Best breakfast omelet: Martha’s 22nd Street Grill
For the second year in a row, Martha’s wins – they are always in the top two, a perennial favorite of locals. Because this is a locals’ joint – the location outside of downtown helps keep it that way, and plenty of people arrive every morning by bicycle, rain or shine, midweek or weekend. They […]
Best margarita: Palmilla Cocina y Tequila
Whether you like your margarita frozen, muddled, spicy, or skinny, Palmilla delivers for the best margarita in the South Bay. An expansive selection of tequila ensures the satisfaction of even the most discerning imbiber. A team of expert mixologists continues to add choices to the impressive margarita list and manage the massive tequila program. Whatever […]
Best Pet Shop: Centinela Feed and Pet Supplies
Centinela Feed and Pet Supplies in Redondo Beach wins the top spot for South Bay pet stores because of its knowledgeable employees and wide range of animal food. “We’ve been in Redondo since 1998,” said former General Manager Cristina Kulkowsky. “We stress high levels of service and that our staff is knowledgeable. You’re really able […]
Best Swap Meet: Roadium Open Air Market
Located on the hallowed grounds of an old outdoor movie theater and open 365 days a year; the Roadium’s 15 acres of shopping offer customers new and used merchandise from clothes and shoes to spools of thread and fishing gear. On average you can always expect at least 500 sellers offering their merchandise. “I like […]
Best brunch over $15, best Sunday brunch: MB Post
Our readers are adventurous in the morning – MB Post offers a brunch of unparalleled eclecticism. If you like to start with sweets there are “hand pies,” tiny turnovers with salted caramel sauce, house-made sticky buns, or the famous biscuits. After that you can have high-style traditional, like the corned beef cheek hash, bagel with […]
Best Vintage Clothing Shop: Aaardvark
For over 40 years this South Bay mainstay has provided our readers with the best in vintage, hard-to-find clothing and a wide selection of wigs, jewelry, accessories, hosiery, and shoes. The customers have morphed over time from shopping for their everyday wardrobe to hitting the store for Halloween and theme parties, without Aaardvark missing a […]
Best neighborhood deli: Mickey’s Deli
Mickey’s is much more than a deli; it’s a pizzeria, an Italian café, and a quick stop shop for groceries, beer, and wine. Their prepared pasta dishes with homemade sauce are a great, easy dinner fix, and the pizza, calzones and sandwiches are made to order with care and generosity. If you love Mickey’s marinara […]
Best American Contemporary: MB Post
This is a modern restaurant, but with a sense of history and some values from an earlier age; there are items served here that mine all sorts of American traditions. The famous bacon cheddar buttermilk biscuits start every meal with a taste of home cooking, and there always seem to be pot pies and […]
Best Nail Salon: Angel Nail and Hair Design
Locals rave about the hand massage and friendliness of the staff at Angel Nail and Hair Design. A new trend that they specialize is gel nails that start at $30. They also do facials, hand and foot treatments and waxing. “They’re so much fun and take really good care of you,” weekly customer Rita Cote […]
Best tire store: Globe Tire & Automotive
Going in to for new tires is never a fun endeavor. On your way, you usually end up trying to calculate how much money you will be out after the visit. However, when you pull into Globe Tires’ Manhattan Beach location you know you’re getting the lowest price possible. For over 17 years, owner, Johnny […]
Best smog check: Aloha Smog
Fast, hassle-free, and reliable, with that ‘Aloha’ service. Aloha Smog promises quick, honest, and competitive rates for any car smog. Easy Reader’s Best of the Beach winner for the past three years, Aloha Smog promises to have you in and out within 30 minutes and will provide a free retest to any car that does […]
Best motorcycle shop: Del Amo Motosports
Del Amo motorsports started out as a modest 6,000 square foot showroom and mechanic station on Aviation Boulevard in Redondo Beach almost 30 years ago. Today the company has two locations — one in Redondo on Marine Ave., and one in Long Beach. The 45,000 square-foot Redondo store offers a wide range of new bikes, […]
Best domestic auto repair: Ocean Tire, John’s Service Center (TIE)
Ocean Tire Since 1999, Ocean Tire’s father and son owners Ron and Danny Rosinsky have built a reputation for dependability and fair prices. “We practice what we call, ‘pay it forward’. We don’t charge to fix a flat tire. We fix it and hope that you go and do something similar for someone else, ” […]
Best Women’s Hair Dresser: Jerry Madrid
A third-generation hair dresser Jerry Madrid’s been in the South Bay cutting both men and women’s hair for over seven years. “I try to make everything custom to fit an individual,” said Madrid. “I listen to them and don’t try to tell them what they need. I give them my professional outlook, but at the […]
Best foreign auto repair: Lexology, Independent Repair (TIE)
Lexology Lexology’s highly trained staff of Lexus and Toyota technicians takes pride in the fact they can offer the same guarantees as a Lexus dealership. “You know you are getting factory parts and your car is being worked on by Lexus trained technicians, but for 25-45 percent less money than if you walked into the […]
Best Shopping Center: Manhattan Village Mall
Featuring more than 80 establishments – ranging from large department stores and small boutiques to restaurants and electronics stores – the Manhattan Village Mall has it all. With a large, convenient parking lot, shoppers can visit for some retail therapy, to dine or just to make a quick stop at the bank. The mall also […]