ONE OF THE ENLIGHTENING THINGS ABOUT DOING A YEARLY “Readers’ Choice” survey is that we’re able to see the differences from year to year. Opinions change, respondents change and results change. For example, none of the top three restaurants in this year’s survey placed in the first two “Utah Valley Magazine Readers’ Choice” contests. It isn’t because they weren’t good then, or that the former winners have lost their touch. It just shows the diversity of the community and the wide variety of quality establishments.
The same is true of sandwiches and favorite local television personalities. We also see trends that show that some things are well-established and well-loved throughout the community. Here is a taste of what our faithful readers sent in as their favorites.
Favorite Restaurant
1. Bombay House
2. Ottavio’s Ristorante Italiano
3. PF Chang’s China Bistro
Favorite Local Artist
1. James Christensen
2. Dennis Smith
3. Gary Price
Favorite Season in Utah Valley
1. Autumn
2. Spring
3. Summer
4. Winter
Favorite Place to People Watch
1. Mall
2. BYU/BYU football games
3. Airport
Favorite Place to Waterski
1. Deer Creek Reservoir
2. Lake Powell
3. Utah Lake
Favorite Park
1. Novell Children’s Discovery Park, Pleasant Grove
2. Kiwanis Park, Provo
3. The Park at Rock Canyon, Provo
Favorite Place for a Family Reunion
1. Sundance
2. Aspen Grove Family Camp and Conference Center
3. Provo Canyon
Favorite Local Performer
1. Kurt Bestor
2. Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband
3. Peter Breinholt & Big Parade
Favorite Take-out
1. Cafe Rio
2. Pizza Factory
3. Panda Express
Favorite Candy Store
1. Peppermint Place
2. See’s Candies
3. Kara Chocolates
Favorite Golf Course
1. Hobble Creek Golf Course
2. Thanksgiving Point
3. East Bay Golf Course
Favorite Place to Take the Kids
1. Thanksgiving Point
2. Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
3. American Fork Canyon
Favorite Radio Station
1. KBYU 89.1 FM
2. KSL 1160 AM
3. KENZ 107.5 FM
Favorite Local Television Personality
1. Mark Eubank
2. Michelle King
3. Allie MacKay
Favorite Sandwich Shop
1. Gandolfo’s New York Deli
2. Picasso’s
3. Sensuous Sandwich
Favorite Place to Buy Ice Cream
1. Cold Stone Creamery
2. Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream
3. BYU Creamery on 9th
Favorite Movie Theater
1. Wynnsong 12 (Riverwoods)
2. Cinemark 16 at Provo Towne Centre
3. Water Gardens Cinema 6
A few of our favorite responses
While tabulating the contest winners is somewhat tedious, there were a couple of responses that kept things light. Here are two of our favorites:
Favorite Place to Waterski: “Never done it…bad back.”
Favorite Take-out: “Only got it once — the containers split and spilled all over my car! Never again!”
Winning entries
Utah Valley Magazine would like to thank all those who participated in the “2003 Best of Utah Valley” awards. A few entries were drawn for prizes from completed entry forms. Here is a list of those who’ve won gift certificates to local restaurants.
• Kjirstin Youngberg, Mapleton
• Carol Linebaugh, Pleasant Grove
• Rebecca Baron, Orem
• Andrea De St. Jeor, Provo
• Jennifer Eggington, Pleasant Grove
• Deborah Haycock, Alpine
• Chelsea Stewart, Orem
• Bonnie Armitstead, Alpine
• Trisha Sorber, Orem
• Natalie Jenne, Orem
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