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It's that time of year again - time for "Best Restaurants," brought to you by Sacramento Magazine.

After reading the readers' picks for each category, it made me wonder whether the results would be different for readers of The Sacramento Press. Our focus has been primarily on events and coverage of things in the Grid, whereas Sacramento Magazine covers a larger demographic including the suburbs.

There were four categories that stood out to me in Sacramento Magazine's Best Restaurants: Best Burrito, Best Pizza, Best Burger and Best Coffeehouse.

I live in the Grid and therefore have my own biases about restaurants that live in Downtown and Midtown. I prefer restaurants in this area to those found in the outlying areas. It would be interesting to see the results had it been limited to only restaurants in the Grid.

Best Burrito went to Chipotle, with Dos Coyotes coming in second and Ernesto's coming in third. Both Chipotle and Dos Coyotes are chains. The Grid has very few chain restaurants, and I wonder if the presence of chains amidst family-owned and unique Sacramento restaurants makes a difference in reader choice. Does the quality speak for itself?

Best Pizza went to Round Table. Granted, Chicago Fire and Zelda's picked up second and third place, but I wonder how a delivery-based chain is even allowed in the running. Did Hot Italian or Luigi's or Giovanni's make it in the top five?

For the category of Best Burger, there are quite a few restaurants that come to mind that did not make the top three. Jim Denny's, Whitey Jolly Cones and Nationwide Freezer Meats were all missing from page 115 for best burger. In-N-Out, however, took first place, the Squeeze Inn (deserving, in my opinion, one of the top three) made second and McDonald's placed third.

For Best Coffeehouses, Starbucks was voted first place, Peet's took second and It's a Grind made third. When I think of good coffeehouses, I think of the unique havens in the Grid. Temple comes to mind. So does Weatherstone and Naked Lounge. If I want ambiance and a coffee or tea that comes in a mug that was washed and that is reusable, I do not go to Starbucks. If I want free wi-fi that does not require a cellular account, I cannot go to Starbucks. If I want a swirled foam design on my latte, I will not go to a mass chain coffeehouse.

My coffee choices come from currently living in the Grid, although I did grow up in the suburbs.

After reading this list, I looked at Sacramento Magazine's website. At the bottom, it reads "Find the best that Sacramento, California has to offer at Sacramento Magazine Online. With fantastic features such as a restaurant guide, an entertainment and events calendar and monthly recipes, you’ll find everything you need to know about exciting Sacramento, California."

Now, I ask you - readers of The Sacramento Press - if you were to vote on Best Restaurants for The Sacramento Press (in the Grid), which ones would make your top three for best burrito, pizza, burger and coffeehouse?

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July 21, 2009 | 8:11 AM
For coffee, it's Javalounge, no question. Not only are they stumbling distance from my house, but the coffee's great, and the couches are comfortable. Plus they make a mean kid-sized chocolate milk. And the pizza's pretty good, too!
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July 21, 2009 | 12:49 PM
Have you been to any of their live music nights?
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July 21, 2009 | 10:00 AM
I have to say the foam swirls are more annoying to me than charming. I mean really, I'd just like my coffee drink please. I whole-heartedly agree though, chains should be excluded, or maybe just be allowed honorable mention.
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July 21, 2009 | 12:50 PM
Is it because the foam gets on your lip? Whenever I order an iced chai from Naked, I have to get a straw or else know that my face will be covered in cinnamon :)
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edited on  July 21, 2009 | 11:00 AM
I'm a vegetarian borderline vegan so these are kind of difficult categories for me to consider ...

But I wonder if Willie's, Suzie's or Hamburger Patties are up there for best burger? I'm sure people will scream Jim Denny's, I've heard their burgers are amazing.

I think Centro and Tres Hermanas make really good burritos if I remember correctly.

The last time I had a memorably good slice of pizza it was from Zelda's. I know a lot of people rave about Chicago Fire, too, and Tuli Bistro, I think? ...

My coffee vote goes to Old Soul or Temple.
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July 21, 2009 | 11:01 AM
I'm pretty new to the Midtown, but as far as coffee, I'd say 1. Naked Lounge 2. Old Soul 3. Peets. Haven't had too many burritos yet, but I'd have to plug Tres Hermanas. Great mexican food, in general.
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July 21, 2009 | 11:09 AM
Burrito - Azul & Tres Hermanas
Pizza - Tuli & Trattoria Bohemia
Coffee - Naked Lounge
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July 21, 2009 | 12:47 PM
I've never been to Azul, but I've been wanting to try it.
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July 21, 2009 | 12:28 PM
My personal faves on The Grid:
Coffee - (1) Temple, (2) Naked Lounge, (3) Weatherstones
Pizza - (1) Chicago Fire (2) Hot Italian (3) Luigi's
Burgers - in no particular order Burgers & Brew, J's Cafe, Jim Denny's


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July 21, 2009 | 12:48 PM
Have you checked out the new Temple yet? Where is J's Cafe?
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July 21, 2009 | 2:08 PM
Coffee-
Tupelo/Naked
Butch and Nelles
Chocolate Fish

Burgers-
Jim Dennys
Tuli Bistro sliders
Burgers and Brew
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July 21, 2009 | 10:27 PM
I forgot about Butch-n-Nellies!!! They get 1st vote for coffee with best service! Incredibly nice people there.
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edited on  July 21, 2009 | 2:14 PM
Burrito: Jalapeno's, Los Jarritos, Vallejo's (14th & R location.)
Pizza: Zelda's, Luigi's, Chicago Fire.
Coffee: Temple, Naked Lounge, Coffee Garden.
Burger: Jim-Denny's, Nationwide, Broiler (they do a very, very good burger.)

There are plenty of great non-chain places in the suburbs to choose from, so it's not even necessarily a suburbs/grid thing. People select chains because they are popular, and they assume "local" means "a business in my neighborhood" rather than "a locally based business." Any time a "reader's choice" survey is done, chains will feature heavily--unless the editorial staff deliberately disqualify chain restaurants. Sometimes they will have an "editor's pick" with a write-up and briefly list the "reader picks" of the top three chain restaurants.
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July 21, 2009 | 4:05 PM
For coffee it was Old Soul back when you could bring your dog and girlfriend and leave two bucks in the jar.

For burritos, actually any mexican-like grub...Fiesta Taqueria where you can't beat the service, the music or the soccer tv.

For burgers, 58 Degrees if its quality you're looking for, or Jim Denny's or Squeeze in (outtagridexperience) for cholesterol maximus.

For pizza it's Slice by the methadone clinic and head shop. Peperoni with extra garlic and don't even think about talking to me till tomorrow. I know I get the name wrong so the locators are necessary.
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July 21, 2009 | 5:06 PM
Pieces is a real neighborhood institution...as is the methadone clinic. 21st and Capitol is richly steeped in Midtown character.

La Fiesta does have amazingly fast service. Usually I barely have time to grab a basket of chips before the order is on my table.
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July 22, 2009 | 4:27 PM
La Fiesta FTW!
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edited on  July 21, 2009 | 9:52 PM
Coffee - (1) The new Temple(2) Coffee Works (3) Chocolate Fish -

Pizza - (1) Gonna break the mold here and Nominate Uncle Vitos for best Slice. 2. Pieces has been around for ever so what are you going to do. 3. eh

Burgers - 1. Squeeze IN 2. Nationwide 3. Burgers and Brew is quite good and somehow feels healthier than the aforementioned places. This is no doubt a folly.

Burrito - 1. The grid is a joke.(La fiesta disappoints me) Head to West or South Sac. (Or if you live there, just stay and eat the really good Mexican food.)



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July 21, 2009 | 10:09 PM
If this is off topic I apologize, but the story reminded me of this. If you want to make a statement about the economy buy from local small businesses whenever you can. Generally speaking you will get better quality and service. Thanks for this article.
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July 21, 2009 | 10:25 PM
Breakfast: Jim-Denny's!! I can't believe they keep getting left off these lists for their best meal of the day. I don't eat beef, so I can't praise their burgers. They do however make a fabulous veggie burger.
Tupelo/Naked for coffee... The Kerouac is divine!! But Javalounge has the best overall package... Great coffee, friendly staff, yummy sandwiches and live music.
Azul has great bean burritos. Centro has THE best guacamole!
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July 22, 2009 | 5:30 PM
is it me, or did sacramento magazine get punked by its reader(s)?

also, i'm plugging scott's burger shack.
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July 22, 2009 | 10:35 PM
Good plug. I looked it up and it looks awesome!
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