Best of Long Beach Winners

THE BALLOTS ARE IN and here are the results of our 25th annual contest. This year the contest is again in two parts with this part devoted to dining, entertainment and retail. Ballots for part one (professionals and services) will appear in our February 2027 issues.  Special thanks to the sponsors for making this contest possible. Winning businesses that missed our deadline for “thank you” ads still have time to do so in our next issues; call (562) 597-8000 for details.

BEST FOODS / RESTAURANTS

Best American Restaurant: Hof’s Hut, Gold [16-time winner]

Best Bagels: Einstein’s, Gold [17-time winner]

Best Bakery: Katella Deli, Gold [13-time winner]; Rossmoor Pastries, Gold [15-time winner]

Best Banquet Facility: The Grand, Gold [15-time winner]

Best Barbecue Restaurant: Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Gold [21-time winner]; Naples Rib Company, Gold [16-time winner]

Best Breakfast: Hof’s Hut, Gold [20-time winner]; Denny’s Diner, Silver

Best Brunch: Schooner or Later, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Buffet: Hokkaido Seafood Buffet, Gold [12-time winner]

Best Caterer: Primal Alchemy, Gold; TGIS Catering, Gold [6-time winner]

Best Chinese Restaurant: China Star Express, Gold; Panda Express, Gold

Best Coffee: Starbucks Coffee, Gold [17-time winner]; Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Silver

Best Deli: Katella Deli, Gold [13-time winner]; Deli News, Silver [8-time winner]

Best Donuts: Simone Donuts, Gold [19-time winner]; Yum Yum, Gold

Best Family Restaurant: Hof’s Hut, Gold [14-time winner]

Best Fine Dining: 555 Restaurant, Gold [17-time winner]

Best Greek Restaurant: George’s Greek Café, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Hamburger: In-N-Out Burger, Gold [24-time winner]; John’s Hamburgers, Silver

Best Hot Dogs: Costco Wholesale, Gold [12-time winner]; der Weinerschnitzel, Silver

Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt: Baskin Robbins, Gold [11-time winner]; Yogurtland, Gold [17-time winner]

Best Italian Restaurant: Marri’s Pizza, Gold [9-time winner]; Domenicos, Silver [17-time winner]

Best Mexican Restaurant: Baja Sonora Restaurant, Gold; Panchos Mexican Restaurant, Gold [22-time winner]

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Open Sesame, Gold [19-time winner]

Best Outdoor Dining: Schooner or Later, Gold [18-time winner]; Hof’s Hut, Silver

Best Pizza: Marri’s Pizza, Gold; Domenicos, Silver [16-time winner]

Best Sandwiches: Subway Sandwiches, Gold [18-time winner]; Togos, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Seafood Restaurant: Fish Company, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Sushi/Japanese Restaurant: Awesome Sushi, Gold [10-time winner]; Sushi on Fire, Gold [8-time winner]

Best Thai Restaurant: Bai Plu, Gold; Panvimarn Thai Cuisine, Gold [15-time winner]

BEST ENTERTAINMENT / ATTRACTIONS

Best Boat Cruise: Harbor Breeze, Gold [12-time winner]; Silver [13-time winner]

Best Family Attraction: Aquarium of the Pacific, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Family Attraction: Aquarium of the Pacific, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Live Music: Long Beach Municipal Band, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Live Theater: Long Beach Playhouse, Gold [24-time winner]; Musical Theatre West, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Sports Bar: Legends, Gold [21-time winner]

Best Travel Agency: AAA Travel Agency, Gold [15-time winner]

BEST RETAIL BUSINESSES

Best Antiques: Long Beach Antique Mall, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Appliance Store: Lowes, Gold

Best Auto Parts: Auto Zone, Gold [12-time winner]; O’Reilly Auto Parts, Silver [8-time winner]

Best Auto Tires: Allen Tire Company, Gold [9-time winner]; Performance Plus Tire, Gold [5-time winner]

Best Beauty Supply: Sally Beauty Supply, Gold [9-time winner]; Ulta Beauty Supply, Gold [7-time winner]

Best Bike Store: JAX Bicycles, Gold [19-time winner]

Best Book Store: Barnes & Noble, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Candy Store: Sees Candies, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Carpet/Flooring: Family Floors, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Clothing - Men: Umberto’s, Gold [14-time winner]; Kohl’s, Silver

Best Clothing - Women: Kohl’s, Gold [12-time winner]

Best Clothing-Children: Target Stores, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Computers & Accessories: Best Buy, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Consignment Store: J&L Jewelry, Gold

Best Craft Store: Hobby Lobby, Gold [8-time winner]; Michaels, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Eyeware: Costco Wholesale, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Florist: Allen’s Flower Market, Gold [14-time winner]

Best Furniture Store: Bob’s Discount Furniture, Gold

Best Garden Center: Armstrong Park Nursery, Gold [12-time winner]; H & H Nursery, Silver [15-time winner]

Best Grocery Store: Stater Brothers, Gold [13-time winner]; Trader Joe’s, Silver [12-time winner]

Best Hardware Store: Ace Hardware, Gold [25-time winner]

Best Health Nutrition Store: Circle Nutrition, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Hearing Aids: Costco Wholesale, Gold [11-time winner]; Connect Hearing, Silver [11-time winner]

Best Home Furnishings: Home Goods, Gold [11-time winner]

Best Jewelry Store: J&L Jewelry, Gold [25-time winner]

Best Office Supplies: Staples Store, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Party Supplies: Alin Party Supply, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Pet Supply Store: Petco, Gold [23-time winner]; PetSmart, Silver [16-time winner]

Best Pharmacy: CVS, Gold [15-time winner]

Best Picture Frames: Michaels, Gold [5-time winner]

Best Pool Supply: Leslie Pool Supply, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Shoe Store: Tenni-Mocs Shoe Store, Gold [9-time winner]

Best Shopping Center: Lakewood Center, Gold; Long Beach Towne Center, Gold [12-time winner]

Best Sporting Goods: Big 5, Gold [24-time winner]

Best Swap Meet: Long Beach Antique Market, Gold [13-time winner]

Best Thrift Store: Assistance League, Gold [13-time winner]; Clark & Atherton Mercantile, Silver [9-time winner]; Goodwill Industries, Silver [12-time winner]

Best Toy Store: Target Stores, Gold [12-time winner]

Best Wines: Trader Joe’s, Gold [16-time winner]; Wine Country, Gold [18-time winner]