Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

What's your favorite pizza parlor? Where can you get the best cut of coffee in Rim Country? Where can you enjoy a great steak dinner, or mouth-watering appetizer? Who's the best dentist? See how your favorites compare to the winners in the Roundups 2008 Best of Payson readers poll. Payson Roundup readers from throughout Rim Country cast their votes for this annual special edition. In each category we've listed the top three vote-getters. It's not a scientific survey, just a fun way to recognize some of the many good things our readers say are the very best.

SHOPPING AND SERVICES:

BEST ANTIQUE SHOP

First Place: Granny's Attic

Second Place: Carpenter's Wife

Third Place: Breezee's

BEST CELL PHONE PROVIDER

First Place: Verizon

Second Place: Alltel

Third Place: Sprint

BEST GROCERY STORE

First Place: Safeway

Second Place: Bashas'

Third Place: Wal-Mart

BEST INSURANCE AGENCY

First Place: State Farm Insurance

Second Place: Crabdree Insurance

Third Place: American Family Insurance

BEST HEALTH FOOD/ VITAMINS

First Place: Back To Basics

Second Place: VitaMart

Third Place: GNC

BEST AUTO PARTS STORE

First Place: Auto Zone

Second Place: Napa Auto Parts

Third Place: Checker Auto Parts

BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP

First Place: Fletcher's Tire & Auto

Second Place: Southwest Transmission

Third Place: Coyote Auto

BEST RADIO STATION

First Place: KMOG

Second Place: KRIM

Third Place: KCMA

BEST BANK

First Place: Chase

Second Place: Wells Fargo

Third Place: Bank of America

BEST PHARMACY

First Place: Walgreens

Second Place: Apothecary Shop

Third Place: Wal-Mart

BEST HOME DECOR

First Place: Legacy

Second Place: White's Interior

Third Place: Home Depot

BEST HARDWARE STORE

First Place: Ace Hardware

Second Place: Home Depot

Third Place: Foxworth-Galbraith

BEST PAINT STORE

First Place: Payson Paint & Supply

Second Place: Ace Hardware

Third Place: Home Depot

BEST TIRE STORE

First Place: Big O Tires

Second Place: Fletcher's Tire & Auto

Third Place: Ed's Tire & Auto

BEST THRIFT STORE

First Place: Time Out Thrift Shop

Second Place: Senior Center Thrift Shop

Third Place: Almost New Shop

BEST GAS STATION/ CONVENIENCE STORE

First Place: Maverik

Second Place: Giant

Third Place: Circle K

BEST COMPUTER STORE

First Place: Dove's Nest

Second Place: Computech

Third Place: Wal-Mart

BEST CARPET CLEANER

First Place: Sunshine Cleaning Systems

Second Place: Refined Carpet Care

Third Place: Doctor Chem Dry

BEST LIQUOR STORE

First Place: Beverage House

Second Place: Rim Liquor

Third Place: Bashas'

BEST FLORIST

First Place: Payson Florist

Second Place: Flowers by June

Third Place: Finishing Touch

BEST BARBER SHOP

First Place: Payson Barber Shop

Second Place: Ray's Barber Shop

Third Place: Clip Joint

BEST HEALTH CLUB

First Place: Payson Athletic Club

Second Place: Tonto Apache Health Club

Third Place: Club USA

BEST HOME TV AND ELECTRONICS

First Place: Rim Sight & Sound

Second Place: Wal-Mart

Third Place: Sears

BEST BEAUTY SALON

First Place: Payson Day Spa

Second Place: Backstreet Salon

Third Place: Lemon Tree

BEST MASSAGE

First Place: Payson Day Spa

Second Place: Simple Touch

Third Place: To Massage or Knot

BEST GIFT SHOP

First Place: Payson Candle Factory

Second Place: Payson Florist & Gifts

Third Place: The Carpenter's Wife

BEST PET GROOMER

First Place: Furry Friends

Second Place: Rim Country Pet Salon

Third Place: Payson Pet Salon

BEST LANDSCAPER

First Place: Simmons Landscaping

Second Place: C&J Landscaping

Third Place: Chuck Jackman

BEST HOME REMODELER

First Place: CRW Construction

Second Place: Michael Wing Builders

Third Place: Poor Boys

BEST ELECTRICIAN

First Place: Brahm's Electric

Second Place: Barnett Electric

Third Place: Don Lusk

BEST NONPROFIT

First Place: Time Out Shelter

Second Place: Payson Humane Society

Third Place: American Legion

BEST PLUMBER

First Place: Wrangler Plumbing

Second Place: Promised Plumbing

Third Place: Affordable Plumbing

BEST CAR DEALER

First Place: Chapman Auto Center

Second Place: Tie -- Phil White Ford/ Steve Coury Car Connection

Third Place: Blue Ribbon

BEST MEAT RETAILER

First Place: Charlie's Old Fashioned Meats

Second Place: Safeway

Third Place: Bashas'

FOOD AND DRINK:

BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT

First Place: Beeline Cafe

Second Place: Crosswinds

Third Place: Small Cafe

BEST LUNCH RESTAURANT

First Place: Macky's

Second Place: Cedar Ridge

Third Place: Cardo's

BEST DINNER RESTAURANT

First Place: Cedar Ridge

Second Place: Diamond Point Shadows

Third Place: Gerardo's

BEST MEXICAN FOOD

First Place: El Rancho

Second Place: Alfonso's

Third Place: La Sierra

BEST TACO

First Place: Alfonso's

Second Place: El Rancho

Third Place: Taco Bell

BEST BURRITO

First Place: Alfonso's

Second Place: El Rancho

Third Place: La Sierra

BEST MARGARITA

First Place: El Rancho

Second Place: Chili's

Third Place: Fiesta Mexicana

BEST CUP OF COFFEE

First Place: Starbucks

Second Place: Fireside Espresso

Third Place: Roadrunner Espresso

BEST SANDWICH

First Place: Macky's Cowboy Melt

Second Place: Cardo's House Sub

Third Place: Famous Sam's Reuben

BEST PIZZA

First Place: Pizza Factory

Second Place: Cardo's

Third Place: Pizza Hut

BEST FISH FRY

First Place: American Legion

Second Place: Diamond Point Shadows

Third Place: Crosswinds

BEST FAST FOOD

First Place: Wendy's

Second Place: McDonald's

Third Place: Burger King

BEST HAMBURGER

First Place: Macky's

Second Place: Crosswinds

Third Place: Burger King

BEST RESTAURANT FOR KIDS

First Place: McDonald's

Second Place: Denny's

Third Place: Crosswinds

BEST FRENCH FRIES

First Place: McDonald's

Second Place: Macky's

Third Place: Wendy's

BEST APPETIZER

First Place: Chili's Flowering Onion

Second Place: Macky's Hot Wings

Third Place: Famous Sam's Hot Wings

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH OR DINNER

First Place: Tiny's

Second Place: Cedar Ridge

Third Place: Macky's

BEST STEAK DINNER

First Place: Diamond Point Shadows

Second Place: Cedar Ridge

Third Place: Fargo's

BEST BAKERY

First Place: Bashas'

Second Place: Safeway

Third Place: Red Elephant

BEST BAR/TAVERN

First Place: Buffalo Bar & Grill

Second Place: Jake's Corner

Third Place: Main Street Grille

PEOPLE:

BEST LOCAL MUSIC GROUP OR SOLOIST

First Place: John Carpino

Second Place: Junction 87

Third Place: Water King

BEST ARTIST

First Place: Ruth Overton

Second Place: Dick Wolfe

Third Place: Robert Barela

BEST STORE CLERK

First Place: Terry Gould/Wal-Mart

Second Place: Bob Shaw/Circle K

Third Place: Dan Dillon/Safeway

BEST DENTIST

First Place: Dr. William Blackmore

Second Place: Anderson Dental

Third Place: Dr. Harold Rush

BEST DOCTOR

First Place: Dr. Alan Michels

Second Place: Dr. Robert Frayser

Third Place: Dr. John Vandruff

BEST NURSE

First Place: Kay Chase

Second Place: Beth Evans

Third Place: Roxie Hibbitts

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

First Place: Dr. Charles Williams

Second Place: Dr. Daniel Flake

Third Place: Dr. Robert Sanders

BEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

First Place: Donnie Garvin

Second Place: Don Engler

Third Place: Todd Bramlet

BEST FIREFIGHTER

First Place: John Wisner

Second Place: Gary Lampkin

Third Place: Jason Tutley

BEST CITY COUNCILOR

First Place: Ed Blair

Second Place: Mike Vogel

Third Place: Su Connell

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

First Place: Kevin Dick

Second Place: Scott Flake

Third Place: Chris Smith

BEST WAITRESS

First Place: Rana Melton/ Crosswinds

Second Place: Valerie Bolin/Crosswinds

Third Place: Janie Roberson/La Sierra

BEST BARTENDER

First Place: Cathy Alston/ American Legion

Second Place: Tracy Wilkins/Main Street Grille

Third Place: Sal/Buffalo Bar & Grill

PLACES:

BEST HOTEL/MOTEL

First Place: Majestic Mountain Inn

Second Place: Best Western

Third Place: Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

BEST PLACE TO FISH IN RIM COUNTRY

First Place: Woods Canyon Lake

Second Place: Roosevelt Lake

Third Place: Green Valley Park

BEST PLACE TO HIKE IN RIM COUNTRY

First Place: Tonto Natural Bridge

Second Place: Fossil Creek

Third Place: Anywhere on the Rim

BEST HISTORIC SITE IN RIM COUNTRY

First Place: Zane Grey Cabin

Second Place: Tonto Natural Bridge

Third Place: Kohl's Ranch

BEST ARIZONA DAY TRIP

First Place: Sedona

Second Place: Tonto Natural Bridge

Third Place: Grand Canyon

BEST PLACE TO MEET SINGLES IN RIM COUNTRY

First Place: Church

Second Place: Mazatzal Casino

Third Place: Buffalo Bar & Grill

BEST PLACE TO CATCH UP ON TOWN GOSSIP

First Place: Wal-Mart

Second Place: Beeline Cafe

Third Place: Fireside Espresso