Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ: Best ethnic BBQ
Silvio’s Brazilian barbecue isn’t about smoke and sauce, but about the simple flavors of the meat.
Seymour’s Jewelry: Best jewelry store
Seymour Jewelers has been in business in downtown Hermosa Beach since 1950, when a young World War II veteran from Brooklyn named Seymour Bilowit walked by an empty storefront and decided to start his own full-service jewelry store.
Bubbles Pet Spa: Best pet grooming
A multiple-time Best of Beach winner, Bubbles Pet Spa continues to extend its legacy as one of the top places in the South Bay to get your pet looking his or her best.
In-N-Out: Best fast food burger
In-N-Out is slow for fast food. They make everything to order, so if all you care about is speed, perhaps you should go somewhere else.
Mediterraneo: Best Mediterranean and outdoor dining
The ancient Romans named the sea around them Mediterraneo, which means “middle of the land,” and it was the middle of their world, the place where African and European cultures met. Those cultures still meet on the menu at Mediterraneo.
Centinela Feed: Best pet store
Centinela Feed prides itself on its community involvement, working with local animal shelters, and organizations such as the Torrance-South Bay YMCA and beach cleanup efforts along the entirety of the Santa Monica Bay
Hammerhead: Best beach camp
Hammerhead Beach Camp co-founders Bruce Kocsis, a 24-year L.A. County Lifeguard and Jamie Bateman, a preschool teacher, teach children from four to 13 to enjoy and be safe in the ocean.
Martha’s 22nd Street Grill: Best omelet
Martha’s 22nd Street Grill doesn’t have the most baroque offerings or the widest selection, but their enduring popularity is no mystery. They’re light and fluffy and there are little touches like the housemade ranchero sauce that make these offerings personal.
The Kettle: Best late night
The Kettle’s appeal is more than just reliably good meals. You get a warm welcome and comfortable environment at a time of night when your other options are fast food chains and raucous nightspots.
Akbar: Best Indian
Akbar’s fusions of Indian techniques with Chinese and Mediterranean ideas and ingredients enliven their specials menu.
AdventurePlex: Best kids camp
The favorite childhood game of playing grown-up will being taken to a new level with Toddler Town at AdventurePlex. Our readers favorite kids camp facility will soon have a farm with a barn, farm animals, a tractor, bales of hay and vegetables, as well as a grocery store with stocked shelves and a checkout counter and a home with a kitchen.
Lisa’s Bon Appetit: Best caterer
What started as a quaint little café and catering company has blossomed into what is now a busy and thriving catering business.
Paul’s Photo: Best photo store
Paul and Mark Comon aren’t content to sell cameras. The father and son owners of the half century old Paul’s Photo are photography evangelist.
W’s China Grill: Best Chinese
W’s is unusual in that they feature many items invented by overseas Chinese, such as the Peruvian tamales that are one of the more unlikely things to find on an Asian menu.
Dickie’s: Best American BBQ
The stainless steel cabinets behind Dickie’s counter don’t look much like a traditional smoker, but it sure works like one, turning out tender brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausages with hickory flavor infused into the meat.
Fresh Brothers: Best pizza
Fresh Brothers lives up to their name with their dough and spicy, richly herbed sauce made daily and locally, which is not the case at certain big chain pizza companies we won’t name.