2015 Best of Utah Valley Winners

The Tri Tip Steak Salad is one of Cubby’s most popular entrees. Voters placed Cubby’s — with locations in Provo, Lehi and Spanish Fork — in the top three for casual restaurants.

You voted for your faves and we heard your raves. Now here’s the cream of the crop, the top of the heap and (according to ya’ll) the best in the west.

Best of Restaurants

Best Bakery

1. Kneaders

Founders Colleen and Gary Worthington have opened more than 30 Kneaders locations across Utah, Arizona, Colorado and Idaho — and one in Texas — since baking up their first location in Orem in 1997.

2. The Sweet Tooth Fairy

This bakery rose to fame after winning the $10,000 grand prize on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars.” Founder Megan Faulkner Brown wooed the judges with the Cranberry Wine, Brie Cheesecake and Sweet Potato Pie cupcakes.

3. Shirley’s Bakery & Café

As a single mother of five daughters, Shirley turned her love for baking into a lifestyle. After running a successful bakery in Canada, she moved her family to Utah and opened her business in Provo and American Fork.

Best Casual Restaurant

1. Café Zupa’s

2. Kneaders

3. Cubby’s

Best Snow Shack

1. Hokulia Shave Ice

2. Lani’s Hawaiian Style Shave Ice

3. Mabuhay Shaved Ice

Best Sandwiches & Delis

1. Kneaders

2. Sensuous Sandwich

3. Jimmy John’s

Best Classic Mexican

1. Los Hermanos

2. Mi Rancherito

3. El Azteca

Best Italian and Pizza

1. Brick Oven

2. Malawi’s Pizza

3. Pizzeria 712

Best Fast Food

1. Chick-fil-A

2. JCW’s

3. In-N-Out

Los Hermanos’ fajitas are a customer favorite. Read more about how the restaurant began here.

Best Fresh Mexican

1. Cafe Rio

2. Costa Vida

3. Mountain West Burrito

Best Fine Dining

1. La Jolla Groves

2. Carrabba’s

3. Tree Room Restaurant

Best Eastern Asian Food

1. Bombay House

2. Thai Village Provo

3. Thai Drift

Best Chinese

1. Shoots

2. Chen’s Noodle House

3. Rice King

Best Japanese

1. Happy Sumo

This Provo restaurant is the happy place for local sushi lovers.

Tip! Join Happy Sumo’s VIP club online to get discounts like 2-for-1 sushi rolls.

2. Tepanyaki Steakhouse

Locals love that eating at Tepanyaki in Lehi isn’t just grabbing a quick bite, it’s an event!

3. Sushi Ya

If you want a bang for your buck, Sushi Ya is your kapow. They have an all-you-can-eat option. Pass the wasabi.

Best Food Truck

1. Waffle Love

2. Mouse Trap

3. Art City Donuts

Best Casual Restaurant (with a waiter)

1. Texas Roadhouse

2. Foundry Grill

3. Art City Trolley

Best Barbecue

1. Goodwood BBQ

2. Bam Bams BBQ

3. The Smoking Apple

Best Drinks & Desserts

1. BYU Creamery

2. Swig

3. The Chocolate

Doctors & Dentists

Best Plastic Surgery

1. Michael D. Marion Plastic Surgery

2. Mark Jensen, Central Utah Clinic

3. Dr. Todd Engen, Excel Cosmetics Surgery

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Best Drinks & Desserts

1. BYU Creamery

A community staple since 1949, the BYU Creamery serves up ice cream flavors like “Whoosh Cecil” and “Bronco’s Cocoa Bean.”

dining.byu.edu/creamery

2. Swig

With locations in Provo, Orem and Lehi, Swig’s Dirty Diet Cokes have quickly become a local obsession.

swigstop.com

3. The Chocolate

Cazookie anyone? If you haven’t tried this crazy-good dessert yet, get your fork ready! Stat!

thechocolatedc.com

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Best Vein Treatment

1. Intermountain Vein Center

2. Vein Institute of Utah

3. The Vein Center at Riverwoods

Best Pediatrics

1. Utah Valley Pediatrics

2. Alpine Pediatrics

3. Canyon View Medical Group

Best Orthodontics

1. Trapnell Orthodontics

2. Graf Orthodontics

3. Thompson Orthodontics

Best Oral Surgery

1. Utah Valley Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

2. Summit Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

3. Riverwoods Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Best Opthamalogy/Optometry

1. Excel Eye Center

2. Esplin Eye Center

3. Utah Valley Eye Center

Best Obstetrics/Gynecology Clinic

1. Valley Obstetrics & Gynecology

2. Central Utah Clinic Women’s Center

3. Legacy OB/GYN Clinic

Best Dermatology

1. David Myers, Utah Valley Dermatology

2. Central Utah Clinic

3. Aspen Dermatology

Best Dentist

1. Salem Smiles Family Dentistry

2. Chad Ellis

3. Mountainland Pediatric Dentistry

Best Chiropractic

1. Utah Valley Chiropractic

2. Spinal Rehab of North County

3. Mountain View Chiropractic

Best Audiology

1. Kipp M. Robins, Central Utah Clinic

2. Peak ENT Associates

3. Timpanogos Hearing & Balance

Best Family Medicine

1. Central Utah Clinic

2. Canyon View Medical

3. Premier Family Medical

Best Fertility

1. Utah Fertility Center

2. David H. Broadbent

3. East Bay Fertility Center

Health & Beauty

Best Hair Salon

1. Suggestions Salon

2. Amara Day Spa

3. Modifi Salon & Spa

Best Stylist

1. Brittany Fish, Suggestions

2. Stephanie Marsh, Suggestions

3. Tricia Hilton, Modifi Salon & Spa

Best Day Spa

1. Amara Day Spa

2. Modifi Salon & Spa

3. Seasons Salon & Day Spa

Best Medical Spa

1. Pureza Salon & Medi Spa

2. Spa Trouve

3. Aesthetica

Best Laser Hair Removal

1. Spa Trouve

2. Aesthetica

3. Ideal Image

Best Wax

1. Amara Day Spa

2. Pureza Salon & Medi Spa

3. Suggestions

Best Fitness Center

1. Vasa Fitness

2. CrossFit Utah Valley

3. Provo Recreation Center

Best Eyelashes

1. Amara Day Spa

2. Pureza Salon & Medi Spa

3. The Lash Bar

Best Cosmetology School

1. Renaissance Academie

2. Paul Mitchell the School

3. Aveda Institute Provo

Retail

Read more about the Linden Nursery, winner of Best Gardens and Flowers, here.

Best Home Décor

1. Osmond Design (tie 1st)

1. Four Chairs Furniture (tie 1st)

2. GateHouse No. 1

Best Clothes Store

1. Target

2. Kohl’s

3. Dillard’s

Best Toy Store

1. Blickenstaff’s

2. Toys “R” Us

3. Target

Best Shopping Center

1. University Mall

2. The Shops at Riverwoods

3. Outlets at Traverse Mountain

Best Home
Décor
1. Osmond Design (tie 1st)
1. Four Chairs Furniture (tie 1st)
2. GateHouse No. 1
These three high-end designers have elevated the valley’s style factor by turning houses into homes in the Utah Valley Parade of Homes. Get inspired by their work at this year’s upcoming parade
June 4 – 20. (Photo courtesy Osmond Design)

Best Runner’s Store

1. Runner’s Corner

2. 26.2 Running Company

3. UtahRUN

Best Outdoor Gear

1. Cabela’s

2. Out N Back

3. REI

Best Groceries

1. Costco

2. Macey’s

3. Harmons

Best Gardens & Flowers

1. Linden Nursery

2. Highland Gardens

3. Sun River Gardens

Best Fresh Produce

1. Thanksgiving Point Farmers’ Market

This produce mecca at Thanksgiving Point is on Saturdays in August and September, with fresh produce and local products.

2. Allred Orchards

Open late August to October with homegrown peaches, plums, apples and more.

3. LaVell Edwards Stadium Farmers’ Market

Visit the stadium parking lot on Thursdays from July 30 to October 29 for fresh produce, baked goods and crafts for kids.

Best Dress Shoes

1. Forever Young Shoes

2. Famous Footwear

3. Payless ShoeSource

Best Candles

1. Bath & Body Works

2. Scentsy

3. Yankee Candle

Best Boutique

1. Bella Ella Boutique

2. Dear Lizzie

3. Amara

Professional Services

Best Payroll Service

1. Hawkins, Cloward & Simister

2. Payroll Experts

3. A Plus Benefits

Best Law Firm

1. Dexter & Dexter Law

2. Kirton McConkie

3. Macarthur, Heder & Metler

Best Insurance Company

1. State Farm

2. Neal Dastrup Insurance

3. Miller & Wade Group

Best Financial Advisor

1. Squire Wealth Advisors

2. Keeler Thomas

3. Paragon Wealth Management

Best Bank 

1. Central Bank

The financial gurus of Central Bank have been serving Utah for more than 120 years.

2. Zions Bank

Ready for a major throwback? On its first day in business on Oct. 1, 1873, Zions Bank took in a total of $5,876.20.

3. Bank of American Fork

Don’t be fooled — the Bank of American Fork has 14 branches in cities throughout Utah, not just American Fork.

Best Preschool

1. Challenger School

2. Kids Village

3. Arches Academy

Best Cleaning Service

1. Merry Maids

2. Daisy Maids

3. RBM Building Services

Best Accountant

1. Hawkins Cloward & Simister

2. Squire & Company

3. H&R Block

Online Media

Best Local News Site

1. KSL.com

2. DeseretNews.com

3. HeraldExtra.com

Best Local Blogger

1. Provo Mayor

2. Stephanie Nielson

3. Al Fox Carraway

Best BYU Sports Websites

1. BYUCougars.com

2. KSL.com

3. DeseretNews.com

Best Local YouTube Channel

1. The Piano Guys

These five guys use their music and marketing skills to mix popular and classical music. Nearly 4 million YouTube subscribers are hummin’ along.

2. Kid History

What if your kids’ stories happened exactly as they related them to you? Kid History has the answer, with rib-tickling family friendly viral videos.

3. Devin Super Tramp (Devin Graham)

Since uploading his nail-biting rope swing video, Devin has earned more than 545 million views for showing YouTube his extreme sports adventures.

Auto

Best New Car Dealership

1. Brent Brown Toyota Scion

2. Doug Smith Dodge & Chrysler

3. Larry H. Miller dealerships

Best Used Car Dealership

1. Car Guys

2. Art City Auto Body & Sales

3. PMR Auto

Best Auto Repair

1. Dickerson Automotive

2. Skiba Auto Repair

3. Mitchell Garage

Best Collision Repair

1. Robarge Collision

2. Cascade Collision Repair

3. Adams G3 Collision Repair

Best Car Wash

1. Wiggy Wash

2. Supersonic Car Wash

3. Mister Car Wash

Best Windshield Repair

1. UniGlass

2. TechnaGlass

3. A Touch of Air Glass & Trim

Entertainment

1. Hale Center Theater Orem: This local theater is well-known for its annual performance of “A Christmas Carol” (pictured here), which regularly sells out during its three-week run.
2. Sundance Summer Theater: The Sundance Summer Theater reminds there’s no place like home this summer with “The Wizard of Oz,” which runs July 23 – August 15 on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
3. SCERA Center for the Arts: The SCERA came to center stage during the Great Depression when volunteering local leaders turned to the arts to buoy their struggling community.

Best Stage Performance

1. Hale Center Theater Orem

2. Sundance Summer Theater

3. SCERA Center for the Arts

Best Race

1. Utah Valley Marathon

2. AF Canyon Run Against Cancer

3. Provo Midnight Run

Best Golf Course

1. Hobble Creek Golf Course

2. East Bay Golf Course

3. Thanksgiving Point Golf Course

Best Art Museum

1. BYU Museum of Art

2. Springville Museum of Art

3. The Woodbury Art Museum, University Mall

Best Museum

1. Museum of Natural Curiosity, Thanksgiving Point

2. Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, BYU

3. North American Museum of Ancient Life, Thanksgiving Point

Provo Canyon will be hummin’ with runnin’ this summer during the Utah Valley Marathon. Here’s a breakdown by the numbers for the No. 1 race in the valley.
240 people ran in the first race in 2008.
More than 10,000 runners will be pounding the pavement in this year’s race.
4 charities benefit from race fees: Road to Success, Charity Vision, Mac’s Gift, Mentor’s International.
This year, there’s a K9 5K for dogs and their owners.
American marathon record-holder Ryan Hall is coming to set the pace this year. He ran the Boston Marathon in 2:04:58.
Can’t keep up with Ryan? Don’t worry. The average marathoner runs the race in 4:30.
It’s all happening June 12 – 13.

Best Annual Summer Event

1. Stadium of Fire

2. Chalk the Block, The Shops at the Riverwoods (tie)

Timpanogos Storytelling Festival (tie)

3. Parade of Homes

Best Live Music

1. Rooftop Concert Series, Downtown Provo

2. SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre

3. Sundance Blue Bird Café

Best Charity Event

1. Timpanogos Storytelling Festival

2. An Evening of Stars, SCERA

3. Chocolate Extravaganza

Best National Park in Utah

1. Zion National Park

2. Arches National Park

3. Bryce Canyon National Park

Best Local Day Hike

1. Stewart Falls

2. Timpanogos Cave

3. Provo River Trail

Best Local Outdoor Specialty Recreation Area

1. Timpanogos Cave National
Monument

2. Aspen Loop Drive

3. Cascade Springs

Best Family Fun Center

1. Provo Beach Resort

The Provo Beach Resort has bowling lanes, an arcade, an obstacle course and more — and it’s also one of the only places that serves Blue Bell ice cream.

2. Seven Peaks

The Seven Peaks Fun Center in Lehi features a twist on traditional mini golf with nine holes of a black light indoor course.

3. Provo Recreation Center

Families can swim and shoot hoops together, or kids can play in the Child Watch area while parents get their cardio on.

Home Services

Read more about Magelby Construction, the winner of Best Cabinets, here.

Best Architect

1. Harris Architecture

2. D&D Design Concepts (tie)

2. Joe Carrick Design (tie)

Best Cabinets

1. Magleby Construction

2. Maple Landing

3. Barlow’s Wood Classics

Best Countertops

1. Creative Granite

2. MGS by Design

3. The Stone Shop

Best Credit Union

1. Utah Community Credit Union

2. Mountain America Credit Union

3. America First Credit Union

Best Carpet Cleaners

1. Zerorez

Dirt be gone! Zerorez cleans carpets and your home’s air ducts to eliminate debris and dirt.

2. VCS Carpet Cleaning

Grape juice on the carpet? Fear not. VCS Carpet Cleaning offers cleaning tips on its website, vcscarpetcleaning.com.

3. Alpine Professional Carpet Care

Owner Jeffrey Tobian sometimes adds a family touch to his services by bringing his wife and son along.

Best Fireplace

1. Alpine Gas Fireplace

2. Hearth & Home Distributors of Utah

3. Triple-T Plumbing, Heating & Air

Best Garage Door Repair

1. Lowry Overhead Doors

2. All Star Garage Doors

3. Central Utah Door Service

Best Heating & Air Conditioning

1. Absolute Air

2. Triple-T Plumbing, Heating & Air

3. Gunthers Comfort Air

Best Home Builder

1. Millhaven Homes

2. Candlelight Homes

3. EDGE Homes

Best Home Restoration

1. SERVPRO

2. Complete Restoration

3. Utah Disaster Kleenup

Best Internet Service Provider

1. Google Fiber

2. Comcast

3. Spanish Fork Community Network

Best Landscaping

1. Kuhni Landscaping

2. Vision Landscaping

3. Duval Landscape & Maintenance

Best Lawn Care

1. Stewarts Lawn Service

2. 800 Lawn Care

3. Turf Plus

Best Plumbing

1. Told Plumbing

2. Triple-T Plumbing, Heating & Air

3. Eric’s Plumbing