For a second year in a row, you’ve shattered the record! We asked for your votes and you answered the bell! More ballots were cast in this year’s competition than ever before. Nominations were accepted via paper ballots in the March 2018 issue.  From those nominations, categories and nominees were posted online and the voting began.  Thanks to everyone who participated and made this year’s awards the most popular yet. For the first time, we have an exact tie for a winner in a category; while in the most lopsided victory, the winner took home 87% of the vote in their category. Overall, the competition was fierce, with slim margins of victory across a broad range of categories.  And now, may we have the envelope, please? The 2018 Best of Cenla Award Winners, as chosen by you, are…

Food and Drink

Barbeque Restaurant: Outlaw’s BBQ

Italian Restaurant: Verona

Mexican Restaurant: Mi Tierra

Chinese Restaurant: The Oriental Wok

Seafood Restaurant: Tunk’s Cypress Inn

American/Grill Restaurant: Spirits Food & Friends

Pizza Restaurant: BJ’s Pizza

Dessert Item: Little Cakes with Big Attitude Cupcakes

Friendliest Waitstaff: Spirits Food & Friends

Breakfast Menu: Pitt Grill

Lunch Menu: The Cottage

Happy Hour: Sonic Drive-In

Place to Eat After Church: Cracker Barrel

Coffee: CC’s Coffee House

Margarita: Jack’s

Martini: The Diamond Grill

Daiquiri: Jack’s

Steak: Texas Roadhouse

Hamburger: Walk-On’s Bistreaux

Salad: Spirits Food & Friends

Sandwich/Po-Boy: Critic’s Choice

Kids

Elementary School (K-6): Alexandria Country Day & Our Lady of Prompt Succor (tie)

Middle School (6-8): Grace Christian

High School (9-12): Alexandria Senior High

Daycare: Calvary Baptist Church

Dance Studio: Just Dance

Places

Place to Hear Live Music: Spirits Food & Friends

Tourism Attraction: Alexandria Zoological Park

Museum: Alexandria Museum of Art

Fair/Festival: AlexRiverFête

Shopping and Services

Hospital: CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital

Nursing Home/Assisted Living: Lexington House

Bank: Red River Bank

Credit Union: Heart of Louisiana

Auto Dealer: Walker GMC

Hardware Store: John Ward ACE Hardware

Pharmacy: Ray’s Pharmacy

Music Store: Red River Music

Women’s Clothes: Dillard’s

Men’s Clothes: Dillard’s

Gym/Workout Facility: Louisiana Athletic Club

Sporting Goods Store: Academy Sports & Outdoors

Florist: Alexandria House of Flowers

Insurance Agent: Brian Thomson, State Farm

Real Estate Agent: Rose Steepleton, Noles-Frye

Jeweler: KP Jewelers

Hair Salon: Tangles Hair Salon

Barber Shop: The Kut

Auto Mechanic: Halliburton Auto Clinic

Auto Body Shop: Kyle’s Collision Center

Auto Towing Service: Henry’s Towing

Pet Grooming: Sandy’s Clip-n-Dip

Contractor/Builder: Ratcliff Construction

Lawn Service: Yankee Clipper

Place to Buy a Gift: John Ward Interiors & Gifts

People

Councilperson/Alderman: Harry Silver, City of Alexandria

State Legislator: Lance Harris, La House District 25

Judge: Hon. Thomas Yeager, 9th Judicial District Court

Minister: Rev. Dan O’Connor, Our Lady of Prompt Succor

Doctor: Dr. John Rhodes, Pediatrics

Veterinarian: Dr. Jamie Ducote

Financial Advisor: Mike Chatelain

Bartender: Tim McLin, Mirror Room

Arts and Media

Musician/Group: Cenla Brass Band

Radio Talk Show: The Morning Q, 93.1 KQID

Radio Station: 100.3 KRRV, Cenla Broadcasting

Radio DJ: Shy & Cathy, 93.1 KQID

TV Station: KALB-TV Newschannel 5, NBC

TV Personality: Sherman Desselle, KALB-TV

Art Exhibit in 2017: Tom Peyton Memorial Art Fest

Theatre Performance in 2017: Wizard of Oz, Lagniappe Theatre Company