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Best of Food & Best of Drink 

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Best Bloody Mary:

The Alibi

In the world of cocktails, the Bloody Mary is a classic. And the classic place in Humboldt County to enjoy the salty, savory drink packing a spicy punch and a reputation for restorative powers is none other than the consummate downtown Arcata locale, the Alibi. But first things first, which side is calling your name — the airy restaurant or its next-door neighbor and alter ego the cocktail lounge with its old-school vibes? Never fear, there are no wrong answers here, which brings us to the second question: Which one of their famous Marys do you choose? While the original is always a safe bet, so is taking a little walk on the wild side with, perhaps, the Piggly Wiggly, a concoction of bacon vodka with Mary mix and a bacon strip. Not a vodka fan? Not a problem; there's the Bloody Bobby made with gin or the Sangre Maria with a tequila kick. The list is long and varied, with a little something for everyone, which leaves no question why the Alibi's Marys have laid claim to the Best of title.

Kimberly Wear

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  • NCJ File


Best Hidden Gem, Best Mexican Restaurant and Best Tacos:

Cocina Mariposa

As a Mexican American whose family is from Michoacán (shout out to Lombardía) and absolutely loves this restaurant, I was so excited to see Cocina Mariposa's name top three categories. If it wasn't for the "Mexican Restaurant" flag signaling a restaurant at the golf course on Fairway Drive, you'd totally miss it. Cocina Mariposa has it all: a great variety of tasty agua frescas, including classics like Jamaica and horchata; burritos (which aren't Mexican, just FYI); classic combination plates that come with arroz y frijoles; chile rellenos the way my mom made them with cotija cheese instead of Oaxaca cheese; nachos that are just *chef's kiss*, salsas that are so freaking delicious and the right amount of spicy (which you can also buy in 8-ounce containers!); and the absolute best tacos in Humboldt County. Taco Tuesdays at Cocina Mariposa keep chef and owner Marisela Carillo and her mom Graciela Salas super busy because customers know their tacos are simply THE BEST. When it's not Tuesday, Cocina Mariposa's tacos are served on handmade tortillas and absolutely nothing beats tacos made with handmade tortillas. Nothing. I will fight anyone who says otherwise. Honestly, I think this place is the best Mexican Restaurant in Humboldt County and I'm so glad BOH voters thought so, too. Congratulations to Carillo for her triple triumph!

Iridian Casarez

Food

Appetizers

511

511 Second St., Eureka

(707) 268-3852 fiveeleveneureka.com

Asian Restaurant

Tomo

708 Ninth St., Arcata

(707) 822-1414 tomoarcata.com

Bagel

Los Bagels

1085 I St., Arcata; (707) 822-3150

Second St., Eureka; (707) 442-8525 losbagels.com

Bakery

Ramone's

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville ramonesbakery.com

Bar Food

Vista Del Mar

91 Commercial St., Eureka

(707) 443-3770

Barbecue

Porter Street Barbecue

605 Broadway, Eureka, (707) 443-1700

facebook.com/Porter-Street-Barbeque-155525104461292

Breakfast

Golden Harvest Cafe

1707 Allard Ave., Eureka

(707) 442-1610 goldenharvestcafe.com

Breakfast Sandwich

Familia Cafe

1350 Ninth St., Arcata

525 Second St. Suite 101, Eureka

(707) 599-4699 familiacoffees.com

Brunch

Greene Lily
307 Second St., Eureka
(707) 798-6083 thegreenelilycafe.com

Buffet

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

Burger

Stars

2009 Harrison Ave., Eureka

(707) 445-2061 eureka-stars-hamburges.business.site

Burrito

Amigas Burritos

317 Fifth St., #0305, Eureka, (707) 443-3373 amigas-burritos.business.site

Butcher

Curt Terribilini, Ferndale Meat Co.

376 Main St., Ferndale

(707) 786-4501 ferndale-meat-co.edan.io

Catering Company

C&C Catering

350 Woodland Ave., Rio Dell

(707) 764-5202

Cheesecake

Ramone's

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville ramonesbakery.com

Chef

Madison Lopez Opera Alley Bistro

409 Opera Alley, Eureka, (707) 442-0121 facebook.com/madison.lopez.545

Chicken Sandwich

The Couxp

737 G St., Arcata,

instagram.com/thecouxp

Chili

Vista Del Mar

91 Commercial St., Eureka

(707) 443-3770

Chips & Salsa

Oaxaca Grill Restaurant

508 Henderson St., Eureka

(707) 445-9702

Clam Chowder

Gill's by the Bay

77 Halibut Ave., Eureka

(707) 442-2554 gillsbythebay.com

Cookies

Ramone's

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville ramonesbakery.com

Crab Sandwich

Hole in the Wall

590 G St., Arcata

(707) 822-7407

Deli

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

Dog-Friendly Dining

Mad River Brewery

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake

(707) 668-4151 madriverbrewing.com

Donuts

Happy Donuts

2916 Central Ave., Eureka

(707) 443-6812 happy-donuts-eureka.edan.io

Eats in SoHum

Pineapple Express

880 Redwood Drive, Garberville, (808) 387-6101 facebook.com/pineappleexpressfoodtruck

Eats in Willow Creek

Bigfoot Steakhouse

19 Willow Way, Willow Creek, (530) 739-2614 facebook.com/Bigfoot-Steakhouse

Farmers Market

Arcata Farmers Market

G and Eighth St., Arcata, (707) 441-9999 northcoastgrowersassociation.org

Farmers Market Food Stall

Frybread Love

(707) 599-1140 instagram.com/frybread.love

Fish & Chips

LoCo Fish Co

1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville (707) 572-6019

1648 Myrtle Ave., Eureka (707) 601-8573 locofishco.com

Food Delivery Service

US Vets Deliver

553 Main St., #1, Ferndale, (877) 787-8387 usvetsdeliver.com

Food Truck

LoCo Fish Co

1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville (707) 572-6019

1648 Myrtle Ave., Eureka (707) 601-8573 locofishco.com

French Fries

Vista Del Mar

91 Commercial St., Eureka

(707) 443-3770

Fried Chicken

The Couxp

737 G St., Arcata, instagram.com/thecouxp

Gluten-Free Restaurant

Cafe Phoenix

1360 G St., Arcata

(707) 630-5021 facebook.com/cafephoenixarcata

Grocery Store

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

Hidden Gem

Cocina Mariposa

4750 Fairway Drive, Eureka

(707) 599-2469 cocinamariposa.com

Hot Dog

Costco

1006 W. Wabash Ave.

(707) 441-8750 costco.com

Ice Cream

Living the Dream

1 F St., Eureka

(707) 407-3508 livingthedreamicecream.com

Italian Restaurant

Mazzotti's

773 Eighth St., Arcata

(707) 502-7221 mazzottis.com

Late-Night Food

Toni's

1901 Heindon Road, Arcata

(707) 822-0091 tonisrestaurant.com

Local Chocolatier

Adam Dick & Dustin Taylor

4 W Fourth St., Eureka

(707) 798-6010 dicktaylorchocolate.com

Locally Made Food

Humboldt Grassfed Beef

P.O. Box 313, Fortuna

(707) 845-7878 humboldtgrassfedbeef.com

Lunch

Hole in the Wall

590 G St., Arcata

(707) 822-7407

Macaroni & Cheese

Brick and Fire

1630 F St., Eureka

(707) 268-8959 brickandfirebistro.com

Meat Market/Counter

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

Mexican Restaurant

Cocina Mariposa

4750 Fairway Drive, Eureka

(707) 599-2469 cocinamariposa.com

Nachos

Las Cazuelas

435 N Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna

(707) 725-2431

Natural Foods Store

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

New Restaurant

Familia Cafe

1350 Ninth St., Arcata

525 Second St. Suite 101, Eureka

(707) 599-4699 familiacoffees.com

Onion Rings

Stars

2009 Harrison Ave., Eureka, (707) 445-2061 eureka-stars-hamburges.business.site

Outdoor Dining

Eel River Brewery

1777 Alamar Way, Fortuna

(707) 725-2739 eelriverbrewing.com

Overall Service

Larrupin

1658 Patrick's Point Drive, Trinidad

(707) 677-0230 thelarrupin.com

Pie

Slice of Humboldt Pie

828 I St., Arcata

(707) 630-5100 sliceofhumboldtpie.com

Pizza, Chain

Mod Pizza

2626 Broadway Suite D, Eureka

(707) 268-5540 modpizza.com

Pizza, Local

Live from New York

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna

paulslfnypizza.com

Restaurant

Larrupin

1658 Patrick's Point Drive, Trinidad

(707) 677-0230 thelarrupin.com

Restaurant Server

Debbie Santos, Cutten Chalet

3980 Walnut Drive, Eureka

(707) 798-6480

Salad

Familia Cafe

1350 Ninth St., Arcata

525 Second St. Suite 101, Eureka

(707) 599-4699 familiacoffees.com

Sandwich

Hole in the Wall

590 G St., Arcata

(707) 822-7407

Seafood

Sea Grill

316 E St., Eureka

(707) 443-7187 seagrilleureka.com

Serving Staff

Golden Harvest Cafe

1707 Allard Ave., Eureka

(707) 442-1610 goldenharvestcafe.com

Smoothie/Juice Bar

Wildberries

747 13th St., Arcata

(707) 822-0095 wildberries.com

Steak

AA Bar and Grill

929 Fourth St., Eureka

(707) 443-1632 aabarandgrill.net

Sushi Restaurant

Tomo

708 Ninth St., Arcata

(707) 822-1414 tomoarcata.com

Tacos

Cocina Mariposa

4750 Fairway Drive, Eureka

(707) 599-2469 cocinamariposa.com

Take and Bake Pizza

Ferndale Pizza Co.

607 Main St., Ferndale, (707) 786-4345

facebook.com/FerndalePizzaCo

Take-Out

Headies Pizza and Pour

359 Main St., Trinidad

(707) 677-3077 headiespizzaandpour.com

Tots

The Madrone Taphouse

421 Third St., Eureka

(707) 273-5129 madronetaphouse

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Wildflower Café

1604 G St., Arcata

(707) 822-0360 wildflowercafebakery.com

Veggie Burger

Wildflower Café

1604 G St., Arcata

(707) 822-0360 wildflowercafebakery.com

View from the Table

Moonstone Grill

100 Moonstone Beach Road, Trinidad

(707) 677-1616 moonstonegrill.com

Wings

Humbrews

856 10th St., Arcata

(707) 826-2739 humbrews.com

Drink

Bar

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka

(707) 444-2244

Bar Staff

Richards' Goat Tavern

401 I St., Arcata

(707) 630-5000 richardsgoat.com

Bar to Meet People

Richards' Goat Tavern

401 I St., Arcata

(707) 630-5000 richardsgoat.com

Bartender

Leo at Richards' Goat

401 I St., Arcata

(707) 630-5000 richardsgoat.com

Beer Selection

Dead Reckoning

815 J St., Arcata, (707) 630-5008

facebook.com/Dead-Reckoning-Tavern-

Bloody Mary

The Alibi

744 Ninth St., Arcata

(707) 822-3731 thealibi.com

Brewery

Redwood Curtain Brewery

550 S G St., Arcata; (707) 826-7222 redwoodcurtainbrewing.com

Cheap Drinks

The Shanty

213 Third St., Eureka

(707) 444-2053

Cocktails

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka

(707) 444-2244

Coffee House

Jitter Bean

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka and Fortuna facebook.com/jitterbeancoffeeco/

Coffee Roaster

Humboldt Bay Coffee Company

520 Second St., Eureka

(707) 444-3969 humboldtcoffee.com

Cozy Bar

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka

(707) 444-2244

Dive Bar

The Shanty

213 Third St., Eureka

(707) 444-2053

Happy Hour

511

511 Second St., Eureka

(707) 268-3852 fiveeleveneureka.com

Hotel Bar

Phatsy Kline's Parlor Lounge

129 Second St., Eureka, (707) 407-0634

historiceaglehouse.com/phatsy-kline-s

Local Beer

Steelhead Pale Ale

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake

(707) 668-4151 madriverbrewing.com

Local Hard Cider

Humboldt Cider Company

3750 Harris St., Eureka (707) 798-6023 humboldtcidercompany.com

Local Spirit

Boldt

Arcata, (707) 822-8013

alchemydistillery.com

Local Wine

Septentrio Winery

650 Sixth St., Arcata

(707) 672-2058 septentriowinery.com

Margarita

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka

(707) 444-2244

Martini

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka

(707) 444-2244

Milkshake

Toni's

1901 Heindon Road, Arcata

(707) 822-0091 tonisrestaurant.com

Mimosa

Greene Lily
307 Second St., Eureka
(707) 798-6083 thegreenelilycafe.com

Patio

Mad River Brewery

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake

(707) 668-4151 madriverbrewing.com

Place to Drink with Your Dog

Mad River Brewery

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake

(707) 668-4151 madriverbrewing.com

Sports Bar

The Madrone Taphouse

421 Third St., Eureka

(707) 273-5129 madronetaphouse

Tea Shop/Place to Buy Tea

Humboldt Herbals

300 Second St., Eureka

(707) 442-3541 humboldtherbals.com

Wine Selection

Eureka Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka; (707) 442-6325

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville; (707) 839-3636 eurekanaturalfoods.com

Winery

Septentrio Winery

650 Sixth St., Arcata

(707) 672-2058 septentriowinery.com

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(Sorry, no information is currently available for other years in this same award category.)

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