Best For Cal Poly 2013

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Friday, March 15, 2013

WHAT IS

BEST FOR ?

For the past nine years, Mustang Daily readers have cast votes for their favorite businesses in the San Luis Obispo area to create the “Best for Cal Poly” Edition.

Mustang Daily collected student surveys during fall quarter for the Cal Poly perspective on everything from “Best Breakfast” to “Best On-Campus Study Spot” to “Best First Date Location.”

Those who filled out at least 50 percent of the printed survey turned it into our office in exchange for a Mustang Daily T-shirt or sunglasses. Students and faculty were also able to submit their nominations through our online ballot at mustangdaily.net. Each year, students in the public relations classes write the content for this special edition.

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Table of contents 4

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Food

Drink

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Lifestyle & Activity

All Winners

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Sports & Recreation

SchoolRelated

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Miscellaneous

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Shopping

Best frozen Treat Teaberry Frozen Yogurt Café

Best food bakery, dessert, BBq, breakfast, salad, vegetarian, thai, indian, mexican, chinese, mediterranean, pizza, lunch, etc

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Lila Scherer The abundance of frozen yogurt shops in San Luis Obispo has made this treat a staple in most Cal Poly students’ diets.

In December 2011, Cal Poly alumnus Tom Stennett opened Teaberry Frozen Yogurt Café, making it the third yogurt shop downtown.

Despite its close location to competitors, Teaberry has yet to experience a slow day in sales, manager Kasie Craig said. The store’s menu of yogurt, gelato, frozen custard, smoothies, shaved ice and a multitude of coffee drinks provides a treat for everyone.

“I love Teaberry. It is the best frozen yogurt place in SLO, being as there are so many,” journalism senior

Fearson Hosmer. “I really think they have the best quality yogurt.”

Craig attributes the café’s extensive menu and the support from Cal Poly and Cuesta College students to the success of their business’ success.

Teaberry’s signature frozen yogurt is all natural, made from Greek-style yogurt and has no fat, trans fat or hydrogenated oils. The yogurt is also filled with live, active probiotic cultures, which promote healthy digestion and can boost the immune system — giving customers an even bigger reason to satisfy their sweet tooth.

“I love Teaberry because they always have great toppings and flavors that a lot of other frozen yogurt places don’t offer,” business administration senior Cody Abramson said.

Craig said the flavors and toppings at Teaberry are always changing to be festive and offer seasonal flavors. During Halloween, a cus-

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tomer can find candy corn nestled between their other unique toppings such as the gummy pigs and gummy army men.

Craig said the Oreo cookie gelato has been the most popular item on the menu since the shop opened, followed by the coffee gelato and frozen vanilla custard.

Teaberry’s yogurt, gelato and frozen custard are all $0.41 cents per ounce, making this treat affordable for all students. It is open seven days a week and stays open until 10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

BEST BARBECUE, Tri-tip, french fries, salad, restaurant, place for lunch Firestone Grill Hannah Brott Imagine this: It’s Friday night, you just totally destroyed that huge midterm you’ve been stressing about all week, and you and some friends head out to celebrate. The biggest decision left in the day is where to eat dinner and, naturally, it’s unanimous: you’re getting that barbecue fix. You’re heading straight for Firestone Grill.

You find a place to park and, by some miracle, you realize you’ve managed to find a lull in the usual Friday night, around the block line.

It’s a warm night and there are even a couple of open tables on the patio.

Now, the next question: what are you going to order? After all, Firestone won Mustang Daily’s categories for Best Barbecue, Best French Fries, Best Tri-tip, Best Salad, Best Res-

taurant and Best Place for Lunch, so you have a lot to choose from.

“The tri-tip sandwich, hands down,” mechanical engineering junior Tim Jung said. “The tri-tip is really good, something I would go there to eat anytime, not just when I was in the mood for a tri-tip sandwich.”

Firestone Grill offers a relatively small menu, but covers a range of food types. Customers can find traditional barbecue fare such as tri-tip sandwiches, hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries and ribs along with fish tacos, vegetarian options and interesting salads.

“It does seem to cater to whatever mood I’m in really well,” Jung said.

Firestone Grill has positive reviews on sites such as Yelp as well.

“This place must be off the charts for drunk food. For sober food, it’s even better,” according to one Yelp reviewer.

“Get the seasoned fries with everything you order because they are

delicious,” another reviewer said. “I also highly recommend the chicken strips with ranch or barbecue sauce!”

Jung said Firestone’s style makes it more appealing than other barbecue restaurants.

“I’ve never been to Moe’s for lunch, but when I go there for dinner I feel like I have to really want hardcore barbecue,” he said.

Besides the food, Jung said Firestone “kind of feels like a classic college hangout ... modern, friendly, that ‘darkish with TVs everywhere’ feel.”

Firestone has several large TVs located inside, along with a full bar, according to its Yelp profile, and plenty of seating in the bar area.

Many reviewers on Yelp point out that Firestone often has a long line, but most agree the food comes quickly and is well worth the wait.

Not every comment about the Best For winner was positive, however.

“I hate how Firestone doesn’t have a cold water dispenser on the soda machine,” mechanical engineering senior Tim Scott said. “(The) grill guys don’t smile very often and rarely look anyone in the eye ... (it’s) kinda awkward,” anthropology and geography senior Marissa Myres said.

“The best part of Firestone is also the worst; the barbecue sauce is what really makes the tri-tip great, but because of that everything is always sticky,” Jung said. “Minor point, but still — maybe that’s just a pet peeve of mine.”

Jung said he went on his first visit to Firestone when he visited Cal Poly for the first time.

“The food was amazing, and my friend made sure I asked for the extra barbecue sauce,” Jung said.

He eats at Firestone approximately once a month now that he lives in SLO, “but not as often as I’d really like,” he said.

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Best breakfast Louisa’s Place Lila Scherer Louisa’s Place is a consistent award winner in San Luis Obispo County. In addition to being voted “Best Breakfast” by Mustang Daily readers for four years in a row, the restaurant has also received awards for its burgers and salsa.

Scott Sweeny, one of the owners, attributes the restaurant’s continuous success to the dedication of his family and staff. Every hour the restaurant is open, one can find a member of the Sweeny clan — Scott, his wife Kuuipo, or their children Tawni, Kaitlyn and Aric — hard at work. Sweeny said the restaurant’s huevos rancheros and omelets are customers’ favorite items on the menu. These two items are in such high demand that he said customers will wait

up to two hours to get a bite of the popular guacamole, bacon and egg omelet.

“Louisa’s is totally worth the wait in that long line,” journalism senior Lindsey Mills said. “I would wait for half an hour if it meant I could get one of their omelets.”

Despite the ever-persistent line flowing out the front door, Sweeny said the restaurant will never move to a bigger space. He believes the small space gives Louisa’s a cozy feel and makes his customers feel at home once they sit into one of the large booths lining the restaurant, or pull a chair up to the old fashion diner-style counter.

“Louisa’s place offers a unique variety of omelets that you can’t get anywhere else,” biological sciences junior Christina Beck said.

“My personal favorite is their Italian omelet. Also, their large portion sizes make it affordable to split with friends, when on a college

“Louisa’s is totally worth the wait in that long line.”

— Lindsey Mills, journalism senior budget. Love this place.”

Louisa’s Place isn’t only popular among Cal Poly students.

Chuck Liddell used to be a regular at the restaurant and Jesse McCartney filmed his popular music video, “Just So You Know,” at the establishment.

The Sweeny family has kept Louisa’s Place a staple in the community by providing the same great food and large portion sizes since they became owners in 1991. They have been able to keep such a loyal following thanks to every employee in the kitchen at Louisa’s Place; each has worked there for more than 10 years. The devotion of these employees is reflected in

the dependable deliciousness of the food and homey atmosphere of the restaurant.

Edward and Christy Sweeny became owners in 1991 and have since passed the restaurant down through the generations. Christy Sweeny was known as a very active and compassionate member of the San Luis Obispo community. She passed away in 2003, but every year Louisa’s Place donates to several local charities in her honor.

Louisa’s Place is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Thursdays it serves its award-winning barbecue at downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market.

Best sandwich High Street Market & Deli Hannah Brott When it comes to finding a good sandwich in SLO, customers have options: Mr. Pickle’s, Kona’s, Gus’s and Ben Franklin’s, just to name a few. However, this year’s winner of Mustang Daily’s best sandwich shop category is High Street Market & Deli.

High Street was established in the 1930s and has managed to hang on to much of its heritage. Walking into High Street, customers will see a vintage exterior — including an Eskimo Pie mural and a painted-on sign, and an interior adorned with an array of tins, posters and other memorabilia. There is also a variety of old-fashioned sodas customers can choose from the cooler to top off the vintage feel of the High Street Deli experience.

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The food at High Street is anything but old-fashioned.

A large chalkboard displays, in plenty of bright colors, all of the predesigned sandwiches customers can order. These include everything from the most basic to the most off-thewall combinations of meat, cheese, bread, condiments and toppings. If none of these are quite what you’re looking for, High Street also offers customers the option to create a sandwich exactly the way they want it. If you just aren’t feeling a sandwich that day, there are soups made fresh from scratch every day and plenty of salad and snack options to choose from.

Food science and nutrition senior Emily Reed said she goes to High Street Deli approximately four times a month.

Reed, a vegetarian, said her favorite sandwiches are “the gardenburger or sometimes the mother nature veggie sandwich. But mostly the

gardenburger.”

“I go every once in awhile,” anthropology and geography senior Marissa Myres, who lives approximately two blocks from the deli, said. “I’ve had good experiences there. The people there are really friendly and laid back, the food is awesome. I can’t think of anything bad I could say about it.”

Reed said it was a friend of a friend who introduced her to High Street Deli when she was a freshman at Cal Poly.

“She had been in SLO for a couple years already and she wanted to take us there,” Reed said. “I felt like it was a little bit crowded. It was a sunny day and it gets really crowded inside there when the weather is nice. But the food was just so good that I kept going back.”

High Street Deli is also known for its tendency to play off its name, offering what they call their “420 special,” which, according to High Street

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Deli’s Facebook page, happens from 4:20 to 5:30 p.m. everyday — all of the sandwiches are $4.20 during that time.

The deli also has “Doobie Snacks,” which its website describes as “an eat-your-heart-out cookie bar.”

“They have outdoor seating and their food is great,” Reed said. “It’s really cool because a lot of sandwich shops sell beer, but don’t allow it on their patios. It’s just a really relaxed and comfortable place to go get a sandwich.”

BEST THAI such as pad thai — prepared with and you can now place a reservatamarind sauce, bean sprouts, tion on the restaurant’s website. peanuts and your choice of meat “The table we sat at was a huge Hayley Richards — Thai Palace presents quality circular table which was awesome with authenticity. because I was with a large group,” The choice for “Best Thai Food” is Agricultural science junior Kerri Purser said. nestled in the heart of downtown Bermudez said her favorite was the On weekend nights when busiSan Luis Obispo.

Tom Kha soup, regarded on Thai Pal- nesses are full, sometimes the hecThai Palace, located on Court ace’s website as its “Famous soup.” tic atmosphere makes it hard to Street, will surely catch the eye of “Even though they were re- relax at a lot of restaurants, he said. any person walking by. The front ally busy, we got our food pretty “Most Thai places I’ve been to of the restaurant is covered in a quick and it was really good,” are pretty small and the lighting is brightly colored, mirrored mosaic Bermudez said. usually bright, but the atmosphere NHA HA /MUSTANG DAILY reminiscent of the Grand Palace in The prices are fairly inexpen- in Thai Palace is the exact oppoBangkok, Thailand. While the out- sive and you also get a lot of food, site,” Purser said. “The waiter was also the food. Beside Tee-Tee’s door décor may be what pulls first- she said. really accommodating and encour- own Thai history, the current chef time customers in, it is the food Inside, the low lighting and aged us to order family style and spent 20 years cooking professionand atmosphere that encourages Thai artwork present a warm and get a few plates of everything so ally in Bangkok before working at them to come back. welcoming environment for pa- we could all try something different Thai Palace.

The menu offers a wide variety trons. Agribusiness senior Ryan and not just stick with one dish.”

Thai Palace can be found at of authentic Thai dishes. Whether Purser last went to Thai Palace for Thai Palace is co-owned by 1015 Court Street, right next to you are looking for a spicy bowl of a friend’s birthday.

Teerapan “Tee-Tee” Teeratakul, Yogurt Creations. For more inforgeang deang — a red curry with “The restaurant has pretty dark who grew up with the family restau- mation, to view a lunch or dinner coconut milk, peppers, squash, lighting and plenty of room be- rant in Pichit, Thailand. The Thai menu, or to make reservations, visThai basil, bamboo and carrots tween tables,” Purser said. flavor and style he grew up with is it the Thai Palace website at thai— or for a classic noodle plate Thai Palace takes reservations reflected in not only the décor but palaceinslo.com.

Thai Palace

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BEST SUSHI Shin’s Sushi Bar Hayley Richards Sushi restaurants are becoming increasingly trendy and Cal Poly students chose Shin’s sushi as their favorite in San Luis Obispo.

Conveniently placed next to The Fremont downtown, Shin’s provides everything you could hope for in a sushi restaurant. From basic rolls, to nigiri, to bowls of udon, Shin’s menu allows customers to choose not only their favorite sushi, but their favorite Japanese dishes, too.

Its menu offers rolls for half-off everyday, as well as special rolls that can be deep-fried, rolled in tempura flakes or sauced to your liking.

Not looking for a roll? Shin’s offers just straight sashimi, nigiri, noodles, tempura and an array of entrees to choose from.

“All their prices are really reason-

able,” Campus Dining supervisor Jocelyn Dannebaum said.

The half-off cut roll section allows customers dining with a strict budget — such as a student budget — to get their fill of food without breaking the bank. Shin’s makes sushi affordable, which is one of the reasons people keep coming back, Dannebaum said.

“My roommates and I always go to Shin’s, sometimes (my roommates) even go three times a week,” agricultural science junior Stephanie Calestini, who enjoys the teriyaki chicken bowl, said. “The employees are really nice and it’s just a fun place to go with friends.”

Group dining is important in a college town, and Shin’s seems to do it right. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, and the small tables can be easily rearranged to accommodate a large party. Even with the fun atmosphere, the service is attentive.

“The waiters know my roommates

by their names now and they just really care about their customers,” Calestini said.

Friendly service, a large selection with cheap prices and accommodation to large groups has proved to turn first-time customers into loyal patrons. So next time you’re thinking of having a birthday dinner with some friends, think about adding Shin’s to your list of local, lovable restaurants to choose from. “(Shin’s) is an ideal place for birthday celebrations because they have a lot of seating and they definitely know how to party for a birthday,” Dannebaum said. “The disco lights come on, they play their techno birthday song and everyone is clapping and having a great time.”

For those celebrating, nothing goes better with sushi than sake bombs, and Shin’s offers a selection of Japanese beer to drop your hot sake glass into. If sake isn’t really your style, but you’re still looking to

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unwind a bit, the restaurant also has a selection of wine to choose from, just don’t forget to save room for some mochi for dessert.

Shin’s is definitely the local favorite, and it couldn’t be in a better place. Located at 1023 Monterey Street, this restaurant is the perfect place to grab some food when downtown. If you live on campus, there is even a bus that will drop you off just a block away.

For more information, visit the Shin’s website at ShinsSushiSLO. com or give the staff a call at 805543-2348.

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Best mediterranean Petra Mediterranean Pizza and Grill Justine Gananian One foot in the door and you are greeted with a friendly smile and a fresh, warm piece of pita bread.

This is how every customer coming to Mediterranean restaurant Petra is welcomed.

Business administration senior Carlie Nevels said the fresh Mediterranean cuisine has kept her coming ever since her first visit two years ago.

“The gyro sandwich cannot be topped,” Nevels said. “And the pita bread and hummus are to die for.”

Todd Aburashed and his wife, Sana, opened Petra in 2008 with their children, Samir, Laila, Summer and Rammy, and named it after the archeological site in Jordan, which is one of the seven wonders

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of the world.

“Petra is a beautiful and historical place of tranquility and universal spirituality,” Samir said on the Petra website.

Whether you are looking to grab an entire plate packed with extras or some famous cucumber yogurt salad, Petra is the perfect location for you to get together with friends for a hearty meal.

The owners invested $300,000 to remodel the entire restaurant and turn it into what it is today.

“It is always clean and looks nice from the moment you walk in,” sociology senior Janna Traeger said. “It’s super important to feel like you are eating at a place that makes sure their customers are comfortable.”

Petra prides itself on baking its bread daily and using the freshest ingredients.

“You can tell right away that the quality of the food is top notch,”

“Petra is a beautiful and historical place of tranquility and universal spirituality.”

— Samir Aburashed, co-owner of Petra

recreation, parks and tourism administration senior Samantha Buono said. “I have never felt like I wasn’t getting anything but the best when I eat there.”

Petra also offers soup, salads, various gyro plates and tasty extras, such as grape leaves

stuffed with rice.

Petra is located at 1210 Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, and is open from 10:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Petra is a must-visit if you are in the mood to try something new and delicious.

Best seafood Splash Cafe Justine Gananian Bread made from scratch, savory seafood and flaky pastries that melt in your mouth — this is what has kept recreation, parks and tourism administration senior Taylor Selby coming back to Splash Cafe ever since she first visited San Luis Obispo.

Since 2005, Splash Cafe has been serving the San Luis Obispo community its award-winning clam chowder, tasty bakery treats and sun pizzas — pizzas literally cut in the shape of a sun — and that is just a fraction of the flavorful menu selection.

“Splash is my go-to place to eat when I have a craving for seafood,” Selby said. “And it’s always way too hard to pick just one thing on the menu. It’s all delicious.”

With 1,000 bread bowls made

each day, Splash is no stranger to the popularity of its restaurant.

“I remember eating there during WOW Week my freshman year, and I have not stopped going since,” liberal studies sophomore Brooke Bernardy said. “It’s always packed with people, no matter what time of day it is.”

Splash Cafe also sells its award-winning clam chowder in numerous Costco stores, ship it anywhere in the continental United States, and have seen chowder sales to grow from 5,000 gallons a year in 1991 to 30,000 gallons a year today between the two restaurants, according to the Splash Cafe website.

“You’re crazy if you don’t order the clam chowder in a bread bowl,” business administration senior Nathan Olson said. “The grilled shrimp in pesto sauce is also delicious. It’s always so fresh.”

If you are looking for some-

place that is sure to delight your seafood cravings and is close to Cal Poly’s campus, Splash Cafe cannot be overlooked.

Splash Cafe is located at 1491 Monterey Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, with its original location in Pismo Beach.

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Splash Cafe has multiple locations, including Pismo Beach, Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo and a new one on the way downtown.

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best pizza Woodstock’s Bryce Jacobson When you ask Cal Poly students what their favorite pizza is, it’s seemingly always the same answer: Woodstock’s.

Woodstock’s is more than just a place to fill your stomach, it’s an experience. As soon as you step through the doors, you can’t help but feel the essence of the college life. The positive vibes rarely go unnoticed.

City and regional planning senior Jared Sammet said he comes for much more than pizza.

“The place is just such a great spot to go with friends mainly,” Sammet said, in between bites of pepperoni pizza. “The pizza is awesome, but we always end up hanging out here even way after it’s gone. When I go out to other places I usually just eat and then

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take off. Here, we hang out.” are pretty boring,” Flores said.

That is exactly what the origi- “They pile on the toppings and nal owners Chuck Woodstock and that is the best part. All the stuff Mike Chew intended in 1980 when tastes super fresh and they mix they opened Woodstock’s in San stuff I wouldn’t ever think to even Luis Obispo. They wanted Wood- ask for; one of them has broccoli stock’s to have more of a commu- on it even.” nity and college feel to it. It wasn’t It goes without saying that pizjust about the pizza. za has a partner made in heaven: There are now four other loca- beer. Woodstock’s offers more tions across California, and they than just mass produced lagers, are all in college towns such as they have local brews from FiresSan Luis Obispo. Although, the tone Walker Brewing Co. pizza is hard to ignore.

Cal Poly alumnus Alex Stewart Of course you can create your says said he will come to Woodown pizza, but it’s difficult to do stock’s after work just because it better than the 14 classic combos is a great place to ready to be ordered. Woodstock’s grab a pitcher. pies are unique because of their “I don’t know why philosophy of not going light on you wouldn’t rather the toppings. A standard classic go to Woodstock’s combo can have seven toppings to have a few beers,” loaded on delicious crust.

Stewart said. “If Agriculture systems manage- you go to a normal ment senior Alvaro Flores thinks this bar you’d pay five or is the key to Woodstock’s popularity. six bucks for a DBA “So many other pizza places (Firestone Walker’s

Double Barrel Ale) where you can get a whole pitcher here for like double that. Not to mention, why hang out at a dark bar, but you can sit next to a window and still watch some games.”

It’s no secret that college students need to save money, so Woodstock’s nightly happy hour runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Wednesdays are host to pint night where customers can receive $2 premium beers, or, if they’re really broke, customers can stick to $1 refills of the domestic lagers.

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best place to eat on campus Subway Laura Wilkinson When it comes to student eating habits, getting great-tasting food without breaking the bank is the top priority. The new on-campus Subway meets both of these needs 24 hours a day, and is this year’s winner for best place to eat on campus.

Tucked into a shady courtyard corner of the Walter F. Dexter Building, it is not uncommon to see a line out the door of the recently opened Subway.

The bright, clean and brand new facility serves a mixture of students and non-students at a rate of nearly 1,500 sandwiches a day, according to manager Mauricio Vergara.

“We are very busy all throughout the day, and especially during dead week,” Vergara said.

The proud manager also expressed his happiness about winning.

“We work so hard to give the best service and best quality, this award shows that it is paying off,” he said.

Subway employee Britain Parker, who has been working at the current campus location for the past five months, said during the store’s opening week it beat out the top Subway in California for sales.

To her, it’s a no-brainer.

“We have lots of options, the chain is well -nown and it’s pretty healthy,” Parker said about the location’s success.

When agribusiness senior Joe Shakely was asked why he comes in day after day he said, “I’m just sick of everything else on campus. … Here, you get a good meal for pretty cheap, and FebruANY is a great deal.”

Chemistry freshman Kelly Watermeyer said the location is also very

convenient, as she doesn’t have to walk all the way to The Avenue or Sandwich Factory to get food.

Subway also accepts Plu$ Dol-

lars and Campus Express, and has a grab-and-go window for those with only a few minutes to pick up a bite.

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The new on-campus Subway, located right next to Dexter Lawn, sells nearly 1,500 sandwiches per day, according to manager Mauricio Vergara.

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best bar and best happy hour SLO Brewing Co. Laura Wilkinson

Best DRINK Happy hour, cocktail, local winery, keg deal, bar, margarita, local beer, coffee house, ETC

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Located halfway down Garden Street, between Marsh and Higuera streets is SLO Brewing Co. (SLO Brew), one of California’s oldest breweries and this year’s choice for best local bar and best happy hour.

SLO Brew has been in business for 25 years. It boasts a delicious food menu, the stars being its 16 house-made microbrews. It offers happy hour Monday through Friday, where patrons can buy $3 house drafts, a second happy hour on Fridays called “rehappy hour” and Tuesday $1 pint nights.

Business administration junior Cameron Randa recently celebrated his 21st birthday, and said Tuesday pint night was his favorite and “the variety (SLO Brew) has when it comes to beer on tap is awesome.”

In addition, SLO Brew also has a billiards room, dance floors and it hosts an average of 15 to 17 concerts each month.

“I’m not 21 yet so I can’t speak to the beer, but it’s a great place to see bands play,” psychology junior Julia Core said.

As a bar, a brewery and a popular live music venue, it’s no wonder general manager Monte Schaller affectionately refers to SLO Brew as the “three-headed beast.”

Schaller has been working at SLO Brew for the past five and a half years, and was excited to learn his bar came out on top.

“I’ve never worked at a place where people are so proud to be part of a team,” Schaller said.

“From our doorman to our bartender, everyone is excited, and I think that energy is what brings people back.”

The atmosphere also adds to this energy.

A motif of hardwood and stainless steel gives the whole place

a casual and relaxed vibe. There is constant, buzzing conversation, clinking pint glasses, music, sports blasting from the bar’s plasma TVs and clicking of billiard balls. It’s alive, yet not so overwhelming that you can’t hear yourself think.

“You just feel comfortable,” graphic communication senior Shannon Whitehill said.

Whitehill isn’t the only one who enjoys SLO Brew for its atmosphere.

“I usually see someone I know when I go there, so that makes it fun,” liberal studies senior Jake Augino said. “I went this past weekend, bought a friend a drink for her birthday and the bartender made me one hell of a whiskey sour.”

While the bar is often considered a college student hangout, it really caters to a wide variety of clientele.

“People from all backgrounds come in … depending on what shows are playing downstairs,” Schaller said. “We are constantly evolving.”

best cocktails Black Sheep Bar and Grill Nicole Jacobsen Cal Poly students have spoken, and Black Sheep Bar and Grill has been voted for having the best cocktails in town.

Located in downtown San Luis Obispo at 1117 Chorro Street, Black Sheep has continued to provide excellent customer service as well as delicious cocktails since 2005.

Nicole Moliné, a bartender for the past seven years, said it’s the atmosphere and friendly service that keeps students coming back.

“It’s about the consistency,” Moliné said. “You know when you come in you’re going to have great service, and the bartenders are creative. All of our bartenders really want to make the customer happy, and we tend to make slight-

ly stronger drinks.”

Political science senior Christina Hulick enjoys the atmosphere at the bar as well as the drinks.

“I like the vibe at Black Sheep,” Hulick said. “There are a lot of locals, but it’s still a cozy, comfortable place. They have strong drinks, and the bartenders know how to make great cocktails.”

The bar’s owner, Myriam Olaizola, said the reason students voted Black Sheep “Best Cocktails” is the friendly staff.

“We don’t cheat our customers,” Olaizola said. “We prepare our cocktails with quality ingredients and caring expertise. Our wells are probably the top shelves of other places, and we have very talented bartenders who make (the drinks) perfectly for you every time.”

Moliné also said the good variety of liquor keeps their customers coming back, and keeps Black Sheep unique in a sea of bars downtown.

“We’ve got a great bourbon se-

lection, a lot of beer and plenty of One of the most popular drinks shots,” she said. served at Black Sheep is the RusFood science and nutrition se- sian Mafia, a blend of all of their nior Veronica Bucher also enjoys flavored vodkas. Moliné said it’s the character of the bar. hard to even taste the alcohol.

“They’ve got a cool patio and “It’s one of the best things cool vibes,” Bucher said. about our cocktails,” Moliné said.

Olaizola wanted to thank those “In a lot of our drinks, even though who have helped put Black Sheep we make them pretty strong, it’s on top. hard to taste the alcohol. I think “I must add that I wish to com- that’s why students like our drinks pliment my amazing bartenders, so much.” some of whom have been with At affordable prices, it’s no me for years, for their daily caring wonder Cal Poly students enjoy and mixing expertise,” she said. “I the bar. would also like to thank Cal Poly “Most of our drinks are bestudents for their vote of confi- tween $3.50 and $10.00,” Molidence and look forward to serving né said. “For the bars in the area, them our best cocktails.” that’s not bad.”

“We tend to make slightly stronger drinks.”

— Nicole Moliné, Black Sheep bartender

best local winery Edna Valley Vineyard Nicole Jacobsen Cal Poly students voted Edna Valley Vineyard, located at 2585 Biddle Ranch Road Best Local Winery this year.

Tasting room manager Josh Baker said it’s the whole package that makes Edna Valley the most popular for students.

“First of all, the tasting room offers an amazing experience,” Baker said. “The staff, experience and views are great.”

Wine tastings are only $10, and that’s waived if you buy a bottle of wine.

With wines ranging from $15 to $45 a bottle, it’s so affordable that students can easily frequent the winery.

Communication studies senior Christia Brockman said Edna Valley is her favorite winery in the area.

“I’m all over Edna Valley,” Brockman said. “There’s a stunning view, a perfect outdoor patio area, an extremely welcoming environment with an amazing staff and most importantly, great wine.”

Edna Valley also partners with Cal Poly, and interns from the wine and viticulture department make up 100 percent of the harvest and winemaking staff.

“We’ve used Cal Poly interns since 2005,” Baker said. “It’s been a great experience for all of us. The students get real-world experience in winemaking, and we get to work with great people who really want to get into the business.”

Mathematics junior Michael Dumke said he’s frequented the winery since he turned 21 this year.

“The wine just tastes great,” Dumke said. “It’s the best I’ve had, and it really got me to enjoy

wine. The winery itself has such a great view, it’s a fun place to go and really spend time. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable, and I always have a great time.”

According to Baker, Edna Val-

ley’s wines aren’t the average.

“The wines are cutting-edge and racy in acidity,” Baker said. “It’s definitely not your grandmother’s wine. I think that’s why students like it so much.”

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Edna Valley Vineyard offers a tasting room, affordable wines, an outdoor patio and internship opportunties for Cal Poly students.

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best local beer 805 Firestone Bryce Jacobsen It makes sense that the best local beer is named after the 805 area code that represents San Luis Obispo County.

Firestone Walker’s 805 is a blonde ale that complements its signature beers, such as the Double Barrel Ale, that are heavier. The 805 is a great session beer, meaning it has a relatively lower alcohol content and the second one will go down just as smooth as the first.

It’s not hard to catch Firestone’s 805 on tap at bars and restaurants around San Luis Obispo. After all, it’s only available in the 805 area code. It really is difficult to find a beer more local than that.

Former Firestone Walker employee, Rachel Brady, worked in the tasting room for eight months and saw the popularity of the 805.

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She believes the 805 won Best Local Beer for multiple reasons: taste, flavor and branding.

“It’s got a very mild hop profile and a touch of sweetness at the end which combines to make it the perfect beer for those who aren’t looking for complex flavors or intense hops,” Brady said. “You can drink larger quantities without feeling too full or too drunk. Also, David Walker and Adam Firestone created the 805 to thank all the locals for their support of the Firestone brand. This seemed to resonate really well considering the 805 has become so popular.”

Brady couldn’t speak higher of spending her time in the tasting room for a company such as Firestone Walker. The brewery is ahead of the curve when it comes to crafting delicious brews.

“We had quite a few beers on tap that aren’t bottled or distributed, so they were really exclusive,” Brady said. “Small batches

of bourbon-aged beers and funky sours brewed with local berries – it was really cool to be right there to watch, pour and taste of all the brewers’ experiments.”

Despite San Luis Obispo being a college town and college towns generally being associated with kids chugging mass quantities of cheap beer such as Natural Light, Firestone Walker’s influence has clearly rubbed off on Cal Poly.

Environmental engineering junior Jamie Pigott thinks students are starting to appreciate all the different things beer can be.

“You definitely see a lot of peo-

ple drinking beers like Firestone at parties,” Pigott said. “It’s not just kids pounding dirt-cheap beers — they are drinking IPA’s and dark beers now, too.”

The 805’s popularity is easy to see at local pubs as well.

Civil engineering senior Allie Shupe works at Pappy McGregor’s, a local Irish pub. She said it’s nice to be able to have a lighter beer with a meal, without losing flavor.

“People order it all the time at work,” Shupe said. “It goes well with anything because it’s not going to overpower your meal, but it’s still tasty.”

“You can drink larger quantities without feeling too full or too drunk.”

— Rachel Brady, former Firestone Walker employee

BEST coffee house BlackHorse Espresso and Bakery Carly Rickards BlackHorse Espresso and Bakery is humming with San Luis Obispo residents of all ages. A father selects a fresh pastry for his toddler, a young couple shares a newspaper while waiting in line. Cal Poly students are scattered throughout the coffee shop, hunched over books and laptops, headphones in, their tables littered with white coffee cups. A steady stream of customers files in and out, each bringing a different dynamic to the local café.

But all of these unique customers have one thing in common: They appreciate quality.

“BlackHorse just makes good coffee, and that’s their focus,” recreation, parks and tourism administration junior Ashleigh Allard said. “There are three in SLO and all three are equally good.”

BlackHorse bakes all their pastries in-house, uses certified Fair Trade organic coffee beans, offers free Wi-Fi and has a computer room equipped with outlets and desks for students with their laptops and other electronics.

Rachel Peterson, manager of the Foothill Boulevard location, said they place a “huge emphasis” on quality and customer service.

“We’re always trying to go the extra mile, go above and beyond, to make people happy,” Peterson said.

Eric Pettis, manager of the Higuera Street location, shares the same outlook.

Pettis believes their attention to detail and customer service makes BlackHorse the best coffee

shop in San Luis Obispo.

“This is the best place to work because of the people who come in, the customers,” he said.

And it’s mutual — the customers echo that same respect and appreciation for the establishment.

“I like that it’s local,” communication studies senior Chelsea Franza said. “The owner lives here in San Luis Obispo and they do a lot of local stuff too, they support local businesses.”

Pettis said being local establishes a familiar and friendly environment. He has been working at the downtown location since 1997, and has been able to build relationships with the customers.

“If somebody comes in, we know each other,” he said. “And if somebody from out of town comes in, we still treat them like locals.”

This friendly atmosphere is another reason Cal Poly students voted BlackHorse the best coffee shop in

San Luis Obispo. Between laid-back baristas and passionate managers, there is a definite sense of community in the little coffee house.

“The people there love what they do,” Allard said.

This is clear immediately.

Both Peterson and Pettis were excited to hear they won Best Coffee Shop.

“This is a quality product that we’re selling and we all enjoy,” Pettis said.

Beyond the attitudes of the employees, the simplicity of the coffee shop’s intentions are also appealing to some customers. “(BlackHorse) isn’t trying to be cool and trendy, it just makes good coffee,” Allard said. “It’s just the best in town.”

And Cal Poly agrees.

BlackHorse Espresso and Bakery is located at 3590 Broad Street, 1065 Higuera Street and 796 East Foothill Boulevard.

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Best central coast event Farmers’ Market Anna Provenzano

Lifestyle + ACTIVITY Karaoke, dance spot, movie theatre, place to take a first date, craft shop, party supplies, study spot, etc

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Where could you find great, locally grown products mixed with San Luis Obispo’s downtown restaurants and shops, while walking around listening to live artists and having a grand ole’ time in the company of your family, friends and community?

Voted Best Central Coast Event, San Luis Obispo’s Downtown Farmers’ Market is the best way to get all these great facets in one.

Held every Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and located on Higuera Street in the heart of downtown, the sidewalks are filled with both students from Cal Poly and the locals interacting and mingling with one another while enjoying their time with family and friends.

Booths, ranging from fresh, locally grown produce to handmade

crafts and jewelry with fresh flowers and local community outreach programs, line the streets. Downtown restaurants offer food and samples from their booths, enticing us with corn on the cob, dinner crepe’s and the most incredible kettle popcorn.

San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market is known as one of the largest farmers’ markets in California and is largely known for cooperating with San Luis Obispo’s Downtown Association.

Architecture sophomore Alexis Church loves what farmers’ market brings to San Luis Obispo.

“I like farmers’ because it’s local and communal,” Church said. “I love going with my roommates and just wandering. Sometimes it’s nice to treat myself to fresh fruit, a carmel apple or a delicious dinner crepe.

It’s also a great way to see what SLO has to offer. I’ve seen so many great products featured at farmers’ that I didn’t even know SLO offered.”

Biochemistry sophomore Dani-

elle Bonnet has been attending farmers’ market for years.

“Farmers’ offers a unique blend of the best aspects to SLO, like delicious dishes to fresh produce,” she said. “I’ve been going since I was small and it continues to be my favorite way to spend my Thursday nights.”

The produce and products aren’t the only exciting aspects of farmers’ market. The first Thursday of every month right after farmers’ is bike night. Once all the booths are beginning to close down and the crowds have lessened, students and locals alike dress up to the theme and ride their bikes downtown hollering and acting silly. It’s definitely a spectacle to stay after and watch.

Farmers’ market promotes a great way to get and give back to the San Luis Obispo community by supporting local farmers and their businesses, as well as supporting the local businesses downtown.

best movie theater Fremont Theatre Carly Rickards Fremont Theatre posted a Facebook status announcing its closure after 70 years of service on Jan. 31. More than 600 people shared the status on their own page and more than 400 people commented expressing their confusion and sadness. Question marks and exclamation points lined the post. One commenter said, “The Fremont was an essential part of growing up on the central coast,” while others posed a simple question: “Why?” And on Feb. 14, these questions were answered when Fremont Theatre reopened.

The temporary closure was a result of a lease disagreement between Fremont’s landlords, Rob Rossi and John King, and theater management company The Movie

Experience. These two pieces of the Fremont have come to an agreement to stay in business for at least one more year, according to the owner of The Movie Experience, Bruce Sanborn.

The reopen came as quite a pleasant surprise to many San Luis Obispo residents.

“I just found out (about the reopen), and I’m ecstatic,” biological sciences senior Lance Toppen said.

Toppen said he sees movies at the Fremont “all the time.”

And this seems to be a popular sentiment — Cal Poly students voted Fremont Theatre the best movie theater in San Luis Obispo.

Sanborn said he believes the students voted this way because of the theater’s unique history.

“It’s probably because of its age,” he said.

Fremont Theatre was built in the 1940s and has retained most of its original design.

“Wherever they live before

they come to Cal Poly, it probably doesn’t have a single movie screen,” Sanborn said. “They’re all closed. Maybe it’s that uniqueness that it’s an old theater.”

Nutrition junior Kirby Duemig said she enjoys the community atmosphere that a single-screen theater offers.

“Because it’s only one movie theater, you’re all going for the same experience, and that’s really fun,” Duemig said.

Biomedical engineering junior Sylvia Jarzynski said she thinks students appreciate that Fremont is a “historic landmark.”

And while the students clearly love the old theater, Sanborn said he has some ideas to improve the Fremont experience.

“The look needs to stay the same, because it’s historic,” he said. “But we’d like to have the snack bar modernized so that you can offer different products. We’d like to see you be able to sit in a comfortable

chair with a lot of legroom.”

These ideas, along with many others, are a few ways Sanborn hopes to revamp the theater while still maintaining its uniqueness and originality.

Along with the possibility of revamping the theater, Fremont has created an app that will be available to download in two or three months, Sanborn said.

It will list all showtimes for Fremont and Downtown Centre Cinemas as well as provide a quick, convenient way to purchase tickets.

These renovations and improvements are all born out of a genuine passion from Sanborn and The Movie Experience.

“Personally, I love the Fremont,” he said. “I’m just happy we at least get to run (Fremont) another year and we’ll see what happens.”

In the upcoming year, students can expect to attend movies at the Fremont as well as special events such as concerts and weddings.

best craft/hobby shop and party supply store Beverly’s Fabric and Crafts Anna Provenzano Glitter? Check. Spray paint?

Check. Fabrics? Check. Boa’s, masks, faux flowers and wood letters? Check.

Voted Best Craft and Hobby Shop and Best Party Supply Store in San Luis Obispo, Beverly’s is the one-stop shop for all these items and more.

Located on Higuera Street in the heart of San Luis Obispo’s downtown, Beverly’s is a part of a small, privately owned chain of craft stores in California.

On any given day, you can find any type of supply you might need to make a costume, decorate for a party, add accessories to your humble abode or simply find crafting supplies for school

or craft projects.

Beverly’s because you can always “Beverly’s is my favorite craft find sale items, which is nice store because it is in a great loca- when you’re on a budget, and tion and is fun to make a trip to they always seem to have someafter lunch or shopping downtown,” thing you need.” landscape architecture junior JaBeverly’s doesn’t just offer all mie Litton said. the great supplies of a craft store, “I usually get fabrics there for they also offer classes in sewing, costumes or supplies for my archi- children’s sewing, crafting, quilting tectural models, and sometimes and scrapbooking. just to see what’s in there if I’m If you don’t have time to take bored and looking for something a class or make it to their downto do.” town store, Beverly’s website is Industrial engineering sopho- a great source of information more Megan Garcia goes to Bev- and offers plenty of options for erly’s frequently to purchase items a time crunch. They have a vafor greek life events. riety of products to order online, “I like Beverly’s because as well as a section called “How they’re a local and convenient To’s,” where you can find, read place that has all the craft sup- and watch different items to plies I need,” Garcia said. “I have craft and create based on your gotten frames to give to my little personal interests. sister, wooden letters for decoraBeverly’s website is another tions around my apartment and perfect way to find coupons to use fabrics for costumes that I make for in-store items and the many for my exchanges and date par- sales they have to their already ties. I recommend shopping at low-priced items.

Criminology junior Katherine Henderson at California State University, Long Beach, goes to Beverly’s whenever she’s visiting friends in town.

“I love coming to Beverly’s when I’m in SLO because it’s quick and easy way to go buy fabrics to make a costume for a party,” Henderson said.

“It’s cool because they even have people who work there to help you lay out your costume idea and give you tips on how to make it. I also like all the crafting items. My friends and I always try to find something to make off Pinterest and we go to Beverly’s to pick out the items we need.”

Beverly’s has everything a crafty person, or even a beginning hobbyist, could possibly need within one store where the customer service is helpful and the low-priced items are exactly what you need to get started on your next project.

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Best moving/storage company Meathead Movers Kimberly Taylor College is all about transitions: from easy high school classes to college-level ones and leaving old friends behind and making new ones. One of the biggest changes a new college student faces is moving out of their parent’s house and into a dorm. Then into an apartment. And back again. For four years.

Enter Meathead Movers, this year’s repeat winner for Best Moving/Storage Company. With an extensive team behind them, Meathead Movers provides a long list of services for everyone, from local and long-distance moving, to packing and securing storage.

The secret to Meathead Mover’s success is employing student athletes. According to its website, Meatheads are “Strong Athletes

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Who Actually Jog When Not Carry- in the Meathead philosophy being Your Items.” fore going to any job through their “When I moved out of the “Meathead Academy.” dorms, I called them to help me This method pays off, since out — the two guys that came car- Meathead Movers boasts a 4.5 ried all my furniture into my new out of 5 star rating on Yelp and is place easily,” mathematics sopho- a repeat winner in this category. more Holli Fotch said. “They were “Everything about them is so strong — it would’ve taken me great,” liberal studies junior Catie hours by myself.”

Tompkins said. “I’ve used them This company hires friendly, twice now to move, and I’m more personable students with experi- impressed each time I see them.” ence in any sport from football The Meathead Mini Storage is to fishing. a separate, but just as impressive “I decided to work for Meat- part of its company. Ranging in head Movers because I always sizes from 5-by-5 to 12-by-30 feet, loved helping others any way there is definitely the right size for I could,” statistics junior Rory any customer’s requirements.

Clancy said. “They are a very Meathead Mini Storage prowell-respected local company vides 24/7 video surveillance, a and winning Best Movers/Stor- well-lit facility, high fences and age Company is just another is staffed and supervised many award in a long line of accom- hours of the day. plishments, and a great reflec“I was nervous to leave all my tion on their efforts.” stuff in SLO over summer,” wine They make sure each employee and viticulture sophomore Zach is properly trained and well-versed Merkel said. “But after I saw the

units at Meathead Movers, I knew it was secure enough. I came back three months later with everything just as I left it.”

They don’t just stop at moving and storage though — their program “Princess Packers — Let a Princess Pack Your Treasures” is a big hit with customers, too.

Everyone knows that packing is a pain, especially when those long moving to-do lists are getting in the way of regular day-today activities.

Princess Packers are proud to be philanthropic as well — for every box packed, $1 is donated to The Cinderalla Fund, an organization that provides grants to children whose families are suffering any kind of hardship.

So before lugging desks into old pick-up trucks, bubble-wrapping every drinking glass or driving hours home with a bed precariously tied to the car roof, call Meathead Movers instead.

Best safe ride home SLO Safe Ride Kimberly Taylor Looking for a way to ensure you won’t end up in serious trouble with the law or with a DUI after a night of partying? You might want to leave the driving to SLO Safe Ride, winner of this year’s Best Safe Ride Home.

Founded in 2011 by two local entrepreneurs Trevor Freeman and Michael Linn, Cal Poly seniors at the time, SLO Safe Ride has been used by thousands and gets rave reviews for its clean, reliable vans, affordable rates and ease of use.

SLO Safe Ride uses 14-seat passenger vans to transport students and others downtown between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Students and friends just need to call SLO Safe Ride with some advance notice, though they can book rides 24/7 and on demand by calling 805-620-

SAFE (7233). If larger groups book the service, SLO Safe Ride can also can deploy a 30-passenger bus, or an 18-passenger bus.

One Yelp user, Leah M. of Sacramento, used the online review site to give a thumbs-up to SLO Safe Ride.

“He worked with our budget and was super fast with responses. We ended up booking a few vans that were available to us and our guests from 10 p.m. till 3 a.m.,” she commented about Freeman.

The cost is $4 each way from Tuesday to Thursday and $5 each way on Friday and Saturday. This is a bargain compared to taxis, which run approximately $8 to $10 each way.

For larger groups, email SLO Safe Ride via their website request form to make sure there is space.

“The last thing I want to do it put myself and others in jeopardy after drinking by driving,” communication studies junior Haley Gross said. “I think it’s a great resource for celebrating 21st birthdays,

where people may not yet know their alcohol tolerance.”

SLO Safe Ride offers an option to buy an all-night pass for $10. This comes with a special benefit SLO Safe Ride has worked out with club owners — you don’t have to pay a cover charge at any bar.

The vans do not drop off passengers at individual destinations, but like the local bus system, they run continuous loops with approximately eight stops per route to the downtown area picking up in four neighborhoods near and around the Cal Poly campus.

The stops include stops at Cal Poly and Hathway Avenue, Foothill Boulevard, Los Osos Valley Road and Johnson Avenue.

One popular SLO Safe Ride pickup spot is at Campus Bottle on Hathway and California because it is located near many student residences.

“It’s super easy to call and catch the van for the trip downtown, even with short notice,” Cal Poly alumna

Heidi Kim said. “And no credit card is needed since you can simply pay with cash on the spot.“ Echoing that sentiment is anthropology and geography senior Caroline Cerussi.

“I don’t always get to planning things in advance, since student life is pretty spontaneous, and it’s good to know I have the option to call them in pinch and catch the bus at any of a number of locations near me,” Cercussi said.

Not only students, but police and other local authorities have gone on record commending the concept behind the service for providing the community another safe way to and from downtown.

The owners of 13 bars and restaurants have formed the Safe Nightlife Association, and SLO SAFE RIDE’s efforts align with those of the group. The organization focuses on keeping the area clean and crime free for shoppers, bar-goers and diners at night.

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BEST FOR CAL POLY

winners 2013 FOOD Best Bakery/Donut Shop 1. SLO Donut Company 2. Sunshine Donuts 3. House of Bread HM. Old West Cinnamon Rolls

Best Candy/Sweet Shop 1. Powell’s Sweet Shoppe 2. Rocket Fizz 3. Rocky Mtn. Chocolate Factory HM: Cowboy Cookie

Best Dessert/Dessert Menu 1. Batch 2. Teaberry 3. Cold Stone Creamery HM: Madonna Inn

Best Frozen Treat 1. Teaberry 2. Yogurt Creations 3. Batch HM: Bali’s

Best Burrito 1. Chipotle 2. El Nabor 3. Chilie Pepper’s HM: Tacos de Acupulco

Best BBQ 1. FIrestone Grill 2. G Brothers Smokehouse 3. Mo’s BBQ HM: Old San Luis BBQ

Best Burger 1. Eureka!

2. The Habit 3. Firestone Grill HM: Sylvester’s

Best Tri Tip

Best Italian

1. Firestone Grill 2. F. McLintocks 3. Old San Luis BBQ HM: Mo’s BBQ

1. Palazzo Giuseppe 2. Mama’s Meatball 3. Buena Tavola HM: Vieni Vai

Best French Fries

Best Mexican

1. Firestone Grill 2. Eureka!

3. McDonald’s HM: The Shack

1. Pepe Delgado’s 2. El Nabor 3. Chipotle HM: Chilie Pepper’s

Best Breakfast

Best Chinese

1. Louisa’s Place 2. Breakfast Buzz 3. Kreuzberg California HM: Sally Loo’s

1. Panda Express 2. Mandarin Gourmet 3. Golden Gong

Best Salad

1. Shin’s Sushi Bar 2. Yanagi Sushi 3. Sumo Sushi HM: Sushiya

1. Firestone Grill 2. Natural Café 3. Urbane Café HM: Nucci’s Pizza

Best Sandwich 1. High Street Deli 2. Urbane Café 3. Gus’s Grocery HM: Mr. Pickles

Best Vegan/Vegetarian 1. Natural Café 2. Bliss Café 3. Big Sky Café HM: Sally Loo’s Café

Best Thai 1. Thai Palace 2. Thai Classic 3. Thai Boat HM: Royal Thai

Best Indian 1. Shalomar 2. Taj Palace

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Best Sushi

Best Mediterranean 1. Petra 2. Jaffa Café 3. Fattoush HM: Wild Donkey Café

Best Seafood 1. Splash Café 2. Ciopinot 3. Steamers of Pismo HM: Shin’s Sushi Bar

Best Pizza 1. Woodstock’s Pizza 2. Pizza Solo 3. Fatte’s Pizza HM: Nucci’s Pizza

Best Bargain Meal Under $5 1. Costco 2. Subway 3. McDonalds HM: Taco Bell

Best Meal with a View 1. Novo 2. Creekside Brewing 3. Marisol at The Cliffs HM: Creeky Tiki

Best Outdoor Dining 1. Novo 2. Firestone Grill 3. Creekside Brewing HM: Creeky Tiki

Best Restaurant, Period 1. Firestone Grill 2. Novo 3. Koberl at Blue HM: Urbane Café

Best Late Night Munchies 1. Taco Bell 2. SLO Donut Company 3. Enzo’s HM: Pita Pit

Best Hangover Food 1. Breakfast Buzz 2. Frank’s 3. SLO Donut Company HM: Louisa’s Place

Best Place for Lunch 1. Firestone Grill 2. The Habit 3. Chipotle HM: Urbane Café

Best Delivery 1. Domino’s Pizza 2. Enzo’s 3. Woodstock’s Pizza HM: Menu Club

Best Grocery Store 1. Ralph’s 2. Trader Joe’s 3. Food 4 Less HM: Albertson’s

1. SLO Brewing Co. 2. The Shack 3. Chino’s Rock & Tacos HM: Tahoe Joe’s

Best Cocktail 1. Blacksheep 2. Frog and Peach Pub 3. Pappy McGregor’s HM: Marston’s

Best Local Winery 1. Edna Valley Vineyard 2. Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards 3. Chamisal Vineyards HM: Wolff Vineyards

Best Keg Deal 1. Campus Bottle Shoppe 2. Cork N Bottle 3. Bev Mo HM: SLO Brewing Co.

Best SLO Bar 1. SLO Brewing Co. 2. Frog and Peach Pub 3. Blacksheep HM: Mo | Tav

Best Margarita 1. Vallarta’s 2. Pepe Delgado’s 3. Marisol at the Cliffs

Best Local Beer

Best Place to Karaoke 1. Mo | Tav 2. Applebee’s 3. Marston’s HM: Hanabi Sushi

Best Dance Spot 1. The Graduate 2. SLO Brewing Co. 3. The Library HM: Mo | Tav

Best Movie Theatre 1. Fremont 2. Downtown Cinemas 3. Sunset Theatre HM: Palm Theatre

Best Place to take a 1st Date 1. Avila Beach 2. Sunset Theatre 3. Yanagi Sushi HM: Farmer’s Market

Best Central Coast Event 1. Farmer’s Market 2. Wildflower 3. CP Wine Festival HM: Oktoberfest

Best Craft/Hobby Shop 1. Beverly’s Fabrics and Crafts 2. Michael’s 3. San Luis Art Supply

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1. 805 Firestone 2. SLO Brewing Co. 3. Tap It! HM: Central Coast Brew

Best Coffee House 1. Black Horse 2. Linnaea’s 3. Starbucks HM: Kreuzberg CA

BEST FO

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Best On-Campus Food/Drink

Best Happy Hour/ Drink Specials

LIFESTYLE & ACTIVITY

R

Best Organic Grocery Store 1. New Frontiers 2. Trader Joe’s 3. Natural Foods

DRINK

13 P O LY

1. Subway 2. The Avenue 3. Sandwich Factory HM: Tacos To-Go

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LIFESTYLE & ACTIVITY, CONT.

Best Local Sporting Event

Best Party Supplies

1. CP vs. UCSB (soccer) 2. CP vs. UC Davis (football) 3. Tractor Pull

1. Beverly’s Fabrics and Crafts 2. Let’s Party 3. Target HM: Dollar Tree

Best Study Spot 1. Kennedy Library 2. Kreuzberg CA 3. Linnaea’s HM: SLO Donut Company

Best Movers/Storage Company 1. Meathead Movers 2. Mission Self Storage 3. SLO Storage HM: UHaul

Best Safe Ride Home 1. SLO Safe Ride 2. CP Escort Van 3. Yellow Cab Co. HM: Amtrak

Best Property Management Company 1. SLO Rental Shoppe 2. Cal West 3. Rossi Enterprises HM: McNamara Realty

SPORT & RECREATION Best Golf Course 1. Dairy Creek 2. Avila Beach 3. Laguna Lake HM: Cypress Ridge

Best Sport Store 1. Sports Authority 2. Dick’s 3. Big 5 HM: Mountain Air

Best Surf Shop 1. Moondoggie’s 2. Central Coast Surf 3. Mountain Air HM: Esteem

Best Bike Shop 1. Foothill Cyclery 2. Wally’s Bicycle 3. Art’s

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Best Place to Work Out 1. CP Rec Center 2. Equilibrium 3. Kennedy Club Fitness HM: Poly Canyon Village

Best Hike 1. Bishop Peak 2. Montana De Oro 3. The P HM: Madonna Mountain

SCHOOL-RELATED Best On-Campus Housing 1. Poly Canyon Village 2. Sierra Madre Hall 3. Yosemite Hall HM: Cerro Vista

Best Off-Campus Housing 1. Mustang Village 2. Pine Creek 3. Valencia HM: Garfield Arms

Best On Campus Club/ Organization 1. Mustang Manglers 2. ASI 3. SLO CRU HM: Poly Reps

Best Sorority 1. Chi Omega 2. Kappa Alpha Theta 3. Alpha Delta Chi

Best Fraternity 1. Alpha Gamma Rho 2. Lambda Chi Alpha 3. Beta Theta Pi HM: Phi Kappa Psi

Best Bookstore 1. Barnes and Noble 2. University Store 3. Phoenix HM: SLO Textbooks

MISCELLANEOUS Best Hidden Gem 1. Linnaea’s 2. Cheap Thrills 3. Goshi Sushi HM: Sal’s Sandwich Shop

Best New Business 1. Batch 2. Teaberry 3. Mr. Pickles HM: Jin

Best Bank 1. Chase 2. Wells Fargo 3. Bank of America HM: Sesloc

Best Auto Shop 1. Vintage Auto 2. Villa 3. Rozzoli’s HM: Sunset Honda

Best Tire Shop 1. Big Brand Tire 2. Tire Pro 3. Costco 4. The Tire Store

Best Place to get an Oil Change 1. Jiffy Lube 2. San Luis Autobody 3. Meineke HM: Landis

Best Place to get a Carwash 1. Sunset Carwash 2. Fast Eddie’s 3. Shell Station

Best Hospital/Clinic 1. French Hospital 2. Sierra Vista 3. CP Health Center HM: Med Stop

Best Salon 1. Bluebird 2. Coastal Cuts 3. Blade Runner HM: Cost Cutters

Best Place to get a Mani/Pedi

Best Costume Shop

1. @ Nails 2. CiCi’s 3. Freiser HM: Sky Nails

1. Goodwill 2. Let’s Party 3. Costume Capers HM: Ross

Best Tanning Salon/Spray Tan

Best Jewelry Store

1. Tanner’s Cove 2. Planet Beach 3. Tiger Lily

1. All That Glitters 2. Hands Gallery 3. Target

Best Barber Shop

Best Clothing Store

1. University Barbers 2. Super Cuts 3. Sports Clips HM: Cutz

1. Urban Outfitters 2. Forever 21 3. Express HM: Target

Best Flower Shop/Florist

Best Electronics/ Computer Store

1. Open Air Flowers 2. Poly Plant Shop 3. Fluid Bloom

Best Place to get a Tattoo and/or Piercing

1. Best Buy 2. Apple Store 3. Mac Superstore HM: Costco

1. Traditional Tattoo 2. SLO Tattoo

Best Place for Parents to Stay 1. Apple Farm 2. Madonna Inn 3. Holiday Inn HM: Embassy Suites

SHOPPING Best Downtown Boutique 1. H&G Clothing 2. Lulu Lux 3. Bella B HM: Fanny Wrappers

Best Shoe Store 1. Ross 2. Urban Outfitters 3. Takkens HM: Sports Authority

Best Place to Buy a Bathing Suit 1. Target 2. SLO Swim 3. Moondoggie’s HM: Central Coast Surf

Best Thrift/Secondhand Store 1. Goodwill 2. Old Mission Thrift 3. Finder’s Keeper’s HM: Retrofit

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BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT company The Rental Shoppe Amy Checo Finding roommates and housing in college is a daunting task.

We all have different quirks, and committing to roommates for a whole school year can seem like eternity.

Finding a house at a reasonable price can just add to the stress.

This is why students love The Rental Shoppe, a property management company, that has been serving San Luis Obispo since 1983.

The company specializes in residential properties and wants to make finding student housing as easy as possible.

Students find their streamlined website convenient and simple to use.

“I love how their housing posts are easy to find on their Facebook page,” civil engineering senior Elizabeth Chan said. “It makes it

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simple to find what you are looking for. Other property websites hide their listings unless you call them.”

The Rental Shoppe wants to make it easy for students and other clients looking for housing, the more convenient the better.

Weekly “New Listings” are posted to their Facebook page, as well as their website.

Most college students find future housing through word-ofmouth. The Rental Shoppe has an innovative way of incorporating so-

cial media with their listings, which is something students seem to love.

As you look ahead to next year and are trying to decide between the many rental options available in San Luis Obispo, check out The Rental Shoppe for local listings.

NHA HA/MUSTANG DAILY

The Rental Shoppe, located at 2241 Broad Street, posts housing listings on Facebook for students.

BEST SPORT STORE Sports Authority Kyle Loomis

SPORT ++ SPORT RECREATION RECREATION GOLF course, GOLF sportcourse, store, sport store, surf spot, bike shop, surf bike event, shop, LOCalspot, sporting LOCal placesporting to workevent, out, place tohike work out, hike

If you’re looking for a wide selection of sporting equipment for a reasonable price, the most obvious solution is a corporate chain.

Cal Poly students have long depended on Sports Authority to provide an accessible, cheap venue to buy sporting goods from a wide variety of activities, from athletic clothing to backyard games, and anything in between.

Even after the store moved from its convenient location in the middle of downtown to its current position in Madonna Plaza Shopping Center, Cal Poly students stuck with Sports Authority as their primary source for athletic gear.

Mechanical engineering senior Justin Chadwick said he has a car, and did not mind making the drive across town to get a

new pair of Nike shoes.

“I spend a lot of time at the Rec Center on campus, and I really needed some new basketball shoes,” Chadwick said. “Sports Authority always has a decent price and lots of choices.”

The Sports Authority that occupied nearly a block, with entrances on both Marsh and Higuera streets, closed in March 2012. The store reopened in its new Madonna Plaza locale two months later. The 35,000-square-foot store replaced the Borders bookstore in the plaza, simplifying what used to be two halves of a single Sports Authority downtown, divided by Marsh Street.

Graduate student Andrew Kolchak had a mixed reaction to the store’s move.

“Having what seemed like two Sports Authority’s downtown was confusing when I first moved (to San Luis Obispo), but now I have to drive to get to the store,” Kolchak said. “The store can equip you to

play pretty much any sport you can think of, so it’s worth the trek.”

Sports Authority differs from other sporting goods stores in town because of its vast range of products. In addition to athletic clothing and gear, the store also sells team sports equipment, such as soccer balls or baseball bats. Sports Authority also sells bicycle equipment, trampolines, billiards tables, airsoft guns, rollerblades and camping gear. It covers all the bases.

Sports Authority’s advantage over sporting goods competitors, such as the mom-and-pop bicyclist shops or outdoors stores, is the likelihood it will have something for a novice in any sporting field.

Veterans within a sporting community looking for a specific, littleknown product are likely to go to a specialty store to find it, rather than a generic superstore such as Sports Authority, or similar corporate chains such as Dick’s Sporting Goods or Big 5 Sporting Goods.

BEST SURF SHOP Moondoggies Beach Club Amy Checo Known for their iconic red, orange and green beach club logo, Moondoggies Beach Club has been supplying San Luis Obispo with surf and skate gear since 1986.

Moondoggies has everything including rentals, clothing and accessories.

With two locations, one on Monterey Street, in downtown San Luis Obispo, and the other in Pismo, Moondoggies has gear for the amateur surfer to the most professional. “(Moondoggies) is fantastic, they have a genuine staff that makes you feel closer to the beach than you actually are. Greatest selection of surf brand clothes,” biochemistry sophomore Danielle Bonnet said.

Moondoggies strives to have the best selection of surf and skate brands.

Their clothing brands include Nixon, Billabong, RVCA and Reef.

Although the stores have all the basic clothing needs, their convenient rentals make it easy for every student to get the chance to surf, even if they left all their gear at home.

So next time you realize you can’t fit your skate board or wet suit in your dorm room closet, Moondoggies is the place to rent or buy new gear.

DAVID JANG/MUSTANG DAILY

Moondoggies Beach Club rents surf and skate gear, as well as sells clothing and accessories.

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BEST LOCAL SPORTING EVENT UCSB vs. Cal Poly men’s soccer Matt Yoon Endless cries of “Buck the Gauchos,” flinging tortillas, and students storming the field bring back memories of the annual BlueGreen Rivalry game with UC Santa Barbara.

“The games are heated, very intense and there’s a lot of emotion coming into it,” recreation, parks and tourism administration senior James Statton said. “Last game was one for the books.”

The Mustangs beat the Gauchos 1-0 this year in Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

The annual home game is promoted by Poly Reps, the official campus ambassadors of Cal Poly.

Mechanical engineering senior and Poly Rep Eric Taylor helps

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get students excited for their Cal big soccer is at our school be- our school doesn’t get as excited Poly experience. cause we’ve consistently broken for athletic events.”

“I was a part of the communi- the record for highest attended The NCAA soccer season is cations and publicity committee NCAA men’s soccer game,” Taylor held in fall quarter and admission in charge of selling the ‘Buck the said. “It’s fun because typically is free for students.

Gauchos’ shirts and getting the word out for the game,” Taylor said. “We sold 2,000 shirts and got students pumped to whiteout the stadium.”

Cal Poly assistant athletic director of marketing and communications Stacia Momburg gave high praise for the heated rivalry game.

“The Cal Poly-UCSB Blue-Green Rivalry is probably one of the most underrated rivalries in college sports,” Momburg said. “Without fail, our players go full-throttle, we sell out every game, our fans come dressed up, cheering and ready to storm the field.”

The 11,075 spectators on Nov. 3 matched the 10-largest regular season attendance figure in NCAA IAN BILLINGS/MUSTANG DAILY men’s soccer history.

“On my tours, I mention how The Mustangs beat the Gauchos 1-0 at this year’s Blue-Green Rivalry game.

BEST Off-campus housing Mustang Village Kyle Loomis

SCHOOLRELATED on-campus housing, off-campus housing, on-campus club, sorority, fraternity, bookstore

When it comes to the important decision of deciding where to live off campus, it’s hard to find a place that has more perks than Mustang Village.

The apartment complex has two sections: one with an entrance on Foothill Boulevard and the other on Santa Rosa Street. It also houses more than 1,000 residents, mostly Cal Poly and Cuesta College students. Student housing with such close proximity to Cal Poly’s campus makes Mustang Village an ideal living situation for students after a year of living on campus as a freshman.

Mustang Village assistant manager Renee Martinez said students find the complex so attractive because of its similar feel to oncampus housing.

“(Mustang Village) is a very good come furnished and are pet-friendly. transition, especially if you’re moving Many Mustang Village resifrom a dorm, or fresh out of Mom dents consider the complex’s most and Dad’s house,” Martinez said. obvious advantage to be its greatPart of Mustang Village’s appeal, est strength. For environmental according to Martinez, is the staff’s horticulture science senior and dedication to making life easy for former resident Aly Crofford, the its residents, including 24-hour 10-minute walk to campus was the emergency maintenance, free lock- most appealing aspect. out services during office hours and “I miss being able to walk to courtesy patrols late at night. school,” Crofford said. “Rolling out “We offer a lot of different ser- of bed 15 minutes before my mornvices that you wouldn’t get renting ing class and still make it on time.” a house or different apartment,” If the proximity, price and perks Martinez said. “Most conventional weren’t enough to convince stulandlords don’t plumb your toilets dents to sign a lease, there are also for you.” exterior renovations being done in In addition to being accommo- Mustang Two, the section on Santa dating to its residents, Mustang Rosa Street. Improvements to the Village is also one of the cheaper apartments include new, doubleoff-campus housing options. Op- paned windows, new outdoor landtions include $749 to $859 per scaping and additional trellises. person per month for a one bed“We’re putting a face-lift on room studio, $389 to $699 for all the buildings,” Martinez said. two bedrooms, $679 to $709 for “It’s going to look like an all-new three bedrooms and $599 to $669 apartment complex, they needed for four bedrooms. The rooms also a little updating.”

You Cal Pol k n a T y

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YOU VOTED US BEST SEAFOOD!

197 Pomeroy, Pismo Beach • 905-773-4653

1491 Monterey Street, SLO • 805-554-7567 mustangdaily.net

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4221 FATTOUSH

Best campus club/organization Manglers Allie Bakalar Where there is Cal Poly men’s soccer, there are the Manglers; and where there are Manglers, there is noise.

Cal Poly students voted the Manglers, Cal Poly’s Soccer Fan Club, this year’s Best Campus Club/Organization.

The Manglers are known for their energy and rowdiness during games, characteristics that give the Mustang soccer team the coveted feeling of home-field advantage, even when playing on the road.

“This year’s game at UC Santa Barbara was amazing,” business administration sophomore Corey Aitro said. “Any time you can rush someone else’s field, especially when it’s a rival, is awesome. In a more general sense, though, the atmosphere of soccer games with the Manglers is astounding and just incredibly fun.”

Aitro said the Manglers are different from other campus clubs because they’re informal; anyone can easily become a member. You don’t need to know everything or anything about soccer. All you need is an attitude for excitement.

“Showing up to a game, being rowdy and wearing yellow pretty much makes you a Mangler,” Aitro said. “Everyone is on equal ground.

We are there to root for our soccer team as a group and as a unit.”

A typical game day for the Manglers usually begins a couple hours before kick-off where members meet up and rally together before marching from the top of Perimeter Road down to the stadium. The Mangler “Loyalists” arrive early to every home game for warm-ups, standing together, singing songs and chanting to get the adrenaline pumping.

The club has also built on tradition over the years, allowing the Manglers to grow and thrive on a

sense of togetherness. The simplest and maybe most notable tradition is the Mangler T-shirt, a hotselling item on campus during fall quarter. Each year, the design differs, but the message is the same.

Business administration sophomore Tim Trinidad and biological sciences sophomore Kean Vaziry said the Manglers are looking for more students to get involved, not only in attending games, but with behind-the-scenes work as well.

The club wants to see a larger number of students involved in helping make the Manglers into a structured organization while keeping the same identity. This includes coming up with new chants and creative ideas and executing them.

“The Manglers are something that is unique, an experience I feel is hard to replicate anywhere else in this country,” Trinidad said.

Trinidad said part of what makes the Manglers special is they stand apart from other teams’ student

fan clubs, and he hopes to see the Manglers’ support and enthusiasm spread to other Cal Poly sports.

“Other fan clubs around the nation are usually just ‘those students over there rooting for that team,’ whereas we have our own identity,” Trinidad said. “Most students and faculty know we are there to have fun and are genuinely passionate about rooting on our fellow classmates out there on the field.”

Cal Poly students aren’t the only ones praising the Manglers.

Paul Holocher, head coach of the Cal Poly men’s soccer team, said the Manglers bring elements of loyal fan support to Cal Poly that mirror those of professional soccer teams around the world.

“Without doubt, they bring an energy and passion to the Mustang soccer games ...” Holocher said. “Throughout the game, the Manglers are like a steady drum beat that sets the tone for our home support.”

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BEST hidden gem Linnaea’s Café Katie Schultz

MISCELLANEOUS Hidden GEM, Bank, Auto Shop, Hospital/Clinic, Salon, Barber Shop, Flower Shop, Place for Parents to Stay, ETC

Linnaea’s Café has been named “Best Hidden Gem” in San Luis Obispo by Mustang Daily readers. Located on Garden Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, Linnaea’s Café is a spot where customers can study, relax and enjoy various drinks and pastries.

Linnaea’s Café opened in San Luis Obispo in 1984 when the original owner, Linnaea Phillips, wanted to open a place that would be a great experience for conversation, social events, music and the enjoyment of great food and drinks.

Twenty-three years later, Phillips sold the café to her partner, Marianne Orme, who is still the current owner. Orme has kept the original appeal of Linnaea’s Café that brings a variety of people together to have a good time.

Linnaea’s Café is also a great opportunity for local artists.

Chase Hall, who has worked at Linnaea’s for approximately three years, said the owner accepts applications at the beginning of each year, and hires new artists each month to display their work in the café. The artists may sell their paintings or choose to have them only on display.

During the month of November, Linnaea’s hosts a “Hang It All,” which is an opportunity for anyone to hang their art in the café. The art must be on sale for $100 or fewer. Linnaea’s does not profit from the artwork and each person can hang up to two paintings.

Nicole Crow, who has worked there for two years, said Linnaea’s Café is great for students to study during the day and enjoy a social atmosphere at night with friends.

Linnaea’s offers free Wi-Fi for guests, which is helpful for students and other community members. It

has music performances every night except Mondays and dead week at Cal Poly, for people to enjoy a casual and social experience at night.

What sets Linnaea’s Café apart from other coffee shops is its unique and homemade appeal.

Linnaea’s makes its own chai tea and caramel and everything is baked fresh Monday through Friday. It has organic chocolate and also vegan and gluten-free options for baked goods.

Breana Dixon, a loyal customer of Linnaea’s Cafe, said she comes into Linnaea’s approximately once a week.

“I work from home, so one day a week, I get tired from sitting at home and decide to come here,” Dixon said.

Dixon said she loves to order the San Francisco spiced hot tea while she is working. During the summer, she said it is a great atmosphere on the patio in the afternoons while it is warm out.

BEST BANK Chase Bank Allie Bakalar Providing step-by-step assistance to students right as they walk in the door and operating under a “customer first” attitude, it’s no surprise Cal Poly students voted Chase Bank as “Best Bank” in San Luis Obispo.

With several locations established throughout San Luis Obispo, Chase Bank offers Cal Poly students something no other bank currently does: a walk-in office branch located on the university campus.

Cal Poly’s Chase Bank is located in room 103 of the University Union.

Melanie Horn, personal banker at Chase since 2011, said having a physical place for students to handle their banking needs on campus is beneficial.

“We give the students an opportunity to communicate face to face

with someone rather than just over the phone or through a machine,” Horn said. “It’s really easy for students to just stop in if something goes wrong or if something gets lost.”

She said banking with Chase is especially helpful for students living on campus because a lot of those students don’t have cars with them at college. But if you’re thinking Chase doesn’t benefit students living off campus, think again.

“By being on campus, we save students time by providing easy access to banking needs without interfering with their entire day,” Horn said. “Students can take care of everything before, after or in between classes.”

Although Chase doesn’t hold the majority of the Cal Poly student population’s banking business, Horn said the employees are kept busy by the hundreds of students that come in weekly.

“We act not only as a place to deposit and withdraw money, but

as a resource for students looking to learn how to build their credit, pay bills, handle financial aid and receive money from pay checks,” Horn said.

She also said students shouldn’t be afraid to come in and just ask questions because it’s important for students of college-age to fully understand how to handle money and bank accounts, especially if it’s their first time away from home.

“Working with Cal Poly students has been great,” she said. “They seem very open minded to the different financial products we offer as well as extremely receptive to the new technology, like mobile banking via the iPhone app and text alerts, Chase Bank offers.”

Child development senior Amanda Eastman said she’s been a member with Chase Bank for eight years and has had a great experience.

“Every time I go to Chase I always receive good customer service,” Eastman said. “They are very helpful and willing to work with you.

Their online banking, as well as ATMs and office branch on campus, make it very convenient because I can take care of all of my banking without having to leave campus.”

Eastman said she would recommend Chase to other students for both the quality service and convenience of being located where students spend a good portion of their time.

Assistant vice president and branch manager Melissa Fritzen said even though Cal Poly’s Chase branch has only been on campus for a little more than a year, she thinks the word is getting out to more students about the services Chase offers.

“We are very grateful to be voted ‘Best Bank’ and to be welcomed and recognized by Cal Poly students,” she said. “Being a Cal Poly alumna, I feel like I’m living the dream being back here to work.

We’re real people here to take care of Cal Poly students.”

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Best Auto shop Vintage Auto Body Katie Schultz Vintage Auto Body, located on Empresa Drive in San Luis Obispo, has been in business for more than 30 years serving the Central Coast.

It has helped the San Luis Obispo community with their car needs, including Cal Poly students.

“We do seem to do a lot of Cal Poly students’ repairs, some from referrals by friends, but actually quite a few parents go to our website and check out our reviews, then tell their kids to come in and see us,” Vintage Auto Body owner Rob Grant said.

Grant said Vintage Auto Body does collision repairs and works with all insurance companies.

“I think what sets us apart from other shops is we are on your side, not the insurance company,” Grant said. “We do everything we can to

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get them to pay for quality repairs which includes replacing parts that they may want repaired, we guarantee our repairs as long as you own the car so this is important to us as well.”

Vintage Auto Body is always on the customer’s side. The store dropped two insurance contracts when it felt the contracts were a conflict of interest to customers.

“The insurance companies will even go as far as to tell the insured that if they don’t use the preferred shop that they may end up paying some money out of their pocket, which is false,” Grant said. “We guarantee the customer pays no more than what the insurance company and us agree upon.”

Vintage Auto Body’s website posts daily photos of a car or truck it is working on for potential customers to check out and see the services offered.

Cuesta College student Hannah Hale said she and her family

have used Vintage Auto Body before and have been very pleased with the service the shop provided for them. She said she will continue to use the shop in the future for repairs.

Vintage Auto Body also does paint jobs for cars. Its modern factory finishes multiple layers of highly specialized paints and uses the Usi Italia paint booth system. In its paint mixing area employees match the vehicle’s finish. After selecting the right color, the vehicle is prepared for paint by sanding and applying a

primer and a sealer. After applying clear coat, the vehicle is inspected to meet a high quality standard.

Allan Hancock College student Breanna Thompson said after reading the website she would feel comfortable choosing Vintage Auto Body for a car repair or a paint job.

“They seem very reliable and seem to offer a lot of different services,” Thompson said.

With its quality standards and expectations at Vintage Auto Body, it is no wonder Cal Poly voted it Best Auto Shop in San Luis Obispo.

“What sets us apart from other shops is we are on your side, not the insurance company.”

— Rob Grant, Vintage Auto Body owner

Best Carwash Sunset North Carwash Hannah Endres Sunset North Carwash is the winner for best carwash in San Luis Obispo. With two locations in San Luis Obispo, one in Arroyo Grande and one in Paso Robles, Sunset North Carwash can take care of all your car needs.

The hands-only carwash and detail center focuses on taking care of each customer’s unique needs.

It offers full-service detail and 100 percent hand-wash service.

Bart Devaney, the president since 2000, enjoys keeping his business involved with the community.

“We love being in a college town,” Devaney said. “It makes it vibrant and exciting.”

Students tend to come in before homecoming and open house, just in time to wash their cars before their parents arrive. But the

business is always looking to promote to students — check out the Campus Special and Around Campus apps for coupons.

Operations manager Stacey Palomar has worked at the carwash since 1995 and oversees all four locations.

“We have always had a great relationship with the students as customers and as employees,” Palomar said. “They are always looking for people to join the team.”

The all-hand carwash is unique because there are no machines, which can make it a fragile experience for the car. Employees are able to concentrate on quality while understanding time management.

Both Devaney and Palomar agree that the all-hand wash makes the experience more personable.

Sunset North Carwash continues to keep business personal by incorporating fundraisers. The fundraiser program started in 2005 for local organizations to

promote events. Local businesses can set up a day to promote their business throughout the day and 15 percent of the profit goes to that business. Since 2005, Sunset North Carwash has raised more than $250,000 by fundraising.

Another way Sunset North keeps the business community driven is by working with a local designer Pierre Rademker. This former Cal Poly professor is working to create a whole new design for Sunset North.

In San Luis Obispo, one car-

wash is located on Broad Street and the other is located in the middle of downtown on Marsh Street. Both are conveniently close to Cal Poly.

Agribusiness senior Justin Machado got his car detailed at Sunset North after a rough night.

“The detailing was great and if anyone ever throws up again in my truck I will definitely be back to Sunset,” Machado said.

Visit Sunset North Carwash for any car detailing and washing needs.

“The detailing was great and if anyone ever throws up in my truck, I will definitely be back at Sunset.”

— Justin Machado, agribusiness senior

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Best Salon Bluebird Salon and Shop Hannah Endres Bluebird Salon and Shop is the winner for Best Hair Salon for the first time.

Located in downtown San Luis Obispo on the corner of Marsh and Broad streets, Bluebird Salon and Shop has a refreshing atmosphere.

Stepping into the shop has a vibe similar to Urban Outfitters. The friendly staff offers refreshments, making customers feel at home. The salon carries products such as Bumble and Bumble and Smashbox.

Even though the welcoming atmosphere makes you feel at home, the work is professional. Bluebird specializes in precision cuts and colors, and customers enter happy and leave even happier.

“I think we have a very warm

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and artsy atmosphere,” owner and creative director Ariel Shannon said. “It’s always fun to have students as clients. They bring a lot of fresh energy.”

“It’s a huge responsibility to cut long to short hair,” stylist and educational director Jessi Skipton Cambell said. “The students are more daring which is a great point for change.”

Bluebird has been in business for five years. The salon maintains a relationship with the community by volunteering with a nonprofit and said it is honored and grateful to have received the title of best salon and hopes to live up to this honor.

Kelly Lighty has been coming to the salon since it opened and is now Bluebird’s receptionist. She continues to be a client because she has trust in the owner’s work.

“Ariel has such good eye for design,” Lighty said. “You walk in and feel inspired, and walk out feeling beautiful.”

Students account for approxi-

mately one-third of the clients at Bluebird.

“Kids from Poly seem grounded and we learn from them,” stylist Tyler Freeman said. “That’s why we love having them.”

The greatest goal for employees of Bluebird is to treat each customer as though they are the most important client. They wish to give anyone who walks in an enjoyable experience by keeping the atmosphere fun,

social and fresh everyday.

Services for hair include cuts for men, women and children, blowouts, deep conditioning treatments, coloring, relaxers, brazilian blowouts and professional smoothing treatments. Other services include makeup and waxing. The salon also offers wedding packages.

Appointments can be made online at bluebirdsalon.com.

MAGGIE KAISERMAN/MUSTANG DAILY

best Barber shop University Barber Shop Matt Yoon Haircuts are a timeless necessity. Whether it’s your mom on the weekends, a roommate with clippers or the perilous journey of cutting your own hair with crafting scissors, everyone needs their hair groomed and maintained.

That’s why students voted University Barber Shop the best place for a haircut.

Business administration senior Chris O’Brien has been enjoying his haircuts there for the past two years.

“All the barbers are experienced and have been in the business a long time,” O’Brien said.

Richard Beamon has been cutting hair at this location for more than 22 years.

“I went to barber college in “The price isn’t bad at all and I’m for many students living in the Pasadena, and been barbering happy every time I leave.” surrounding off-campus housing. for over 50 years,” Beamon said.

The shop is located at 892 It’s open Tuesday through Satur“This barber shop’s been here Foothill Blvd., walking distance day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. since 1956, seen lots of Poly students.”

For $13 a cut, University Barber offers many years of experience for a low price.

“They’re nice and friendly and very personable,” San Luis Obispo resident Kolin Hurlock said.

“They do a great job with clippers, but not so hot with styling.”

The barbers use clippers to cut hair, so expect basic haircuts, not “David Beckham” hair styling.

“Sometimes guys want something different like a mohawk,” Beamon said, “but usually they just want basic style cuts.”

You can expect short lines, consistently good cuts and friendly service every time you NHA HA/MUSTANG DAILY stop by.

“It’s usually no wait and it’s “It’s usually no wait and it’s very convenient,” business administration very convenient,” O’Brien said. senior Chris O’Brien said. “The price isn’t bad at all.”

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best Flower shop/Florist Open Air Flowers Mackenzie Sixt The week of Valentine’s Day can be stressful for many people, florists included. This includes the florists of Open Air Flowers, who were voted “Best Flower Shop.” Open Air Flowers is located on Osos Street in

downtown and beat out last year’s winner, The Cal Poly Plant Shop.

Open Air Flowers owner Leslie Weber and two other employees were working quickly and efficiently that week to complete all of the lastminute orders.

“We’re super busy because of Valentine’s Day,” Leslie said.

With so many orders coming in, her tone was excited and positive.

DAVID JANG/MUSTANG DAILY

Open Air Flowers prides itself on providing a consistent service to college students and the greater San Luis Obispo community.

Leslie Weber and her husband Vance have owned Open Air Flowers for 30 years. Throughout the years they have had many honors, including being voted “Best Flower Shop” by a New Times readers’ poll.

Customers are expressing their appreciation for Open Air Flowers with self-initiated voting, and Weber truly strives for customer satisfaction.

“We are very proud,” Weber said of the Mustang Daily win. “It’s very sweet and really appreciated. Last year, we were in second place, so it’s fun to see improvement.”

Consistency is key to keeping a loyal customer base, and Open Air Flowers tries hard to consistently serve college students and the community with quality floral designs.

“We’re all professional florists, but we have to interpret what the customer wants,” Weber said.

Customers have a variety of quality flowers and plants to choose from at Open Air Flowers. Open Air Flowers creates modern floral de-

signs, including modern style tropicals, signature garden style and lush.

As far as business, Weber said customers often just walk up to the shop.

“We get lots of walk-ups, and we actually do serve a lot of college students,” Weber said.

Open Air Flowers always strives to serve their customers. They deliver Monday through Saturday in San Luis Obispo. Another thing that separates the shop from others is the delivery service to Cal Poly and Cuesta College campuses.

Nutrition senior Kelsey Christenson always has flowers in her house.

“I love open Air Flowers,” Christenson said. “Their designs are seasonal, so they are unique each time and always beautiful.”

Businesses and homes that want flowers consistently delivered can sign up for weekly deliveries.

Starting off 2013 with a win, Open Air Flowers seems to have a good year ahead of it.

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best Tattoo/piercing Traditional Tattoo Mackenzie Sixt With three locations in San Luis Obispo County and tattoo artists with fine art degrees, it is no wonder Traditional Tattoo won Best Tattoo and Piercing.

Traditional Tattoo won the title last year as well.

Brian Wilkinson, 38, has worked at Traditional Tattoo for two and a half years at the Higuera location.

“It’s nice to keep the streak going,” Wilkinson said of the win.

The store does tattoos and body piercing as well. It has multiple tattoo artists and body piercing experts to accommodate customer needs during regular business hours.

Customers can choose from tattoo styles in the store, but the store also focuses on custom designs.

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For those looking for piercings, the store offers specialty pieces as well as special order items.

There are three body piercers on staff to help answer any questions customers might have about piercings.

Traditional Tattoo focuses on keeping its clients comfortable with a friendly atmosphere and great music.

Customers can choose their tattoo artist based on the employee profiles on the store’s website.

Each tattoo artist and body piercer has an online biography, an interview and a gallery of their work on the website. This allows potential clients to book appointments with the artists who suit their personality and tattoo or piercing needs.

“We have a really good mix of clients,” Wilkinson said. “We just tattooed someone that was 82, which was pretty awesome.”

The range of customers has given the store an awesome reputation

in the community based on great work and treating people fairly.

Many people have endless questions about tattoos, such as if they hurt, how much it will cost and if it is safe. Traditional Tattoo’s staff is informative and can answer any questions over the phone or if you stop by in person.

Traditional Tattoo’s outstanding customer service and cleanliness go hand-in-hand. It uses sterile, one-time-use needles that are disposed of off-site.

Anthropology and geography senior Jane Peterson got her first tattoo at Traditional Tattoo. She wanted a custom design and loved

the input from the tattoo artist. Together they came up with a design that fit exactly what she wanted.

“I went there for my second one too,” Peterson said. “They even let me tattoo part of it on myself.”

She had a script written on her wrist and she was allowed to do some of the writing with the tattoo gun with safe supervision.

The stores personal attention with clients and cleanliness have led it to be the winner of the New Times “Best Of” reader poll five years in a row. It has kept up its winning streak within the community as well as on Cal Poly’s campus.

“We just tattooed someone that was 82 which was pretty awesome.”

— Brian Wilkinson, Traditional Tattoo employee

best Place for parents to stay Apple Farm Inn Stephanie Ronca When Cal Poly parents and relatives come to visit, there’s no better place to stay than at the Apple Farm Inn near downtown San Luis Obispo.

The Apple Farm Inn is located on Monterey Street, within walking distance to downtown and Cal Poly’s campus.

In 1988, Apple Farm was constructed to be a full-scale hotel with 106 rooms, and is still a top hotel choice for visitors to reside.

“Whenever my grandparents come to visit, they stay at the Apple Farm,” psychology senior Katie Nellesen said. “They love the oldfashion décor, hospitable staff and restaurant in the hotel. The fact that it’s near campus, downtown and the freeway makes it a perfect place for my family to stay when they visit.”

Apple Farm’s décor is both rus-

tic and stylish, attracting visitors of all ages for many reasons. Apple Farm represents an all-american hotel and gives visitors a comforting feeling even when they are away from home, Apple Farm’s reservations manager Leif Casagrande said.

Visitors have the choice of staying in the Apple Farm Inn rooms or Trellis Court rooms, which vary from basic to suites and hot tub rooms. All of Apple Farm’s rooms include many great amenities, including the unique feature of gas fireplaces.

Besides Apple Farm’s spectacular décor and hospitable staff, it is also known for its bakery, restaurant, gift shop and spa on site.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Cal Poly students can receive 20 percent off when they present their student ID to their server.

“My aunt and my grandma visited last quarter and staying at the

Apple Farm was kind of a splurge for them, and kind of a special thing for my grandma, but they really enjoyed it and I enjoy visiting them there,” journalism senior Joseph Corral said. “Plus the breakfasts there are always bomb, so you can’t beat that.”

The Apple Farm bakery is truly a San Luis Obispo treat and items are available to the public and hotel visitors. It carries fruit pies, cream pies,

its famous apple dumplings, cookies, brownies, breakfast pastries, muffins and scones.

Apple Farm Inn won the 2012 Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor.com, according to the Apple Farm’s website, as well as being voted by Cal Poly students as the best place for parents to stay.

For more information about the Apple Farm Inn visit www.applefarm. com or call 805-544-2040.

MAGGIE KAISERMAN/MUSTANG DAILY

“Whenever my grandparents come to visit, they stay at the Apple Farm,” psychology senior Katie Nellesen said.

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best Downtown Boutique H&G Clothing Stephanie Ronca

SHOPPING Downtown Boutique, Shoe Store, Costume Shop, Jewelry Store, Clothing Store, Best Electronics/ Computer Store, etc

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From cute tops to accessories, H&G Clothing has been helping the women of San Luis Obispo dress their very best for the past 15 years. H&G Clothing is a small boutique clothing store in downtown San Luis Obispo that sells a wide selection of women’s clothing and accessories. H&G Clothing has been located in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo at 956 Higuera Street for the past 10 years.

Parks, recreation and tourism administration sophomore Randi Lee shops at H&G Clothing on a regular basis and loves the selection of cute clothing available when she needs something new.

“I think their clothes capture an indie style and the personalized details make every article

unique,” Lee said. “Also, their H&G Clothing and was welcomed entire style of the store appeals into the H&G family with open to any individual look.” arms when she moved to San Along with H&G Clothing’s Luis Obispo to attend Cuesta wide selection of items, its pric- College. es are affordable and reasonable, “They’re like a second family to so women of any age and budget me,” Gonzales said. “They acceptcan find something they love. ed me with open arms and when “Everyone at H&G is super I live so far away from my family, friendly and I think their clothes that they make up for that.” are really reasonably priced,” Like many girls and women recreation, parks and tourism ad- on the Central Coast, Gonzales ministration senior Ane McPike chooses to shop at H&G Clothing said. for the great selection of cute and Cuesta College sophomore reasonably priced clothes, leaving and H&G Clothing employee Ari- her closet full of great clothes and anna Gonzalez loves all things accessories from the store.

H&G and is a frequent customer.

H&G Clothing is open Mon“We have a wide range and day through Wednesday and Sunvariety of clothes,” Gonzales day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday said. “Little to young preteen 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday girls can come in here to very el- and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. derly women. We have a variety For more information about H&G of tastes, that is not just focused Clothing, you can visit the store at on one kind of style or one kind 956 Higuera Street in downtown of fashion area.”

San Luis Obispo, “like” its FaceGonzales loves working at book page or call 805-541-2900.

best Thrift/Secondhand store and best costume shop Goodwill Monique Orr When students are looking to find unique costumes, or even just inexpensive clothes, there is only one place to go: Goodwill.

Goodwill has become a key store in many students’ lives. Whether you need a certain item to complete your costume, or you’re looking for some unique thrift clothes, Goodwill is the store for you.

Goodwill is a store everyone heard of growing up, but not many people went to before college. When you are a poor college student, you will look for any way to save a buck.

Goodwill offers a way for students to get what they need without having to fork over a bunch of cash.

Business administration senior Kathryn Brontsema is one of Goodwill’s customers.

“I absolutely love coming to Good-

will, not only for costume stuff but also to find random unique items,” Brontsema said. “You can always find something unique and different that maybe you wouldn’t normally buy or wear, but since it’s so inexpensive you think ‘why not?’”

Goodwill is also very popular with the greek life population. Since fraternities and sororities have so many exchanges each quarter, with different themes, it can be costly buying all the different costumes. Many greek members flock to Goodwill to help save a couple bucks while still finding great costumes.

Business administration senior Kaeleigh Rasmussen, who is a sorority member, said Goodwill is great for exchanges.

“We have so many different types of themes for exchanges that it gets hard and expensive to find what you need without spending all your money,” Rasmussen said. “I like coming here because they have so many different types of clothing and it’s really

easy to find exactly what I am looking for and it is way less expensive than other places.”

Goodwill also helps give back to the community and the environment. Every item purchased at a Goodwill store promotes the cause of reuse, which helps the environment, while the profits go to support job-training programs for people with barriers to employment.

Students like the thought of helping the community and environment, and that is why many shop there.

Graphic communication senior Kaley Hansen likes shopping at Goodwill.

“I like the feeling that I am giving back to the environment and the community when I shop here to buy costumes,” Hansen said.

Goodwill is a national industry but has private organizations within it. The Goodwill Industries of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties were established in 1928 in Santa Cruz. It was originally part of the San Francisco organization

but later became an independent organization with its own local board of directors.

Its mission is to provide education, employment and job seeking services to people with barriers to employment. Goodwill supports these services through the collection and sale of clothing and household items that are recycled, which creates employment that helps protect the environment.

There are two Goodwill stores located in San Luis Obispo. One of them is an outlet store located off of Industrial Way. This outlet store is the paradise for discount shopping.

The items there are offered as-is at bargain price. Linens are sold for $1.50 per pound and all other clothing is sold at $2 per pound. They are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The other store is located off South Higuera Street. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

best Jewelry store All That Glitters Monique Orr Whether you are looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for a special someone, or picking out the ring for your future wife, All That Glitters is the place for you. All That Glitters is a unique jewelry store that offers a wide array of jewelry for many different occasions.

Voted best jewelry store by Cal Poly students, it is no wonder students flock to All That Glitters. Political science junior Chris Connell stopped by to pick up something for his girlfriend.

“This store is really easy to find what I’m looking for, and the people here are really helpful,” Connell said.

With its easy-to-navigate layout, All That Glitters offers a great layout for customers who might not be the most experi-

enced jewelry shoppers. The sales team at All That Glitters is always on hand and ready to answer any questions customers might have.

“I wanted to pick up something for my mom for Mother’s Day that we could both wear and I found the perfect gift,” business administration senior Lauren Barglowski said. “Everyone was very helpful in helping me find exactly what I was looking for.”

Along with having a wide selection of jewelry, All That Glitters offers many different types of services. Some of the other services they offer are in-house repair, custom design, jewelry cleaning, pearl stringing and appraisals.

A lot of students take advantage of these services, including liberal studies junior Evan Refold.

“I have this really old family heirloom that I love wearing but it had gotten dull from wearing it so much, so I took it into All That Glit-

ters to have them clean it,” Refold said. “They were really fast with the process and did an amazing job on it.”

All That Glitters is family owned and has been in San Luis Obispo County for nearly 30 years. Their staff includes GIA graduate gemologists, appraisers and goldsmiths for a combined

150 years of experience in the jewelry industry.

All That Glitters prides itself on keeping a small town atmosphere while being surrounded by the big name jewelry stores.

It is located off Madonna Road in Madonna Plaza. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“I wanted to pick up something for my mom for Mother’s Day that we could both wear and I found the perfect gift.”

— Lauren Barglowski, business administration senior

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