Click on the links below to read stories about selected winners of this year's "Best of Pittsburgh" readers' poll.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best commercial art gallery Concept Art Gallery 1031 S. Braddock Ave., Regent Square, 412-242-9200 2nd: Boxheart Expressions 3rd: Mendelson Gallery
Best museum Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-622-3131 2nd: The Andy Warhol Museum 3rd: Mattress Factory
Best family museum Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-622-3131 2nd: Carnegie Science Center 3rd: Children’s Museum
Best movie theater (independent) The Oaks Theater 301 Allegheny River Blvd., Oakmont, 412-828-6311 2nd: Regent Square Theater 3rd: Harris Theater
Best place to see live theater Benedum Center for the Performing Downtown, 412-456-6666 2nd: City Theatre 3rd: O'Reilly Theater
Best club to see a live band Club Cafe 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side, 412-431-4950 2nd: Nick’s Fat City 3rd: Rosebud
Best dance club Matrix Station Square, 412-261-2220 2nd: The Upstage 3rd: Sanctuary
Best jazz club Dowe’s on Ninth 121 Ninth St., Downtown, 412-281-9225 2nd: James Street Tavern 3rd: Crawford Grill
Best new bar/club Tiki Lounge 2003 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-8454 2nd: Deja Vu 3rd: Matrix
Best shot-n-beer bar Jack’s Bar 1121 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-431-3644 2nd: Dee’s Cafe 3rd: Gooski’s
Best gay/lesbian bar Pegasus 818 Liberty Ave., Downtown, 412-281-2131 2nd: New York, New York 3rd: The Eagle
Best sports bar Sports Rock Cafe 1400 Smallman St., Strip District, 412-552-1000 2nd: Dave & Busters 3rd: Philthy McNasty’s Bar & Grill
Best local acoustic artist(s) Brad Yoder 2nd: Bill Deasy 3rd: Ceann Na Caca
Best local blues band Jill West and the Blues Attack 2nd: Tony Janflone Jr. 3rd: Blues Orphans
Best local alt-country band Soda Jerk 2nd: Povertyneck Hillbillies 3rd: Boxstep
Best local hip-hop performers Strict Flow 2nd: Grand Buffet 3rd: Sho-Nuff
Best local rock band The Clarks 2nd: Buzz Poets 3rd: Gathering Field
Best radio station WYEP 91.3 FM 2313 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-9131 2nd: WXDX 105.9 FM 3rd: WDVE 102.5 FM
Best talk radio KDKA 1020 AM One Gateway Center, Downtown, 412-575-2200 2nd: WDUQ 90.5 FM 3rd: WXDX 105.9 FM -- Howard Stern
Best local morning radio show WDVE 102.5 FM -- Jim and Randy 200 Fleet St., Green Tree, 412-937-1441 2nd: WXDX 105.9 FM -- Howard Stern 3rd: WBZZ 93.7 FM -- Morning Buzz
Best place to see comedy The Funnybone Station Square, 412-281-3130 2nd: The Improv 3rd: City-County Building
Best place to see female strippers Club Erotica 826 Island Ave., McKees Rock, 412-771-8872 2nd: Bare Elegance 3rd: Club Elite
Best place to see male strippers Club Erotica 826 Island Ave., McKees Rocks, 412-771-8872 2nd: Gloria’s Exotic Male Dance Club 3rd: My house
FOOD & DRINK
Best local family restaurant Eat ’n Park Multiple locations 2nd: King’s Family Restaurant 3rd: Del’s Bar & Ristorante
Best new restaurant La Strada 620 Liberty Ave., Downtown, 412-697-2800 2nd: Zen Garden 3rd: Cafe du Jour
Best beer selection at a local restaurant Sharp Edge Bar & Restaurant 302 S. Saint Clair St., Friendship, 412-661-3537 2nd: Fat Heads South Shore Saloon 3rd: Smokin’ Joe’s
Best brew pub/microbrewery Church Brew Works 3525 Liberty Ave., Lawrenceville, 412-688-8200 2nd: Penn Brewery 3rd: Valhalla Microbrewery & Restaurant
Best Cajun restaurant James Street Tavern 422 Foreland Ave., North Side, 412-323-2222 2nd: Kaya 3rd: Crawford Grill
Best Chinese Restaurant China Palace Multiple locations 2nd: Sesame Inn 3rd: New Dumpling House
Best French restaurant Le Pommier 2104 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-431-1901 2nd: Le Perroquet Bistro Francais 3rd: La Foret
Best German restaurant Max’s Allegheny Tavern 537 Suismon St., North Side, 412-231-1899 2nd: Penn Brewery 3rd: Kleiner Deutschmann
Best Greek restaurant Christo’s Mediterranean Grille 130 Sixth St., Downtown, 412-261-6442 2nd: Amel’s Restaurant 3rd: Mike & Tony’s Gyros
Best Indian Restaurant India Garden 328 Atwood St., Oakland, 412-682-3000 & 3813 William Penn Hwy., Monroeville, 412-372-0400 2nd: Prince of India 3rd: Taste of India
Best Irish restaurant Piper’s Pub 1828 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-3977 2nd: Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle 3rd: Blarney Stone Restaurant
Best local Italian restaurant Del’s Bar & Ristorante 4428 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield, 412-683-1448 2nd: Buca di Beppo 3rd: Rebecca Tambellini
Best Japanese restaurant Kiku Japanese Restaurant Station Square, 412-765-3200 2nd: Sushi Two 3rd: Umi
Best local Mexican restaurant Mad Mex Multiple locations 2nd: Cozumel 3rd: El Campesino
Best Middle-Eastern restaurant Ali Baba Restaurant 404 S. Craig St., Oakland, 412-682-2829 2nd: Kassab’s Restaurant 3rd: Amel’s Restaurant
Best Polish restaurant Bloomfield Bridge Tavern 4412 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield, 412-682-8611 2nd: Gooski’s 3rd: Old Europe
Best Spanish restaurant Mallorca 2228 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-488-1818 2nd: N/A 3rd: N/A
Best Thai restaurant Thai Place 5528 Walnut Street., Shadyside, 412-687-8586, 1034 Freeport Road, 412-784-8980 2nd: Thai Me Up 3rd: Spice Island Tea House
Best Vietnamese restaurant Tram’s Kitchen 4039 Penn Ave., Bloomfield, 412-682-2688 2nd (tie): My Ngoc/Pho Minh 3rd: Lemongrass Cafe
Best outdoor dining Harris Grill 5747 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside, 412-363-0833 2nd: Mallorca 3rd: Cafe du Jour
Best romantic restaurant LeMont 1114 Grandview Ave., Mount Washington, 412-431-3100 2nd: Hyeholde Restaurant 3rd: The Tin Angel
Best local seafood restaurant The Original Fish Market 1001 Liberty Ave., Downtown, 412-227-3657 2nd: Monterey Bay Fish Grotto 3rd: Poli’s Restaurant
Best soul food restaurant Crawford Grill Station Square, 412-281-2885 2nd: Mr. Ribbs 3rd: Kayla’s Place
Best sushi restaurant Sushi Kim 1241 Penn Ave., Strip District, 412-281-9956 2nd: Sushi Two 3rd: Sushi Too
Best steakhouse Pittsburgh Steak Company 1924 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-5505 2nd: Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse 3rd: Morton’s of Chicago
Best vegetarian selection at a local restaurant East End Food Co-op Café 7516 Meade St., Point Breeze, 412-242-7726 2nd: Zenith Tea Room 3rd: Zen Garden
Best bagels Bruegger’s Multiple locations 2nd: Einstein Brothers Bagels 3rd: Panera Bread
Best barbecue Damon’s the Place for Ribs Multiple locations 2nd: Mr. Ribbs 3rd (tie): Red River BBQ & Grill/Smokey Bones BBQ
Best bread Breadworks 2110 Brighton Road, North Side, 412-231-7555 2nd: Panera Bread 3rd: Mancini’s Bakery
Best breakfast Pamela’s Multiple locations 2nd: Eat ’n Park 3rd: DeLuca’s Restaurant
Best chocolates Sarris Candies 511 Adams Ave., Canonsburg, 724-745-4042 2nd: The Chocolate Moose 3rd: Mon Ami
Best deli Carson Street Deli 1610 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-381-5335 2nd: Pittsburgh Deli Company 3rd: Kazansky’s Delicatessen
Best desserts Gullifty’s Restaurant 1922 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-521-8222 2nd: Prantl’s Bakery 3rd: Crazy Mocha
Best French fries The Original Hot Dog Shop 3901 Forbes Ave., Oakland, 412-621-7388 2nd: Potato Patch at Kennywood 3rd: Primanti Brothers
Best fish sandwich Wholey’s Fish Market 1711 Penn Ave., Strip District, 412-391-3737 2nd: Benkovitz Seafoods 3rd: Armand’s Bar
Best hamburger Tessaro’s 4601 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield, 412-682-6809 2nd: Max & Erma’s 3rd: Fat Heads South Shore Saloon
Best ice cream Dave & Andy’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt 207 Atwood St., 412-681-9906 & Station Square, 412-232-3600 2nd: Bruster’s Old-Fashioned Ice Cream 3rd: Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor
Best Pierogie Bloomfield Bridge Tavern 4412 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield, 412-682-8611 2nd: Pierogies Plus, Inc. 3rd: Clara’s Pittsburgh Pierogies
Best Pizza Mineo’s Pizza House 2128 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-521-9864 & 713A Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, 412-344-9467 2nd: Vincent’s Pizza Park 3rd: Pi Pizza
Best sandwich Primanti Brothers Multiple locations 2nd (tie): Fat Head’s South Shore Saloon/Pittsburgh Deli Company 3rd: Carson Street Deli
Best wings Quaker Steak & Lube 110 Andrew Drive, Robinson Twp., 412-494-3344 & 1298 Freedom Road, Cranberry, 724-778-9464 2nd: Fat Head’s South Shore Saloon 3rd: Buffalo Blues
Best happy hour/drink special Mad Mex Multiple locations 2nd: Sports Rock Café 3rd: Deja Vu
Best late-night special Mad Mex Multiple locations 2nd: Eat ’n Park 3rd: Tom’s Diner
Best Sunday brunch Grand Concourse Station Square, 412-261-1717 2nd: Eat ’n Park 3rd: Pamela’s
GOODS & SERVICES
Best local bookstore Jay’s Book Stall 3604 Fifth Ave., Oakland, 412-683-2644 2nd (tie): Mystery Lovers Bookshop/City Books 3rd: Eljay’s Used Books
Best used bookstore Half Price Books Multiple locations 2nd: Eljay’s Used Books 3rd: Three Penny Books
Best adult bookstore Adult Merchandise Mart 4611 McKnight Road, North Hills, 412-931-1166 2nd: Monroeville Newsstand 3rd: N/A
Best comic bookstore Eide’s Entertainment 1111 Penn Ave., Strip District, 412-261-0900 2nd: Phantom of the Attic 3rd: Duncan Comics
Best health food store East End Food Co-op 7516 Meade St., Point Breeze, 412-242-3598 2nd: GNC 3rd: Whole Foods
Best furniture store Perlora 2220 E. Carson St., South Side, 412-431-2220 2nd: Ikea 3rd: Weisshouse
Best clothing store (women’s) Kaufmann’s Multiple locations 2nd: Luxx 3rd: Ann Taylor
Best clothing store (men’s) Moda 5401 Walnut St., Shadyside, 412-681-8640 2nd: Kaufmann’s 3rd (tie): Men’s Wearhouse/Larrimor’s
Best clothing store (children’s) Newman’s Children's Clothing 5834 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-421-4000 2nd: Tots ’n’ Tweeds 3rd: Old Navy
Best used clothing (thrift) Goodwill Multiple locations 2nd: Red, White & Blue thrift stores 3rd: Salvation Army
Best used clothing (vintage) Hey Betty 5892 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside, 412-363-0999 2nd: Eons Fashion Antique 3rd: Yesterday’s News
Best shoe store Little’s Shoes 5850 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-521-3530 2nd: Best Made Shoes 3rd: DSW Shoe Warehouse
Best jewelry store Orr’s Jewelers 5857 Forbes Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-421-6777 2nd: Henne Jewelers 3rd: King’s Jewelers
Best place to buy eyeglasses Eyetique Multiple locations 2nd: Pearle Vision 3rd: Lenscrafter
Best day spa The Sewickley Spa 337 Beaver St., Sewickley, 412-741-4240 2nd: Eva Szabo European Skin Care 3rd: Jacques Dessange
Best hair salon Philip Pelusi Multiple locations 2nd: Supercuts 3rd: Izzazu International Salon
Best tattoo parlor Inka Dinka Doo 3627 Butler St., Lawrenceville, 412-683-4320 2nd: South Side Tattoo 3rd: Jester’s Court Tattoos & More
Best body piercer Hot Rod Piercing Co. 93 S. 16th St., South Side, 412-431-6077 & 115 Oakland Ave., Oakland, 412-687-4320 2nd: Z-Spot Body Art Studio Inc. 3rd: South Side Tattoo
Best new-age shop Hocus Pocus 113 Meyran Ave., Oakland, 412-622-0113 2nd: Journeys of Life 3rd: The Culture Shop
Best hotel Omni William Penn 530 William Penn Place, Downtown, 412-281-7100 2nd: Renaissance Fulton Hotel 3rd (tie): Hilton Pittsburgh & Towers/Sheraton Station Square
Best music store Paul's CDs 4526 Liberty Ave., Bloomfield, 412-621-3256 2nd: Dave’s Music Mine 3rd: Record Exchange
Best place to still buy vinyl Jerry's Records 2136 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-421-4533 2nd: Dave’s Music Mine 3rd: Eide’s Entertainment
Best local video store Heads Together 1914 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill, 412-521-1151 2nd: Hollywood Video 3rd: Incredibly Strange Video
Best dating service Match.com 2nd: Match Maker International 3rd: Lava Life
SPORTS & RECREATION
Best bowling alley Arsenal Lanes 212 44th St., Lawrenceville, 412-683-5992 2nd: Forward Lanes 3rd: Funfest
Best day trip Ohiopyle State Park 2nd: Fallingwater 3rd: Kennywood
Best golf course Oakmont Country Club 1233 Hulton Rd., Oakmont, 412-828-5335 2nd: Schenley Park Golf Course 3rd: Nevillewood
Best health club Bally’s Total Fitness Multiple locations 2nd (tie): Club One/Extreme Fitness 3rd: Oxford Athletic Club
Best martial arts studio C. S. Kim Karate Inc. Multiple locations 2nd: Rothrock’s Kung Fu & Tai Chi 3rd: Tri Mudra
Best miniature golf Cool Springs 1530 Hamilton Rd., Bethel Park, 412-831-5080 2nd (tie): Putt-Putt/Scally’s Golf Center 3rd: Wildwood Highlands Family Fun Center
Best place to skateboard Mr. Small’s Skatepark 40 Riverfront Dr., Millvale, 412-821-8388 2nd (tie): UPMC Parking lot/William Penn Rec. Center 3rd: McKinley Park
Best ice skating rink Schenley Skating Rink Schenley Park, Oakland, 412-422-6547 2nd: PPG Place 3rd: South Park Rink
Best ski resort Seven Springs Mountain Resort Champion, 814-352-7777 2nd: Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort 3rd: Boyce Park
Best trail to break a sweat Frick Park 2nd: Montour Trail 3rd: Schenley Park
PEOPLE, PLACES & PROPAGANDA
Best place to take Rick Santorum on a date Pegasus Lounge 818 Liberty Ave., Downtown, 412-281-2131 2nd: New York New York 3rd: The Eagle
Best example of a local celebrity who’d buy a Hummer Jerome Bettis 2nd: Plaxico Burress 3rd: Mario Lemieux
Best thing to name one of the new sharks at the zoo Jaws 2nd: Mayor Murphy 3rd: Fluffy
Best place to put the Ten Commandments if they’re removed By the churches 2nd: County jail 3rd: Up Santorum’s ass
Best untried means of raising city tax revenue Gambling/casino 2nd: Tax to enter or leave the city 3rd: Legalize prostitution
Best way to lure young people to Pittsburgh Create more jobs 2nd: Lower taxes 3rd: Better nightlife
Best place to hide from the young people that have been lured Stay at home 2nd: Downtown at night 3rd: Any library
Best public place to take a nap Schenley Park (Flagstaff Hill) 2nd: Point State Park 3rd: Cathedral of Learning lawn
Best location for a new casino Along one of the rivers 2nd: The Waterfront 3rd: Station Square
Best use for Pittsburgh International Airport if US Airways abandons it Casino 2nd: NASCAR racetrack 3rd: Shopping mall
Best place to hide Weapons of Mass Destruction in Pittsburgh Downtown 2nd: The bottom of a river 3rd: City-County Building
Best-looking male local personality Jeff Verszyla -- KDKA TV 2nd: Ken Rice -- KDKA TV 3rd: Scott Blasey -- The Clarks
Best-looking female local personality Julie Bologna -- WPXI TV 2nd: Phat Man Dee -- Singer and performer 3rd: Susan Barnett -- KDKA TV
Best punishment for the revamped school board if it misbehaves again Send them back to Pittsburgh public schools 2nd: Paddling/spanking/public flogging 3rd: Fire them
Best art dinosaur Rick Bach’s "Nino the Crusher" 2nd: Fred Rogers 3rd: Doctor Rex
Worst art dinosaur Dollar Bank 2nd: All of them 3rd: N/A
Best local street fair South Side Summer Street Spectacular 2nd: Arts on Ellsworth, Shadyside 3rd: Walnut Street Arts Festival, Shadyside
Best way to save local public transit Use it! 2nd: Lower fares 3rd: Expand routes -- serve more areas
The Play-at-Home Version
Your categories. Your winners. (You’re medicated?)
After City Paper readers -- God help you all -- had filled out two full pages of readers’ poll categories, we asked you to make up your own categories, winners and explanations. Amazingly, even after all that, many of you obliged. The responses enlighten, amuse and, frankly, make us hope that some of you are not operating heavy machinery.