Eats

Best New Restaurant
Trostel's Dish

This swank tapas bar in Clive continues an old Trostel family tradition - introducing Des Moines to a new world of appetizers. The menu is divided geographically into six continents of choices and the only entrèe is their signature scratch-made prime rib, five ways. The wine list may be the best in town, too. 12851 University Ave., Clive, 221-3474
Runners-up: Texas Roadhouse, Chef's Kitchen

Best Kept Secret on the Local Restaurant Scene
Chef's Kitchen

Steve and Kristi Little's neighborhood joint in Beaverdale has moved up the street from its overcrowded "corner" location. With three times as many seats, they added a beef-aging room and a steakhouse menu to their much-loved, inexpensive family fare. On the way out, it's help yourself to fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies! 1760 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, 255-4411
Runners-up: Flying Mango, Simo's

Best Wait Staff
Granite City

This fast-growing little brew house company, from just north of the Iowa border, somehow manages to train their incredibly attentive staff to be familiar with everything on the 80-item menu, which changes twice a year, and to still be able to explain their patented "fermentus interuptus" brewing process.12801 University Ave., Clive, 224-1300
Runners-up: Tursi's Latin King, Sage

Best American Food
Jimmy's American Cafè

All-American favorites like ribs, pizza and burgers built Jimmy's reputation as a local tradition over the past four decades. The comfort foods now share menu space with trendier offerings, but the patio bar is still the coolest place in town to spend a hot summer night. 1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines, 224-1212
Runners-up: Drake Diner, Legends

Best Italian
Tursi's Latin King

Bob and Amy Tursi are always on hand, making sure that everything is just right at the Latin King. Pastas are made from scratch and all the sauces are reduced from bone stock at this heirloom, destination restaurant that dates back to the 1940s. Original specialties from New York's Little Italy share the menu with Des Moines' Italian favorites. Even the hashbrowns are legendary. 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 266-4466
Runners-up: Baratta's, Bravo Cucina

Best Mexican
El Rodeo

When it comes to Mexican food, this Rodeo bucks your bronco and keeps everyone in the saddle with more than 30 house specialties and 25 combination platters from every regional cuisine in Mexico and Mexican-America. In spirit, these locally owned stores have annexed Margaritaville, without losing a single shaker of salt. Multiple locations
Runners-up: Monterrey, El Aguila Real

Best Thai
Cool Basil

Liam Anivat's slick Thai cafè covers the entire taste spectrum with dazzling preparations that delight the eye as well as the tongue - from the legendary tom yum soups to the skewered satays; from the red, yellow and green curries, the roast duck and stir-fried exotics to the last sweet taste of mango and black rice. 8801 University Ave., Clive, 225-8111
Runners-up: Thai Flavors, Taste of Thailand

Best Chinese
PF Chang's

Paul Fleming's Arizona company provides a theme-park grandeur worthy of Las Vegas. From the lavish dècor to the thoroughly researched pan-Asian recipes, this place works hard at maintaining the Chinese fantasy. The restaurant at Jordan Creek wows guests with customized sauces, mixed tableside, and a budget-friendly wine list, too. 110 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 457-7772
Runners-up: Cafè Su, Great China
Best Japanese
Taki

There is nothing else like Taki in Iowa. The bustling restaurant mixes a teppanyaki steakhouse with the city's best sushi bar, serving the decadent likes of uni (roe of sea urchin) and toro (fatty underbelly of bluefin tuna). From the sushi master to the tableside service, this place matches its flair for theater with equally dramatic flavors. 2677 86th St., Urbandale, 331-3030
Runners-up: Ohana

Best Vietnamese
A-Dong

A-Dong has been Des Moines' favorite Vietnamese cafè for several decades now. In its new location on Woodland Avenue, it's still THE place for pho, and a whole lot more. Try the bone-stock soups, fresh exotic vegetables and spices, the huge selection for vegetarians and enticing Indochinese drink specials. 1511 High St., Des Moines, 284-5632
Runners-up: Saigon Cafè, Pho All Seasons

Best Overall Ethnic Eats
Hu Hot Mongolian BBQ

This Montana chain gives Des Moines diners a chance to mix two of dining's most indulgent concepts: the all-you-can-eat buffet and the "how-hot-can-you-stand-it" machismo. Like the Mongols of old, diners choose raw ingredients and chile sauces. Unlike the great Khan's horde, they then take them to be grilled by professionals. 4100 University Ave., West Des Moines, 457-9090
Runner Up: Taki, India Star

Best Place for Vegetarians
A-Dong

A long-time refuge for vegetarians, this Woodland Avenue favorite offers nearly 40 vegetarian specials, from stir fries with noodles or rice, to the clay pot brassieres and exotic fish offerings. No one has a more interesting menu of non-alcoholic beverages either, including many a forbidden fruit. 1511 High St., Des Moines, 284-5632
Runners-up: India Star, Ritual Cafe

Best Place to Chow After 2 a.m.
Big Tomato

From 1 in the morning 'til 4 a.m., Big Tomato offers pizza by the slice. So, their simple little walk-up counter has become the most frequently suggested direction when bouncers need to point people to the exits come closing time in the Des Moines bars. But unlike other halfway houses between taverns and after-hours parties, Big Tomato actually serves great pies (see Best Pizza). 2613 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-7227
Runners-up: Perkins, Pat's Corner Cafè

Best Steakhouse
801 Steak & Chop House

This legendary downtown restaurant is the only place in Iowa serving Stockyard's beef, the gold standard in American steaks since the 19th century. That's a large part of the reason 801 has been recommended by the likes of New York Times publishers and CBS anchormen, explaining its huge popularity with political and media celebs every caucus season. 801 Grand Ave., Des Moines, 288-6000
Runners-up: Outback Steakhouse, Jesse's Embers

Best Breakfast
Waveland

The Waveland's been packing them in for decades with an "everybody-knows-your-name" friendliness and "need-a-refill" ambiance. The long-time staff serves indulgently generous plates full of great Iowa traditions - homegrown bacon, eggs, sausage and love. The hashbrowns have a cult following. 4708 University Ave., Des Moines, 279-4341
Runners-up: Perkins, Drake Diner

Best Coffeehouse
Java Joes Coffeehouse

Des Moines' first bean roaster is still its favorite. This place is so busy during Downtown Farmers' Markets (doing a third of its business on six months on Saturdays) that it wholesales its home-roasted coffees to other top Iowa coffeehouses. Some very famous names have played music on the little stage here, too. 214 Fourth St., Des Moines, 288-5289
Runners-up: Grounds for Celebration, Starbucks

Best First-Date Spot
Greenbriar Restaurant and Bar

The flowers are fresh, the tables are covered and the fine food has helped Iowans celebrate special occasions since this restaurant's location was on the outskirts of Des Moines. The wine list is a perennial winner of awards and the chocolate "Fondue for 2" is as suggestive as dining can get without losing its PG rating. 5810 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, 253-0124
Runners-up: Trostel's Dish, The Continental

Best Place for a $5 Lunch
Tasty Tacos

This longtime favorite of legislators, and other bargain hunters, serves a familiar Mexican-American menu. What separates it from the pack, while inspiring a cult following among several generations of Iowans, are its unique taco shells, including a partially fried shell proven to have addictive properties. Multiple locations
Runners-up: Panera Bread, McDonald's

Best Place for a $10 Dinner
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Monterrey was the first place in town to take authentic Mexican cooking to the comfort of suburban strip malls. Despite the name, their menu covers not just Nuevo Leon, but also every regional cuisine south of the border, with bargains and generous portions that go down oh-so-well with a Dos Equis and lime. 8801 University Ave., Clive, 457-8900
Runners-up: Palmer's, HuHot Mongolian BBQ

Best Power Lunch
Centro Restaurant

The fish bowl windows on Locust make Centro's bar THE place to be seen in downtown Des Moines. Except, of course, when it's warm enough for one of their outdoor tables on 10th Street. The unique ambiance of the Temple for Performing Arts accentuates the sensational Italian kitchen, which features coal-oven pizza. 1007 Locust St., Des Moines, 248-1780
Runners-up: Nick's Bar & Grill, Subway

Best Seafood
Waterfront Seafood Market Restaurant

Waterfront combines a retail fish market with a sit-down restaurant and a trendy bar. Their seafood is so good that other top restaurants actually buy their fresh fish from Waterfront. Daily specials pack this place earlier than any other in town, and both the clam chowder and the gumbo are deserved legends. 2900 University Ave., West Des Moines, 223-5106
Runners-up: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill, Red Lobster

Best Burger
B-Bops

The once and eternal champion (15 years in a row), B-Bops keeps Des Moines happy with nostalgic rock 'n' roll, fresh-grilled burgers, fries that stay hot, chili, pork loin fritters, chicken, salads and shakes. These burgers would be popular at any price, but the real winner is your billfold, with quarter-pound burgers, your way, for less than a buck and a half. Multiple locations
Runners-up: Culver's, Drake Diner

Best Pizza
Big Tomato

King of the night, Big Tomato offers the most eclectic, accommodating pizza in town. For the displaced Hawaiian, there's Spam and asparagus pie. For the health food police, there are honey wheat crusts. For meat eaters there is all the decadence of this pork state. And for contrarians, there are white-sauce toppings. Don't forget some "Italian fries" (crusty cheese bread). 2613 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-7227
Runners-up: The Tavern, Centro Restaurant

Best Bakery
La Mie

In this era of starter mixes and extended shelf lives, La Mie represents a great, lost art form - pure, scratch, French-style baking. The pecan rolls sell out early each morning, encouraging their fans to try new delights from the heirloom world of butter & cream baking: breads, croissants, brioches and fruit pastries. 841 42nd St., Des Moines, 255-1625
Runners-up: Panera Bread, Hiland Bakery

Best Dessert
Cheesecake Factory

This Los Angeles corporation is so guarded about its 50 cheesecakes and other desserts that, not only are their recipes deemed "proprietary information," but even their nutritional information is withheld. We didn't even know that was legal, but clearly the company lawyers, as well as the long lines of cheesecake customers, are convinced that these desserts ARE the franchise. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 457-9888
Runners-up: La Mie, Flarah's

Best BBQ
Famous Dave's

This Minnesota company is the PF Chang's of the barbecue world. They carefully research authentic regional cuisines for the purpose of recreating them in a much broader market. Famous Dave's offers every regional sauce and every barbecue style you can find in America, from Carolina pulled pork to Texas brisket, plus plenty of napkins. Multiple locations
Runners-up: Kin Folks, Uncle Wendell's
Best Fried Chicken
Popeye's

Now that City Fish and Chicken has closed down, this New Orleans company has a monopoly on Des Moines' spicy fried chicken market. Amazingly, Popeye's Chicken and Biscuit's suburban store also has total control of metro Des Moines' underserved soul food market. Don't forget to eat your red beans, green beans and dirty rice. 4140 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, 251-7670
Runners-up: Kentucky Fried Chicken, High Life Lounge

Best Delicatessen
Palmer's

This hometown company now has neighborly stores all over the metro, delivering cafeteria-style choices in homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. All feature low-cholesterol baking while some stores offer made-to-order breakfasts and gourmet carry out, including a rather famous meat loaf. Multiple locations
Runners-up: Manhattan, Jason's Deli

Best Onion Rings
Maxie's

The restaurant changed hands last year without missing a single beat. "Early bird" dinner specials still fill this place before many others even open. The kitchen proudly carries on its reputation of being a steakhouse for all budgets. The Maxieburger has drawn national press, but the onion rings are a legend in their own rite. 1311 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, 223-1463
Runners-up: Drake Diner, The Tavern

Best French Fries
McDonald's

More than 30 years ago, Ray Kroc risked McDonald's reputation, and changed the food world forever, by betting customers would accept frozen processed fries. Mac's french fries lost a little buzz after the food police forced changes of cooking oil, but, unlike most fast food competitors, the company resisted coating its pure potatoes with starches. Multiple locations
Runners-up: B-Bops, Okoboji Grill

Best Chicken Wings
Hooters

The element of dolled-up and stripped-down pretty young girls is prevalent at Hooters restaurants, as is the company's insistence that it's a family friendly restaurant. But one thing's for sure: nothing can stand between a drooling half-breed and his wings. And metro readers think that, when it's time to get a splash of sauce on your chin, Hooters is the place to go. 1480 22nd St., West Des Moines, 224-9464
Runners Up: Wing Zone, Francies

Best Nachos
The Library

While a great place for the Drake set to tie one on, The Library is actually a study in how to make hangovers go away for the rest of us, as this joint gives its visitors grease as good as anyone else in town. The sandwiches rock, the owner makes his own wing sauce and the nachos are Central Iowa's favorite by an overwhelming tally. Try the smoked chicken variety for some kick. 3506 University Ave., Des Moines, 255-0433
Runners Up: El Aguila Real, Tasty Tacos

Best Family Restaurant
Drake Diner

Made-from-scratch appeal and a friendly atmosphere have made Des Moines area diners suckers for the comfort food of the Drake Diner for years. With burgers and crinkle-cut fries, pork loin sandwiches, blue plates, a Good-4-U section, malts and shakes and a terrific breakfast spread, the Drake Diner has (God, we hate this phrase, but it's applicable in this case) something for everyone, from great-grandma to the diaper set. 1111 25th St., Des Moines, 277-1111
Runners Up: Applebees, Machine Shed

Best Soup
Panera Bread

Offering a variety of hot soups every day, Panera Bread, a fairly new kid on the block, captured the hearts of our soup-eating readers this year with classics like Roasted Garlic & Tomato, with three types of tomatoes simmered in a rich chicken stock veloutè with roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, sweet cream and fresh basil; Vegetarian Fiesta Con Queso, with diced onion, corn, roasted red pepper, roasted Anaheim chile, celery, carrots, garlic and spices simmered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce; Broccoli Cheddar; French Onion; and some of the best New England Clam Chowder since Wellman's. Like Jim Jones' Kool-Aid, this stuff is to die for and deserving of its cult-like status. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Great Midwestern Cafè, Palmers Deli and Market

Best Bar Food
Star Bar

Thoughts of Mel Sharples' greasy T-shirt aside, Jeremy Morrow does have grits you can kiss - cheese grits - as well as an extensive menu Central Iowans have grown to love in just the span of a few months. No bowling alley cheesesticks here, but rather seared ahi, pot stickers, BBQ egg rolls and a plethora of "bar" food like chicken strips and onion rings that have diners packing the joint day in and day out. Don't miss the sandwiches, salads and big plates, either. 2837 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 288-1405
Runners Up: High Life Lounge, Royal Mile

Best Bistro Fare
Bistro Montage

French-inspired bistro fare, a menu that changes often and an urban setting on the sizzling-hot Ingersoll corridor ensures that Enosh Kelley's Bistro Montage will likely always be at the top of our Best Of poll. Kelley, simply put, could make a grown man cry for his duck, and we can't put into words what some might do for his fresh fish selections and bone-in cuts of meat. Really, it's that good. Oh, and don't forget to stay for dessert. 2724 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, 557-1924
Runners Up: Sage, Mosaix

Best Wine Selection (Restaurant)
801 Steak & Chop House

801 Steak & Chop House has been recognized by Wine Spectator as having an award-winning selection of wines (some 350 labels) for 12 years running. 801 has also been recognized by Distinguished Restaurants of America and Cigar Aficionado for exemplifying the highest-quality standards in all aspects of the dining experience. 801 Grand Ave., Des Moines, 288-6000
Runners Up: Centro Restaurant, Sage

Best Beer Selection (Restaurant)
Royal Mile

This down-home English pub is all about atmosphere - and beer - and for the first time in forever, it handed Taste of Thailand its ass in the Best Of readers' poll category for Best Beer Selection. With 22 on tap downstairs and six upstairs in the Red Monk (an honest-to-God Belgium bar), and 130 in the bottle (only three of which are domestic swill), Royal Mile is a beer snob's paradise. Said manager Tim Hutchins of the long-awaited victory, "It surprised me." 210 Fourth St., Des Moines, 280-3771
Runners Up: Court Avenue Brewery, Rock Bottom

Best Microbrewed Beer
Court Avenue Brewing Co.

For years, beer connoisseurs have been pouring themselves into Court Avenue Brewing Co. to enjoy ales brewed on-site with customized equipment to guarantee the freshest-tasting beer around. They sit at the bar and order fancy brews with names like Robbie's Rye, Topping Ale and James Polk Porter. And the chow - like fish 'n' chips and BBQ chicken pizza - is well worth a try, too. 309 Court Ave., Des Moines, 282-2739
Runners Up: Raccoon River Brewing Co., Rock Bottom Brewery

Best Appetizers Menu
Trostel's Dish

In Spain they're called tapas. In the suburbs, they're called appetizers. But call them anything you want. Just make sure you are there at 4 o'clock if you want any shot at sitting down. Paired with the hottest new bar in town, mac & cheese with chicken and truffle oil that we'd kill our fathers' illegitimate children for, pommes frites with parmessano and lollipop lamb chops make restaurant cowboy Paul Trostel's joint one tasty dish. 12851 University Ave., Clive, 221-3474
Runners Up: The Continental, Rock Bottom

Best Place to Blow a Bundle
801 Steak & Chop House

You get what you pay for, and at the swanky 801 Steak & Chop House, you pay a lot for some of the biggest and best cuts of meat this town has ever seen. Dinner for two can hit the low three figures (with wine), but for carnivores, it's worth every penny. 801 Grand Ave., Des Moines, 288-6000
Runners Up: Splash Seafood Bar & Grill, Sage

Best Restaurant. Period
Tursi's Latin King

Cutting off the roads that lead to restaurants usually kills them, but when the Department of Transportation sliced up MacVicar like a helping of chicken spiedini, Bobby Tursi's East Side joint, Latin King, didn't seem to skip a beat, packing them in for lunch and dinner with hungry regulars and outsiders alike waiting what seemed like forever for a table. But then again, with the best food in town and an atmosphere that feels like grandma's, why wouldn't they? 2200 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 266-4466
Runners Up: Chef's Kitchen, Centro Restaurant, Greenbriar Restaurant & Bar

Shopping

Best Locally Owned Store
Back Country Outfitters

Whether you are hiking in Nepal or walking your dog at the park, Back Country is your source for Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Arcteryx, Royal Robbin, Patagonia, Free People and Horny Toad. And in a day and age where the words "locally owned" are used less and less, Back Country keeps it real and is paid back by its loyal following. 2702 Beaver Ave., Des Moines, 255-0031
Runners Up: Rasmussen Bike Shop, Siren

Best New Store
Dillard's

William Dillard, the founder and Chairman of Dillard's Inc., developed a keen interest in retailing at an early age. He started in 1938 when, with $8,000 borrowed from his father, he opened a small store in his wife's hometown of Nashville, Ark. Nearly 70 years later, the chain consists of more than 330 stores in 29 states and, coincidentally, sells the exact same stuff Younkers does. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 440-2277
Runners Up: Smash

Best Big Box Store for Everything
Target

No, we don't understand Target's television commercials either. But what we do know is that you can't walk into a Target location without buying a bunch of shit you probably don't need, while forgetting why you even went there in the first place. Some people even dine there. Very strange. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Wal-Mart, Costco

Best Shopping District
Jordan Creek

Funky, eclectic, personable - the area that makes up Jordan Creek is none of these. But Central Iowans love their bright lights, big boxes and processed, flash-frozen food by the truckload. And if some 5-year-old Taiwanese kid working 12 hours without a bathroom break made it, you can find it here.
Runners Up: East Village, Valley Junction

Best Music Store
Best Buy

With tens of thousands of CDs in more than 20 different genres, Best Buy has just enough music to make the unknowledgeable teenagers who man the different areas of the store tolerable. Three words say it best: "Mary J. Blige." Word. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Peeples Music, Zzz Records

Best Place to Rent a Movie
Blockbuster

Enjoy your Friday afternoon jaunt to the video store while you can, because this whole deal is going the way of the Studebaker in the very near future. Sure, they can't send you stale licorice in the mail with your Web-ordered DVDs and you have to wait a few days, but the stores themselves don't carry 50,000 titles either. Not to mention, that parking lot at the Ingersoll Blockbuster is a real bitch. In the meantime, though, the readers have spoken. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Hollywood Video, Family Video

Best Store for Gamers
Gamers

Until small-minded Republicans get to decide what video games your children can and cannot play, Gamers will be there to offer up the bloodiest batch of graphics this side of San Andreas. Anyone for storming the beach at Normandy and maybe killing some hookers? Multiple locations
Runners Up: Game Stop, Best Buy

Best Liquor Store
Ingersoll Wine & Spirits

For the past 15 years, Ingersoll Wine and Spirits has been elevating alcohol consumption into an elegant art form. Whether you're looking for a beer from Kenya or the finest French champagne, the experts at Ingersoll will help you make a beverage selection that will impress the hell out of your significant other, or make you the instant life of the party. And with regular wine tastings and a new location in West Des Moines, Ingersoll is making it easier than ever to meet your alcohol needs in high style. 3500 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines 255-3191 and 1300 50th St.,West Des Moines,327-919
Runners Up: Hy-Vee Liquor, Urban Liquor

Best Drug Store
Walgreens

Popping up at virtually every intersection in the metro, Walgreens is the big-box equivalent of that nasty bug plaguing your office: you just can't avoid it. But, whether you need aspirin to get through the workday or realize you're out of rubbers at 2 a.m., it's impossible to deny that that fluorescent glow is the cure for what ails you. And while its epidemic spread may make mom-and-pop pharmacies nauseous, Central Iowa residents agree: you just can't beat the convenience. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Hy-Vee Drugtown, Bauders

Best Car Wash
Mister Car Wash

Listen up, you weekend warriors who clean out your Taurus air vents with Q-Tips, there is a better way: Mister Car Wash. It's good, clean fun, and you get the satisfaction of knowing someone other than you is taking care of your mess and your car won't smell like a wet dog's butt anymore. Try the express lane at Mister Car Wash for the I-don't-want-to-talk-to-the-people-who-work-at-the-car-wash alternative. Air freshener optional. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Executive Wash, Laser Car Wash

Best Bookstore
Barnes and Noble

When Oprah decides what we should all be reading, Central Iowans flock to Barnes and Noble at an alarming rate. The bookseller peddles more than 445 million books every year, while hosting scores of community events. It's like Wal-Mart with a heart - just with more books. Barnes & Noble is also the second-largest coffeehouse owner in the world. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 453-2980; 4550 University Ave., West Des Moines, 221-9171
Runners Up: Borders, Half Price Books

Best Used Bookstore
Half Price Books

In 1972, Half Price Books opened its first store in a converted Laundromat in Dallas, Texas. Today, Half Price Books has more than 80 retail stores in 14 states, with each store carrying a unique variety of new and used books, music, movies and games. Half Price Books is also good for planet Earth, recycling more than 16 million books and saving more than 650,000 trees since it opened. 8801 University Ave., Clive, 224-4429
Runners Up: Well Read Books, Far From the Maddening Crowd

Best Health Food Store
Campbell's Nutrition

Nowhere in the world are so many citizens overweight and undernourished as in the United States. And Iowa is one of the fattest states in the nation. But a movement to reclaim our physical and agricultural dignity is on the march, and here in Des Moines, Campbell's is ground zero for folks who want to fight back against an unsustainable and unhealthy food system. Sure, the chain stores are jumping on the "Health Market" bandwagon, but no other retailer has the extensive array of organic and niche products available at this locally owned and growing endeavor. And, on top of grocery staples and bulk items, Campbell's dedicates plenty of space to supplements, with knowledgeable employees at the ready to suggest the best options for your specific nutrient needs. Multiple locations
Runners Up: New City Market, GNC

Best Jewelry Store
Josephs

Without question. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Kay's, Jared Galleria of Jewelry

Best Antique Store
Brass Armadillo

Make no mistake: this ain't your grandma's antique store. With more than 450 dealers under one sprawling roof, this is the kind of place that requires some serious stamina, a destination that inspires marathon shopping sprees and extended excursions searching for one-of-a-kind treasures. From vintage quilts to Star Wars memorabilia, the Brass Armadillo is a unique animal, digging up priceless gems for every interest group. But with enough wares to furnish your entire home, best leave grandma to her knitting; this is no place for napping. 701 N.E. 50th Ave., Des Moines, 282-0082
Runners Up: A-OK, Collectamania

Best Furniture Store
Homemakers

There's nothing like coming home after a long day at the office and kicking back with a cold one. And when it comes to the comfy furniture that will ease your weary bones, nobody's got your back like Homemakers. With three decades of experience under its home decorating belt, the giant retailer boasts Iowa's largest selection of loveseats, sofas and sectionals, not to mention enough office, bedroom and dining furniture to supply every Ankeny housing development for the next 20 years. 10215 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, 276-2772; 5035 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines, 265-3481
Runners Up: Slumberland, Projects

Best Men's Clothing Store (Dressy)
Mr. B

While gracious that Mr. B was the winner of this category (with other Midwest Clothier stores Reichardt's and Badowers - all three of which are under the same ownership - placing as close runners up), co-owner Tim Sitzmann says he is not surprised. "Buying suits and dressier clothes is an investment," he says. "And we are all about the one-on-one relationship that is satisfying to the people making that investment. Our ultimate goal is to know our customers." And with updated traditional work attire from the likes of Hart Schaffer Marx, Tallia and Allen Edmunds, Mr. B has kept clients looking good for decades. "Here, when something isn't quite right, there's someone you can look in the eye and someone who will take care of it," Sitzmann says. "At a department store, you go back, you might not even be dealing with the same person. The sale is important, but what keeps our customers loyal is an excellent product and our relationships with them." N.W. 86th St., Clive, 276-8589
Runners Up: Reichardt's, Badowers

Best Women's Clothing Store (Dressy)
Von Maur

Von Maur has been in business for more than 130 years, and it is the only remaining family owned department store in the country. Why the longevity in such a big-box, cutthroat, send-our-profits-out-of-town business? Ah, the personal touch. Von Maur offers unique perks, such as free gift-wrapping, free shipping within the United States, and an interest-free store credit card. 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines, 223-1311
Runners Up: Ann Taylor, Younkers

Best Men's Clothing Store (Casual)
Younkers

Tommy Bahama may have been the nickname of the guy who sold you pot in high school, but, more importantly, it is the first name in men's casual wear. And nobody does men's casual wear like Younkers. Of course, you could keep going the Kevin Federline route and wear sweatpants all the time, but to swap out your normal marble-mouthed, day-laborer look, try Younkers. Just don't try it downtown. Multiple locations
Runners Up: G&L Clothing, Express

Best Women's Clothing Store (Casual)
Von Maur

Von Maur has been in business for more than 130 years, and it is the only remaining family owned department store in the country. Why the longevity in such a big-box, cutthroat, send-our-profits-out-of-town business? Ah, the personal touch. Von Maur offers unique perks, such as free gift-wrapping, free shipping within the United States, and an interest-free store credit card. Oh, you must have heard that one before. 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines, 223-1311
Runners Up: Younkers, Express

Best Hair Salon
Rick Mosley Hair

They'll take care of your coif, but this dynamic salon will also curl your toes with luxuries for your other extremities. Boasting not just the best in hair styling, Rick Mosley also offers massage therapy, reflexology and hot stone services, so you'll be feeling gorgeous from head to toe. And don't forget Rick around the holidays: few gifts compare to some pampering, especially at Mosley's affordable package prices. 12851 University Ave., West Des Moines, 279-4075
Runners up: Bella, Image Artists

Best Spa
Sahars

Apparently, Belinda Carlisle was right: heaven is a place on Earth. And, lo and behold, it just happens to be located a mere stone's throw from the I-235 freeway. For many weary metro residents, Sahar's Salon and Day Spa is nothing less than divine inspiration: an urban retreat that makes relaxation an art form, this is a haven of indulgences with spa packages ranging from body scrubs to couples massage, and every manner of pampering for your hair, skin and nails. And best of all, while your body will be left begging for more, the reasonable prices make it possible to visit heaven on a regular basis. 4100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, 225-7952
Runners Up: Estillo, Bella

Best Shoes
Von Maur

When shoe salesman Kevin Campbell told us that Von Maur has "a little bit for everyone," we rolled our eyes. But Campbell is right. Eccos, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste and Puma are just a taste of why the Valley West Mall staple does some $1 million in shoe sales each year - on the men's side alone - not to mention the excellent customer service. "We sit down and use a shoe horn and everything," Campbell says. Do they squeeze to see where the toe is? "If they want us to," Campbell says. 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines, 223-1311
Runners Up: DSW, Dillard's

Best Electronics Store
Best Buy

Best Buy Co. Inc. is North America's No. 1 specialty retailer of consumer electronics, not to mention it has more people standing around in blue shirts than the NYPD. But if you can get one of them to actually help you, it can be magical. Multiple locations
Runners Up: American, Radio Shack

Best Bike Shop
Rasmussen Bike Shop

Take it from the owners: Rasmussen's "got a crap-ton of butt-kicker bikes, a bald guy on speed, and a mute mechanic who probably loathes you more than you realize." While this Grand Avenue bike haven has just about everything on two wheels, the thing that sets these guys apart is their demeanor - they mean business when it comes to biking. Their slogan is "our service starts after the sale," and they back that up with assloads of tongue-in-cheek inspiration, from "12 To-dos Before Every Race" (one of which being "totally rock out" to your "most favorite punk rock CD") to "The Tao of Singlespeed" (which ponders, "Why do sky and dirt last forever?"). And don't forget the world-famous Rasmussen Bike Shop Race Team, which has "paved the way for this group of egomaniac high school dropouts with no employable skills to put on orange-camo lycra and take over the flippin' universe." Enough said. 301 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, 277-2636
Runners Up: Bike World, Barr Bicycle

Best Outdoor Store
Scheels All Sports

If you kill animals and sleep under the stars, Scheels All Sports is one-stop shopping for you. From arrows to ice fishing equipment to jockstraps to handguns to turkey jerky, Scheels is the world's largest selection of sports, sportswear and footwear - according to its Web site, anyway - and blood-thirsty Central Iowans can't get enough. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 727-4065
Runners Up: Back Country Outfitters, Active Endeavors

Best Thrift Store
Goodwill

Sure, that unpleasant scent of mothballs and aged B.O. can be overpowering when you first walk in. But browsing the racks of Goodwill is a journey through generations of fashion and an opportunity to get quality clothing for cut-rate prices - and we have $3.99 Patagonia fleece sweatshirts to prove it. Not to mention, you can equip your whole kitchen for less than it would cost to get a single set of new silverware, and stuff your house so full of quirky knick-knacks you'll be dusting for days. So, yes, while buying a second-hand mattress or used underwear may be nasty, Goodwill has so many other appealing options that Central Iowans are walking out with trash bags packed with entirely new wardrobes without even dipping into the piggy bank. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Salvation Army, DAV

Best Bridal Shop
Schaffers

For brides who want to walk down the aisle without looking like they just walked out of the outlet store, Schaffers is a Central Iowa gem. Tucked into the burgeoning East Village, this locally owned boutique is the perfect marriage of high style and unique fashion, where customer service is more than a slogan and tying the knot is made a whole lot less stressful with the help of experts committed to making sure your day is distinctive. With 55 years experience, Schaffer's staff members know how to throw a party, so it's little wonder that Central Iowans have made this a first stop on the way to the altar. 601 E. Locust St. and 504 E. Locust St., Des Moines, 288-0356
Runners Up: Weddings By Design, David's Bridal

Best Auto Shop
Hickman Auto

For most, going to a mechanic is like heading to the dentist: you know it's going to be unpleasant. But, while most auto shops will tell you to open (your wallet) wide and swallow their repair diagnosis, Hickman Auto is like a nice dose of Novocaine. Making the process as painless and efficient as possible, these guys get you in and out in no time, with quality repairs and maintenance that get your car back to tip-top condition. 5728 Hickman Road, Des Moines, 274-2886
Runners Up: Scotty's Auto Body, Drake Garage

Best Flower Shop
Boesen, The Florist

Few businesses have planted local roots as deep as Boesen, The Florist. Established in a greenhouse on Beaver Avenue back in 1923, the family operation has bloomed under the care of three generations and become the unquestioned leader in local flower sales, providing more options and arrangements than the Garden of Eden. Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet? With Boesen leading the way in cutting-edge horticultural technology, probably not. And with a stunning array of petals for every conceivable occasion, Boesen will make sure you're always making the right impression. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Hy-Vee, Flowerama

Best Sporting Goods
Scheels

When it comes to sporting goods, Scheels is quite simply the Great Indoors. A force of nature all its own, this cavernous warehouse boasts a virtual forest of apparel and footwear for every sport imaginable, not to mention a mountain of camping gear, a river of fishing essentials and an avalanche of skis and skates. If you dig Mother Nature, this is the mother lode of merchandise. 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 727-4065
Runners Up: Sportsman's Warehouse, Sports Authority

Best Grocery Store
Dahl's

Technically speaking, Dahl's is really no different than any other grocery store. You've got your meat and veggies, snacks and starches, just like any other supermarket. But going to Dahl's is like choosing a homemade pie over a Hostess cupcake. This is a grocery store where you'll spot local celebrities in the cereal aisle and run into employees who know your name, while avoiding that warehouse atmosphere of high-ceilings and fluorescent lights. Maybe it's the 70 years spent serving the metro, but there's just something about Dahl's that feels like home. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Hy-Vee, Fareway

Best Art Gallery
Kenneth Paul

Central Iowans with an eye for original prints or fine sculpture set their sights on Kenneth Paul. Specializing in limited-edition prints, sculpture and custom framing, this Douglas Avenue art gallery will have you hanging hard to find prints from major artists at prices that won't break the bank. And with featured artists like Jim Buckels and Jesse Barnes - not to mention 12,000 feet of gallery space that boast a fireplace sitting area - you can rest assured your selection will exemplify beauty in the eye of any beholder. 6600 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, 278-4378
Runners Up: Des Moines Art Center, Sticks

Best Tanning Salon
Visual Impact

You're so pasty white that your coworker doesn't want to go out to lunch with you, your spouse wants you to keep those clothes on and even your mother has stopped criticizing your hair and started in on your ghostly complexion. Well, Visual Impact can turn that Iowa winter malaise into a sexy Caribbean glow. And while there are a blinding number of metro locations for aesthetic irradiation, Central Iowans choose Visual Impact for their tanning needs more than any other. 1985 N.W. 94th St., Clive, 331-8910; 4209 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, 256-6387
Runners Up: Classic Tan, Tan World

Best Wine Store
Wine Experience

The Wine Experience is buzzing. And it's more than that third glass of Cabernet. Run by a pair of entrepreneurs who call themselves the "Wine Guys," there is simply no rival to the Wine Experience when it comes to indulging in the finest the vine has to offer. And not only can you open your wallet for the best products at its three Central Iowa locations, but you also can open your mind to the intricacies of the indulgent beverage with tastings, classes and even three-day trips to top-notch American vineyards. But best of all, this place isn't a stuffy boutique for pompous connoisseurs. The wine and cheese classes are "rocking" and local residents are lapping it up, making the Wine Experience the runaway winner in the Best Of vote. 7696 Hickman Road, Des Moines, 252-8798; 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, 457-8577
Runners Up: Ingersoll Wine & Spirits, The Wine House

Best Pet Store
Petco

Sure, it may be "where the pets go," but it's also the top dog in the minds of Central Iowa animal owners. If Sam Walton had started a pet store, this would be it: nowhere can you find so many items at such bargain prices. From custom accessories to specialty foods to live animals, this is an urban animal kingdom with few rivals.
Runners Up: Petsmart, Iowa Pet Foods

Best Hardware Store
Ace

You've got to have the right tool for every job and, for better or worse, Ace keeps local residents from slacking off by keeping them stocked up. With an unparalleled reserve of everything you need to get those home repairs squared away, this is the hardware store for the hard working. It's the place you go when you need the basics for a nuts-and-bolts project, or when your spouse has put the screws to you and you need some expert advice to get the deed done. So while you might be able to find the right tools at another location, there's a reason they call this place Ace. Multiple locations
Runners Up: True Value, Lowe's

Best Greenhouse/Nursery
Earl May

Few businesses manage to stay at the head of their industry for more than 80 years. But Earl May is a different breed. Established by the Nebraska native back in 1919, the seed and garden supplier has evolved from a small Shenandoah company to one of the top 10 nursery chains in the country. Now operated by Earl's granddaughter, the May family has cultivated a wide array of garden products that range from garden seeds to lawn care items to home dècor accessories. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Goode's, Boesens

Best Adult Store
Romantix

Admit it, you get horny sometimes. And a little help from a battery-operated companion is never a bad thing. That's why they call Romantix the Adult Superstore; they'll maximize your pleasure with items that only the most daring over-18s can handle. With lubes, lotions, videos and erotic toys to satisfy your most closeted desires, these sex-perts will satisfy your fetishes and fulfill your fantasies, whatever it may be. Multiple locations
Runners Up: Christals (formerly Pinky's), The Gallery

Best Body Piercing/Tattoo Shop
Skin Kitchen

For those with a taste for body art, Skin Kitchen is a virtual feast for ink enthusiasts. But, with so many rebel rivals, why's this Douglas Avenue tattoo parlor head and shoulders above the rest? Simple, customers say: the artists. With nearly 40 years experience between them, the creative flair and artistic accuracy of the four-person Skin Kitchen crew is unmatched in the metro area, making some residents say they wouldn't trust anyone else to do the job. 2607 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, 255-4430
Runners Up: Sacred Skin, Mid Air Ink

Best Car Dealer (Domestic)
Betts Auto Campus

Betts is synonymous with Cadillac, which is made by General Motors, and when it comes to domestic cars, there's nothing better than a Caddy. Besides, have you seen anyone have a valet park his or her car at the country club in a Geo Metro or heard of a pimp cruisin' the hood in a Ford Escort? No. Interestingly enough, though, Betts doesn't just sell domestic rides, they also specialize in Jaguar and Volvo and we're pretty sure they're not made in the good ol' U.S. of A. But then again, what the hell really is anymore? 2121 N.W. 100th St., Clive, 253-9600
Runners-up: Holmes Group, Bob Brown Chevrolet

Best Car Dealer (Foreign)
Jordan Motors

Foreign... it just sounds so unrefined. Don't you mean import? As in fine Corinthian leather, state-of-the-art gadgetry and names that you can't pronounce? At Jordan Motors you'll find new and used cars manufactured by Acura, Audi, Honda, Infiniti, Nissan and Volkswagen. The Merle Hay Auto Mile de