A call back to our Best of Toledo 2016 issue, selecting the “Best of” in almost 200 categories. Some of the Winners, loud and proud, are spotlighted here — a great selection of retailers, restaurants and service providers in our community. Oh, and remember, voting for Best of Toledo, 2017 will be starting soon!
Belamere Suites
12200 Williams Rd., Perrysburg
419-874-2233 | belameresuites.com
Winner: Best Romantic Getaway
TripAdvisor ranked Belamere Suites as one of the 10 Most Romantic Hotels in the United States, and we’re inclined to agree— our readers have voted this boutique hotel the Best Romantic Getaway 10 years in a row. With Jacuzzi suites, pools, wine baskets, luxurious accommodations and plenty of rose petals, we think this stylish getaway is the best way to reconnect with your partner.
Cedar Creek Church
Five locations in the Greater Toledo Area
cedarcreek.tv
Winner: Best House Of Worship
Winner: Best Religious Leader (Ben Snyder)
Cedar Creek Church is a terrific example of how a church isn’t just for those seeking quiet contemplation, but also for becoming part of a community of friendly people. The sheer size and number of attendees at its five area locations are a testament to both the community and the lessons being taught there. And when it comes to lessons, the shepherd of your salvation should be Ben Snyder. If you want to feel a presence of peace and goodwill, or you just want to find a welcoming community, point your wagon in the direction of Snyder and Cedar Creek Church.
City of Sylvania
cityofsylvania.com
Winner: Best Suburban Downtown
Considering the popular First Friday Art Walk and the dozens of creative, unique and independent businesses in the charming downtown, it’s no wonder that Toledoans love Sylvania for its low-key, yet modern, feel. Want to browse fine art? Sylvania boasts the Best of Toledo-winning Hudson Gallery and finalist River Centre Arts within a single block. Hungry? Grab a homebrewed beer and a slice at J&G Pizza Palace, a light lunch at Chandler’s Cafe or something more gourmet at another Best of Toledo finalist, Element 112. Shop for home goods, accessories and clothing at trendy boutiques, or get a new style at Reve Salon and Spa, which won three Best of Toledo awards this year.
El Camino Real
2500 W. Sylvania Ave. | 419-472-070
2072 Woodville Rd. | 419-693-6695
elcaminorealtoledo.com
Winner: Best Mexican Restaurant
Not only does El Camino offer delicious Mexican cuisine and well-loved margaritas, it’s also a restaurant where you’re guaranteed to have a fun time. With an outdoor bar, live music, DJ nights, a fountain, plenty of trees, and overhead heaters for chilly weather, El Camino Real’s patio is one of the hottest outdoor entertainment spots in Toledo. Whether you go to El Camino for a casual dinner, or are there to drink margaritas, dance or to enjoy a meal with friends, you can always count on real flavor and real fun.
Extreme Results by Vince
5201 Monroe St.
419-450-5509 | extremeresults419.com
Winner: Personal Trainer
If you’re looking for a compliment, call your mom. Want a pat on the back? Ask your dad. Want an intense cross-training circuit workout that’s non-stop, heart pounding, fat burning and muscle building? Talk to Vince. He eschews weight-loss pills and gimmicks, instead, helping you create the change you want through effective, hard and honest workouts for every body and fitness level. Toledoans love his no-BS, motivational and extreme approach to working out.
Georgjz Fun Food & Spirits
1205 Adams St. | 419-842-4477
facebook.com/georgjztoledo
Finalist: LGBT+ Bar
Georgiz has been helping folks of every persuasion feel at home in the Glass City for years. The de facto home for celebrating after the Pride Parade (or anything in downtown) invites you to unwind without worrying about rankling the beaumonde. Secret of the pros: be sure to order up some of the best pizza in town. Gay, straight or whatever, you’re gonna enjoy hanging out, inside or out on the patio, with good company, great drinks and terrific ambiance.
HLS Orthodontics
Drs. Haerian, Ludwig, & Simon
6407 Monroe St., with additional locations in
Lambertville, MI and Maumee
419-882-1017 | perfectbraces.com
Winner: Orthodontist
Drs. Haerian, left, Ludwig and Simon are dedicated to helping their patients achieve that perfect smile. A trusted orthodontic practice since 1981, HLS Orthodontics guarantees excellent service at three convenient locations: Sylvania, Lambertville and Maumee. They are committed to making their patient’s experience as painless as possible and offer early morning, evening and Saturday appointments to accommodate any schedule.
Hoen’s Garden Center & Landscaping
1710 Perrysburg-Holland Rd.
419-865-6566 | hoensgardencenter.com
Winner: Greenhouse/Nursery
Since 1980, Hoen’s has helped Toledoans strike a perfect balance with nature. In the early ’50s, the Hoen family bought 100 acres of land to farm, and has been passionate about forming close bonds with the community ever since. By pushing local, and an appreciation of our environment, Hoen’s Garden Center & Landscaping answers home and garden questions with natural remedies and fabulous floral accents.
Hollywood Casino
1968 Miami St. | 419-661-5200
hollywoodcasinotoledo.com
Winner: Best Place to Blow Your Budget
Finalist: Best Buffet (Epic Buffet at Hollywood Casino), Best Club to Dance All Night
We all have a frugal friend who masterfully pinches pennies while laughing at shopaholics. Fortunately, Toledoans don’t always let that sense of frugality dictate their lifestyle. To enjoy a night on the town, go to the Hollywood Casino. Whether you want to expend your budget on chances to get rich, fill up at the Epic Buffet, or burn up the dance floor, Hollywood Casino reminds us that, sometimes, excess is just a lot of fun.
Seann’s Anime and Comics
5805 Monroe St. | 419-720-9544
seannsanimeandcomics.com
Winner: Comic Book Store
Those looking for Japanese anime and manga know that Seann’s Anime and Comics, owned by Seann Eschrich, is the ultimate place to find superheroes. Lined wall-to-wall with comics, fan merch and other collectibles of the fantasy realms, you will find it at Seann’s. And if you can’t, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will address all your queries— it’s why people keep coming back, and why Seann’s has been voted the favorite comic book shop in Toledo.
JC’s Comics N’ More
6725 W. Central Ave. | 419-531-6097
facebook.com/jcscomicsnmore
Finalist: Best Comic Book Store
Just over 40 years old, JC’s Comics N’ More boasts wall-to-wall comics, offering rare treats, back issues and new editions, coupled with pop culture fun, a lot of variety, and figurines from countless pop culture franchises. JC’s Comics has its own cult following: owner James Collins frequently welcomes visitors from all over the country who are just as amazed by his collection as are Toledoans.
Jon Frankel, DDS of Frankel Dentistry
5012 Talmadge Rd.
419-474- 9611 | jonfrankeldentistry.com
Winner: Best Dentist
Jon Frankel’s roots are firmly planted in Toledo. In 1945, his father, Sheldon Frankel, opened Frankel Dentistry and it has been a fixture in our community ever since. For two generations, the Frankel family has brought out the smiles of Toledoans through careful, high-quality dental care. It’s no wonder he’s followed his father’s tradition of providing the best in Toledo.
Laura’s Framing Place
4400 Heatherdowns Blvd. | 419-893-7263
facebook.com/laurasframingplace
Winner: Best Professional Framing Service
When Laura received her BOT award, it came encased in a basic black frame. She promised the audience that the award would be getting a much more luxurious home– and soon! So it is with Laura’s Framing Place: an owner who possesses an eye for aesthetics is not afraid to tell you how she can do it better. When it comes to protecting the art, images and photographs that really matter to you, go to Laura’s— there is simply no one better.
Mancy’s Restaurant Group
Winner: Best Italian, Mancy’s Italian
5453 Monroe St. | 419-882-9299
Winner: Best Steakhouse, Mancy’s Steakhouse
953 Phillips Ave. | 419-476-4154
Finalist: Best Seafood, Mancy’s Bluewater Grille
461 W. Dussel Dr. | 419-724-2583
mancys.com
From steaks to Italian cuisine to seafood, this fine-dining restaurant group has it all. Mancy’s Italian’s warm environment and authentic offerings bring both families seeking celebration and couples looking for romance. The famous Mancy’s Steakhouse is a certified Toledo landmark, with old-school charm mixed in with elegance. For fresh fish and creative flavors, Mancy’s Bluewater Grille is a favorite. Spread throughout the greater Toledo area, restaurants in the Mancy’s Group are loved by locals for their diverse options and consistent quality.
Residential Renovations
235 1st St. | 419-691-3300
residentialrenovations.com
Winner: Best Handyman
On the long list of testimonials on the Residential Renovations webpage, you’ll find satisfied customer after satisfied customer posting videos and talking about how happy they are with Residential Renovations’ work. Your home is your castle, and when it comes to roofing, siding, windows, gutters, doors and even sunrooms, decks and pergolas, they’re who you need to turn to for keeping your castle looking dragon-proof and the best on the block.
Ventura’s
7742 W. Bancroft St.
419-841-7523 | venturasmexican.com
Finalist: Best Mexican Restaurant
In 1984, Alfred and Adele Mundt opened Ventura’s and it quickly became a staple for casual Mexican food and fantastic margaritas. With a love of tradition and a great atmosphere, Ventura’s has established itself as a neighborhood gathering place. Now owned by daughter Valerie Mundt-Scott, this second-generation business has stayed strong, bringing both regulars and new generations of hungry patrons every year.
Walt Churchill’s Market
Maumee: 3320 Briarfield Blvd. | 419-794-4000
Perrysburg: 26625 N. Dixie Hwy. | 419-872-6900
waltchurchillsmarket.com
Winner: Best Local Grocer
Back in 1917, when Toledo first started to grow, the Churchill family planted its roots and opened our city’s first grocery store. Nearly a century later, Walt Churchill’s Markets remain a community landmark, acting as a destination for generations of Toledoans seeking healthy, fresh and ready-to-eat foods.
Sophia Lustig Shops
124 10th St., downtown Toledo
419-243-5131 | sophialustigshops.com
Winner: Locally Owned Women’s Boutique
Chic, style-conscious women seeking sophisticated clothing have looked to the Sophia Lustig Shops for 80 years. Current owner Meredith Sherman continues the boutique’s tradition of balancing timeless elegance and modern fashion with hand-selected, high-quality garments that are reliably in vogue. With personal styling services, gowns for special events and casual daywear, we don’t blame fashionable Toledo women for relying on this downtown staple.
Needle Masters
5801 Telegraph Rd. | 419-476-9015
527 S. Reynolds Rd. | 419-531-4652
needlemasters.com
Finalist: Tattoo Shop
Rule of thumb for tattoo places: do your homework, look at the artist’s work and get lots of reviews and recommendations. Inking Toledo since 1999, Needle Masters takes great care of walk-ins and regulars and has operated without a single health code violation ever. If you’re thinking ink, think Needle Masters first.
Willow Creek Salon
6407 Monroe St.
419-882-1222 | willowcreeksalon.com
Winner: Nail Salon
Finalist: Hairstylist (Finalist: Mary Anne Johnson, owner of Willow Creek Salon),
Women’s Salon, Day Spa
A full-service hair and nail salon, Willow Creek Salon will have you primped and proper or flashy and fun, from hair to toes. Co-owner Mary Anne Johnson turned Willow Creek Salon into the must-stop salon in the area when you feel like you deserve a mani-pedi, a new ’do or even a good massage. Haven’t stopped in before? Like we said, you must.
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
2 Hippo Way
419-385-6721 | toledozoo.org
Finalist: Institution We’re Proud Of
In addition to being a world-class zoo, the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium is one of the most-recommended local hubs for out-of-towners to visit. With its state-of-the-art aquarium and terrific assortment of exotic animals, including an inclusive African savannah pen that features a diverse spread of animals living in harmony, our zoo offers something for every animal enthusiast to get excited about.
3D Wellness, Ultimate Mind and Body
4035 W. Central Ave.
419-367-1417 | 3dwtoledo.com
Winner: Massage Therapist (Joani Donovan, 3D Wellness Toledo)
You can’t separate the mind from the body— they’re always feeding off each other, even as they seem, at times, in opposition. Don’t let them work in opposition, get them in alignment! Joani Donovan at 3D Wellness/Ultimate Mind and Body has the knowledge and the training to get you feeling right again. Offering movement therapy, massage therapy and nutrition counseling, 3D Wellness is your one-stop-shop for achieving total body harmony.
SylvaniaVET
4801 N. Holland Sylvania Rd.
419-885-4421 | sylvaniavet.com
Winner: Veterinarian (Dr. Robert Esplin, of SylvaniaVET)
Dr. Robert “Bob” Esplin has provided high-quality veterinary service to the area for more than 35 years. Not only is the animal hospital open 24/7— and includes more than the average animal hospital services, such as boarding, grooming, obedience classes and doggy daycare— SylvaniaVET has met or exceeded the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standards since 1978.
Middle East Market
4623 W. Bancroft
419-531-3999 | middleeast-market.com
Winner: Ethnic Grocery
A strong, diverse population of ethnicities makes Toledo a cultural hub for finding adventurous—and delicious— foods you might not find in too many other cities around the U.S. The Middle East is renowned for their use of spices and ingredients to create diverse flavors and healthy meals. You can integrate those ingredients and spices into your own cooking with this well-stocked market— and you can do your everyday shopping there as well.
Brandywine Country Club
6904 Salisbury Rd., Maumee
419-865-2393 | brandywinecc.com
Winner: Golf Course
It’s no surprise that the area golfers declared Brandywine Country Club the best golf course around: freshly sodded tees on holes No. 4 and No. 5 and layout changes make this dynamic Arthur Hills-designed course seem brand new. While par is a 72, they have a fantastic brunch in their Champions restaurant, so feel free to console yourself there if your golf game goes… off course.
Knight Insurance
22 N. Erie St.
419-241-5133 | knightinsurance.com
Winner: Insurance Agent (Kenneth Knight, Knight Insurance Group)
The only sure thing in life is that life happens. Don’t let unexpected disasters be disastrous to your wallet as well. Knight Insurance, which has been around since 1859, is versed in everything that can go wrong, and how to best handle it. It’s why Kenneth Knight comes so highly recommended by your fellow Toledoans: he will take care of you before and after those big and little life disasters pop up.
Health Foods by Claudia
3904 Secor Rd. | 419-474-2400
healthfoodsbyclaudia.com
Winner: Natural Food Store
Owner Claudia David-Roscoe began working with local, natural health foods as a teenager and has been committed to clean, sustainable products and living ever since. From educational classes and workshops, to safe and natural cleaning products, to local, organic foods, to supplements that will enhance your well-being, her store carries everything you need to live organically.
