Best Food & Drink
Best Late-Night Eatery
SATURN CAFÉ
1. Saturn Café is a certified green business, and uses biodegradable products for to-go orders.
2. The longtime local fave opened on Mission Street in 1979. It then moved to a bigger location across the street, which was destroyed in a fire on New Year’s Eve in 1999, before moving to its current home downtown.
3. All menu items are vegetarian, and there are also vegan and gluten-free options. Most of the ingredients used at Saturn Café are organic and come from local farms.
4. The best-selling items on the menu are the nacho fries and the milkshakes.
5. Saturn’s chefs use trans-fat free oil for cooking and all of their meatless burgers are cholesterol free. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Best Indian Cuisine – Aptos
AMBROSIA INDIA BISTRO
1. Need a heat check? Manager Ray Rodrigues expertly guides diners through what’s hot and what’s not.
2. The lunch buffet at $9.95 boasts nine aromatic choices, including salad and bread.
3. Instead of naan, diners can request wheat-free papadum—a tasty, crisp lentil cracker that’s great for dipping into stew-like dishes.
4. Their Indian rice pudding dessert, kheer, is complimentary with the buffet lunch.
5. Ambrosia has two sister restaurants in Monterey, on Abrego Street or Cannery Row. | JUNE SMITH
Best BBQ – Aptos
APTOS ST. BBQ
1. Open every day from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., specializing in pork, beef and bison ribs with yummy sides.
2. Owner Larry Ingram’s family recipes include sauces, rubs and raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing. Salads can be ordered with entrée meats served on top.
3. There is live music every night from 6 – 8 p.m. and Saturday afternoons from 1 – 3 p.m.
4. The brew menu consists of California beers only, some made locally.
5. Tuesdays there are bargain prices for tap beers—and you can keep the glass. | JUNE SMITH
Best Cheap Eats
CHARLIE HONG KONG
1. Charlie Hong Kong was opened in 1998 by Charlie Deal, who was also a partner in Oswald. It has been owned by Carolyn and Darryl “Rudy” Rudolph, since 2000.
2. The menu at Charlie Hong Kong is inspired by the savory flavors of Southeast Asia.
3. The Rudolphs have carried on Deal’s original concept of combining a street-food menu with high-quality, sustainably produced ingredients, at affordable prices.
4. The best-selling item on the menu is the Spicy Dan’s Peanut Delight—eggless wheat noodles and an organic veggie medley in a spicy organic coconut peanut sauce, with organic peanuts, cilantro, bean sprouts, carrots, and scallions.
5. Charlie Hong Kong also does catering orders. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Best Bread
COMPANION BAKERY
1. The bread recipes come from inspiration at Companion Bakery, but also from trial and error. The buckwheat scone, for instance, was an experiment that has become a customer favorite.
2. Breadmaking is a collective effort at Companion, and the bakers are divided into teams: pastry team, bread team, and bread manager who creates new recipes. The bread manager is Erin Lampel, who started the business in 2005.
3. There are 18 different kinds of bread, all baked on a daily basis.
4. The best-selling breads are rosemary walnut sourdough, 100 percent whole wheat, and the “local loaf.”
5. Companion uses a four-deck steam injection oven for baking. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Best Donut
FERRELL’S DONUTS
1. Ferrell’s has been open for more than 50 years.
2. Donuts are made in-store twice a day.
3. Their best-selling donut is still the original glazed donut.
4. Most people probably wouldn’t expect that their busiest times are Friday and Saturday nights, but it’s true.
5. National Doughnut Day, Friday June 5, is their busiest day of the year. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Best Breakfast – Capitola
GAYLE’S BAKERY & ROSTICCERIA
1. Now in their 37th year, Gayle’s makes 500 breakfast pastries, 700 sandwiches, 200 dinners and 100 cakes on an average Saturday.
2. The staff uses 6,000 pounds of butter and 65,000 eggs every month.
3. Their most popular sweet pastries are cinnamon rolls, bear claws and Morning Glory muffins.
4. Gayle’s has taken out 35 building permits, and three huge ovens are being replaced. A remodel is coming soon.
5. For Gayle’s on the Run, go to the express counter near the back of the shop. | JUNE SMITH
Best Burrito – Aptos/Soquel
LOS GORDOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1. Their selection of bean, regular, super, jumbo and breakfast burritos range in price from $4.95 to $8.25.
2. Meat options include carne asada (beef steak), carnitas ( shredded pork), pollo (boiled chicken), pollo asada (grilled chicken), al pastor (bbq pork) and chile verde (green chile pork).
3. Aptos business owner Frank Horath is partial to the grilled chicken burrito. His testimonial: “The wrap is soft and not too thick, but holds a large amount of moist and chunky chicken. Beans are seasoned just right and the rice is chewy yet fluffy. Dried chile de arbol peppers in the filling give a perfect zip of flavor.”
4. Many customers start the day with the popular chorizo
and egg burrito.
5. Glossary help for gringos: Lengua is beef tongue, buche is pork stomach and tripitas is pork intestine. | JUNE SMITH
Best Chinese
O’MEI
1. O’mei has been serving serves authentic Chinese cuisine since 1979.
2. The long-running customer favorite on the menu is the red oil dumplings.
3. For dessert, however, the most popular item is the banana ice cream.
4. Their unusual pre-appetizer, small-dishes menu includes sesame candied cashews, seaweed salad, spicy sliced vegetarian sausage and more.
5. For take-out, most customers order from the express menu, which includes noodle bowls, sautés and chow mein. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Best Bakery
THE BUTTERY
1. Popular cakes at the Buttery include black forest, hazelnut chocolate, and “gift box cake”–layers of frosted chiffon filled with chocolate or raspberry mousse decorated with a bow.
2. The Buttery’s bread is delivered fresh every day by sister bakery Golden Sheaf; options include sourdough, ciabatta, German rye and focaccia, plus a variety of rolls and buns.
3. Their Corner Café menu is designed around what’s available locally from partners like Glaum Egg Ranch, Happy Boy produce and Swanton Berry Farm.
4. Each Thursday sees two new weekly entrees offered, priced from $6.50 to $9.50.
5. Haystack cookies are actually the same as coconut macaroon cookies, but with dates and walnuts. | JUNE SMITH
Best Coffee House (Independent)
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS
1. Verve is part-coffee house, part-lab. Roasters at Verve work with a 1965 German-made Probat UG 15 roaster, and run sample roasts through several cupping sessions.
2. There are seven different coffee blends and four different espresso blends.
3. There are three Verve locations in Santa Cruz: Eastside, downtown and Seabright.
4. Apparel, brew kits, coffee beans, filters, and more are sold in store as well as online.
5. Buena Vista and French Roast are their darkest roasts. | AMANDA EDWARDS
Acai Bowl
CAFÉ BRASIL
1410 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 429-1855, cafebrasil.us
RUNNERS-UP Samba Rock Acai Cafe, Amazon Juice
Appetizers
HULA’S ISLAND GRILL
221 Cathcart St., Santa Cruz, 426-4852, hulastiki.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, 515 Kitchen & Cocktails
Bagel
BAGELRY
320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 429-8049; 1636 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-8550; 4763 Soquel Drive, Soquel, 462-9888, bagelrysantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Main Street Bagels, Bagel Cafe & Bakery
Bakery
THE BUTTERY
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Barbecue
APTOS STREET BBQ
8059 Aptos St., Aptos, 662-1721, aptosstbbq.com
RUNNERS-UP Mission St. BBQ, Cole’s BBQ & Catering
Bar Food
515 KITCHEN & COCKTAILS
515 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, 425-5051, 515santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP West End Tap Kitchen, Crow’s Nest
Bread
COMPANION BAKESHOP
2341 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 252-2253, campanionbakeshop.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Kelly’s French Bakery
Breakfast – Santa Cruz
ZACHARY’S
819 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-0646, zacharyssantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Walnut Avenue Café, Harbor Café
Aptos / Soquel
RED APPLE CAFÉ
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 685-1224, redappleaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Silver Spur, Sunrise Café
Capitola
GAYLE’S BAKERY
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 462-1200, gaylesbakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Cliff Café, Cook House
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
AUNTIE MAME’S
3103 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-1840
RUNNERS-UP Molly’s Café, Rocky’s Café
Watsonville
RED APPLE CAFÉ
589 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, 761-9551
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy’s Corner Café, Beach Street Café
Brunch
HARBOR CAFÉ
535 7th Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-4948, harborcafesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, 515 Kitchen & Cocktails
Burger
Santa Cruz
BETTY BURGERS
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP burger., Jack’s Burger
Aptos/Soquel
BURGER.
7941 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-2811, burgeraptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Carpo’s, The Hideout
Capitola
BETTY BURGERS
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901, bettyburgers.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grill, Carpo’s
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
MALONE’S GRILL
4402 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-2244, malonesgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Trout Farm Inn, Cowboy Bar & Grill
Watsonville
WOODEN NICKEL
1819 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, 724-2600
RUNNERS-UP Cowboy Corner Cafe, Carmona’s
Burrito
Santa Cruz
TACOS MORENO
1053 Water St., Santa Cruz, 429-6095
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Planet Fresh Gourmet Burritos
Aptos/Soquel
TAQUERIA LOS GORDOS
7488 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-0911, taquerialosgordos.com
RUNNERS-UP El Chipotle, Sofia’s Taqueria < strong>
Capitola
TACOS MORENO
1601 41st Ave.,Capitola, 464-8810
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Chill Out Cafe
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
LOS GALLOS TAQUERIA
18 Victor Square, Ste. A, Scotts Valley, 439-9803
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, Maya Taqueria
Watsonville
EL FRIJOLITO
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Super Taqueria, Cilantro’s Parrilla y Cantina
Calamari
CROW’S NEST
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP West End Tap & Kitchen, Riva Fish House
Caterer
BARBARA & COMPANY
2431 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-6051, barbara-company.com
RUNNERS-UP India Joze, Feast for a King
Cheap Eats
CHARLIE HONG KONG
1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-5664, charliehongkong.com
RUNNERS-UP Taqueria Vallarta, El Palomar Taqueria
Cheese Selection
NEW LEAF COMMUNITY MARKETS
1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Shopper’s Corner, Deluxe Foods
Chinese
O’MEI
2316 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 425-8458, omeichow.com
RUNNERS-UP Canton, Little Shanghai
Chocolatier
DONNELLY’S CHOCOLATES
1509 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-4214, donnellychocolates.com
RUNNERS-UP Mackenzie’s Chocolates, Chocolate
Clam Chowder
STAGNARO BROTHERS
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, Crow’s Nest
Coffeehouse (Independent)
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS
1540 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7784
816 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-7776
104 Bronson St., Santa Cruz, 464-8141
vervecoffeeroasters.com
RUNNERS-UP Lulu Carpenter’s, Coffeetopia
Cookies
PACIFIC COOKIE COMPANY
1203 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 429-6905, pacificcookie.com
RUNNERS-UP The Buttery, Gayle’s Bakery
Cupcakes
BUTTERCUP CAKES & FARMHOUSE FROSTING
109 Locust St., Santa Cruz, 466-0373, farmhousefrosting.com
RUNNERS-UP Cutesy Cupcakes, The Buttery
Date Night Restaurant
Santa Cruz
LAILI
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Oswald, Crow’s Nest
Aptos/Soquel
BITTERSWEET BISTRO
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Café Sparrow
Capitola
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grill, Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
CREMER HOUSE
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Casa Nostra, Scopazzi’s
Watsonville
CILANTROS
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, cilantroswatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP Jalisco’s, Fish House Bar & Grill
Deli
ZOCCOLI’S DELI
1534 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1711, zoccolis.com
RUNNERS-UP Garden Deli, Erik’s DeliCafe
Desserts
THE BUTTERY
702 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 458-3020, butterybakery.com
RUNNERS-UP Gayle’s Bakery, Chocolate
Donut
FERRELL’S DONUTS
2227 Mission St., Santa Cruz, 457-2760
RUNNERS-UP Allbright’s Donuts, Top Donuts
Falafel
FALAFEL HOUSE
113 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 459-9770, falafelhousesantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Falafel of Santa Cruz, Zameen
French Fries
BETTY BURGERS
1000 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 475-5901
505 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8190
1222 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 600-7056
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, burger.
Frozen Yogurt
YOGURTLAND
1955 41st Ave., Ste. A4, Capitola, 462-3100
2117 Mission St., Santa Cruz, yogurt-land.com
RUNNERS-UP Top-A-Lot Yogurt, Leyla World Frozen Yogurt
Greek
VASILI’S GREEK RESTAURANT
1501A Mission St., Santa Cruz, 458-9808, vasilisgreekrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine, Laili
Hawaiian Cuisine
PONO HAWAIIAN GRILL
120 Union St., Santa Cruz, 426-7666, ponohawaiiangrill.com
RUNNERS-UP Hula’s Island Grill, Aloha Island Grille
Hot Dog
GARY’S SNAPPY DOGS
930 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 295-3610
RUNNERS-UP Taylor Bros Hot Dogs, Lucy’s Hot Dogs
Ice Cream
PENNY ICE CREAMERY
913 Cedar St., Santa Cruz
820 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 204-2523, thepennyicecreamery.com
RUNNERS-UP Marianne’s, Mission Hill
Indian Cuisine
AMBROSIA INDIA BISTRO
207 Sea Ridge Road, Aptos, 685-0610, ambrosiaib.com
RUNNERS-UP Sitar Indian Cuisine, Maharaja
Italian Cuisine
LILLIAN’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
1116 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 425-2288, lilliansitaliankitchen.com
RUNNERS-UP Ristorante Avanti, Ristorante Italiano
Juice Bar / Smoothies
NEW LEAF COMMUNITY MARKETS
1101 Fair Ave.,
Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Amazon Juices, Cafe Brasil
Kid-friendly Eatery
CARPO’S
2400 Porter St., Soquel, 476-6260, carposrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Kianti’s Pizza & Pasta Bar, Betty Burgers
Late-night Eatery
SATURN CAFÉ
145 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, 429-8505, saturncafe.com
RUNNERS-UP Crepe Place, Santa Cruz Diner
Mediterranean Cuisine
ZAMEEN MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
7528 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 688-4465, zameencuisine.com
RUNNERS-UP Laili, Vasili’s Greek Restaurant
Mexican Cuisine
Santa Cruz
EL PALOMAR
1336 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-7575, elpalomarsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP El Jardin, Casa Rosita’s
Aptos / Soquel
MANUEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
261 Center Ave., Aptos, 688-4848, manuelsrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Tortilla Flats, Palapas Restaurant y Cantina
Capitola
EL TORO BRAVO
123 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 480-7544
RUNNERS-UP Margaritaville
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
MAYA TAQUERIA
3115 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, 438-7004
RUNNERS-UP Los Gallos, Cafe Carlos
Watsonville
CILANTROS
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, elpalomarcilantros.com
RUNNERS-UP Jalisco’s, El Frijolito
Middle Eastern
LAILI
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Zameen Mediterranean Cuisine, Malabar
New Restaurant
ASSEMBLY
1108 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 824-6100, assembleforfood.com
RUNNERS-UP Cremer House, The Hideout
Patio Dining
Santa Cruz
LAILI
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 423-4545, lailirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Crow’s Nest, Crepe Place
Aptos / Soquel
BITTERSWEET BISTRO
787 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos, 662-9799, bittersweetbistro.com
RUNNERS-UP Michael’s on Main, Café Cruz
Capitola
PARADISE BEACH GRILLE
215 Esplanade, Capitola, 476-4900, paradisebeachgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Zelda’s
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
CREMER HOUSE
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Malone’s Grill, Jia Tella’s
Watsonville
CAFÉ ELLA
734 E Lake Ave., Watsonville, 722-0480, cafe-ella.com
RUNNERS-UP Cilantros, Jalisco’s
Pizza
Santa Cruz
PIZZA MY HEART
1116 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-2511, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Woodstock Pizza, Engfer Pizza Works
Capitola
PIZZA MY HEART
209 Esplanade, Capitola, 475-5714, pizzamyheart.com
RUNNERS-UP Pleasure Pizza, Village Host
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
REDWOOD PIZZERIA
6205 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-1500, redwoodpizza.com
RUNNERS-UP Boulder Creek Pizza & Pub, Wood Fire Woodie
Watsonville
CASSIDY’S PIZZA
1400 Freedom Blvd, Watsonville, 724-2271, cassidyspizza.net
RUNNERS-UP Big J’s Pizza, Hugo’s Pizzeria
Restaurant
Santa Cruz
OSWALD
121 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-7427, oswaldrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Assembly, Laili
Aptos/Soquel
CAFÉ CRUZ
2621 41st Ave., Soquel, 476-3801, cafecruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Sparrow, Bittersweet Bistro
Capitola
SHADOWBROOK
1750 Wharf Road, Capitola, 475-1511
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Beach Grill, Suda
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
CREMER HOUSE
6256 Hwy. 9, Felton, 335-3976, thecremerhouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Trout Farm Inn, Casa Nostra
Watsonville
CILANTROS
1934 Main St., Watsonville, 761-2161, cilantroswatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, Jalisco’s
Salad
CROW’S NEST
2218 E Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 476-4560, crowsnest-santacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Dharma’s, Café Cruz
Seafood
Santa Cruz
STAGNARO BROS.
59 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, 423-2180, stagnarobros.com
RUNNERS-UP Riva Fish House, Crow’s Nest
Aptos/Soquel
CAFÉ RIO
131 Esplanade, Aptos, 688-8917, caferioaptos.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Palapas
Capitola
PARADISE BEACH GRILL
215 Esplanade, Capitola, 476-4900, paradisebeachgrille.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Zelda’s
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
OTORO
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Trout Farm Inn
Watsonville
FISH HOUSE BAR & GRILL
972 Main St., Watsonville, 728-3333, fishhousewatsonville.com
RUNNERS-UP California Grill, La Perla del Pacifico
Small Plates
SOIF
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP 515 Kitchen & Cocktails, Lúpulo Craft Beer House
Soup
ERIK’S DELI CAFE
1475 41st Ave., Capitola, 475-4646
1664 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 462-1919
155 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-5353
RUNNERS-UP Dharma’s, Crow’s Nest
Steak
HINDQUARTER BAR & GRILL
303 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7770, thehindquarter.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Cruz, Shadowbrook
Sushi/Japanese
Santa Cruz
MOBO
105 River St., Santa Cruz, 425-1700, mobosushirestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Akira, Shogun
Aptos/Soquel
KAUBOI JAPANESE GRILL & SUSHI
8017 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 661-0449, kauboigrillandsushi.com
RUNNER-UP Sushi on the Run
Capitola
SUSHI GARDEN
820 Bay Ave., #148, Capitola, 464-9192, sushi-garden.com
RUNNERS-UP Takara, Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
OTORO
235 Mt. Hermon Road, #G, Scotts Valley, 440-9040
RUNNERS-UP Rumble Fish, Yamamori
Watsonville
IMURA
1994 Main St., Watsonville, 761-8799, imurasushi.com
RUNNERS-UP Miyuki, Sushi Garden
Taqueria
Santa Cruz
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 471-2655, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Santa Cruz Taqueria
Capitola
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
893 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 464-7022, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Tacos Moreno, Taqueria Tepeque
Scotts Valley / San Lorenzo Valley
TAQUERIA VALLARTA
6272 State Rte. 9, Felton, 335-4264, taqueriavallartaonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Los Gallos, Salsa’s
Watsonville
EL FRIJOLITO
11 Alexander St., Watsonville, 724-8823
RUNNERS-UP Super Taqueria, Taqueria Mi Tierra
Tea House
HIDDEN PEAK
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-4200, hiddenpeakteahouse.com
RUNNERS-UP Quail & Thistle, Geisha Japanese Restaurant and Tea House
Thai Cuisine
SABIENG
1218 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, 425-1020, sabiengthai.com
RUNNERS-UP Sawasdee, Star of Siam
Vegetarian
DHARMA’S
4250 Capitola Road, Capitola, 462-1717, dharmasrestaurant.com
RUNNERS-UP Café Gratitude, Saturn Café
Winery
BARGETTO
3535 N. Main St., Soquel, 475-2258, bargetto.com
RUNNERS-UP Alfaro, Storrs
Wine List
SOIF
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Shadowbrook, Cava Wine Bar
Wine Shop
SOIF
105 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-2020, soifwine.com
RUNNERS-UP Shoppers Corner, VinoCruz
