Part One: People & Business:MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

It’s mainly listened to on the car radio or when one’s place of business has it on as background. In this era of cable TV, Internet and instant visual gratification, radio just isn’t as ubiquitous as it was in the old days. But it’s still a powerful medium, and our readers all responded well to this question.
Winning this hands down again was Jefferson Public Radio. The list also included:

• KISS-F
• KDOV
• KBOY
• KROG
• Lite 102
• KRWQ
• Cool 103

FAVORITE RADIO PERSONALITY

It’s got to be a tough job at times. Even if your dog just got run over by a Frito-Lay truck, you have to come to work and put on the smiley face. Depressing DJ’s just don’t last long in the real world, and playing “Can’t Live … If Livin’ Is Without You” every 45 minutes will earn you a pink slip in no time.
Quite a few of the area DJ’s were mentioned by our readers, and spinning his way to the top again this year was Gemineye at KISS-FM.
The list of fun-loving DJs included:

• Perry Atkinson, theDove
• Bill Meyer, KMED
• Scuba Steve, 102.7 the Drive
• R. Charles Snyder, 102.7 the Drive

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS STATION

They risk life and limb trying to get the best shots possible of that three-alarm fire and/or shootout involving the SWAT team, and our readers were very appreciative, naming KTVL (Channel 10) as their favorite.
KOBI/Channel 5 and NewsWatch 12 (KDRV) were hot on their heels, though.

FAVORITE TV NEWS ANCHOR/REPORTER

You not only have to look good, but you have to exude an air of extreme confidence in your material, despite the fact that you were given a quick briefing just seconds before going on the air. Then, of course, your co-anchor has to say something cute about the topic, and you have to reply with something equally witty while the producer wrings his or her hands hoping that some kind of Freudian slip doesn’t become the legend of YouTube.
Anyway, when it comes to local news, our readers most appreciated Scott Lewis, KDRV NewsWatch 12’s Chief Meteorologist. Scott has been a local favorite since first going on air in 1985.
Others high on the list were:

• Brian Morton of KDRV
• • Laura Cavanaugh of KOBI – Channel 5
• • Ron Brown of KDRV
• Trish Glose of KTVL – Channel 10
• Ashley Hall at KDRV
• Travis Koch of KOBI.

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE MAIL TRIBUNE

Reporting his way to the top this year was Paul Fatigg.
The Top Five included:

• Sarah Lemon
• Bill Varble
• Chris Conrad
• Sanne Specht

FAVORITE ADS IN THE SNEAK PREVIEW

To the many people who wrote, “all of them,” we want to say “thank you.” Please extend those sentiments to potential advertisers whenever you can.
The overwhelming favorite this year was “any ad from restaurants that included coupons.”

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

Are we still in a recession, or is it merely a slowdown? Is the economy coming back or is it an illusion? Will our homes ever be worth what they were in 2006 before the bubble burst? Those questions may take a few years to answer, but in the meantime you have to admire people who open a new business during these trying times.
Topping the list for 2011 was the much anticipated Medford Food Coop, located at 945 S. Riverside. You have to appreciate a business whose motto is: “for people, not for profit.”
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Organics Natural Café, 226 East Main Street
• Beer Works, 323 E Main St
• To Gos Great Sandwiches, 1200 Biddle Rd
• Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill, Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill
• Good Bean Café, 3240 Hillcrest Park Dr

BEST FAMILY-OPERATED BUSINESS

You gotta love a place where the children, cousins and in-laws join in the fun of a family-run business. It’s not uncommon in Medford, and 28 different businesses were mentioned, including the number one choice, Great Harvest Bread Co., 203 Genessee Street. Owners Lisa and Dan Allen (along with their children, Natalie, Brad and Kellie) have been milling wheat and making bread here in the Rogue Valley for over ten years. They moved into their new and bigger location this year and now serve sandwiches and gourmet coffee.
The list also included:

• Roosters
• Integrity Carpet Care
• Kaleidoscope Pizza
• Papillon Rouge
• Roxy Ann Bakery

FAVORITE BUSINESSPERSON

It’s not easy running a business. You have to keep track of every cent that comes in and out; manage “x” number of employees; deal with bureaucrats at every level of government (most of who whom think they know more than you … but we know better); and remember the dictum that “the customer is always right.”
This year’s top favorite was Sherm Olsrud of Sherm’s Food4Less and Thunderbird. Sherm and his Wanda Olsrud bought their first meat market in Eugene in 1956. The Olsrud’s have been active in supporting many local activities including baseball, football, basketball and many others. They also are big supporters of 4-H and FFA.

FAVORITE DENTIST

It’s pretty easy to take teeth for granted until things start going south … then you’re all gung ho about doing something. Preventive care is always the best. Our readers named 34 different dentists. The top two were so close we made the executive decision to award a tie between Karl E. Schneck, 1094 Royal Court, and John Linstrom, 1605 East Barnett Rd.
Rounding out the Top Four were:

• Erik Rollem, 1234 North Riverside Avenue
• Julie Wu, 2201 E Barnett Rd

FAVORITE DOCTOR

Whether you like it or not, one good thing that came out of the health care debate was that it made people more aware of health issues. The fact is, if more Americans exercised, stopped eating junk food, gave up cigarettes and took proper supplements like Vitamin D and selenium, the health care crisis in this country would be over.
Doctors, however, will always be important, and our readers named quite a few in this survey, including this year’s top M.D.s, a tie between Dr. Daniel Laury, and Dr. Ashley Peterson of Family Practice Group, 229 Stewart Avenue.
Other favorite doctors included:

• Dr. Alan Binette
• Dr. Robin Miller
• Dr. Alan Bates

FAVORITE ACUPUNCTURIST

Both traditional and alternative forms of medicine operate under a single mission—keeping you healthy. It’s good to know that there’s a whole phalanx of options out there for you to consider, which is where naturopaths and acupuncturists come in handy.
Topping the list of acupuncturists this year was Brian “Rosie” Rosenthal, closely followed by Michael Pope and Maria Teresa M. Bresnan.

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

The human spinal cord wasn’t one of those things that evolution and/or God (depending on your viewpoint) put a whole lot of thought into. While it works admirably when you’re young and supple, things tend to merge or slip as you get older (like at 24). The bones require constant attention, and our readers definitely appreciate their chiropractors, as they mentioned 21 in this survey.
Topping the list for 2011 was Eric S. Reed of Southern Oregon Chiropractic, 2931 Doctors Park Drive.
Others high on the list were:

• Charles Anderson
• Jason Gutches
• Diedre D’Antonio
• Gail Y Flock

FAVORITE PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Any time you have to recover from an injury or surgery, your faithful physical therapist is there to help. From stretching exercises to specific routines that work various muscle groups, they’re trained to get you back on your feet in no time.
And when it comes to getting back on the road to recovery, our readers most often mentioned Bill Esser, MS, PT, CCTT, of Jackson County Physical Therapy. Bill has been practicing since 1981. His interests are in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and headaches, early intervention and treatment of skeletal and soft tissue injuries due to motor vehicle accidents, and mechanical dysfunction of the spine and extremity joints. He’s also an accomplished musician with expertise in guitar, banjo, bass guitar, and mandolin. Bill would be a good guy to have in the band…especially after a month of sleeping in a cramped tour bus.
The Top Three wonder workers included:

• Amanda Olson PT, DPT
• Ann Sprague, DPT, MFA

FAVORITE PILATES TEACHER

It’s a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century in Germany by Joseph Pilates, a gymnast of Greek ancestry. For those who care, my wife swears by it. Pilates “believed his method used the mind to control the muscles,” and the program “focuses on the core postural muscles which keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine.”
Here in Medford, Pilates is very popular, and the top spot went to Debbie Richter of Southern Oregon Pilates, 1910 E. Barnett Road.
Coming in a very close second was Millie O’Brien of Verve Pilates and Movement Studio, now located at 880 Golf View Drive.

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

Sure, you can go for that wind-blown Kennedyesque look or just let it all flow like Albert Einstein. Most of us, however, want a little more order in our lives, which makes our friendly hair stylist an important part of the plan for happiness.
As a testament to their importance, our readers were able to name 59 (yes, 59!) different hair stylists as their favorites. Cutting her way to the top this year was Jodie Scott of Scissorhead Salon, 1112 Progress Drive, Suite 101. Jodie specializes in coloring and cutting hair and enjoys staying active by running, walking, biking and swimming.
The Top Six featured:

• Lisa Hubbard, Gervais
• Di Perez, Fringe
• John Paul Vineyard, Escape
• Troy Stelle, Gervais
• Mr. Thom

BEST PLACE TO GET MEDICURES/PEDICURES

Nails have an uncanny knack for attracting dirt, grime, food and bacteria (I read a statistic recently that there are 3 million bacteria on the tip of one of your fingers). It’s no surprise then that manicurists are extremely popular.
Our readers agreed with that assessment, and they named Gervais Day Spa as their favorite.
Also landing near the top were:

• Perfect Nails
• Bella Sarah
• Elements
• House of Style

FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST

It’s not just a way to pamper yourself, massage not only provides relaxation, but it’s proven to improve your health and can assist in quicker recovery time from injuries. Our readers love their massages, naming 37 different therapists. The number one pick this year ended in a tie between Lanelle Piotrowski of Be Well Massage and Lila Spiritwalker of Gervais Day Spa.
The top five spots were very close:

• Cara Wirt
• Cindy Duron
• Jennifer Mitchell

BEST DAY SPA

Modern living is stress-filled … there’s no doubt about it. It almost makes one yearn for the good old days when we lived in caves and hunted mastodons. At least then there weren’t crazy people with machine guns mowing people down, or maniacs flying airplanes into buildings. Sure, there was the occasional saber-toothed tiger scare, but even they were a little cute.
Anyway, where to go when you want to unwind at a day spa and feel like a queen (or king) for a day? Many of our readers voted for Gervais Day Spa, owned by Lila Spiritwalker and Lisa Hubbard and located at 111 N Central Ave.
The competition was tough in this category, and the Top Five were:

• European Touch
• Lotus Hair Body & Soul
• Medical Eye Center
• Sun Palace

BEST AUTO MECHANIC

The average American can open the hood of a car and accurately locate three things: the battery, the radiator and the little thingie that keeps the hood open. Everything else is a big blur, which is why we rely on our mechanics to take care of business.
Quite a few automobile professionals were mentioned in this survey. Calibrating their way to the top were the folks at Ken Scales Auto Repair, 1101 Court Street.

BEST BODY SHOP

There’s nothing more heart wrenching than to see (and hear) that beautiful new (or slightly used) car get in an accident. What used to be a thing of beauty now looks like ten miles of bad roads in West Virginia. Who to go to in order to get ol’ Betsy looking new again? Our readers were most impressed with the work at Star Body Works, 1385 Sage Road.
Also receiving a lot of votes were:

• Lithia Auto Body
• Anderson Auto Body and Paint
• Bob Thomas Automotive

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

It’s a tough job, running a restaurant, but someone has to do it. Many of them put their life’s savings on the line, and it’s real easy to get nickel and dimed to death. It requires long hours and the patience of Job, which is why our readers recognized 31 different restaurant owners in the balloting.
Topping the list for 2011 was actually a tie between Jake Allmaras of Kaleidoscope Pizza and Chris Dennett of Elements Tapas Bar.
Others near the top included:

• Daniel Jewert, Organics Natural Café
• David Graham, 38 on Central
• Jim and June Potter, Roosters

FAVORITE WAITPERSONS

Every waitperson on earth has a recurring nightmare. Brad Pitt and Angelia Jolie unexpectedly walk into the restaurant, and you end up getting all tongue-tied. When Brad asks what the soup of the day is, you say, “The Cham Clowder.” And when Angelina inquires about the salads, you tell her the lettuce is baked fresh every day.
Anyway, I’m sure the waitstaff here in Medford have it more together than that, and our readers certainly agree, as they named 24 different ones in this category. Serving their way to the top this year were “The ladies at Parkside Café.”

FAVORITE VETERINARIAN

There are almost 80 million dogs in the United States alone. I’m no mathmatician, but I’m pretty sure that means there are a lot of sick dogs out there. And then there are cats, birds, ferrets, alligators, and a host of other amimals to keep our vets busy.
The votes were extremely close in this one, and the winners were the friendly folks at Siskiyou Veterinary Hospital located at 100 W. Stewart Ave.
The list also included:

• All Creatures
• Best Friends Animal Hospital
• Pear Blossom Veterinary Clinic

FAVORITE TREE REMOVAL SERVICE/ARBORIST

When my wife and I moved onto our property 18 years ago, we planted over fifty trees. I’m sad to have to report, however, that one of the original trees on the property, a 60-year-old cherry tree that we once dubbed “The Mother of All Cherry Trees,” is dying. We had an arborist cut off some of the dead branches last summer, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
And when it comes to pruning, saving or removing trees, our readers most often mentioned J & J Tree Service.
Coming in a close second was Village Arborist, followed by:

• Bartlett Tree Service
• Beaver Tree Services

FAVORITE COMPUTER SUPPORT PERSONS

The world is becoming semi-reliant on computers, the Internet, cell phones and other technological advances. The whole thing, though, revolves around moving pieces and magnets, and when it goes bad, it’s bad! I mean, it’s hide-the-razor-blades bad. I’m not sure if our reliance on these machines is healthy or not.
But whom to call when the computer crashes or goes on the blink? This was another popular category, and there are over three pages of the phone book dedicated to it. Taking down top honors, though, were the computer experts over at Connecting Point.

GIFT STORE WITH MOST UNIQUE GIFTS

You don’t want to walk into a store where all can get is 75 different kinds of dog figurines. You want something with a little more variety, like what our readers appreciate at both Tiffs Hallmark and Magic Man.
The list also included:

• Terra Firma
• Rogue Gallery
• Real Deals
• Schroeder’s

BEST PLACE TO BUY FURNITURE

While living in Denver, I had a roommate who would drive down alleyways during garbage pick-up days looking for bargains. It was extraordinary some of the stuff people would throw away (especially in the richer neighborhoods), and our house was almost completely furnished with discarded furniture.
I wouldn’t recommend that approach these days, nor would our readers, as they once again voted Larson’s Home Furnishings as their number one local choice.
Others mentioned were:

• Schroeder’s Furniture
• Terra Firma
• Collector’s Market
• La-Z-Boy Furniture

BEST PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY

Diamonds are definitely a girl’s best friend, but I know from personal experience that pearl necklaces come in a close second, not to mention rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces. You can’t go too wrong when it comes to jewelry, and when our readers want to consult with a professional, they most often choose Father & Son Jewelers, 126 East Main Street.
The list also included:

• Facets
• Lawrence’s Jewelers
• Gold ‘n Gems
• RV Coin & Jewel
• Pacific Diamond
• Goldsmiths

BEST PLACE TO BUY MUSICAL EQUIPMENT

A song came on the radio the other day by Todd Rundgren, and it went, “I don’t want to work; I want to bang on the drum all day.” That was probably Neolithic man’s approach to music before oboes and guitars were invented. “Hey Grog, let’s go hunt some mastodons.” Grog, looking like Buddy Rich with his eyes rolling in the back of his head, replies, “No, man, I just wanta bang on my drum all day.” Little would he know that he would someday get paid big bucks for that ambition.
Where would Grog go when he wants to expand his repertoire and check out the entire range of musical equipment that is available in the 21st century? Guitar Center, located at 2570 Crater Lake Hwy., was our readers’ top pick.
Also mentioned were:

• Tom’s Guitar Warehouse
• Larry’s Music
• Medford Music

BEST PLACE TO BUY CAMERAS

There has been a quantum leap in cameras over the last fifteen years. The market was once dominated by the single lens reflex cameras which relied on film, and now it’s almost totally digital. So instead of taking one or two pictures and having the film developed, you can take thirty, choose the ones you like instantly, and delete all the ones where Aunt Mildred has her eyes closed.
Where to go for the best selection of cameras? The number one choice according to our readers was Total Camera & Video owned by Alex Szentesi and located in the Harry & David Shopping Center. They were followed by Bach’s Camera Center.

BEST PLACE TO BUY HOME DÉCOR ITEMS

In this category, we’re talking about everything from clocks and lamps to wall furnishings and rugs. The top spot this year goes to Real Deals on Home Décor, located at 531 Parsons Drive Suite 105.
Also mentioned were:

• Terra Firma
• Larson’s Home Furnishings
• Ashley’s Furniture Home Store

BEST PLACE TO BUY CAMPING EQUIPMENT

If you don’t think we live in an outdoor paradise, you haven’t been paying attention. Not only is the Pacific Ocean just a few hours away, but there are mountain lakes within a half-hour’s drive, tons of hiking trails, world-renowned rivers, and a system of state and county parks where camping is allowed. (Hey, I just thought of a solution for the homeless camping problem! We’d set up a campground, and each “resident” would have to work during the day to stay there. They could collect cans and bottles, they could rake leaves in the parks, they could be on litter patrol, etc. The only ones allowed to stay in the park would be people willing to work! All of the slugbaits who are just here to freeload could take a hike. Dang, I should run for mayor or something. This is too easy.)
Anyway, where to go when you want camping equipment? Black Bird definitely has some loyal customers, closely followed by Northwest Outdoor Store.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS/SHRUBS FOR THE GARDEN

Taking down top honors in this category was the Grange Co-Op, located at 2531 S Pacific Highway.
They were followed by:

• S.O. Nursery
• Four Seasons Nursery
• Valley View Nursery

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

Our readers certainly love downtown, as they named 24 stores in this category, and our readers mentioned Central Art Supply and My Daughter’s Closet as their favorites.
The Top Ten were:

• Larsons
• Suzannes Gift Garden
• Terra Firma
• Beer Works
• Main Antique Mall Hot Pots
• Father & Son Jewelry
• Yesterdays Blossoms

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

North, south, east or west, there are shopping opportunities throughout Medford, including La Strada Boutique located at 1251 E. McAndrews, which took down the top spot this year.
Also receiving a lot of votes were:

• Tiff’s Hallmark
• Medford Coop
• Boot Barn
• Lotus Imports
• Real Deals

FAVORITE STORE IN ASHLAND

Okay, sometimes you just have to get out of town, and when our readers are in the mood to shop in Ashland, their favorite spot is Paddington Station.
Others in the run were:

Avant Garb, Rare Earth, Renaissance Rose, Deja vu and Bloomsbury Books

Part Two: Restaurants & Entertainment: RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Sixteen different restaurants emerged in this ever-competitive category. The top two ended up being a tie between Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill, 1251 East McAndrews Road; and The Uptown Grill at the Bohemian,123 West Main St.
The Top Five were very close:

• Buttercloud Bakery and Café
• Good Bean Café
• Misoya
• Flappers Wild West Wings

BEST BREAKFAST

Breakfast can range from a piece of toast to quadruple stack of blueberry pancakes topped with syrup, whipping cream and bananas with a side of bacon and sausage, as well as two poached eggs drowning in hollandaise sauce…oh, and biscuits and gravy on the side.
The winner of this category was Black Bear Diner located at 1150 East Barnett Road.
The Top Five included:

• Old Farm House Restaurant
• Elmer’s
• Parkside Café
• Ahuva Bagel Co

BEST LUNCH

Lunch may be a time to replenish your energy and/or make some fat deposits for future reference, but it’s also a social hour—a time to entertain friends, family and co-workers and catch up on all the latest gossip.
In this category, our readers were able to name 31 different restaurants as their favorites, but lunching their way to the top was Organic Natural Café located at 226 East Main Street.
And now for the Top Five:

• Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop
• Joey’s Italian Deli
• Sunrise Café
• Kaleidoscope Pizzeria

BEST FRENCH TOAST

You’d think it came from France, right? Nope, just another case of the French taking credit for something that’s not theirs. According to Wikipedia, its origin was in Spain during the Middle Ages, as the recipe was integrated by new Arab ingredients.
Here in Medford, we don’t need the Spaniards or Arabs telling us how to make French Toast. You simply have to go to Elmer’s where our readers say they make a superlative batch.
Others toasting their way to the top were:

• Black Bear Diner
• Parkside Café
• Dolly Vardens
• Old Farm House Restaurant

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

You get home from a long day at the office, open up the refrigerator to start dinner, and notice that no one remembered to go grocery shopping that day. Yes, you could scream, act insane and start filing divorce papers, or just take some advice from our readers and treat the entire family to your favorite dinnerhouse. Taking down top honors this year was Porter’s Restaurant and Bar located in the historic train depot at 147 N. Front St.

BEST SOUPS & SANDWICHES

It’s a classic lunch selection. The soup acts almost like an appetizer, only to be topped off by a delicious (and more filling) sandwich. A lot of restaurants have soup & sandwich specials on their menu, and our readers named 18 of them, including the number one choice, which was Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop located at 616 Crater Lake Avenue. Squeeze Inn has been serving up soups and sandwiches in southern Oregon for 38 years and is family owned and operated.
The Top Five included:

• Sophia’s Soup Factory
• Organic Natural Café
• Deli Down
• • R & D’s Sandwich Factory

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

You want to make an impression, and the last thing you need is a loud sports bar with the playoffs in the background. Something a little more laid back—maybe with some mood music, attentive waiters, and soothing ambiance—would be just the ticket.
With that in mind, our readers named 38 Central the overwhelming favorite.
Other romantic restaurants include:

• Café Dejeuner
• Downtown Market Co.
• Pomodori Ristorante

MOST ROMANTIC DINNER RESTAURANT

You’re mentally prepared to spring the question, and you have to find the perfect restaurant with just the right ambiance. Where do our readers go when they want to find out the capital of Zimbabwe? (Just kidding … you know what question I meant.) The number one choice with our readers was Porter’s Restaurant and Bar.
Other top romantic spots are:

• Cicily’s Pastaria & Grill
• 38 Central
• Vinny’s Italian Kitchen

BEST STEAK DINNERS ON MENU

The guys in Lonesome Dove had the right idea—take a herd of about 300 cattle from Texas up to Montana and strike it rich in God’s country. We have all those cowpokes to thank every time we sit down to dinner and enjoy a big, juicy steak.
Once again this category was a runaway, as Porters Restaurant and Bar landed at the top spot.

BEST SEAFOOD DISHES ON MENU

They can breathe underwater, and that may seem a little strange to us landlubbers, but fish are actually fellow vertebrates … so let’s show them a little respect and try not to pollute their waters. (That’s my political statement for the day.) Two things are for sure: they taste great and they’re chock full of healthful omega-3 fatty acids.
In that regard, searing their way to the top was The Wharf Fresh Seafood Market & Eatery located at 827 W. Jackson Street.

BEST PASTA DISHES ON MENU

Rumor has it that Marco Polo imported pasta from China in the 1300s, but other accounts have it introduced by Arabs during their conquest of Sicily in the 7th century. Either way, our readers love their pasta dishes, and they reserved their number one choice for Vinny’s Italian Kitchen located at 970 N Phoenix Rd.
The Top Six were actually very close, and they were:

• Rosario’s
• Cicily’s Pastaria & Grill
• Gaetano’s
• Pomodori Ristorante
• Rossos Trattoria

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

It’s the world’s largest continent with a surprisingly diverse ethnic mix of cultures, from Japan in the north to India in the south. Then, of course, there’s that big, cuddly panda bear in the middle—China; not to mention Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and points in between.
So many selections of Asian cuisine, so little time. Our readers were torn, but in the end the number one spot was Bambu located at 970 N Phoenix Road.
Followed by:

• Shoji’s
• Silver Dragon
• Mongolian BBQ
• Asian Grill

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

Ichiro Suzuki will probably never break Pete Rose’s record for career base hits, but he certainly knows where to go for great Japanese food. Outside of his hometown of Toyoyama, he would probably follow our readers’ advice and visit Oh’s Osaka located at 123 S Front Street in downtown Medford.
Others receiving their fair share of votes were:

• Shiki Four Seasons
• Shoji’s
• Bonsai Teriyaki
• Star Sushi

BEST THAI DISHES

When it comes to outstanding Thai food in Medford, our readers chose Ali’s Thai Kitchen located at 2392 North Pacific Highway.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Thai Bistro.
• Tasty Thai.

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

You walk into the typical Mexican restaurant, and you’re instantly greeted by happy, friendly people who act as if they’re inviting you into their home. It’s definitely a fun, fiesta-style atmosphere, and our readers appreciate them, as they named Si Casa Flores Numero Uno.
The Top Five were actually pretty close, and they were:

• Mazaltan Grill
• La Burrita
• Mucho Gusto
• Habaneros

BEST BURRITOS

This dish is so easy to make—just fill a tortilla with as much good “stuff” as you want, heat ‘er up, and you’re ready to go. It’s also the most popular Mexican dish in the world, and if you want some really good ones, do as our readers do and visit Señor Sam’s in the Medford Shopping Center or at 1234 S. Riverside, which was voted number one, with all of the aforementioned places getting mucho votes.

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

I read in Time magazine about a summer program for kids that taught them about different cultures. When it came time for Italy, one of the interactive ways in which they participated was to cook a meal and sit around the dinner table for a close encounter of the Italian kind.
Our readers were torn over this category, as only two votes separated the top five spots. Inspired by the 24-hour news channels, we’re calling this category “To Close to Call.”
The Top Five, in alphabetical order were:

• Cicily’s Pastaria & Grill
• Gaetano Ristorante Italiano
• Pomodori Ristorante
• Rosario’s Italian Restaurant
• Vinny’s Italian Kitchen

BEST SELECTION OF PIZZAS

When I was growing up, Friday night was traditionally reserved for pizzas and movies. Usually, we’d have a pizza delivered and rent a movie, but on special occasions we’d visit our favorite pizza place go wild.
There was some stiff competition in this category for 2011, but in the end Kaleidoscope Pizzeria once again wears the crown.
The Top Three included:

• Jackson Creek Pizza.
• Wild River Brewing and Pizza Co.

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

The human alimentary canal is a monumental work of nature, as it’s able to assimilate and digest almost everything but starter fluid. It’s a medical fact that a vegetarian diet is much easier on the digestive system, as the body naturally and seamlessly breaks down food and sends the nutrients throughout the bloodstream.
Where to go for delicious vegetarian dishes? Most often mentioned was Organic Natural Café.
Followed by:

• Bambu
• India’s Kitchen
• Ali’s Thai Kichen

BEST CHICKEN WINGS

If you’re using a sauce that was made in Buffalo, New York, you can actually advertise these as Buffalo Wings. By that logic, can we make our own sauce and call them Medford Wings?
Anyway, the favorite chicken wings in Medford can be found at Flappers Wild West Wings located at 1213 W. Main Street.
Other favorite chicken wings are:

• Jackson Creek Pizza.
• Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill.
• Red Robin.

BEST SALADS

Salads exist for many reasons. They can be appetizers. They can be sides to bring an entrée together. They can be the main course layered in meat and cheese. Salads are versatile. Consider them the Renaissance Men of food choices. Tossing their way to the top once again this year was Kaleidoscope Pizzeria.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop.
• Organic Natural Café.

BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY

This kind of restaurant has to have everything—a space large enough to accommodate the whole family, a menu that caters to all tastes, and servers who are willing to accept Grandpa’s foibles and Junior’s temper tantrums.
A lot of local restaurants were mentioned in this survey, with the number one nod going to Red Robin Gourmet Burgers located in the Medford Center.

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC MENU

We’re not talking about menus that have pop-up figures emerge when you open them, but a list of entrees with enough exotic items to make you think you were in another country. And in that regard, our readers voted for Elements Tapas Bar and Lounge located at 101 E. Main Street in downtown Medford.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

You’ve just eaten a steak the size of a mailbox, with all the trimmings plus a baked potato, and the waitress comes by and asks if you’d like to see the dessert menu. Your first reaction is to say no, but then the sweet tooth overrules all objections from the stomach, and you acquiesce.
Where do our readers most often like to pay attention to the demands of their sweet teeth? Winning this category was Rooster’s Restaurant located at 350 E. Barnett.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PASTRIES/CAKES

Before naming the winners in this category, I would also like to encourage our readers to take care of their teeth by making regular visits to the dentist. You can also chew a gum with xylitol in it after every meal to kill all the bacteria that just love to share those pastries and cakes with you. This has been a public service message from the Sneak Preview.
All right … now let’s eat those fun things. When it comes to pastries and cakes, our readers most often mentioned both Artisan Bakery and Great Harvest Bread Co.

BAR WITH MOST INTERESTING COCKTAIL MENU

We’re not talking about your basic bourbon and water here, but wild drinks that show a little imagination on the part of the bartender. Restaurants in Medford have been especially creative lately, and in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the artistry at Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge, owned by Chris Dennett.
Others high on the list were:

• 38 Central
• Havana Republic

BEST SELECTION OF SANDWICHES

It was named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, an 18th century English aristocrat who was fond of meat tucked between two pieces of bread. Another one of his relatives was the first Lord of the Admiralty, and James Cook named Hawaii the Sandwich Islands after him.
But enough of this trivia … it’s making me hungry. When it comes to great sandwiches, our readers’ pick was Joey’s Italian Deli located at 149 S. Central Avenue in downtown Medford.
The Top Five included:

• Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop
• Deli Down
• R & D’s Sandwich Factory
• Luigi’s Italian Sandwiches

BEST BURGERS

This is pretty much the quintessential American sandwich, despite the fact that it’s named after a town in northern Germany. And when in comes to making the perfect burger, our readers once again named the artistry of Jasper’s Café, 2739 N. Pacific Hwy., as their favorite.

BEST MILKSHAKES

Well, isn’t this interesting from Wikipedia: “When milkshakes were first used in 1885, they were an alcoholic whiskey drink that was touted as a sturdy, healthful eggnog type of drink with eggs, whiskey, etc., served as a tonic as well as a treat.”
Almost makes me want to add some Old Granddad to my next vanilla shake, but in lieu of that I’ll go where my readers say you can find the absolute best milkshakes in town—at Jasper’s Café.

BEST FAMILY-OPERATED RESTAURANT

You have to love those restaurants where almost everyone in the family chips in to make the thing work. In that regard, our readers named Old Farm House Restaurant located at 603 S. Riverside Avenue and owned by Cheryl and Greg Cordova.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Coffeestands have been sprouting up almost everywhere. Back during the Starbucks craze, the joke was, “Did you hear about the Starbucks that opened inside the bathroom of a Starbucks?” Here in Medford, it’s not that bad, but there is a wealth of coffeehouses in which to enjoy a soothing cup of coffee.
In this category, Mellelo Coffee Roasters was the clear winner, with two locations here in Medford: 229 W. Main Street and 3651 Lear Way.
Rounding out the Top Five were:

• Human Bean
• Dutch Bros
• Good Bean Café
• Bad Ass Coffee

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE MEDFORD

Yes, Virginia, there is life outside Medford, or at least some great restaurants to visit. Our readers named 31 different ones in this survey, and it was the Jacksonville Inn taking town the top spot.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Rogue River Lodge
• Kobe – Ashland
• Chateaulin – Ashland
• Loft – Ashland

ENTERTAINMENT

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL LAST YEAR

It’s one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the Pacific Northwest, lasting three months in Jacksonville, and it brings in some of the biggest names in music. The number one choice by our readers this year was Michael Franti, followed by Willie Nelson.

BEST PRODUCTION AT THE CRATERIAN LAST YEAR

It’s definitely the premier indoor music and theater venue in southern Oregon, and they bring in an outstanding lineup every year. Our readers agreed and named quite a few productions, including last year’s favorite, Pink Martini, who lit up the stage on November 11.

MOST FUN PLACE FOR THRID FRIDAY ART WALK

During the third Friday of every month, art galleries and businesses throughout downtown Medford open their doors to art, conversation, refreshments and entertainment. It has become extremely popular and has helped rejuvenate the local economy.
Taking down top honors was Yesterday’s Blossoms located at 275 Theater Alley.

BEST CHICKEN DISHES ON MENU

It’s probably the most popular dish in the world. With a cow, you got to do some major work to prepare it for eating. A chicken, however, is simple … just chop, pluck and sizzle. (But shhh, don’t let my chickens hear you talking like this. They’re already nervous about the raccoon that tried to get in the coop last night.)
Where do our readers go when they want interesting (and delicious) chicken dishes? The votes were all over the place on this category, and apparently our local restaurants know what they’re doing. Voted number one was No Ho’s Hawaiian Café located at 330 E. McAndews Rd.

BEST PLACE TO GET A WORKOUT

Seriously, if every American paid more attention to their diet and lifestyle, the health care crisis in this country would be solved tomorrow. (Reducing pollutants from the environment would be the second priority, but that’s a story for another day.) One of the most important parts of the health equation is fitness, and it has been proven that physical fitness leads to mental and emotional health because a stronger heart is able to pump more blood to the brain.
So … try to get a workout at least 4-5 times a week. And when our readers put that on their “to-do” list, they most often picked the friendly confines of the Superior Athletic Club, followed by:

• Rogue Valley CrossFit
• Southern Oregon Pilates
• YMCA
• Verve Pilates
• Rasa Yoga Center

BEST LOCAL MUSICIANS

Here are some great quotes: “Music is what feelings sound like.” “Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those could not hear the music.” “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”
Are you inspired yet to go catch a concert this weekend? There is a wealth of music talent in southern Oregon, including this year’s winner, The Rogue Suspects.

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

The list is getting longer every year for local music venues, and topping the list was 4 Daughters Irish Pub, followed by Shenanigan’s Irish Pub.

BAR WITH FRIENDLIEST BARTENDERS

You’re either there to party and/or drown your sorrows, and it always helps to have friendly bartenders who can tend to your every need. In that regard, our readers most love the folks at Howiee’s on Front located at 16 Front Street in downtown Medford.

BEST BAR TO WATCH SPORTS ON TV

Sure, you can watch your favorite sporting events on TV at home, but when you go to a crowded bar with a lot of energy, it’s almost like watching the thing live.
According to our readers, the best place to watch sports is Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill located at 2061 Roberts Road.

FAVORITE PART OF GROWERS MARKET

According to our readers, the best thing about the Growers Market is all of the fresh produce available, followed by:

• The tamales
• The musicians
• RoxyAnn Bakery
• The beautiful flowers

FAVORITE CARPET CLEANER

Not only can they make your house look and smell better, but they can help you save money by not having to replace your carpets as often.
Taking down the top spot once again was Integrity Carpet Care.
Hot on their heels were:

• Holland’s Carpet
• ServiceMaster
• Superior Services Carpet Care
• Pro Kleen
• Blue Wave Carpet Cleaning

FAVORITE ESTHETICIAN

Estheticians specialize in making our skin as beautiful as it can be. And with the weather in this part of the world, our skin can use as much help as it can get! Receiving the most votes in this category was Gina Ennis of Gervais Day Spa.

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Well … I just emerged from my cave after compiling over 100 categories and want to thank everyone for putting up with me. If you have any suggestions for new categories next year, write to me at sneakpreview@medford.net —N.H.