Category: Best of Eugene

  • Best Birth Doula

    1. Rosemary Campbell, 124 Hansen Ln., 458-210-6219. 2. Imani Dorsey, Daisy CHAIN, 1270 Charnelton St., 541-505-1139, DaisyChainLane.org. 3. Lydia Martinez, Selah Midwifery, SelahMidwifery.com.

  • Best Dog park

    1. Wayne Morse Ranch Family Farm, 595 Crest Drive, 541-682-5373, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities. 2. Amazon Park, 22 Amazon Pkwy., 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities. 3. Alton Baker Park, 200 Day Island Road, 541-682-4800, Eugene-or.gov/Facilities.

  • Best Place to take the kids

    Best Place to take the kids

    1. Eugene Public Library, Downtown, 100 E. 10th Ave., 541-682-5450, Eugene-or.gov. 2. Skinner Butte Park, RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground, 248 Cheshire Ave., Eugene-or.gov. 3. Adventure! Children’s Museum, 490 Valley River Ctr., 541-653-9629, AdventureChildrensMuseum.org.

  • Best Senior center/senior living 

    Best Senior center/senior living 

    1. Campbell Community Center, 155 High St., 541-682-5318, Eugene-or.gov/campbellcenter. 2. Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St., Springfield, 541-736-4444, Willamalane.org. 3. Eugene Hotel, 222 E. Broadway, 541-209-0420, EugeneHotelRetirement.com. An art room, a woodshop, an event space, gender neutral bathrooms and a location right on…

  • Best Event venue

    Best Event venue

    1. Cuthbert Amphitheater, 601 Day Island Road, TheCuthbert.com. 2. Hult Center, 1 Eugene Ctr., HultCenter.org. 3. WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave., WOWHall.org.

  • Best Trivia night

    Best Trivia night

    1. Trivia with Geo, beergarden, 777 W. 6th Ave., 541-505-9432, Beergardenme.com. 2. Sundays with Elliot Martinez, Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., Blairally.com. 3. Quality Trivia with Elliot Martinez, Oakshire Brewing, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, OakBrew.com. Test your skills at Geo Carcamo’s Trivia Tuesdays at beergarden. Contestants…

  • Best Queer gathering spot

    1. Old Nick’s Pub, 211 Washington St. 541-844-1280. OldNicksPub.com. 2. Cowfish Cafe and Lounge, 62 W. Broadway. 541-683-6319. Facebook.com/cowfish.danceclub. 3. Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd. 541-683-1721. Blairally.com. Stepping into Old Nick’s Pub is akin to entering another world. From the gargoyles to the Victorian chandeliers, the…

  • Best Singles Scene 

    1. Blairally, 245 Blair Blvd., 541-683-1721, Blairally.com. 2. Eugene Public Library, Downtown, 100 E. 10th Ave.; Bethel Branch, 1990 Echo Hollow Road; Sheldon Branch, 1566 Coburg Road, Eugene-or.gov.  3. Old Nick’s, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, OldNicksPub.com.

  • Best Local comedian

    Best Local comedian

    1. Jen Jay, Youtube @ Jen Jay Comedic Stylings. 2. Seth Milstein, Facebook and Instagram @sethmils. 3. Hazel Jae, Instagram @hazeldaez.

  • Best Karaoke 

    Best Karaoke 

    1. The Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar, 420 Main St., Springfield, 541-505-7975, MonkeysPawTikibar.com. 2. Slice Pizzeria, 325 Blair Blvd., 541-653-9937, SlicePizzeriaBar.com. 3. Old Nick’s Pub, 211 Washington St. 541-844-1280. OldNicksPub.com.

  • Best Bartender

    1. Molly Powell, Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., Sambonds.com. 2. Thor Slaughter, Akira, 359 Mill St., AkiraEugene.com. 3. Tasha Alo, Tacovore, 530 Blair Blvd. Tacovorepnw.com.

  • Best Server 

    1. Kelsey Barker, Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., Mandys-Restaurant.com. 2. Jorden Blair, Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com. 3. Tasha Alo, Tacovore, 530 Blair Blvd., 541-735-3518, TacovorePnw.com. Kelsey Barker has been a waitress for half of her life, and she’s worked…

  • Best Barista

    Best Barista

    1. Aaron (Sully) Sullivan, Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com. 2. Jaci Bothman, Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com. 3. Shyla Jenkins, Meraki Coffee Co., 1203 Willamette St., 541-844-0254, DrinkMeraki.com. Aaron “Sully” Sullivan has brought his chill demeanor and “brew-ti-ful” smile…

  • Best Place to get a burger

    Best Place to get a burger

    1. Cornucopia, 521 Main St., Springfield, 207 E. 5th Ave., 295 W. 17th Ave., 541-485-2879, CornucopiaEugene.com.  2. Killer Burger, 50 W. Broadway, 541-636-4731 & 298 Coburg Road, 541-780-6965, KillerBurger.com. 3. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W. 7th Ave., 541-653-9077, Facebook/GotchaBurgers.

  • Best Chicken joint

    Best Chicken joint

    1. Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com. 2. Hot Mama’s Wings, 420 W. 13th Ave., 541-653-9999, HotMammasWings.com. 3. Hot Honey, 207 Madison St., Instagram @hothoneyandco.

  • Best Bar grub

    Best Bar grub

    1. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com. 2. Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., 541-431-6603, SamBonds.com. 3. Old Nick’s Pub, 211 Washington St., 541-844-1280, OldNicksPub.com. Just like our readers, we love some food to go along with our libation. With a full bar and…

  • Best Comfort food

    Best Comfort food

    1. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave., 541-342-2075, 1689 Willamette St., 541-343-1542, Instagram @brailson5th. 2. Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., 541-654-0382, Mandys-Restaurant.com. 3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd. 541-844-8404. NelsonsInTheWhit.com. We let Best Hangover Breakfast take a break this year — a…

  • Best Latin American food

    Best Latin American food

    1. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd. 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com. 2. El Buen Sabor Taqueria, 650 Blair Blvd., 541-653-2517, ElbuenSaboreugene.com. 3. Xicha Brewing, 747 E. 32nd Ave., 541-654-4671, Xichabrewing.com.

  • Best Italian food

    Best Italian food

    1. Beppe and Gianni’s Trattoria, 1646 E. 19th Ave., 541-683-6661, BeppeandGiannis.net. 2. Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, OsteriaDop.com. 3. Placido’s Pasta Shop, 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., #110, 458-205-8092, Placidos.com.

  • Best Japanese food

    Best Japanese food

    1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com. 2. Akira, 359 Mill St., 458-205-8288, AkiraEugene.com. 3. Sushi Pure, 259 E. 5th Ave., 541-654-0608, SushiPureEugene.com.

  • Best Korean food

    Best Korean food

    1. Tiger Mama, 1080 W. 3rd Ave., 458-273-3166, Instagram @tigermamautrecht. 2. Cafe Seoul Korean Restaurant, 1930 Franklin Blvd., 541-687-2122, Cafe-seoul.wa-cafe.com. 3. Four Plus 3 Korean BBQ Restaurant, 2130 W. 11th Ave., 541-505-8744, FourPlus3.com.

  • Best Chinese food

    1. Jade Dumpling & Noodle House, 2560 Willamette St., 541-968-9258, JadeDumplingor.com. 2. Spice N’ Steam, 1655 W. 11th Ave., 541-654-0338, SpicenSteam.com. 3. Twin Dragons, 919 River Road, 541-688-5481, Twin-dragon-Restaurant.com.

  • Best Thai food

    Best Thai food

    1. Ta Ra Rin, 1200 Oak St. (541-343-1230) & 1520 Coburg Road, 541-844-1032, TararinThai.com. 2. Krob Krua Thai Kitchen, 1313 Pearl St., 541-636-6267, KrobKrua.com. 3. Sabai, 27 Oakway Ctr., 541-654-5424, SabaiCafe.com.

  • Best International cuisine that didn’t fit in one of the other categories

    1. Poppi’s Anatolia (Greek & Indian), 992 Willamette St., 541-343-9661, Poppi’sAnatolia.com. 2. Royal India, 1063 Valley River Way, 541-844-1532, RoyalIndiaEugene.com. 3. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine, 207 Madison St., 541-797-3741, Arekie.com.

  • Best Barbecue

    1. Paper Plate BBQ, 263 Mill St., 541-606-2130, PaperPlateBbq.com. 2. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue and Tap House, 201 E. 13th Ave., 541-654-0578, BillandTims.com. 3. Hole in the Wall Barbecue, 3200 W. 11th Ave., 541-683-7378, HoleintheWallbbq.com. According to Eugene Weekly readers, you can find the best…

  • Best Vegetarian/vegan food

    Best Vegetarian/vegan food

    1. Morning Glory Café, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com. 2. Acorn Community Café, 769 Monroe St., 541-403-7647, EatAcornCafe.com. 3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsInTheWhit.com. Morning Glory Café, Eugene’s oldest vegan/vegetarian restaurant, has long been a place where Eugene residents and visitors…

  • Best Breakfast

    Best Breakfast

    1. Morning Glory Cafe, 450 Willamette St., 541-687-0709, MorningGloryEugene.com. 2. Brail’s Restaurant, 395 W. 5th Ave. (541-342-2075), 1689 Willamette St. (541-343-1542), BrailsRestaurant.com. 3. The Glenwood, 2588 Willamette St., 541-687-8201, GlenwoodRestaurants.com.

  • Best Pizza

    Best Pizza

    1. Hey, Neighbor! Pizza House, 605 W. 19th Ave. & 1621 E. 19th Ave., 541-505-9302, H-n-p-h.com. 2. Mezza Luna Pizzeria, 933 Pearl St. (541-684-8900) & 115 S. 5th St., Springfield (541-653-8661), MezzalunaPizzeria.com. 3. Slice Pizzeria and Bar, 325 Blair Blvd., 541-653-9937, SlicePizzeriaBar.com.

  • Best Bagel place

    Best Bagel place

    1. Lox, Stocks and Bagels, 368 E. 40th Ave., 541-692-2435, LoxStocksandBagels.com. 2. Bagel Sphere, 810 Willamette St., 541-341-1335, BagelSphere.com. 3. Barry’s Espresso Bakery & Deli, 2805 Oak St., 541-343-6444, Facebook/barryssouthtowne.

  • Best Coffee shop

    Best Coffee shop

    1. Wandering Goat, 268 Madison St., 541-344-5161, WanderingGoat.com. 2. Farmers Union Coffee Roasters, 152 W. 5th Ave., FarmersUnionCoffee.com. 3. Vero Espresso House, 205 E. 14th Ave., 541-654-0504, VeroEspressoHouse.com.

  • Best Ice cream or desserts

    Best Ice cream or desserts

    1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com. 2. Prince Pückler’s, 1605 E. 19th Ave., 541-344-4418, PrincePucklers.com. 3. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com

  • Best Bakery

    Best Bakery

    1. Sweet Life Patisserie, 755 Monroe St., 541-683-5676, SweetLifeDesserts.com. 2. Creswell Bakery, 182 S. 2nd, Creswell, 541-895-5885, CreswellBakery.com. 3. Noisette Pastry Kitchen, 200 W. Broadway, 541-654-5257, NoisettePK.com Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sweet Life Patisserie, where sisters Catherine and Cheryl Reinhart have been crafting delicious,…

  • Best Bar

    Best Bar

    1. The Monkey’s Paw Tiki Bar, 420 Main St., Springfield, 541-505-7975, MonkeysPawTikibar.com. 2. Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd., 541-431-6603, SamBonds.com. 3. Jackalope Lounge, 453 Willamette St., 541-485-1519, JackalopeLounge.com.

  • Best Mixed drinks

    Best Mixed drinks

    1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com. 2. Party Bar, 55 W. Broadway, 541-345-8228, PartyEugene.com. 3. Rye, 444 E. 3rd Ave., 541-653-8509, Ryeon3rd.com.

  • Best Place for a nonalcoholic beverage

    Best Place for a nonalcoholic beverage

    1. High Street Tonics, 267 W. 8th Ave., 458-215-4814, HighStreetTonics.com. 2. Mandy’s Family Restaurant, 1491 Willamette St., 541-654-0382, Mandys-Restaurant.com. 3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com. For those nights when you want to get down, get funky and not get a headache,…

  • Best Special brew by a local brewery

    1. ColdFire Brewing Company: Skyline Dream, 263 Mill St., 541-636-3889, ColdfireBrewing.com. 2. Oakshire Brewery: Ill Tempered Gnome, 207 Madison St., Oakbrew.com. 3. Oakshire Brewing: Overcast, 1055 Madera St., 541-688-4555, Oakbrew.com.

  • Best Local wine

    Best Local wine

    1. Sweet Cheeks Winery, 27007 Briggs Hill Road., 541-349-9463, SweetCheeksWinery.com. 2. King Estate Winery, 80854 Territorial Hwy., 541-942-9874, KingEstate.com. 3. Sarver Winery, 25600 Mayola Lane, 541-935-2979, SarverWinery.com.

  • Best Distillery

    Best Distillery

    1. Thinking Tree Spirits, 88 Jackson St., 541-515-6993, ThinkingTreeSpiritis.com. 2. Heritage Distilling, 110 Madison St., 541-357-4431, HeritageDistilling.com. 3. Swallowtail Spirits, closed.

  • Best Takeout 

    1. Cafe Yumm, 3340 Gateway St., 1801 Willamette St., 550 Pearl St., Ste. 13, 860 E. 13th Ave., 130 Oakway Ctr., 3333 RiverBend Drive, (Springfield), CafeYumm.com.  2. Da Nang, closed. 3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.

  • Best Meal under $12

    1. Burrito Boy, Eugene: 510 E. Broadway (541-344-8070), 2511 W. 11th (541-338-4219), 1060 River Road, (541-689-7970), 1840 Chambers St. (541-246-8775), 1071 Valley River Drive, (541-343-8089), Springfield: 1889 Olympic St., (541-747-7775), BurritoBoy.com. 2. El Super Burrito, 2566 Willamette St., 541-485-0619, ElSuperBurrito.com. 3. Gotcha Burger, 1702 W.…

  • Best Meal over $25

    1. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com. 2. Lion and Owl, 60 E. 11th Ave., 541-606-0626, LionAndOwl.com. 3. Bar Purlieu, 1530 Willamette St., 458-201-7044, BarPurlieu.com.

  • Best Chef

    Best Chef

    1. Isaiah Martinez: Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com. 2. Ibrahim Hamide: Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com. 3. Nelson Lopez: Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.

  • Best Food cart

    Best Food cart

    1. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine, 207 Madison St., 2758 Friendly St., 541-797-3741, Arekie.com. 2. Nelson’s Taqueria, 400 Blair Blvd., NelsonsintheWhit.com. 3. Hot Honey, 207 Madison St., Instagram @hothoneyandco. Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine combines Latin and Indian flavors to create delicious street food that is sure…

  • Best Catering

    1. Mucho Gusto, 67 Oakway Ctr., 541-343-1481, MuchoGusto.info. 2. El Nopalito, 267 Van Buren, 541-357-1016, ElNopalito541.com. 3. Havana Cafe, 225 W. Broadway, 541-844-1247, HavanaCafeEugene.com.

  • Best New restaurant

    Best New restaurant

    1. Tiger Mama, 1080 W. 3rd Ave., 458-273-3166, TigerMamaEugene.com. 2. Yardy Caribbean Restaurant & Rum Bar, 837 Lincoln St., 458-240-7564, YardyRumBar.com. 3. Osteria DOP, 1122 Oak St., 541-913-6460, Osteriadop.com.

  • Best Out-of-town restaurant (not in Eugene-Springfield)

    Best Out-of-town restaurant (not in Eugene-Springfield)

    1. Dueling Spoons, Fall Creek, 39074 Jasper Lowell Road, 541-398-8929, DuelingSpoons.net. 2. Waterfront Depot,  Florence, 1252 Bay St., 541-902-9100, TheWaterfrontDepot.com. 3. Luna Sea, Yachats, 153 US-101, 541-547-4794, LunaSeaFishhouse.com.

  • Best Restaurant

    Best Restaurant

    1. Izakaya Meiji, 345 Van Buren St., 541-505-8804, IzakayaMeiji.com.  2. Cafe Soriah, 384 W. 13th Ave., 541-342-4410, Soriah.com. 3. Nelson’s in the Whit, 400 Blair Blvd., 541-844-8404, NelsonsintheWhit.com.

  • Best Local fiction writer or poet

    1. Jorah LaFleur, JorahLaFleur.com. 2. Jalen Thompson, English instructor at UO College of Arts and Sciences. CAS.UOregon.edu 3. Skutch Lucika, Metal-Archive.com. Jorah LaFleur is a spoken word poet who has been writing and performing her poems across Oregon since she was a teenager. She’s published…

  • Best Journalist

    Best Journalist

    1. Camilla Mortensen, editor, Eugene Weekly, EugeneWeekly.com. 2. Bob Keefer, retired arts editor, Eugene Weekly, EugeneWeekly.com. 3. Will Kennedy, freelance music writer, Eugene Weekly, EugeneWeekly.com, WeGotThisCovered.com and more. It says a lot that readers voted the top three Best Journos to be longtime Eugene Weekly…

  • Best Local TV personality

    1. Renee McCullough, KEZI, ABC Channel 9,  KEZI.com. 2. Angela Yamamoto, KVAL, CBS Channel 13, KVAL.com.  3. Holden LeCroy, meteorologist, KEZI, ABC Channel 9, KEZI.com.   Back in 2013, TV watchers were disappointed to learn that local TV station KMTR had let Renee McCullough and…

  • Best Local radio personality or podcaster

    Best Local radio personality or podcaster

    1. Deb Trist, Downtown Deb, KLCC, 89.7 FM, Dead Air on Facebook, KLCC.org. 2. Val Steele, US101, 101.5 FM,  Val Steele on Facebook. 3. DJ Taco Supreme, Joaquin Arriola, KWVA, 88.1 FM, Spinitron.com. 

  • Best Club DJ 

    Best Club DJ 

    1. Tinta Turnter, Tiana Husted, Instagram @tinta.turnter. 2. DJ Smuve, Instagram @djsmuve1.  3. Club Neveau, DawnMichelle Neveau, Clubneveau.com. Tinta Turnter is addicted to their booty-bouncing, bass-boosted beats, making her this year’s EW Best DJ. “You get to see everyone’s personalities and styles pop out. And…

  • Best Actor/Actress

    1. Kali Kardas, burlesque performer Jean Candy, KaliKardas.com. 2. Inga Wilson, OCTheatre.org. 3. Erica Towe, actress and part-time instructor in arts and humanities at Lane Community College.

  • Best Local band

    Best Local band

    1. The Sugar Beets, Facebook.com/TheSugarBeets.  2. Candy Apple Bleu, CandyAppleBleu.com, Facebook. 3. BabySmooth, Instagram @babysmoothsincebirth. Will the Beet go on forever? About to usher in their 35th year since they met in the dorms, The Sugar Beets don’t show any sign of slowing down. The…

  • Best Local singer/songwriter

    Best Local singer/songwriter

    1. Halie Loren, HalieLoren.com. 2. Amiia Nectar, Instagram @amiianectar. 3. Elena Leona, ElenaLeona.com.

  • Best Local Theater Company

    Best Local Theater Company

    1. Very Little Theatre, 2350 Hilyard St., 541-344-7751, TheVlt.com. 2. Oregon Contemporary Theatre, 194 W. Broadway, 541-465-1506, OCTheatre.org. 3. Actors Cabaret of Eugene, 996 Willamette St., 541-683-4368, ActorsCabaret.org. On Sept. 29, the cast of The Mousetrap took its final bow, concluding a run that spanned…

  • Best Classical music group

    1. Eugene Symphony, EugeneSymphony.org. 2. Eugene Concert Choir, EugeneConcertChoir.org. 3. Blue Skies Big Band, 1920s-1940s swing, BlueSkiesBigBand.com.

  • Best Local clothing designer

    1. Sweet Skins Hemp, 850 W. 2nd Ave., 541-393-6925, SweetSkins.com. 2. Ashley Newport, Instagram @hair.witch. 3. Mitra Gruwell, Discard Recycling, DiscardUpcycling.com.

  • Best Photographer

    Best Photographer

    1. Athena Delene, Delene & Co., 541-515-9442, Delene.Co. 2. Skyeler Williams, WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave. WowHall.org. 3. Chris Pietsch, The Register-Guard, RegisterGuard.com. One minute she’s at the Eugene BRiGHT Parade, the next she’s pulling local luminaries into her photography studio. The hardworking Athena…

  • Best Drag queen

    1. Lyta Blunt, Instagram @lytablunt.  2. Karress Ann Slaughter (Cornel Hardiman), Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene. 3. Maliena Bitchcock, Instagram @maliena_bitchcock. 

  • Best Drag king

    1. Heavy Cream, Melanie Funke, Facebook and Instagram @heavy_creammm. 2. Luke N. Good, Sarah Majercin, Facebook and Instagram @luke.n.good. 3. Edd Zackly, Abigail, Instagram @eddZackly.

  • Best Local artist

    Best Local artist

    1. Ila Rose, Instagram.com/ilaroseart, IlaRoseArt.com.  2. Jud Turner, JudTurner.com. 3. Cindy Ingram, Instagram.com/cindy.ingram.art/. From the mural and menus of Morning Glory Cafe to the walls of Tsunami Books and the Eugene Family YMCA, Ila Rose’s art is an embedded part of Eugene’s culture. In her…

  • Best New business

    Best New business

    1. PLAY Eugene, 232 W. 5th Ave., 541-357-5010, PlayEugene.com. 2. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com. 3. Happy Haze Dispensary, 1409 Oak St., 541-250-2332, HappyHazeOregon.com.

  • Best Indie bookstore

    Best Indie bookstore

    1. Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., 541-345-8986, TsunamiBooks.org. 2. Smith Family Bookstore, 525 Willamette St., 541-343-4717, SmithFamilyBookstore.com. 3. Books With Pictures Eugene, 296 E. 5th Ave., 5410-485-1048, BooksWithPicturesEug.com. New, used, rare and so much more, Tsunami Books has won the best of Eugene title for…

  • Best Secondhand Shop

    Best Secondhand Shop

    1. St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, 2890 Chad Drive, 541-743-7117, Eugene, and 199 Q St., Springfield, 541-746-7784, as well as a dozen other sites in and around Lane County. SVDP.us. 2. SARA’s Treasures, 871 River Road, 541-607-8892. SarasTreasures.org. 3. Ghost Town Outfitters, 1040…

  • Best Place to get fit

    Best Place to get fit

    1. Eugene YMCA, 600 East 24th Ave., 541-686-9622, EugeneYmca.org. 2. Outside, all of Eugene and Lane County. Enjoy! 3. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com. Walk through the double doors at the Eugene YMCA and you will be struck by…

  • Best Yoga

    1. Everyday People Yoga, 352 W. 12th Ave., 541-782-8678, EpyogaEugene.com. 2. Eugene Family YMCA, 600 East 24th Ave., 541-686-9622, EugeneYmca.org. 3. The Yoga Place, 4730 Village Plaza Loop, ste. 130, 541-654-4475, YogaPlaceEugene.com.

  • Best Martial arts

    Best Martial arts

    1. Eugene School of Karate, 116 S. 4th St., Springfield, 541-543-4166, EugeneKarate.com. 2. RMA Martial Arts, 2709 Willamette St., 541-344-0404, RightMentalAttitude.com. 3. Best Martial Arts Institute, 795 Almaden St., 541-345-0684, Bmai.org. Anybody who’s done martial arts, or a combat sport, knows how quickly it can…

  • Best Local food market

    Best Local food market

    1. Lane County Farmers Market, Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave., 541-431-4923, LaneCountyFarmersMarket.org. 2. Kiva Grocery Store, 125 W. 11th Ave., 541-342-8666, KivaGrocery.com. 3. Sundance Natural Foods, 748 E. 24th Ave., 541-343-9142, SundanceNaturalFoods.com.

  • Best Garden gear shop

    Best Garden gear shop

    1. Down To Earth Home, Garden & Gift, 532 Olive St., 541-342-6820, DowntoEarthEugene.com. 2. Eugene Backyard Farmer, 501 Washington St., 541-485-3276, EugeneBackyardFarmer.com. 3. Gray’s Garden Center, 737 W. 6th Ave., 541-345-1569, GraysGardens.com.

  • Best Local outdoor recreation store

    1. Eugene Gear Traders, 505 Willamette St., ste. 110, 541-515-6764, EugeneGearTraders.com. 2. Berg’s Ski Shop, 367 W. 13th Ave., 541-683-1300, BergsSkiShop.com. 3. Run Hub NW, 515 High St., 541-344-1239, Runhubnw.com. Have you ever woken up and thought, “Wow, what this city needs is a premier…

  • Best Bicycle store

    Best Bicycle store

    1. Bicycle Way of Life, 556 Charnelton St., 541-344-4105, 2480 Alder St., 541-342-6155, Bicycleway.com. 2. Shift Community Cycles, 811 W. 6th Ave., 541-728-2453, Shiftcc.org. 3. Hutch’s Bicycle Store, 960 Charnelton St., 541-345-7521, Facebook/HutchsBicycles. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a bicycle shop — it’s…

  • Best Auto repair

    Best Auto repair

    1. Joe’s Garage, 888 W. 1st Ave., 541-507-8788, JoesGarageEugene.com. 2. Sun Automotive,1905 Agate St. (541-344-0869), 391 Rustic Place (541-344-2219), 255 S. A St., Springfield (541-746-6430), 490 Ivy St., Junction City (541-746-6430), SunAutomotive.com. 3. Sparky’s Garage, 268 Madison Street Alleyway, 541-632-3759, SparkysGarage.myshopify.com.

  • Best Cannabis dispensary

    1. Moss Crossing, 2751 Friendly St., 541-636-3724, MossCrossing.com. 2. Nectar, 340 River Road, 541-255-2457, Nectar.Store. 3. (tie) Amazon Organics, 3443 Hilyard St., 541-636-4100, Aocannabis.com; TJs on Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541-505-7961, VisitTjs.com.

  • Best Tattoo Artist

    Best Tattoo Artist

    1. Sarah Knapp, Wild Rose Tattoo, 2849 Oak St., WildRoseRattoo.com/sarah. 2. Caitlin Carter, Caito Tattoos, 30 E. Broadway, CaitoTattoos.com. 3. Kenny Plimpton, High Priestess, 525 E. 13th Ave., 541-343-3311, BestStudioEver.com  Wild Rose Tattoo is keeping it in the shop family this year with Sarah Knapp,…

  • Best Massage Therapist

    1. Morgan Hawk, Orb Weaver Healing Arts, 201 Blair Blvd., 828-620-6097, OrbWeaverHealing.com. 2. Footloose Massage Ctr., 35 W. 8th Ave., 541-686-4461, FootlooseMassage.com. 3. Kenna Mackenzie,  Resilience Springfield Medical Massage, 1618 J St., Springfield, 541-404-9510, ResilienceMM.com.

  • Best Veterinarian 

    Best Veterinarian 

    1. Jodi Wiktorowski, Eugene Animal Hospital, 1432 Orchard St. 541-342-1178, EugeneAnimal.com. 2. Kristina Garretson, VCA Delta Oaks Animal Hospital, 1020 Green Acres Road. 541-345-7970, VCAHospitals.com. 3. Cameron Jones, Amazon Park Animal Clinic, 725 E. 25th Ave. 541-485-0161.  It’s been one day since a patient last…

  • Best Salon

    Best Salon

    1. Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com. 2. 4247 Loft, 390 Lincoln St., #220, 855-461-1420, 4247Loft.com. 3. Mothership Salon, 303 Main St., Springfield, 541-746-4247, TheMotherShipSalon.com.

  • Best Barber

    Best Barber

    1. Ashley Newport, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St. AnomalyHairCollective.com; Trailhead Barbershop, 384 E. 40th Ave. 541-505-8432. 2. Brooklynn J. Damon, American Traditional Barbershop, 390 W. 12th Ave. Atbs.life. 3. Renee Rogers, Anomaly Hair Collective, 837 Monroe St., AnomalyHairCollective.com.

  • Best Customer service worker

    Best Customer service worker

    1. Calvin Orlando Smith, Albertsons on Hilyard, 3075 Hilyard St. Local.Albertsons.com. 2. Sarah Mutterspaugh, Veneta Meals on Wheels, MidLaneCares.com. 3. Danette Lamson, WOW Hall, 291 W. 8th Ave. WowHall.org. You’ve heard of singing cowboys and, perhaps, The Singing Detective. The larger-than-life figure of Calvin Orlando…

  • Best Budtender

    1. Kelly Ann, Happy Haze, 1409 Oak St., 541-250-2332, HappyHazeOregon.com. 2. Tyler Jones, Happy Haze, 1409 Oak St., 541-250-2332, HappyHazeOregon.com. 3. (tie) Kris Stapleton, Going Green Eugene, 439 W. 1st Ave., 541-735-3521, Noah Willis, TJ’s Willamette, 1027 Willamette St., 541- 505-7961, VisitTjs.com. 

  • The Dream of Best of Eugene

    The Dream of Best of Eugene

    Remember the excitement of Tiger Beat, Teen or Bop showing up in your mailbox? You’d pull out that poster of Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake (depending on just how long ago you were checking your mailbox) and pin it on your wall. Maybe you’d make…

  • Best Nonprofit leader

    Best Nonprofit leader

    1. Jennifer Denson, Burrito Brigade and Waste to Taste, 1775 W. 6th Ave., BurritoBrigade.org. 2. Cary Lieberman, Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Green Hill Road, Green-hill.org. 3. Brittiny Raine, CORE: Community Outreach through Radical Empowerment, Zephyr House, 692 Jefferson St., 541-870-0036, COREEugene.org. Burrito Brigade’s Executive Director…

  • Best Local hellraiser

    Best Local hellraiser

    1. Eugene Weekly, 1251 Lincoln St., EugeneWeekly.com. 2. Lauren Regan, Civil Liberties Defense Center, 1711 Willamette St., ste. 301, CLDC.org. 3. Jetty Etty, Barefoot Defenders, Instagram @barefootdefenders.  That’s right, Eugene Weekly raised hell this year — according to our readers and voters. Between exposing the investigation…

  • Best Local uproar 

    Best Local uproar 

    1. Eugene Emeralds multi-use stadium vote. 2. Cottage Grove loses its humanity in the homeless sweep. 3. Ian on Olive on Reddit.

  • Best Educator 

    Best Educator 

    1. Leah Dunbar, Churchill High School. 2. Andrea Herrera, University of Oregon. 3. Emily Swenson, The Village School. 

  • Best Librarian 

    Best Librarian 

    1. All the folks in the children’s section Eugene Public Library, downtown, 100 W. 10th Ave., 541-682-5450, Eugene-or.gov. 2. Annie Zeidman-Karpinski, University of Oregon Allan Price Science Commons and Research Laboratory, 1344 Franklin Blvd., 541-346-3075, Library.uoregon.edu/price-science.  3. Honey Vizer, Eugene Public Library, 100 W. 10th…

  • Best Animal-focused nonprofit

    1. Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Road, 541-485-1320, CascadesRaptorCenter.org. 2. Greenhill Humane Society, 88530 Greenhill Road, 541-689-1503, Green-Hill.org. 3. Northwest Dog Project, NorthwestDogProject.org. It’s all about the birds or, as Julie Collins, the executive director of Cascades Raptor Center puts it, “our feathered co-workers.”…

  • Best Program for the homeless

    1. CAHOOTS, 341 E. 12th Ave., 541-682-5111, WhiteBirdClinic.org/cahoots. 2. White Bird Clinic, 341 E. 12th Ave., 541-682-5111, WhiteBirdClinic.org. 3. Burrito Brigade, 1775 W. 6th Ave., 541-632-3239, BurritoBrigade.org.

  • Best Environmental advocates

    1. McKenzie River Trust, 725 W. 1st Ave., 541-345-2799, McKenzieRiver.org. 2. Cascades Raptor Center, 32275 Fox Hollow Road, 541-485-1320, CascadesRaptorCenter.org. 3. Cascadia Wildlands,  120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., ste. 250, 541-434-1463, CascWild.org.

  • Best Art gallery

    1. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, 1430 Johnson Lane, University of Oregon, 541-346-3027, Jsma.Uoregon.edu. 2. New Zone Gallery, 110 E. 11th Ave., 541-683-0759, NewZoneGallery.org. 3. Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., 541-345-1571, MkartCenter.org.

  • Joyful Memories 

    Joyful Memories 

    It’s been almost a year, and Sang Joo “Joy” Knudtson is missed.  Her smile is missed as well as her charm and warmth, the characteristics that earned her the endearing title of Umma, Korean for mother, with customers and employees alike. For more than 20…

  • Best of Eugene 2023-2024

    Best of Eugene 2023-2024

    We hear from readers all the time that they want good news just as much as they want to stay up on the more troubling local events and politics. It’s a fine balance and one that we at Eugene Weekly are happy to dive into…

  • Best Local Politician

    1. None of them 2. Rep. Val Hoyle Congress 3. Mayor Lucy Vinis Eugene  4. State Sen. James I. Manning Jr. Oregon Legislature

  • Best Person Making a Difference 

    Best Person Making a Difference 

    1. Brittiny Raine CORE, Community Outreach through Radical Empowerment, CoreEugene.org. 2. Dan Bryant SquareOne Villages housing nonprofit, SquareOneVillages.org. 3. Terry McDonald St. Vincent De Paul, SVdP.us.  When Brittiny Raine moved to Eugene in 2017, she had one goal in mind: start a nonprofit that actually…

  • Best Educator

    Best Educator

    1. Liliana Darwin Lopez University of Oregon 2. Rachel Kei Gabbert Music Education Collective 3. Leah Dunbar Lane Education Service District

  • Best Animal-focused Nonprofit

    1. Greenhill Humane Society 88530 Green Hill Rd. 541-689-1503. Green-hill.org. 2. Cascades Raptor Center 32275 Fox Hollow Rd. 541-485-1320. CascadesRaptorCenter.org.  3. Northwest Dog Project NorthWestDogProject.org.

  • Best Program for the Homeless

    1. CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets) 341 E. 12th Ave. 541-342-8255. WhiteBirdClinic.org.  2. White Bird Clinic 341 E. 12th Ave. 541-342-8255. WhiteBirdClinic.org.  3. Burrito Brigade 1775 W. 6th Ave. 541-632-3239. BurritoBrigade.org.

  • Best Climate Change Fighters/Environmental Group

    Best Climate Change Fighters/Environmental Group

    1. McKenzie River Trust 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd ste. 270. 541-345-2799. McKenzieRiver.org.  2. Cascadia Wildlands 120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd ste. 250. 541-434-1463. CascWild.org. 3. Our Children’s Trust / Juliana v. United StatesPO Box 5181 Eugene, OR 97405. OurChildrensTrust.org. Founded in 1989, the McKenzie River Trust…

  • Best Event Venue

    Best Event Venue

    1. Cuthbert Amphitheater 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. 541-762-8099.TheCuthbert.com.  2. Hult Center 1 Eugene Center. 541-682-5000. HultCenter.org. 3. WOW Hall 291 W. 8th Ave. 541-687-2746. WowHall.org.  Sources close to Cuthbert Amphitheater tell Eugene Weekly the summer 2024 concert series is already stacked, and that facility upgrades…

  • Best Local Fiction Writer or Poet

    Best Local Fiction Writer or Poet

    1. Cai Emmons (1951-2023) CaiEmmonsAuthor.com. 2. Melissa Hart MelissaHart.com. 3. Anna Grace Anna-Grace-author.com.

  • Best Journalist

    Best Journalist

    1. Camilla Mortensen Eugene Weekly. EugeneWeekly.com. 2. Rachael McDonald KLCC. KLCC.org. 3. Chris Pietsch The Register-Guard. RegisterGuard.com.

  • Best Local Radio DJ or Podcaster

    Best Local Radio DJ or Podcaster

    1. Downtown Deb KLCC. KLCC.org. 2. Jivin’ Johnny Etheredge KRVM. KRVM.org. 3. DJ BrownSugga KEPW. KEPW.org.

  • Best Club DJ

    Best Club DJ

    1. DJ Smuve, Bobby L. Green Jr. Find on Facebook and Instagram.  2. Club Neveau Dawn, Michelle Neveau ClubNeveau.com. 3. Jon “Supa J” Smith Find on Facebook and Instagram. DJ Smuve, aka Bobby L. Green Jr., is the “party rocker” DJ who’s been spinning mixes…

  • Best Actor/Actress

    Best Actor/Actress

    1. Storm Kennedy StormKennedy.com.  2. Inga Wilson OCTheatre.org/staff. 3. Kali Kardas KaliKardas.com. EW readers have once again dubbed Storm Kennedy the best actor or actress in Eugene. She got what she calls her “trifecta” in 2020, when she took the category for the third year…

  • Best Local Theater Company

    Best Local Theater Company

    1. Very Little Theatre 2350 Hilyard St. 541-344-7751. TheVLT.com. 2. The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts (The Shedd) 868 High Street. 541-434-7000. TheShedd.org. 3. Oregon Contemporary Theatre 194 W. Broadway. 541-465-1506. OCTheatre.org. This is one tough category to win. In recent years Eugene…

  • Best Local Band

    Best Local Band

    1. The Sugar Beets Facebook.com/TheSugarBeets. 2. Satin Love Orchestra Facebook.com/satinloveorchestra. 3. High Step Society HighStepSociety.com. Eugene is a music-loving town, and if a local band encourages us to get up and dance, audiences remain loyal for years. For more than three decades, 2023’s Best of…

  • Best Local Singer/Songwriter

    Best Local Singer/Songwriter

    1. Halie Loren HalieLoren.com.  2. Bettreena Jaeger, Baroque Betty BaroqueBetty.com. 3. Ziree Sun, Dez Brock Facebook.com/dezbcreative. Look back at Halie Loren’s Eugene Weekly Best of Eugene singer-songwriter win record, and see what Weekly readers have known all along: When the history of Eugene music —…

  • Best Classical Music Group

    Best Classical Music Group

    1. Eugene Symphony Orchestra 115 W. 8th Ave. ste. 115. 541-687-9487. EugeneSymphony.org. 2. Eugene Concert Choir 174 E. 16th Ave. ste. 135. 541-687-6865. EugeneConcertChoir.org. 3. Oregon Mozart Players 174 E. 16th Ave. ste. 142. 541-345-6648. OregonMozartPlayers.org.

  • Best Comedian

    Best Comedian

    1. Leigh Anne Jasheway AccidentalComic.com. 2. Jen Jay Facebook.com/jenjanjamesearljonesjohnson. 3. Devin Jones  Leigh Anne Jasheway describes herself as an “accidental comic” because “I kind of stumbled upon it.” Jasheway discovered her love for comedy after going through a divorce and realizing she needed to find…

  • Best Public Art

    Best Public Art

    1. Suspish Facebook.com/SuspishBiz and Suspish Fish on Facebook.  2. 20×21 Mural Project 20x21eug.com. 3. Ila Rose IlaRoseArt.com.

  • Best Local Artist

    Best Local Artist

    1. Suspish Facebook.com/SuspishBiz and Suspish Fish on Facebook.  2. Shanna Trumbly ShannaTrumbly.com.  3. Ila Rose IlaRoseArt.com.

  • Best Art Gallery

    Best Art Gallery

    1. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art 1430 Johnson Ln. 541-346-3027. JSMA.UOregon.edu.  2. New Zone Gallery 110 E. 11th Ave. 541-683-0759. NewZoneGallery.org.  3. White Lotus Gallery 767 Willamette. 541-345-3276. WLotus.com.

  • Best Photographer

    Best Photographer

    1. Athena Delene Delene and Co.541-515-9442.Delene.co.  2. Faliesha Dawn Photography FalieshaDawne.com. 3. Destiny Brock Brock Photography. BrockDestiny1.wixsite.com/dbrockphotography.

  • Best Drag Queen

    Best Drag Queen

    1. Karress Ann Slaughter, Cornel Hardiman Facebook.com/GlamazonsEugene. 2. Lyta Blunt, Deziree Brock Facebook.com/Lytablunt. 3. Slutashia, Sam Thrower Facebook.com/Slutashia. Karress Ann Slaughter, aka Cornel Hardiman, is a Eugene drag veteran. Hardiman has been in the Eugene drag scene for nearly 30 years and has no signs…

  • Best Drag King 

    Best Drag King 

    1. Heavy Cream, Melanie Funke Instagram.com/heavy_creammm. 2. Smash The King Instagram.com/smash_the.king. 3. Edd Zackly, Abigail Instagram.com/eddzackly. For Heavy Cream, aka Melanie Funke, drag was a world they were enamored by but unsure where they could fit it. “I started seeing a local drag king, Jackley.…

  • Best Burger Joint

    Best Burger Joint

    1. Cornucopia 295 W. 17th Ave. 541-485-2300; 207 E. 5th Ave. ste. 109, 541-485-2676; 521 Main St. Spfd, 541-485-2879. CornucopiaEugene.com. 2. Gotcha Burger 1702 W. 7th Ave. 541-221-2839. 3. Toxic Burger 943 River Rd, 541-689-9464; 2766 W. 11th Ave. 541-255-4345; 2866 Willamette, 541-930-3355; 285 E.…

  • Best Chicken Joint

    Best Chicken Joint

    1. Hot Mama’s Wings 420 W. 13th Ave. 541-653-9999. HotMamasWings.com.  2. Yardy Eugene 263 Mill St. YardyEugene.com.  3. Chicken Bonz 1815 Pioneer Pkwy E. Spfd. 541-726-0111. ChickenBonz.com. 

  • Best Comfort Food

    Best Comfort Food

    1. Brail’s 1689 Willamette. 541-343-1542; 395 W. 5th Ave. #2506, 541-342-2075. BrailsRestaurant.co. 2. Black Wolf Supper Club 454 Willamette. 541-687-8226. BlackWolfSupperClub.com.  3. Mandy’s Family Restaurant 1491 Willamette. 541-654-0382. MandysFamilyRestaurant.com. 

  • Best Latin American Food

    Best Latin American Food

    1. Nelson’s in the Whit 400 Blair Blvd. 541-844-8404; NelsonsInTheWhit.com; Nelsons-Taqueria.Business.Site.  2. Tacovore 530 Blair Blvd. 541-735-3518. TacovorePNW.com. 3. El Buen Sabor 650 Blair Blvd. 541-653-2517. ElBuenSabor.us.

  • Best Italian Food

    1. Beppe & Gianni’s Trattoria 1646 E. 19th Ave. 541-683-6661. BeppeAndGiannis.net. 2. Mazzi’s Italian Restaurant 3377 E. Amazon Dr. 541-687-2252. Mazzis.com. 3. Placido’s Pasta Shop ​​120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd. #110, 458-205-8092. Placidos.com.

  • Best Thai Food

    Best Thai Food

    1. Ta Ra Rin Thai Cuisine 1200 Oak St. 541-343-1230; 1410 Mohawk Blvd. Spfd. 541- 505-8987; 1520 Coburg Rd. 541-844-1032. TaRaRinThai.com. 2. Sabai 27 Oakway Ctr. 541-654-5424. SabaiCafe.com. 3. Krob Krua 1313 Pearl St. 541-636-6267. KrobKrua.com. 

  • Best International Cuisine That Didn’t Fit in One of the Other Categories

    Best International Cuisine That Didn’t Fit in One of the Other Categories

    1. Cafe Soriah 384 W. 13th Ave. 541-342-4410. Soriah.com. 2. Poppi’s Anatolia 992 Willamette. 541-343-9661. PoppisAnatolia.com. 3. Evergreen Indian 906 W. 7th Ave. 541-343-7944.

  • Best Barbecue

    Best Barbecue

    1. Bill & Tim’s Barbecue & Tap House 201 E. 13th Ave. 541-654-0578. Billandtims.com. 2. Hole in the Wall 3200 W. 11th Ave. 541-683-7378; 1807 Olympic St. Spfd. 541-726-1200. Holeinthewallbbq.com. 3. Paper Plate BBQ 263 Mill St. 541-606-2130. Paperplatebbq.com.