OAKS
Jimmy John’s Subway
BEST TACOS
FIESTA CANCUN
El Zocalo
El Loro
BEST WALLEYE DINNER
TRIA RESTAURANT
Green Mill Restaurant & Bar
Jimmy’s Food & Drink
BEST WINE SELECTION
G-WILL LIQUORS
Haskell’s White Bear Lake
JP’s Liquor Wine & Beer
HEALTH & FITNESS
BEST ASSISTED LIVING/ SENIOR CARE FACILITY
GRACEWOOD SENIOR LIVING
Lino Lakes Assisted Living
Arthur’s Senior Care
BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE
DOCKTER-LUTZ CHIROPRACTIC
Elevated Health Center
Hugo Chiropractic Clinic
BEST CLINIC
CENTERLIFE COUNSELING
Fairview Clinics - Hugo
Allina Health Blaine Clinic
BEST DENTIST
LAKEVIEW FAMILY DENTISTRY
Drs. Stentz and DeWolf, Circle Pines
Dental
Dr. Ecklund, Hugo Dental Care
BEST DOCTOR
DR. WILLIAM WEDIN - HEALTH PART-
NERS WHITE BEAR LAKE
Jennifer Auge, Allina Blaine
John Northwood
BEST EYE DOCTOR
VILLAGE EYE CLINIC & OPTICAL
Northeast Eye Care | Hugo
Blaine Family Eye Care
SHOPPING
BEST LIQUOR STORE
LEXINGTON LIQUORS
JP’s Liquor Wine and Beer
BEST AUTO DEALER
ROSEVILLE CHEVROLET
North Country Ford
BEST BUTCHER
GRUNDHOFER’S OLD
FASHION MEATS
Festival Foods
BEST FLOORING/CARPET
STORE
THE HOME DEPOT
Village Floor & Wall
BEST FLORIST
CENTERVILLE FLORAL & DESIGNS LLC
BEST GREENHOUSE/ NURSERY
WALDOCH FARM
Rock Gardens
Tamblyn’s
SPORTS & RECREATION
BEST FISHING HOLE
CENTERVILLE LAKE
Peltier Lake
BEST LOCAL PARK
RICE CREEK CHAIN OF LAKES
Anoka County Parks Marshan Park
BEST BIKE TRAIL
RICE CREEK CHAIN OF LAKES
Chomonix
Lino Lakes Trails
BEST GOLF HOLE
CHOMONIX GOLF COURSE
Gem Lake Hills
Victory Links Golf Course
LOCAL
BEST BOOK IN THE LIBRARY
BIBLE
“Where the Crawdads Sing”
BEST CURBSIDE PICKUP
BLACKSMITH LOUNGE & BROASTER
Festival Foods
BEST LOCAL REPORTER
SHANNON GRANHOLM, PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Liz Collin
BEST WEBSITE (LOCAL) PRESSPUBS.COM/QUAD quadareachamber.org
BEST PLACE TO WORK, LARGE (>50 EMPLOYEES)
EAGLE BROOK CHURCH
Pentair Filtration and Process
Northern Wholesale Supply Inc
BEST SCENIC SPOT
TAYLORS FALLS OVERLOOK - SOUTH
Rice Creek Campground
Golden Lake Park
SERVICES
BEST ACCOUNTANT
COMMON CENTS BUSINESS SERVICES INC. VerBout Tax Services
BEST BIKE SHOP ON TIME BIKE SHOP
NOW, Arden HIlls Forest Lake Cycle & Skate Bike Shop
BEST CAR WASH
MISTER CAR WASH
Lakes 1 Stop
Perfect 10 Car Wash and Detail Center
BEST CHURCH
EAGLE BROOK CHURCH - LINO
LAKES CAMPUS
Our Savior’s Lutheran
St Mark Lutheran Church
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS
IMAGE PRINTING & GRAPHICS
Lenfer Automotive & Transmission
First Resource Bank
BEST DOG GROOMER
YOUR DIRTY DOGS
Personal Touch Pet Grooming, Deb Molin
Blue Ribbon Grooming, Oakdale
BEST FINANCIAL PLANNER
MIKE TRUDEAU, THRIVENT
Edward Jones - Dan Babbit
BEST HAIR STYLIST OR SALON
ALLURE SALON & SPA
Great Clips - The Village of Blaine
Salon 27
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
RDM INSURANCE AGENCY
Farmers Agency - Jesse Bentrup - Lino Lakes
Troy Toske, Allstate Insurance
Jeff Paar, Famers Insurance
BEST JEWELER
CENTENNIAL JEWELERS
Geller Jewelers
Forest Jewelers
Innsbruck Jewelers
BEST LANDSCAPER
ROCK GARDENS
DreamScape Landscaping & Design
BEST LAWYER
FLANAGAN LAW OFFICE
JILL SAUBER
Law Office of Richard M. Schultz
BEST MECHANIC
TGK AUTOMOTIVE
Precision Tune Auto Lino Lakes Lenfer Auto Care
BEST MORTGAGE COMPANY
F & M BANK
Bell Bank Mortgage, Sandy Talberg
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
LIN’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY
Kirk Duit, Kirk Portrait Designs
BEST TIRE SHOP
DISCOUNT TIRE
Pomp’s Tire Service
Lenfer Automotive & Transmission
BEST VETERINARIAN
RICE CREEK ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Centennial Veterinary Clinic
Kelley Animal Hospital
BEST SERVER
TAVERN ON MAIN
Lorie Jo Sachs
BEST RETIREMENT
FACILITY/INDEPENDENT
LIVING
SCANDIA SHORES
Waverly Gardens
Pine Manor Estates
BEST ROOFER
ALL BUILT RIGHT CONSTRUCTION
BRUGGEMAN EXTERIORS
Oneka Roofing Inc.
BEST PLUMBER
KRINKIE’S HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING AND PLUMBING
Hugo Plumbing & Pump
Greg Hoffman Plumbing
BEST REALTOR
JOYER HOME TEAM
JEFF & CHRISTY
Carol Pech, Counselor Realty
Borden Realty Group
Keller Williams Ron Mikolai
BEST REMODELER
OLSON CONSTRUCTION
Bruggeman Exteriors
Norcon Home Solutions
7761 Lake Dr., Ste. E., Lino Lakes 651-786-2286
HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING AND PLUMBING
87 County Rd B E, St Paul 651-488-5555 • krinkies.com
When it comes to choosing trustworthy HVAC contractors in St. Paul, the choice is clear: Krinkie’s Heating, Air and Plumbing. From delivering dependable heating and cooling solutions to making our customers’ comfort our top priority, you can count on our certified technicians to work tirelessly to help you achieve the comfortable home you crave and the peace of mind you deserve.
Binder Heating and Air Conditioning | Bonfe
At the core of every great company stands a hard-working staff. So as the leading HVAC and plumbing team in Minnesota, it’s no surprise that Krinkie’s Heating, Air Conditioning and Plumbing is no different. In fact, we can confidently say that there’s no team of plumbers and HVAC contractors in St. Paul, MN, that is more passionate, committed and experienced than ours. From the quality of our craftsmanship to the dedication of our team, homeowners who put their trust in our team are choosing long-lasting home comfort solutions—and endless peace of mind.
