Kate

BEST Casino Quinault Beach Resort & Casino

BEST Fun Place for Kids Charlie's Safari

This place rocks. Great owners, too. They really care about kids and the community.

BEST Indie Theater The Grand Cinema

BEST Theater Venue 5th Avenue Theatre

BEST Theatre Group 5th Avenue Theatre

BEST Body Shop Kay Parks / Dan Meyer Auto Rebuild

BEST Repair Import Auto Center of Tacoma Inc

So glad I discovered this place. Mark and his crew have taken excellent care of my Honda and me, and the prices are fabulous. Highly recommend.

BEST Children's Cut Wild Child

We love Crystal. My son won't go anywhere else. She does an amazing job keeping an energetic toddler calm, and she makes quick work of his haircuts. He always looks fantastic, and we get tons of compliments.

BEST Massage Carpe Diem Massage

BEST Tattoo and Piercing House of Tattoo!

BEST Barbecue Warthog Barbeque Pit

I'm salivating just thinkin' about it. So darned good.

BEST Burger Blazing Onion Burger Co

BEST Healthy Lunch Marlene's Market and Deli

BEST Hot Dog Costco

You mean someone makes a better dog? No way.

BEST Pizza Gepetto's Pizza

Love this place. Used to go there all the time when we lived in Grays Harbor. I find myself craving it now and planning trips to the Coast so we can go there!

BEST Sandwich Shop Meconi's Italian Subs

Close race between Meconi's in Oly and MSM in Tacoma. But there's something I just can't resist about Meconi's.

BEST Alterations and Tailoring Fashion Fittings

Their work is stellar, and they have a quick turnaround time. Have used them for years and have zero complaints.

BEST Eyewear Suburban Opticians

The staff always helps me pick out the perfect frames for my style, face shape and look. Super-easy to work with.

BEST Women's Boutique Kristy's Boutique

What a great selection of cute clothes for all body types and tastes! And Kristy is such a sweetheart. You gotta go in for a visit.

BEST Women's Shoes Nordstrom

BEST Asian Fusion East West Proctor

BEST Brunch Salty's Seafood Grills

BEST Fine Dining El Gaucho

BEST Indian India Mahal

BEST Italian Europa Bistro

BEST Japanese Fujiya

BEST Kids Menu BJ's Brewhouse

BEST Latin American Asado

BEST Mediterranean It's Greek to Me

BEST Mexican El Toro Restaurant

BEST New Restaurant Lefty's Burger Shack

BEST Outdoor Dining Katie Downs

BEST Steakhouse Asado

BEST Sushi Flying Fish Sushi Bar & Grill

BEST Vegetarian Quickie Too

BEST Golf Course Tacoma Countty & Golf Club

BEST Gym Morgan Family YMCA

BEST Personal Trainers Innovative Fitness

BEST Running Gear South Sound Running

BEST Day Care New Adventure's Children's Center

My son is well cared for by a well educated, professional staff. I can't imagine taking him any place else.

BEST Favorite Local Charity Northwest Infant Survival Alliance / SIDS Foundation of Washington

These folks do amazing work to save babies and help grieving families.

BEST Laundromat Spin City Laundry & Cleaners

Super clean. Nice owners. The machines are always in top working order. The prices are competitive. Highly recommend this place.

BEST Matchmaker Match.com

BEST Self Storage Public Storage

BEST Beer Selection Ale House Pub & Eatery

BEST Bowling ACME Bowling Billiards & Events

BEST Brewpub Silver City Brewery

There is no doubt that these folks are making the best beer in Western Washington, and they are serving up delicious food with their pitch-perfect brews. My husband and I regularly makes the 40-minute drive from our home there because we love it so darned much.

BEST Happy Hour Pacific Grill

No one's happy hour can compare. The best. And now I'm craving those delicious, delicate onion rings.

BEST Irish Pub Doyle's Public House

I feel like I'm in Ireland when I'm here.

BEST Food Blog TNT Diner

You want to know what to eat and where to go in the South Sound? Head to TNT Diner for reviews, tips and restaurant news.

BEST Local Personality on Twitter @CallaghanPeter

BEST Sports Blog Seahawks Insider

Eric Williams knows his stuff and has connections with the Seahawks community that keeps him head and shoulders above the competition. When I want Seahawks news, I turn to Seahawks Insider first.

BEST Chiropractor Renaissance Chiropractic Center

Wouldn't go anywhere else.

BEST Dentist Dr. Donald E. Hearon

A kind, smart dentist surrounded by an excellent staff. My whole family goes to Dr. Hearon -- from the little nieces and nephews to grandma and grandpa.

BEST Doctor Dr. Robert Wilson

I've been going to Dr. Wilson for years. He is brilliant, compassionate and rather funny. Gotta love the bow ties, too.

BEST Fitness Instructor Kelly McDonald

BEST Local Newspaper Columnist/Reporter Peter Callaghan

This guy is a great writer and storyteller. His columns vary from pointed and political to hilarious and observational. He also knows his local history, which adds a needed perspective to our community.

BEST Local Radio Personality Tami Bennett

BEST Local TV Personality Meg Coyle

BEST Teacher Sandra Quebedeaux

We love Mrs. Q! She cares so much about her students and their success and well-being.

BEST Dog Park Fort Steilacoom Park Off-Leash Area

BEST Doggie Daycare Fort Fido Doggie Daycare

BEST Training Dynamite Dog

BEST Bookstore Half Price Books

BEST Comics Comic Book Ink

BEST Furniture The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse

Great furniture. Awesome prices.

BEST Gift Shop Watermark Gifts

BEST Home and Garden McClendon's

BEST Housewares Crate and Barrel

BEST Musical Instruments Ted Brown Music

BEST Portrait Photography Finian Road Image & Design

Shelley's eye for detail is unmatched. And she captures such perfect moments. We get heaps of compliments whenever she takes new photos of our family. She makes us at ease and the pictures prove that.

BEST Shopping Center University Village

BEST Bakery Wagner's Bakery & Cafe

BEST Beer Store 99 Bottles

Is there any doubt? This place rocks.

BEST Butcher Stewart's Meat Market

BEST Cheese Shop Metropolitan Market

BEST Chocolate Johnson Candy Co.

The best candy in the state, hands down. Delicious and decadent. There's a reason this place has been in business so long. And the owners are so nice. Go there.

BEST Coffee Shop Bluebeard Coffee Roasters

BEST Cupcakes hello, cupcake

I've tried a lot of cupcakes -- my waistline proves it. These folks win every time.

BEST Desserts B&O Espresso

BEST Donuts Pao's Donut and Coffee Shop

The maple bars are to die for. The giant cinnamon twists are heavenly. Nice people making divine donuts. You have to try them. You'll be hooked.

BEST Fish Market Johnny's Seafood Co.

BEST Gourmet Grocery Metropolitan Market

BEST Ice Cream Shop Gibsons Frozen Yogurt Shoppe

BEST Tea House Mad Hat Tea Company

BEST Wine Shop Wine Bank

BEST Cakes Chele's Customized Cakes

The cakes are delicious and gorgeous. Can't say enough good things.

BEST DJ Radio Parties

BEST Flowers J. Robbins Florist

BEST Invitations Watermark Gifts

BEST Photographer Sheila Addleman Photography

She's shot four weddings in my family and earned our loyalty and respect. Her fabulous work on my family's weddings has caught the eye of lots of friends, and she's done fantastic stuff for them too. We love Sheila!

BEST Venue Tacoma County & Golf Club

Spectacular.

BEST Green Building Stadium Innovation Center

BEST Pick-up Place Starbucks Coffee

BEST Playground Priest Point Park

I almost don't want to vote for it because I'm afraid everyone else will discover it! My son could spend hours on the play structures and swings. I've never seen anything like this.

BEST School with the Most Spirit Saint Martin's University

School spirit + the Holy Spirit!!!

BEST Man of the Year SFC Leroy Petry

BEST Woman of the Year Kathi Goertzen