– THE BEST –
DELI
Taylor Gourmet
Philly-inspired hoagies are the draw at these sandwich shops in DC and Bethesda. We love the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a roll layered with fried chicken cutlet, marinara, and aged provolone.
Also popular: Parkway Deli, Greek Deli, and Vace
DINER
Silver Diner
This longtime chain has undergone a renaissance: You’ll still find sky-high layer cakes and gooey omelets, but the burgers are now made with hormone-free beef and local bison, there are healthy shakes, and much of the produce comes from area farms.
Also popular: The Diner (Adams Morgan), Tastee Diner
BRUNCH
Tabard Inn
Strong cocktails, freshly fried doughnuts, and a lovely garden near Dupont Circle add up to a great way to start the day.
Also popular: Panera Bread, Perrys
BURGER
Five Guys
With locations all over the country, the local chain has won over fans with its simple formula: thin, customizable burgers and crisp fries.
Also popular: Ray’s Hell-Burger and BGR the Burger Joint
CHOCOLATE-CHIP COOKIE
Potbelly
This chain’s oversize cookies are packed with chocolate and nubby with oatmeal.
Also popular: Panera Bread and Baked & Wired
SPORTS BAR
Nellie’s
A U Street–area gay bar where straights feel at home. Draws include Wednesday trivia contests and a great rooftop for warm nights.
Also popular: Buffalo Billiards and Crystal City Sports Pub
PIZZA PLACE
Manhattan Pizza
These Northern Virginia pizzerias channel New York City with their big, thin pies.
Also popular: 2 Amys and Ledo Pizza
HAPPY HOUR
Urbana Restaurant and Wine Bar
Specials such as $5 glasses of wine and half-price pizzas make this subterranean Dupont Circle hangout a prime spot for after-work drinks.
Also popular: Chef Geoff’s and DC9
STORE FOR MAKEUP
Sephora
It features upscale makeup and skin-care brands, but the best deals are on the chain’s own makeup line and brushes.
Also popular: Bluemercury and Ulta
FLORIST
Bell Flowers
The Silver Spring store offers deals of the day.
Also popular: Palace Florists and Caruso Florist
STORE FOR ATHLETIC SHOES
Fleet Feet
Opened by Adrian Fenty’s parents more than 20 years ago, this Adams Morgan shop is a go-to place for serious athletes.
Also popular: City Sports and Pacers
PLACE FOR MASSAGE
Blue Heron Wellness
The emphasis is on therapeutic healing in a no-frills setting in Silver Spring
Also popular: TuSava Body and Skin Care and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
SPA FOR MEN
The Grooming Lounge
Golf massage and other manly treatments in downtown DC and Tysons Corner.
Also popular: Bliss
SALON FOR EYEBROWS
Dupont Threading
Most of the practitioners at this DC shop learned their skills in India.
Also popular: Threads, Blu Water Day Spa, and Corte
2010 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Barack Obama
He got four times as many votes as his nearest rival
Also popular: Mitt Romney
LOCAL HERO/HEROINE
Alex Ovechkin
The Caps flamed out in the playoffs, but Ovechkin still scores with fans.
Also popular: Eddie Pope, Michelle Rhee, and Barack Obama
LOCAL COLUMNIST
Edward Flattau
The DC-based environmental columnist has a loyal following.
Also popular: Eugene Robinson, Gene Weingarten, and Mike Wise
LOCAL TV ANCHOR
Jim Vance
The Channel 4 anchor has been winning this honor since we started polling in the 1970s.
Also popular: Doreen Gentzler and Leon Harris
LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY
Sports Junkies
WJFK-FM’s morning drive-time team—John Auville, Eric Bickel, Jason Bishop, and J.P. Flaim—are first-time winners.
Also popular: Kojo Nnamdi and Elliot Segal
PLACE TO GO WITH YOUR DOG
Shirlington Park
This canine Eden on Arlington’s Four Mile Run has a creek to splash in and plenty of room to scamper.
Also popular: Rock Creek Park and Stanton Park
– THE WORST –
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
Barack Obama
It was close, but Obama naysayers edged out other candidates’ opponents.
Also unpopular: Sarah Palin
LOCAL VILLAIN
Dan Snyder
The Redskins owner is no fan favorite.
Also unpopular: Vincent Gray and Marion Barry
LOCAL ATHLETE
Albert Haynesworth
The Redskins defensive tackle is more of an embarrassment than an asset on and off the field.
Also unpopular: Donovan McNabb and Andray Blatche
LOCAL COLUMNIST
Charles Krauthammer
Readers disagree with this conservative curmudgeon.
Also unpopular: Courtland Milloy and Mike Wise
RADIO PERSONALITY
Elliot Segal
DC101’s Elliot in the Morning is both loved and hated by readers.
Also unpopular: Chris Core
TALKING HEAD
Glenn Beck
Readers won’t be sorry to see him leave Fox.
Also unpopular: Chris Matthews and Rush Limbaugh
NEIGHBORHOOD FOR PARKING
Georgetown
Several DC neighborhoods vied for this dubious distinction.
Also unpopular: Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle
FOOD TREND This article appears in the July 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
Cupcakes. Too sweet and too sinful.
Also unpopular: Sliders and food trucks
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