By Michael Swanger, Sean J. Miller, Andrew Brink and Jim Duncan

Hollywood has the Oscars. Footballers (the American kind) have the Lombardi Trophy. Kirstie Alley has Jenny Craig’s endorsement. But Des Moines’ extraordinarily talented community of artists, bartenders, meteorologists and purveyors of all things wonderful — beer, cars, sushi and shoes — are awarded the ultimate prize: the adoration and recognition of Cityview’s intrepid readers.

Each year, Cityview asks you, faithful reader, to decide who serves the best coffee, who peddles the best books and which elected official is most deserving of a public flogging. After tabulating the record number of votes that poured in for our 2007 Best of Des Moines Poll, we are happy to share the results. We’ve divided the results into five sections: Culture and Nightlife, Eats, Shopping, Sports and Recreation and Utopia.

Congratulations to all our winners and runners-up, whose dedication to their craft has won over the independent hearts and minds of our readers.

Eats

Best New Restaurant
Lucca

Steve Logsdon’s bistro in the East Village masters minimalism, from Kirk Blunck’s brilliant design to the simplicity of the prix fixe menu. From the day it opened, Lucca’s been the new buzz in town, the place to people-watch and to be seen while enjoying amenities which range from the most artful bathrooms to the best stocked cheese cave in town. 420 E. Locust St. Des Moines, 243-1115.
Runners-up: Trostel’s Dish, Crave

Best Kept Secret on the Local Restaurant Scene
Flying Mango

Beaverdale maintains its stranglehold on this award, sweeping the top two places for the second year in row. Flying Mango is the town’s most elaborate display of the barbecue arts, proving you can have it both ways — good smokehouse meats as well as full table service and neighborhood coziness. 4345 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, 255-4111.
Runners-up: Chef’s Kitchen, Trostel’s Dish

Best Wait Staff
Tursi’s Latin King

Bob and Amy Tursi are always on hand, making sure that everything is just right at the Latin King. Their keen business sense ensures everyone leaves with a full smile and a full stomach. 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 266-4466.
Runners-up: Trostel’s Dish, Centro

Best American Food
Drake Diner

The place was modeled after Fog City Diner (featured in frequent “Nash Bridges” episodes and many movies), which was modeled on 1930s nostalgia. Chrome and steel, neon and checkers set the mood, while the food features blue-plate specials and good old American grill work. 1111 25th St., Des Moines, 277-1111.
Runners-up: Machine Shed, Jimmy’s American Café

Best Italian
Tursi’s Latin King

Call it a dynasty! Bob and Amy Tursi’s place repeats as the voter’s choice in a category that represents the city’s restaurant tradition better than any other. Pastas are made from scratch and all the sauces are reduced from bone stock at this heirloom, destination restaurant that dates back to the 1940s. Original specialties from New York’s Little Italy share the menu with Des Moines’ Italian favorites. Even the hashbrowns are legendary. 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 266-4466.
Runners-up: Cosi Cucina, Sam & Gabe’s

Best Mexican
El Rodeo

When it comes to Mexican food, this Rodeo bucks your bronco and keeps everyone in the saddle with more than 30 house specialties and 25 combination platters from every regional cuisine in Mexico and Mexican-America. In spirit, these locally owned stores have annexed Margaritaville, without losing a single shaker of salt. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: El Aguila Real, Monterrey

Best Thai
Thai Flavors

For a decade, this little East Side family café has been educating Des Moines’ palates to the joys of the world’s hottest chilies, cut with the sweetness of coconut milk, or the tang of green papaya. From the lemongrass essence of the tom yum gai to the last sip of jasmine tea, the place is beloved for its bargain prices and happy faces. 1254 E. 14th St., Des Moines, 262-4658.
Runners-up: Cool Basil, King & I

Best Chinese
Café Su

The voters came home this year to their old Valley Junction favorite, after a year’s flirtation with Paul Fleming Chang’s Chinese chain store at Jordan Creek. Café Su has always been more pan-Asian than Chinese, but it’s also become an anchor in the metro’s most original shopping district. 225 5th St., West Des Moines, 274-5102.
Runners-up: P.F. Chang’s, Tsing Tsao

Best Japanese
Taki

There is nothing else like Taki in Iowa. The bustling restaurant mixes a teppanyaki steakhouse with the city’s best sushi bar, serving the decadent likes of uni (roe of sea urchin) and toro (fatty underbelly of bluefin tuna). From the sushi master to the tableside service, this place matches its flair for theater with equally dramatic flavors. 2677 86th St., Urbandale, 331-3030.
Runners-up: Ohana, Wok in motion

Best Vietnamese
A-Dong

A-Dong has been Des Moines’ favorite Vietnamese cafè for several decades now. In its second location on Woodland Avenue, it’s still the voters’ favorite place for pho, and a whole lot more. Try the bone-stock soups, fresh exotic vegetables and spices, the huge selection for vegetarians and enticing Indochinese drink specials. 1511 High St., Des Moines, 284-5632.
Runners-up: Saigon Cafè, Pho 777

Best Place to Chow After 2 a.m.
Big Tomato

From 1 in the morning ’til 4 a.m., Big Tomato offers pizza by the slice. So, their simple little walk-up counter has become the most frequently suggested direction when bouncers need to point people to the exits come closing time in the Des Moines bars. But unlike other halfway houses between taverns and after-hours parties, Big Tomato actually serves great pies. 2613 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-7227.
Runners-up: Perkins, Pat’s Corner Cafè

Best Steakhouse
801 Steak & Chop House

This legendary downtown restaurant is the only place in Iowa serving Stockyard’s beef, the gold standard in American steaks since the 19th century. That’s a large part of the reason 801 has been recommended by the likes of New York Times publishers and CBS anchormen, explaining its huge popularity with political and media celebs every caucus season. 801 Grand Ave., Des Moines, 288-6000.
Runners-up: Rube’s, Texas Road House

Best Breakfast
Waveland

The Waveland’s been packing them in for decades with an “everybody-knows-your-name” friendliness and “need-a-refill” ambiance. The long-time staff serves indulgently generous plates full of great Iowa traditions — homegrown bacon, eggs, sausage and love. The hash browns have a cult following. 4708 University Ave., Des Moines, 279-4341.
Runners-up: Perkins, Machine Shed

Best Coffeehouse
Mars Café

In one of the major upsets of the season, newcomer Mars came from outer space to Dogtown not just to win Rookie of the Year, but to unseat the longtime champion Java Joe’s. This is always one of the most competitive categories, as Des Moines is blessed with an original coffeehouse culture that most cities only dream about. Mars features an all-star line-up of catered treats, a wine list featuring rare East Euro bargains and free Wi-Fi. 2318 University Ave., Des Moines, 369-6277.
Runners-up: Zanzibar’s, Java Joe’s

Best First-Date Spot
Trostel’s Dish

The Trostel’s won this award last year for their more traditional restaurant Greenbriar. This year, the voters went for their swank, young tapas and wine bar which continues an old family tradition —introducing Des Moines to a new world of appetizers. The menu is divided geographically into six continents of choices and the only entrèe is their signature scratch-made prime rib, five ways. 12851 University Ave., Clive, 221-3474.
Runners-up: Mars Café, Centro

Best Place for a $5 Lunch
Tasty Tacos

This longtime favorite of legislators, and other bargain hunters, serves a familiar Mexican-American menu. What separates it from the pack, while inspiring a cult following among several generations of Iowans, are its unique taco shells, including a partially fried shell proven to have addictive properties. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Jimmy John’s, Subway

Best Place for a $10 Dinner
Drake Diner

The voters came back to an old favorite this year after running off on a south of the border fling last year. The Diner will demand a little discipline to keep under the $10 limit, but they offer so many 2-for-1 coupons that experienced couples pack the place for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks on the famous “Fly Free” porch. 1111 25th St., Des Moines, 277-1111.
Runners-up: El Rodeo, A-Dong

Best Power Lunch
Palmer’s

When a place without full table service wins in this category, something special is obviously happening. The Palmer’s stores do their own baking, without butter, and they make their own soups and scratch breakfasts, too. Their delis offer amazingly fast service for those who are into speed power lunching. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Centro, Nick’s Bar & Grill

Best Seafood
Waterfront Seafood Market Restaurant

Waterfront combines a retail fish market with a sit-down restaurant and a trendy bar. Their seafood is so good that other top restaurants actually buy their fresh fish from Waterfront. Daily specials pack this place earlier than any other in town, and both the clam chowder and the gumbo are deserved legends. 2900 University Ave., West Des Moines, 223-5106.
Runners-up: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill, Red Lobster

Best Burger
B-Bops
The once and eternal champion (16 years in a row), B-Bops keeps Des Moines happy with nostalgic rock ’n’ roll, fresh-grilled burgers, fries that stay hot, chili, pork loin fritters, chicken, salads and shakes. These burgers would be popular at any price, but the real winner is your billfold, with quarter-pound burgers, your way, for less than a buck and a half. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Drake Diner, Hardee’s

Best Pizza
Big Tomato

King of the night, Big Tomato offers the most eclectic, accommodating pizza in town. For the displaced Hawaiian, there’s Spam and asparagus pie. For the health food police, there are honey wheat crusts. For meat eaters there is all the decadence of this pork state. And for contrarians, there are white-sauce toppings. Don’t forget some “Italian fries” (crusty cheese bread). 2613 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-7227.
Runners-up: The Tavern, Northern Lights

Best Bakery
La Mie

In this era of starter mixes and extended shelf lives, La Mie represents a great, lost art form — pure, scratch, French-style baking. The pecan rolls sell out early each morning, encouraging their fans to try new delights from the heirloom world of butter and cream baking: breads, croissants, brioches and fruit pastries. 841 42nd St., Des Moines, 255-1625.
Runners-up: Highland Park Bakery, Panera Bread

Best Dessert
Cheesecake Factory

This Los Angeles corporation is so guarded about its 50 cheesecakes and other desserts that, not only are their recipes deemed “proprietary information,” but even their nutritional information is withheld. We didn’t know that was even legal, but clearly the company lawyers, as well as the long lines of cheesecake customers, are convinced that these desserts are the franchise. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 457-9888.
Runners-up: Flarah’s , Trostel’s Dish

Best BBQ
Famous Dave’s

This Minnesota company is the PF Chang’s of the barbecue world. They carefully research authentic regional cuisines for the purpose of recreating them in a much broader market. Famous Dave’s offers every regional sauce and every barbecue style you can find in America, from Carolina pulled pork to Texas brisket, plus plenty of napkins. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Flying Mango, Big Daddy’s

Best Fried Chicken
Popeye’s

This New Orleans company has taken Des Moines by storm and by charm, too, thanks to some of the most personable employees in the restaurant world. Besides being the favorite for chicken, Popeye’s suburban store also has total control of metro Des Moines’ underserved soul food market. Don’t forget to eat your red beans, green beans and rice. 4140 Merle Hay Rd., Des Moines, 251-7670.
Runners-up: KFC, High Life Lounge

Best Delicatessen
Palmer’s

This hometown company now has neighborly stores all over the metro, delivering cafeteria-style choices in homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. All feature low-cholesterol baking while some stores offer made-to-order breakfasts and gourmet carry out, including a rather famous meat loaf. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Manhattan, Jason’s Deli

Best Onion Rings
Maxie’s

The restaurant changed hands two years ago without missing a single beat. “Early bird” dinner specials still fill this place before many others even open. The kitchen proudly carries on its reputation of being a steakhouse for all budgets. The Maxieburger has drawn national press, but the onion rings are a legend in their own right. 1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, 223-1463.
Runners-up: The Tavern, La Pizza House

Best French Fries
McDonald’s

More than 30 years ago, Ray Kroc risked McDonald’s reputation, and changed the food world forever, by betting customers would accept frozen processed fries. The food police are forcing the chain to change its cooking oil, for the third time now, but we bet they will be back here again next year. Unlike most other fast food competitors, McDonald’s has resisted coating its pure potatoes with starches. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: B-Bops, Okoboji Grill

Best Chicken Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings

This Minneapolis company began in Ohio but always had their heart in Buffalo. With 14 dipping sauces, trivia games, big screen, high-def TV and a boisterous spirit, it’s the sports bar for the Glen Oaks crowd. 6925 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, 221-9464.
Runners-up: Hooters, Wing Zone/Francie’s

Best Nachos
The Library Café

While a great place for the Drake set to tie one on, The Library is actually a study in how to make hangovers go away for the rest of us, as this joint gives its visitors grease as good as anyone else in town. The sandwiches rock, the owner makes his own wing sauce and the nachos are Central Iowa’s favorite by an overwhelming tally. Try the smoked chicken variety for some kick. 3506 University Ave., Des Moines, 255-0433.
Runners-up: El Rodeo, Legends

Best Family Restaurant
Machine Shed

Machine Shed owner Mike Whalen bounces back from the flogging Eastern Iowa voters gave him in his November bid for Congress to regain this seat — as Central Iowa voters’ favorite family place. The location adjacent to Living History Farms features huge servings, nostalgic trappings from the wind-grieved days when Iowa was home to real farmers and a complete gift shop to keep the faithful coming back for more. 11151 Hickman Rd., Urbandale, 270-6818.
Runners-up: Drake Diner, Chef’s Kitchen

Best Soup
Panera Bread

Offering a variety of hot soups every day, Panera Bread, a fairly new kid on the block, captured the hearts of our soup-eating readers this year with classics like Roasted Garlic and Tomato, with three types of tomatoes simmered in a rich chicken stock veloutè with roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, sweet cream and fresh basil; Vegetarian Fiesta Con Queso, with diced onion, corn, roasted red pepper, roasted Anaheim chile, celery, carrots, garlic and spices simmered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce; Broccoli Cheddar; French Onion; and some of the best New England Clam Chowder since Wellman’s. This stuff is to die for and deserving of its cult-like status. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Palmers, Beggar’s Banquet

Best Bar Food
Star Bar

Jeremy Morrow has done as much to upgrade dining in Des Moines as anyone. Introducing Northern California style cuisine at Bistro 43, taking it downtown and then moving on to the all-too-important category of pub food. This goes as far beyond the wings and popcorn clichés as seared ahi, pot stickers and BBQ egg rolls. One Meredith editor calls Jeremy “Des Moines’ best Chinese chef.” 2837 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-1405.
Runners-up: High Life Lounge, Down Under

Best Bistro Fare
Bistro Montage

French-inspired bistro fare, a menu that changes often and an urban setting on the sizzling-hot Ingersoll corridor explain why Enosh Kelley’s Bistro Montage keeps winning this award. Kelley has always kept the most French of the city’s kitchens, with classical treatments of duck and beef. Lately, sous chef Nick Ellingsworth has taken things further toward the French classics — try the rabbit. 2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 557-1924.
Runners-up: Sage, Le Mie

Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)
Trostel’s Dish

The awards just keep coming and coming for this oasis of originality and style amidst the state’s greatest concentration of corporate franchise restaurants. 12851 University Ave., Clive, 221-3474.
Runners-up: Sage, 801 Steak & Chop House

Best Beer Selection (Restaurant)
El Bait Shop

No question about it, this downtown pub wins this award in a landslide. El Bait Shop offers a cosmic choice of brews that includes 105 on tap, with the state’s best selection of ales, stouts, pilsners, barley wines and pale ales. It’s also an authentic wood-burning barbecue that applies its smoked meats to its excellent Mexican menu. 200 S.W. 2nd St., Des Moines, 284-1970.
Runners-up: Hessen House, Granite City

Best Micobrewed Beer
Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewing Company

Court Avenue uses their own custom built brewing equipment and carefully selected malts, hops and natural brewing ingredients to create handcrafted ales. Des Moines’ original brew pub makes it easy to sample their wares: order a sampler rack and try all of their beers, from the Two River’s Light (their lightest brew) to the Capital Raspberry (their fruitiest) and Blackhawk Stout (their darkest and most chocolaty). And if you want to enjoy one of their brews in the comfort of your own home, order a half-gallon growler to go. 309 Court Ave., Des Moines, 282-2739.
Runners-up: Raccoon River Brewing Company, Rock Bottom

Best Appetizers Menu
Trostel’s Dish

With a menu featuring textures and tastes not found anywhere else in Central Iowa — including havarti shrimp, an artichoke popsicle and truffled chicken mac and cheese — Trostel’s takes our taste buds on a world cruise via small plates sporting cuisine from Asia, Europe and Latin America. We’ll follow Trostel’s wherever it leads us. Spain, here we come. 12851 University Ave., Clive, 221-3474.
Runners-up: The Continental, Star Bar

Best Place to Blow a Bundle
801 Steak and Chop

801 is the first restaurant in Iowa to win the highly acclaimed DiRoNA Award given by the Distinguished Restaurants of North America, a non-profit that recognizes restaurants exemplifying the highest standards in cuisine, service and décor. Wine Spectator has given 801 its Award of Excellence every year since 1994 for its diverse wine collection. And Cigar Aficionado recognized 801 for its selection of fine cigars and cigar-friendly environment. But what really matters is that Cityview’s readers have found its cuisine, wine and cigars worthy enough to warrant their hard-earned cash. And with the Grand Shellfish appetizer platter coming in at $59.95, we mean all of their cash. 801 Grand Ave., Des Moines, 286-6000.
Runners-up: Flemings, Splash/Sage

Best Restaurant. Period.
Tursi’s Latin King

Tursi’s Latin King is an East Side institution that has served an authentic piece of Italy to patrons since 1947. With a menu that could have originated from your grandmother’s kitchen (if your grandmother’s medium was Italian cuisine), Latin King encourages you to feed your stomach and soul with meatball sandwiches, ravioli casserole and baked lasagna. 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 266-4466.
Runners-up: Trostel’s Dish, Centro

Shopping

Best Locally Owned Store
Best Place Ever

Cityview readers have spoken, and they’ve named Best Place Ever the best place ever. A locally owned purveyor of fine film located in the Drake neighborhood, Best Place Ever is the movie buff’s dream, carrying classic, cult, foreign and indie films along with the helpful opinions of B.P.E.’s erudite staff. They even carry Wholphin, McSweeny’s quarterly dose of short film, documentaries and animation. 1159 24th St., Des Moines, 255-4332.
Runners-up: Smash/Back Country Outfitters, Zzz Records/Rasmussen Bike Shop

Best New Store
Tie: Beaverdale Books and Mars Café

Readers felt so passionately about Beaverdale Books and Mars Café that they couldn’t choose one over the other when deciding which is Des Moines’ best new store. But really, we couldn’t think of two stores better suited to share the limelight. On the one hand, we have an independent bookstore that has energized local bookworms through its book events and impeccable selection. On the other, we have an independent coffee shop offering a jolt and a buzz with its menu of espresso drinks, tea, wine and beer. Books and beverages: a match made in heaven. Beaverdale Books: 2629 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, 279-5400; Mars Café: 2318 University Ave., 369-MARS.
Runners-up: Fab’rik, Smash

Best Antique Store
Brass Armadillo

Say you accidentally break your boyfriend’s favorite “Return of the Jedi” glass (circa 1983) and need to find a replacement, like, in two minutes. Your best bet would be to head to the sprawling Brass Armadillo, which features more than 450 antique and collectible dealers under one roof. The Armadillo brands itself as a shopping adventure. In the case of an antique emergency, it’s also a lifesaver. 701 N.E. 50th Ave., Des Moines, 282-0082.
Runners-up: A OK Antiques, West End Architectural Salvage

Best Furniture Store
Homemakers

We are certain that Homemakers’ discounted pricing on brand name furniture (La Z Boy, Tempur-Pedic) played a big part in why readers once again chose Homemakers as their most loved sofa/mattress/ottoman dealer. And their large clearance store, a friend to the budget-conscience, allows one to deck out their living space guilt free. But when it comes down to it, Homemakers serves the best fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies west of Grandma’s kitchen and proves that the way to a person’s patronage is through their stomach. 10215 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, 276-2772; 5035 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 265-3481.
Runners-up: Slumberland, Projects

Best Men’s Clothing Store (Dressy)
Von Maur

If a long sleeve silk mock turtleneck, a textured woven button up, a half-zip sweatshirt, Lucky Brand jeans, a Bosca wallet and Armani cologne are on your shopping list, consider Von Maur to be your one-stop shop. 1551 Valley West Dr., West Des Moines, 223-1311.
Runners-up: Reichardt’s, Mr. B’s Clothing/Badowers

Best Women’s Clothing Store (Dressy)
Von Maur

Von Maur has grown from a 20-by-50-foot rented storefront in Davenport to a 22-store chain found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio. Their focus on customer service (interest-free credit cards, free gift wrapping and shipping) and brand name fashion (Burberry, Misook) have cemented their brand in the minds, and wallets, of our readers. 1551 Valley West Dr., West Des Moines, 223-1311.
Runners-up: Younkers, Sarto

Best Men’s Clothing Store (Casual)
Younkers

If you’re in the market to buy a new screen-printed T-shirt, a pair of Adidas shorts and a pair of Levi’s jeans for under $60, then Younkers is the store for you. Jordan Creek Town Center and Valley West Mall.
Runners-up: Von Maur, G&L Clothing

Best Women’s Clothing Store (Casual)
Younkers

If you’re looking for a great sale on Cuddl Dudds, Columbia jackets, wool clothing, skirts and blouses, you’ll find them at Younkers. And don’t forget the discounted leather handbags. Jordan Creek Town Center and Valley West Mall.
Runners-up: Von Maur, Gap

Best Thrift Store
Goodwill

An English proverb says, “Poverty is not a shame, but being ashamed of it is.” In the metro we take that to mean, shopping at a second hand store is not a shame, and nor should you be ashamed for doing it. Anywhere you can find a used bowling jacket ranks high in our books, and Goodwill is that kind of place. It’s also the place to refurbish your home or pick up gifts of any stripe. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Salvation Army, Dav: Thrift Store

Best Bridal Shop
Schaffer’s Bridal

A woman’s wedding is meant to be a lasting memory, but so, too, is the lead up to the big day. Schaffer’s has helped thousands of Central Iowan women prepare for their weddings. They’ve also branched out to providing prom gowns and accessories, as well as tuxedos. With more than 55 years of experience, Schaffer’s staff members know formal wear, and over the years they’ve also gotten to know Central Iowans. 601 E. Locust St. and 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, 288-0356.
Runners Up: Weddings By Design, David’s Bridal

Best Auto Shop
Drake Garage

Nice and helpful aren’t words typically used to describe mechanics, but Drake’s Garage isn’t staffed by your typical mechanics. They’re the kind of guys who will tell you straight up if they can’t fix your car’s problem before running those expensive “tests.” They’ll even point you in the direction of someone who can. Of course, there’s only the odd time they’ll be unable to make your repairs. But it’s those unexpected courtesies that make this place great. 918 42nd St., Des Moines, 255-6159.
Runners Up: Terry’s Auto Service Inc., Scotty’s Auto Body Shop

Best Flower Shop
Boesen, The Florist

The Boesen family has deep roots in Beaverdale, and has grown its flower business into a local empire. Whether it’s a wedding, a last minute Valentine’s Day gift, or a get-out-of-the-dog-house bouquet, they’ve got you covered. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Hy-Vee, Flowerama

Best Sporting Goods
Scheels All Sports

Scheels began as a general store back in 1902 but has since become a sporting goods giant. The Jordan Creek store, for instance, boasts 179,000 square feet of retail. You can buy anything from firearms to Iowa college apparel, while at the same time nibbling on some fudge. 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, 727-4065.
Runners Up: Sports Authority, Sportsman’s Warehouse

Best Grocery Store
Dahl’s Foods

Dahl’s Foods does it again. It’s 70-plus years of serving the metro have earned them a healthy following. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Hy-Vee, Fareway

Best Hair Salon
Salon Utopia

The competition for coiffeurs in Des Moines has heated up in the last few years. The East Village now boasts Salon W and West Des Moines has its Sahar’s Salon and Spa. But Salon Utopia, on University Avenue in Des Moines, is this year’s favorite. They offer cuts, styling, waxing, coloring, texturing, you name it. 1208 42nd St., Des Moines, 274-1888.
Runners up: Bella, Blonde’s

Best Spa
Sahar’s Salon and Spa

Maybe it’s the complimentary herbal teas and bottled water, or the yoga, or the Japanese bath, or the hot stone pedicure or the fact you can get it all done without exceeding your credit limit. Whatever its secret, Sahar’s continues to be Central Iowa’s favorite local spot for R and R. 4100 Westown Pkwy, West Des Moines, 225-7952.
Runners Up: Spa at West Glen, Estilo Salon and Day Spa

Best Shoes
Von Maur

Nothing beats picking out shoes to the soothing and gentle sound of a piano playing in the background. That’s the Von Maur experience. The selection is also something to remember. This classic retailer boasts everything from Anne Klein pumps to Uggs to Frye boots. 1551 Valley West Dr., West Des Moines, 223-1311.
Runners Up: DSW, Payless

Best Electronics Store
Best Buy

Anyone who has ever gone looking for a modem for their PS2 at 8:30 on a Saturday night knows Best Buy has the largest inventory in town. That’s comforting for those of us who depend on electronics when our “friends” are nowhere to be found. Best Buy also has a Geek Squad staff of computer experts, for those interested in good conversation or fixing their laptops. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: American, Traviss Audio Video

Best Bike Shop
Rasmussen Bike Shop

If at all possible after winning Cityview readers’ endorsement last year, Rasmussen has become an even bigger part of the Central Iowa cycling community by sponsoring the 2007 Hy-Vee Triathlon. The triathlon’s $700,000 purse is one of the largest in the sport’s history. If you’re interested in capturing some of the prize money, or just want to get back out on two wheels, visit the guys on Grand Avenue’s bike establishment. 301 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, 277-2636.
Runners Up: Bike World, Barr Bike and Fitness

Best Outdoor Store
Scheels All Sports

Any store that started in the 1900s knows how to equip hunters, adventurers and weekend warriors for trips to the wild. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 727-4065.
Runners Up: Back Country Outfitters, Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Best Hotel/Motel
Hotel Fort Des Moines

This hotel is a metro landmark, having hosted a plethora of famous folks in its rooms in the many decades it’s been open. Today, the hotel is also home to the Raccoon River Brewing Company, Chequers Lounge and hosts events like the Winter Blues Festival. The hotel embodies Iowa’s past and hopefully will be with us far into the future. 1000 Walnut St., Des Moines, 243-1161.
Runners Up: Embassy Suites, Locust Street Suites

Best Drug Store
Hy-Vee Drug Town

A resurgent Hy-Vee Drug Town knocked Walgreens out of the top spot this year. While Walgreens seems to have the corner staked out at almost every intersection in the metro, Hy-Vee has started building mini-grocery store sized pharmacies. The stores are also being re-branded as Hy-Vee Drugstores, perhaps because Drug Town sounded a little like a ’60s artist colony. Check out the one on University Avenue in Urbandale — a great example of their super-sized pharms. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Walgreens, Bauder’s Pharmacy

Best Car Wash
Mister Car Wash

He’s back. Mister Car Wash retains the crown of best place to get that salty film off your car when the mercury pops above 35 F; or at any other time you care to spiff up your wheels. Nothing beats watching a team of professionals do in 10 minutes what would normally occupy your afternoon. Great coupons are available at www.mistercarwash.com. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Executive Wash, Soaks

Best Bookstore
Barnes and Noble

This bookstore is the corporate giant with the personal touch, and has been Central Iowa’s favorite for a number of years. The bookseller’s two West Des Moines locations have plenty of room for getting lost in the world of words, and offer an oasis of espresso if you need to take a breather. Barnes and Noble also regularly host community events, which is a nice touch. 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, 453-2980; 4550 University Ave., West Des Moines, 221-9171.
Runners Up: Borders, Beaverdale Books

Best Used Bookstore
Half Price Books

This Texas-based discount bookseller is a nationwide chain with 85 retail stores in 14 states. They buy and sell books, and in the process boast they’ve “recycled” 16 million tomes, saving several large forests in the process. A good product, a good price and saving the environment — they’ve got a winning formula. 8801 University Ave., Clive, 224-4429.
Runners Up: Well Read Books, Planned Parenthood

Best Health Food Store
Campbell’s Nutrition

While diet fads tend to fizzle out, eating healthy, organic foods seems to be here to stay. Good thing stores like Campbell’s are around, because we all know if it ain’t easy, we won’t do it. This is a locally owned health-food market that offers people not just good products, but a Web site that provides tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Campbell’s isn’t just organic foods — they sell a host of supplements as well. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: New City Market, GNC

Best Jewelry Store
Joseph’s

Diamonds are forever and Joseph’s stronghold on this category is almost as long lasting as Cityview readers once again vote the popular retailer as Best Jewelry Store. Whether you’re looking for that perfect rock to give to
your soulmate or a quality stone for an anniversary or birthday, you can find it all at Joseph’s. Multiple locations.
Runners Up: Anglo, 2AU Limited

Best Massage Therapist
Ted Kunkle at Liz Taylor Yoga

Ted Kunkle has made a name for himself, and his hands, in the metro by offering something we all need: therapeutic massage. He’s renowned for using Eastern and Western forms of massage in order to maximize the healing of “body and spirit.” Ahhh. 11049 Aurora Ave., Urbandale, 779-4483.
Runners-up: Sally Logan at Helping Hands, Leslie Cook at The Magic Touch

Best Car Dealer (Domestic)
Betts Auto Campus

Betts is one of the few locally owned dealerships to survive the onslaught of out-of-state buyers. This dealer knows how to give Central Iowans what they want: American classics. Betts is known for carrying Cadillacs and Hummers. Betts also includes Lexus, Volvo and Jaguar in their inventory, if your patriotism is eclipsed by practicality. 9800 Hickman Rd., and 2121 N.W. 100th St. in Des Moines, 632-4966.
Runners-up: Bob Brown Chevrolet, Karl Chevrolet

Best Car Dealer (Foreign)
Jordan Motors

This dealer claims its success is built on “trust,” and it seems to be working. Jordan Motors retains the title of the metro’s best foreign car dealer. The Merle Hay Auto Mile dealership specializes in the cars Americans love to buy, but don’t typically brag about because they’re f-o-r-e-i-g-n: Nissan, Honda, Infiniti and Acura. 5138 Merle Hay Rd., Johnston, 727-7080.
Runners-up: Betts Auto Campus, Toyota of Des Moines

Best Tanning Salon
Visual Impact Hair & Tanning

Spending spring break at a tropical location sounds like a good idea until you reach the beach and realize you’re so pale you make Casper the Ghost look like George Hamilton. Thank goodness for the folks at Visual Impact Hair & Tanning. The defending champions of Best Tanning Salon in Cityview’s Best Of can turn that Iowa winter malaise into a sexy Caribbean glow that lasts longer than spring break itself. 1985 N.W. 94th St., Clive, 331-8910; 4209 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, 256-6387.
Runners-up: Classic Tan, Tan World

Best Wine Store
Ingersoll Wine & Spirit

Wine connoisseurs of all tastes are abuzz about Ingersoll Wine & Spirit. And it’s not just the Cabernet talking. The Ingersoll Avenue retailer has been in business for 16 years and has a second location in West Des Moines, where it hosts wine tastings. The staffs at both locations are eager to help you select that perfect bottle of wine to make you the life of the party. 3500 Ingersoll Ave., 255-3191; 1300 50th St., West Des Moines, 327-9191.
Runners-up: Wine Experience, Wine House

Best Pet Store
Petco

Searching for that perfect cat toy for Miss Kitty or a studded collar for your iguana, Guido, but you want their input before you make a decision on what to buy? Petco is the place “where the pets go,” but it’s also top dog in the minds of Central Iowa animal lovers. From custom accessories to specialty foods to animals, Petco’s super-stores are virtual can’t-miss animal kingdoms located throughout the metro.
Runners-up: Pet Smart, Iowa Pet Foods

Best Hardware Store
Ace Hardware

It’s the weekend, you’ve got your “work” clothes on and it’s time that you finally got around to tackling some yard work or that home repair job your wife has been nagging you about for the last six months. But if you’re like most of our readers, you probably don’t have the right tools for the job, which means you’re headed to Ace Hardware for some last minute shopping and expert advice. From seasonal rental equipment to basic necessities — just like the commercial says — “Ace is the place.” Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Miller’s Hardware, Lowes

Best Greenhouse/Nursery
Earl May Garden Center

Maybe it’s their product line, or the fact they’ve been around since 1919, or that you can call in to one of the local television stations and ask one of their spokesmen for advice on when to transfer peonies or how to get rid of chinch bugs that makes Earl May so popular with lawn and garden enthusiasts. In all likelihood, it’s a combination of the aforementioned and more that keeps Earl May at the top of our Best Of Readers Poll each year as Best Greenhouse/Nursery. Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Goode’s Greenhouse, Boesen the Florist

Best Big Box Store for Everything
Target

Don’t believe us when we say you can buy just about anything under the sun at Target? Just ask one of the thousands of college students who every August make their annual pilgrimage to a local Target store to stock up on everything they need for the school year. Where else can you find a bra, a set of patio furniture, allergy medicine and an electric guitar under one roof? Multiple locations.
Runners-up: Wal Mart, Costco

Best Shopping District
West Glen Town Center

The great thing about Cityview readers is that they span socio-economic classes. True, we get the tattooed, inked punks. But we also get those in their 30s and 40s and, dare we say, 50s, who have some coin in the bank as evidenced by West Glen winning Best Shopping District. The West Des Moines town center mostly caters to the rich, but it also has some affordable places, too, which is why it should come as no surprise our readers frequent the eclectic, upscale shops there.
Runners-up: East Village, Jordan Creek

Best Music Store
Zzz Records

As purveyors of local, independent music we feel a certain kinship to Zzz Records, one of Des Moines’ last independent record shops. And we’re happy to report that our readers feel the same way. The East Village shop is everything a music lover dreams of — a rustic place where you can spend hours unearthing musical treasures (used and new, analog and digital) without breaking the bank or feeling guilty about handing your money over to a corporate giant. Owner Nate Niceswanger has even expanded the store’s offerings and retail space, which is sweet music to our ears. 424 E. Locust St., 284-1401.
Runners-up: Best Buy, Barnes and Noble

Best Place to Rent a Movie
Best Place Ever

What’s in a name? How about Best Place Ever for the Best Place to Rent a Movie? Need we say anymore? OK, now back to the movie. 1159 24th St., 255-4332.
Runners-up: Blockbuster, Netflix

Best Store for Gamers
Gamers

Video game players might wish they lived in a virtual world, but the reality is without a place like Gamers to feed their habit, they would be up a higher level without a memory card… er, something like that. The South Side shop prides itself in staying ahead of the video game curve by offering popular titles and hard-to-find games. Where else are you going to go when “Full Auto 2: Battlelines” and “Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific” are released next month? 3021 S.E. 14th St., 256-1503.
Runners-up: Game Stop, Best Buy

Best Liquor Store
Ingersoll Wine & Spirit

We told you how wine connoisseurs enjoy shopping at Ingersoll Wine & Spirit, but the longtime retailer is also a hit with whiskey shooters and beer chasers. Whether you’re looking for exotic beers, fine champagnes or top-shelf bourbons, you’ll find it all at Ingersoll Wine & Spirit. Bottoms up! 3500 Ingersoll Ave., 255-3191; 1300 50th St., West Des Moines, 327-9191.
Runners-up: Hy-Vee, Central City Liquor

Culture and Nightlife

Best Strip Club
The Lumber Yard

You could spend your hard-earned dollar on a cup of coffee. Or you could stick it in the g-string of one of the Lumber Yard’s hard working strippers. Your choice. 1504 N.E. 54th Ave., Des Moines, 265-1019.
Runners-up: The Minx, Beach Girls

Best Bar (Overall)
Down Under Bar and Grill

It appears the Down Under predicted their victory when they chose greatestbar.com as their Web site address. AOL Cityguide describes Down Under as a “playground for the big kid in you,” referring to Down Under’s pool and darts tournaments and video golf. We like to think of it as a bar that suits our reader’s every mood, providing strong drinks and food, such as Aussie fries (covered in cheddar and bacon), sandwiches and steaks, made to sustain a long night of hobnobbing. 8350 Hickman Rd., Des Moines, 278-6718.
Runners-up: Star Bar, The Royal Mile

Best Local Artist
Lee Ann Conlan

After graduating from Drake University with a B.F.A. in drawing, in 1997, Conlan taught at the Des Moines Art Center for a year before becoming a full-time, self-employed artist. Since then, her complex and layered work, which includes drawings, paintings and mixed media, has been exhibited at Artdive, the Embassy Club, Fitch Gallery and Vets auditorium. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure, you can view Conlan’s work at www.leeannconlan.com.
Runners-up: Alan Kinsey, The Nadas

Best Place to Take Your Kids
Science Center of Iowa

It’s no wonder that the Science Center of Iowa has been crowned “Best Place to Take Your Kids” two years in a row. Just take a look at a typical day at the center: Story time in Toddler Town; First Alert Storm School with Channel 13 and showings of “Happy Feet” in the Blank IMAX Dome Theater, which features a 12,000 watt digital surround sound system. And with evening events like “The Secrets of Chocolate,” the center engages the curious child in all of us. 401 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Des Moines, 274-4138.
Runners-up: Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines Art Center

Best Place to Gamble
Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino

If you had to wager on which casino ranks number one in the hearts of Cityview readers, it would be a safe bet to place your money on Prairie Meadows. For the second year in a row, readers have nearly unanimously voted Prairie Meadows as the number one place to roll up their sleeves and test their luck. The casino regularly features promotions, such as Poker Palooza, and is adding 400 more slots to their already noteworthy collection of 1,750 machines. And don’t forget your eat’n dress: like any first-class casino, Prairie Meadows has its own in-house buffet. 1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, 967-1000.
Runners-up: Terrible’s Lakeside Casino, Horseshoe Casino

Best Place to Count Mullets
Iowa State Fair

While some readers voted for “any gun show,” “Wal-Mart” and even the Cityview office (thanks!), an overwhelming majority of voters confirmed that the Iowa State Fair is ground zero for the hairstyle we love to disparage. We realize this is no surprise to anyone, least of all our mullet-conscious readers. The pervasiveness of the State Fair Mullet leaves us to wonder: is it something in the fairground’s water? Are we all just one fried-cheese-on-a-stick away from growing a mullet of our own?
Runners-up: Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Southridge Mall

Best Gay/Lesbian Hangout
The Blazing Saddle

If Kathy Griffin were dropped on the steps of the State Capitol and let out her famous salutation “where my gays at,” she’d hear our readers shout, “the Saddle!” With its promise of always a double and never a cover (more like a triple; the Saddle has the most generous bartenders in town) and a separate dance bar that plays host to the likes of Lady Bunny, the Saddle is the watering hole of choice for Des Moines’ lesbian and gay community. And lesbian-and-gay-loving straight people, too. 416 East 5th St., 246-1299.
Runners-up: The Garden, Ritual Café

Best Place for a Game of Pool
Raccoon River Brewing Company

Once again, our readers have crowned Raccoon River Brewing Company king of pool halls. Now providing a smoke-free environment, Raccoon offers patrons seven pool tables that are available for rent by the hour. On Saturdays, pool is free from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. While you rack ’em up, try one of Raccoon’s microbrews, which range from the surprisingly sweet (Vanilla Cream Ale) to the chest hair-nurturing blackness of the Stonecutter Stout. 200 10th St, Des Moines, 362-5222.
Runners-up: Stix, Big Dog Billiards

Best Sports Bar
Third Base

While Cityview readers can pride themselves on being intelligent, independent thinkers, an overwhelming majority agree on one thing: the best place to watch the big game is Third Base. Boasting over 20 TVs, over 20 beers on tap and a menu straight out of the NFL kitchen cook book — including burgers, hot dogs, pizza, tenderloins, nachos and wings — Third Base provides all the creature comforts needed to get through a devastating loss or celebrate that miraculous win. 1720 25th St., West Des Moines, 221-0150.
Runners-up: Autographs Rock and Roll Sports Bar/Legends, Rookies

Best Happy Hour
Drink

The happiest hours once again belong to the original fun bar, not only because of its drink menu, featuring the Get’er Done (Malibu, strawberry schnapps, cranberry juice) and the Pada Ping (Bacardi Limon, Bacardi O, Bacardi Razz, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and margarita mix), but because of its drink prices — all drinks are half price during happy hour (4 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., weekdays). Tuesdays are pint nights, featuring $1 pints on domestic beer all night long. You better plan on taking a sick day Wednesday. 8410 Hickman Rd, Clive, 270-6274.
Runners-up: The Continental, Court Avenue Brewing Company

Best Place to Drink by Yourself
Home
Honey, can you bring me another beer? Thanks. Yet again, Cityview readers shunned the dim lights, chatty barflies and non-happy hour prices found in their neighborhood watering hole an