Best of Clark County 2011: EATS
BREAKFAST: Carol's Corner Cafe
One of the most voted on categories, it's pretty clear why this year's voters chose Carol's Corner Cafe as the best breakfast in Clark County. Certainly, a wide variety of morning fare, served all day, helps. From the cooked to order omelettes, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches and "The Works," a creation containing hash browns, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, onions and ham all topped with country or brown gravy, Carol's Corner Cafe has something for everyone.
And one thing is clear: you will not leave Carol's hungry.
Comments from our readers:
"Good value, great food!"
"Big servings, friendly staff."
"Great food, large portions and friendly service!"
"Generous portions."
WINNER: Carol's Corner Cafe, 7800 NE St Johns Rd, Vancouver, WA 98665, (360) 573-6357.
RUNNERS UP: Hockinson Cafe, Elmer's, Dulin's Village, Biscuits Cafe.
PASTA: Olive Garden
While a few local Italian eateries managed to garner big votes -- Little Italy's, La Bottega and newcomer Galeotti's -- it was a chain restaurant that took the top spot in 2011. Readers enjoyed the choices, flavors and, of course, those breadsticks.
Comments from our readers:
"They have THE best sauces... especially the alfredo sauce. Takes care of all my cravings."
"Menu specials changing frequently and including more fish."
"Hot food, many choices, great service, and bread sticks that go great with pasta and salad."
WINNER: Olive Garden, 101 NE Parkway Dr, Vancouver, WA 98662, (360) 256-8174; 16405 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98683, (360) 256-4051.
RUNNERS UP: Little Italy's, La Bottega, Galeotti's, Old Spaghetti Factory.
MEXICAN: Provecho Mexican Grill
Another hotly-contested category with several restaurants -- El Tapatio and Woody's Tacos to name two -- but the quality of ingredients pushed Provecho Mexican Grill to the title of Best Mexican Restaurant.
Not the fastest of restaurants, but when even the chips and salsa are made fresh, a little bit of a wait can be forgiven.
Now, about that word "fresh." Everyone that offered an opinion on Provecho made sure to mention it.
Comments from our readers:
"They have the MOST AMAZING chips and salsa ever! Everything is so fresh-yum!"
"Super fresh and yummy!"
"Fresh, nicely spiced ingredients."
WINNER: Provecho Mexican Grill, 1801 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, (360) 694-1028
RUNNERS UP: Woody's, El Tapatio, El Ranch Viejo, Muchas Gracias.
ASIAN: Thai Orchid Restaurant & Sushi Bar
For the second year in a row, Thai Orchid Restaurant & Sushi Bar in downtown Vancouver has taken the title of best Asian Restaurant.
The Sushi Bar, an addition from two years ago, seems to be a big draw for voters this year. But the other menu items are sure to please as well.
Comments from our readers:
"Love the service and the food!"
"Always great for lunch, unique curries, and fast efficient service. Consistent quality."
"Their sushi is sculpture! And the service is great. The setting is just right for a date night."
"Awesome Thai food and Sushi!! Great Sushi happy hour price. Plenty of wine lists and mix drinks available."
WINNER: Thai Orchid Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 1004 Washington St, Vancouver, WA, (360) 695-7786
RUNNERS UP: Tiger's Garden, Planet Thai, Eastland Sushi, Mar's
HAMBURGER/TAKEOUT: Burgerville
One of our voters had a question of their own.
"Is there really a better burger in all of Washington?"
While 5 Guys Burgers and Fries had their share of fans, most of the voters agreed none could beat Burgerville as Clark County's top hamburger. Burgerville's commitment to local food sources, seasonal specials and community ties pushed it to the top spot of our list.
The top spot on two of our lists, actually. For those looking for a quick bite on the go, several restaurants were mentioned -- Papa Murphy's, Foody Blues and Muchas Gracias were a few. But Burgerville's varied tastes and fast service fit the bill.
Comments from our readers:
"Fresh, better meat - you just know that you are getting a better product."
"Organic beef, local, sustainable food items."
"They are a local green business that puts energy into sustainable practices. They do their best to walk their talk."
"One of our community's treasured business. Their seasonal menu items are something to look forward to. The blackberry shakes or the Yukon gold taters, it's awesome. On top of all of that they support the community on a level that few other business match."
"Fast service, great value and menu selections for all tastes."
HAMBURGER
WINNER: Burgerville, various locations
RUNNERS UP: 5 Guys Burger and Fries, Red Robin, Top Burger.
TAKEOUT
WINNER: Burgerville, various locations
RUNNERS UP: Papa Murphy's, Foody Blues, Muchas Gracias.
DESSERTS: Ice Cream Renaissance
Featuring such concoctions as The Banana Bossa Nova, the Not So Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Vitruvian Parfait, Ice Cream Renaissance follows up its 2010 Best Ice Cream BOCC award with the Best Dessert award for 2011.
Comments from our readers:
"Creative concoctions, friendly service, flexible and great ambiance!"
"The ice cream served in this charming environment is like eating bliss."
"I would drive 50 miles one way to partake in this wonderful experience."
"All homemade small batch, but LARGE flavor ice cream. Staff has tons-o- personality... place just has a cool casual vibe."
"Best ice cream ANYWHERE!"
WINNER: Ice Cream Renaissance, 2108 Main Street, Vancouver, WA, 98660, (360) 694-3892.
RUNNERS UP: Larson's Bakery, Rose's, Treat
DELI: City Sandwich Company
With its large sandwiches featuring all the colors of the meat rainbow -- and "Vegwiches" to boot -- The City Sandwich Company was named the best Deli in the 2011 Best of Clark County voting.
While it offers breakfast as well as burgers, salads, chili and soup, sandwiches are the name of the game here. With 14 different spreads, five bread/wrap styles, four cheeses and a plethora of meats, City Sandwich can offer hundreds of combinations for the hungry stomach.
Having a crowd over for a special event? City Sandwich also offers party trays and catering.
WINNER: City Sandwich Company, 111 East 8th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660, (360) 750-6758.
RUNNERS UP: Chuck's Produce, La Bottega, Rose's Cafe, Subway, Rosemary Cafe.
FAMILY DINNER VALUE: The Old Spaghetti Factory
For the second-straight year, The Old Spaghetti Factory was voted as the best family dinner value in Clark County.
And why not? Each entree comes with several add-ons, such as bread, salad and even a bowl of spumoni at the end.
But let's not forget about those entrees. The Old Spaghetti Factory offers enough choices to please every mouth in the household.
Hungry yet?
Comments from our readers:
"Because two people can have bread/butter, salad, a main course, dessert and your choice of coffee, tea or milk for a total of $22 -- unbeatable!!"
"Good prices, fresh ingredients, and fun and friendly waitstaff."
WINNER: Old Spaghetti factory, 730 S.E. 160th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684, (360) 253-9030.
RUNNERS UP: Applebee's, Shari's, Sweet Tomatoes.
BAKERY: Larson's Bakery, Deli and Coffee Bar
Last year a bridesmaid, this year the bride.
Luckily, Larson's can provide the wedding cake as the winner of the Best Bakery in 2011.
Apologies for making anyone too hungry, but Larson's offers whatever your sweet tooth might be craving. Cakes, pies, cookies, Danish pastries, tortes, tarts and others. Have a special request? Feel free to ask.
And what about that wedding cake? Larson's can bake to fit, crafting smaller cakes to serve 14 or constructing masterpieces to fill up to 500 guests.
Comments from our readers:
"They have been around forever and have some of the tastiest pastries... I love the mini tarts and the Napoleons are amazing."
"The fresh pastries like the apple turnovers are just to die for... 'nuff said!"
"They have THE Best banana cake EVER!!!"
"Apple fritters and cherry ice box cookies are heavenly."
WINNER: Larson's Bakery, Deli and Coffee Bar, 13411 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98684, (360) 253-4555.
RUNNERS UP: Je T'aime, Julia's Bakery, Battle Ground Bakery.
BAGELS: Sunrise Bagels & More
Sweet or savory, toasted or not, toppings or plain.
No matter how voters liked their bagel, an overwhelming number of them liked their bagels from Sunrise Bagels.
While Sunrise also offers other types food items (zippies, bialis, rolls and breads to name a few), the morning staple has earned them their second-straight BOCC title for Sunrise.
Comments from our readers:
"A toasted cinnamon raisin bagel is my fave with peanut butter and jelly."
"Authentic, great variety, exceptional service."
"The Pesto Parmesan is my favorite. When you eat them fresh from the oven, they are heavenly!"
"It smells so good just to walk in the door!"
WINNER: 808 Harney St, Vancouver, Wa., 98666, (360) 750-1750.
RUNNERS UP: Seize the Bagel, Northwest Bagel, Panera Bread.
PIZZA: Blind Onion Pizza & Pub
It couldn't be because of a small, common salt-water forage fish... could it?
At least one voter mentioned "Free Anchovy Tuesdays" when casting their vote for Blind Onion Pizza & Pub, the winner of this year's Best Pizza title. A whole lot of other voters went with Blind Onion, too.
Just with different reasons.
Our readers comments:
"The only place in town that has the best toppings AND the best crust."
"Best pizza that has ever been in my mouth, ever and forever! None will ever beat it!"
"Superb sauces and ingredients and the most amazing crust anywhere. Nobody can compete with this pizzeria."
"Great pizza crust and friendly atmosphere."
"It's just plain AWESOME."
WINNER: Blind Onion Pizza & Pub, 9230 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, WA 98665, (360) 597-4898; 2900-B E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661, (360) 750-7490; 6115 NE 114th Ave , Vancouver, WA 98662, (360) 213-1805
RUNNERS UP: Leonardo's, Papa Murphy's, Vancouver Pizza, Juliano's, Twilight Pizza.
HAWAIIAN/POLYNESIAN: Tommy O's Aloha Café
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
For the second year in a row, Hula Boy and Patrick's Hawaiian Cafe both garnered a fair amount of votes, but both fell short of Tommy O's in the best Hawaiian/Polynesian of Clark County.
Certainly, Tommy O's restaurants offer all the best tastes the Pacific Rim has to offer. But many voters loved the atmosphere of the restaurants, as well.
Comments from our readers:
"Wonderful for a special occasion. Beautifully prepared and presented and romantic decor."
"The food is fantastic, the entertainment is awesome and the atmosphere is perfect for the type of food served."
"Because the food is excellent and Tommy always makes the experience wonderful!"
"Great, authentic Hawaiian food at it's best! Both locations are good - but we love downtown location. Summer time live music in the bar is a bonus!"
WINNER: Tommy O's, 801 Washington Street, Vancouver, WA, (360) 694-5107; 4101 SE 192nd Ave, Vancouver, WA, (360) 892-2484.
RUNNERS UP: Hula Boy, Patrick's Hawaiian Cafe.
COFFEE SHOP: Starbuck's
While many local shops earned barrels of votes -- Java House, River Maiden, Old Town Battle Grounds to name a few -- it was a giant in the industry that took the top spot.
"They do it right, that's why they are so prolific," was what one voter said about Starbucks, voted best Coffee Shop for 2011.
And, with more than 25 locations, Starbucks has Clark County covered.
Comments from our readers:
"The consistency and good service only make the coffee taste that much better."
"They get it right every time. Love my lattes!"
"Consistent, high quality, every time."
"You always know what you are going to get, and folks are friendly and remember your drink."
WINNER: Starbucks, various locations
RUNNERS UP: Java House, River Maiden, Old Town Battle Grounds, Brewed Awakening, Mon Ami
