& COFFEE

Coeur d’Alene’s midtown corridor. Those locations — in modest shops with street-facing windows and steady foot traffic — were by design.

“It’s difficult to quantify exactly what goes into” choosing an ideal space, Dillon says. “My hippie answer is we’re looking for a place with a soul.”

With three locations, one could easily consider Panhandle Cone & Coffee a local chain, but each space is unique and customized to suit the vibe of its host neighborhood. Each spot feels welcoming through touches like a warm color palette, natural surfaces, local art and hand-lettered signage.

“We’re kind of a throwback business,” says Dillon, who was a pastor in his former career. “We just love places where we can create an atmosphere.”

And the ice cream? Well, it’s delightful, from the topselling (and ridiculously good) salted caramel and brown butter cookie flavor to the specialty flavors, like the Coeur d’Alene Lake Blue Raspberry.

“We really try to find quality ingredients, and it’s always fun when we can find local places to do that with,” Dillon says.

— CARRIE SCOZZARO

Best Middle Eastern Food Baba

“The offerings are numerous, generously served and delicious. Very authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food.” (Paul K.); “Everything on the menu is soooooo good!” (Kevin P.)

2nd PLACE: Feast World Kitchen

3rd PLACE: Lebanon Restaurant & Cafe

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: The White House Grill, Post Falls

Best Pho Pho Van

“You will crave the broth!” (Ashley M.); “Huge bowl with fresh vegetables on the side.” (Lorri G.); ”Best food ever!” (Malinda H.)

2nd PLACE: Vien Dong

3rd PLACE: Vina Asian Restaurant

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Pho Thanh & Cafe, Coeur d’Alene

Best Tacos Cochinito Taqueria

When it first burst on scene in 2018, Cochinito Taqueria turned heads with its funky décor and unconventional counter-only ordering. As people tried the food, they realized that here was flavorful, fresh fine dining level food at a fast-casual price point, like five bucks for tacos — tender chicken, spicy pork belly, crispy fish — on house-made corn tortillas. Cochinito’s recent expansion to Hayden, Idaho, is a win-win for Gem State diners, too. (CSz)

2nd PLACE: De Leon’s Taco and Bar

3rd PLACE: Uno Más Taco Shop

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Best Avenue Taco Works, Coeur d’Alene

Best Italian Food Italia Trattoria

There’s no “best sauce” category, but Italia Trattoria is a compelling argument that there should be. I expected a generally pleasing combo of eggs and marinara sauce when I ordered the baked eggs for brunch one Sunday from Italia Trattoria. I wasn’t expecting the sauce to blow my mind. Complex flavors layered on top of each other. A deep resonant note of earthy richness like a premium wine. A sense of satisfaction, as if we’d just witnessed a great musician perform their masterpiece. When Chef Anna Vogel makes the sauce, the server told us, she spends days simmering the tomato flavors. (DW)

2nd PLACE: Tavolàta, 3rd PLACE; Tomato Street

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Angelo’s Ristorante, Coeur d’Alene

BEST SUSHI UMI KITCHEN & SUSHI BAR

“Great sushi and drinks as well as an amazing nighttime view of downtown Spokane.” (John B.); “Fresh, lovely cuts and big pieces.” (Natalie W.); “I love the option for real crab. My meal is always amazing, and the location is fantastic to sit outside and enjoy the river.” (Katherine M.)

2nd PLACE: Sushi.com

3rd PLACE: Izumi Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro

NORTH IDAHO’S BEST: Syringa, Coeur d’Alene

Best Untried Theme For A Restaurant Naked

Ah, the turn of the century, back when Inlander readers would break into peels of laughter when the very mention of the word “naked” was mentioned. The concept of a restaurant where the servers or the clientele were naked — or close to it — was positively delightful. This was, after all, the same year that American Pie combined nudity and pastries to create mediocre comedy. The thing is, Spokane actually did get something close to a version of this: the skeezy “bikini barista” trend, where scantily clad coffee babes would serve frappuccinos to drivers who wanted more than one kind of stimulant. But these days, our culture’s become more crass in some ways — sharing photos of your own naked body has, insanely, become a dating ritual — and more squeamish in others. Note the trend of Gen Zers on Twitter grossed out — even offended — by the idea of sex scenes in movies. The Hooters in Spokane Valley, meanwhile, got converted to a church.

— DANIEL WALTERS

Best Movie Theater Garland