Editors’ choices
Best Italian word to learn
Campo has made a big splash in Reno’s food scene in the less than a year that it’s been open. Part of that success is the local, organic, farm-fresh, blah, blah, blah ingredients. Part of it is charismatic figurehead Mark Estee and the attentive staff. Part of it is the very central location, overlooking the Truckee River and across the street from the Riverside movie theater—the ideal spot for a dinner-and-a-movie date. And then there’s the best dessert in the valley: the caramel budino. As good as some of the other grub is, it’s worth saving room for dessert—because the budino is the jam. A budino is an Italian custard, served at Campo with salted caramel, chocolate cookie crumbles, whipped cream, and a bit of mint. There are a lot of great notes working in surprising harmony. The other desserts are probably good too, but it’s hard to say, because once you go budino, it’s hard to order anything else.
Best place to get your hands dirty
Nevada’s a difficult landscape to grow plants, but it’s not impossible, and Northern Nevada has an expert compost guru in its midst to help turn the arid environment into a flourishing garden. Craig Witt and his family run Full Circle Compost, creating a special soil fertilizing mix called humus, made from local vegetation and waste. You’ll never hear someone talk about dirt as passionately as Witt, who has spent years researching and writing the perfect recipe to help Nevada gardeners and farmers. The University of Nevada, Reno enlisted Full Circle Composts’ help on the university quad, and within weeks, the grass was full and lush. Witt’s knowledge about composting is awe-inspiring. Seriously. Full Circle Compost has an extensive operation located near the prison in Carson City, and a retail shop next to Hungry Mother Organics on 395.
Readers’ choices
Best taxi driver
1. Bill Anderson [tie]
1. Elgin Alway
Best thrift store
1. Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
2. Savers
2350 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, 359-4244
3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350
3. Goodwill
multiple locations
Best local place to work
1. Patagonia Outlet Reno [tie]
8550 White Fir St., 746-6878
1. University of Nevada, Reno
1664 N. Virginia St., 784-1110
2. Intuit
6884 Sierra Center Pkwy, 332-8800
Best landscaper
1. Signature Landscapes
3705 Barron Way, 857-4333
2. All Seasons Lawn and Landscaping
657 Twin Lakes Drive, 329-1531
3. Sierra Nevada Landscapes
1635 Marvel Way, 853-4445
Best house cleaning service
1. White Lotus
35 N. Edison Way, 856-2345
2. Spring Fresh
610 S. Rock Blvd., 359-5534
2. OCDanny
412-7831
Best video game store
1. GameStop
multiple locations
2. Game Force
1280 E. Plumb Lane, 829-1950
Best gadget store
1. Scotland Yard Spy Shop
1085 S. Virginia St., 323-3232
2. Apple Store
13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460
3. Best Buy
multiple locations
Best wine shop
1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.
3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9672
2. Craft Wine-N-Beer
22 Martin St., 622-4333
3. L’uva Bella Wine Gallery
13925 S. Virginia St., 851-1110
Best cheap liquor store
1. Ben’s Fine Wine & Spirits
multiple locations
2. Total Wine & More
6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669
3. Grab N Go Food & Liquor
multiple locations
Best women’s clothing boutique
1. The Niche
multiple locations
2. Lodo Loft
550 W. Plumb Lane, 284-5636
3. Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
Best men’s clothing store
1. Macy’s
5100 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8333
2. Kohl’s
multiple locations
3. Express
5443 Meadowood Mall Circle, 825-7171
Best children’s clothing boutique
1. Rockabboo
538 W. Plumb Lane, 825-0700
2. Once Upon A Child
6015-G S. Virginia St., 825-4448
3. Babies R Us
4869 Kietzke Lane, 825-2229
Best place to buy a firearm
1. Cabela’s
8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100
2. Scheels All Sports
1200 Scheels Drive, Sparks, 331-2700
3. Bizarre Guitar and Guns
2677 Oddie Blvd., 685-4867
Best place to shoot firearms
1. The desert
2. Sage Hill Clay Sports
7370 Desert Way, 851-1123
3. The hills
Best jewelry store
1. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
13957 S. Virginia St., 850-2020
2. Goldilocks Jewelry and Coins
25 W. Second St., 322-1236
3. Rogers Jewelers
6520 S. Virginia, 851-8555
Best mall
1. The Summit
13925 S. Virginia St., 853-7800
2. Legends at Sparks Marina
1310 Scheels Drive, Sparks, 358-3800
3. Meadowood Mall
5000 Meadowood Mall Circle, 827-8450
Best tanning salon
1. Pacific Sun Tanning Company
multiple locations
2. Element Tanning
3600 Warren Way, 829-8267
3. Sunsation
1450 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 359-9955
Best frame shop
1. Aaron Brothers
4809 Kietzke Lane, 827-2004
2. Fastframe
940 W. Moana Lane, 825-4499
3. Eagle Framing & Art Gallery
765 S. Virginia St., 827-6206
Best spa
1. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
3800 S. Virginia St., (800) 723-6500
2. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996
3. Lime
895 S. Center St., 825-5463
Best dry cleaners
1. Peerless
multiple locations
2. Bobby Page’s Cleaners
multiple locations
Best bookstore
1. Sundance Books & Music
121 California Ave., 786-1188
2. Barnes & Noble
5555 S. Virginia St., 826-8882
3. Grassroots Books
660 E. Grove St., 828-2665
Best place to get an auto smogged
1. Landa Muffler
816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112
2. Instant Smog
multiple locations
3. Shell
multiple locations
Best place to buy a musical instrument
1. Maytan Music Center
777 S. Center St., 323-5443
2. Bizarre Guitar
2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001
3. Guitar Center
6663 S. Virginia St., 853-3961
Best gym
1. Sports West Athletic Club
1575 S. Virginia St., 348-6666
2. St. Mary’s Center for Health and Fitness
645 N. Arlington Ave., 770-3800
3. South Reno Athletic Club
9393 Gateway Drive, 853-4050
Best place to buy CDs
1. Recycled Records
3344 Kietzke Lane, 826-4119
2. Best Buy
5575 S. Virginia St., 448-9797
3. Discology
11 N. Sierra St., 323-2121
Best specialty foods store
1. Whole Foods Market
6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023
2. Trader Joe’s
5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621
3. Great Basin Community Food Co-op
240 Court St., 324-6133
Salesperson Abryana Sandahl, left, and manager Chris Hammill and hold down the fort at the Chocolate Walrus, the Best Place to Buy Sexy Underwear.
PHOTO BY D. Biran Burghart
Best adult-themed store
1. Suzie’s
195 Kietzke Lane, 786-8557
2. Chocolate Walrus
1278 S. Virginia St., 825-2267
Best computer store
1. Apple Store
13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460
2. Best Buy
multiple locations
3. Moondog Computers
4896 S. Virginia St., 332-6666
Best place to buy vintage clothes
1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
2. The Nest
201 Keystone Ave., 248-8841
2. Savers
multiple locations
Best used clothing store
1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
2. Plato’s Closet
1535 S. Virginia St., 322-0110
3. Savers
3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350
2350 Oddie Blvd., 359-4244
Best antique store
1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
2. The Nest
201 Keystone Ave., 248-8841
Best bicycle shop
1. Reno Bike Project
541 E. Fourth St., 323-4488
2. Bicycle Bananas
5110 Mae Anne Ave., 747-1413
3. College Cyclery
622 S. Virginia St., 323-1809
Best flower shop
1. Sparks Florist
multiple locations
2. St. Ives Florist
700 S. Wells Ave., 333-9190
3. Bumblebee Blooms Flower Boutique
205 S. Sierra St., 348-2799
Best hobby store
1. Michael’s Arts & Crafts
4871 Kietzke Lane, 829-8000
165 Los Altos Pkwy., 626-3341
2. Ben Franklin
245 E. Plumb Lane, 348-0050
3. Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts
3750 Kietzke Lane, 828-9700
Best beauty salon
1. A Salon 7
495 Morrill Ave., 786-7770
2. Caliber Salon
141 E. Pueblo St., 284-8620
Best hair stylist
1. Brian Jensen, A Salon 7
2. Jenny Oxier, A Salon 7
3. Tres Benzley, Caliber Salon & Spa
Best barber
1. Patrick Sutton, Maxwell’s Barbershop
2. Carly Gurinskas, Pearle Studios
Best garden nursery
1. Garden Shop Nursery
3636 Mayberry Drive, 825-3527
2. Moana Nursery
multiple locations
3. Rail City Garden Center
1720 Brierley Way, 355-1551
Best car wash
1. Mission Car Wash
6355 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-4222
2. Buggy Bath Car Wash
2525 S. Virginia St., 826-6679
3. Franktown Hand Car Wash
2331 Kietzke Lane, 827-2601
Best home furnishings store
1. RC Willey Home Furnishings
1201 Steamboat Pkwy., 337-4600
2. The Niche
multiple locations
3. Ashley Furniture
750 E. Moana Lane, 824-4800
Best apartment complex
1. The Boulders
4775 Summit Ridge Drive, 747-3330
2. Arlington Towers
100 N. Arlington Ave., 221-3222
Best place to get a car repaired
1. Landa Muffler & Brake
816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112
2. Sierra Automotive Repair
130 W. Plumb Lane, 324-4370
3. Reno Vulcanizing Works
multiple locations
Best tattoo parlor
1. Aces Tattoo
681 S. Virginia St., 333-0915
2. Nightmare Studios Tattoo
888 S. Virginia St., 324-0666
3. Absolute Tattoo
742 Mill St., 324-2223
Best tattoo artist
1. Ron Rash, Aces Tattoo
2. Archie Wood, Battle Born Tattoo
3. Jon McCann, Absolute Tattoo
Best place to get pierced
1. Black Hole Body Piercing
912 S. Virginia St., 329-6010
2. Lotus Body Piercing
677 S. Virginia St., 323-6266
2. Fondue Body Boutique
416 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 359-1750
Best shoe selection
1. Dillard’s
13933 S. Virginia St., 852-3080
2. DSW Shoe Warehouse
6659 S. Virginia St., 852-9401
3. Macy’s
multiple locations
Best boutique clothing store
1. The Niche
multiple locations
2. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery
119 Thoma St., 348-9440
3. Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
Best cheap motel
1. Motel 6
multiple locations
2. Quality Inn South
1885 S. Virginia St., 329-1001
3. Farris Motel
1752 E. Fourth St., 322-3190
Best hotel for a romantic getaway
1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996
2. Atlantis
3800 S. Virginia St., (800) 723-6500
3. Grand Sierra Resort
2500 E. Second St., 789-2000
Best bank
1. Wells Fargo
multiple locations
2. Bank of America
multiple locations
3. U.S. Bank
multple locations
Best mortgage company
1. Wells Fargo
multiple locations
2. PrimeLending
6900 S. McCarran Blvd., 829-8555
Best pawn shop
1. Palace Jewelry & Loan Company
300 N. Virginia St., 322-2863
2. Metro Pawn
multiple locations
3. Super Pawn
multiple locations
Best grocery store
1. Raley’s
multiple locations
2. Whole Foods Market
6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023
3. Trader Joe’s
5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621
3790 US Highway 395 S, Carson City, 267-2486
Best specialty ice cream store
1. Cold Stone Creamery
multiple locations
2. Swensen’s Ice Cream
3340 Kietzke Lane, 825-3444
3. Yogurt Beach
multiple locations
Best pet store
1. Scraps Dog Company
6120 Mae Anne Ave., 746-4364
7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647
2. PetsMart
multiple locations
3. Petco
2970 Northtowne Lane, 673-9200
5565 S. Virginia St., 829-9200
Best pet supply store
1. PetsMart
several locations
2. Healthy Tails
3892 Mayberry Drive, 787-2287
3. Scraps Dog Company
6120 Mae Anne Ave., 746-4364
7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647
Best pet boarding
1. Pet Play House
2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202
2. Dogz
1855 E. Peckham Lane, 826-9911
3. Fetch! Pet Care
2330 Blue Canyon Court, 787-9090
Best skateboard store
1. Classic Skate Shop
119 Thoma St., 348-9440
2. Eternal Board Shop
33 E. Freeport Blvd., Sparks, 358-1002
235 E. Plumb Lane, 348-9991
3. Out of Bounds
805 S. Virginia St., 323-7669
Best wireless phone service coverage
1. Verizon
2. AT&T
3. Sprint
Best brothel
1. Moonlite Bunny Ranch
69 Moonlight Road, Carson City, 246-9901
2. Mustang Ranch
Peri Ranch Road, Sparks, 342-0176
Best motorcycle dealer, shop
1. Reno Harley-Davidson
2315 Market St., 329-2913
Best new car dealership
1. Bill Pearce
2. Lithia
3. Reno Toyota & Scion
2100 Kietzke Lane, 826-2750
Best used car dealership
1. Internet Auto
1220 Kietzke Lane, 379-2252
2. Reno Toyota & Scion
2100 Kietzke Lane, 826-2750
3. Harry’s Quality Cars Inc.
multiple locations
Best place for photo prints
1. Costco
2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200
4810 Galleria Pkwy, Sparks, 356-4400
2. Gordon’s Photo Service
5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488
3. Walgreens
multiple locations
Best photography supply store
1. Gordon’s Photo Service
5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488
2. Best Buy
multiple locations
2. Ross
multiple locations
Best yoga classes
1. The Studio
1085 S. Virginia St. 284-5545
2. Bikram Yoga Reno
631 Sierra Rose Drive, 827-9642
3. Studio 8
190 California Ave., 324-4888
Best outdoor outfitter
1. REI
2225 Harvard Way, 828-9090
2. Scheels All Sports
1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700
3. Cabela’s
8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100
Best optical shop
1. Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery
500 W. Plumb Lane, 284-3937
2. Dr. Angelini Optical Dispensary
350 W. Sixth St., 322-4061
3. Cochrane Family Eye Care
9730 S. McCarran Blvd., 787-3939
Best hospital
1. Renown Regional Medical Center
1155 Mill St., 982-4100
2. Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center
235 W. Sixth St., 770-3194
3. Northern Nevada Medical Center
2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 331-7000
Best doggy daycare
1. Pet Play House
2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202
2. Dogz, Inc.
1855 E. Peckham Lane, 826-9911
3. Fetch! Pet Care
2330 Blue Canyon Court, 787-9090
Best athletic shoe selection
1. Scheels All Sports
1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700
2. Reno Running
13987 S. Virginia St., 853-801
3. Eclipse Running
6990 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-2276
Best workout wear selection
1. Scheels All Sports
1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700
2. Sports Authority
multiple locations
Best outdoor gear selection
1. REI
2225 Harvard Way, 828-9090
2. Scheels All Sports
1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700
3. Cabela’s
8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100
Best wedding chapel
1. Silver Bells Wedding Chapel
628 N. Virginia St., 322-0420
2. Chapel of the Bells
700 W. Fourth St., 323-1375
3. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996
Best wedding reception site
1. Chism House
1401 W. Second St., 322-5455
2. The Grove
95 Foothill Road, 324-7683
Best wedding event planner
1. Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning
4790 Caughlin Pkwy., 786-1730
2. Once Upon A Time Events
80 Coney Island Drive, Sparks, 225-7747
3. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino
2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996
Best public relations agency
1. The Abbi Agency
275 Hill St., 323-2977
2. K. Sutherland PR
201 W. Liberty St., 848-0905
3. RKPR
328 California Ave., 323-6333
Best print shop
1. Digiprint
4865 Longley Lane, 786-4464
2. Reno Print Store
280 Greg St., 313-9720
3. Office Depot
multiple locations
Best selection of local art
1. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery
119 Thoma St., 348-9440
2. The Holland Project
160 W. Liberty St., 329-3333
3. Artists Co-Op Gallery of Reno
627 Mill St., 322-8896
Best spectator sport
1. Reno Aces
2. University of Nevada, Reno football
3. Kiyaking
Best local non-casino business
1. Pet Play House
2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202
2. Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
3. Reno eNVy
135 N. Sierra St., 682-3800
Best local magazine
1. Reno-Tahoe Tonight
2. Edible Reno-Tahoe
316 California Ave., 746-3299
3. Reno Magazine
955 Kuenzli St., 788-6556
Best newspaper
1. Reno News & Review
708 N. Center St., 324-4440
2. Reno Gazette-Journal
955 Kuenzli St., 788-6200
3. Sparks Tribune
1002 C St., Sparks, 358-8061
Best monthly publication
1. Reno-Tahoe Tonight
2. Edible Reno-Tahoe
316 California Ave., 746-3299
3. Reno Magazine
955 Kuenzli St., 788-6556
Best new business
1. Campo
50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555
2. Design by Huong
P.O. Box 17416, 233-8382
2. Homage Bakery
519 Ralston St., 323-8952
2. It’s My Community
325 Harbour Cove Drive, Sparks, 737-4107
Best place for music lessons
1. Maytan Music Center
777 S. Center St., 323-5443
2. Carpenter’s Music World
2700 S. Virginia St., 852-7618
3. Bizarre Guitar
2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001
Best place to buy playa garb
1. Melting Pot World Emporium
1049 S. Virginia St., 322-9445
2. Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865
3. Prism Magic Clothing and Imports
2161 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 356-5577
Best business Facebook page
1. Pet Play House
2. GourMelt
3. Design by Huong
www.facebook.com/DesignbyHuong
Best sunglasses selection
1. Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery
500 W. Plumb Lane, 284-3937
2. Sunglass Hut
5189 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8778
3. Eternal
235 E. Plumb Lane, 348-9991
Best independent coffee shop
1. Bibo Coffee Co.
multiple locations
2. The Hub Coffee Co.
32 Cheney St., 323-3482
3. Java Jungle
246 W. First St., 329-4484
Best independent bookstore
1. Sundance Books & Music
121 California Ave., 786-1188
2. Grassroots Books
660 E. Grove St., 828-2665
3. Zephyr Books
1501 S. Virginia St., 322-6657
Best independent used bookstore
1. Grassroots Books
660 E. Grove St., 828-2665
2. Zephyr Books
1501 S. Virginia St., 322-6657
3. Sundance Books & Music
121 California Ave., 786-1188
Best independent CD music store
1. Recycled Records
3344 Kietzke Lane, 826-4119
2. Discology
11 N. Sierra St., 323-2121
3. Sundance Bookstore & Music
121 California Ave., 786-1188
Best independent grocery store
1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op
240 Court St., 324-6133
Best independent computer store
1. Moondog Computers
4896 S. Virginia St., 332-6666
2. Mac-O-Rama
4690 Longley Lane, 626-7751
3. Computerman USA
701 E. Second St., 827-2667
Best independent hardware store
1. Ace Hardware
multiple locations
2. Shelly’s True Value Hardware
440 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 358-1841
Best veterinarian
1. Klaich Animal Hospital
1990 S. Virginia St., 826-1212
2. Southwest Veterinary Hospital
960 W. Moana Lane, 825-7984
3. Baring Boulevard Veterinary Hospital
700 Baring Blvd., Sparks, 358-6880