Bagels (TIE)

Can a Palo Altan close her eyes, click her heels and transport herself to Brooklyn? Well, no, but it's not for lack of trying at Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels, readers' choice for best bagels. Festooned with 1930s photos of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the major Brooklyn thoroughfare Nostrand Avenue, Izzy's offers a huge selection of bagels and schmear, not to mention hamantaschen and varieties of rugelah and knish. A crammed community bulletin board advertises everything from Hebrew school to a blood drive to Stanford medical studies in search of subjects. 477 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, 650-329-0700; 2220-B University Ave., East Palo Alto, 650-322-5700;

izzysbrooklynbagels.com

Downtown's undisputed bagel champion has never been afraid to transcend the traditional. In addition to the usual bagel comforts the hot crust, the fresh lox, the gooey cream cheese House of Bagels features plenty of zestier, sexier ingredients, including pesto and jalapeno. It's not just bagels, either. The University Avenue establishment also offers a broad and doughy selection of delectables, from tuna sandwiches and turkey hot dogs to piroshki and spanikopita. 526 University Ave., Palo Alto, 650-322-5189; houseofbagels.org

Bakery/Desserts

Sweets are certainly trending at the Prolific Oven, where Palo Altans have been heading since 1980. Prolific Oven offers multiple style cake options for order (French or American?), desserts from cannoli to cupcakes to cheese-swirled brownies, holiday pies, homemade bread and more. "We are ECSTATIC that Palo Alto still loves us!" Regina Chan, daughter of Prolific Oven owner Henry Chan, wrote in an email. "We are all seeing downtown Palo Alto change a bit businesses coming and going, and we're thrilled to receive this award because it means we are still doing something right." Head to the Oven for a coffee, sandwich and your dessert of choice but make sure you check in on FourSquare first! 550 Waverley St., Palo Alto, 650-326-8485; prolificoven.com

BBQ

Have a hankering for mouth-watering ribs? Chicken in a special barbecue sauce, coupled with corn muffins and sweet butter? Or maybe just a fresh salad with crispy greens and toasted croutons with a balsamic vinaigrette? If any of these appeal, you're in total agreement that Armadillo Willy's has met its goal since 1983 to "serve the best barbecue this side of Texas." 994 Acacia Ave., Los Altos, 650-948-4659; armadillowillys.com

Breakfast

There is almost always a short wait for a table at Joanie's Cafe, one of California Avenue's most bustling eateries. Joanie's has been a destination spot for 26 years, serving up omelets, crepes and waffles for breakfast and burgers, salads and sandwiches for lunch, including French staples such as Croque Monsieur and onion soup. Dinner at the perennial Weekly Best Of favorite includes more refined fare, including grilled salmon Provencal, ravioli scampi and green peppercorn flank steak. 405 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, 650-326-6505; joaniescafepaloalto.com

Burgers

For the last 65 years, this establishment has served steakburgers to generation after generation of Palo Altans, Stanford students and techies. Kirk's Steakburger is renowned for its third-pound burgers, milkshakes and fries. Customize your burger with Kirk's row of toppings. Opened in 1948, Kirk's still uses the same butcher to supply its ground steak. Come get your charcoal-grilled burger while it's hot! 75 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, 650-326-6159; kirks-steakburgers.com

Hall of Fame: Second Year

The Counter calls itself "the 21st century's bold answer to the classic burger joint" and it most certainly is. At The Counter, you can custom-create your own burger from an extensive number of options. Step one: Choose a burger (beef, chicken breast, turkey or vegan veggie). Step two: Choose a cheese (from yellow American to herb goat cheese spread). Step three: Choose up to four toppings (too many to list). Step four: Choose a sauce. Step five: Choose a bun. Step six: Enjoy. 369 S. California Ave., Palo Alto; thecounterburger.com/paloalto

Burrito

For the first time, Sancho's has won over the hearts of Palo Alto's burrito lovers, taking over for two-time champion Chipotle as the best burrito in town. Perhaps what won voters over is the new Midtown location on Middlefield Road that opened in 2012, complete with a bigger menu for vegetarians and an outside patio dining area. Sancho's offers catering or a Taco Truck to help feed your next birthday party, reunion or wedding. 491 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto, 650-322-TACO (8226); 2723 Middlefield Road, 650-324-TACO (8226); sanchostaqueria.com

Deli/Sandwich

The Village Cheese House has been a staple part of Palo Alto residents' diets for more than 50 years. While they have kept their special, signature sauce, they have added vegetarian and gluten-free diet options. But Palo Alto's treasured full-service deli is known for its quality meat: roast beef, ham, turkey and more. The Cheese House's famous double-decker sandwich the "Old Fashioned" is sure to please. 157 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, 650-326-9251; thevch.com/

Dim Sum

The carpeted, dignified dining rooms of Palo Alto's classic and ever-popular Ming's Chinese Cuisine and Bar can be counted on to deliver a high-quality and authentic experience, with a full Chinese menu in addition to endless trays of made-from-scratch dim sum choices. It's also one of the very few local establishments open 365 days a year. 1700 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, 650-856-7700; mings.com

Grocery Store

At a time when words like "organic," "free range" and "gluten free" are being co-opted by seemingly every new restaurant and supermarket, Whole Foods remains Palo Alto's undisputed king of health eating in downtown Palo Alto. When the Emerson Street fixture opened its doors in 1989, it became the first Whole Foods outside of Texas. While the store's inventory has changed to accommodate the latest foodie whims and healthy habits, its commitment to freshness and sustainability has never wavered. 774 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650-326-8676; wholefoodsmarket.com

Grocery Store

Hall of Fame: First Year

Where would we be without cookie butter, Joe-Joe's, Joe's O's, Trader Giotto or Trader Jose? Lost. But good thing we don't have to be, with Trader Joe's in Palo Alto serving all of our grocery needs. Trader Joes does it all fresh produce, delicious prepared foods, meat and poultry, beer and wine and does it at the right price. 140 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, 650-327-7018; traderjoes.com

Happy Hour

Back to claim another title, NOLA is the New Orleans-themed bar that Palo Altans, Stanford students and young professionals love to frequent. Voters deemed the bar as Palo Alto's best Happy Hour back in 2011, featuring raspberry mojitos, ginger juleps and Hurricane bowls. NOLA has claimed this category in back-to-back years, making it the easy choice for locals looking for a fun night. 535 Ramona St, Palo Alto, 650-328-2722; nolas.com

Ice Cream

Back from its third year in the readers' Hall of Fame, Rick's Ice Cream hits it out of the ball park again for 2013. Each day 48 flavors are churned fresh, including exotics such as Kulfi, a rose-flavored concoction with pistachios; white chocolate ginger; and Sideways, made with Cabernet. Swirl your tongue around the frosty treats in a cone or a cup. Add ice cream cakes, fudge and other sweets, and there are plenty of options for any sweet tooth. 3946 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, 650-493-6553; ricksicecream.com

Milkshake

The milkshakes are creamy and thick, churned out and served in classic metal cans. Peninsula Creamery Dairy Store has been in the same location since 1923, when it opened as a dairy distributor. The store looks as if it has been trapped in the 1950s, with its red vinyl chairs. Though the days of milk delivery are over, the Creamery still makes a mean shake. With 11 flavors of ice cream to choose from, your options are endless. 900 High St., Palo Alto, 650-323-3175; peninsulacreamery.com

Hall of Fame: Third Year

As its website blurb says, five generations of Palo Altans have raved about the milkshakes at Palo Alto Creamery Fountain & Grill. A change of ownership never seems to make a dent in the quality of those thick, creamy shakes something Stanford grads can count on when they come back for reunion weekend. Even the extras whipped cream, hot fudge, peanut butter, dates or banana are mouthwatering. Two straws, please. 566 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650-323-3131; www.paloaltocreamery.com

New Food/Drink Establishment

Success in San Francisco does not necessarily translate to success in Palo Alto, but La Boulange has impressed voters with its French baking talents and ambient dining areas. Situated on the corner of University Avenue and High Street, the bakery features brunch, salads, sandwiches and organic coffee on the menu. 151 University Ave., Palo Alto, 650-323-3332; laboulangebakery.com

Pizza

Patxi's Chicago Pizza deep-dish pizza isn't your average pizza. This Chicago-style pizzeria chain started in Palo Alto in 2004 and has continued to hook Bay Area and Denver residents ever since. Its Palo Alto location has an old-style feel, with tile floors and plate glass windows, mixed with modern lighting and a charming bar. And when it comes to the food, its varied options will leave your mouth watering. 441 Emerson St., Palo Alto, 650-473-9999; patxispizza.com

Produce

With an abundance of strollers, backpacks, bicycles, kids and dogs, the California Avenue Farmers' Market feels like Palo Alto's new, multilingual town square. The year-round, Sunday morning market, chockablock with fruits and vegetables of the season, is this year's readers' pick for Best Produce. Rain or shine, the dazzling colors of all the farm-fresh products are sure to cheer you up: peaches, plums, berries, peppers, squash, potatoes, fennel, oranges, eggplant, dahlias, sunflowers and much, much more. California Avenue between Ash and El Camino Real, Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round; urbanvillageonline.com

Salad

The winner for best salad this year easily leaves its competitors behind. Sprout Cafe shoots past expectations by providing a build-your-own salad bar that includes dozens of tasty ingredients including fruits, nuts, cheeses and meats. Indecisive? Sprout's signature salads have mouthwatering combinations of ingredients balanced just right. It's no wonder readers have put a fork in Sprout as best salad in Palo Alto. 168 University Ave., Palo Alto, 650-323-7688; cafesprout.com

Seafood

Whether you want to eat at the restaurant or buy fresh food to prepare at home, Cook's Seafood is the place for seafood lovers. Besides offering a variety of freshly caught seafood, Cook's will clean and crack Dungeness crab, pack seafood for travel or prepare a platter for guests. (They'll also respond to special cutting requests, including scraping off the skin, but keeping the bones for making gefilte fish.) And, customers rave about the fish 'n' chips. 751 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650-322-2231;

cooksseafood.com

Seafood

Hall of Fame: First Year

From chowder to lobster, The Fish Market is the place to go for fresh seafood, readers said. Pan fried, smoked, steamed or mesquite grilled, the restaurant serves up sea delicacies to suit every palate. There's an oyster bar and retail market for patrons who want to cook at home. The cioppino fish soup is a specialty here. 3150 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 650-493-9188; thefishmarket.com

Steak

For the second year running, Sundance the Steakhouse has won as the place to go for top-quality steak. Located next to El Camino Real, Sundance feels a world away, a restaurant reminiscent of the days of smokey, low-lit lounges where premium cuts of meat were consumed with a cigar. Family-owned and -operated for 39 years, Sundance is the place to go treat yourself to after those long days in the office. 1921 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 650-321-6798; sundancethesteakhouse.com

Takeout

Fast service and commitment to doing the basics well makes Su Hong a go-to for local takeout (swooping the Best Of title for the second year in a row). The original Su Hong was established in 1977 in Menlo Park, and the Palo Alto outpost (opened in 1987) continues the tradition of juicy potstickers, perfectly fried General's chicken, tender garlic eggplant and the like. 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 650-493-3836; suhongeatery.com

Yogurt

Loyal B Fraiche== followers might have been nervous when the frozen yogurt shop closed its doors on Emerson Street last year and moved (albeit down the block) to Hamilton Avenue, but a bigger space only meant a bigger and better menu. Craft your own frozen yogurt creation from a selection of fresh, organic ingredients, grab a Blue Bottle coffee to go or enjoy a thick slice of Mayfield Bakery bread slathered in almond butter. With wins in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Fraiche is only one year away from the Best Of Hall of Hame. 200 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, 650-838-9819; fraicheyogurt.com