Food BEST OF BOULDER

every detail in his oven-toasted subs from the perfect bread, ideal toasting time, ingredient layering and quality of cheeses, meats and signature hot pickled peppers or giardinera. The comfy results range from perennial favorites like The Italian sub (with salami, pepperoni, capicola and mortadella) to the not-on-the-Menu menu of customer recommended sandwiches like the Mother Clucker filled with rotisserie chicken, bacon, and provolone.

SEAFOOD JAX FISH HOUSE & OYSTER BAR

928 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-444-1811

Silver: Sushi Zanmai

Bronze: Reelfish

For its legion of fans, the first thing Jax Fish House brings to mind is lip-smacking oysters by the dozen, charred octopus, crabcakes, seared scallops Maine lobster and cioppino every Sunday. For the seafoodobsessed chefs who birthed the small restaurant chain in Boulder, the question from the start was how to serve those dishes sustainably in a land-locked state. Working with the Monterrey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch list, chef Sheila Lucero has a sustainable seafood program that is nationally applauded.

Sushi Japango

1136 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-938-0330

Silver: Hapa Sushi

Bronze: Sushi Zanmai

Write-in: Sushi Leo

Frankly, Japango had us at Kitsune’s Kiss, a pretty sushi roll combining fresh salmon, tempura asparagus, avocado, serrano chiles and lemon topped with torched hamachi, garlic, sweet mayo and chives. Our readers bestow the title of Best Sushi in Boulder on Japango because the selections go way beyond the many nigiri, the seaweed-wrapped fish-topped bundles. They can skip the rice by ordering the Sashimi Delight, an easy feast of tuna, salmon, yellowtail and albacore tuna. Other cooked and veggie sushi variations can be paired with sake, cocktails and mocktails.

Taco Bartaco

1048 Pearl St., Boulder, 719-249-8226

Silver: T/ACO

Bronze: McDevitt Taco Supply

Write-in: Tacos Ay Ay Ay

In a city where Taco Tuesday has almost become a spiritual pursuit, taking home Boulder Weekly’s coveted Best Taco crown takes more than ground beef and beans. The Boulder location of the national chain won over our taste buds with upscaled, street tacos with intensely flavored fillings from spicy tempurabattered cod, sesame ribeye and shredded roasted duck birria. The newest addition to bartaco’s menu is a Caribbean jerk-spiced chicken taco with ancho jicama slaw. Tuesday night Pearl Street people-watching achieves near perfection with a patio table, cocktails and a tray of chilelime shrimp tacos with jicama and fiery pepita salsa macha.

TAKE OUT SNARF’S

Multiple Locations

Silver: Aloy Thai

Bronze: Busaba

Write-in: Modern Market

It’s not at all surprising that Snarf’s won this category again despite the competition. The Boulder-born restaurant chain has spent decades perfecting the art of takeout — everything from the easy online ordering system to the way the subs are wrapped. Every toasted sandwich is customized and Snarf’s does a great job of getting the toppings and spreads just right. For parents, Snarf’s has a secret appeal since they can order a grilled cheese or hot dog for the kids and a grownup Chicken Cordon Bleu sub for themselves.