Best of Homewood 2013
Food and Drink
Most Friendly Service
Sam Graphos now serves the kids of the kids who grew up eating his hot dogs and his fresh-made hamburger patties, all topped with his signature sauce.
2812 18th St. South, 871-0046
Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Most Kid Friendly Restaurant and Best Pizza
With a game room for kids, this Edgewood eatery has been the perfect pizza place for families and patrons of all kinds for more than 25 years.
1010 Oxmoor Road, 871-4000
Most Kid Friendly Restaurant Runner Up: Sam’s Deli
Best Pizza Runner Up: DeVinci’s
Best Asian Food
Sushi and hand made cocktails pair up for a quaint SoHo Square spot that feels more like New York City.
1830 29th Ave. South, Suite 125, 802-1440
Runner Up: Chop Suey Inn
Best Date Night, Best Italian Food & Best Restaurant Dessert
The white tablecloth restaurant, hidden among Edgewood homes on Broadway, is known for its lively, energetic atmosphere as well as its upscale authentic yet innovative cuisine.
711 Broadway St., 871-9622
Best Date Night Runner Up: DoDiYos
Best Italian Food Runner Up: DeVinci’s
Best Restaurant Dessert Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Happy Hour
Happy hour specials last all evening on Tuesdays, and during happy hour Monday through Friday, you can order half-priced well and call drinks.
1831 28th Ave. South, 870-9669
Runner Up: Oak Hill
Best Brunch
With dishes like White Chocolate Raspberry French Toast and Sausage Florentine or Crab and Shrimp Crepes, no wonder you voted it the best.
591 Brookwood Village, 879-9177
Runner Up: Crape Myrtle’s Café
Best Ladies Lunch Spot
Since 1975, the O’Carr family has been serving up unbeatable chicken salad served with a fun assortment of crackers and a greater variety of fruit than you’ll find anywhere else.
2909 18th St. South, 879-2196
Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Coffee
O’Henry’s coffee beans are delivered fresh to the store every week, so you can choose from up to 45 coffees by the pound at this favorite Homewood hangout spot.
2831 18th Street South, 870-1198; 569 Brookwood Village, Suite 101, 870-1148
Runner Up: Red Mountain Expresso
Best Casual Dining
Saw’s signature barbecue goodness has spread to locations outside Edgewood now, but we will always be home to the original place to find Saw’s Sauce, red and white, on pork and chicken.
1008 Oxmoor Road, 879-1937
Runner Up: Urban Cookhouse
Best Mediterranean Food
John Krontiras’ restaurant is a melting pot of his Greek heritage, his wife, Ottavia’s, Italian heritage and a nod to original owner Nabeel Shunnarah’s Lebanese upbringing.
1706 Oxmoor Road, 879-9292
Runner Up: DoDiYos
Best Bakery
Smiley face iced sugar cookies and pastries like bear claws are Homewood institutions — not to mention how they can decorate a birthday cake like anything or everything you can dream up.
2916 18th Street South, 871-4901
Runner Up: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe
Best Mexican Food
With homemade tortillas and dishes like a Tequila Lime Salad, Cocina’s modern Tex-Mex is several steps up from your average salsa and cheese dip fare.
587 Brookwood Village, 259-1980
Runner Up: Little Donkey
Best New Restaurant
The people behind Jim N Nick’s have brought downtown Homewood mouthwatering slow- cooked meats in authentic Mexican dishes — all made fresh and from-scratch.
2821 Central Ave., 703-7000
Runner Up: Johnny’s
Community
Best Neighborhood
Edgewood
With sidewalks, shops and a school within walking distance, the votes say Edgewood is Birmingham’s Mayberry.
Runner Up: Hollywood
Best Community Event
This festive annual event reminds us all just why we all do love Homewood – its people, its places and its small-town charm.
Runner Up: Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off
Best Outdoor Space, Best Place for Family Outing, Best After School Activity, & Best Place to Have a Children’s Birthday Party
With space for playing, workouts, picnicking, and, of course, climbing the caterpillar, it’s no surprise the park is a Homewood won a whopping four categories.
1632 Oxmoor Road, homewoodparks.com
Best Outdoor Space Runner Up: Lakeshore Greenway
Best Place for a Family Outing Runner Up: Downtown Homewood
Best After School Activity Runner Up: Trinity UMC Element Café
Best Place to Have a Children’s Birthday Party Runner Up: Do It Yourself Crafts
Best Church Choir
Hear the choir’s voices in harmony each Sunday morning at 8:45 and 11 a.m. as a part of Trinity’s traditional service of prayers, creeds, hymns and preaching.
1400 Oxmoor Road, 879-1737
Runner Up: Dawson’s Memorial Baptist
Best Hometown Hero/Celebrity
Paul DeMarco
The Alabama State Representative is always showing up in photos sent to The Homewood Star, so it’s no surprise to see Homewood show him love with its votes.
Runner Up: Bob Newton
Best Charity Event
Exceptional Foundations Chili Cook-Off
Dozens of chili recipes, plus décor and costuming to coordinate a booth, face off to support the Foundation’s work with mentally and physically challenged individuals.
exceptionalfoundation.org/annual-chili-cook-off/
Runner Up: Our Lady of Sorrows Fourth of July Festival
Best Local Band/Musician
Homewood High Band
The Patriots, directed by Ron Pence, have marched their way to the Macy’s Parade nine times since 1978 and will travel to the Rose Bowl Parade in 2014.
Runner Up: The Dill Pickers
Best Local Personality
Sam Graphos
Forty-six-year Homewood resident Graphos, 71, has been greeting friends, new and old, at Sam’s Super Samwiches for 44 years.
Runner Up: Coach Steve Sills
Health and Wellness
Best Workout Facility
Personally revolutionize the way you think about fitness and achieve lasting health with evidence-based results.
2809 Central Ave., 874-6300
Runner Up: Shades Valley YMCA
Best Mechanic Shop
This shop is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown for when your vehicle is under repair.
1722 27th Court South, 870-8926
Runner Up: Malcolm Auto
Best Pediatrician
A favorite of moms and dads, Dr. Stansell’s medical training ensures your child will be safe and healthy.
2815 Independence Dive, 879-7888
Runner Up: Dr. Elizabeth Peters
Best Customer Service
You will receive a friendly greeting whether you’re picking up a prescription refill or a ready-made dinner.
411 Green Springs Highway, 944-1101
Runner Up: Alabama Goods
Best Store for Men
This menswear retailer will show you the rules of fashion while staying in your own personal style.
2818 18th St. South, 871-1312
Runner Up: Jos A Bank
Best Place to Buy Home Décor
Turn your house into a home with products and help from the design team.
2925 18th St. South, 871-0585
Runner Up: Homewood Antiques
Best New Business
The store’s all-natural, healthy and delicious gourmet treats became an overnight sensation last year.
2821 Central Ave., 969-8770
Runner Up: Red Mountain Expresso
Best Dentist
With 17 years experience, Dr. Clark is sure to brighten your smile.
1856 Lancaster Road, 871-2591
Runner Up: Dr. Deanne Vail
Best Salon
The premier Aveda Lifestyle Salon is staffed talented top-level artists. The salon also offers a massage therapist, an aesthetician, a manicurist and a make-up artist.
2824 Linden Ave., 870-8708
Runner Up: Sanctuary
Best Store for Your Hobby
This store has supplies for crafters including jewelry, needlework, paper crafting, frames, cards, fabrics and floral arrangements.
255 Lakeshore Parkway, 942-9328
Runner Up: Trak Shack
Best Jewelry Store
Edgewood not only sells custom jewelry designs, but also does repair work and engraving and even buys and trades gold and silver.
2854 18th St. South, 423-8616
Runner Up: Wallace-Burke
Best Store to Buy a Gift
The 18th St. Store sells locally made gifts from barbecue sauces to candles and jewelry.
2933 18th St. South, 803-3900
Runner Up: At Home
Best Children’s Store
Find your inner-child or just bring your child to surf through for a sea of toys.
2830 18th St. South, 879-3986
Runner Up: Jack and Jill