best of
2009
COUNTY LINE MAGAZINE’S
2009 Best of the Upper East Side of Texas
Calling something “the best” is always subjective
and personal, especially when there’s so much to choose from in a
geographically large area where some people tend to find what they want close
to home. Nevertheless, here are readers choices for the “Best of the Upper East
Side of Texas” for 2009.
Congratulate the winners. Learn more
about the new and interesting places in the region, especially in these days of
thrifty “staycations.”
Best Barbecue
Bodacious in Winnsboro: Hickory-and- oak-smoked barbecued beef, pork ribs, ham,
turkey, and sausage meals with choice of two vegetables (pinto beans, potato
salad, or coleslaw). Dine in, take out; deliveries for catering, and this
location even FedExed several out-of-state orders in the past year. One of 14
locations in Texas, the Winnsboro facility’s focus, as a smaller location, is
on fresh food and trying to treat everyone like a best friend 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Monday-Saturday. 328 E. Coke, 903.342.1210. Runners-up: Stanley’s Famous Pit
Bar-B-Que in Tyler and Mack’s Split Rail in Mineola.
Best Breakfast
Edom Bakery & Grill: The extensive breakfast menu includes bacon, sausage, ham,
traditional down-home egg dishes, lox and bagels with capers; eggs benedict;
quiche Lorraine, biscuits and gravy, Belgian waffles; fresh seasonal fruit, and
a variety of breads and muffins cooked in-house. Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m.-6
p.m., Wednesday-Sunday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 8334 FM 279, 903.852.5552,
www.edombakery.com. Runner-up: Brewbaker’s Restaurant & Pub in Winnsboro.
Best Catfish
Maggie’s in Edom: Cooked fresh to order with two different seasonings; one
is cornmeal, the other’s a secret. Served with French fries, cole slaw, and
hushpuppies; substitute specially seasoned pinto beans, Italian green beans,
corn on the cob, onion rings, or corn fritters. Also available: burgers, chicken,
chicken-fried steak, and a sandwich bar full of fixings. Monday-Thursday 5-8
p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 6869 Hwy 64, 903.852.6817. Runner-up:
Vaughn’s at Lake Bob Sandlin and Edom Marketplace.
Best Chicken Fried Steak
Double C Steakhouse in Winnsboro: Entrees include a
chicken-fried steak that fills a plate – so big that some customers ask for,
and get, smaller servings. The cook won’t give up the recipe, relying on
“secret ingredients” to satisfy customers’ cravings. Lunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday, and dinner 4:30-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-10 p.m. Friday,
and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. If there’s live music, Double C often stays open
later. 206 Market, 903.342.3111, www.doublecsteakhouse.com. Runners-up:
Moser’s at Lake Fork and The Farmhouse in Van.
Best Coffee
Art & Espresso in Winnsboro.
Hole-in-the-wall place serves espresso, cappuccinos, lattés, a variety of iced
and hot coffees, teas, and hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream. Add favorite syrup
flavors to the gourmet coffee to personalize drinks. Enjoy a light lunch or an
afternoon dessert that includes home-made pastries. Occasional live music and
poetry readings. Monday-Thursday 7aa.m.-6 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday
9 a.m.-10 p.m. 217 Market. 903.342.3343, www.artandespresso.com. Runners-up:
Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler and Edom Bakery & Grill.
Best Place for Gas, Grub & Groceries
Sam’s Exxon in Ben Wheeler:
Generous ’burgers, malts and shakes, and wide-ranging breakfast, lunch, and dinner
menus including grilled and fried chicken, chicken-fried steak, barbecue,
fries, corn dogs, hot dogs and chili dogs, egg rolls, beef fajitas and chicken
fajitas, beef tacos and chicken tacos, homemade chili and stew, breakfast
tacos, eggs, bacon, hash browns, grits, oatmeal, and croissants all served at
an old-time soda fountain counter. Plus gas, lots of convenience store
groceries and gifts. Runners-up: The Outpost in Winnsboro and Brookshire’s.
Best Hamburger
Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler.
Seven-ounce patty mix of fresh chuck and brisket ground at the store, cooked
medium well but can be ordered to preference and topped with choice of bleu
cheese, chili and cheese (American, Swiss, or cheddar). Variety of fresh,
do-it-yourself fixings at the sandwich bar. Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10:30
.m.-2:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. 1551 FM 279,
903.833.5100, www.benwheelertx.com. Runners-up: Dairy Palace in Canton and
Edom Bakery & Grill.
Best Malt/Shake
Dairy Palace in Canton: Blue Bell ice cream, real milk, and 36 flavors
including moo-lennium crunch, chocolate chip cookie dough, caramel pecan fudge,
pecan pralines and cream, cotton candy, and banana pudding along with basic
vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry at this consistently popular, self-proclaimed
world famous site with a wide-ranging breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 2203 N. Trade Days (Hwy 19),
903.567.6551, www.dairypalace.com. Runners-up: Art & Espresso in
Winnsboro and Maggie’s in Edom.
Best Pie
The Shed Café in Edom:
The folks in the kitchen at The Shed make fresh pies every day: chocolate,
coconut, lemon, pecan, pineapple, buttermilk, egg custard, peanut butter,
chocolate chip, caramel, key lime, and a house concoction layered with chocolate,
cream cheese, and pecans, with whipped cream and chocolate chips on top. 7
a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. 8337 FM 279, 903.852.7791. Runners-up: Gina’s
Creative Cakes in Winnsboro and Edom Bakery & Grill.
Best Pizza
Cibo Vino in Winnsboro:
Napolitano-style pizzas include the margherita (named for the Queen of Spain,
not the drink) with a light red sauce, fresh mozzarella, and basil; the Tuscan
olive onion with feta and a variation known as Phyllis’ favorite without the
cheese; the white cheese with asparagus and artichoke; the Quattro formaggi
with mozzarella, feta, smoked gouda, and fresh shredded parmesan; and the
balsamic glazed pomodoro with glazed grape tomatoes, olives, onions,
mozzarella, and basil. They’re all flash baked in wood-fired ovens imported
from Naples, Italy. Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. 218
N Main, 903.342.0028, www.cibovinorestaurant.com. Runners-up: Val’s Italian
in Canton and Bruno’s in Tyler.
Best Produce
Cycle of Seasons in Lindale:
In business for about 15 years, this eclectic place offers a selection of
homegrown produce in season and vine-ripened tomatoes year-round, shell nuts
from Texas and California, bedding plants and shrubs in the spring and summer,
gift items, Watkins products, and a claim for the biggest selection of jellies
and jams (especially sugar-free). Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sunday
10 a.m.-3 p.m. 400 N Main, 903.882.8477,
www.merchantcircle.com/business/cycle.of.season. Runners-up: Handy Farms in
Scroggins and Graham’s Edgewood Market.
Best Restaurant
Four Winds in Wills Point:
The steaks are choice, hand-selected, aged, grain fed from the Midwest. The
chef cuts, seasons, and grills the steaks. Specialties include a fresh, 26-ounce
bone-in rib eye with a brandy peppercorn sauce, pecan-breaded catfish, fried
shrimp, and marinated grilled chicken breast served with fresh vegetables.
Among other offerings are the popular tomato mozzarella salad and New
York-style cheesecake with sour cream topping made in the restaurant. 2-10 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday. 903.873.2225. Runners-up: Cibo Vino in Winnsboro and
Brewbaker’s Restaurant & Pub in Winnsboro.
Best Salsa & Tortilla Chips
Peralta’s in Winnsboro:
What define a good tortilla chip? Crisp, fresh, tasty, and free. Thin, but
strong enough that it won’t break in the bowl or on the way to the mouth loaded
with salsa. And the salsa itself – chunkier than thin – is more about taste
than heat. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. seven days a week. 607 S Main, 903.763.5020. Runners-up:
Ochoa’s in Canton and Brewbaker’s Restaurant & Pub in Winnsboro.
Best Salad
Edom Bakery & Grill:
Selections begin with traditional favorite strawberry fields: mixed greens,
strawberries, pecans, mozzarella, and homemade raspberry dressing. Other
choices include blackened chicken Caesar, shrimp Louis, chicken salad, quiche
Lorraine, and more. The house salad is mixed greens, Greek olives, feta, and
diced tomatoes with lemon garlic vinaigrette. Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Wednesday-Sunday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 8334 FM 279, 903.852.5552, www.edombakery.com. Runners-up:
Brewbaker’s Restaurant & Pub in Winnsboro apple almond and chicken salad,
and Edom Marketplace fiesta chicken salad.
Best Sandwich
Brewbaker’s Restaurant & Pub:
Renovated during 2009 to include a pub and night spot along with the deli this
popular spot makes sandwiches served on homemade focaccia, sourdough, or
honey-cracked wheat bread. Insides include smoked turkey breast; smoked ham;
combo with ham, smoked turkey, and summer sausage; chicken salad, and peanut
butter and jelly. Grilled sandwiches include Reuben, muffuletta, turkey, ham,
pork tenderloin, French dip, Philly steak, and chicken Caesar. Runners-up:
Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler and Edom Bakery & Grill.
Best Seafood
Dudley’s Cajun Café in Longview.
Family-owned restaurant with Southern, Soul, Cajun/Creole menu heavy on seafood
and secret-ingredient recipes. Monday-Friday 11a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10
p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 301 W. Loop 281, 903.663.6699. Second location 1601
E Marshall. Runner-up: Four Winds Steakhouse in Wills Point.
Best Steak
Four Winds in Wills Point: Choice, hand-selected, aged, grain fed from the Midwest
are cut to order, seasoned, and put on the grill. Specialties include a fresh,
26-ounce bone-in rib eye with a brandy peppercorn sauce, pecan-breaded catfish,
fried shrimp, and marinated grilled chicken breast served with fresh
vegetables. The restaurant, built as a house by former Dallas Cowboy Lee Roy
Jordan, seats 125 people in the main dining room, a semi-private room, and a
couple of private rooms, and there’s a huge front porch for sitting before and
after dinner. 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 21191 FM 47 one mile north of
Interstate 20. 903.873.2225. www.fourwindssteakhouse.com. Runners-up: Double
C Steakhouse in Winnsboro and 5D Cattle Company in Avinger.
Best Sweets
Frosting! Cake Design Studio
in Winnsboro. Leslie McKee turned to baking in 1998, wanting to spend more time
with her children than her previous career in sports medicine allowed. From her
home-based, commercial kitchen and thousands of cakes later, she operates from
a retail storefront. Each cake is a custom creation with details specific to
the client. Leslie delivers, free within 30 miles, all wedding cakes and large
event cakes that require setup. She also likes to work with at least a month’s
notice – six months to a year for wedding cakes – and says she won’t take an
order with less than 24-hours advance notice. Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Saturday 9 a.m.-noon. 302 N. Main. 903.342.6300, www.frosting.us.com. Runners-up:
Edom Bakery & Grill and Winnsboro Bakery.
Best Tex-Mex
Peralta’s in Winnsboro:
Traditional Tex-Mex plus eclectic mix of authentic Mexican dishes including
special Mexican shrimp cocktail, a variety of enchiladas, carne asada, fajita
dinners and quesadillas, chicken and beef, salads, and, for dessert,
traditional sopapillas, flan, and chocolate cheesecake. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. seven
days a week. 903.342.5303, 813 S. Main in Winnsboro. Runners-up: Peralta’s
in Quitman and Ochoa’s various locations.
Best Winery
Los Pinos in Pittsburg:
Produces wines from grapes grown in its on-site vineyard and its Timmons
Vineyard in West Texas. Varietals include Blanc Du Bois, Cynthiana, Black
Spanish, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, and Champanel. There’s a tasting room
and the 70-seat Verano Room dining room with a small stage and dance floor,
with live jazz every Friday and Saturday night starting around 7 pm. Also a
covered tasting deck with vineyard view. 658 CR 1334. 903.855.1769,
www.lospinosranchvineyards.com. Runners-up: Tara Vineyards near Athens and
Savannah Winery in Canton.
Best Annual Event
Hog Fest in Ben Wheeler.
Family friendly Friday evening and all-day Saturday affair honors the tenacity
of the wild hog, sprawling across park land and the spacious volunteer fire
department truck bay, offering a fun parade, live music on the Pickin’ Porch,
lots of antique cars and tractors, hog cook off, educational booths, festival
food, pig races, and more. Local judges even select a hog queen who represents
Ben Wheeler for the next year. 903.833.5100, www.benwheelertx.com. Runners-up:
Winnsboro Fine Art Market and Edom Art Fair.
Best Afternoon Stroll
Downtown Winnsboro:
Shop for antiques, collectables, western-themed gifts, books, and more, enjoy
some time at the Copperleaf Day Spa or Salon Elegance by Jana, and get a bit of
genuine culture at the Trails Country Centre for the Arts and the Winnsboro
Gallery. Take a break at one of the convenient mini-parks (one of them is
shaded), then stick around for dinner at one of several fine restaurants and/or
live music at Crossroads Music Co. Runners-up: Jefferson and Mineola.
Best Attraction
Caddo Lake. Thick bald cypress
and a tangle of aquatic plants thrive in the waters at Caddo Lake State Park.
The only natural lake in Texas until it was artificially dammed in the early
1900’s when oil was found and for flood control in 1914. Caddo Indian legend
attributes the formation of the lake to a giant flood. Scientists believe the
lake formed when floodwaters, blocked by massive log jams on the Red River,
backed up into the Cypress Bayou watershed. Runners-up: Love’s Lookout in
Jacksonville and Mineola Nature Preserve.
Best Bed & Breakfast
Palms Resort of East Texas:
The 25-acre spread near Ben Wheeler can accommodate a weekend of meditation, a
family reunion, a volleyball tournament, or even a wedding. One three-bedroom,
two-bath dwelling sleeps six plus with a fully equipped kitchen, washer and
dryer, TV, jacuzzi, and wood-burning fireplace. The other has a queen-sized bed
and one set of bunk beds with a fully equipped kitchenette, TV, pool table, and
bath. Other features include a pavilion and shaded park area for gatherings,
swim-up bar pool, hot tub, beach volleyball, and fishing (catfish and bass). A
masseuse is available for a separate charge. 750 VZ CR 4703. 903.852.6382,
www.thepalmsresort-easttexas.com. Runners-up: Thee Hubbell House in
Winnsboro and Roseland Plantation near Edom.
Best Birdwatching
Mineola Nature Preserve:
Diligent birders report sightings of wood ducks; mallards; snowy and great
egrets; great blue, little blue, and black-crowned night herons; belted kingfishers;
great horned, eastern screech, and barred owls; red-tailed and red-shouldered
hawks; Carolina chickadees and wrens; tufted titmouses; northern cardinals;
red-bellied and downy woodpeckers; prothonotary warblers; northern parulas;
swallow-tailed kites; painted and indigo buntings; blue grosbeaks; summer
tanagers; eastern kingbirds and wood-peewees; blue-gray gnatcatcher; white
eyed, yellow-throated, and red-eyed vireos; wood storks; northern bobwhites;
greater roadrunners; various wading birds, and more. 7 a.m.-sunset. CR 2724
(Cap Ranch Road) off Hwy. 69. www.mnpfriends.org. Runners-up: Grand Saline
Salt Flats and Rains County.
Best Bookstore
Hastings in Mount Pleasant:
Sells new and used books, movies, and CDs; rents movies; and buys used videos,
books, and CDs as long as they are in good condition. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday. 2306 S Jefferson. 903.577.0289. Runners-up: Barnes & Noble and
Timeless Books & Music, both in Tyler.
Best Camping Spot
Lake Fork between Alba, Quitman, and Yantis:
This popular fishing spot also features a number of tent camping sites with
electricity right on the water near the boat slips. Nearby running water and
bathrooms are available 24 hours a day, and shower facilities are available
during business hours. There’s also a covered pavilion with seating and grills
adjacent to the camping area, and Moser’s restaurant is nearby for people who
don’t want to cook. Basic camping supplies and first aid supplies in the Marina
store. 275 CR 1558. 903.765.2764, www.lakeforkmarina.com/tentcamping. Runners-up:
Caddo Lake and Tyler State Park.
Best County Courthouse
Hopkins County Courthouse in Sulphur Springs.
The granite and sandstone Romanesque Revival building became a Texas Historic
Landmark in 1975 and won National Register Listing in 1977. The courthouse
anchors a spacious public square with plenty of room for parking and public
gatherings. The bandstand and a small yard with trees and benches add a vintage
feel and create a dramatic approach. 903.885.6515,
http://www.sulphursprings-tx.com. Runners-up: Van Zandt County Courthouse in
Canton and Wood County Courthouse in Quitman.
Best Dance Hall
Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler:
Not strictly a dance hall, this restaurant and live music venue pulls back the
tables on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights where patrons can and do dance
to classic country, classic rock, classic jazz, and other offerings. 1551 FM
279, 903.833.5100, www.benwheelertx.com. Runners-up: Edom City Limits and
Red Bull Saloon near Murchison.
Best Fishing Hole
Lake Fork between Alba, Quitman, and Yantis:
One of the country’s premier trophy bass lakes, and two-thirds of Texas’ top 50
largest bass (including the 18.18-pound current state record held by County
Line contributor Barry St. Clair) were caught at Lake Fork. Other
predominant fish species include white and black crappie, channel catfish, and
sun fish. The 27,264-acre reservoir is managed by the Sabine River Authority of
Texas with a combination of restrictive harvest regulations, stocking of
Florida strain largemouth bass, and good habitat contribute to Lake Fork’s
development. 275 CR 1558. 903.878.2262,
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/fork. Runners-up:
Callender Lake and Athens Fish Hatchery.
Best Game Room
Legal Grounds in Mineola:
A coffee bar in downtown Mineola, across from the Select Theater, filled with
casual hospitality. There is a copy of the Declaration of Independence embedded
in the varnish of the 25-foot, L-shaped bar. Shelves on both sides of the half
a dozen or so tables feature assorted toys and puzzles, and many books
including Shakespeare’s complete works, and novels by Steven King and Umberto
Eco and Shel Silverstein’s “Falling Up” and an Ansel Adams photo book and many
more. 109 N Johnson, 903.569.3088.
Best Golf Course
The Links at Land’s End in Yantis:
Rated #1 hidden gem by Avid Golfer magazine, #5 among top 25 high-priced
courses in Texas, and #19 “top 50 courses you can play,” Course designed by Williams,
Gill and Associates, which designed several of the nation’s top 50 public
courses as selected by Golf Digest. Club and restaurant. Rates begin at
$26. 903.383.3290, 285 Private Road 5980, www.golflakefork.com. Runners-up:
Garden Valley and Van Zandt County Country Club.
Best Hotel/Motel
Lake Fork Marina & Motel near Alba:
Full-service fishing resort located approximately mid-lake on the west arm of
the lake making it convenient to fish either up or down. Newly remodeled suites
feature living room, efficiency kitchen and bathroom downstairs plus a bedroom
and bath upstairs perfect for a family or several adults. Suites also have
color TV and outdoor electrical outlets for battery chargers. $95 per night,
double occupancy, plus tax; $10 per person for each additional guest. Other
rooms range up from $70 per night. 275 CR 1558. 903.765.2764,
www.lakeforkmarina.com. Runner-up: Best Western in Mineola.
Best Improved Small Town
Ben Wheeler. In the past
year, tiny Ben Wheeler, with maybe 1,000 area residents, has made the biggest
strides in The Upper East Side of Texas, enthusing local residents with the
additions of the 150-seat restaurant-music venue Moore’s Store, Flying Fish
Gallery, Harrison & Sons Knifesmith, Sojourn Gallery, Whimzee, Antiques and
Texas Heritage, and more (with more on the way, including a historical museum
and a second downtown restaurant). Ben Wheeler Development Company also
sponsors a passel of festivals and special events. 903.833.5100,
www.benwheelertx.com. Runners-up: Winnsboro and Mineola.
Best Lakeside Town
Winnsboro: A 2003 Main Street
City and a Certified Retirement Community, Winnsboro is known for its Autumn
Trails and Spring Trails activities, and as the Christmas Tree Capital of
Texas. It’s often referred to as Lake Country, surrounded by nearby Lake Fork,
Lake Cypress Springs, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Monticello, Lake Winnsboro, Lake
Hawkins, Lake Quitman, and Lake o’ the Pines. 903-342-3666, www.winnsboro.com. Runners-up:
Quitman and Mabank.
Best Live Music Venue
Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler.
Eclectic mix of original and cover music three nights a week, ranging from
country to big-band jazz to classic rock to blues to Texas singer-songwriter.
East Texas Back Roads Band is the country house band on Thursday nights; the
East Texas Jazz Orchestra is in once a month or so, and in between there’s no
telling what the music will be. Thursday-Saturday 7 p.m. 1551 FM 279,
903.833.5100, www.benwheelertx.com. Runner-up: Crossroads Music Company in
Winnsboro.
Best Museum
Tyler Museum of Art:
The museum has a collection of 19th and 20th century art with an emphasis on
the works of emerging contemporary artists from Texas and surrounding states,
and has in recent years included a greater variety of styles to more fully
represent the diversity and interests of the community. The growing permanent
collection features more than 600 works including paintings, prints,
photographs, and sculptures. The current building adjacent to Tyler Junior
College contains two major exhibition galleries on the ground floor and a
smaller gallery on the upper level for focus exhibitions. There are also a
library, classroom, café, and gift shop. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 S. Mahon. 903.595.1001, www.tylermuseum.org.
Runners-up: Kilgore Oil Museum and Mineola Historical Museum.
Best Nature Walk
Mineola Nature Preserve:
2,900 acres dedicated to preserving a wetlands area for bird-watching, hiking,
fishing, picnicking, and other activities with three miles of concrete and
gravel walking trails, much of it shaded along the Sabine River. 7 a.m.-sunset.
CR 2724 (Cap Ranch Road) off Hwy. 69. www.mnpfriends.org. Runners-up: East
Texas Arboretum in Athens and Rose Rudman Park in Tyler.
Best Park
Caddo Lake State Park:
Because the vegetation is so lush, much of the lake is really a maze of
sloughs, bayous, and ponds. The park affords excellent access to the diverse
fishing in Texas. Also popular are the park’s quaint cabins, built by the
Cilvilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Activities enjoyed include camping,
hiking, swimming, picnicking, nature study, fishing, boating, and pontoon boat
tours daily except Wednesday. 800.792.1112,
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/caddo_lake. Runners-up: Tyler State
Park and Faulkner Park in Lindale.
Best RV Park
Mill Creek Ranch RV Park & Cottage Resort in
Canton: One of only 31 campgrounds and RV resorts to
earn an all-around “A” grade in the first consumer satisfaction survey of 1,840
independent parks across the country. The 200-acre, wooded park near the First
Monday grounds takes a new approach to living on the road with its slogan
“leisure at its finest.” It offers cottages and RV sites along with an outdoor
pavilion, gazebo, cabana, and other facilities for all sorts of events and
gatherings including company barbeques, family reunions, etc. There are also
weekend packages combined with special events such as music concerts and murder
mystery dinners. 2102 N. Trade Days (Hwy 19 near I-20). 903.567.7275, www.millcreekranchresort.com.
Runners-up: Sta-A-Way in Murchison and Lake Fork Marina.
Best Scenic Drive
Apparently, just getting off the interstates
onto the back roads leads to the best scenic drives. Drawing the most mentions
among voters were the county roads around Winnsboro and Lake Lydia; New York,
Texas, Old 135, Hwy 154, Hwy 279, and Tyler State Park.
Best Slogan
“It’s Ben Fun,” Ben Wheeler:
The play-on-words T-shirt slogan is one of several urging residents and
visitors to enjoy the rejuvenated community. Runners-up: “Put a little South
in your mouth” (Sister’s Café in Canton) and “Edom up” (for the town known as
much for its restaurants as for its art).
Best Small Town Downtown
Winnsboro: Downtown has one of
the busiest Saturday afternoon and night scenes in the Upper East Side of Texas
with Crossroads Music Company, Cibo Vino, Double C Steakhouse, Winnsboro Bakery
& Café, Art & Espresso, Trails Country Centre for the Arts, and lots of
retail – and the civic activism and pride that make it happen. Rich and varied
history from the days of the Caddo Indians to the French settlements and from
the wild logging era to the visits of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
903.342.3666, www.winnsboro.com. Runners-up: Mineola and Lindale.
Best Art Gallery
Winnsboro Gallery:
The gallery blends regional art with antique furnishings and a living-room
atmosphere and, in the back, one of the busiest frame shops in the region.
Owner Mary Smith also spearheaded the first annual Winnsboro Fine Arts Market
that took over downtown streets in the fall. 214 N. Main, 903.342.3438,
www.winnsborogallery.com. Runners-up: The Old Firehouse photo gallery and
massage parlor in Edom and Frame-up in Mount Vernon.
Zeke & Marty in Edom:
Zeke and Marty Zewick still do a bit of painting and sculpture, but 90 percent
of their work now is in jewelry – fabricated, not cast – which they also peddle
at shows everywhere. Mediums include silver, gold, jewelry, polished bone,
rusted steel, and faceted stones. They’ve operated their Edom shop for 30 years
now; the sign beside the door says “open most days, closed others.”
903.852.3311. 8271 Hwy 279. Runners-up: Dana Lynch of Athens and Sandra St.
John of Mount Vernon.
Best Barber/Hair Stylist
Dana Johnson at Salon Elegance by Dana in
Winnsboro. In business in Winnsboro since 1993, and at
Salon Elegance for a year or so, Dana offers hair cuts, coloring, tanning, and
waxing for men and women. Her “secret,” she says, is listening to the clients
and giving them what they want. Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; later by
appointment. 403 Beavers, 903.342.6688, www.salonelegancebydana.com. Runners-up:
Marty Marshall at Copperleaf Day Spa in Winnsboro and Jamie Payne at Salon Pink
by Ricia & Sheri in Longview.
Best Chef
Jackson York, Edom Bakery & Grill:
The certified executive chef joined Edom Bakery & Grill full time after
previously hosting the grill’s once-a-month gourmet dinners. Educated in French-Continental
cuisine, he now specializes in “country gourmet” after moving to Edom from Fort
Worth. Jackson also teaches cooking classes and is director of the East Texas
Chefs Association. Monday and Tuesday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
8334 FM 279, 903.852.5552, www.edombakery.com. Runners-up: Frank Rumore at
Four Winds in Mills Point and Rick Murray at Cibo Vino in Winnsboro.
Best Play
“The Odd Couple” presented by Quitman Community
Theatre. Bob Hibbard directed the Neil Simon classic
comedy about two polar-opposite men sharing an apartment. Bob called the play’s
success “the combination of a great script, great actors, and a responsive
audience.” 903.967.2164, becky@qctheatre.org. Runner-up: “The Foreigner”
produced by Lake Country Playhouse in Mineola.
Best Radio DJ
David Chenault: David is
operations manager and news director at Mineola-based KMOO, with its commitment
to “real” country music (including lots of Texas artists) and to serve the
community. The signal basically extends 30 or so miles in any direction from
Mineola, loosely between Interstates 20 and 30 west of Hwy. 19 with as many as
25,000 people at a time tuning in; anybody in the world can pick up the
broadcasts on the Internet. 903.569.3823, www.kmoo.com. Runners-up: Enola
Gay at Sulphur Springs-based KSST and Tom Perryman at Tyler-based KKUS.
Best Small Theatre Company
Quitman Community Theatre:
Recently completed its fourth season as the brainchild of Becky (production
coordinator) and Bob (artistic director) Hibbard, who share almost 60 years of
stage experience. It is their passion to seek out and nurture undeveloped
talent in East Texas communities. Home base is the Carroll Green Civic Center,
which is off Hwy 37 behind the Dairy Queen just south of downtown. 903.967.2164,
becky@qctheatre.org. Runners-up: Lake Country Playhouse in Mineola and Edom
Community Theatre.
Best Theatre Actor/Actress
Jeff Hurley and Brett Murphy
for their roles as Oscar and Felix, respectively, in Quitman Community
Theatre’s October presentation of “The Odd Couple.” Both Mineola residents also
are active in Lake Country Playhouse. Jeff has been part of the local theater
scene for 20 years or so; Brett also played the macho Latin lover El Gallo – a
180-degree reversal from Felix – in QCT’s “The Fantasticks.” n