Best sandwich spot 2013: Bodo’s Bagels

Bodo’s Bagels 505 Preston Ave. 293-5224 1609 University Ave. 293-6021 1418 Emmet St. N 977-9598 bodosbagels.com Runner-up: Bluegrass Grill & Bakery 313 Second St. SE #105 295-9700 The most important meal of your day, breakfast is not to be taken lightly. Readers know Bodo’s is the best way to break the fast, offering up a […]

Best music venue 2013: The Jefferson Theater

The Jefferson Theater 110 E. Main St. 245-4980 jeffersontheater.com Runner-up: nTelos Wireless Pavilion 700 E. Main St. 245-4910 thenteloswirelesspavilion.com The history of The Jefferson Theater starts with a bang and a whimper: In 1912, it was conceived as a “combination house,” doubling as a vaudeville and silent movie theater. These days, it’s pretty rare to […]

Best burger 2013: Citizen Burger Bar

Citizen Burger Bar 212 E. Main St. 979-9944 citizenburgerbar.com Runner-up: Boylan Heights 102 14th St. NW 984-5707 boylan-heights.com In a season four episode of “How I Met Your Mother,” Marshall spends all day trying to locate the best burger he ever had, leading the gang to a hole-in-the-wall spot with a neon red burger sign […]

Best place for trivia 2013: Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom 1321 W. Main St. 972-9366 mellowmushroom.com Runner-up: Blue Mountain Brewery 9519 Critzers Shop Rd. (Afton) (540) 456-8020 bluemountainbrewery.com Did you know that zebras are technically black with white stripes? If you shaved one, it would be completely black. That’s the kind of thing you need to know if you’re going to succeed at […]

Best live DJ 2013: DJ Stroud

DJ Stroud djstroud.com Runner-up: Derek Tobler djtobler.com A little-known fact about DJ Stroud? In addition to his love of music, he’s also an avid surfer with a collection of about 15 surfboards and paddleboards. There’s an obvious connection between ocean waves and sound waves, so we’re not surprised his passion for both thrills lands him […]

Best chef 2013: Michael Keaveny at tavola

Michael Keaveny at tavola 826 Hinton Ave. 972-9463 tavolavino.com Runner-up: Angelo Vangelopoulos at Ivy Inn 2244 Old Ivy Rd. 977-1222 ivyinnrestaurant.com Once upon a time, a chef’s hat had 100 pleats to signify that he know how to prepare eggs 100 ways. You won’t see a traditional chef’s hat on winner Michael Keaveny (in fact, […]

Best kebobs 2013: Sticks Kebob Shop

Sticks Kebob Shop 917 Preston Ave. 295-5262 1820 Abbey Rd. 295-5212 stickskebobshop.com Runner-up: Ariana Grill Kabob House 909 W. Main St. 872-9906 arianakabob.com The Turkish words shish kabob literally mean “skewer” and “roast meat.” You can’t get much simpler than that, but, there’s hardly anything simple about readers’ love of kebobs. In fact, it’s so […]

Best Italian 2013: tavola

tavola 826 Hinton Ave. 972-9463 tavolavino.com Runner-up: Bella’s 707 W. Main St. 327-4833 bellas-restaurant.com Here’s a cultural difference our waistlines are thankful for: The average person in Italy eats 51 pounds of pasta each year, whereas the average person in North America eats 15. Of course, these two spots make it very hard to keep […]

Best pizza 2013: Christian’s Pizza

Christian’s Pizza 118 W. Main St. 977-9688 christianspizza.com Runner-up: Dr. Ho’s Humble Pie 3586 Monacan Trail Rd. 245-0000 doctorhoshumblepie.com In a memorable scene from a season three episode of “Breaking Bad,” Bryan Cranston’s character throws a pizza on top of his garage, gets in his car, and drives away. In interviews with Cranston, he explains […]

Best sushi 2013: Ten

Ten 120 E. Main St. 295-6691 ten-sushi.com Runner-up: Now & Zen 202 Second St. NW 971-1177 About 80 percent of the world’s bluefin tuna catch is used for sushi—and we’re not surprised. You’ll find many varieties of it on the menu at Ten. Maguro, Chu Toro, or Oh Toro are just three of the available […]