Best Of San Diego Winners
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Dear Readers,
Once again, it is with great excitement that we bring you the results of the San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll. As we do each year, we reached out to our readers and asked them to vote in more than 175 categories for their selection of the “Best of the Best” in 2018 in San Diego County. We proudly present a comprehensive overview for your reading enjoyment and a great reference for future buying, places to go, and things to do.
Here is the process we follow each year: We start with all voters casting their votes for nominees — an exhaustive tabulation process — and, ultimately, this unveiling. What you will see are the choices that represent the votes of our readers, who are the end users of goods and services in our wonderful community.
As we did last year and will continue to do, we also recognize not only the top vote-getters or “Best” in each category, but those that are considered “Favorites,” having received votes and thus recognition in each category. As you read through this publication and shop around San Diego, be on the lookout for the “Best Of” and “Favorite” recognition for our local businesses. These distinctions are something for each of these businesses to be very proud.
As always, thank you for your loyal readership, and enjoy!
PAUL INGEGNERI
Vice President of Advertising
The San Diego Union-Tribune
paul.ingegneri@sduniontribune.com
2018 Winners
Best Barber
Frankie Delgado at Sport Clips of Del Mar
Favorites:
Jamal Elias at V's Barbershop-Del Mar; Lori Schmidt at Sport Clips of Mission Valley; Maria Rodriguez at Sport Clips of Carlsbad-Poinsettia Village; Tommy McVeagh at Dapper Jay's
Best Bartender
Favorites:
Ileana Lara at Stoney's Bar and Grill; Jim Baird at Odysea Lounge, Hilton San Diego Bayfront; Juan Sanchez at Hundred Proof; Kelli Kavanagh at Rosati's Pizza & Sports Pub; Nino Koller at The Hole in the Wall; Sabrina Mitchell at Del Sur Mexican Cantina; Scott Tallian at Rosati's Pizza & Sports Pub
Best Chef
Yves Fournier at The French Oven Bakery & Café
Favorites:
Antonio Votta at Viejas Casino & Resort; BPE Executive Chef - Jerry Ranson; Brad Wise at Trust; Brian Malarkey at Herb & Wood, Herb & Eatery, Green Acre, Farmer & The Seahorse; David Scalise at Hilton San Diego Bayfront; Deborah Scott at Coasterra, Vintana wine + dine, Island Prime/C Level, Indigo Grill; Hector Rosales at Old California Mining Company; Jerry Ranson at Belmont Park Entertainment; Ken Rollins at Rancho Bernardo Inn; Kevin Templeton at barleymash
Best Craft Beer
Favorites:
Aurora Hoppyalis IPA at Karl Strauss Brewing Co.; Cali Creamin' Vanilla Cream Ale at Mother Earth Brew Co.; Dank Drank hazy IPA at Pariah Brewing Co.; Legally Red Hoppy American Red at Second Chance Beer Co.; Nelson IPA at Alpine Brewing Co.; Peanut Butter Milk Stout at Belching Beaver Brewery; San Diego Pale Ale .394 IPA at AleSmith Brewing Co.; Sculpin IPA at Ballast Point Brewing Co.; X - Extra Pale Ale at AleSmith Brewing Co.
Best Craft Brewery
Favorites:
32 North Brewing Co.; AleSmith Brewing Co.; Alpine Beer Company; Ballast Point Brewing Co.; Belching Beaver Brewery; Coronado Brewing Co.; Karl Strauss Brewing Co.; Second Chance Beer Co.; Thr3e Punk Ales Brewing Co.
Best Hair Salon
Favorites:
Belle Salon; Bishops Cuts/Color; Bouffant Beauty Bar; Denise Barrow Salon & Spa; Detour Salon - Encinitas; Empire Beauty Supply & Salon; Model Call Salon; The Men's Room Barber Styling Shop
Best Hair Stylist
Henary Moreno at Sport Clips of La Jolla
Favorites:
Brooke Scherrer at Empire Beauty Supply & Salon-Encinitas; Frankie Delgado at Sport Clips of Del Mar; Heather Jimenez at Sport Clips of Santee; Lori Schmidt at Sport Clips of Mission Valley; Maria Rodriguez at Sport Clips of Carlsbad-Poinsettia Village; Syd Lacayo at Bishops Cuts/Color
Best Local Evening News
Favorites:
KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); KGTV Channel 10 (ABC); KPBS Channel 15; KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); KUSI Channel 9/51
Best Local Morning News
Favorites:
KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); KNSD Channel 7/39 (NBC); KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); KUSI Channel 9/51
Best Local News Anchor
Vanessa Van Hyfte of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC)
Favorites:
Carlos Amezcua of KUSI Channel 9/51; David Davis of KUSI Channel 9/51; Greg Bledsoe of KNSD Channel 7/39 (NBC); Kimberly Hunt of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC); Marianne Kushi of KNSD Channel 7/39 (NBC); Mark Mullen of KNSD Channel 7/39 (NBC); Nichelle Medina of KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); Raoul Martinez of KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); Shally Zomorodi of KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); Steve Price of KFMB Channel 8 (CBS)
Best Local News Channel
Favorites:
KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); KNSD Channel 7 (NBC); KPBS Channel 15; KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); KUSI Channel 9/51
Best Local Weekend News
Favorites:
KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); KNSD Channel 7 (NBC); KPBS Channel 15; KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); KUSI Channel 9/51
Best Meteorologist (Provide Channel)
Jennifer Delacruz of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC)
Favorites:
Aloha Taylor of KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); Angelica Campos of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC); Brad Wills of KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); Chrissy Russo of KSWB Channel 5 (Fox); Dagmar Midcap of KNSD Channel 7 (NBC); Dave Scott of KUSI Channel 9/51; Jodi Kodesh of KNSD Channel 7 (NBC); Llarisa Abreu of KNSD Channel 7 (NBC); Matt Baylow of KFMB Channel 8 (CBS)
Best Neighborhood
Favorites:
Encinitas; Hillcrest; La Mesa; Lake San Marcos; Little Italy; North Park; Ocean Beach; Pacific Beach; San Marcos
Best Radio Drive Time Show
Favorites:
Carl Demaio on NewsRadio 600 KOGO; Loose Cannons on KLSD 1360; Mike Slater Show on KFMB 760 AM; NPR on KPBS 89.5 FM; Scott & B.R. on Mighty 1090 AM
Best Radio Morning Show
Brett & Mackee In the Morning at KCR 1610 AM SDSU College Radio
Favorites:
costco.comArmstrong & Getty; Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw on KFMB 100.7 FM; Jesse and Delana on Star 94.1 FM; Morning Edition on NPR; Morton in the Morning on Z90.3 FM; Rush Limbaugh
Best Radio Personality
Brett Michel on KCR 1610 AM SDSU College Radio
Favorites:
Carl Demaio on NewsRadio 600 KOGO; Chainsaw on KFMB 100.7 FM; Clint August on KGB 101.5 FM; Darren Smith on Mighty 1090 AM; Delana Bennett on Star 94.1 FM; DJ Marc Thrasher on KHTS 93.3 FM; Geena the Latina on KHTS 93.3 FM; Jesse Lozano on Star 94.1 FM; Miles Himmel on KFMB 760 AM; Rush Limbaugh
Best Radio Station AM/FM
KCR 1610 AM SDSU College Radio
Favorites:
KBZT 94.9 FM ALT949; KFMB 100.7 FM; KGB 101.5 FM World Class Rock; KHTS 93.3 FM, Channel 93.3; KIOZ 105.3 FM ROCK1053; KLVJ 102.1 FM K-Love; KMYI 94.1 FM Star 94.1; KOGO 600 AM News Radio; KPBS, NPR, 89.5 FM, 97.7 Calexico; XEPRS 1090 AM Mighty 1090; XETRA 91.1 FM 91X
Best Restaurant Server
Alysia Dailey at Jake's Del Mar
Favorites:
Brittany Friel at Rosati's Pizza & Sports Pub; Kayla Armstrong at Old California Mining Company; Kelli Kavanaugh at Rosati's Pizza & Sports Pub; Kim Borria at The Trails Eatery; Liza Rawlings at Old California Mining Company; Manny Celedon at The Smoking Gun; Victor Rivero at Donovan's - La Jolla
Best San Diego Event
Favorites:
Comic-Con International; CRSSD Festival; Hillcrest CityFest; Mission Federal Credit Union ArtWalk; San Diego Bay Parade of Lights; San Diego County Credit Union Festival of Arts in North Park; San Diego Pride; San Diego Restaurant Week
Best San Diego Hotel
Favorites:
El Primero Hotel; Hilton San Diego Bayfront; Hotel Republic; Pantai Inn; Pendry; Rancho Bernardo Inn; The Willows Hotel & Spa at Viejas Casino & Resort; Tower 23 Hotel; Westin Hotel - Emerald Plaza
Best Scenic Spot
Favorites:
Cabrillo National Monument; Coronado; La Jolla; La Jolla Cove; Mount Soledad; Spruce Street Suspension Bridge; Sunset Cliffs; Torrey Pines State Beach and Natural Reserve
Best Staycation Location
Favorites:
Barona Resort & Casino; Hilton San Diego Bayfront; La Jolla Shores Hotel; Pantai Inn; Paradise Point Resort & Spa; Rancho Bernardo Inn; Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa; Tower 23 Hotel; Viejas Casino & Resort
Best Talk Radio
Favorites:
KFMB 760 AM; KLSD 1360 AM XTRA 1360; KNX 1070 AM newsradio; KOGO 600 AM; Sirius XM Channel 88 NFL
Best Television Personality
Jennifer Delacruz of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC)
Favorites:
Brandon Stone of KUSI Channel 9/51; Dave Scott of KUSI Channel 9/51; Dr. William F. Groff, dermatologist "Ask the Derm"; Jeff Zevely of KFMB Channel 8 (CBS); Ken Kramer of KPBS (Channel 15); Kimberly Hunt of KGTV Channel 10 (ABC);