Best Bets Awards 2011

Best Bets Awards 2011
By HPR Staff

Featuring the Best: This year the race for Best Bets was the tightest we’ve seen in HPR’s history. We had a record number of voters casting ballots with nearly 2400 ballots cast in the final competition. There were some categories that were extremely tight from beginning of voting to the end. A few of the categories, for example the tattoo categories, the male and female and emerging artist category, the best bartender and emerging artists, best taco, best chef, and best Italian all had very live contests up to the last minute. Some of the categories had a narrow margin of 10-12 votes separating them. Regardless, everyone should be very proud of the final achievement. Here’s a few standouts, as well as the full list of 2011 Best Bets Award winners.

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1. Orange Records - BEST RECORD STORE
You picked it, and Orange Records has done it again. Done what, you ask? Won Best Record Store of course. Their vast music collection will satisfy any music lover. Visit them in person or on Facebook ASAP!

2. Ben Holtz - BEST HAIR STYLIST
Ben Holtz continues to shape our locks into looking fabulous! Our readers picked him as the Best Hair Stylist for 2011. Be sure to book a hair appointment with him at Salon Why? soon, because everyone in Fargo-Moorhead will be visiting him! Who wouldn’t want the best in town?

3. Chuck Kesler - BEST PIERCIST
With his friendly demeanor and mad piercing skills, it’s no wonder that you picked Chuck Kesler to win Best Piercist. He’s dedicated to bringing you the best, and is certified to do a variety of piercings. Check him out at Dead Rockstar.

4. Trent Baltvitsch - BEST TATTOO ARTIST
Get some body art done with Trent Baltvitsch, the best in town for all of your tattooing needs! You named him as the best tattoo artist, so now is the best time to get that long-awaited tattoo that you’ve been saving up for.

5. 46 & 2 - BEST TATTOO PARLOR
You’ve picked it: 46 & 2 for the Best Tattoo Parlor! This is one of the big changes this year, first time for 46 & 2 to win. Check them out at their location at 308 North University Drive in Fargo. Their artists are just waiting to give you the best tattoo you could hope for.

6. Wasabi - BEST SUSHI
Craving some mouth-watering sushi? Wasabi is your place. Fresh fish is flown in every few days, and Wasabi offers both “traditional and trendy” sushi items. Located right inside of Drunken Noodle, their casual dining atmosphere and menu selection will be sure to satisfy you.

7. Zandbroz Variety - BEST GIFT SHOP
Need to buy a gift for someone, but not quite sure what to get? Visit Zandbroz Variety, Best Bets 2011 winner for Best Gift Shop for the second year in a row. Whether you need books or random items that you can’t find anywhere else, Zandbroz is your place.

8. Jon Offutt - BEST ESTABLISHED ARTIST ::  Jon Offutt - BEST MALE VISUAL ARTIST
For the second year in a row, Jon Offutt takes home the Best Bets Award for Best Male Visual Artist. He also won Best Established Artist! Jon’s specialty is the artistic way in which he melds hot glass to perfection. Check him out online or in his studio.

9. Duane’s House of Pizza - BEST PIZZA
Duane’s House of Pizza has been pleasing palates around Fargo-Moorhead for over 47 years. Today, they’re our Best Pizza winner for Best Bets 2011! See what everyone’s talking about and order a pizza for delivery, pick it up or dine-in at any of their three locations.

10. Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch - BEST THRIFT STORE
Since 1986, the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch has been serving North Dakota’s thrift store needs. Their hard work has paid off, and you’ve named them as the Best Thrift Store. Visit them for toys, furniture, clothes, books and much more.

11. Hotel Donaldson - Best wine list, Best fine dining
The HoDo is no stranger to winning in the category of best fine dining, but best wine list is a new achievement for them! The HoDo Lounge is known for being an upscale restaurant with live music and a wide variety of menu items for everyone!

12. 99 Bottles - Best new business
What’s the best new place in town to gather your friends and get ready to party with a wide variety of adult beverages? 99 Bottles in Moorhead, of course! Every other Thursday they have wine tastings from 5 to 7 p.m., so go check it out!

13. Drunken Noodle - Best after-bar meal
Located on NP Avenue by Wasabi, Drunken Noodle is there to satisfy your taste buds with meals from Thailand, Mexico, Japan, Croatia, Germany, and Wisconsin! Feel free to stop by until 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday and 9 p.m. the rest of the week!

14. J.L. Beers - Best meal under $10, Best lunch, Best burger, Best beer selection, Best new restaurant (West Fargo)
Always a fan favorite, J.L. Beers has once again swept the categories of best burger, beer selection and new restaurant. They have 40 beers on tap, imported beers, mixed brews, beertails (instead of cocktails), over nine burgers, and more, J.L. Beers has exactly what you need for fun!

15. Green Market - Best restaurant for vegetarians
Green Market, located on 4th Street North in downtown Fargo, has everything you need with meals made from scratch from locally grown ingredients. They pride themselves on customer service as well and a small but creative and changing menu. Check them out today!

16. Taco Shop - Best taco
Taco Shop wins again in the best taco category for the third year in a row! This restaurant has remained a go-to place when it comes to fast tacos and grinders at a reasonable price. With three convenient locations in Fargo, it’s easy to find the best taco in town!

17. Grand Junction - Best sandwich
Grand Junction boasts a friendly atmosphere, subs with a unique twist and fries seasoned to perfection. With specials such as Chicken Cordon Bleu, Hawaiian Chicken, Mushroom Pizza and more, there are plenty of delicious options for everyone! Check out each of the four locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

18. Mexican Village - Best Mexican
Mexican Village has served up some of the best Mexican food in town since its opening in 1970. A fun atmosphere and delicious recipes await you with two locations in Fargo. Stop by for drink specials and a mouth-watering menu which have been a local favorite for over 40 years.

19. Nichole’s Fine Pastry - Best bakery/pastry
Located on historic Eighth Street in downtown Fargo, Nichole’s Fine Pastry has won for best bakery/pastry for the first time! Even though it’s closed on Sunday and Monday, stop by any other day of the week for European-style pastries made from scratch.

20. Happy Harry’s - Best liquor store
Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops has been in business since 1944, and they have received numerous national awards for service and selection. Housed in a barn with over 12,500 square feet and a wide selection of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages, it’s just the place to stock up.

2011 Best Bet Winners Full List:

BEST CHEF
* Scott Motschenbacher @ Spitfire Grill

BEST HAIR STYLIST
* Ben Holtz @ Salon Why?

BEST PIERCIST
* Chuck Kesler @ Dead Rockstar

BEST TATTOO ARTIST
* Trent Baltvitsch @ Addictions

BEST ORIGINAL BAND
* Sovereign Sect

BEST SOLO MUSICIAN
* Blind Joe

BEST PERFORMANCE DJ
* DJ Joyride

BEST LOCAL ALBUM OR CD
* “Millions of Blackbirds” by Amanda Standalone and the Pastryshop Girls

BEST COVER BAND
* Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome

BEST VISUAL ARTIST, MALE
* Jon Offutt

BEST VISUAL ARTIST, FEMALE
* Mackenzie Kouba

BEST THEATRE GROUP
* Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre

BEST DRAG KING OR QUEEN
* Just’N Tyme Diva

BEST EMERGING ARTIST
* FM Beatbox

BEST ESTABLISHED ARTIST
* Jon Offutt

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
* Katie Lewis

BEST LOCAL CELEBRITY
* Stephanie Goetz

BEST BARTENDER, MALE
* Jeff Fonder @ Dempsey’s Public House

BEST BARTENDER, FEMALE
* Holly Rust @ Duffy’s Tavern

BEST BREAKFAST
* Fryn’ Pan

BEST AFTER-BAR MEAL
* Drunken Noodle

BEST MEAL UNDER $10
* J.L. Beers

BEST LUNCH
* J.L. Beers

BEST TACO
* Taco Shop

BEST ITALIAN
* Johnny Carino’s

BEST MEXICAN
* Mexican Village

BEST BURGER
* J.L. Beers

BEST ASIAN RESTAURANT
* Kobe Japanese Cuisine

BEST SUSHI
* Wasabi

BEST WINE LIST
* Hotel Donaldson

BEST BAKERY / PASTRY
* Nichole’s Fine Pastry

BEST BEER SELECTION
* J.L. Beers

BEST RESTAURANT FOR VEGETARIANS
* Green Market

BEST PIZZA
* Duane’s House of Pizza

BEST SANDWICH
* Grand Junction

BEST COFFEE SHOP
* Atomic Coffee

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
* J.L. Beers, (W. Fgo.)

BEST FINE DINING
* Hotel Donaldson

BEST MENS CLOTHING STORE
* Straus / AKA

BEST WOMENS CLOTHING STORE
* Forever 21

BEST GIFT SHOP
* Zandbroz Variety

BEST LIQUOR STORE
* Happy Harry’s

BEST MUSIC EQUIPMENT STORE
* Marguerite’s Music

BEST NEW BUSINESS
* 99 Bottles

BEST RECORD STORE
* Orange Records

BEST TATTOO PARLOR
* 46 & 2

BEST THRIFT STORE
* Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
* Haney’s Photography

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
* The Aquarium

BEST PLACE TO DANCE
* The Hub

BEST KARAOKE
* Divas & Rockstars

BEST OPEN MIC
* Sidestreet Grill & Pub

BEST REGIONAL FESTIVAL OR EVENT
* Fargo Downtown Street Fair

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