Back in 1967, Stella Cordova, pictured above in a photo taken recently, was working as a cook at the Chubby Burger Drive-In at 1231 West 38th Avenue when the owner said he wanted to get out of the business and cut Stella — who was making just 85 cents an hour — a great deal so that she could buy it. She kept the name but changed the menu to feature the Mexican food she’d grown up with in Walsenburg, and Chubby’s, profiled recently in this feature, quickly became known for its hot, hot green chile. Soon, assorted offspring — Stella had ten children — and their offspring began opening their own Chubby’s restaurants, with or without Stella’s blessing. But today, forty years after Stella opened her own place, the original Chubby’s remains the best. And Stella Cordova, still working at the age of 98, remains a true Denver original.
Here are the rest of the winners from 1993:
BEST OF DENVER 1993
PEOPLE & PLACES
Best Place to Take the Pope When He Comes to Town: Celebrity Vintage Clothing Costume and Museum Readers' Choice: Mother Cabrini Shrine
Best Place to be When the Pope Comes to Town: Tibet Readers' Choice: Out of Town
Best Business to be in During the Pope's Visit: Port-A-Pottie Rental
Best Place to Park your Body During the Pope's Visit: Auraria campus parking garage
Best Rumor About the Pope's Visit: Invasion of the flagellants
Best Alliance of Church and State: Arapahoe County Foundation Inc.
Best Alliance of Church and Capitalism: Famous Artist Merchandise and Exchange
Best Corporate Makeover: Coors Brewing Company
Best Trip Down Memory Lane for Adults: History Department, University of Colorado at Denver
Best Trip Down Memory Lane for Kids: Four Mile Historic Park
Best After-School Activity: La Banda de Guerra, North High School
Best Teen Party Town: Lakewood
Best Place to Play Hooky: Denver Museum of Natural History Best-Dressed Schoolkids: Bryant-Webster Elementary School
Best-Dressed School: Bryant-Webster Elementary School
Best Appearance by an Educator in Playboy: Richard Caldwell
Best Bite of the Reality Sandwich: Student Credit Union, George Washington
Best Homage to Pancho Villa: Camp George West
Best Neighborhood Dedicated to a Huckster: Barnum
Best Museum to Kill Time: Colorado Territorial Prison Museum and Park
Best Place to do Time: Federal Prison Camp, Florence
Best Obscure Holiday Created in Denver: National Memo Day
Best Place to be on April 15: Downtown Post Office, 20th and Champa St.
Best Local Celebrity (Non-Human): Yogi the bloodhound
Best Local Celebrity: Clarissa Pinkola Estes Readers' choice: John Elway
Best Celebrity Sweat: Sammy Kershaw Cologne
Best Fifteen Minutes of Celebrity: Dan Kay
Best Performance Against Rush Limbaugh: Mike Rosen, KOA-AM 850
Best Performance by a Colorado Celebrity on the Tonight Show: Gary Hart
Best Coloradan Obsessed with a Celebrity: Margaret Ray
Best Celebrity Death: T.D. Lingo
Best Celebrity Cadaver: Alferd Packer
Best TV News Anchor: Ed Sardella, KUSA-TV Channel 9 Readers' Choice: Ed Sardella
Best Escalation of the TV Weather Wars: Channel 9's Back Yard
Best Local TV Documentary Series: How the West Was Lost, KUSA-TV Channel 9
Best Television Commentary: Dan Caplis, KCNC-TV Channel 4
Best TV Set: KMGH-TV Channel 7
Best TV Sportscaster: John Keating, KMGH-TV Channel 7 Readers' choice: Ron Zappolo
Best TV Weather Forecaster: Ed Pearl, KMGH-TV Channel 7 Readers' choice: Larry Green
Best Hair on a TV Personality: Sherry Sellers, KUSA-TV Channel 9 Readers' choice: Aimee Sporer
Best Radio Talk-Show Host: Peter Boyles, KYBG-AM 1090 Readers' Choice: Mike Rosen
Best Radio Sports-Talk Host: Dave Logan, KOA-AM 850 Readers' choice: Irv Brown, KYBG
Best Appointment by the Governor: Bill Ritter
Best Neighborhood Booster: Karle Seydel
Best Public Servant: Karen Brennan, Denver Department of Excise and Licenses
Best Relative of Wellington Webb: Phillip Howard Gerdine Readers' choice: Wilma
Best Free Legal Help: Thursday Night Bar
Best Legal Victory: Globeville vs. Asarco
Best New Law: House Bill 93-1069
Best Politician: Margaret Carpenter Readers' Choice: Pat Schroeder
Best Do-Gooder: Wes McKinley Readers' Choice: Daddy Bruce Randolph
Best Whistleblowers: Bruce Pederson and Jacqueline Taylor
Best S&L Sleuth: R.W. "Pete" Peterson
Best Up-and-Coming Activists: Barrio Artcry
Best Old-Time Activist: Rich Mate, Community Resource Center
Best Airport: Stapleton International
Best Guess for when Denver International Airport will Open: February 9, 1994 Readers' Choice: The year 2000
Best Use for Stapleton when DIA does Open: Refueling stop for motorists on the way to DIA Readers' Choice: Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
Best Flight to D.C.: Federico Pena
Best Hot Seat on a Cold Day: 16th Street Mall shuttle buses
Best Billboard that's not Really a Billboard: "Home Run Gum", Champion Brewing Co.
Best Back Alley Sign: "Fat Man's Residence. Private Property.
Best Homemade Lawn Ornaments (Non-Dinosaur): 2400 Mead St.
Best Homemade Fence: Corner of Ellsworth and Monroe
Best Desert Scene: Southwest Gardens
Best Yard Art in the Middle of Nowhere: Bishop's Castle
Best Sacrilegious Yard Art: 2540 Jay St.
Best Sacrilegious Yard Art with an S&M Theme: 4569 Osage St.
Best Yard Art in a Religious City: 2057 Evans Ave.
Best Garage Art: 2910 Chase St.
Best Big Yard Art: Wheat Ridge Preschool and Kindergarten
Best Huge Yard Art: 3860 Harlan St.
Best Explosion (Non-Human): Montgomery Ward Building
Best Explosion (Human): Earle Bruce
Best Untapped Fortune: Gold Hill Mesa
Best Poet: Bud Vaseen, aka Doc Vesper
SPORTS & RECREATION
Best Run: First Night Colorado 5K
Best Run before a Thanksgiving Pigout: The Turkey Trot
Best Place to Picnic Among Dinosaurs: Swetsville Zoo
Best Place to Picnic Among Businessmen: Confluence Park
Best Place to get Away from Urban Noise, Fast: Golden Gate State Park
Best Way to Bug Out: Colorado Bug Tours
Best Place to Climb the Walls: Far View Ruin, Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez
Best Ex-Porn-Star Rock Climber: Hank Caylor, Boulder
Best Funk Classes: Cliff Trubowitz, Cyco Fitness
Best Fun Classes for Kids: Silly-Cise
Best Joints Joint: Steadman Hawkins Clinic, Vail Valley Medical Center
Best Local Sports Team: CU Lady Buffs Readers' Choice: Broncos
Best Name Change: CU Lady Buffs
Best Local Sports Coach: Ceal Barry, CU women's basketball Readers' Choice: Dan Issel
Best Rockie: Andres Galarraga Readers' Choice: Andres Galarraga
Best Rockies Pitcher: Charlie Jones
Best Rockies Program: Homestand Flyer
Best Baseball Seats at Mile High Stadium: Section 106
Best Cheap Baseball Seats at Mile High: $1 Rockpile tickets
Best Baseball Seats for Descendants of Carry Nation: Sections 325, 425,525 and 526
Best Place to Catch a Fly Ball: East stands at Mile High Stadium during Rockies batting practice
Best Stadium Food: Coleman Hot Dog
Best Transportation to the Rockies Games: Denver Trolley
Best Cash Machine Near the Ballpark: Maxfield and Friends
Best Baseball Tradition Imported from Chicago: Throwing home runs back onto the field
Best Rockies T-shirt: "Zim Says: Ain't no ivy here. Keep the ball."
Best Attempt to Discourage a football Tradition Imported from the Broncos: Art Kaufman
Best Way to get to First Base: Sky Sox Stadium
Best Rockies Edict: "No beards."
Best Personnel Move by the Rockies: Frank Haraway
Best Postgame Traffic Thinners: Brooklyn's
Best Sports Bar: All Stars Bar & Grill Readers' Choice: Jackson's Hole Saloon
Best Bronco: John Elway Readers' Choice: John Elway
Best Prospective Bronco: Rod Bernstine
Best Prospective Bronco Games: Monday, September 20, and Sunday, December 12
Best Bronco-Like Games by the Rockies: May 28-30, 1993 at Mile High
Best Nugget: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf Readers' Choice: Dikembe Mutombo
Best DU Pioneer: Brent Cary
Best CU Football Player: Michael Westbrook
Best Prep Coach: Don Gatewood, Montbello High School
Best Pro Coach: Dan Issel, Nuggets
Best Sports Executive: Bernie Bickerstaff, Nuggets
Best Prep Athlete: Chauncey Billups, George Washington High School
Best Pool Player: Danny Medina
Best Golf Shot: Troy Biddison, March 20, 1993, at Raccoon Creek Golf Club
Best High-Tech Golf Tool: Sportsbound
Best Public Golf Course: Riverdale Dunes Readers' Choice: Willis Case
Best Private Golf Course: Cherry Hills Country Club Readers' Choice: Cherry Hills
Best Miniature Golf Course: Hyland Hills Adventure Golf--The Last Continent Readers' Choice: Putt Putt Golf Courses
Best Miniature Golf Tournament: Queen City Annual Putt Putt, Queen City Architectural Salvage
Best Indoor Miniature Golf: Basement of the Denver Center Theater complex
Best Mobile Miniature Golf Course: Miniature Golf to Go
Best Public Tennis Courts: Congress Park
Best Softball Park: Sonny Lawson Field
Best Handicapper: John Kaskela
Best Greyhound: Oshkosh Rambo, Mile High Greyhound Park
Best Mascot: Ralphie, University of Colorado-Boulder
Best Litter: Krugerrand et al., Pueblo and Cloverleaf Kennel Clubs
Best Jockey: Carl Kutz, Arapahoe Park
Best Train Rides for Tots: Tiny Town
Best Train Rides for Grown-up Tots: Caboose Hobbies
Best Trains to Climb Aboard: Colorado Railroad Museum
Best Place to Watch Trains (Southbound): Stuck in traffic on South Santa Fe Drive
Best Place to Watch Trains (Northbound): Stuck in traffic on I-25
Best Event for Train Nerds: Union Pacific "Challenger" Steam Excursion, May 15, 1993
Best Place to Watch Trains and Planes: Air Force Academy, West of I-25 in Colorado Springs
Best Place to Park and Neck: Havana Road Readers' Choice: Lookout Mountain
Best Mobile Makeout: Elitch Gardens
Best Casino: Black Hawk Station, Black Hawk Readers' Choice: Bullwhacker's
Best Parking at a Casino: Gilpin Hotel, Black Hawk
Best Casino Cafe: Toll Gate, Central City
Best Poker Game for People with Fat Wallets: Bullwhacker's, Black Hawk
Best Mountain Retreat for New York Executives: Saddleridge
Best Mountain Retreat for Parents and Screaming Children: Hotel Colorado
Best Dawdling Route for Urban Cowboys: Colorado Springs to Denver on U.S. 24, Route 67 and U.S. 85
Best Bike Path for Shopping Addicts: Southside to Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Best Urban Bike Path: Platte River Greenway Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek
Best Suburban Bike Path: C-470 Bike Path Readers' Choice: Highline Canal
Best Serious Bicyclist: Juliana Furtado
Best Toys for Serious Cyclists: Colorado Cyclist Catalog
Best Mountain Bike Trail: Matthews/Winters Park Readers' Choice: White Ranch, Jefferson County
Best Denver Park: Alamo Placita, 3rd Ave. between Ogden and Emerson Readers' Choice: Washington Park
Best Denver Park Outside of Denver: Lookout Mountain Park
Best Place to go Birding: Barr Lake
Best Urban Birding: The alley between Market and Blake in the 1700 block
Best Public Swimming Hole: Harvard Gulch Readers' Choice: Congress Park
Best Whitewater Rafting Trip: Brown's Canyon, Arkansas River, Buena Vista
Best Hot Spring: Strawberry Park, Steamboat Springs
Best Recreational Freebie: Urban Trails Guide
Best Free Skiing: Crested Butte
Best Ski Lodge: The Lodge at Sunspot, Winter Park
Best Ski Lodge Owned by a Toni Twin: Little Red Ski Haus, Aspen
Best Ski Run: Pallavicini, Arapahoe Basin Readers' Choice: Pallavicini at A-Basin
Best Cross-Country Ski Trail: Bard Creek Trail, Empire
Best Ski Area for Snowboarders: Parsenn Bowl, Winter Park Readers' Choice: East Wall at A-Basin
Best Sledding: Ken Caryl Road
Best Waterskiing: Soda Lakes Ski School, Little Soda Lake, Bear Creek Lake Park, Morrison
Best Place to Rollerblade: Downtown Denver Readers' Choice: Washington Park
Best Place to Stand In-Line: Grand West Outfitters
Best Place to Skateboard: Skyline Park Readers' Choice: Downtown Denver
Best Place to Rook Before you Reap: Denver Chess Club
Best Bowling Alley: Elitch Bowling Lanes Readers' Choice: Celebrity
Best Place to be an Aging Bowler: Brunswick Sierra Vista Lanes
Best Use of Bowling Balls Outside a Bowling Alley: Teresa's Pizza Colore
Best Place to Revive a Neglected Seventies Trend: Roller City
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Free Entertainment: Theater in the Park, Civic Center Park Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall
Best Free Almost-Entertainment: The 16h Street Mall
Best Annual Festival: Telluride Bluegrass Festival Readers' Choice: People's Fair
Best Annual Festival for Eating: Greek Festival
Best Performing Pigs: Bacon and Porkchop
Best Endangered Festival: Lou Brunch Day, Central City
Best Decision to Leave a Landmark well Enough Alone: No expansion of Red Rocks
Best Place for a Highbrow Quickie: Friday "Nooners" at the Denver Art Museum
Best Architecture in a Highbrow Hotel: The Westin Hotel
Best Lowbrow Architecture: Lakeside Amusement Park
Best Fine Art in a Video Store: Video Visions
Best Video Art: AlternaTV, Pirate
Best Expansion of a Video Music Show: Teletunes, KBDI-TV Channel 12
Best Local Band Video: Scramblehead, Big Iron Door
Best Band Name: Opie Gone Bad
Second-Best Band Name: Kinda Like A Forehead
Best Country Music Club: The Grizzly Rose Readers' Choice: The Grizzly Rose
Best Country Musician: Tim O'Brien Readers' Choice: Hollywood Rodeo Band
Best C&W Frontman: Carlos Washington
Best Country Recording: Tim O'Brien and the O'Boys, Oh Boy! O'Boy!
Best World Music: Tunas Mekar (The Denver Gamelan Orchestra)
Best World Club: Santana's
Best Jazz Recording: Reminiscence, Spike Robinson Live at the Jazz Works, Capri Records
Best Jazz Series: Mount Vernon Country Club Presents Jazz
Best Jazz Concert Masquerading as a Church Service: Harmony Church
Best Jazz TV Program: Jazz Alley
Best Jazz Club: El Chapultepec Readers' Choice: El Chapultepec
Best Local Jazz Band: Creative Music Works Orchestra Readers' Choice: Dotsero
Best Local Jazz Musician: Theano Erufia Clover Lamb
Best Local Blues Band: Stanley Milton's Meanstreak Readers' Choice: Derrick Terrabull
Best Local Blues Jam: The Brass Rail
Best Blues Club: Ziggie's Saloon Readers' Choice: Ziggie's Saloon
Best Music Clerks with an Attitude: Wax Trax
Best Band in Drag: The Dead Sinatras
Best Local Rap Group: Phantasmorgasm Readers' Choice: Lord of Word
Best Rapping Cops: Rhythm Action Policing
Best Rock Club: Seven South Readers' Choice: Bangles
Best Rock Band: Baldo Rex Readers' Choice: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Best Independent Rock Recording: Baldo Rex, Parilda Cilgen Elmas
Best Marketing of a Local Recording: Gift Records
Best Concert: Lindsey Buckingham, Boulder Theater, April 7, 1993 Readers' Choice: Paul McCartney
Best Defunct Music Series: KTCL-FM 93.3/MusicLink live at Okoboji's
Best Radio Series for Enviros: E-Town
Best Public Radio Station: KUVO-FM 89.3
Best Radio DJ: Bill Amundson, KTCL-FM 93.3 Readers' Choice: Lewis & Floorwax
Best Radio Station that's Hard to Hear: KGNU-FM 88.5, Boulder
Best Radio Station that's Almost Impossible to Hear: KUCB, Boulder
Best Spot on the Dial to Brush up on your Patsy Cline: KYGO-AM 950
Best Band you'll be Seeing on MTV Next Year: Spell
Best Local Band to Have its Name Mangled on National TV: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Best Folkie: Jason Eklund Readers' Choice: The Mother Folkers
Best Banjoist: Dick Weissman
Best Crooner: Ben Lafevre
Best Rising Teenage Diva: Jessica Trujillo
Best Recovery from Retirement: Kenny James
Best Noise Cult Hero in Hiding: Boyd Rice
Best Leap to a Major Label: The Fluid
Best Bargain-Basement Local Record Label: DU Records
Best Sign that Denver Really does have a Music Community: Benefits for Mayme McManus
Best Charity Recording Project: KBCO-FM 97.3's Live From Studio C albums
Best Place to Hear Music and Find God Simultaneously: The Sanctuary
Best Club Resurrection: The Ogden
Best Attack on a Radio Rival: KAZY-FM 106.7
Best Place to Hear Acid Jazz: City Spirit Cafe
Best Place to Hear "Michael Row The Boat Ashore" at 4 a.m.: Annual Folk-A-Thon, Swallow Hill Music Association
Best Postal Employee Anthem: "The Sniper Sings"
Best Band Logo: The Warlock Pinchers
Best Local Underground Music Publication: The Seed
Best Gig Fliers: Cynics Bane
Best Metal Club: Alibi's Grill Readers' Choice: Bangles
Best Metal Band: Angellic Rage Readers' Choice: Angellic Rage
Best Local Dance Band: The Internationals Readers' Choice: Monkey Siren
Best Dance Club: Ground Zero Readers' Choice: Rock Island
Best Punk Band: Babihed
Best Funk Rock Band: Hippie Werewolves
Best All-Ages Club: Mercury Cafe Readers' Choice: Rock Island
Best Rave: Heaven, August 15, 1992
Best Rave Location: 23 Parrish
Best Rave Promoter: Step On Productions
Best Club DJ: Paul Italiano/John Chamie Readers' Choice: Jeff Elgersma at Aqua Lounge
Best Rock Doc: William "Buzz" Reifman
Best Club Lighting: Marquee Club
Best Sound: Fox Theatre
Best Sound Equipment and Midnight P.A. Repair: NBS Electronics
Best Stereo Equipment Repair: Intrinsic Sound
Best Music in a Shoe Store: FashioNation
Best Video Store: The Video Station Best Movie Theater: Continental Theatre Readers' Choice: Continental Theatre
Best Classic Movie Theater: The Mayan
Best Multiplex Movie Theater: Super Saver Cinema 8
Best L.A. Movie Theater in Denver: Greenwood Plaza Theatre
Best Drive-In: East Drive-In Theatre
Best Moving Picture: Cinderella Twin Drive-In Theater
Best Commercial Sleeper: El Mariachi
Best Film-Festival Sleeper: Martha and I
Best Movie Run: Howards End, The Esquire and Chez Artiste Cinema
Best Performance by a Coloradan in a Movie: Mojo Nixon in Super Mario Brothers
Best Performance by a Colorado Product in a Movie: Art Itself, PO Box 12397,Denver 80212
Best Performance by Colorado in a Movie: Cliffhanger
Best Continuing Colorado Performance by a Hollywood Transplant: Raymond Burr
Best Local Film: American History, Trey Parker, director
Best Local Porn Film: The David Bath video
Best Movie Revival: An American in Paris, The Mayan, December 4-17, 1992
Best Movie Theater Move: Chez Artiste Cinema
Best Budget Movie Theater Lobby: Super Saver Cinema--Bear Valley
Best Movie Theater Snack Bar: Landmark theaters, The Esquire, The Mayan, Chez Artiste Cinema Readers' Choice: Mayan Theatre
Best Pre- or Post-Movie Cocktail: Morton's of Chicago, Tivoli Denver
Best Trivial Pursuit: Colorado University Trivia Bowl
Best Place to Rub Elbows with Mariachi and Norteno Stars: Mi Cabana
Best Place to Rub Elbows with Perverts: Galaxy Theatre
Best Upscale Strip Bar: Diamond Cabaret
Best Downscale Strip Bar: Dandy Dan's
Best Bar Game: Guess Vanna's Dress, Club 404
Best Hetero Pickup Bar: Creekside Grill Readers' Choice: Rock Bottom Brewery
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar: Charlie's Denver Readers' Choice: Charlie's Denver
Best Russian Cabaret: St. Petersburg Restaurant
Best Place to Watch your Date's Teeth Turn Green: The Lost Planet,158 Fillmore St.
Best Private Place to Take an Illicit Date: Gabor's
Best Public Art: Tile works Readers' Choice: Market Street Station
Best Unofficial Public Art: 2600 block of Blake St.
Best Private Public Art Project: Art in the Alleys
Best Graffiti Enthusiast: Jeff Ferrell
Best Secret Graffiti: Somewhere in the Platte Valley
Best Sanctioned Graffiti: North High School
Best Graffiti Erasers: Graffiti Removal
Best Graffiti Turned Official Art: Pueblo Levee Mural Project, Pueblo
Best Mobile Art: Eric Alstad's '71 Dodge
Best New Art Venue: Arte Vitale
Best Museum in the Works: Museo de Las Americas
Best Local Museum Exhibit: The new floors at the Denver Art Museum Readers' Choice: Aztec
Best Local Gallery Exhibit: Give Me a Louder Word Up, Metro State Center for the Visual Arts Readers' Choice: Denver Buffalo Company
Best Commercial Gallery: Mackey Gallery
Best Alternative Gallery: Edge Gallery
Best Unknown Art Space: Driscoll Center Gallery
Best Sound Art Installation: "Soundwalk"
Best Art Boost to a Neighborhood: Spark Cooperative Gallery
Best Intro to the Arts for Kids: Art Start, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Best All-Around Art School for Kids: Denver School of the Arts at Cole Junior High School
Best Art School on a Budget for Adults: Art Students League of Denver
Best Art Teacher: Oksana Ross, Colorado Free University
Best Workout for Artists: Nude metal sketching, Muddy's Java Cafe
Best Culture-Vulture Parking Deal: Westin Hotel, 1672 Lawrence
Best-Kept Secret at the CSO: Tom Cockrell, assistant conductor
Best Local Theater Production: The Lady and the Clarinet, Avenue Theatre Readers' Choice: Forever Plaid
Best Experimental Theater: Germinal Stage Denver
Best Set Designer: Angie Lee
Best Comic Actor: Stephen Maestas
Best Serious Actor: Jacqueline Antaramian, Denver Center Theatre Company
Best New Play: Sonny, by David Jones, Jack's Theatre
Best New Theater Company: The Compass Theatre Company
Best Corny Christmas Show: The 1940s Radio Hour, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
GOODS & SERVICES
Best Delivery Man: Joe Cohen, M.D.
Best Cigars: Jerri's Tobacco Shop
Best Place to Buy Foreign Cigarettes: Paris on the Platte
Best Head Shop: Freaky's
Best Head Shop for Christians: Probasco's Wig and Bible Shop
Best Foot Shop: Sox Appeal, Writer Square
Best Place to Buy Platform Shoes: Baker's Shoe Store
Best Pedicure (According to Madeline Kahn): Oxford Aveda Spa and Salon
Best Manicure (According to Native New Yorkers): Sunny's Hair and Nail
Best Place to Make sure Your Joints will Jibe: The Woodworker's Store
Best Hardware Store: McGuckin Hardware
Best Software Store: CW Electronic Sales Co.
Best Computer Bulletin Board: Global-Link Network
Best Hole-In-The-Wall Boutique: Phases of the Moon, Tabor Center
Best Hole-In-The-Wall Bike Boutique: Collins' Bicycles
Best Teenage Mutant Bicycles: Bob's Build-A-Bike
Best Cards: Avant-Card, Writer Square
Best Braille Playing Cards: The Wizard's Chest
Best Vintage Store: The American Ace's
Best Cowboy Furniture: Lakewood Furniture
Best Junk: Capitol Hill
Best Stuff: Stuff n' Nonsense
Best Christian Couch-Potato Stuff: TV's Plus
Best Eclectica: Hearthside Creations
Best Electrica: Fistell's
Best Guitar Store: House of Music
Best Fabric Store: Lunn Fabrics
Best Bead Store: Pearls and Jewels
Best Tatting Supplies: Beggar's Lace
Best Needlepoint Supplies: The Needleworker
Best Cure for Dullards: The Competitive Edge Mobile Sharpening Service
Best Cure for Dullards who get out of the House Once in a While: King Soopers
Best Free Service: Children's videotapes, Denver Public Library Readers' Choice: 16th St. Mall Shuttle Bus
Best 16th Street Mall Vendor: Akente Express Readers' Choice: Tristan the 50-cent hot dogs guy
Best Vending Machine: Taj Mahal
Best Airport Parking Lot: Airport Auto Park and Care
Best Way to Look Like an Heiress for an Evening: Rich Rags
Best Big Ballroom: El Jebel Shrine
Best Ballroom Dance Parties: Sentimental Swing at the Turnverein
Best Ballroom Dancing Instructor: Steve Shepard, Colorado Free University
Best Elvis Sightings: Current Inc.
Best New-Ager with a Sense of Humor: Lari Mangum, Azoth Enterprises
Best Listening Device: Denver Metro Scanner Guide
Best Heavy-Breathing Business: Audio Entertainment Inc.
Best Adult Bookstore: Regal Video and Adult Bookstore Readers' Choice: Kitty's
Best Adult Bookstore for the Rest of Us: Tattered Cover
Best Used Bookstore for hardcore Christians: Bible Discount Book & Music Company
Best Used Bookstore for the Rest of Us: Books Books Books
Best Latino Lit Source: SouthWest Tales
Best New Books Under four Bucks: The Book Market
Best Used Hardcover Reference Works: A Time to Read
Best Collection of Collectible Books: The Old Algonquin Bookstore
Best Collection of Books on Hitler: Poor Richard's Bookstore
Best Unexpected Art in a Used Bookstore: Stage House 2
Best Newsstand: Johnny's Newsstand Readers' Choice: Newsstand Cafe
Best Library for Brainiacs and Infoholics: Auraria Library, Auraria Campus
Best Way to Stay Awake while Reading: Boulder Public Library Espresso Bar
Best Place to Daydream About Being on the Road: The Beat Book Shop
Best Service Station with a Cappuccino Machine: Total Petroleum
Best Sauna, Hot Tub and Mobile Mechanic by the Interstate: Truck Bath
Best Ski Resort Service Station: Amoco, Copper Mountain
Best Service Station with a Karaoke Machine: Handy Corner Gas Station
Best Place to Meet Travis Bickle: The Supply Sergeant
Best Quadrilingual Taxi Driver: Cristian Mateescu, Metro Taxi, cab #198
Best Used Leather Jackets: Denver Used Motorcycle Parts
Best Place to Buy a Big Rock: Tribble Stone Co.
Best Real Jewelry on a Real Budget: The Little Jewel
Best Body Piercing: K&K Jewelry
Best Body Jewelry: The Crypt
Best Alternative Jewelry: Gorgasms Creations
Best Tattoo Artist: Sister Bear
Best Lighthearted Condom Giveaway: KBPI-FM 105.9
Best Deadly Serious Condom Giveaway: Adams County School District
Best Place to Groom a Dog: Noah's Bark Pet Center
Best Do-it-Yourself Dog Wash: Denver Dog-O-Mat
Best Place to Shoot your Pet: Blue Cross Animal Clinic
Best Friends of Man's Best Friend: DAR
Best Place to Buy Dog Food: 6th Ave. Pet Supplies
Best Bulk Kitty Litter: Cub Foods
Best Bulk Feed for Horses and Cattle: Agate Elevator
Best Place to Rent a Horse to Ride to the Central City Casinos: A&A Historical Trails
Best Place to Reserve for a Wedding Reception: The Dove House
Best Place to Rent a Dance Floor: Handy Nabor Party Rentals
Best Place to Rent a Video: Video One Readers' Choice: Blockbuster Video
Best Jazz Record Store: Jazz Record Revival
Best Latin Record Store: Aguila Record Company
Best Vinyl Store: Don's Discs Readers' Choice: Wax Trax
Best Huge Record Store: JB&H Records and Tapes
Best Place to Buy Used CDs: Twist & Shout. Reader's Choice: Wax Trax
Best Laundromat: Clean Center
Best New Antique Epicenter: 3800-4400 blocks of Tennyson St.
Best Thrift Shop: Disabled American Veterans Thrift Stores Readers' Choice: Salvation Army
Best Way to get your Furniture Reupholstered on a Budget: Colorado School of Upholstery
Best Teacher Supply Store: Banks School Supply
Best Reason not to be Hooked on Phonics: Jumpstart, Let's Be Frank Productions
Best Way to Expose your Child to Art: Saturdays for Families, Denver Art Museum
Best Place to Rent a Breast Pump: The Lactation Program
Best Pediatric Dentist: Elizabeth S. Barr, D.M.D.
Best Medical Help for Kids whose Parents Don't Have Insurance: Doctors Care for Kids Clinic
Best Shrink for Antsy Eight-year-olds: George Dorry, Ph.D.
Best Shrink for Troubled Teenagers: Dr. Harvey Milkman, Project Self-Discovery
Best Shrink for Birdbrains: Mattie Sue Athan
Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party: Lake's Gymnastic Academy
Best Present for Kids Who Write: Illustory Book, Chimeric Inc.
Best Bookstore for Kids: The Bookies
Best Training Ground for Cherry Creek Shoppers: Deziners Kids Salon
Best Little Dresses for a Lotta Money: Knit Wit
Best Used Baby Clothes: My Sister's Place
Best Nursery: Earth Gardens
Best Eyeglasses Lost and Found: See-Cycle
Best Place to Buy a Gargoyle: Mile High Statuary
Best Megastore: Peppercorn Gourmet Goods
Best Outlet Store for Women: 9 West, Castle Rock Factory Shops
Best Outlet Store for Men: Van Heusen, Castle Rock Factory Shops
Best Deal on Sportswear: Woolrich Factory
Best Place to Buy Antique Birthday Presents for Eccentric Friends: The Antique Market
Best Place to Buy Fast-Food Trinkets: Stage Stop Antique Mall
Best Cheap Thrills: The Thrifty Times
Best Break for Female Entrepreneurs: Women's Equity Fund
Best Pipe Dream for Women: Denver Water Dept.
Best Politically Incorrect Office Amenity: Office Mom, Evolving Systems Inc.
Best Surrogate Grandmas: North Jeffco Senior Center
Best Kitchen Store: Cook's Mart Ltd
Best One-Stop for a Couscous Party: International Market
Best Russian Grocery Store: European Mart, Inc.
Best Asian Market for Atmosphere: Xuan Trang
Best Throwback Grocery Store: Cerrone's
Best Upscale Italian Market: Aromas Market
Best Neighborhood Market: Johnnie's Grocery & Market Readers' Choice: Alfalfa's
Best Local Cookbook: Simply Colorado
Best Supermarket Innovation: King Soopers
Best Supermarket for Free Food: Alfalfa's/Cherry Creek Readers' Choice: Alfalfa's
Best Illegal Vendors: An Ode to the Underground Burrito
FOOD & DRINK
Best Appetizer: Sweet Corn Cakes w/Chipotle Shrimp and Smoked Chile Butter,Zenith American Grill
Best Caesar Salad: Cliff Young's Readers' Choice: Paradise Bakery & Cafe
Best Fatoush: Mid East Feast Restaurant
Best Salad Bar: Boulder Salad Company Readers' Choice: Healthy Habits
Best Pho: Pho Hoa
Best Hu Tieu: Dakao Restaurant
Best Bean Dish: Feijoada Completa, Cafe Brazil
Best Unexpected Steaks: McCormick's Fish House & Bar
Best Steak House: The Fort Readers' Choice: Morton's Of Chicago
Best Cheap Steaks: Western Sizzlin Steak House Readers' Choice: Club 404
Best Steak Tartare: Philippe's
Best Fondue: Chalet Suisse
Best Risotto: Laudisio Ristorante Italiano
Best Vegetarian Dish: Eggplant Roulade, Olive Oil Readers' Choice: Greens Natural Foods Cafe
Best Pasta Salad: Bluepoint Restaurant at the Ice House
Best Chicken Salad: Boston Chicken
Best Desserts: Le Delice Readers' Choice: Raspberry cobbler at Jus Cookin's
Best Sugar Rush: S weet Surprise Bakery and Cafe
Best Italian Ices: The King's Ice
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies: The Doubletree Hotel
Best Rugelach: Bagel Delicatessen & Restaurant
Best Greek Cookies: Omonia Bakery
Best Breads: Bluepoint Bakery
Best Pita Bread: Damascus Restaurant
Best Bakery: Bobby Dazzler Readers' Choice: Blue Point Bakery
Best Mexican Bakery: La Favorita
Best Bagels: New York Bagel Boys
Best Russian Dumplings: Little Russian Cafe
Best Nepali Dumplings: Narayan's Nepal Restaurant
Best Japanese Dumplings: Ikano Bowl
Best Sushi: Sonoda Restaurant Readers' Choice:
Best Sushi Roll: The Softshell Crab Roll, Sushi Den
Best Seafood: Cherry Crest Seafood Market and Restaurant Readers' Choice: Fresh Fish Company
Best Seafood with an Accent: Los Cabos
Best Crabcakes: Marvin Gardens
Best Fried Catfish: Park Hill Seafood Restaurant
Best Shrimp Cocktail: El Chalan
Best Seafood Brunch: Fresh Fish Company
Best Blowout Brunch: Ellyngton's, Brown Palace Hotel Readers' Choice: Scanticon Hotel
Best Breakfast Under $2: Southside Cafe Readers' Choice: Mary & Lou's Cafe
Best Lunch to Buy your Mother: Andre's Restaurant & Confiserie Suisse
Best Ladies' Lunch According to Hubcap Annie: Goodfriend's Restaurant
Best Ladies' Lunch According to Judi Wolf: Strings
Best Business Lunch: Le Central
Best Express Lunch: Cliff Young's
Best Prix Fixe Dinner: Tivoli Deer
Best Dinner Under $5: Ikano Bowl Readers' Choice: Brick Oven Beanery
Best Two-for-one Deal: The Augusta, Westin Hotel
Best After-Dinner Dividend: Luethy's Kitchen
Best Microbiotic Meal: Greens Natural Foods Cafe
Best All-You-Can-Eat: Denver Athletic Club Readers' Choice: Furr's Cafeteria
Best All-Night Restaurant: Denver West-Auto Truck Plaza Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best Chicken-Fried Steak: Stockyards Inn
Best Nineties-Style Chicken-Fried Steak: Rock Bottom Brewery
Best Toast and Gravy: Mary & Lou's Cafe
Best Biscuits and Gravy: The Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best Fast Food: Oh! Calcutta
Best Food Court: Tabor Center Readers' Choice: Tabor Center
Best Phat Thai: Tommy's Oriental
Best Late-Night Delivery: Singapore Cafe
Best Downtown Deli Delivery: Champa Deli
Best Chinese Take-out: Sunny China Cafe
Best Dim Sum: China Jade Seafood Restaurant
Best Chinese Roast Duck: Li Yuen
Best $1 Chinese Food: Bowl & Chopsticks Express Restaurant
Best A&W Root Beer Stand: A&W Family Restaurant
Best Burgers: Bud's Cafe & Bar Readers' Choice: Denver Buffalo Company
Best Resurrected Burgers: Micky Manor
Best Condiment Presentation with a Burger: The Tabor Grill, The Westin Hotel
Best Cheeseburgers: My Brother's Bar
Best Hot Dogs: Denver Buffalo Company Readers' Choice: Mustard's Last Stand
Best French Fries: Girelli's Sub Shop, Tabor Center Food Court Readers' Choice: McDonald's
Best Onion Rings: The Black Timber Tavern Readers' Choice: Goodfriend's Restaurant
Best Wings: Old Chicago, nine area locations Readers' Choice: Woody's Wings-N-Things
Best Fried Chicken: White Fence Farm Readers' Choice: Popeye's Famous Fried Chicken
Best Subs: Pasquini's Readers' Choice: Quizno's
Best Cheesesteaks: Acappella's.
Best Gourmet Sandwich: Tuscan Italian Sandwich, Bluepoint at the Ice House
Best Pizza: Olive Oil Readers' choice: Armando's
Best Over-the-Top Pizza: Olive's Gourmet Pizza
Best Garlic Pizza: Dolcamino's Italian Cuisine and Coffee House
Best Italian Deli: Vito's
Best Jewish Deli: Zaidy's Deli
Best Coffeehouse: Stella Geel's & Company Readers' Choice: The Market
Best Smoke-Free Coffeehouse: Common Grounds
Best Coffeehouse with a Ping-Pong Table: St. Mark's
Best Coffeehouse for Kids: Caffe Arabica
Best Old-Style Java Joint: Muddy's Java Cafe
Best Espresso Milkshake: Iced Hazlenut Mocha, The Espresso Bar/Uptown
Best Espresso Slurpee: The Granita, Coffee West
Best Cappuccino: Starbucks Readers' Choice: Paris on the Platte
Best Spot for Gringo Mex and Cappuccino: Taco Express
Best Chubby's: Chubby Burger Drive-In
Best Mexican Evolution: Benny's
Best Chips and Salsa: La Cueva Readers' Choice: Juanita's Uptown
Best Nachos: Las Delicias, Del Norte Readers' Choice: Breckenridge Brewery
Best Quesadilla: Chez Jose
Best Taco: Mexico City Lounge Readers' Choice: Taco Bell
Best Burrito: El Taco de Mexico Readers' Choice: El Taco de Mexico
Best Take-Out Burritos: Johnnie's Grocery & Market
Best Chicharrones Burrito: Las Palmas II
Best Chile Relleno: Rosa Linda Mexican Cafe Readers' Choice: Juanita's Uptown
Best Crispy Chile Relleno: Brewery Bar II
Best Green Chile: La Casa de Manuel Readers' Choice: Brewery Bar II
Best Red Chile: La Fiesta Supper Club Readers' Choice: (tie) La Loma/Chubby's
Best Flan: Rosa Linda Mexican Café
Best Margarita: La Loma Readers' Choice: The Morrison Inn
Best Martini: Chives American Bistro
Best Bartender: Larry "L. Buck" Frederick, Trinity Grill
Best Tough-Cookie Waitress: Heidi, The Wazee Supper Club
Best Happy Hour for Free Food: Proof of the Pudding Readers' Choice: Aqua Lounge
Best Happy Hour for $1: The Boiler Room, Tivoli Denver
Best Happy Hour for Meeting and Greeting: Denver Buffalo Company
Best Happy Hour for Adventurous Women: Diamond Cabaret Steakhouse
Best Wine-by-the-Glass Selection: Footer's Restaurant Readers' choice: Chives American Bistro
Best Place to do Splits: Q's, Boulderado Hotel
Best Beer Selection: Old Chicago
Best Pub Brew: Railyard Ale, Wynkoop Brewing Company Readers' Choice: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best Beer and Bathroom at McNichols: The Butcher Block, McNichols Arena
Best Fireplace in a Restroom: The Roslynn Grill
Best Juice Bar: Alfalfa's/Capitol Hill
Best Lemonade: Falafel King
Best Milkshakes: Annie's Cafe
Best Hot Chocolate: Cafe Euphrates
Best Kids' Menu: Sfuzzi
Best Place to Take the Kids: Western Sizzlin Steak House Readers' Choice: Chuck E. Cheese's
Best Restaurant to Take the Kid to if you're a Saint: Gunther Toody's
Best Southwestern Restaurant: Mesa Bar & Grill, Table Mountain Inn
Best Outdoor Patio: Cafe Paradise Readers' Choice: My Brother's Bar
Best Romantic Restaurant: Tante Louise Readers' choice: Tante Louise
Best New Restaurant: Marvin Gardens Readers' Choice: Barolo Grill
Best Restaurant Makeover: Small Wonder Cafe
Best Trend-Setting Restaurant: Barolo Grill
Best Place to See and be Seen: Creekside Grill
Best After-Hours Hangout for Food Workers: Chives American Bistro
Best Tapas Bar: Mediterranean Restaurant
Best Asian Tapas Bar: Genroku Restaurant
Best Japanese Restaurant: Mori Sushi Bar & Tokyo Cuisine Readers' Choice: Sushi Den
Best Chinese Restaurant: Li Yuen Readers' Choice: Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Best Italian Restaurant: Laudisio's Ristorante Italiano Readers' Choice: Dario's Restaurant
Best French Restaurant: Cache Cache Readers' Choice: Tante Louise
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: New Saigon Readers' Choice: T-Wa Inn
Best Thai Restaurant: Sawaddee Readers' Choice: J's Noodles
Best Indian Restaurant: India's
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Jerusalem Restaurant
Best Ethiopian Restaurant: Maskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying: Flagstaff House Restaurant Readers' Choice: Cliff Young's
