The time has come to announce the Broward County winners for Your Choice Awards of 2023. Check them out below!
And the winners are ...
The Best Drag Performer in Broward Goes to...
The Best Pizza in Broward Goes to...
The Best Taco & Best Mexican Food in Broward Goes to...
The Best Burger in Broward Goes to...
And The Best New Restaurant in Broward Goes to...
The Best Theme Night in Broward Goes to...
The Best Guesthouse Goes to...
The Best Realtor in Broward County Goes to...
The Best Local Artist in Broward Goes to...
The Best Italian Restaurant in Broward Goes to...
The Best Local LGBTQ Activist in Broward Goes to...
The Best Thrift Store in Broward Goes to...
The Best Art Gallery in Broward Goes to...
The Best PrEP Clinic in Broward Goes to...
The Best Business Group in Broward Goes to...
The Best Ice Cream/Gelato in Broward Goes to...
The Best Place for Lesbians in Broward Goes to...
The Best LGBTQ Bar & Best Happy Hour & Best Staff in Broward Goes To...
And the Best Barber and Best Barbershop in Broward Goes to...
The Best Home Decor Store in Broward Goes to...
The Best Local TV Personality Goes to...
The Best Spa In Broward Goes to...
The Best Group for Seniors in Broward Goes to...
The Best Bar Owner in Broward County Goes to...
The Best Massage Therapist in Broward Goes to...
The Best Doctor in Broward Goes to...
The Best Sports League & Best Sports Team in Broward County Goes to...
The Best Attorney in Broward Goes to...
The Best Local Event in Broward County Goes to...
The Best Animal Rescue in Broward Goes to...
The Best Museum in Broward Goes to...
And The Best Clothing Store in Broward Goes to...
And The Best Male Bartender In Broward Goes To...
And The Best Gift Store in Broward Goes To...
Best Male Server in Broward Goes to...
And The Best Greek & Best Restaurant In Wilton Manors Goes to...
And The Best Bar Food Goes to...
The Best Bakery & Best Coffee Shop of 2023 Goes To...
The Best Bar for Bears & Best Bar for Leather Goes to...
The Best Pet Groomer Goes to...
The Best Consignment Store Goes to...
The Best Medical Practice Goes to...
The Best Fundraiser & Best LGBTQ Nonprofit & Best Social Group Goes To...
The Best Group for Bears Goes to...
The Best Local Trans Advocate and Best Trans Group Goes to...
The Best New Activist & Best Politician on Wilton Manors Commission Goes to...
And the Best Barber and Best Barbershop in Broward Goes to...
The Best Spiritual Center Goes to...
The Best PrEP Clinic in Broward Goes to...
The Best Cleaning Company Goes to...
Best Restaurant (Lauderdale)-J. Mark’s
1245 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale
A long-time favorite of our community (since 2007!), the Fort Lauderdale location of J. Mark’s was the Reader’s Choice for the city. Whether it’s the comfy dining room, large open-air patio, solid American fare (such as burgers, steaks, chops, pasta, and large entrée salads), or the extended cocktail hour that make this a favorite is still up for debate.
Runner-up: Kaluz
-Rick Karlin
Best Restaurant (Oakland Park)-The Mason Jar Pub
1388 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park
Oakland Park’s burgeoning dining scene has suddenly made it a foodie’s destination. The Mason Jar Pub takes our first Reader’s Choice Award for the city. A testimonial on the Pub’s website says it all, “The Mason Jar Pub is a true gem. The food is fantastic and freshly made … Aside from the superb food, the service is excellent and extremely friendly. We have been impressed with the Mason Jar Pub since day one.”
Runner-up: Peter Pan Diner
-Rick Karlin
Best Restaurant (Everywhere)-Blue Moon Fish Company
4405 W Tradewinds Ave., Lauderdale-By-The-Sea
Blue Moon Fish Company in Fort Lauderdale is the Reader’s Choice for best overall restaurant, regardless of location. Located on the beautiful Intracoastal, the upscale restaurant offers boat dockage and is open daily for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch. The extensive menu features fresh-caught seafood, delicious seasonal desserts, and a vast wine selection. Chef’s specials highlight unique seasonal offerings, such as stuffed lobster tail and Kansas City cowboy steak. The waitstaff provides exceptional service.
Runner-up: Houston’s Pompano
-Rick Karlin
Best Fine Dining-Kaluz
3300 E. Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale
Fine dining in Florida is a bit different from elsewhere in the country. At our Reader’s Choice, Kaluz Fort Lauderdale (there are also locations in Wellington and Plantation), that means no swimwear, no tank-top or sleeveless shirts for men and, … well that’s about it for restrictions. You still get the white tablecloth experience and the fine service, and you can moor your boat at the dock while you dine indoors or on the beautiful deck. Prices are less than you’d expect, most sandwiches are less than $20 and entrées range from the low $20s to almost $60 for top-of-the-line fare.
Runner-up: Bona Italian
-Rick Karlin
Best Breakfast-Peter Pan Diner
1216 E Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park
Whether they’re early risers (the diner opens at 6 a.m.) or like to sleep in (breakfast is available until they close at 11 p.m.), Oakland Park’s Peter Pan Diner is our reader’s choice for breakfast. With six versions of eggs Benedict, hundreds of combinations of fillings for their four-egg omelets, classic French toast, pancakes, and, of course, lox and bagels, you’re sure to find something to your liking on the menu. If breakfast fare isn’t your favorite, no one’s going to judge you for ordering a burger for breakfast. For a sweet ending, all the baked goods are made in-house.
Runner-up: Egg & You Diner
-Rick Karlin
Best Kept Secret-Le Patio
lepatiowiltonmanors.com
2401 NE 11th Ave., Wilton Manors
Can someplace be called a “Best Kept Secret” if it wins a category? I guess so, especially if it’s as beloved as our reader’s choice, Le Patio. Located on a side street, but just steps from Wilton Dr., this tiny café only has one table indoors, and only about a dozen more on the cute patio. The kitchen may be the size of a postage stamp, but the fare coming out of it keeps folks coming back. Veronique Leroux runs the kitchen, and her partner in life and business Jean Doherty, manages the dining room and serves you. I long ago said it was “…like having dinner at your eccentric lesbian aunts’ house if one of them was an acclaimed chef.” The description still fits.
Runner-up: The Alchemist Café
-Rick Karlin
Best Dessert-Bread Pudding @ Apt. 9F
2163 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors
While Carol and Nancy’s Apt 9f is best known as an unpretentious place for inventive drinks, a good glass of wine, and some delicious nibbles, its ultra-decadent blueberry and white chocolate bread pudding with white chocolate sauce at Apt. 9F was our readers’ favorite dessert.
The runner-up was Wilton Creamery’s top-selling flavor, He's Not Worth It, which features a vanilla and English toffee sweet cream ice cream base with bits of Oreo cookies, Health bar, and chopped soft caramel, with a swirl of sea salt caramel.
-Rick Karlin
Best BBQ-Dixie Pig BBQ
4495 Dixie Hwy, Oakland Park
Our readers picked the fourth-generation-owned, roadside shack, Dixie Pig as the best BBQ in town. It specializes in North Carolina style ‘Q, but offers four kinds of sauces for those who prefer a tomato-based version. Its signature BBQ is available on sandwiches or by the pound.
Runner-up: Tom Jenkins
-Rick Karlin
Best Asian-Tee-Jay Thai
2254 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors
When it comes to our readers’ favorite Asian restaurant, it’s all about location, location, location… and good food. Tee-Jay Thai has been in the Fort Lauderdale area since 2007 and its Wilton Manors location is at the center of the Shoppes of Wilton Manors (and located between four gay bars), which makes it a favorite destination for dinner before heading out dancing and drinking. The friendly staff and beautiful décor only add to the appeal.
Runner-up: Lotus
-Rick Karlin
Best Vegetarian-Bubbles & Pearls
2037 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors
Bubbles & Pearls may advertise itself as a champagne and oyster bar, but our readers know it is so much more. Sure, you can get your fill of the freshest mollusks, but there are also hearty entrées and plenty of options for vegetarians; from miso cauliflower, baked brie, and mushroom flatbread to a burrata to die for.
Runner-up: Inka Foods
-Rick Karlin
Best Menu Item-Black & Bleu Boy @ Hamburger Mary’s
2426 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors
Let’s face it, our readers know what they like. Sometimes all it takes is one menu item to keep you coming back time and again. At Hamburger Mary’s there are plenty of them, but our readers’ choice was Black & Bleu Boy, featuring a patty of your choice (Kobe, Beyond, ground Angus chuck, chicken breast, ground turkey, black bean patty, a salmon fillet or plant-based “faux-chicken”) coated in blackening seasoning, topped with bleu cheese crumbles, bleu cheese dressing, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
Runner-up: Pork Belly Tacos @ Apt 9F
-Rick Karlin
Best LGBT-friendly Straight Bar/Brewery-Funky Buddha
954-440-0046
1201 NE 38th St, Oakland Park
“Good Vibes On Tap.”
That’s the slogan for Funky Buddha, located in Oakland Park.
This brewery features its own merch, festivals like Taproom Oktoberfest, and so much more. Enjoy good food, drinks, and music? Check out its events such as Bottomless Brunch Sundays, Monday Night Trivia, and Tequila Tuesday.
Funky Buddha is booming with reviews.
“Great atmosphere, friendly staff and food was delicious, great place for our last evening before heading back home to Australia,” a customer wrote on Facebook.
“Had my daughter’s wedding reception at the brewery. The venue was amazing and the food stupendous. Meld that with outstanding beer, seltzer and wine along with flavorful food topped off with a dedicated fun staff, it was a memorable experience,” another wrote.
Runner-up for Best LGBT-friendly Straight Bar: Tatt’s & Tacos
Runner-up for Brewery: Gulf Stream
-Kim Swan
Best Drink-Smoked Old Fashioned @ DrYnk Bar & Lounge
954-530-1800
2255 Wilton Dr, Wilton Manors
Craving a drink, but don’t know what to get? Try the Smoked Old Fashioned at DrYnk Bar & Lounge in Wilton Manors.
This tantalizing drink has Bulleit Bourbon, smoked cedar, bitters, simple syrup, filthy black cherry, and an orange twist – all the things you could ever want on your taste buds. The bar even put “Award-Winning” next to the drink’s name on its menu. It also costs $15.
Customers left reviews on Facebook complimenting the bar and drink.
“The staff is awesome and their drinks are delicious. I highly recommend the smoky old fashioned,” one wrote.
“A nice place to get a drink and still be able to enjoy a conversation!” another wrote.
Runner-up: Margarita @ Hunter’s
-Kim Swan
Best Politician Outside Wilton Manors/ Best Local Straight Ally-Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Debbie Wasserman Schultz was voted Best Politician outside of Wilton Manors and Best Local Straight Ally. She is serving her 10th term in Congress, first elected in 2004.
Runner-up for Best Politician Outside Wilton Manors: Dean Trantalis
Runner-up for Best Local Straight Ally: Sarah Leonardi
-John McDonald
Best Farmer’s Market-Swinging Bananas Market
Swinging Bananas Market Facebook
1052 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Oakland Park
Swinging Bananas, Broward’s Best Farmer’s Market, is a small, nondescript storefront on Oakland Park Boulevard. It is easy to ignore it as you drive east towards Dixie Highway. But this little gem has quite a following. Maria and Alexa Habe, the mother and daughter duo who own and manage Swinging Bananas, have created a labor of love along with their discount fruits and vegetables. They also nurtured a loyal following.
Swinging Bananas is usually open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though the owners are known for keeping their doors open if shoppers are still around. All the familiar produce we love is available here, along with items that we don’t usually find at Publix: bananas, melons, blueberries, pineapples, eggplants, avocados and so on. The items are on the ripe side, but they are worth buying if you will use them for dinner that night. And of course, the prices are worth the trip. As one fan gushed on Yelp, “what is there not to like about saving money?”
Runner-Up: Yellow Green
– Jesse Monteagudo
MORE WINNERS...
Best Local DJ
Pup Rockit
Runner-up: Trevor Oldroyd
Best Bartender & Best Server (female)
Allie @ Apt. 9F
Runner-up for Bartender: Natasha @ Hunter's
Runner-up for Server: Candace @ J. Marks
Best Business Owner
Eric & Christian @ Dick's Service Station
Runner-up: Mark Bryd and Glen Weinzimer @ Bona Italian
Best Chef
Chef Nate
Runner-up: Josie Smith-Malave @ Bubbles & Pearls
Local Entertainer
Matthew Darren
Runner-up: Miss Bouvee
Best Barista
Josh @ Java Boys
Runner-up: Chris @ Archibalds Village Bakery
Date Night Spot
DrYnk
Runner-up: Chef Nate's
HIV Related Non-Profit
Broward House
Best Chiropractor
Dr. Donna Watson
Best Place to Workout
Crunch Fitness
Runner-up: Peak Fitness
Best Adult Store
LeatherWerks
Runner-up: Pride Factory
Best Group for Women
SAGE
Runner-up: Lesbian Thespians
Best Local Celebrity & Best Local Actor
Miss Bouvee
Runner-up: Matthew Darren
All photos are either from Facebook, or courtesy.
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Here Are the Winners of Your Choice Awards 2023
AND ALL THE REST...
