The 2018 Best of Erie Winners

Photos by Jessica Hunter

Congratulations to all 111 Best of Erie winners. This year, we saw a record number of ballots, clocking in at just under 350,000 total votes among all categories. Some races were incredibly close, decided by a surprisingly slim margin. Because of this, we wanted to highlight the top three finalists once again, with runners-up in each category listed in alphabetical order. In the end, we were left with your favorites. These we selected from your nominations and calculated from your votes. As the name implies, it is the best of Erie, a list filled with familiar faces and newcomers to the list. It's all the best in business, culture, food, and of course, the remarkable individuals that make our community special. It's our lifeblood, the bars, the bands, the organizations we love and want to tell you about. To everyone who voted and all the people who helped spread the word to others, thank you.

Goods and Services

^{Brittany Stowe, voted Erie's best bartender, pours libations at the ever-popular Plymouth Tavern, winner of the "Best Neighborhood Bar" and "Best College Bar" categories.}

Best Local Business
Winner: Waldameer & Water World
Runners up: Erie Insurance, Kraus Department Store

Best Car Dealership
Winner: Bianchi Honda
Runners up: Hallman Chevrolet, Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge & Ram

Best Used/Vintage Clothing
Winner: The Sassy Peacock
Runners up: Plato's Closet, The Salvation Army Family Store

Best Jewelry Store
Winner: Dahlkemper's Jewelry Connection
Runners up: Breakiron Jewelers, Sacred Piercing

Best Furniture Store
Winner: John V. Schultz
Runners up: Arthur F. Schultz, Furniture Row

Best Smoke/Vapor Shop
Winner: Smoker Friendly
Runners up: Hippie and the Hound Vapor Store and Lounge, Vapor Cabana

Best Place to Get a Six Pack
Winner: U Pick Six
Runners up: 1000 Beers, Wegmans

Best Health Food Store
Winner: Whole Foods Co-op
Runners up: The Juice Jar, Zero Gravity

Best Tattoo Parlor
Winner: Ink Assassins
Runners up: Mid-Town Tattoo, Wayward Tattoo Studio

Best Local Graphic Designer
Winner: Ellen Chipoletti
Runners up: Amanda Daniels, Alice DeGeorge

Best Place to Get Pierced
Winner: Sacred Piercing
Runners up: Erie Eclect-Ink, Ink Assassins

Best Place to Adopt a Pet
Winner: The ANNA Shelter
Runners up: Because You Care, Inc, Humane Society of Northwest Pennsylvania

Best Bank
Winner: Erie Federal Credit Union
Runners up: Northwest Bank, Widget Financial

Best Spa
Winner: Coventina Day Spa
Runners up: Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon, Panache Salon and Spa

Best Beauty Salon
Winner: Panache Salon and Spa
Runners up: Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon, Moxi Hair Salon

Best Barbershop
Winner: Russo's Barbershop
Runners up: Colony Barber Shop, Uncle's Barber Shop

Best Bike Shop
Winner: John Adams Cycling & Fitness
Runners up: A. R. Adams Cycle, Competitive Gear 

 

Best Web Developer
Winner: Epic Web Studios
Runners up: Snowberry Media, weCreate Website Design & Marketing

Best Locally Made Product
Winner: Smith's Hot Dogs
Runners up: Erie Apparel, PopLuck Popcorn

^{PopLuck popcorn has proven a blockbuster hit since its debut, quantified by its win in the prestigious "Best New Business" category.}

Best New Business (Within Last Two Years)
Winner: PopLuck Popcorn
Runners up: Ember + Forge, Room 33

Best Dog Groomer
Winner: Mud Puppies Self Serve Dog Wash
Runners up: Paws 'n Claws, Peninsula Pups Doggie Daycare

Best Consignment Shop
Winner: The Sassy Peacock
Runners up: Claudine's Consignment, Milestones Children's Consignment

Best Thrift Store
Winner: The Salvation Army Family Store
Runners up: Goodwill, The Thrifty Shopper

Best Graphic Design Agency
Winner: Presque Isle Printing Services
Runners up: ErieMultimedia, Tungsten Creative Group

Best Antique Shop
Winner: Oregon Antiques
Runners up: The Curiosity Shoppe, The Green Eyed Lady

Best Independent Book Store
Winner: Books Galore
Runners up: Pressed, Werner Books

Best Law Firm
Winner: Vendetti & Vendetti Law Firm
Runners up: Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., MacDonald, Illig, Jones, & Britton LLP

Best Real Estate Agency
Winner: Marsha Marsh
Runners up: Agresti Real Estate, Keller Williams

Best Real Estate Agent
Winner: Levi A. Marsh
Runners up: Nanci Lorei, Amanda Serafini

Best Bed and Breakfast
Winner: Spencer House Bed & Breakfast
Runners up: George Carroll House Bed and Breakfast, Grape Arbor Bed and Breakfast

Culture & Nightlife

Best Local Festival
Winner: Roar On The Shore
Runners up: 8 Great Tuesdays, Celebrate Erie

Best Art Event
Winner: Gallery Nights
Runners up: Arts & Drafts Festival, Erie Art Museum Spring Show

Best Museum
Winner: Erie Art Museum
Runners up: Erie Maritime Museum, ExpERIEnce Children's Museum

Best Performing Arts Space
Winner: Warner Theatre
Runners up: Erie Playhouse, PACA

Best Local Band
Winner: The Groove
Runners up: Eric Brewer & Friends, First to Eleven

Best Local Fine Artist
Winner: Corey Thompson
Runners up: Evan Everhart, Tom Ferraro

Best Art Gallery
Winner: Erie Art Museum
Runners up: Erie Art Gallery, Glass Growers Gallery

Best Music Venue
Winner: Warner Theatre
Runners up: Basement Transmissions, Coconut Joe's

Best Local Photographer
Winner: Sarah Peach
Runners up: Paul Gibbins, Matt Mead

Best Up-and-Coming Band/Musician (Last Two Years)
Winner: Black Moon Mistress
Runners up: Cult Classics, The Filthy Casuals

 
^{Pictured from left to right are "Best Singer" Zachary Orr, "Best MC" Charles Brown, and "Best Musician" Eric Brewer.}

Best Local Singer
Winner: Zack Orr
Runners up: Mckenzie Sprague, Brooke Surgener

Best Local Musician
Winner: Eric Brewer
Runners up: Matt Boland, Zack Orr

Best MC
Winner: Charles Brown
Runners up: Jonny Evans, Tony Facchiano

Best Neighborhood Bar
Winner: Plymouth Tavern
Runners up: Jekyll & Hyde's, Lavery Brewing Company

Best Night Club
Winner: Coconut Joe's
Runners up: Bourbon Barrel, Kings Rook Club

 
^{Boasting a swanky atmosphere and finely crafted cocktails, Room 33 Speakeasy took home our "Best New Bar or Club" award.}

Best New Bar or Club (Within Last Two Years)
Winner: Room 33
Runners up: Big Bar, The Skunk and Goat Tavern

Best College Bar
Winner: Plymouth Tavern
Runners up: Coconut Joe's, Cornerstone Bar & Grill

Best Sports Bar
Winner: Odis 12
Runners up: Coach's Sports Bar & Grill, Oasis Pub

Best Lounge
Winner: Cloud 9 Wine Bar
Runners up: Room 33, Scotty's Martini Lounge

Best Local Cover Band
Winner: The Geek Army
Runners up: Abbey Road, The Groove

Best Happy Hour
Winner: U Pick 6 Taphouse
Runners up: Cloud 9 Wine Bar, Coconut Joe's

Best Dance School
Winner: Long's School of Dance
Runners up: Little Dance Studio, Marguerite's Academy of Dance

Best DJ
Winner: Dj Bill Page
Runners up: Dj Johnny B, Dj Roach

Best Irish Pub
Winner: Molly Brannigan's Irish Pub
Runners up: Lavery Brewing Company, McGarrey's Oakwood Cafe

Food & Drink

Best Restaurant
Winner: Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro
Runners up: Federal Hill Smokehouse, Nunzi's Restaurant

Best Sandwich Shop
Winner: Teresa's Italian Deli
Runners up: Lucky Louie's Beer and Wieners, Picasso's

^{North East's Skunk & Goat Tavern was awarded this year's "Best New Restaurant" honors.}

Best New Restaurant (Within Last Two Years)
Winner: The Skunk and Goat Tavern
Runners up: Room 33, Sneaky Pete's

Best Seafood
Winner: Joe Roots Grill
Runners up: Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro, Smugglers' Wharf

Best Romantic Restaurant
Winner: Mi Scuzi
Runners up: Cloud 9 Wine Bar, Colao's Ristorante

Best Chef
Winner: Jean Paul (Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro)
Runners up: Bertrand Artigues (Cloud 9 Wine Bar), Dan Kern (Noosa/1201 Kitchen)

Best Bar Food
Winner: Odis 12 Sports Bar & Grille
Runners up: Plymouth Tavern, U Pick 6 Tap House

^{The cream always rises to the top — our voters elevated Ember + Forge to the "Best Local Coffee Shop" crown. Of course, coffee is a perfect companion to sponge candy from Romolo's, Erie's favorite chocolatier.}

Best Local Coffee Shop
Winner: Ember + Forge
Runners up: Brew Ha Ha at the Colony, Mugs & Muggles

Best Food Truck
Winner: The Que Abides
Runners up: The Big Cheese Food Truck, Voodoo Brewery Foodoo Truck

Best Breakfast
Winner: The Breakfast Place
Runners up: Flip Cafe, The Original Breakfast Place

Best Patio
Winner: Calamari's Squid Row
Runners up: Bayfront Grille, Plymouth Tavern

Best Brunch
Winner: Peek 'n Peak
Runners up: Cloud 9 Wine Bar, Voodoo Brewery Erie

Best Place to Get Ice Cream
Winner: Sara's Restaurant
Runners up: Creamland, Whippy Dip

Best Local Brewery
Winner: Voodoo Brewery Erie
Runners up: Erie Brewing Company, Lavery Brewing Company

Best Locally Made Beer
Winner: Voodoo Love Child (Voodoo)
Runners up: Dulachan (Lavery Brewing Company), Railbender (Erie Brewing Company)

Best Place to Get Vegan or Vegetarian Food
Winner: Whole Foods Co-op
Runners up: The Juice Jar, Like My Thai

Best Barbecue
Winner: Federal Hill Smokehouse
Runners up: Dickeys Barbecue Pit, Three B Saloon

Best Burger
Winner: Five Guys
Runners up: Max & Erma's, Odis 12 Sports Bar & Grille

Best Pizza
Winner: John's Wildwood Pizza
Runners up: Stevo's Pizza, Virgil's Plate

Best Wings
Winner: Odis 12 Sports Bar & Grille
Runners up: One Way Inn, The Park Tavern

^{Since making its first inroads into the Erie market in 1993, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans has established a quality reputation for both its products ("Best Sushi") and its workplace environment ("Best Place To Work").}

Best Sushi
Winner: Wegmans
Runners up: Chopstix Asian Restaurant, Samurai Kitchen + Sushi

Best Asian Restaurant
Winner: Chopstix Asian Restaurant
Runners up: Golden Wok, Like My Thai

Best Italian Restaurant
Winner: Serafini's Restaurant
Runners up: Mi Scuzi, Nunzi's Restaurant

Best Mexican Restaurant
Winner: El Canelo
Runners up: Moe's Southwest Grill, Torero's

Best Mediterranean or Middle Eastern Restaurant
Winner: Casablanca Grill
Runners up: Alkeme, Petra Restaurant

Best Late-Nite Menu
Winner: Dominick's Diner-Eatery
Runners up: Panos Restaurant, Plymouth Tavern

Best Dessert
Winner: Romolo Chocolates
Runners up: Give A Crepe. La CrepErie, Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro

Best Indian Food
Winner: Tandoori Hut Indian Cuisine
Runners up: Curry Point LLC, Darjeeling Kitchen

Best Thai Restaurant
Winner: Like My Thai
Runners up: Kao Thai, Thai Eatery

Best Donut Shop
Winner: Mighty Fine Donuts
Runners up: H & K Donut Shop, Jack Frost Donut Shop

Best Chocolates or Candy
Winner: Romolo Chocolates
Runners up: Pulakos Chocolates, Stefanelli's Candies

Best Bakery
Winner: Art's Bakery
Runners up: Icing On the Lake, Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe

Best Deli
Winner: Teresa's Italian Deli
Runners up: Tickle's Deli, Urbaniak Brothers Quality Meat

Best Winery
Winner: Mazza Vineyards
Runners up: Arundel Cellars & Brewing Co, Heritage Wine Cellars

Best Distillery
Winner: Luminary Distilling
Runners up: Cart/Horse Distilling, Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing

People & Places

Best Radio Station
Winner: HAPPI 927
Runners up: 90.5 WERG, Star 104

Best Radio Personality (or Radio Team)
Winner: Jessica and Murphy in the Morning
Runners up: Sammy Stone, Craig Warvel

Best TV Personality
Winner: Sean Lafferty
Runners up: Lou Baxter, Amanda Post

Best Yoga Studio
Winner: yogaErie
Runners up: LECOM, YMCA

Best Poet
Winner: Marisa Moks-Unger
Runners up: Michael Bennett, Monica Igras

Best Filmmaker
Winner: Mike Gallagher
Runners up: John Lyons, Jack Rys

Best Place to Work
Winner: Wegmans
Runners up: Erie Insurance, UPMC Hamot

^{A look at the Presque Isle Lighthouse, a landmark of Presque Isle State Park, winner of "Best Tourist Attraction" and "Best Place for a First Date."}

Best Tourist Attraction
Winner: Presque Isle State Park
Runners up: Brig Niagara, Waldameer & Water World

Best Local Actor
Winner: Brendan Daugherty
Runners up: Michael Haas, Will Steadman

Best Local Actress
Winner: Emily Olszewski
Runners up: Adele Crotty, Kelly Rodland

^{Thanks to its tremendous efforts helping the area's stray, neglected, or abused animals, the Humane Society of Northwest Pennsylvania was voted "Best Non-Profit or Charity."}

Best Non-Profit or Charity
Winner: Humane Society of Northwest Pennsylvania
Runners up: Emma's Footprints, Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary and Adoption Center

Best Bartender
Winner: Brittany Stowe (Plymouth Tavern)
Runners up: Meghann Legler (Haggerty's), Jim Wise (Coconut Joe's)

Best University
Winner: Penn State Behrend
Runners up: Edinboro University, Gannon University

Best Fitness Club
Winner: Planet Fitness
Runners up: LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center, YMCA

Best Athletic Competition
Winner: Barber Beast on the Bay
Runners Up: Highmark QUAD Games, The Color Run

Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Greengarden Lanes
Runners up: Eastway Lanes, Rolling Meadow Lanes

Best Team to Root for
Winner: Erie Otters
Runners up: Eerie Roller Girls, Erie Seawolves

Best Golf Course
Winner: Whispering Woods Golf Club
Runners up: Beechwood Golf Club, Peek n' Peak

Best Local Entrepreneur(s)
Winner: R.J. Messenger (Iron Empire)
Runners up: Autumn and Ryan Atzert (Federal Hill Smokehouse), Hannah Kirby (Ember + Forge)

Best Place for a First Date
Winner: Presque Isle State Park
Runners up: Cloud 9 Wine Bar, Tinseltown

Best Lawyer
Winner: James "Chetty" Vendetti
Runners up: Erin Connelly, Rebeka Seelinger

Best Tattoo Artist
Winner:  "Gentle" Josh Makowski
Runners up: Jennifer Christina, Corey Thompson