Twenty years ago, Best of the Coast was the only reader poll in town. The issue hadn’t become the mega-success it has under Editor Joani Delezen, who puts three months into making the issue and its companion, Rest of the Best, special.
By 2006, Inweekly had weathered hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina. Our reporting helped Quint Studer and Friends for a Waterfront Park secure victory for the Community Maritime Park referendum. In partnership with Pensacola Chamber CEO Evon Emerson, we launched the Pensacola Young Professionals. We felt very confident about Pensacola’s future and our role in it.
As the 2006 ballots came in, I scanned for those who grabbed me, kind of like combing the beach for seashells. Times weren’t as serious as they are now, and people had a sense of humor, so I created my personal Best of the Best of the Coast Ballots.
Best Sign Of The Apocalypse: When asked the “Best Place To Max Your Visa,” a bunch of readers answered Wal-Mart. I pretended those ballots came from Pensacola Christian College students, one of which may now be a University of West Florida Board Trustee.
Best Reminder That We Live In The South: Under the category, “Best Shot,” one reader responded, “John Wilkes Booth.” That’s not exactly what we were going for. Yessiree, the South will rise again. Go, Confederates. Whatever. That battle was lost in May 1865—141 years ago. Time to move on.
Best Answer For Best Watchdog: This award must go to the dear reader who wrote: “Jake, my golden retriever.” Jake got one vote and the Independent News received a half dozen. But the Pensacola News Journal and WEAR TV garnered a whopping zero votes. Seems as if intelligent people just didn’t like milquetoast media conglomerates that much.
2006 Best of the Coast
People & Places
Best Lie From Local Politician
Winner: Waterfront Park is a conspiracy.
We will rollback property taxes next year.
We care.
Best Watchdog
Winner: Susan Watson, ACLU of Florida Panhandle Chapter executive director
David Craig, RNN News producer
LeRoy Boyd, Movement For Change president
Best Environmental Activist
Winner: Mike Papantonio, Emerald CoastKeepers president
Chips Kirchenfeld, Emerald CoastKeepers coastkeeper
Larry Johnson, Emerald Coast CoastKeepers director
Best Effort To Improve Pensacola
Winner: Community Maritime Park
Community. Pride. Progress. Clean & Green campaign
Pensacola Young Professionals
Best Use Of Local Tax Dollars
Winner: Public Schools
Public Library
Pensacola Fire Department
Best Post-Ivan Recovery
Winner: City of Gulf Breeze
City of Pensacola
University of West Florida
Best Person You Would Least Like To See Naked
Winner: George Touart
Jack Nobles
Mike Whitehead
Best Local Sex Symbol
Winner: Justin Gatlin
Joe Hobbs
April Phillips
Best Local Celebrity
Winner: Derrick Brooks
Roy Jones Jr.
Abby Spencer
Best Local Artist
Winner: Quenby Tilley
Kevin Marchetti
Morris Eddy
Best Local Boss
Winner: Quint Studer
Mort O’Sullivan
Susan Story
Best Local Do-Gooder
Winner: Denis McKinnon Jr.
Buzz Ritchie
Pat Windham
Best Volunteer Organization
Winner: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
Friends of the Public Library
Junior Achievement
Best Charity Event
Winner: Mardi Gras Bowl
Heart Walk
Bushwacker 5K
Best Festival
Winner: Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival
Festival on the Green at University of West Florida
Pensacola Bay International Film Festival
Best Pensacola Tradition
Winner: Fiesta of Five Flags
17th Street Graffiti Bridge
Stopping for funerals
Best Place For Hurricane Party
Winner: Islander
Paradise Bar & Grill
Fish House
Best Bowling Alley
Winner: New Liberty Lanes
Cordova Lanes
Oops Alley
Best Place To Watch Football
Winner: New York Nick’s
Kooter Brown’s
Seville Quarter
Best Golf Course
Winner: The Moors Golf Club
Lost Key Golf Club
Tiger Point Golf & Country Club
Best Local 5K Race
Winner: McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Bushwhacker
Fiesta of Five Flags
Best Place to Run/Jog
Winner: Pensacola Beach
Downtown Pensacola
University of West Florida
Best Place For Yoga
Winner: Nancy LaNasa
Downtown YMCA
Best Family Entertainment
Winner: Pensacola Pelicans
Evenings in Olde Seville
Pensacola Ice Pilots
Best High School
Winner: Catholic
Gulf Breeze
Pine Forest
Best Elementary School
Winner: NB Cook
Brentwood
Oriole Beach
Best Middle School
Winner: Brown Barge
Gulf Breeze
Ransom
Best Neighborhood
Winner: East Hill
North Hill
Plantation Hill
Best Day Trip
Winner: Baytowne Wharf in Destin
The Wharf in Orange Beach
Tanger Outlet Center in Foley
Best Local Place To Camp
Winner: Adventures Unlimited
Fort McRae
Magnolia Beach Campground
Best Place To Witness Road Rage
Winner: Davis Highway
Interstate-10 bridge east bound
U.S. Highway 98 outside Gulf Breeze
Best Place To Make Out
Winner: Seville Square
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Any bar bathroom
Best Place To Watch A Sunset
Winner: Bay Beach Inn
Landry’s Seafood House
Oar House
Best Place To Propose
Winner: Jackson’s
The Global Grill
Pensacola Beach
Best Place To Have A Wedding
Winner: Old Christ Church
Barclay House
Pensacola Beach
Best Place To Take Out-Of-Town Guests
Winner: Fish House
The Global Grill
Peg Leg Pete’s
Media
Best Local Radio Personality
Winner: Mark The Shark
Candy
Marty White
Best Pop/Rock Radio Station
Winner: TK101
WABB 97.5
Q100
Best Country Radio Station
Winner: Cat Country
WXBM
Best Morning Show
Winner: John & Wendi
Marty & Linda
Lex & Terry
Best DJ
Winner: Djconnection
Best TV Local Personality
Winner: Sue Straughn
Dan Shugart
Robin Woods
Best Local Website
Winner: Inweekly.net
Pensacolanewsjournal.com
Visitpensacola.com
Best Place to Take Advantage of Wi-Fi
Winner: Panera Bread Company
Breaktime Espresso Cafe
Whataburger
Bars, Clubs & Nightlife
Best Neighborhood Bar
Winner: Paradise Bar & Grill
Hub Stacey’s
Intermission
Best Bartender
Winner: Brian Olsen/Copeland’s
Colby/Jack and Ron’s Piano Bar
Greg Smith/The Global Grill
Best Gentleman’s Club
Winner: Arety’s Angels
Babe’s Show Club
Sammy’s
Best New Bar/Club
Winner: Olive Drop
Oar House
Best Sports Bar
Winner: New York Nick’s
Kooter Brown’s
Sidelines
Best Place To Meet Friends After Work
Winner: Hub Stacey’s
Fish House
The Global Grill
Best Place To Drink Alone
Winner: Azalea
Home
Islander
Best Bar To People Watch
Winner: Seville Quarter
Fish House
Flounders
Best Beer Selection
Winner: Brews Brothers Grill & Pub
Atlas Oyster House
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Best Daiquiri
Winner: Bamboo Willie’s
Capt’n Fun
Peg Leg Pete’s
Best Bushwacker
Winner: Sandshaker Lounge
Capt’n Fun
Seville Quarter
Best Place To Buy Wine
Winner: City Grocery
Artesana
Distinctive Kitchens
Best Place To Buy Liquor
Winner: Richey’s East
Beach Liquors
Chan’s Wine World
Best Selection Of Wine By The Glass
Winner: Fish House
Eat!
Jackson’s
Best Shot
Winner: Dirty Bong Water
Cherry Bomb @ Jack and Ron’s Piano Bar
Irish Car Bomb @ Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub
Best Happy Hour
Winner: Jack and Ron’s Piano Bar
TGIFriday’s
Seville Quarter
Best Margarita
Winner: Hemmingway’s
Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub
Paradise Bar & Grill
Best Martini
Winner: Olive Drop
Bonefish Grill
Copeland’s
Best Place To Shake Your Stuff
Winner: Seville Quarter
Emerald City
Islander
Best Place To Shoot Pool
Winner: New York Nick’s
Babe’s Show Club
Starbucks Billiards
Best Place To Throw Darts
Winner: Intermission
Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub
The Angler
Best Bar Decor
Winner: Eat!
Emerald City
Fish House
Best Gay/Alternative Club
Winner: Emerald City
Red Carpet
Best Place You Can’t Take Your Parents
Winner: Emerald City
The HandleBar
Sammy’s
Best Place For Bachelorette Party
Winner: Sammy’s
New Orleans
Seville Quarter
Best Place For Bachelor Party
Winner: Sammy’s
Arety’s Angels
Las Vegas
Restaurants
Best Restaurant Overall
Winner: Fish House
The Global Grill
Jackson’s
Best Restaurant: Downtown Pensacola
Winner: The Global Grill
Eat!
Jackson’s
Best Restaurant: North Pensacola
Winner: New Market Steakhouse
Coach-N-Four
Steak House
Tokyo Japanese
Best Restaurant: Cordova Mall Area
Winner: Bonefish Grill
O’ Brien’s Bistro
Macaroni Grill
Best Restaurantâ: West Pensacola/Perdido Key
Winner: Crab Trap
Original Point
Trigger’s
Best Restaurant: Milton/Pace
Winner: Chet’s Seafood
Aces
Texas Roadhouse
Best Restaurant: Gulf Breeze
Winner: Aegean Breeze
Bon Appetit
The Greenery
Best Restaurant: Pensacola Beach
Winner: H2O
Hemmingway’s
Peg Leg Pete’s
Best New Restaurant
Winner: Cafe 22
Crema
Oar House
Best Seafood Restaurant
Winner: Fish House
Flounder’s Chowder House
Peg Leg Pete’s
Best Chinese Restaurant
Winner: Hunan
Panda China
Shang Hai Buffet
Best Italian Restaurant
Winner: Tre Fretelli Ristorante
Geno’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Franco’s Italian Restaurant
Best Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Cactus Flower
Cancun’s
Margarita’s Downtown
Best Restaurant With A View
Winner: Hemmingway’s
Fish House
Paradise Bar & Grill
Best Drive-Through With Personality
Winner: Chick-Fil-A
Sonic Drive In
Starbucks Coffee Company
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Winner: Georgio’s Pizza
CiCi’s Pizza
Surf Burger
Best Chef
Winner: Lee Lucier/Eat!
Irv Miller/Jackson’s
Frank Taylor/The Global Grill
Best Caterer
Winner: Classic City Catering
Big Sexy
Skopelos on the Bay
Dining
Best Original Menu
Winner: Eat!
Fish House
Jackson’s
Best Place To Dine Alone
Winner: Panera Bread Company
Breaktime Espresso Café
CJ’s
Best Romantic Dining
Winner: Jamie’s
The Melting Pot
Skopelos on the Bay
Best Place For A First Date
Winner: The Melting Pot
The Global Grill
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Best Place For A Cheap Date
Winner: Jerry’s Drive In
Bowling @ Liberty Lanes
The Silver Screen
Best Place To Splurge
Winner: Jackson’s
Bonefish Grill
Copeland’s
Best Take Out
Winner: Horizen
Billy Bob’s Beach Barbeque
Copeland’s
Best Place To Eavesdrop
Winner: Jackson’s
Atlas Oyster House
Ragtyme Grill
Best Late Night Eats
Winner: Whataburger
Waffle House
New York Nick’s
Best Place To Take Kids/Entertain Kids
Winner: Sam’s Fun City
Chuck E. Cheese
Oops Alley
Best Kid Menu
Winner: Surf Burger
Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Pub
O’Charley’s
Best Public Bathroom
Winner: Fish House
Hemmingway’s
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Best Wait Staff With Personality
Winner: McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Hooters
New York Nick’s
Best Place To Work
Winner: The Global Grill
Copeland’s
Dharma Blue
Best Place To Feed The Whole Family
Winner: Barnhill’s Buffet
Hunan
Sidelines
Best All You Can Eat Deal
Winner: Barnhill’s Buffet
Golden Corral
Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q
Best Appetizer
Winner: Apple Wood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Lobster Tail @ The Global Grill
Bang Bang Shrimp @ Bonefish Grill
Oysters Escambia @ The Portabello Market
Best Bagel
Winner: Bagelheads
Crema
Panera Bread Company
Best Bakery
Winner: J’s Pastry Shop
Panera Bread Company
Pitzmann European Bakery
Best BBQ
Winner: Billy Bob’s Beach Barbeque
Ray Cranford’s
Smokey Bones
Best Breakfast
Winner: Coffee Cup
Crema
Scenic 90 Cafe
Best Brunch
Winner: Fish House
Copeland’s
Madison’s Diner
Best Cheeseburger
Winner: Jerry’s Drive In
McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Surf Burger
Best Place To Get Comfort Foods
Winner: Cock of the Walk
Cracker Barrel
Senic 90 Cafe
Best Cup Of Coffee
Winner: Starbucks Coffee Company
Bad Ass Coffee
Bagelheads
Best Deli Sandwich
Winner: New Yorker Deli
City Grocery
Panera Bread Company
Best Desserts
Winner: The Global Grill
Fish House
J’s Bakery
Best Gourmet/Specialty Food
Winner: Four Winds
Eat @ Home
Simply Delicious
Best Grouper Sandwich
Winner: Oar House
Atlas Oyster House
Peg Leg Pete’s
Best Gumbo
Winner: Marina Oyster Barn
Fish House
Sam’s Seafood
Best Health Food
Winner: Ever’man Natural Foods
End of the Line Café
Sluggo’s
Best Ice Cream
Winner: Marble Slab
Baskin Robbins
TCBY
Best Key Lime Pie
Winner: Fish House
Breaktime Espresso Café
Hemmingway’s
Best Lunch
Winner: The Portabello Market
Caribbean Soup Company
Norma’s on the Run
Best Oysters
Winner: Atlas Oyster House
Marina Oyster Barn
Peg Leg Pete’s
Best Po-Boy
Winner: Peg Leg Pete’s
Copeland’s
Sam’s Seafood
Best Place To Get Pizza (non-chain)
Winner: Ozone Pizza Pub
Geno’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Georgio’s Pizza
Best Place To Order Pizza (chain)
Winner: Papa John’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza
Pizza Hut
Best Salad
Winner: O’Charley’s
Fish House MoMA Salad
New York Nick’s Grilled Chicken Ceasar Salad
Best Steak
Winner: Copeland’s
The Global Grill
Sam’s Seafood
Best Sushi
Winner: Horizen
Fish House
Dharma Blue
Best Vegetarian Menu
Winner: Sluggo’s
Ever’man Natural Foods
End of the Line Café
Best Wings
Winner: Hooters
Beef O’ Brady’s Family Sports Pub
Sidelines
Goods & Services
Best Place To Max Your Visa
Winner: Distinctive Kitchens
Antique European Linens
Norwalk-The Furniture Idea
Best New Retail Shop
Winner: Susan Campbell Jewelry
Emerald Turtle
Garden Street Fabrics
Best Shopping Center
Winner: Cordova Mall
Eastern Shore Centre
Destin Commons
Best Gift Shop
Winner: Artesana Imports
Angel’s Garden
Emerald Turtle
Best Place To Buy A Baby Gift
Winner: Wild Child
Linen Corner
Jannet’s Tummies & Tots
Best Men’s Clothing
Winner: Don Alans
Dillard’s
Jos. A. Bank
Best Women’s Clothing
Winner: Madame D’Elegance
Marisa’s
Pensacola Blues
Best Casual/Hip Clothing
Winner: The Market
Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry
Hollister
Best Consignment/Vintage Clothing
Winner: Years A Go-Go
Elite Repeats
Encore Ladies Apparel
Best Lingerie/Adult Novelty Store
Winner: Intimate Treasures
Lovin Mood Lingerie
Victoria’s Secret
Best Shoes
Winner: Running Wild
Comfort Zone
Mainly Shoes
Best Fashion Accessories
Winner: Susan Campbell Jewelry
Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry
Linen Corner
Best New Car Dealership
Winner: Sandy Sansing
Saturn of Pensacola
Vince Whibbs Automotive Group
Best Used Car Dealership
Winner: Eddie Mercer Automotive
Adcox Imports
Northstar Automotive
Best Motorcycle Shop
Winner: Harley Davidson of Pensacola
D&D Cycles
Pensacola Motorsports
Best Independent Market
Winner: Apple Market
City Grocery
Shoreline Foods
Best Chain Grocery
Winner: Albertsons-Ninth Avenue
Publix-Navarre
Winn Dixie-Bayou Boulevard
Best Tourist Trap
Winner: McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
Alvin’s Island
National Museum of Naval Aviation
Best Antiques
Winner: Uptown Flea
Garth’s Antiques & Auction
Harmony House
Best Art Gallery
Winner: Artel Gallery
Blue Morning Gallery
Quayside Art Gallery
Best Store For Musical Instruments
Winner: Dollarhide’s Music & Sound
Harris Music & Sound
Reynalds Music House
Best Pet Store
Winner: Petland
Central Bark Bakery
PetSmart
Best Surf Shop
Winner: Innerlight Surf & Skate
Waterboyz
Best Sporting Goods Store
Winner: Academy Sports & Outdoors
Edwin Watts Golf
The Sports Authority
Best Florist For Getting Out Of The Dog House
Winner: Celebrations
Flowerama
Kabloom
Best Place To Have Something Framed
Winner: Framery Gallery
Hobby Lobby
Just Plain Putter
Best Gas Station
Winner: Groovin Noovins-Bayfront Parkway
Circle K-Scenic Highway
Tom Thumb-Summit Boulevard
Best Hardware Store
Winner: Pensacola Hardware
East Hill Hardware & Supply
Ace Hardware of Gulf Breeze
Best Hurricane Supply Store
Winner: Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse Store
Chan’s Wine World
Pensacola Hardware
Best Place To Buy Cool Home Accessories
Winner: McAlpin Interiors
Port City Furniture
Uptown Flea
Best Furniture Store
Winner: Norwalk-The Furniture Idea
Funktional Furniture
Inside Out Furniture & Design
Best Pool & Spa
Winner: Kyle’s Pools & Patio
Family Pool & Spa
Pensacola Pools
Best Beauty Salon
Winner: Fusion Spa Salon
Cuttin Loose
Experience Salon
Best Massage
Winner: Still Waters Medical Spa
Fusion Spa Salon
Portofino Medical Spa
Best Nail Salon
Winner: Radiante Jacqueline Day Spa
Fusion Spa Salon
Still Waters Medical Spa
Best Skin Care
Winner: Still Waters Medical Spa
Fusion Spa Salon
Radiante Jacqueline Day Spa
Best Salon For Waxing Services
Winner: Body Indulgence
Euro Gaul Skincare
Still Waters Medical Spa
Best Tanning Salon
Winner: Planet Beach Tanning Salon
Secret Sun
Tropical Touch Tanning Salon
Best Architect
Winner: Spencer Maxwell Bullock
Sam Marshall Architects
Mad Architects
Best Bank
Winner: Peoples First Community Bank
Gulf Coast Community Bank
First Gulf Bank
Best Homebuilder
Winner: Adams Homes
Mitchell Homes
West Calhoun Construction
Best Hotel
Winner: Hilton
Hampton Inn
Spring Hill Suites
Best Interior Designer
Winner: Betty Gail Peters Interior
Julian Marcus Interior
McAlpin Interiors
Best Insurance Agency
Winner: McMahon & Hadder Insurance
Fisher-Brown Insurance
Whitman & Whitman Insurance
Best Law Firm
Winner: Levin Papantonio
Michles & Booth
Aylstock, Witkin & Sasser
Best Local Attorney
Winner: Crystal Spencer
David Sellers
Jim Jenkins
Best Marina
Winner: Bahia Marina
Beach Marina
Pitts Slip
Best Pediatrician
Winner: Dr. Randy Reese
Dr. Blake Sayre
Dr. Thomas Riney
Best Physician
Winner: Dr. Fred Mixon
Dr. Jack Lurton
Dr. Suzanne Bush
Best Real Estate Agency
Winner: Coldwell Banker JME Realty
Montgomery Realtors
Pelican Real Estate
Best Tattoo Shop
Winner: Hula Moon Tattoo Studio
Kaoz
Psychedelic Shack
