For as long as we've had technology we have had malfunctions. That's where the experts at Mr. Wizard's comes in. Nobody beats the Wiz at fixing the old, new, and blue screen of death. So if you have a short circuit, no disassemble, go see the wonderful wizards of electronics.
Mr. Wizard's Electronics Service
1507 W. North Loop
512/454-1137
view this award on its own page ›
Family-owned and -operated for more than 20 years, Yost Automotive specializes in honest, affordable car care. The multi-year BOA award-winner can fix up even the most weary of customers with vehicle inspections, diagnostics, tune-ups, and pretty much anything else your car might need. It’s your Yostest with the mostest – now with two convenient North Lamar locations.
Yost Automotive
5415 N. Lamar, 512/374-9678
6517 N. Lamar, 512/452-9678
www.yostauto.com
view this award on its own page ›
In days of yore, barbers were also dentists and surgeons. Let's clasp hands and collectively thank whomever's responsible for our current disambiguation. Not that we wouldn't welcome the chairside manner of our favorite Bird's haircutter over our gastrointestinal specialist, but next time you're in that chair at Birds Barbershop, we'd like you to think about a perm/wisdom-tooth extraction double-appointment.
Birds Barbershop
Birds Barbershop South Lamar, 2110 S. Lamar, 512/442-8800
Birds Barbershop Burnet, 6800 Burnet Rd., 512/454-1200
Birds Barbershop East Sixth, 1107 E. Sixth, 512/457-0400
Birds Barbershop South Congress, 1902 S. Congress, 512/445-0500
Birds Barbershop 41st/Red River, 905 E. 41st, 512/492-8400
Birds Barbershop Slaughter, 5000 W. Slaughter, 512/758-7800
Birds Barbershop 183/Anderson Mill, 13219 Hwy. 183 N., 512/879-4700
Birds Barbershop Rock Rose, 11420 Rock Rose #114, 512/610-7600
Birds Barbershop William Cannon, 3601 W. William Cannon, 512/795-4600
birdsbarbershop.com
view this award on its own page ›
Serving Austin's cycling needs since 1983, this once-humble shop has blossomed into a local institution. Their commitment to service, love of the road, and helpful attitude make them a sure bet. We recommend their free maintenance tutorials for the noobs, and they also offer advanced courses to experienced riders to keep everyone on the road, where they belong.
Bicycle Sport Shop
view this award on its own page ›
John Leach
No wish-granting saps, genies (or jinn) are figures mentioned in the Quran as being made from the "smokeless flame of fire," and like humans and angels, are a manifest creation of the divine. We like to ponder this as we watch our car glide through the rollers and doo-bobbers of Genie Car Wash. Adds some gravity to the day.
Genie Car Wash
7320 Burnet, 512/451-9274
1311 S. Lamar, 512/444-9274
1021 W. William Cannon, 512/416-9274
www.geniecw.com
view this award on its own page ›
We know the anxiety inherent in taking your lappy-toppy in for repairs: There's the twitching when you're asked to reach for your credit card, and that persistent feeling that you might throw up in your mouth (just a little bit). But take a chill pill (Silicon Valley of the Dolls? Anyone?) because your precious precious is in good hands. Not only are the DE folks smart and friendly, but they're fast – letting you get back to … whatever it is you do online.
Discount Electronics
4005 W. Parmer, 512/983-9989
1001 S. I-35, Round Rock, 512/637-7051
discountelectronics.com
view this award on its own page ›
Goo on your gown? Tea on your tux? Schmutz on your schmata? That's what a schmata's for! But we know where you can take the other two items – and with 15 Austin area locations, there's bound to be a Rick's nearby.
Rick's Cleaners
3652-D Bee Cave Rd., 512/327-6846
7435 Burnet Rd., 512/454-7425
110 N. I-35 #250, Round Rock, 512/244-4363
5324 Cameron, 512/452-2200
850 N. Bell Blvd. #304, Cedar Park, 512/258-4990
11126 Jollyville, 512/346-8845
900 N. Austin Ave. #603, Georgetown, 512/930-0666
500 W. William Cannon #404, 512/462-3868
12218 RR 620 N., 512/257-0057
8400 Brodie #101, 512/291-1588
3810 Gattis School Rd. #102, Round Rock, 512/244-3733
13011 Shops Pkwy. #200, Bee Cave, 512/263-1588
3411 N. Lamar, 512/323-0188
2614 S. Lamar, 512/433-6666
rickscleaners.com
view this award on its own page ›
Love in the bud? A flowering romance? Passion a'bloom? Look no further than Freytag. Austin’s biggest and (our readers say) best florist, this shop offers a jaw-dropping selection of posies too pretty to be put in a pocket. If nothing tickles your fancy upon the first go-round, ask for a tour of the back. Three refrigerated rooms deep, we promise they have whatever flowers you're looking for, plus some you never knew existed. No wonder they’ve been fresh-picked six years in a row.
Freytag's Florist
2211 W. Anderson
512/371-5640
freytagsflorist.com
view this award on its own page ›
In a town as glamorous (and vain) as Austin, there's no shortage of hip salons to duke it out for a slice of the crowd. South of the river, Wet Salon combines experienced colorists with plenty of Shock Top. Garbo is the 30-year veteran of the cosmo scene, offering the north side a relaxed atmosphere and reasonably priced hair, makeup, and nail services. Whichever chair our readers choose, they be stepping out looking good – and knowing it.
Garbo Salon and Spa
7739 Northcross Ste. K-L
512/458-4162
www.garboasalon.com
Wet Salon
1109 S. Congress
512/444-7375
www.wetsalonatx.com
view this award on its own page ›
Oh, sod this forsaken drought! Now that water restrictions are the way of life for Central Texans, sustainability has gone from catchphrase to de rigueur. Lucky for us, the team at Fertile Ground has us covered with native garden designs and installations that are modern, fresh, and functional. Landscape lifesavers, both for the homeowner and the environment.
Fertile Ground Organic Gardens
3303 Breedlove
512/340-0432
www.fertilegroundgardens.com
view this award on its own page ›
[A passive-aggressive note forwarded to the offices of The Austin Chronicle]
Hello,
You may not realize that, for the cost of a night out drinking, you can drop that pile of laundry that's been sitting in that corner for (uh … how long?) some time off at SpinZone. Not only will the nice folks wash your items, but they'll fold them, too.
We wish you would.
Very sincerely,
A. Roommate
SpinZone Laundry
1909 E. Willam Cannon, 512/326-2200
6307 Cameron, 512/454-6600
2424 S. Congress, 512/447-2700
1108 N. Mays, Round Rock, 512/580-0900
spinzonelaundry.com
view this award on its own page ›
Begun in Michigan by a mother and her two sons, Two Men and a Truck has grown into the largest franchised moving company in the nation. They must have been doing something right all these years, because they've now risen to the top of our readers' list. Our favorite thing about them? The Grandma Rule: "To treat everyone the way you'd want your grandma treated."
Two Men and a Truck
1600 W. Ben White Blvd., 512/416-6800
10435 Burnet Rd. Ste. 118, 512/900-2606
12633 Research Blvd., 512/900-2601
www.twomenandatruck.com/home
view this award on its own page ›
John Leach
There are two things you remember: Dropping that G (or two) on Timmy's new French Horn, and the moment you accidentally ran over it in your driveway. Fearing the worst, but hoping for the best, you bring it to the good instrument doctors at Strait Music. They've seen it all, rest assured, and will repair Timmy's French Horn in time for the big concert; he's first chair, and the only thing he'll remember is that you were there. And the next time, the only thing you'll remember: Rental.
Strait Music Co.
3201 Bee Caves Rd., Suite 140
13945 Hwy. 183 N., 512/918-3743
straitmusic.com
view this award on its own page ›
Pests are a menace. Whether it’s the torment of summer mosquitoes or the litany of creepy crawlies that call Central Texas home, there’s no love lost between us and them. Lucky for us, the 60+ years ABC has been tending to Austin’s residential and commercial needs have given them a definitive advantage over the pests that plague us. And the new generation of bug busters continues the tradition of customer service that feels more like family than friend. No wonder they’re an Austin institution.
ABC Home & Commercial Services
9475 Hwy. 290 E., 512/837-9500
202 S. Austin Ave., Georgetown, 512/819-9140
208 S. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, 512/392-9500
1010 College St., Bastrop, 512/308-1274
abchomeandcommercial.com/austin
view this award on its own page ›
John Leach
Boarding! Grooming! Doggy daycare! RUFF (that means "Yes, please!"). Mud Puppies offers services for dog lovers that will make your tail wag. From luxurious grooming sessions for down-and-dirty dawgs and self-serve wash stations for those who prefer to get paws-on, to training in group or one-on-one for pouty pooches, this one-stop shop knows what's up with every pup.
Mud Puppies
2015 E. Riverside Bldg. 9, 512/912-0200
12233 FM 620 N. Ste. 110-A, 512/249-2498
www.mud-puppies.com
view this award on its own page ›
FedEx Kinko's dropped its surname in favor of the bland-as-wallpaper-paste "FedEx Office" back in 2008. But it's real cute the way Austinites just can't quit Kinko's. (No, literally. Our readers vote for "Kinko's.") We're guessing it's all those late nights you spent there, copying your new zine for distribution at your friend's show – and the discount your friend, Brenda (a former lover of a lover), gave you at the counter. Shout out, Brenda. Shout out, Kinko's.
FedEx Office
6406 N. I-35 Ste. 1210, 512/452-3600
327 Congress #100, 512/472-4448
2901-C Medical Arts, 512/476-3242
327 Congress, 512/472-4448
330 Bee Caves Rd. #715, 512/314-2300
5601 Brodie #1210, 512/892-1992
9222 Burnet #101 & 102, 512/339-1191
13729 Research, 512/331-0800
www.fedex.com/us/office
view this award on its own page ›
Although they have no ambulances to dispatch, Austin Shoe Hospital is dedicated to the health care of local footwear. With multiple convenient locations and the option of mail-order repair, Austin Shoe Hospital has made it clear that they are ready to serve at the feet of Austinites. Since its opening in Houston in 1906, and with no shoe care reforms or deductibles in sight, ASH is the place footwear can feel safe.
Austin Shoe Hospital
1911 W. Ben White, 512/440-8788
3106 Windsor, 512/477-6515
720 Congress, 512/477-5078
3300 Bee Caves Rd., 512/329-8104
8211 Burnet, 512/453-1961
5114 Balcones Woods Dr. Ste. 301-B, 512/345-8663
6781 Hwy. 290 W., 512/288-6386
1316 Round Rock Ave., Round Rock, 512/244-9124
306 S. Bell, Cedar Park, 512/219-8387
3932 RR 620 S., Lakeway, 512/263-4630
12119 Hwy. 290 W., 512/827-3398
www.austinshoehospital.com
view this award on its own page ›
When someone offers you a Gingerizer Body Glow, just know: They are not a member of an active red-headed recruiting cult hellbent on having your baby. They just want to put you on a table and rub sugar that smells like ginger and peppermint into your back. In a word, your response must be: Yes, yes, yes! But what about when someone offers you a Viva Diva? They are not offering a lap dance dressed as Kylie Minogue, they are giving a full SEVEN. HOURS. OF. SPA. They call it a "journey." We call it a destination. And rolling in at around half a K, we can't personally say that we've experienced this level of pampering, but a fair amount of you apparently have. So … the economy must be getting better, huh?
Viva Day Spa
215 S. Lamar, 512/361-2047
1811 W. 35th, 512/361-1786
11601 Rock Rose Ave., 512/361-2558
vivadayspa.com
view this award on its own page ›
When someone offers you a Gingerizer Body Glow, just know: They are not a member of an active red-headed recruiting cult hellbent on having your baby. They just want to put you on a table and rub sugar that smells like ginger and peppermint into your back. In a word, your response must be: Yes, yes, yes! But what about when someone offers you a Viva Diva? They are not offering a lap dance dressed as Kylie Minogue, they are giving a full SEVEN. HOURS. OF. SPA. They call it a "journey." We call it a destination. And rolling in at around half a K, we can't personally say that we've experienced this level of pampering, but a fair amount of you apparently have. So … the economy must be getting better, huh?
Viva Day Spa
215 S. Lamar, 512/361-2047
1811 W. 35th, 512/361-1786
11601 Rock Rose Ave., 512/361-2558
vivadayspa.com
view this award on its own page ›
Is there anything new to write about this 20-year "Best of Austin" winner? Darn it! They're clearly a cut above the rest, taking in and letting out Austin’s frocks and trousers for 47 years now. Four locations, major to minor alterations (even leather!), and a staff of highly skilled magicians tugging at the seams of our bespoked hearts.
Ace Custom Tailors
724-A N. Lamar, 512/478-9965
11909 Domain Dr. #154, 512/345-7688
2707 Walsh Tarlton, 512/329-0523
acetailors.com
view this award on its own page ›
John Leach
No one-trick pony, this crew of 15 artists is versed in old school, new school, flash, color- and black-ink styles. The eclectically decorated original downtown location is quite suited for walk-ins, while the Airport shop suggests calling ahead for appointments. Either way, True Blue's high quality standards have left their mark on our readers.
True Blue Tattoo
607 Red River, 512/472-2783
4507-B Airport, 512/363-5511
www.truebluetattoo.com
