The ballots are in, the votes have been tallied and Cenla has spoken! Once again, you, the readers, have chosen to recognize excellence in our community for great service, top quality products, outstanding leadership, show stopping performances and excitement on the playing field. We had record participation this year! Of course, if one of your favorites didn’t win this year, it’s never too early to start pushing for 2012! So, without further adieu, the 2011 Best of Cenla Reader’s Poll Award winners are:
Food and Drink
Barbeque Restaurant – Outlaw’s BBQ
Italian Restaurant – Johnny Carino’s
Mexican Restaurant – Los Portales
Chinese Restaurant – The Oriental Wok
Seafood Restaurant – Tunk’s Cypress Inn
American/Grill Restaurant – Spirits Food & Friends
Pizza Restaurant – BJ’s Pizza
Friendliest Waitstaff – Texas Roadhouse
Bartender (w/ Name of Bar) – Jamie Deville at Bellino’s
Breakfast Menu – IHOP
Lunch Menu – The Cottage
Happy Hour – Chili’s
Dessert – Atwood’s Bakery
Place to Eat After Church – Piccadilly
Coffee – Tamp & Grind
Margarita – Chili’s Presidente
Martini – Diamond Grill
Daiquiri – Jack’s
Steak – Outback Steakhouse
Hamburger – The Cottage
Salad – Spirits
Sandwich/Po-Boy – Critic’s Choice
Sports
Place to Jog/Walk – Compton Park
Place to Hunt/Fish – Saline Lake
Sporting Goods Store – Academy Sports
Gym/Workout Facility – The Courtyard
Golf Course – Oakwing
New Orleans Saints Player – Drew Brees
New Orleans Hornets Player – Chris Paul
Most Exciting Sports Moment of 2010 – Cotton Bowl
Local High School Athlete of 2010 (Name and School) – Cierra Fussell at Grant High
Local Coach (Name, Team and Sport) – Stephen Brooks, ASH Powerlifting
Kids
Elementary School (K-6) – Alexandria Country Day
Middle School (6-8) – Brame Middle School
High School (9-12) – ASH
Daycare – Calvary Baptist Church
Dance Studio – Rising Stars Dance Studio
Places
Place to go Dancing – GG’s Club
Place to Hear Live Music – Spirits
Place for a Picnic – Indian Creek
Fair/Festival – Forest Hill Nursery Festival
Shopping and Services
Hospital – CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini
Bank Service – Red River Bank
Credit Union – La Capitol Federal Credit Union
Auto Dealer – Walker Automotive
Cell Phone Service – AT&T
Antique Store – Antique Mall
Furniture Store – Carroll’s Furniture
Hardware Store – John Ward Ace Hardware
Pharmacy – Walgreen’s
Music Store – Hasting’s
Book Store – Books-a-Million
Women’s Clothes – Her Closet
Men’s Clothes – Jerry Lee
Florist – Rick Ferguson
Dry Cleaner – Bryant’s Cleaners
Insurance Agent – Greg Baker, State Farm
Real Estate Agent – Jamie Lemoine, Noles-Frye
Jeweler – KP Jewelers
Hair Salon – The Salon in Pineville
Barber Shop – Razor’s Edge
Auto Mechanic – Darrell’s Automotive
Lawn Service – Theils Maintenance
Place to Buy a Gift – Funky Fleur de Lis
Grocery Store – Kroger
Home & Garden Store – Lowe’s Home Improvement
People
Councilperson/Alderman (Name and City) – Harry Silver, Alexandria
State Legislator – Chris Roy, Jr.
Judge – Thomas Yeager
Example of Leadership in 2010 – Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy
Minister – Dr. B. David Brooks, Calvary Baptist Church
Doctor – Amy Babin, MD
Financial Advisor – John Carroll, Merrill Lynch
Arts and Media
Radio Talk Show – TalkBack 970
Radio Station – LA 103.5
Radio DJ – Randy James
TV Station – KALB
TV Personality – Tom Konvicka
Local Website – TheTownTalk.com
Area Musician/Group – The Dots
Art Exhibit in 2010 – River Oaks
Local TV Commercial – Sayes Office Supply
Local Print Ad (Advertiser Name and Publication) – Mayo Photography
Local Billboard (Company Name and Location) – Red River Bank, Jackson Street in Alexandria
Theatre Performance– The Wizard of Oz, Holy Savior Menard Central High School