Maybe it's because this is an election year, or maybe you're just feeling loads of affection for Big D, but something prompted you readers to come to this website by the boatload to share your opinions on the city's best food, booze, shops, people and places. In fact, in the finest of traditions of Texas politics, some of you told us repeatedly what you specifically like about Dallas in 2012. (The late Duke of Duval County would be proud.) Read on to see what readers loved best and check out our own picks to see how we compared. Here's hoping that the other major election this year has the same sort of turnout.
See also: The Best Of Dallas Full IssueFOOD & DRINK
Best Chef
Dean Fearing
Fearing's
2121 McKinney Ave.
214-922-4848, fearingsrestaurant.com
Best New Restaurant
Coffee House Cafe
6150 Frankford Road
214-232-2333
coffeehousecafe.com
Best Breakfast
Norma's
1123 W. Davis St.
214-946-4711
normascafe.com
Best Late-Night Restaurant
Cafe Brazil
Multiple locations
cafebrazil.com
Best Sunday Brunch
Smoke
901 Fort Worth Ave.
214-393-4141
smokerestaurant.com
Best Coffeehouse
Pearl Cup
1900 Henderson Ave.
214-824-9500
Best Chinese Restaurant
Royal China
6025 Royal Lane No. 201
214-361-1771
royalchinadallas.com
Best Indian Restaurant
Taj Mahal
10455 N. Central Expressway No. 120
214-692-0535
tajmahaldallas.com
Best Italian Restaurant
Lucia
408 W. 8th St.
214-948-4998
luciadallas.com
Best Tex-Mex Restaurant
Chuy's
Multiple locations
chuys.com
Best BBQ
Pecan Lodge
1010 S. Pearl Expressway
214-748-8900
pecanlodge.com
Best Burger
Twisted Root
Multiple locations
twistedrootburgerco.com
Best Pizza
Il Cane Rosso
2612 Commerce St.
214-741-1188
ilcanerosso.com
Best Steak
Bob's Steak & Chop House
Multiple locations
bobs-steakandchop.com
Best Sushi
Blue Fish
Multiple locations
thebluefishsushi.com
Best Margarita
Gloria's
Multiple locations
gloriasrestaurants.com
Best Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Multiple locations
beerknurd.com
Best Cocktails (Tie)
Bolsa
614 W. Davis St.
214-943-1883
bolsadallas.com
The Cedars Social
1326 S. Lamar St.
214-928-7700
thecedarssocial.com
Best Taqueria
Fuel City
801 S. Riverfront Blvd.
214-426-0011
fuelcity-tacos.com
Best Meal Under $15
Capriotti's
Multiple locations
capriottis.com
Best Chicken-Fried Steak
Norma's
1123 W. Davis St.
214-946-4711
normascafe.com
Best Ice Cream/Yogurt
Paciugo
Multiple locations
paciugo.com
NIGHTLIFE
Best Bar
The Libertine
2101 Greenville Ave.
214-824-7900
libertinebar.com
Best Dive Bar
Lee Harvey's
1807 Gould St.
214-428-1555
leeharveys.com
Best Happy Hour
Gloria's
Multiple locations
gloriasrestaurants.com
Best Outdoor Patio or Deck
Ozona
4615 Greenville Ave.
214-265-9105
ozonagrill.com
Best Gay Bar
Round Up Saloon
3912 Cedar Springs Road
214-522-9611
roundupsaloon.com
Best Rock Bar
La Grange
2407 Elm St.
214-741-2008
lagrangedallas.com
Best Honky-Tonk
Adair's Saloon
2624 Commerce St.
214-939-9900
adairssaloon.com
Best Dance Club
S4
3911 Cedar Springs Road
214-526-7171
partyattheblock.com
Best Live Music Venue
Granada Theater
3524 Greenville Ave.
214-824-9933
granadatheater.com
Best Strip Club
Baby Dolls
10250 Shady Trail
214-358-5511
babydolls.com
Best Karaoke
Family Karaoke
11433 Goodnight Lane
469-522-0365
familydfw.com
Best Sports Bar
Frankie's
Multiple locations
frankiesbar.com
ARTS & CULTURE
Best Art Gallery
Kettle
2714 Elm St.
kettleart.com
Best Salon
Avalon
3699 McKinney Avenue
avalon-salon.com
Best Museum
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 North Harwood St.
214-922-1200
dm-art.org
Best Theater Company
Dallas Theater Center
2400 Flora St.
214-526-8210
dallastheatercenter.org
Best Local Actor (Tie)
Steve Walters and Chamblee Ferguson
Best Local Actress
Liz Mikel
Best Theater Director (Tie) Joel Ferrell and Tom Parr IV
Best Television News Show
WFAA-TV Channel 8
Best Television News Personality
Ron Corning
WFAA-TV Channel 8
Best Television Sports Personality
Dale Hansen
WFAA-TV Channel 8
Best Radio Station (Talk)
The Ticket
KTCK-AM 1310
Best Radio Station (Music)
KXT
KKXT-FM 91.7
Best Radio Talk Show
Kid Kraddick
KISS-FM 106.1
Best Radio Personality
Gordon Keith
KTCK-AM 1310 The Ticket
Best Local Music Release
Sarah Jaffe
The Body Wins
Best Local Band
The O's
Best Columnist
Steve Blow
The Dallas Morning News
MARKET
Best Men's Clothing Store
H&M
NorthPark Center
8687 N. Central Expressway
214-265-0015, hm.com
Best Women's Clothing Store
Nordstrom
Multiple locations
shop.nordstrom.com
Best Kid's Clothing Store
GAP
Multiple locations
gap.com
Best Wine/Liquor Store
Spec's
9500 N. Central Expressway
214-369-2800
specsonline.com
Best Grocery Store
Central Market
Multiple locations
centralmarket.com
Best Vintage Shop
Dolly Python
1916 North Haskell Ave.
214-887-3434
dollypythonvintage.com
Best Shoe Store
SAS
9665 North Central Expressway
214-696-0548
sasshoes.com
Best Car Wash (Tie)
Vintage
Multiple locations
vintagecarwash.com
Fuel City
801 S. Riverfront Blvd.
214-426-0011
fuelcitywash.com
Best Furniture Store
Weir's
Multiple locations
weirsfurniture.com
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Best Neighborhood
Oak Cliff
Best Hotel
Belmont
901 Fort Worth Ave., 214-393-2300, belmontdallas.com
Best Movie Theater
Angelika Film Center
5321 East Mockingbird Lane
214-841-4700
angelikafilmcenter.com
Best Politician
Angela Hunt
City Council District 14
Best Blog or Website
Gorilla vs. Bear
gorillavsbear.net
Best Pro Sports Coach
Ron Washington
Texas Rangers
Best Dallas Maverick
Dirk Nowitzki
Best Dallas Cowboy
Jason Witten
Best Dallas Star
Jamie Benn
Best Texas Ranger
Josh Hamilton
Best Place to Work out
LA Fitness
Multiple locations
lafitness.com