For the first time ever, voting for the Best of Cenla awards went online and you responded in a big way! Voting totals were off the charts, breaking records in nearly every category. Nominations were accepted via paper ballots in the March 2017 issue. From those nominations, categories and nominees were posted online and the voting was open! Each category also featured a write-in space in case your favorite was not previously nominated; and we had some very strong write in showings. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this year’s awards the best yet. Without further adieu, the 2017 Best of Cenla Award Winners, as chosen by you, are…
Food and drink
Barbeque Restaurant: Outlaw’s BBQ
Italian Restaurant: Bellino’s
Mexican Restaurant: Los Portales
Chinese Restaurant: 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: Chick-fil-A
Breakfast Menu: Pit Grill
Lunch Menu: The Cottage
Happy Hour: The Mirror Room
Place to Eat After Church: Copeland’s
Coffee: Tamp & Grind
Margarita: Julia’s Mexican Restaurant
Martini: The Mirror Room
Daiquiri: Jack’s
Steak: Texas Roadhouse
Hamburger: 5 Guys Burgers
Salad: Spirits Food & Friends
Sandwich/Po-Boy: Po-Boy Express
Sports
Gym/Workout Facility: Louisiana Athletic Club
Local High School Athlete of 2016: Lilliana Poisso, Alexandria Senior High
Local College Athlete of 2016: Mikayla Brown, Northwestern State
Kids
Elementary School (K-6): Alexandria Country Day
Middle School (6-8): Grace Christian
Daycare: First United Methodist in Alexandria
Dance Studio: Just Dance
Places
Place to Hear Live Music: Spirits Food & Friends
Tourism Attraction: Alexandria Zoo
Museum: T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum
Fair/Festival: AlexRiverFete
Shopping and Services
Hospital: CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini
Bank Service: Red River Bank
Credit Union: Heart of Louisiana FCU
Auto Dealer: Walker Honda
Furniture Store: Ashley Furniture HomeStore
Hardware Store: Lowe’s Home Improvement
Pharmacy: Ray’s Apothecary
Spa: Spa Belleza
Music Store: Red River Music
Women’s Clothes: Dillard’s
Men’s Clothes: Dillard’s
Florist: Alexandria House of Flowers
Dry Cleaner: Craig’s Cleaners
Insurance Agent: Lance Lopez
Real Estate Agent: Matt Ritchie
Jeweler: Schnack’s Fine Jewelry
Hair Salon: Hairology
Barber Shop: Day’s Barber Shop
Auto Mechanic: Bill Halliburton
Pet Grooming: Sandy’s Clip-N-Dip
Contractor/Builder: Ratcliff Construction
Lawn Service: Yankee Clipper
Place to Buy a Gift: Funky Fleur de Lis
Home & Garden Store: Fads & Frames
People
Councilperson/Alderman: Harry Silver, City of Alexandria
State Legislator: Chris Hazel
Judge: Hon. Thomas Yeager
Minister: Dr. B. David Brooks, Calvary Baptist Church
Doctor: Dr. Amy Griffin, Alexandria, LA Family Medicine
Veterinarian: Dr. Bruce Guillory
Financial Advisor: Mike Upton
Bartender: Tim McLin, Copeland’s & The Mirror Room
Arts and Media
Radio Talk Show: TalkBack 970
Radio Station: KRRV 100.3
Radio DJ: Hollywood Harrison, Cenla Broadcasting
TV Station: KALB
TV Personality: Sherman Desselle, KALB
Local Website: thetowntalk.com
Art Exhibit in 2016: 50th Anniversary Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Fest
Theatre Performance in 2016: The Lion King, Jr., OLPS Theatre
