Best of Austin 1998

Readers' Poll Winners sorted alphabetically

Critics Picks

Other Peoples Stuff by Jay Hardwig

Juxtapose This ...
by Ken Lieck

Readers Poll Results

Arts & Entertainment

Annual Party: Eeyore's Birthday
Art Gallery: Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria
Artist: Joyce DiBona
Book by a Local Author: TIE: Sniper in the Tower by G. Lavergne; Roadkill by Kinky Friedman
Choreographer: Toni Bravo
Comic: Kerry Awn
Country/Western Club: Broken Spoke
Cover Band Club: Maggie Mae's
Dance Company: Ballet Austin
Dance Music Club: Polly Ester's
Dance Space: Alisa's Dance
Downtown Club (East of Congress): Club Deville
Downtown Club (West of Congress): TIE: Speakeasy; Antone's
Gay/Lesbian Club: Oil Can Harry's
Happy Hour Entertainment: Continental Club with Toni Price
Jukebox: Casino El Camino
Martinis/Cocktails: Cedar Street
Movie Theatre Concession Stand: Alamo Drafthouse
Movie Theatre Facilities: Barton Creek Cinema
Movie Theatre Programming: Dobie
Non-Downtown Club: Continental Club
Place to be Seen: Speakeasy
Place to Hear Poetry: Ruta Maya Coffee House
Place to Take a First Date: Romeo's
Poet: Raul Salinas
Pool Hall: Slick Willie's
Stage Director: Dede Clark
Teen Scene/Hangout: The Drag
Tejano/Conjunto Club: Tejano Ranch
Theatre Actor/Actress: Tom Byrne
Theatre Company: Zachary Scott Theatre Center
Theatre Space: Paramount Theatre
Video Store (Specialty): Vulcan Video

Architecture & Lodging

Bed & Breakfast: Governor's Inn
Downtown Building: Texas State Capitol
Historic Structure: Texas State Capitol
Hotel/Motel: Driskill
Landscaping: Botanical Garden at Zilker Park
Local Restoration: Texas State Capitol
Mural/Graffiti: TIE: Varsity Theatre Mural by Carlos Lowry at Tower Records; Le Bonheur de Vivre by Doug Jaques at The Gap
Public Artwork: Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue
Public Restroom: Barton Creek
Romantic Spot: Mount Bonnell
Signage: El Arroyo

Food & Drink

All You Can Eat: Buffet Palace
Bakery: TIE: Sweetish Hill; Upper Crust
Bar Snacks: Dog & Duck
Barbecue: Ruby's
Bartenders: Club Deville
Beer Selection (retail): Central Market
Breakfast: Kerbey Lane Cafe
Brew Pub: Waterloo Brewing Co.
Cake Decorators: Lucy's
Caterer: TIE: Prairie Rock; Word of Mouth
Coffee House: TIE: Spider House; Flipnotics
Diner: Star Seeds
Drink Specials: Trudy's
Fastest Waitstaff: Chuy's
Grocery Store: Central Market
Happy Hour: Trudy's
Lunch Under $5: Thundercloud Subs
Nicest Waitstaff: Trudy's
Open-Air Market: Westlake Farmer's Market
Place to Eavesdrop: Kerbey Lane Cafe
Street Vendor: Jim Jim's Water Ice
Wine Selection (retail): Central Market

High-Tech

Computer Book Selection: Barnes & Noble
Computer Repair: Wallingford Electronics
Computer Store: Dell Outlet Store
Internet Provider: TX.Net
Local Visionary: Mr. Michael Dell
Local Web Site: TIE: www.auschron.com; austin360
Online Guide to Austin: austin360

Kids

Bookstore: Toad Hall
Camps/Classes: TIE: Kids Acting; Dougherty Arts
Childrens' Clothing: Gap Kids
Childrens' Entertainer: Joe Scruggs
Childrens' Resale Clothing: Between Friends
Childrens' Shoe Store: Payless Shoe Source
Childrens' Video Selection: Blockbuster
Healthy Restaurant: Mother's
Kids Party Supplies: Party Pig
Playground/Park: Zilker
Playscape (Indoor): Discovery Zone
Toy Store for Kids: Terra Toys

Media

Billboard: TIE: Shiner; Miller Lite
Evening Radio: KUT 90.5 FM
Late Night Deejay: Dave Barker, KVRX
Local Columnist: John Kelso/Austin American-Statesman
Local Features Writer: Ken Lieck/The Austin Chronicle
Local Journalist (News): Judy Maggio/KVUE 24
Locally Produced Radio Show: Local Live, KVRX 91.7 FM
Locally Produced TV Show: Austin City Limits/KLRU
Morning Deejay (or Team): Dudley & Bob with Debra Cole/KLBJ 93.7PM
Photojournalist: TIE: Alan Pogue; Fabritzio
PM Drive/Rush Hour Radio Program: All Things Considered/KUT 90.5 FM
Public Access TV Show: Capzeyez
Radio Station: TIE: KGSR 107.1 FM; KUT 90.5 FM
Radio Station to Listen to at Work: KGSR 107.1 FM
Radio Talk Show Host: John Aielli/KUT 90.5 FM
Sportscaster: Dave Cody/KTBC 7
Sportswriter: TIE: Coach Cotton/The Austin Chronicle; Kirk Bohls/Austin American-Statesman
TV Anchor Person: Judy Maggio/KVUE 24
TV Newscast: KVUE 24
TV Reporter: Jim Swift/KXAN 36
Weather Person: Troy Kimmel/KVET, K-EYE-42

Outdoors & Recreation

Austin Athlete: Lance Armstrong
Austin Team: Ice Bats
Basketball Court/Game: Enfield Park
Bicycle Repair: Ozone
Bike Ride: Greenbelt
Camping & Outdoor Gear: REI
Community Garden: Sunshine Gardens
Day Hike: Greenbelt
Day Trip: Enchanted Rock
Dog Walk: Pease Park
Fishing Hole: Not Telling!
Golf Course: Lions Municipal
Neighborhood Park: Zilker Park
Overall Nursery: Gardenville
Participatory Sport: Disc Golf
Place to Skate: Veloway
Public Sports Facility: YMCA
Rock Climbing: Enchanted Rock
Scenic Drive (In-Town): Loop 360
Spectator Sport: Ice Bats
Sporting Goods Store: TIE: Academy; Rooster Andrews
Swimming Hole: Barton Springs Pool

Politics

City Department: Austin Fire Department
Comunity Program: Austin Recycles
Councilmember: Daryl Slusher
Effort to Control Pollution/Improve the Environment: S.O.S.
Lobbyist/Consultant: Ann Richards
Local Eccentric: TIE: Leslie; Max Nofziger
Local Scandal: Salamanders
Local Visionary: Kirk Watson
News Story: Triangle
Nonprofit Group: TIE: AIDS Services of Austin; Goodwill; SafePlace
Nonprofit Volunteer: Peg Kramer
Public Servant: Kirk Watson
Rumor: Everyone's Gay, Especially Local Sportscasters
State Office: TIE: Governor's Office, Texas Music Office & Texas Film Commission
Texas Legislator: Glen Maxey

Services

Alterations: Ace Custom Tailors & Alterations
Appliance/TV Repair: Mr. Wizard
Auto Body/Paint Shop: TIE: Southwest Body & Paint; Fix-a-Wreck
Auto Mechanic: Flamingo Automotive
Barber Shop: Wooten's
Car Wash: Genie
Dry Cleaner: Rick's
Fitness Club: World Gym
Florist: Cowgirls & Flowers
Hair Salon: Avant
Home Repair: Home Depot
Kennel/Vet: Brykerwood Veterinary Clinic
Laundromat: TIE: Clean & Lean; EcoMat
Pharmacy/Drugstore: Peoples
Photo Lab: HEB
Printer/Copy Shop: Kinko's
Public Health Clinic: TIE: Planned Parenthood; People's Community Clinic
Recording Studio: Music Lane
Shoe Repair: Austin Shoe Hospital

Shopping

Antiques: Whit Hanks Antiques
Art Supplies: University Co-Op
Bicycle Shop: Ozone
Bookstore: Book People
Comic Bookstore: Austin Books
Furnishings/Decor: Your Living Room
Gift Shop - High End: Le Cadeau
Gifts - Novelty: Toy Joy
Hardware Store: Breed & Co.
Jewelry (Costume): Lucy in Disguise
Jewelry (fine): James Avery
Lingerie Shop: Victoria's Secret
Liquor Store: Wiggy's
Local Drugstore: Nau's
Music Business: Strait Music
Naughty But Nice: Forbidden Fruit
Pawn Shop: Doc Holliday's
Periodicals Rack: Book People
Pet Store (Local): Bark n' Purr
Record Store (Local): Waterloo
Specialty Bookstore: BookWoman
Thrift Store: Goodwill
Used Book Store: Half-Price Books
Vintage Clothing: Blue Velvet
Western Wear Store: Shepler's