It’s the most wonderful time of the year at The Leader – when we release the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice Awards, in which community members vote for their favorite businesses and service providers in the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas.
Readers selected 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-place winners in more than 100 categories that cover a wide range of industries, from restaurants, bars and grocery stores to physicians, dentists and veterinarians to real estate professionals and attorneys to boutiques, gift shops and specialty stores. Schools, churches, fitness centers and auto shops are included, too.
All the Readers’ Choice Awards winners are listed below.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the local residents who took time to vote either in person or here at theleadernews.com. And just as much gratitude goes out to the businesses and service providers we have the honor of recognizing. Your dedication to the community is what makes this part of Houston such as special place to live and work.
THE LEADER READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2021
Animal Hospital
1st Place – Oak Forest Vet
2nd Place – Forest West
3rd Place – Bayou City Vet
Veterinarian
1st Place – Dr. Hallie Moore/Oak Forest Vet
2nd Place – My Door Step Vet
3rd Place – Forest West Vet
Pet Emergency
1st Place – Vergi
2nd Place – Gulf Cost Animal ER
3rd Place – Oak Forest Vet
Day Care/Boarding
1st Place – Paws Pet Resort
2nd Place – Oak Forest Vet
3rd Place – Molly’s Mutt House
Pet Sitter Service
1st Place – Paws Pet Resort
2nd Place – Tongue and Tail
3rd Place – Pupotropolis
Pet Store
1st Place – Natural Pawz
2nd Place – Petco
3rd Place – Pet Smart
Pet Grooming
1st Place – Paws Pet Resort
2nd Place – Doggystylez
3rd Place – Yale Street Dog House
Pet Waste Removal
1st Place – Scoop le Poop
2nd Place – Doody Calls
3rd Place – Tongue and Tail
Pet Treats and Food
1st Place – Natural Paws
2nd Place – Yale Street Dog House
3rd Place – Paws Pet Resort
Bakery
1st Place – Common Bond
2nd Place – Artisana Bakery
3rd Place – El Bolillo
Donuts/Kolaches
1st Place – Shipley’s Ella
2nd Place – Queen Donut
3rd Place – Kolache Shoppe
Asian
1st Place – Hughie’s
2nd Place – Heights Asian Cafe
3rd Place – Thai Spice Heights
BBQ
1st Place – Gatlin’s BBQ
2nd Place – Brisket Houston
3rd Place – Gabby’s BBQ
Hamburger
1st Place – Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails
2nd Place – Miller’s Cafe
3rd Place – Hubcap Grill
Hot Wings
1st Place – Dream Wings
2nd Place – Wing Stop
3rd Place – Pluckers
Hot Dogs
1st Place – Good Dog
2nd Place – Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails
3rd Place – Yo Dawg Gourmet Hot Dogs
Ice Cream
1st Place – Fat Cat Creamery
2nd Place – Jeni’s Ice Cream
3rd Place – Cloud 10
Italian
1st Place – Cavatore Italian Restaurant
2nd Place – Collina’s
3rd Place – Spaghetti Western
Mediterranean
1st Place – Aladdin Mediterranean Cuisine
2nd Place – Niko Niko’s
3rd Place – Zoe’s Kitchen
Mexican
1st Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
2nd Place – Tony’s Mexican Restaurant
3rd Place – Alma Latina
Tacos
1st Place – Tacos A Go Go
2nd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
3rd Place – Alma Latina
Pizzeria
1st Place – The Union Kitchen
2nd Place – Star Pizza Washington
3rd Place – Daddy O’s
Sandwich Shop
1st Place – Ploughman’s Deli
2nd Place – Kojak’s fine food
3rd Place – Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys
Seafood
1st Place – Crawfish Cafe
2nd Place – Flying Fish
3rd Place – Rainbow Lodge
Specialty Food Store
1st Place – We Olive & Wine Bar
2nd Place – Underhill Urban Farm Co.
3rd Place – Phoenicia
Steak House
1st Place – Rainbow Lodge
2nd Place – B&B Butchers & Restaurant
3rd Place – Doris Metropolitan
Sushi
1st Place – Jellyfish sushi
2nd Place – KA Sushi
3rd Place – Blue Fish
Breakfast
1st Place – Snooze
2nd Place – Lola’s
3rd Place – Jackie’s Kitchen
Brunch
1st Place – Urban Eats
2nd Place – The Union Kitchen
3rd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
Lunch
1st Place – Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails
2nd Place – Shandy’s
3rd Place – Urban Eats
Date Place
1st Place – Rainbow Lodge
2nd Place – We Olive & Wine Bar Houston
3rd Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
Caterer
1st Place – Brisket Houston
2nd Place – Uptown Catering
3rd Place – Underhill Urban Farm Company
Service
1st Place – Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails
2nd Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
3rd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
Takeout
1st Place – MytiBurger
2nd Place – Rice Box
3rd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
Place to Host a Party
1st Place – We Olive & Wine Bar
2nd Place – Wakefield Crowbar
3rd Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
Patio
1st Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
2nd Place – Cavatore Italian Restaurant
3rd Place – Heights Bier Garten
Family Entertainment Center
1st Place – Delmar Lanes
2nd Place – Love Bugs Playground
3rd Place – Triple Crown Bingo
Community Theater
1st Place – Theatre Suburbia
2nd Place – Ensemble Theatre
3rd Place – HITS Theatre
Live Music Venue
1st Place – Brass Monkey Bar & Grill at Delmar Lanes
2nd Place – Heights Theater
3rd Place – White Oak Music Hall
Local Museum
1st Place – Children’s Museum
2nd Place – Art Car Museum
3rd Place – Museum of Fine Arts
Art Gallery
1st Place – The Whimsy Artisan Boutique
2nd Place – Menil
3rd Place – Silver Street
Local Artist
1st Place – Elizabeth Claws
2nd Place – Arlene Delagarza
3rd Place – Jim Koehn
Smoothies
1st Place – Tropical Smoothie
2nd Place – Star Berry Snoballs
3rd Place – Smoothie Strong
Frozen Treat
1st Place – Sweet Frog
2nd Place – Star Berry Snoballs
3rd Place – Jeni’s Ice Cream
Brewery
1st Place – Eureka Heights Brew Co.
2nd Place – Brash Brewing
3rd Place – Great Heights Brewing Company
Bar
1st Place – We Olive Wine Bar
2nd Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
3rd Place – Cottonwood
Coffee Shop
1st Place – Slowpokes
2nd Place – Roast and Brew
3rd Place – Boomtown
Happy Hour
1st Place – We Olive Wine Bar
2nd Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
3rd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
Wine Bar
1st Place – We Olive Wine Bar
2nd Place – Plonk!
3rd Place – Sonoma
Sports Bar
1st Place – Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace
2nd Place – Wakefield Crowbar
3rd Place – Christian’s Tailgate
Cocktail Bar
1st Place – Better Luck Tomorrow
2nd Place – Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage
3rd Place – Johnny’s Gold Brick
Dive Bar
1st Place – Sassafras
2nd Place – TA’s Cargo Club
3rd Place – Catty Corner Ice House
Nursery/Day Care
1st Place – St. Ambrose Early Childhood Center
2nd Place – The Oaks Preschool
3rd Place – Johnson Memorial School
Learning Center
1st Place – Garden Oaks Early Learning Center
2nd Place – St. Ambrose Early Childhood Center
3rd Place – The Family Garden
Private/Parochial School
1st Place – Our Savior Lutheran School
2nd Place – St. Ambrose Catholic School
3rd Place – St. Rose of Lima
Public School
1st Place – Sinclair Elementary
2nd Place – Oak Forest Elementary
3rd Place – Durham Elementary
Community College
1st Place – Houston Community College
2nd Place – Lone Star College
After School Program
1st Place – Children’s Lighthouse of Oak Forest
2nd Place – Lost Forest Tennis Club
3rd Place – Our Savior Lutheran School
Tutor
1st Place – Susan Sessions Tutoring
2nd Place – Edu PrepSpace
3rd Place – Nell Baham
Hair Salon
1st Place – Valor Barbershop
2nd Place – Revive Salon and Spa
3rd Place – 3930 Ego
Stylist
1st Place – Brock Conrad / Valor Barbershop
2nd Place – Carmen / Revive Salon and Spa
3rd Place – Jana Nguyen /3930 Ego
Day Spa
1st Place – Forever Young by Sandee
2nd Place – LV Nails
3rd Place – Revive Salon and Spa
Tanning Salon
1st Place – Tanoholics Anonymous
2nd Place – Forever Young by Sandee
3rd Place – Glo Girl
Manicure/Pedicure
1st Place – LV Nails
2nd Place – Fizz Nails
3rd Place – Ritual Pedi Spa
Esthetician
1st Place – Kalia Broussard / Abbie Starr Skin Bar
2nd Place – Sandee Trevino / Forever Young
3rd Place – Marita Ward / The Little Spa
Church
1st Place – New Day Church
2nd Place – Arise Baptist
3rd Place – Village Heights Church
Minister
1st Place – John Wethington / New Day Church
2nd Place – Bill and Hannah White / Village Heights Church
3rd Place – Arise Baptist / Will Cover
Non-Profit
1st Place – Eye See HOU
2nd Place – Animal Justice League
3rd Place – Oak Forest Foster Closet
Local Politician
1st Place – Dan Crenshaw
2nd Place – Shelia Jackson Lee
3rd Place – Lina Hidalgo
Bookstore
1st Place – Jubilee
2nd Place – Kaboom
Bridal Store
1st Place – Bliss On 19th
2nd Place – Ventura’s
3rd Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
Children’s Clothing Store
1st Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
2nd Place – The Pure Parenting Shop
3rd Place – Threadfare Children’s Boutique
Antique Store
1st Place – AG Antiques
2nd Place – Alabama Furniture
3rd Place – Lovejoy’s Antiques
Local Furniture Store
1st Place – Eclectic Home
2nd Place – Jubilee
3rd Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
Gift Shop
1st Place – Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop
2nd Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
3rd Place – Jubilee
Grocery Store
1st Place – Whole Foods 365
2nd Place – H-E-B
3rd Place – Kroger
Health Food Store
1st Place – Whole Foods 365
2nd Place – Sprouts
3rd Place – Water Tree Heights- added by CK
Jewelry Store
1st Place – Erica Delgardo
2nd Place – JVP Jewelers
3rd Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
Liquor Store
1st Place – Spec’s
2nd Place – Total Wine
3rd Place – Premier Liquor 18th Street
Mattress Store
1st Place – Gallery Furniture
2nd Place – The Pure Parenting Shop
3rd Place – Texas Mattress Makers
Men’s Clothing Store
1st Place – Bill Walker Clothier
2nd Place – Man ready Mercantile
3rd Place – Proper
Musical Instrument Store
1st Place – Fuller’s Guitar
Resale Shop/Consignment
1st Place – Houston Junior Forum
2nd Place – Thread
3rd Place – Alabama Furniture
Toy Store
1st Place – Big Blue Whale
2nd Place – Lovebug’s Playground
3rd Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
Women’s Clothing Store
1st Place – Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts
2nd Place – Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop
3rd Place – Jubilee
Shoe/Boot Shop
1st Place – Jubilee
2nd Place – Urban Soles
3rd Place – Proper
Home Goods
1st Place – Jubilee
2nd Place – Bliss On 19th
3rd Place – Eclectic Home
Music/Record Store
1st Place – Vinal Edge
Hospital
1st Place – Memorial Hermann
2nd Place – Texas Children’s
3rd Place – Houston Methodist
Physician
1st Place – Dr. Alpesh Desai
2nd Place – Dr. Rebecca Berens with Vida Family Medicine
3rd Place – Dr. Jaclyn Harrison
Assisted Living Home
1st Place – The Forum
2nd Place – Village of The Heights
3rd Place – Brookdale
Chiropractor
1st Place – Dr. Greg Green
2nd Place – Dr. Nataly Perez
3rd Place – Dr. Jenny Le
Cosmetic Surgeon
1st Place – Dr Michael Streitmann
2nd Place – Dr. Regina Rodham
Dentist
1st Place – Dr. Mathew Naftis
2nd Place – Dr. Carol Price
3rd Place – Dr. Stephen Gould
Dermatologist
1st Place – Dr. Alpesh Desai
2nd Place – Dr. Amanda Hassler/ Hassler Dermatology
3rd Place – Dr. Tejas Desai
Eye Care Provider
1st Place – Eye to Eye
2nd Place – Looks Eye Care
3rd Place – Memorial Eye
Massage Therapist
1st Place – Penny Mickel at Authenticity Massage
2nd Place – Melissa Smith at Green Chiropractic
3rd Place – Marcy Basile at Connect Massage
Women’s Health Provider
1st Place – Dr. Jenny Le
2nd Place – Texas Lactation Consultants
3rd Place – Dr. Horn
Pediatrician
1st Place – Texas Children’s – Dr. Greeley
2nd Place – Bluefish
3rd Place – Dr. Kenya Parks
Urgent Care
1st Place – Memorial Hermann Urgent Care
2nd Place – NEXT LEVEL Urgent Care
Wellness Center
1st Place – White Oak Medical Associates
2nd Place – Dr. Nataly Perez
3rd Place – Dr. Jenny Le
Weight Loss Facility
1st Place – A New You
Architect
1st Place – Covington Signature Homes
2nd Place – Aaron Lytal – 3D Home Designs
3rd Place – Kevin Barden – Rivers Barden Architect
Custom Home Builder
1st Place – Andrew Adams – Covington Signature Homes
2nd Place – Covington Signature Homes
3rd Place – Tradition Custom Design
Developer
1st Place – Andrew Adams – Covington Signature Homes
2nd Place – Greymark Construction
3rd Place – Titan Homes
Appliance Store
1st Place – Nor-West Appliance Store
2nd Place – Home Depot
Electrician
1st Place – Deuce Electric
2nd Place – Bravenec Electric
3rd Place – Greg Russell Electrical Services
Flooring Store
1st Place – Reinel Solano, Floor Coverings International
2nd Place – Floor Zone
Garden/Landscaping Company
1st Place – Joshua’s Native Plants
2nd Place – Outside Interests Inc., Bobby Penick
3rd Place – Houston Audubon Natives Nursery
Tree Care/Removal
1st Place – Clooney Tree Experts
2nd Place – Ranger Tree
3rd Place – Texas Tree Team
General Contractor
1st Place – Andrew Adams – Covington Signature Homes
2nd Place – Glenn Ferrell
3rd Place – Let Luke Do It Remodeling
Plumber
1st Place – Cooper Plumbing LLC
2nd Place – Aaron’s Plumbing
3rd Place – Joe Petrovich
Heating & Air Conditioning Service
1st Place – Nick’s Plumbing and Air Conditioning
2nd Place – Old Oak Forest Heating & Air Conditioning
3rd Place – Texas Mechanical & Facilities, LLC
Interior Design/Decorator
1st Place – SK Designs
2nd Place – Eclectic Home
3rd Place – Neal LaBoeuf
Hardware Store
1st Place – C & D Hardware
2nd Place – Ace
Pest Control Company
1st Place – Cherokee Pest Control
2nd Place – Kilgore
3rd Place – Farmer’s Pest Control
Washeteria
1st Place – Soap Suds Coin Laundry
Attorney
1st Place – Phyllis A. Oeser
2nd Place – Thornhill Law Firm
3rd Place – Tonya Knauth
Bank
1st Place – Allegiance Bank
2nd Place – Prosperity
3rd Place – Comerica
Credit Union
1st Place – Chevron Federal Credit Union
2nd Place – Resource One
3rd Place – Member’s Trust Federal Credit Union
Dry Cleaners
1st Place – Bell’s My Own Cleaners
2nd Place – Wolfe’s Cleaners on Studewood
3rd Place – Ella Dry Cleaners
Insurance Agent
1st Place – Adams Insurance Service
2nd Place – Farmers Insurance Lane Lewis Agency
3rd Place Tie – State Farm, Scott Baxter/The May Group, Tony May
Cleaning Service
1st Place – Healthy Home Cleaning Service
2nd Place – You’ve Got Maids of Central Houston
3rd Place – MoreHands Maid Services
Florist
1st Place – Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop
2nd Place – Frankie + Flora
3rd Place – Athas on Ella
Funeral Home
1st Place – Pat Foley 34th
2nd Place – Woodlawn
3rd Place – Heights Funeral Home
Photographer
1st Place – The Light Fantastic Photography
2nd Place – Michael Martinez Photography
3rd Place – Allison McPhail – Evin Thayer Studios
Financial Advisor
1st Place – Jonathan Kolmetz Oaks Wealth Management
2nd Place – Raymond James
3rd Place – Jeff Farris Dearborn and Greggs
Computer Service
1st Place – Computer Hospital
2nd Place – Experimax Heights
3rd Place – Clerc Computer Consulting
Travel Agent
1st Place – Julie Sherber with Frosch Travel
2nd Place – Dana’s Travel
3rd Place – Let’s Travel Together
Security
1st Place – Xtreme Audio Video
2nd Place – Black Gold Guns & Ammo
3rd Place – Always Home Security & Sound
Energy Broker
1st Place – Brandy Pratt – Pratt Power Partners
2nd Place – Energy Ogre
Mortgage Company
1st Place – Hometrust Mortgage
2nd Place – John Frels – Kelso Group
3rd Place – Shane Davis Guaranteed Rate
Real Estate Agent
1st Place – Ashley Day
2nd Place – Creston Inderrieden/Indyquest
3rd Place (tie) – Patrick Bilnoski, Kristi Kolmetz and Ginny Ledwell
Real Estate Company
1st Place – Carolyn Bryant Team
2nd Place – Led Well Realty
3rd Place – Greenwood King
Dance Studio
1st Place – Houston Dance Works
2nd Place – Mary Tiras
Golf Course
1st Place – Acorn 50/50
2nd Place – North Gate Country Club
3rd Place – Wildcat
Park
1st Place – Oak Forest Park
2nd Place – Buffalo Bayou
3rd Place – Memorial Park
Sporting Goods Store
1st Place – I Cycle Bike Shop
2nd Place – Blue Line Bike Lab
Workout Facility/Gym
1st Place – Body Rock Pilates
2nd Place – Heritage Muay Thai
3rd Place – HTX FIGHTCAMP
Group Fitness/Aerobics
1st Place – Cyclebar Houston Heights
2nd Place – Rise Fitness
3rd Place – Heritage Muay Thai
Yoga
1st Place – Loveland Yoga
2nd Place – Move Yoga
3rd Place – Union Studio Yoga
Auto Repair
1st Place – Liberty Hoepfl Garage
2nd Place – Heights Mobil Car Care
3rd Place – NLine Automotive
Auto Dealer
1st Place – Tommy Vaughn
2nd Place – Baker Automotive
3rd Place – Ella Motors
Auto Parts
1st Place – O’Riley
2nd Place – Autozone
Oil Change
1st Place – Liberty Hoepfl Garage
2nd Place – Heights Mobil Car Care
3rd Place – Ella Automotive
Car Wash/Detailing
1st Place – Soap Hand Carwash
2nd Place – Brio Hand Car wash
3rd Place – Clean Car Turnpike
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