2020 Best of the Beat: Winston-Salem/Forsyth Edition

Most people who have worked with me know I have complained a lot of over the years about Best Of issues, industry slang for the sort of readers’ poll we just completed.

Obviously, I have since come around. When executed properly, reader polls can highlight businesses and people that our reporters and sales staff have, for whatever reason, missed. It can be incredibly useful, especially for tourists or new residents in town. And it gives us a very important gauge on the things our readers love, and we’re always trying to get a better handle on our readers.

This is our very first Best of the Beat, and in the making of it we addressed some of the biggest problems I’ve had with the form and corrected a few of our own mistakes along the way.

For one, our vote is honest. This was not one of those deals where people can vote every hour, stuffing the ballot box with spam votes, often from people who don’t even live here. In our contest, each reader gets exactly one ballot, making the results more useful and trustworthy.

It has also been my experience that in Triad-wide contests of this nature, Greensboro tends to dominate the results while Winston-Salem gets marginalized. So we’ve broken our contest into two tiers with our first dedicated solely to Forsyth County and the Camel City. We’ll run a Guilford poll in early 2021, and the winners will face off in the Best of the Beat — Triad-Wide contest later in the year.

But for now let’s celebrate the winners, hundreds of them, recognized for their excellence in its many different forms throughout Forsyth County. Congratulations to all.

— Brian Clarey

DRINKING

Best Bottled Beer Selection

First Place: Stella Brew
Runner-up: City Beverage

Best Downtown Bar

First Place: Foothills Brewpub
Runner-up: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)

Best Local Brewery Taproom

First Place: Foothills Brewpub/ Wise Man Brewing (tie)

Best Bar Staff

First Place: Hoots Roller Bar
Runner-up: The Tasting Room/ Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co.

Best College Bar

First Place: Finnegan’s Wake
Runner-up: West End Opera House

Best Adult Establishment

First Place: Savannah’s Gentlemen’s Club/Paper Moon (tie)

Best Cocktail Mixer

First Place: James Douglas (Hoot’s, Silver Moon) (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Levi Fryer (The Katherine) (read our review here!)

Best Upscale Bar

First Place: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (read our review here!)
Runner-up: The Trophy Room

Best Cocktails

First Place: Fair Witness/Single Brothers Saloon (tie)

Best Bartender

First Place: James Douglas (Hoot’s, Silver Moon) (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Danielle Bull (Bull’s Tavern)

Best Bouncers

First Place: The Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: The Ramkat

Best Cheap Beer

First Place: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Burke St. Pub

Best Wine Selection

First Place: 6^th and Vine
Runner-up: The Tasting Room

Best Bloody Mary

First Place: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (read our review here!)

Best Mocktails

First Place: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Vintage Sofa Bar

Best Tap Beer Selection

First Place: Finnegan’s Wake
Runner-up: Foothill’s Tasting Room

Best Neighborhood Bar

First Place: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: The Tap

Best Sports Bar

First Place: Finnegan’s Wake
Runner-up: Second & Green

Best Distillery

First Place: Broad Branch Distillery
Runner-up: Sutler’s Spirits

Best Martini

First Place: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Fair Witness

Best Local Spirit

First Place: Sutler’s Gin
Runner-up: Spirit Nobilium (Broad Branch)

Best Drink Specials

First Place: Finnegan’s Wake
Runner-up: Bull’s Tavern/Fair Witness (tie)

Best Dance Space

First Place: Gas Hill Drinking Room
Runner-up: Monstercade

Best Local Brewery

First Place: Foothills Brewing
Runner-up: Wise Man Brewing

Best Sommelier

First Place: Christina Morris (The Katharine) (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Caleb Flynt (Wine Merchants)

Best Pet-Friendly Bar/Restaurant

First Place: Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co.
Runner-up: Wise Man Brewing

Best Late-Night Bar

First Place: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Fair Witness

Best Margarita

First Place: The Porch Kitchen & Cantina
Runner-up: La Botana

Best No-Frills Watering Hole

First Place: Silver Moon Saloon (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Bull’s Tavern/ Carlisle’s Pub (tie)

Best Retail Beer Selection

First Place: Stella Brew
Runner-up: City Beverage

Best Retail Wine Selection

First Place: Total Wine & More
Runner-up: Wine Merchants

Best Rooftop Bar

First Place: Bar Piña
Runner-up: Top of 4^th (Marriott)

Best New Bar

First Place: Hoot’s Satellite
Runner-up: Joyner’s

EATING

Best Brunch

First Place: River Birch Lodge
Runner-up: Krankies

Best Steak

First Place: Ryan’s Restaurant
Runner-up: Fratelli’s Italian Steakhouse

Best Desserts

First Place: Midtown Café & Dessertery
Runner-up: Cheesecakes by Alex

Best Late-Night Menu

First Place: Finnegan’s Wake
Runner-up: Foothill’s Brewpub

Best Caterer

First Place: 1703 Restaurant & Kitchen
Runner-up: Providence Kitchen/ Five Loaves Catering (tie)

Best Restaurant

First Place: Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro
Runner-up: River Birch Lodge

Best Outdoor Seating

First Place: 4^th St. Filling Station
Runner-up: 6^th and Vine

Best Waitstaff

First Place: West End Café
Runner-up: Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro

Best Mexican Restaurant

First Place: The Porch Kitchen & Cantina
Runner-up: La Botana

Best Downtown Restaurant

First Place: Sweet Potatoes
Runner-up: Mission Pizza Napoletana/ Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro

Best Romantic Restaurant

First Place: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Bernardin’s

Best Gelato

First Place: Café Gelato
Runner-up: West End Coffeehouse

Best Chef

First Place: Jay Pierce (Mozelle’s)
Runner-up: Curtis Hackaday (1703)

Best Boba Tea

First Place: May Way Dumplings
Runner-up: Café Gelato

Best Fried Chicken

First Place: Slappy’s Chicken
Runner-up: Miss Ora’s Fried Chicken

Best French Fries

First Place: Hops Burger Bar
Runner-up: Cook Out

Best Bread

First Place: Camino Bakery
Runner-up: Bobby Boy Bake Shop

Best Gourmet Sandwiches

First Place: West End Café
Runner-up: Foothills Brewpub/ Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro (tie)

Best Cheesesteak

First Place: Hero House
Runner-up: Burke Street Pizza

Best Charcuterie

First Place: Vintage Sofa Bar
Runner-up: The Carving Board

Best Healthy Eating

village juice smoothie bowl — Village Juice has trendy smoothie bowls and tasty salads.

First Place: Village Juice Co. (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: Yamas Mediterranean Street Food

Best Ribs

First Place: Bib’s Downtown
Runner-up: Real Q

Best Breakfast

First Place: Krankies
Runner-up: Famous Toastery

Best Local Artisinal Food Product

First Place: Black Mountain Chocolate
Runner-up: Niki’s Pickles (read our past coverage here)

Best Sub

First Place: TJs Deli & Grill
Runner-up: Burke Street Pizza

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

First Place: Camel City BBQ Factory
Runner-up: Dairi-O

Best Italian restaurant

First Place: Di Lisio’s Italian Restaurant
Runner-up: Quanto Basta

Best Coffeeshop

First Place: Moji Coffee + More
Runner-up: Camino Bakery

Best Tacos

First Place: Crafted the Art of the Taco
Runner-up: La Botana

Best Chicken Fingers

First Place: Miss Ora’s
Runner-up: Foothills Brewpub

Best Salads

First Place: West End Café
Runner-up: Yamas Mediterranean Street Food

Best Sushi

First Place: Mizu Japanese Restaurant
Runner-up: Hakka Chow Asian Eats

Best Restaurant when Someone Else is Paying

First Place: Spring House Grill
Runner-up: Fratelli’s Italian Steakhouse

Best Indian Restaurant

First Place: Nawab Indian Cuisine
Runner-up: Mystic Ginger

Best Wings

First Place: Ronni’s Restaurant
Runner-up: Finnegan’s Wake

Best Barbecue

First Place: Little Richard’s
Runner-up: Real Q

Best Bakery

First Place: Camino Bakery
Runner-up: Bobby Boy Bakeshop

Best Ramen

First Place: 237 Ramen
Runner-up: Sakura

Best Atmosphere

First Place: Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro
Runner-up: The Katharine Brasserie & Bar/ Earl’s Whiskey Bar (read our review here!)

Best Cheap Meal

First Place: Slappy’s Chicken
Runner-up: Cook Out

Best Food Truck

First Place: Mojito
Runner-up: Burger Supreme

Best Milkshake

First Place: Cook Out
Runner-up: Small Batch

Best Gourmet Pizza

First Place: Mission Pizza Napoletano
Runner-up: Elizabeth’s Pizza

Best Pho

First Place: Thai Sawatdee
Runner-up: Basil Leaf

Best Takeout

First Place: Slappy’s Chicken
Runner-up: Mr. Lu’s

Best Diner

First Place: Famous Toastery
Runner-up: Trade Street Diner

Best Oysters

First Place: Full Moon Oyster Bar
Runner-up: King’s Crab Shack

Best Tapas

First Place: Yamas Mediterranean Street Food
Runner-up: Spring House Grill

Best Bagels

First Place: Bagel Station (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Bagel Station II

Best Thai Restaurant

First Place: Thai Sawatdee
Runner-up: Basil Leaf

Best Poke

First Place: West End Poke
Runner-up: Poke Star

Best Ice Cream

First Place: Mayberry Ice Cream Restaurant
Runner-up: Li’l Dipper

Best Hot Dogs

First Place: PB’s Takeout
Runner-up: Kermit’s Hot Dog House

Best Burger

First Place: Hops Burger Bar
Runner-up: Cin Cin Burger Bar

Best Public Bathroom

Nikki in the Harris Teeter bathroom on Cloverdale. (photo by Nikki Miller-Ka)

First Place: Harris Teeter on Colverdale (read our review here!)
Runner-up: The Ramkat

Best Deli

First Place: TJ’s Deli
Runner-up: The Carving Board

Best Meat & Three

First Place: Duke’s Restaurant
Runner-up: Clemmons Kitchen

Best Traditional Pizza

First Place: Burke Street Pizza
Runner-up: Elizabeth’s PIzza

Best New Restaurant

First Place: Bobby Boy Bake Shop
Runner-up: Hops Burger Bar

Best Mac & Cheese

First Place: Slappy’s Chicken
Runner-up: Sweet Potatoes

Best Seafood

Owner Virginia Hardesty behind the counter at Forsyth Seafood Market (courtesy photo)

First Place: Forsyth Seafood (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Full Moon Oyster Bar

Best Doughnut Shop

First Place: Dough Joe’s Doughnuts & Coffee
Runner-up: InTown Donutz

Best Sweet Tea

First Place: The Carriage House Restaurant
Runner-up: Yamas Mediterranean Street Food

Best Japanese Restaurant

First Place: Mizu Japanese Restaurant
Runner-up: Umi Japanese Steakhouse

Best Asian Fusion

First Place: Hakka Chow
Runner-up: Thai Sawatdee

Best Greek Restaurant

First Place: Grecian Corner
Runner-up: Athena Greek Taverna

Best Juice/Smoothie Bar

First Place: Village Juice Co.
Runner-up: Organix Juice Bar

Best Restaurants for Vegans

First Place: Mozzarella Fellas
Runner-up: Village Juice Co.

Best Chinese Restaurant

First Place: New Sichuan
Runner-up: Mr. Lu’s

RECREATION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Best Hotel

Katharine-bar — Truly a clean, well-lighted place, the bar at the Katherine provides a vintage, art-deco experience. (photo by Spencer Brown)

First Place: Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Brookstown Inn

Best Assisted Living Community

First Place: Brookdale
Runner-up: Vienna Village/ Heritage Woods (tie)

Best Med Spa

First Place: Innovative Aesthetics
Runner-up: The Spa at Highland Oaks

Best Dermatologist

First Place: Westgate Dermatology & Laser Center/ Winston-Salem Dermatology Center (tie)

Best Personal Trainer

First Place: Patti Manuel (PBM Fitness)
Runner-up: Sebastian Cervar (CrossFit Amplitude)

Best Golf Course

First Place: Winston Lake Golf Course
Runner-up: Maple Chase Golf & Country Club

Best Hair Salon

First Place: Van Davis Aveda
Runner-up: Dye Pretty

Best Local Athlete

First Place: Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Runner-up: Domenique Graves (Winston-Salem State football)/ Sam Hartman (Wake Forest football)

Best Piercing Studio

First Place: Earth’s Edge
Runner-up: Tattoo Revival

Best Esthetician

First Place: Nancy Crooks (Van Davis Thruway)
Runner-up: April Joyce (J Posh Salon)

Best Pool

First Place: Bolton Park Pool
Runner-up: Chadwyck Windsor Place Pool

Best Gym

First Place: CrossFit Winston-Salem
Runner-up: Top Tier Fitness

Best In-Home Healthcare Company

First Place: Griswold Home Care
Runner-up: Touched by Angels/Bayada Home Health (tie)

Best Walking/Running Trail

First Place: Salem Lake (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Muddy Creek Greenway

Best Yoga Studio

First Place: Sunrise Yoga
Runner-up: Triad Yoga Alliance

Best Yoga Instructor

First Place: Valerie Kiser (Sunrise Yoga)
Runner-up: Tressa Krezner (Loving Kindness Reiki & Yoga)

Best Acupuncturist

First Place: Lee Figl (New Hope Oriental Medicine)
Runner-up: Boyd Bailey (Piedmont Acupuncture)

Best Pharmacy

First Place: Marley Drug
Runner-up: Robinhood Pharmacy

Best Tattoo Artist

First Place: Mallory Blaylock (Talon Tattoo)
Runner-up: Tugboat Johnny (Tattoo Archive) (read our review here!)

Best Exercise Studio

First Place: Pure Barre
Runner-up: CycleBar

Best Weight-Loss Center

First Place: Medical Weight Loss Winston-Salem
Runner-up: Wellness for Life

Best Barbershop

First Place: Ardmore Barber Shop
Runner-up: Clubhouse Salon for Men

Best Local Sports team

First Place: Winston-Salem Dash
Runner-up: Wake Forest Football

Best Eye Doctor

First Place: Eyes on Trade
Runner-up: Andrew Bradbury (A Proper View)

Best Bike Shop

First Place: Ken’s Bike Shop
Runner-up: Mock Orange Bikes

Best Tattoo Studio

CW “Chuck” Eldridge poses in front of Tattoo Archive’s newest exhibit on Japanese tattooing.

First Place: Tattoo Archive (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Tattoo Therapy

Best Chiropractor

First Place: Brittain Chiropractic Center
Runner-up: Twin City Health

Best Dentist

First Place: Dr. Yen Nguyen
Runner-up: Reynolda Smiles

Best Nail Salon

First Place: Digits Thruway
Runner-up: LA Nails

Best Day Spa

First Place: The Spa at Highland Oaks
Runner-up: Essential Balanced Bodywork

Best Bowling Alley

First Place: AMF Major League Lanes
Runner-up: Creekside Lanes

Best Hospital

First Place: Forsyth Medical Center
Runner-up: Wake Baptist Hospital

Best Orthodontics

First Place: Salem Smiles Orthodontics
Runner-up: Handy and Handy

Best Hair Stylist

First Place: Mia (Jade Aveda Salon)
Runner-up: Cynthia Pratt-Miller (Hair Bomb Salon)

Best Park

First Place: Tanglewood Park
Runner-up: Salem Lake Park (read our review here!)

Best Veterinarian

First Place: Ard-Vista Animal Hospital
Runner-up: Carolina Veterinary Specialists/ Mt Tabor Animal Hospital (tie)

Best Massage Therapist

First Place: Randi Eaton
Runner-up: Michael Roels (Essential Balanced Bodywork)

Best Plastic Surgery Practice

First Place: Salem Plastic Surgery
Runner-up: Forsyth Plastic Surgery

Best Retirement Community

First Place: Arbor Acres
Runner-up: Vienna Village

ATTRACTIONS & CITY LIVING

park background GIF by GIPHY Studios Originals

Best Place of Worship

First Place: Green Street Methodist Church
Runner-up: Temple Emanuel

Best Apartment Complex

First Place: Winston Factory Lofts
Runner-up: Link Apartments Brookstown

Best Vacation Rental

First Place: Wherehouse Art Hotel
Runner-up: Log Cabin in the City

Best Place to People-Watch

First Place: Fourth Street
Runner-up: Trade Street

Best Neighborhood

First Place: Ardmore
Runner-up: West End

Best Attraction

First Place: Old Salem
Runner-up: Salem Lake (read our review here!)

Best Farmers Market

First Place: Piedmont Triad Farmers Market (read past coverage here)
Runner-up: Cobblestone Farmers Market

Best Place for Trick-Or-Treating

First Place: Ardmore
Runner-up: West End

Best Fundraising Event

First Place: Empty Bowls
Runner-up: Humane Society Furr Ball

Best Downtown Building

First Place: Kimpton Cardinal Hotel (Reynolds Building) (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Millennium Center

Best Daycare

First Place: La Petite Academy
Runner-up: Bright Horizons

Best Green Business

First Place: Camino Bakery
Runner-up: Village Juice Co.

Best College/University

First Place: Wake Forest University
Runner-up: Winston-Salem State University

Best Public School

First Place: Reynolds High School/ Mt. Tabor High School (tie)

Best Pre-School

First Place: Reynolda Preschool
Runner-up: YMCA

Best Reason to Stay in Winston-Salem

First Place: Great community
Runner-up: It’s cheap-ish

Best Reason to Leave Winston-Salem

First Place: Zombie apocalypse
Runner-up: Lack of good jobs

Best Public Library

First Place: Forsyth Central Library
Runner-up: Reynolda Manor Library

Best Public Space

First Place: Reynolda Village & Gardens
Runner-up: Old Quarry Park/Bailey Park (tie)

Best Festival

First Place: RiverRun International Film Festival (read our reviews from the 2019 festival here)
Runner-up: Bookmarks

Best Place to Work

First Place: Wake Forest University
Runner-up: Flywheel Co-Working

SHOPPING

Best Record Store

First Place: Underdog records
Runner-up: McKay’s

Best Resale Shop

First Place: Design Archives
Runner-up: Etc. Consignment Shoppe

Beat Health Food Store

First Place: A&S Natural Health
Runner-up: OM Indian Groceries/ Salem Organic Supple (tie) (read our review here!)

Best International Grocery Store

First Place: Om Indian Groceries (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Compare Foods

Best Eyewear Boutique

First Place: A Proper View
Runner-up: Eyes on Trade

Best ABC Store

First Place: Country Club Road
Runner-up: Northwest Boulevard

Best Gift Store

First Place: Design Archives
Runner-up: Salem Kitchen

Best Children’s Clothing Retailer

First Place: Once Upon a Child
Runner-up: McCalls Reynolda Village

Best Pawn Shop

First Place: Camel City Pawn
Runner-up: West Mountain Pawn

Best Men’s Clothing Store

First Place: Jos. A Banks
Runner-up: Norman Stockton’s

Best Motorcycle Shop

First Place: Smokin’ Harley Davidson
Runner-up: Kevin Powell Motorsports

Best Musical Instrument Store

First Place: The B String
Runner-up: Jackson’s Music Store

Best Pet Store

First Place: All Pets Considered
Runner-up: Natural Dog

Best Furniture Store

First Place: Haverty’s Furniture
Runner-up: Bowen Town & Country

Best Jewelry Store

First Place: Schiffman’s Jewelers
Runner-up: Camel City Pawn

Best Boutique

First Place: Monkee’s
Runner-up: Wood & Thread

Best Cigar Store

First Place: Top Leaf Cigar Lounge
Runner-up: The Pipe & Pint

Best Comic Book Shop

First Place: Burke Street Comics
Runner-up: Ssalefish Comics

Best Florist

First Place: Wild Things
Runner-up: Dahlia’s Floral Design

Best Garden Store/Nursery

First Place: House of Plants
Runner-up: Reynolda Nursery

Best Mall/Shopping Center

First Place: Thruway Center
Runner-up: Hanes Mall

Best Home Accessories Store

First Place: Design Archives
Runner-up: All Through the House

Best Women’s Clothing Store

First Place: Fabulous Finds/Kernersville
Runner-up: Boho Blue

Best Consignment Furniture Store

First Place: Elizabeth’s at Hanes Park
Runner-up: Carolina Vintiques

Best Shopping District

First Place: West End
Runner-up: Burke Street

Best Grocery Store

First Place: Trader Joe’s
Runner-up: Lowe’s Foods (Robinhood Road)

Best Consignment Store

First Place: Snob Shop
Runner-up: Design Archives

Best Tire Store

First Place: Mock Tire
Runner-up: Parrish Tire & Automotive

Best Place to Buy a New Car

First Place: Flow Honda
Runner-up: Mercedes Benz of Winston-Salem/ Audi of Winston-Salem (tie)

Best Kitchen Store

First Place: Southern Home & Kitchen
Runner-up: Williams Sonoma

Best Antique Store

First Place: Lost in Time
Runner-up: Goat Feather Antique

Best Hardware Store

First Place: ACE Hardware (Cloverdale Avenue)
Runner-up: ACE Hardware (Robinhood Road)

Best Vintage Clothing Store

First Place: Design Archives
Runner-up: Next Step Ministries Thrift Store

Best Bookstore

Close to 100 supporters gathered at Bookmarks on Friday to hear Watts speak at a Moms Demand Action event in 2019.

First Place: Bookmarks (read our 2019 review of the Bookmarks Festival here)
Runner-up: McKay’s

Best Thrift Store

First Place: Next Step Ministries Thrift Store
Runner-up: The Snob Shop

Best Corner Store

First Place: Washington Perk & Provisions
Runner-up: Tickled Pink

Best Baby Store

First Place: Once Upon a Child
Runner-up: Rolly’s Baby Boutique

Best Shoe Store

First Place: Fleet Feet
Runner-up: Be Shoes Thruway

Best Adult Toy Store

First Place: Priscilla McCall’s
Runner-up: Annabelle’s

Best Butcher

Smoke City Meats (photo by Carolyn de Berry(

First Place: Smoke City Meats (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: Butcher Shop of Winston-Salem/ Ogburn Station Meat Market (tie)

Best Lingerie Store

First Place: Annabelle’s
Runner-up: Priscilla McCall’s

Best Frame Shop

First Place: Frame It
Runner-up: Fourth Street Frame Shop

Best Local Farm

First Place: Joyce Farms
Runner-up: Shore Farm Organics

Best Place to Buy a Used Car

First Place: Flow Automotive
Runner-up: Frank Myers Auto Maxx

Best Bridal Shop

First Place: English’s Bridal
Runner-up: Nitsa’s Apparel

Best Gourmet Grocery Store

First Place: Om Indian Grocery (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Canteen Market & Bistro/ Swaim’s Grocery (tie)

Best CBD Shop

camel-city-hemp-cbd-winston-salem — (photo by Sayaka Matsuoka)

First Place: Camel City Hemp (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: Salem Organic Supply

Best Wine Shop

First Place: Total Wine & More
Runner-up: Wine Merchant

Best Lighting Store

First Place: Wilson Lighting Co.
Runner-up: The Lighting Loft

Best Used Bookstore

First Place: McKay’s
Runner-up: The Eclectible Shop

POLITICS, NEWS & THE MEDIA

Best Local TV Station

First Place: WXII
Runner-up: Fox 8

Best Do-Gooder

First Place: Project Mask WS
Runner-up: Mary Haglund

Best Talk/News Radio Station

First Place: WFDD
Runner-up: WTOB

Most Egregious Misuse of Taxpayer Funds

First Place: School vouchers
Runner-up: Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Best City Council Member

First Place: DD Adams
Runner-up: Jeff McIntosh

Best Local radio Personality

First Place: Neal Charnoff (WFDD)
Runner-up: Steve “The Finman” Finnegan (WTOB)

Best School Board Member

First Place: Elisabeth Motsinger
Runner-up: Barbara Burke

Best Local News Website

First Place: Triad City Beat (triad-city-beat.com)
Runner-up: The Winston-Salem Journal (journalnow.com)

Worst political gaffe

First Place: Lack of reallocation of police funds
Runner-up: Dixie Classic Fair renamed

Best Progressive

First Place: Dan Besse
Runner-up: Rep. Derwin Montgomery

Best Local Radio Show

First Place: “The Martha Bassett Show” (WFDD)
Runner-up: “The Get Up Show” (98.7 Simon)

Best Radio Station

First Place: WFDD
Runner-up: WTOB

Best Investigative Reporter

First Place: Jordan Green (Triad City Beat)
Runner-up: Scott Sexton (the Journal)

Best Cause

First Place: Black Lives Matter (read our review here!)

Best Local Facebook Group

First Place: Downtown Winston-Salem
Runner-up: Just WS Memes

Best County Commissioner

First Place: Fleming El-Amin
Runner-up: Dave Plyler

Best Local TV Anchor

First Place: Brianna Conner (WXII)
Runner-up: Margaret Johnson (WXII)

Biggest Controversy

First Place: Dixie Fair vs Carolina Classic
Runner-up: Closing the bars for coronavirus

Best Meteorologist

First Place: Lanie Pope (WXII)
Runner-up: Michelle Kennedy (WXII)

Best Legislator

First Place: Rep. Derwin Montgomery
Runner-up: Rep. Evelyn Terry

Best Local Twitter Feed

First Place: Winston Watchman (@WinstonWatchman)
Runner-up: Triad City Beat (@triad_city_beat_)

Best Local Blog

First Place: Nik Snacks (niksnacksonline.com)
Runner-up: Triad Foodies (triadfoodies.com)

Best Triad City Beat Story

First Place: Confederate Statue reporting
Runner-up: Omnibus Firefighters

Best Conservative

First Place: Joyce Kraweic
Runner-up: Algenon Cash

CULTURE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best Comedian

First Place: Randy Simpson (WTOB)
Runner-up: Cabell Wilkinson

Best Museum

First Place: Reynolda House (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art

Best House/Cover Band

First Place: Gypsy Soul
Runner-up: The Plaids

Best Drag Show

First Place: Pride WS
Runner-up: Monstercade

Best Visual Artist

First Place: Adam Casey
Runner-up: Owens Daniels

Best Art Instruction

First Place: Sawtooth School for Visual Art
Runner-up: UNCSA community programs

Best Club DJ

First Place: DJ Hek Yeah
Runner-up: DJ Snow

Best Place to See Live Music

First Place: The Ramkat
Runner-up: Rizzo’s

Best Art Gallery

First Place: Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: Delurk Gallery

Best Local Author

First Place: Jacinta White
Runner-up: Wade Beauchamp

Best Karaoke Night

First Place: Bull’s Tavern
Runner-up: Old Nick’s Pub

Best Local Hip Hop Artist

LB the poet (photo by E’laina “Ely B” Barron)

First Place: LB the Poet (read our review here!)
Runner-up: OG Spliff

Best Jazz Band

First Place: Matt Kendrick Trio
Runner-up: Camel City Jazz Orchestra

Best Local Podcast

First Place: The Less Desirables
Runner-up: Carolina Curious (WFDD)

Best Party

First Place: Farmstock
Runner-up: RiverRun Gala

Best Female Vocalist

First Place: Renee Henry
Runner-up: Karon Click

Best Cultural Event

First Place: Black Theatre Festival
Runner-up: RiverRun International Film Festival

Best Recording Studio

First Place: Fidelitorium
Runner-up: Flytrap Music Productions

Best Art Exhibit

“Lines” is the Winston-Salem Light Project’s 11th installation and is located at the corner of Waughtown and Main in Winston-Salem. (photo by Sayaka Matsuoka)

First Place: Winston-Salem Light Project (read our review here!)
Runner-up: Video Ergo Sum — Peter Campus (SECCA)

Best Musician

First Place: Doug Davis
Runner-up: Jim Moody

Best Local, Original Band

First Place: Jukebox Rehab
Runner-up: Vel Indica

Best Local Actor

First Place: Ashley Hauser
Runner-up: Michael Hoch

Best Trivia Night

First Place: Old Nick’s Pub
Runner-up: Bookmarks Book Trivia

Best Music Club

First Place: The Ramkat
Runner-up: Muddy Creek Café

Best Local Theatre Company

First Place: Winston-Salem Theater Alliance
Runner-up: UNCSA

Best Make Vocalist

First Place: Dale Cole
Runner-up: Clay Howard

Best Sporting Event

First Place: Winston-Salem Dash games
Runner-up: Wake Forest Football games

Best Movie Theater

First Place: A/perture Cinema (read our past coverage here)
Runner-up: The Grande

Best Public Art Piece

First Place: Black Lives Matter street painting
Runner-up: Trade Street Mannequins

SERVICES

Best Realty Company

First Place: Leonard Ryden Burr
Runner-up: Berkshire Hathaway/ Allen Tate (tie)

Best Financial Institution

First Place: Allegacy Credit Union
Runner-up: Pinnacle Bank

Best Plumber

First Place: Bodenheimer Plumbing
Runner-up: Smith Plumbing

Best Auto Service

First Place: Twin City Automotive
Runner-up: Jackson Auto Worx

Best Limo/Party Bus

First Place: Black Tie Transportation
Runner-up: Triad Eco Adventures

Best Landscaping Company

First Place: Hope Lawn Care
Runner-up: On Time Lawn Care

Best Law Firm

First Place: Dummit-Fradin Attorneys at Law
Runner-up: Vance Parker/ King Latham Law (tie)

Best Pest Control

First Place: McNeely Pest Control

Best DUI Attorney

First Place: Clarke Dummit/Michael Fradin (tie)

Best Roofing Company

First Place: Big Anchor Roofing & Gutters
Runner-up: J&M Roofing

Best Personal Injury Attorney

First Place: Daggett & Shuler
Runner-up: Dummit-Fradin Attorneys at Law

Best Homebuilder

First Place: Reece Builder
Runner-up: Dream Maker Bath & Kitchen

Best Insurance Agency

First Place: McCall Insurance Services
Runner-up: Rick Babusiak (State Farm)

Best Realtor

First Place: Rhonda Nelson (Keller Williams)
Runner-up: Arlene Rouse (Leonard Ryden Burr)

Best Auto Body Shop

First Place: Pat’s Body Shop
Runner-up: Ray’s Body Shop/ Jackson Auto Worx (tie)

Best Pet Groomer

First Place: Fur Pet Salon & Day Spa/ Ruff Housing (tie)

Best Criminal Defense Attorney

First Place: Clarke Dummit

Best Heating & Air Company

First Place: Gwyn Services
Runner-up: Eanes Heating & Air Conditioning

Best Financial Planner

First Place: Doug Ray (Wealth Guardians)
Runner-up: Jeff Davids (Edward Jones)

Best Electrician

First Place: Gwyn Services
Runner-up: Clayton Allen (CW Allen Electric)

Best Property Management Company

First Place: Hunter Realty and Property Management LLC/Real Property Management of the Triad (tie)

Best Dry Cleaner

First Place: Shores Fine Dry Cleaning
Runner-up: Craft Cleaners

Best Foundation Repair

First Place: Tar Heel Basement
Runner-up: Structural Repair of the Triad

Best Car service

First Place: Uber
Runner-up: Classic Cab Co.

Best Family Law Attorney

First Place: Vance Parker
Runner-up: Dummit Fradin Attorneys at Law

Join the First Amendment Society, a membership that goes directly to funding TCB‘s newsroom.

We believe that reporting can save the world.

The TCB First Amendment Society recognizes the vital role of a free, unfettered press with a bundling of local experiences designed to build community, and unique engagements with our newsroom that will help you understand, and shape, local journalism’s critical role in uplifting the people in our cities.

All revenue goes directly into the newsroom as reporters’ salaries and freelance commissions.

⚡ Join The Society ⚡

Lindsey Little says:

December 18, 2020 at 10:19 am

Hi, Love this article! Kuddos to you for the extensive list of the best! I love these so much because they are so helpful when looking for new places to try different foods and such! For Best Yoga Teacher, you listed Valerie Kiser and out beside her name it says “Yoga Alliance”, Valerie is the owner of Sunrise Yoga Studio and also teaches there. She is a great teacher! Just wanted to let you know the studio listed beside her name is not correct, it should be “Sunrise Yoga Studio”. Thanks 🙂

Brian Clarey says:

December 18, 2020 at 11:37 am

Thanks! Post has been updated.