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BEST
Best of the Best DINING Best Asian Gold: O Asian Fusion Silver: Pei Wei Asian Diner Bronze: Panda Garden Best BBQ Gold: Van’s Pig Stand Silver: Ray’s BBQ Bronze: Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q Best Breakfast Gold: The Monfort Inn Silver: Jimmy’s Egg Bronze: The Diner
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Best Burger Joint Gold: O’Connell’s Irish Pub Silver: Red Horse Grill Bronze: Red Robin
Best Deli Sandwich Gold: Bison Witches Silver: Penny Hill Deli & Subs Bronze: Jason’s Deli
Best Italian Gold: Benvenuti’s Silver: Sergio’s Bronze: Victoria’s
Best Caterer Gold: Catering Creations Silver: Legend’s Bronze: Abbey Road Catering
Best Dessert Gold: Dara Marie’s Silver: Sweet’s & Spurs Bronze: La Baguette Bakery & Cafe
Best Lunch Gold: Pink Elephant Silver: Panera Bread Bronze: O’Connell’s Irish Pub
Best Coffee Spot Gold: Gray Owl Coffee Silver: Starbucks Bronze: Café Plaid Best Cupcakes Gold: Gigi’s Silver: Sweets & Spurs Bronze: Emma J’s
Best Healthy/Vegetarian Gold: The Earth Silver: Cool Greens Bronze: Misal Bistro Best Home Cooking Gold: Cracker Barrel Silver: Golden Corral Bronze: Kendall’s
Best Mexican Gold: Tarahumara’s Mexican Cafe Silver: Ted’s Cafe Escondido Bronze: Los Dos Amigos Best New Restaurant in 2011 Gold: Blackbird Gastropub Silver: Cool Green’s Bronze: Sergio’s
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And The Winners Are… Every February, The Norman Transcript publishes the local Best of the Best/Readers Choice awards. This honor has become a favorite where the community votes for their favorites in food and drink, nightlife, shopping, retail and services, people, culture and more in Norman. This is how it works.
their favorites in several categories. This year's categories included dining, shopping, health/fitness, education, automotive, business, fun around town, financial and lifestyles. On a ballot, readers name individuals and businesses in more than 300 sub-categories, which is extensive but by no means inclusive of every aspect of life in Norman.
and then the tabulations start. An outside group of individuals tallies results and determines winners based on the most votes in a category. In the event of a tie, both businesses and individuals are deemed winners. If you ever doubt Oklahomans have strong opinions, you should see the boxes full of ballots (thousands) divided among seven ballot counters.
The Transcript publishes a ballot Readers return the original (no Not every business or individual several times in January encour- photocopies are accepted) balwho is named a “Best” chose to aging readers to cast votes for lots by the last Friday in January purchase a thank you ad in this
special advertising highlighting the Best of the Best, and advertising has no bearing on how the list of Norman's Best of Best was determined. If there is a business or individual category you would like to include in the 2013 contest, please let us know. Congratulations to all 2012 Best of the Best winners and thanks to all the voters. Debbi Knoll
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Best Pizza (Dine-In) Gold: Hideaway Pizza Silver: Mazzio's Bronze: New York Pizza & Pasta
Best Sushi Gold: O Asian Fusion Silver: Full Moon Sushi Bronze: In The Raw
Best Family Entertainment Gold: HeyDay Entertainment Silver: Andy Alligator’s Fun Park Bronze: Warren Theatre
Best Pizza (Carry Out/Delivery) Gold: Pizza Shuttle Silver: Little Ceasars Bronze: Hideaway Pizza
Best “Undiscovered” Restaurant Gold: Blackbird Gastropub Silver: Sergio’s Bronze: Pink Elephant
Best Golf Course Gold: Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club Silver: The Trails Golf Club Bronze: Belmar Golf Club
Best Seafood Gold: Blu Fine Wine & Food Silver: Charleston’s Bronze: Red Lobster Best Steakhouse Gold: Charleston’s Silver: Logan’s Roadhouse Bronze: Saltgrass Steakhouse
FUN AROUND TOWN Best Beer Selection Gold: The Abner’s Ale House Silver: BJ’s Restaurant Bronze: The Library Best Casino Gold: Riverwind Casino Silver: Firelake Grand Casino Bronze: Thunderbird Casino
Best Local Festival Gold: Chocolate Festival Silver: Norman Music Festival Bronze: Jazz in June Best Musician (Local) Gold: Mike Hosty Silver: Dylan Hammett
Best Museum Gold: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Silver: Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art Bronze: The Jacobson House Best Place for a Kid’s Party Gold: Andy Alligator’s Fun Park Silver: HeyDay Entertainment Bronze: Cici’s Pizza Best Sports Bar Gold: O’Connell’s Irish Pub Silver: Coach’s Bronze: BJ’s Restaurant Best Wine Bar Gold: Blu Fine Wine & Food Silver: Michelangelo Coffee and Wine Bar Bronze: Louie's
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Hideaway Pizza Charleston’s Legends
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Rudy’s
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Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art
Mike Hosty
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Best of the Best Best Ice Cream Gold: Braum's Silver: Orange Leaf
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Best Consignment Store Gold: Cindy’s Resale Shop Silver: Round the House Bronze: Elusive
Best Place to Buy a Unique Gift Gold: The Melting Pot Silver: Antique Garden Bronze: Moonstruck
Best Toy Store Gold: Toys "R" Us Silver: Kidoodles/Copelins Bronze: Discovery Toys
Best Jewelry Store Gold: Mitchell’s Jewelry Silver: Brockhaus Jewelry Bronze: Crown Jewelers
Best Place to Buy OU Apparel Gold: Balfour Silver: The Apothem Bronze: OU Bookstore
Best Wine & Spirits Gold: Spirit Shop Silver: Thunderbird Liquors Bronze: Corkscrew Wine & Spirit
Best Men’s Clothing Store Gold: JoS. A. Bank Clothiers Silver: Dillard’s Bronze: Cayman’s
Best Mattress Store Gold: Mattress Firm Silver: Mattress Sleepcenters Bronze: Norman Mattress & Sleep Center
HEALTH/FITNESS Best Hair Salon/Barber Gold: Salon Zen Silver: Mane Man II Bronze: The Palms Salon & Spa
Best Shoe Store Gold: Shoetopia Silver: MetroShoe Warehouse Bronze: Brown’s Shoe Fit & Co.
Best Nail Salon Gold: V Salon Silver: Joe’s Nails Bronze: Salon Zen
SHOPPING Best Antique Shop Gold: Antique Garden Silver: Firehouse Art Center Bronze: Anderson Furniture & Appliance Best Art Gallery Gold: Dreamer Concepts Studio & Foundation Silver: MAINSITE Contemporary Art Bronze: Tribes 131 Best Children’s Clothing Store Gold: The Tulip Tree Silver: Gap Bronze: The Children’s Place
Best Women’s Clothing Store Gold: Dillard’s Silver: Cayman’s Bronze: Blush
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Mane Man Joe’s Nails Photos by Jocelyn Pederson
Shoetopia
Best of the Best Best Place to Get a Massage Gold: Le Visage Day Spa Silver: Eileen’s Face & Body Day Spa Bronze: Elements Therapeutic Massage Best Spa Gold: Le Visage Day Spa Silver: Eileen’s Face & Body Day Spa Bronze: Ultimate Realm of Serenity Best Skin Care Facility Gold: Merle Norman Silver: Eileen’s Face & Body Day Spa Bronze: Crews & Co. Best Tanning Salon Gold: At the Beach Silver: Tan & Tone America Bronze: Sun Spa
Best Gym/Fitness Center Gold: YMCA Silver: Fitness One Bronze: The Health Club Bronze: Downtown Fitness Best Dance Studio Gold: Julia’s Academy of International Dance Silver: Massay’s DanceStar Productions Bronze: Modern Dance Arts Best Chiropractor Gold: Sparks Clinic Silver: Dr. Matt Spaulding, DC Bronze: Dr. Michael Sullivan, DC
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Best Eye Care Gold: Norman Vision Source Silver: Norman Eye Associates Bronze: Dr. Joel Razook
Best General Physician Gold: Dr. Thomas Merrill, MD Silver: Dr. Patrick Livingston, DO Bronze: Dr. Jayson Henry, DO
Best Dentist Gold: Dr. Wallace G. Haskett, DDS Gold: Dr. William Skaggs, DDS Silver: Dr. Phillip R. Parker, DDS Bronze: Dr. Geoff Potts, DDS Bronze: Dental Depot
Best Nurse Gold: Pam Levy, Dr. Thomas Merrill Silver: Jennifer Webb, Norman Regional Health Bronze: Sue Davis, Dr. Chris Edge
Best Hygienist Gold: Elena White, Dr. Mask, DDS Silver: Eva Walter, Dr. Carmens, DDS Bronze: Kelly, Dr. Bradley, DDS
Best OBGYN Gold: Dr. Carol Anderson, DO Silver: Dr. David Porter, MD Bronze: Dr. Lisa Waterman, DO Best Orthopedic Surgeon Gold: Dr. Mark Moses, MD Silver: Dr. Steven Schultz, Jr., MD Bronze: Dr. Richard Kirkpatrick, MD
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Best of the Best Best Podiatrist Gold: Dr. Charles Anderson, DPM Silver: Dr. Allen Rohde, DPM Bronze: Dr. Scott Hosler, DPM
Best Retirement Community Gold: Rivermont Retirement Silver: Rambling Oaks Bronze: Savannah House
Best Pediatrician Gold: Dr. Thomas Thurston, MD Silver: Dr. Thomas Kuhls, MD Bronze: Dr. Eileen Fox, MD
Best Assisted Living Gold: The Gardens at Rivermont Silver: Rambling Oaks Bronze: Grace Living Best Veterinarian Gold: Dr. Phil Linnemann, DVM Silver: Dr. John Otto, DVM Bronze: Dr. Beverly Fritzler, DVM
Best Pharmacy Gold: Doctors Park Pharmacy Silver: P & S Pharmacy Bronze: CVS Bronze: Walgreen’s Best Home Health Gold: Loving Care Home Health & Hospice Silver: Doctors Park Home Health Bronze: Carter Healthcare, Inc.
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AUTOMOTIVE Best New Car Dealer Gold: Marc Heitz Chevrolet Silver: Bob Moore Cadillac Bronze: Ferguson Buick GMC Best Pre-Owned Dealer Gold: Bob Moore Nissan Silver: Marc Heitz Chevrolet Bronze: Ferguson Buick GMC
Best Place To Get Oil Changed Gold: Hibdon Tires Silver: Kwik Kar of Norman Bronze: Fowler VW Best Tag Agency Gold: Fuson Tag Agency Silver: Sooner Tag Agnecy Bronze: Lanoy Tag Agency
LIFESTYLES Best Carwash Gold: Auto Valet Silver: Boomerang Bronze: Fast Lane Best Place To Buy Tires Gold: Hibdon Tires Silver: Firestone Bronze: Brookhaven Tire
Best Abstract Company Gold: Cleveland County Abstract Company Silver: Old Republic Title Bronze: First American Title Best Apartment Complex Gold: Savannah Harbor Silver: The Trails Bronze: Crimson Park
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P&S Pharmacy Dr. Beverly Fritzler
Dr. Geoff Potts
Photos by Jocelyn Pederson
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Best of the Best Best Dry Cleaners Gold: Walden Cleaners & Laundry Silver: Hollywood Laundry & Cleaners Bronze: Today Cleaners Best Civic Club Gold: Rotary Club of Norman Silver: Junior League of Norman Bronze: Kiwanis Club of Norman Best Non-Profit Organization Gold: United Way of Norman Silver: Assistance League of Norman Bronze: Big Brothers Big Sisters
Best Appliance Dealer Gold: Sears Silver: Lowe's Home Improvement Bronze: Danny's TV & Appliance Best Furniture Store Gold: Marquis Furniture Silver: Mister Robert Bronze: Blair Home Furnishings Best Flooring Store Gold: Mills Creek Carpet & Tile Silver: David's Carpet & Tile Best Home Interiors Store Gold: Mister Robert Silver: Theo’s Marketplace Bronze: Kirklands
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Best Outdoor Furniture & Accessories Gold: Thompson Pool & Patio Silver: Lowe's Home Improvement Bronze: Home Depot Best Nursery/Garden Store Gold: Marcum’s Nursery Silver: K & K Bronze: Greenhouse Best Florist Gold: Earl's Flowers & Gifts Silver: Betty Lou's Flowers & Gifts Bronze: Design 2000
Best Heat & Air Company Gold: Waggoners' Heating & Air Conditioning Silver: Lashar Home Comfort Systems Bronze: Kelso Heating and Air Best Construction Company Gold: Landmark Silver: Precision Builders Bronze: Brent Swift Design Build Best Home Builder Gold: Ideal Homes Silver: Home Creations Bronze: Homes of Distinction – Don Cies
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Best of the Best Best Hotel Gold: Embassy Suites Silver: Hilton Garden Inn Bronze: Sooner Legends Inn & Suites Best Bed and Breakfast Gold: Montford Inn & Cottages Silver: Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast Bronze: Casa Bella Bed & Breakfast Best Real Estate Agency Gold: Keller Williams Realty Silver: Don Cies Real Estate Bronze: Dillard Group Best Realtor Gold: Tom McAuliffe, Don Cies Silver: Wally Kerr, Kerr Team Bronze: Tiaa Payne, Keller Williams
Best Travel Agency Gold: AAA Travel Agency Silver: Michelle's Destinations Unlimited, LLC Bronze: Journey House Travel Best RV Dealer Gold: Floyd's RV Silver: RV General Store Best Pet Care & Grooming Gold: Steve's All Breed Grooming Silver: PetSmart Bronze: Posh Pets Grooming Center Best Pet Boarding Facility Gold: Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort Silver: All Pet's Veterinary Hospital Bronze: Fur Night & Day, LLC
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Best Pet Store Gold: PetSmart Silver: Petco Bronze: Wet Pets by Steve
Best County Politician Gold: Rod Cleveland Silver: Rusty Sullivan
FINANCIAL Best Pastor Gold: Wade Smith, Pastor First Baptist Church Silver: Jeff Burns, Pastor, Harvest Church Bronze: Linda Harker, Sr. Pastor, McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church Best City Politician Gold: David Spaulding Silver: Carol Dillingham Best State Politician Gold: Scott Martin Silver: Emily Virgin Bronze: Kenneth Corn
Best Bank Gold: Republic Bank & Trust Silver: Arvest Bank Bronze: First American Bank Best Banker Gold: Chuck Thompson, Republic Silver: Charles Hollingsworth, Arvest Bronze: Jim McCauley, First American Best Credit Union Gold: Tinker Federal Credit Union Silver: OU Federal Credit Union Bronze: Communication Federal Credit Union
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Game room at Rivermont. Photo by Jocelyn Pedersen
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Landmark Fine Homes Fowler VW
Thompson Pool & Patio
Best of the Best Best Loan Officer Gold: Melinda Morgan, Republic Silver: Andy Sherrer, Republic Bronze: Irene Fitzgereld, First Mortgage Best Teller Gold: Kelley Eyler, Republic Silver: Jennifer Kirby, OU Credit Union Bronze: Millie Stewart, Arvest Best Investment Firm Gold: Republic Silver: Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Silver: Investment Centers of America Bronze: Edward Jones
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EDUCATION
BUSINESS
Best Principal Gold: Brian Young, Norman North High School
Best New Business 2011 Gold: Natural Grocers Silver: Sweets & Spurs Bronze: Zio's Italian Kitchen
Best Pre-School Teacher Gold: Carol Baldwin, Adams Elementary Best Elementary Teacher Gold: Glenda Cook, Monroe Elementary Best Middle School Teacher Gold: Margaret Wadleigh, Irving Middle School Best High School Teacher Gold: David Davisson, Norman North High School
Best Employer/Boss Gold: Jan Mulinix, Keller Williams Silver: Chuck Thompson, Republic Best Insurance Agent Gold: Julia Chew, State Farm Silver: Mike Earls, State Farm Bronze: Monty Moore, Farmers Bronze: Gary Jarmon, INSURICA
Best Accounting Firm Gold: Gray, Blodgett & Company, PLLC Silver: Castleberry & Associates, PC Bronze: Fisher & Co. Best CPA Gold: Robert Castleberry Best Funeral Home Gold: Havenbrook Funeral Home Silver: Primrose Funeral Service Bronze: McMahans Funeral Home Inc. Best Law Firm Gold: Crowe & Dunlevy Silver: William Velie Attorneys at Law, PLLC Bronze: Law Office of Ron Boone, PC
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Best Lawn Care Service Gold: Mikes Lawn Care, Inc. Best Photographer/Studio Gold: Shevaun Williams & Associates, Inc. Silver: Fife Photography Bronze: B More Creative Photography Best Plumber Gold: Bob Usry & Son's Inc. Silver: Brandon’s Plumbing Bronze: MDS Plumbing Jace Cole enjoys a cupcake from the Chocolate Festival. Transcript Photo by Kyle Phillips
Benvenuti’s
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United Way of Norman
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