And the winners are . . .

The 2000 Palo Alto Weekly Best Of poll
reveals the best in everything on the Midpeninsula

Just about anything you do or eat on the Midpeninsula can end up in the Weekly's annual "Best Of" readers' poll. In this Millennium edition, we've added some humor (Best Place for a Last Date) and kept some practicality (Best Pharmacy) while keeping the tried-and-true categories like Best Breakfast and and Best Car Repair.

Looking back over the years to the mid-1980s when we started this poll (with a four-year break in the middle) it is sad to note winning businesses that didn't manage to stay around, some probably for economic reasons.

Among those are Mrs. Fields cookies (Best Chocolate Chip Cookie), 42nd Street (Best Bar), Liddicoats (Best Place for a Meal Under $5) and The Gatehouse (Best Piano Bar).

Others have stood the test of time, not only staying in business, but winning in their category over and over again. In 1985, the first year we did the poll, Hobee's had the Best Breakfast, Kirk's had the Best Burger, and the Palo Alto Farmer's Market had the Best Produce, just like this year.

About 340 readers took the time to fill out their Best Of polls this year, voting for businesses in 73 categories. From old standbys that seem to win every year to favorite spots and new kids on the block, the list should inspire an urge to shop, or make your mouth water.

You'll notice some categories have gone by the wayside, while others are new. Perhaps you have an opinion on categories for next year. We haven't had Best Coffee in a while, or Best Sign, or how about Speed Trap to Avoid, or Best Music in a Department Store?

We chucked about 19 categories this year, like Best Milkshake, Best Local Park, Solution to a Local Problem, Best Place to Browse and Best Financial/Investment Firm.

Enjoy, and we hope our list inspires you to revisit old favorites, and try new places as well.