RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 2 | The Daily News | Readers’ Choice Winners | September 2020September 2020 | Readers’ Choice Winners | The Daily News | 3 SHRIMP BUNS • SPAGHETTI SHRIMP BUNS • SPAGHETTI MUFFULETTA • GUMBOMUFFULETTA • GUMBO Thank you for voting us Thank you for voting us Best Mom & Pop Restaurant Best Mom & Pop Restaurant in Galveston Countyin Galveston County GALVESTON’S OLDEST RESTAURANT & BAR 1206 19th Street, Galveston • 409-763-9602 F or 75 years, Sonny’s Place, the oldest bar and restaurant on the island, has been serving what many call the best burger in Galveston. Located on 19th Street, family-friendly Sonny’s Place is a local institution. In the 1930s, Lawrence Puccetti Sr., remodeled the building for the purpose of renting. A series of speak-easies came and went, with nothing really lasting. Tired of the re- volving door of tenants, Puccetti opened Sonny’s Place, named after his oldest son, who was in the Navy during World War II. Sonny’s has been owned by the Puccetti family ever since. Sonny’s is the perfect place to grab a drink, shoot some pool or grab a delicious meal. Menu items are varied. From muf- felettas, a chicken-fried steak sandwich, Sonny’s menu has something for everyone. Having the market cornered on color- ful, popular owners has created a warm island eatery. There is even a Lawrence Puccetti Jr. scholarship fund started by University of Texas Medical Branch alum- ni that celebrated 20 years in 2016. It’s a legendary spot where medical students, tourists and local families mix regularly. Sonny’s place lost its own star, Larry Puccetti III, in 2013, and his mother, Mel- ba Jackson Puccetti, on Dec. 1, 2018. Still, the family works hard to keep their spirits alive by offering their special blend of delicious food, funny stories and authen- tic Galveston atmosphere, leaving Sonny’s place in a league of its own. SONNY’S PLACE BEST MOM AND POP RESTAURANT MACEO SPICE & IMPORT COMPANY MOSQUITO CAFE J oe Tramonte Real- ty, located at 1802 Broadway Ave. would love to help you with your on- and off-island purchasing or leasing needs. There are many things about doing busi- ness with a Joe Tramonte Realty, agent/broker, that make buying a new home an extra special event and — thankfully — tend to alleviate the added stresses of buying or selling both commercial and residential property. For more information, call 409-765-9837 or visit tramonterealty.com. JOE TRAMONTE REALTY BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY SAND `N SEA PROPERTIESRE/MAX COASTAL GEORGIA BARZILAYGEORGIA BARZILAY SISSY COLLINSSISSY COLLINS 409-766-0498 • 811 6 th S t . S te . 100 • t exaS C ity 409-766-0498 • 811 6 th S t . S te . 100 • t exaS C ity Thank You for Voting Us #1 BEST NAIL SALON Minh Lam 811 6th Street N, Texas City 832-226-1884 Doyen Tran4 | The Daily News | Readers’ Choice Winners | September 2020 FINANCING AVAILABLE FREE ESTIMATES www.AffordableAirTX.comwww.AffordableAirTX.com Store selections vary. Cheers to Savings! ® Thousands of Wines • Hard-to-Find Spirits • Hundreds of Craft Beers Texas Family-Owned Since 1962 • Lower Prices • Bigger Selection THANK YOU FOR VOTING US #1 2711 61ST ST • (409) 744-6327 • SPECSONLINE.COM ® WINES · SPIRITS · WINES · SPIRITS · FINER FOODSFINER FOODS S pec’s wants you to know that you’re its only customer. From its everyday low prices and unbeatable selection to its courteous, knowledgeable staff, your experience is — and always has been — Spec’s biggest priority. On April 1, 1962, Carroll Jackson (af- fectionately nicknamed “Spec” because of his signature eyeglasses) opened the first Spec’s with his wife, Carolynn, in Houston. Soon after, Spec noticed a rabbit cartoon, proclaiming, “Who could hate a bunny?” He added eye- glasses and a Spec’s flag, and the store logo was born. People loved it, and it’s been Spec’s mascot ever since. In less than 10 years, the demand for more Spec’s locations grew. The Jacksons’ daughter, Lindy, and her husband, John, came on board in 1971, and in 1974, they introduced the largest selection of wines Houston had ever seen. In the late 1980s, Spec’s expanded its inventory once again to include sandwiches and gourmet foods — and it hasn’t stopped since. With more than 35,000 unique products, and now the largest selection of wines and spirits in Texas, plus hundreds of beers, premium cigars, fresh gourmet foods, accessories and much, much more, Spec’s truly has become a destination shopping experience and a Texas institution. Today, third-generation daughter Lisa Rydman Key and her husband, Hermen Key, also have niched out their places in the business. Although Spec and Carolynn have since passed away, the values and standards they started are still at the core of this Texas family business. The mission since 1962 has been to make and keep customers happy. SPEC’S WINES, SPIRITS & FINER FOODS BEST LIQUOR STORE ECONOMY LIQUORHILL’S LIQUORResidential & Commercial WDI Inspections · Termites · Rodents Roaches · Ants · Fleas · Birds · Trapping Thank You For Your Business! We Love Referrals! ESCO PEST CONTROL, INC. Steve Spicer , Owner Thank You For Your Business! We Love Referrals! 9355 Jamaica Beach, Galveston, TX 77554 www.EscoPestControl.com Phone: 409-737-3200 • Fax: 409-737-1803 Email: EscoPest@aol.com THANK YOU…THANK YOU… We Appreciate Your Vote!We Appreciate Your Vote! Our seafood comes right off our boats to your plate. Waterfront dining and fresh seafood from Katie’s Seafood Market. We serve what we catch! Thank You for a Great 1st Year! Best New Restaurant! 2000 Wharf Road • Galveston TX 77550 409-765-5688 • katiesseafoodhouse.com September 2020 | Readers’ Choice Winners | The Daily News | 5 I n 1998, Buddy Guin- don, his wife Katie, and his brother Ken- ny opened Katie’s Sea- food Market in Galves- ton, Texas. For more than 20 years, Katie’s Seafood Market has provided the highest quality of products available to its customers. Most of the seafood comes from local fishermen and shrimpers, including red snapper, grouper, golden tile fish, flounder, oysters, shrimp, and blue crabs. As a supporter of the local economy, Buddy opened Katie’s Seafood House next to the market in September of 2019. Katie’s Seafood Market supplies the restaurant with all fresh seafood. Katie’s Seafood House takes pride in being the only local seafood restaurant on the island that brings fresh fish straight from the boat to the table. KATIE’S SEAFOOD HOUSE BEST NEW RESTAURANT KOOP’S BBQ KITCHENYANNIS GYROS AND KEBOBS E SCO Pest Control is a fami- ly-owned and locally operated small business. The company has been servicing all of Galveston County for more than 35 years. ESCO Pest Control provides residential and commercial solutions for all pest control problems, including organic options. Don’t let a bug problem bug you, call ESCO today at 409-737-3200. ESCO PEST CONTROL BEST PEST CONTROL/EXTERMINATOR MIKE’S PEST CONTROL LLC TRULY NOLEN PEST AND TERMITE CONTROL6 | The Daily News | Readers’ Choice Winners | September 2020 Congratulations to the winners of The Daily News’ 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards. This special publication identifies and celebrates those businesses we all enjoy and share with our friends. Results are based on online voting. In July, we asked readers to nominate their favorite businesses in more than 100 categories. After we tallied the nominations and identified the top five finalists in each category, we asked readers to select winners in another round of voting that took place during the month of August. As you read along, you might find a few surprises, as well as businesses you expected to see. Galveston County is lucky to have so many local businesses from which to choose. We hope you hold on to this special publication, so the next time you’re looking for a new restaurant or place to shop, you’ll thumb through its pages and explore what Galveston County has to offer. This publication includes second- and third-place winners in each category to give readers options. In many categories, winners and runners-up were separated by just a handful of votes. We even had first-place ties in three categories — Best Event Venue, Best Pool Service & Supplies and Best Printing Services. We hope this publication not only starts conversations about who won, but sparks fierce debates about who really has the best burgers or pizza. Make sure to visit your favorite businesses and offer your congratulations! Congratulations to our 2020 Readers’ Choice winners The Daily News randomly selected 3 lucky winners to receive gift cards just for voting for their favorite businesses in our Readers’ Choice Awards. $250 – Megan Ballard, Texas City $100 – Sonia Centenio, Santa Fe $50 – Rhonda Myers, Alvin Thanks to everyone who participated!September 2020 | Readers’ Choice Winners | The Daily News | 7 6,114 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED 5,412 NOMINATIONS MADE 50,572 VOTES CAST MOST POPULAR BALLOT CHOICES, BY TOTAL VOTES LANCO PLUMBING (Plumbing Company) THE SPOT (Restaurant Patio) DORECK’S MEAT MARKET (Meat Market/Butcher Shop) MOD COFFEEHOUSE (Coffee House) THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE (Live Theater) BY THE NUMBERS VOTERS BY AGEVOTERS BY ZIP CODE BREAKDOWN OF VOTES BY DIVISION AUTOBEST LOCALDINING BY OCCASIONFOOD/CUISINEHEALTH SERVICESLIFESTYLESPROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE RETAIL SHOPPING SPECIALTY DRINKS SPECIALTY FOOD 3.57% 8% 13.21% 14.27% 7.63% 6.32% 20% 4% 7.60% 4.90% 10.70% 1 2 3 4 5 9.78% 44.05% 8.75% 8.26% 7.79% 7.65% 5.36%5.12% 3.24% 77550 77551 77573 77539 77590 77554 77510 77568 Other 1.16% 13-18 140 CATEGORIES ON BALLOT AMERICAN CUISINE CATEGORY WITH MOST OVERALL VOTES 23.21% 63+ 21.28% 53-62 20.13% 43-52 18.50% 33-42 10.94% 25-32 4.74% 19-24We Hear You and We Thank You! We are proud to be your bank and we appreciate your compliments! • “Thank you for your wonderful service. We like the small town feel of the bank.” • “The bank employees provide easy access for information in a personal, friendly manner that makes you feel valued as a customer.” • “Great bank, wonderful employees, and always friendly.” • “In my opinion, everything is simple and secure. And if something does happen, the friendly people do what they can to make it right.” • “Pleasant experience. Exceptional service. Easy to open a personal checking account.” • “I am very happy with Hometown Bank and have referred many of my friends and clients to you. Your representatives are always helpful in any way that is needed. Best bank I know!” • “Keep up the great work!” • “I appreciate the help given during the Pandemic. HomeTown Bank has always been professional and knowledgeable in helping with our banking needs.” Galveston • Pearland • League City • Alvin • Friendswood www.HomeTown.Bank OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded June, 2020 OOOOO We Want to Be Your Bank – Come Home to HomeTown Bank! at 4604 Gulf Freeway @ FM 1765 in La Marque • 409-935-3131 Order online through our website • www.KelleysRestaurant.com 7 Locations to Serve You • Now Accepting Applications THANK YOU FOR VOTING US BEST BREAKFAST, BEST SENIOR SPECIALS, BEST AMERICAN FOOD! TO OUR AMAZING CUSTOMERS FOR SUPPORTING OUR MEAT MARKET & VOTING US IN THE READERS CHOICE AWARDS. Doreck’s MEAT MARKET, GRILL & BBQ Hwy 646 N. Santa Fe • 409-925-6611 We’re proud to be part of this community and honored by your continual support! A Big Thank ou! 2020 BEST BANK IN GALVESTON COUNTY ® www.texasf irst.bank THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE! Coastal Community Federal Credit Union won 3rd place for best credit union! 2302 Church St. Galveston 6811 Stewart Rd. Galveston • 6708 Gulf Freeway La Marque 8 | The Daily News | Readers’ Choice Winners | September 2020Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Investment products: Are Not FDIC InsuredAre Not Bank GuaranteedMay Lose Value The Bull Symbol is a registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. MAP2955741 | AD-09-20-0512 | 470944PM-0320 | 09/2020 Moss, Campbell & Associates Jay Campbell Vice President Senior Financial Advisor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 306 22nd Street Galveston, TX 77550 409.766.2717 Now more than ever, personalized advice matters Thank you to the readers who named GISD the best! Learn more about Galveston ISD by visiting www.gisd.org or calling 409-766-5100. Galveston ISD Voted the Best School District in Galveston County 20192020 THANK YOU for voting us for #1 BESTTHANK YOU for voting us for #1 BEST Accountant in Galveston County.Accountant in Galveston County. 2200 Market St., Ste 703, Galveston, TX 775502200 Market St., Ste 703, Galveston, TX 77550 409-765-5287409-765-5287 katherine@overbeckmaxwellcpa.com • www.overbeckmaxwellcpa.comkatherine@overbeckmaxwellcpa.com • www.overbeckmaxwellcpa.com We provide quality, personalized financial guidanceWe provide quality, personalized financial guidance to both individuals and businesses.to both individuals and businesses. The Vargas Family would like to thank everyone who took the time and voted for Rudy & Paco’s and Vargas Cut & Catch in the Galveston Daily News Readers Choice Awards! We were humbled by the nominations and extremely honored for Rudy & Paco being awarded having the Best Waitstaff and Vargas Cut & Catch awarded Best Steak and Best Wine Selection! We sincerely thank you for your support and hope to see you at Rudy & Paco’s and Vargas Cut & Catch soon! Sincerely, 2028 Postoffice St. Galveston, TX 77551 2102 Postoffice St. Galveston, TX 77551 September 2020 | Readers’ Choice Winners | The Daily News | 9Next >