"2006 Best of Bozeman"
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The Tributary, Bozeman's alternative newspaper, presents the Best of Bozeman winners for 2006.
By Natalie Konsmo
Over one thousand opinionated and diverse voters filled out the ballots in our July issue, at coffee shops, in some local markets, during July 6th's Music on Main, and at July 12th's Lunch on the Lawn at the Emerson. We received ballots by mail, by fax, through numerous collection boxes, and in person, from men, women, kids and seniors. (For statistics about our voters, see the sidebar in this article.)
Some of the 42 categories are familiar; others have been modified; and still others-like the much-missed Best Local Celebrity (if you are in doubt as to who would have one, just ask Steve Caracciolo, aka "The Main Man," and he'll clear things up for you)-have been deleted for now to make room for a few new ones; we like to mix things up a bit.
Tallying up the votes revealed that, yes, there are some perennial favorites who proudly wear their "Best of" crown year after year, but there are some refreshing surprises, too, (think coffee, Mexican food, dessert…) Without further ado (drumroll, please) the Tributary presents what voting locals have deemed the Best of Bozeman.
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 Best Cup of Joe |
Ah, yes, coffee, where it all begins: for many Bozemanites, it is the root of existence, infusing us with pep, personality, intelligence, and, in the middle of winter, a will to go on living that might otherwise be nonexistent. It might even be why we all like each other so much (see final category, 2nd place). This year, the long-established Leaf and Bean and the comparatively new Rockford tied for Bozeman's best purveyor of the legal stimulant. We know what keeps us going, but what keeps these fine establishments thriving? "Really good coffee, great service, great employees, and great customers," says Rockford's co-owner, Ryan. Kate, the new owner of the Leaf and Bean, says, "I really think it's just simple: great drinks and great people."
1st: Rockford & Leaf and Bean (tie)
2nd: Rocky Mountain Roasting Company
3rd: The Daily
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| Best Breakfast |
The no-frills, satisfying breakfasts, cozy atmosphere and friendly service have prompted Bozemanites to declare, for the fourth year in a row, that Main Street Overeasy is the best place to go for the most important meal of the day. Susan, a server, attributes Overeasy's success to "consistently good food, and" --as she would know better than anyone-"real personal customer service."
1st: Main Street Overeasy
2nd: Cateye Café
3rd: Nova Café
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| Best Lunch |
Who would have guessed that burger-and-fries-lovin' Bozemanites would fall in love with the authentic New York-style deli fare offered up at their favorite lunchtime haunt, Starky's Deli? Fortunately, nourishing matzo ball soup, homemade cheese blintzes, corned beef sandwiches and more have found a welcoming home on Main Street. Owner Glen is especially proud of the "all handmade fresh ingredients and great employees."
1st: Starky's Deli
2nd: La Tinga
3rd: Naked Noodle
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| Best Pizza |
"Not only do the customers love it here," says Travis, the manager of Mackenzie River Pizza Company, upon learning that it's once again voters' top choice for pies of the hot and cheesy variety, " but the employees love it here." Must be fun assembling both traditional and creative pizzas with secret sauce recipes, fresh and inventive toppings, and soft-yet-chewy crusts. "We have a good time," says Travis. Voters, judging by Mackenzie's landslide win, do, too.
1st: Mackenzie River Pizza Company
2nd: Colombo's
3rd: Rosa's
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| Best Burger |
"O Bob, we relish and rely on your succulence, your juice, your tenderness; we beseech you to comfort us with sirloin, nourish us with patties..." so say voters, for whom the iconic and elusive Bob is like the patron saint of hamburgers. Burger Bob's has dominated this category for four consecutive years. Manager Chuck says their secret is "top quality sirloin, ground fresh every day, top notch customer service, and we're a hometown place with a hometown feel." Also, note Bob's saint-like humility: the sign in the window says, "Sorry, We're Open."
1st: Burger Bob's
2nd: The Garage
3rd: Montana Ale Works
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| Best Sandwich |
Employee Jon takes a brief break from the busy lunchtime rush at the downtown Pickle Barrel to confer with his fellow workers and pinpoint the secret of this perennial favorite's success: "It's our stunning good looks," he says. They must be stunning, indeed, to outshine the tasty sandwiches, always accompanied by one of their tangy green namesakes.
1st: The Pickle Barrel
2nd: Frank's
3rd: Starky's Deli
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| Best Steak |
Only in Montana would succulent slabs of beef be associated with the word "oasis." Driven to quench their thirst for, well, meat, plenty of locals are willing and eager to journey out to Sir Scott's Oasis in Manhattan for a tender bite of their favorite steak. Paradoxically, server Nancy says the secret to success for this restaurant, named for a paradise of refuge and relief, is "hard work."
1st: Sir Scott's Oasis
2nd: The Mint
3rd: Boodles
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| Best Mexican |
It wasn't long ago that they were hawking burritos out of the back of their Subaru to the construction workers at River Rock. Then they were a little-known treasure during their stint selling lunches in the old Armory Building on Mendenhall. But now, will their prominent Main Street location and newfound fame as Bozeman's best Mexican give the folks at La Tingaa big head? Hardly. Co-owner Curt knows success is all about "our clients."
1st: La Tinga
2nd: Santa Fe Red's
3rd: Casa Sanchez
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| Best Asian/Sushi |
Rumor has it that, for Dave Weiss, preparing sushi was originally a mere hobby, and an interesting way to impress ladies (perhaps it is because sushi is so redolent of the sea, an inherently feminine entity… or maybe he wanted to stand out among the beef-grillin' cowboys...). Dave has come a long way from rolling his way into women's hearts: for four years in a row, Bozeman has declared Dave's Sushi it's favorite. Now, his intentions have broadened. "We really want our customers to enjoy the food and the time that they spend here," he says.
1st: Dave's Sushi
2nd: I-Ho's
3rd: Jadra's
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| Best Dessert |
We all (or at least a vast majority of us) scream for the ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, where they mix such toppings as strawberries and Heath bar bits into your sweet, shivery scoop right before your big, greedy eyes. "It's custom ice cream made right in front of you," says owner Taffy. No matter that we see winter seven months out of the year; if the cold is emanating from ice cream, we like it and we lick it.
1st: Cold Stone Sreamery
2nd: John Bozeman's Bistro
3rd: Sweet Pea Café
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| Best Fine Dining |
John Bozeman may have been something of an adventurer, but at the comfortable, inviting restaurant named after him, the only adventure is the culinary one taken by your dazzled tongue. Fine dining favorite John Bozeman's Bistro, known affectionately and simply by locals as "The Bistro," serves eclectic, delectable, international-style cuisine in warm, elegant yet un-stuffy environs. Perry, the Bistro's chef for 14 years, says the secret to creating a beloved restaurant lies in a "passion for food, for sure, and really caring about the customer's perception."
1st: John Bozeman's Bistro
2nd: Boodles
3rd: Looie's
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| Best Inexpensive Dining (less than $10 per person) |
It's a testament to Bozemanites' good taste and high standards that no fast-food chains infiltrated this category. At local favorite La Parilla, a Mexican-flavored eatery, it's wonderfully possible get a filling and customized (with that cornucopia of possible burrito additions) meal for fast-food prices that's far above and beyond fast-food caliber.
1st: La Parilla
2nd: La Tinga
3rd: Naked Noodle
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| Best New Restaurant |
A new and welcomed addition to Main Street, La Tinga has enjoyed great popularity among Bozemanites who, crazy for its authentic Mexican food-featuring made-from-scratch corn tortillas and electrifying salsas-consider it the best new discovery, like a shimmering planet in our mysterious and confounding food universe. Patrons who have eaten or waited in line during a lunchtime rush in the small, steamy little space have observed firsthand what co-owner Curt rightfully calls "our hardworking crew."
1st: La Tinga
2nd: Nova Cafe
3rd: Outback Steakhouse
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| Best Bar |
With its renderings of rustic ranch brands decorating one wall and a heavy-on-the-beats nighttime soundtrack; its beautifully nuanced wines and young, hip staff; and its old bricks and carefully concocted gourmet cocktails, Bozeman's favorite bar is a blend of old and new, traditional and modern. Plonk is a place to hang with the beautiful people and see and be seen, or a place to nestle into a velvety chair and anonymously read a book. The staff, who have recently navigated Plonk's evolution from a wine bar to a full-fledged liquor bar, say it's with nothing but "gratitude and humility" that they regard their strong popularity.
1st: Plonk
2nd: Rockin' R
3rd: Pour House
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| Best Entertainment/Entertainer |
Fans of The Clintons, voters' top choice for local entertainment, always know what's for dinner. (You see, this Bozeman-based group's slogan is "The Clintons: It's what's for dinner.") If the 5,744 "friends" on their MySpace page are any indication, the young, handsome, male quintet's rollicking synthesis of pop, rock and indie sounds has earned them a strong following beyond the borders of Bozeman. But, as the "ecstatic" fellas say, "Bozeman has always treated us so well. We're very proud to claim this place as our home." At shows, they even sell underpants emblazoned with their name. If that's not the ideal garment for a die-hard groupie, what is?
1st: The Clintons
2nd: Eightrack Mind
3rd: Equinox Theatre Company
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| Best Nightlife |
Despite the absence of the pervasive nicotine cloud over its now smoke-free bar, the Zebra Cocktail Lounge has sustained its swanky soul, which, along with the diverse musical performers and DJs, inebriating, er, we mean, invigorating beverages, oft-occupied pool tables, and dynamic dance floor, is why they've been voted "Best Nightlife" for the second year in a row (***and*** "Best Place to Hear Live Music" in 2004).
1st: The Zebra
2nd: Plonk
3rd: Mixers
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| Best Casino |
One voter questioned whether the term "Best Casino" isn't, in truth, an oxymoron. Most, though, chose Lucky Lil's as their favorite place to hedge their bets. With three locations in Bozeman, there's ample opportunity to thicken, or deflate, one's wallet. At the West Main St. Lil's, Manager Theresa expounds on the casinos' popularity: "It's where winners play and players win." And hopefully, the losers still have a good time.
1st: Lucky Lil's
2nd: Mixers
3rd: Cat's Paw
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| Best Radio Station |
At any hour, day or night, a quick turn of the radio dial to 91.9 KGLT will release sounds from a vast spectrum of musical genres, including bluegrass, hard rock, classical, alternative, country, jazz, and everything in between, thanks to the assortment of volunteer DJs broadcasting from the studios at MSU. Ron, KGLT's marketing director, credits the station's fourth subsequent year as Bozeman's chosen favorite to "community involvement and musical diversity." Sounds like music to our ears.
1st: KGLT
2nd: The Moose 95.1
3rd: KISS 96.7
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| Best D.J. |
His manly, sonorous tones firstzed like molasses through Bozeman's airwaves 22 years ago, and voter's favorite DJ, Dave Visscher of KBOZ, modestly credits his popularity not to any innate talent on his part, but to the fact that he's simply "been here longer than anyone else." Listeners who've never seen Dave in person recognize his distinctive calling card in an instant. "You can call wrong numbers, and the people will recognize your voice," Dave says, "but that happens to everyone in radio."
1st: Dave Visscher (KBOZ)
2nd: Michelle Wolfe (The Moose)
3rd: Elle Fine (The Moose)
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| Best Art Gallery |
In a region wonderfully swamped with art, those who make it, and those who show it, it's quite an honor to be considered exceptional. And Chaparral Fine Art, has again emerged as a standout in the appreciative eyes of voters. Beautiful art and a welcoming, friendly environment in which guests can admire inspiring works without feeling like bison in a china shop has led to what co-owner Eleanor calls the "unflagging support that we get from the Bozeman community. We get such a great energy from all the people."
1st: Chaparral Fine Art
2nd: The Emerson
3rd: Artifacts
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| Best Grocery Store |
Soon Bozeman will need to construct a new parking garage for its favorite market, Town & Country Foods, where devoted patrons routinely engage in intense vehicular battles for spaces. Inside, the cart-wielding crowds compete for room enough to browse the awesome low prices, variety of appetizing merchandise, and wide selection of affordable organic foods that they love. Rodney, the produce manager, says "good prices and friendly employees" are what keep 'em coming.
1st: Town & Country Foods
2nd: Community Food Coop
3rd: Heebs
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| Best Ski/Snowboard Shop |
Apparently a majority of voters prefer to shred rather than ski, because, for the second consecutive year, they have recognized World Boards as their favorite place for snow sporting gear. Employee Matt has two words to explain the stylish and service-oriented shop's success: "Jaye Moore." Sounds like Matt likes his boss as much as Bozeman likes the boards.
1st: World Boards
2nd: Chalet Sports
3rd: PhD Skis
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| Best Fly Fishing Shop |
Fly-fishing rarely attracts dabblers: those who actively practice the intricate, rhythmic and rewarding sport might say it takes on almost spiritual undertones (see Norman Maclean's lovely "A River Runs Through It"); those who actively **don't** may find it fussy, pretentious or esoteric (read "Head to Head" columnist Kelly Wiseman's take in this issue). For the former set-those patient ones who gracefully cast, catch and, unless they're really hungry, release-the Bozeman Angler provides the "good, honest service, a lot of classes and free advice," says co-owner Pam, that make them local anglers' top pick.
1st: Bozeman Angler
2nd: River's Edge
3rd: Greater Yellowstone Flyfishers
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| Best Overall Outdoor Shop |
Nothing points out how vulnerable we are like nature; in some ways, with her stinging swarms of bugs, her frigid winter nights, her swallowing river swells, she is our one predator. Yep, we need a lot of equipment to survive, thrive, and just have fun outside, and voters choose Bob Ward & Sons as their favorite supplier of all things outdoorsy. They have, says store manager Dave, "some of everything for everybody," from svelte, sexy scalers of rocks to stinky-pitted, stubbly-faced survivalists.
1st: Bob Ward's
2nd: Northern Lights
3rd: Chalet Sports
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| Best Place to Buy Jewelry |
he phenomenon-unique, handsome adornments high in personality and low in cost-originated within a small store in downtown Ennis that was always worth the drive. Once it relocated to Bozeman, jewelry hunters needed a map and compass to find it, but the secret is clearly out: Benjies has won again for Best Place to Buy Jewelry. Owner Benjie credits the "really fair prices and outstanding selection," and, jokingly, herself, for "being stupid enough to do this business; it was an experiment that went haywire."
1st: Benjie's
2nd: Miss Zula's
3rd: Miller's
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| Best Book Store |
Voters agree: none of the Big Boxes can beat the experience of leisurely browsing the handpicked selection of books in a small, independent, locally owned shop, without the attendant whirr of espresso machines. Bozeman voters still love perennial favorite Country Bookshelf, where the selection is stimulating, the atmosphere is cozy and serene, the frequent author readings are exciting, and the employees, owner Mary Jane says, "love to read, and like to give recommendations."
1st: Country Bookshelf
2nd: Vargo's Jazz City & Books
3rd: Barnes & Noble
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| Best Music Store |
With its diverse mélange of merchandise, including not only virtually every genre of music (and what they don't have they'll happily order in), but vintage clothing, quirky gifts like the Boxing Nun, interesting cards, etc., voters' favorite music store, Cactus Records, has evolved into a distinctive Main Street fixture that pulls in passersby like a magnet. Staffer Sara takes a "quick poll" with her fellows, who decide that people must love Cactus because of the "superstar employees" and, on a more earnest note, "we still care about the music."
1st: Cactus Records
2nd: Hastings
3rd: Music Villa
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| Best Clothing Store |
Once again, many voters agreed on what lies at "The Root" of any eye-catching ensemble: the Main Street boutique of the same name, where, says store manager Shanda, the "constantly new and fresh inventory, and great prices"-along with the genuinely friendly, refreshingly low-key staff-mean everyone from high-school hotties to hip professionals can adorn themselves affordably and adorably.
1st: The Root
2nd: Vyruka
3rd: Sacks
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| Best Shoe Store |
From strappy sandals in summer and snuggly, snowproof, clodhopper boots in winter, Bozemanites, with the help of their favorite shoe store, Schnee's, cover their feet in a variety of styles to suit their needs, the requirements of the ever changing weather, and the universal desire to look sharply shod. Manager Curt cites Schnee's "service and selection" as the draw, along with the well-informed employees. "You know," he says, "we can't be everything to everybody, but we sure try."
1st: Schnee's
2nd: Ruby Slippers
3rd: Shoefly
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| Best Secondhand Store |
By a wide margin, Sacks emerged as the favorite place to procure gently used duds, furniture, household items, and all manner of intriguing treasures and trinkets. It doesn't hurt knowing that the spare change you've used to purchase a whole new outfit will go toward a good cause (the Help Center and Sexual Assault Counseling Center). Plus, says Sacks employee Dawn, "We have good stuff."
1st: Sack's
2nd: NU2U
3rd: Catwalk (formerly Buffalo Exchange)
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| Best Furniture Store |
Everyone needs a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing place to rest their rear at the end of the day, and Bozemanites selected Gallatin Valley Furniture Carpet One as the best spot for the things that make a house a home. With a 60-year-long history in Bozeman, co-owner Tim, whose parents founded the store, says of its popularity, "What can I say? We grew up here." Because of what Tim calls GV Furniture's "different approach" and "higher-end offerings," voters are keen on keeping them around even longer.
1st: Gallatin Valley Furniture Carpet One
2nd: Bozeman Furniture
3rd: Montana Furniture Galleries
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| Best Big Box Store |
We've got our share of them, and they don't appear to be going away anytime soon, so might as well pick a favorite, or at least the lesser of various evils. Remember when Target used to be hopelessly uncool? No better than your average, supremely chintzy, fill-in-the-blank -Mart? Well, now it's regarded as a classy enough place to register for wedding gifts, and Bozemanites have selected it as the best of the "boxes." Store manager Chris says, "we do carry designer items, and we try to be trend-right, in our household items and clothing, so that are guests have the opportunity to shop for what's 'now.'"
1st: Target
2nd: Costco
3rd: Wal-Mart
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| Best Hardware Store |
The ballots revealed that there is no doubt where a vast majority of Bozemanites' loyalties lie when it comes to hammers, paint thinner, rubber gloves, and a whole lot of other stuff necessary to keep a home, car, bike and life running properly: the good ol' Main Street hardware store called Owenhouse Ace. "There still are people in Bozeman," says Larry, Ace's owner, "who appreciate having customer service."
1st: Owenhouse Ace
2nd: Kenyon Noble
3rd: Home Depot
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| Best Vet/Animal Care |
They're furry, feathered, and scaly; they scratch, smell, hump furniture, slobber, and knock over vases with their tails; they build "log cabins" on one neighbor's grass and "mark their territory" on the other's screen door; they insist on sleeping on your head: they're pets, and, for better or for worse, Bozemanites love them. For these creatures, with whom we forge bonds more permanent than the average marriage, only the best is good enough, and most voters chose Gallatin Veterinary Hospital as the place to keep their beasties in good health. Dr. Mark Albrecht and staff say they're "proud to be part of the Bozeman community," a place where there's ample affection to go around for all creatures great and small.
1st: Gallatin Veterinary Hospital
2nd: Animal Medical Center
3rd: Valley View Veterinary Hospital
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| Best Florist/Nursery |
With a growing season that seems to pass as quick as a blink, ours is a notoriously difficult region in which to raise green things. Thankfully, at Cashman's, Bozeman's top choice in the florist/nursery category, the employees, says co-owner Jan, "know a lot about plants for this area." They make it easy to raise some flora to go along with all the fauna, (who, in turn, nibble on the flora, but Cashman's has a solution for that, too…). "We've been here for a long time," says Jan, and, judging by their many fans, they'll be around for many seasons to come.
1st: Cashman's
2nd: Langhor's
3rd: Country Flower
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| Best Car Dealer |
Car sales is a realm considered, stereotypically, to be frought with sleazy shysters in cheap suits and schmoozy speech patterns who'll happily hawk a lemon to an unsuspecting victim if it puts a buck in their pockets. But Dick Walter breaks the mold, according to the majority of voters who have had positive experiences with the local dealer. Why are so many Audi/Jeep/Subaru, etc. drivers spied smiling from the confines of their shiny new rides? Owner Alan suspects this is because "we have a strong group of employees who take so much pride in keeping their word and treating our customers with respect."
1st: Dick Walter
2nd: Ressler
3rd: Billion
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| Best Place For a Haircut |
Anyone who has ever had a truly awful haircut knows how traumatic it can be-the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you first catch a shocking glimpse of it in the mirror, the vague, quickly extinguished hope upon waking that "maybe it was all a bad dream…" At Soucie, such a disappointment is highly unlikely, as voters' support for the downtown salon was overwhelming. Such a strong reputation, staffer Angie says, arises out of the magical combination of "wonderful clients, wonderful staff, and amazing owners."
1st: Soucie
2nd: Anew
3rd: Capelli
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| Best Ski Area |
Once again, Bridger Bowl has beaten its competition for Bozeman's favorite place to ski. Bridger is close to town, with great hills and a sweet sense of tradition. Marketing director Doug says, "being a part of the community for 50-plus years, we've created an atmosphere that is very welcoming…and great terrain and great snow bring people back year after year, and we appreciate that kind of loyalty." Bridger is where wee little local skiers grow up, and then go to teach their own progeny the anticipatory ups and exhilarating downs of the slopes.
1st: Bridger Bowl
2nd: Big Sky Resort
3rd: Moonlight Basin
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| Best Local Event |
With artists selling creative wares, vendors offering delicious food, live music and theatre, and, of course, the presence and celebration of those soft, sweet-smelling flowers, Bozeman's annual Sweet Pea Festival is locals' favorite community event. Julie, the Festival's publicist, credits "our volunteers!…the 2,000+ individuals" without whom the festival and its contagious spirit would not exist. And Sweet Pea, adds Julie "is also one of the most rewarding and amusing volunteer gigs out there!"
1st: Sweet Pea Festival
2nd: Music on Main
3rd: Bite of Bozeman
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| Best Non-Profit |
While nary a non-profit went unmentioned by Bozeman's socially-conscious "Best of" voters, Eagle Mount, the organization that facilitates all kinds of recreation-from horseback riding to skiing-for disabled people of all ages, got the most votes. Linda, the executive director of the Eagle Mount Foundation, says this is because "Eagle Mount is all about the heart of the community, and Bozeman has a very healthy heart." Awww.
1st: Eagle Mount
2nd: Help Center
3rd: Big Brothers Big Sisters
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| Best Scandal |
Lot's of scandals have rocked Bozeman recently. For an in-depth look at what had tongues wagging and hearts stopping this year, see our article, "Top Ten Local Scandals of 2005-2006," in this issue.
1st: Former mayor's alleged domestic violence
2nd: Murder of Jason Wright
3rd: MSU athletics
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| Best Thing About Bozeman |
Many immodest voters cheekily wrote "me"; several, making up for the absence of the "Best Local Celebrity" category, wrote "Steve Carraciolo"; and there were a few "dogs," and one mention of "the free stuff on people's front lawns," but most Bozemanites, appropriately awestruck by the majestic forms that surround our verdant valley, the very structures for which our state is named, wrote "the mountains."
1st: The Mountains
2nd: The People
3rd: The Outdoors
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| Posted with permission from The Tributary Magazine. The Tributary Magazine is published on the first of every month and is available by subscription or available for free pickup at locations througout southwestern Montana. For more information call 406-585-0712 or e-mail trib@montana.com. |
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