The SGA released the winners of the Student Choice Awards March 29 after a two-month voting period, during which students cast their ballots online to voice their opinions on topics such as which bars provide the greatest beer selection, which eating establishments offer the best hangover food and where to go to get the most satisfying late-night snacks.
SGA Executive Vice President Meg McCrummen compiled the data and finalized voting results, according to a UA news release. McCrummen, a junior majoring in history and French, said the Student Choice Awards were designed to help students and local businesses.
“I wanted to remind local businesses of the importance of student buying power, give students a chance to interact in the community and recognize exceptional local businesses,” she said.
Each category recognized three businesses as top-notch establishments. For example, students surveyed said the best local restaurants are DePalma’s, Chuck’s and City Café, while the best bars are Innisfree, Gallette’s and the Houndstooth. Businesses named in the Students Choice Awards will receive a logo with a blue ribbon to display, McCrummen said.
McCrummen also said the opportunity to vote in the Student Choice Awards was advertised to students through The Crimson White’s Web site, chalking, news releases and on cups the SGA designed which displayed the winners’ logo.
“The survey, created on Survey Monkey, had blank spaces next to each category,” she said. “A couple hundred students took advantage of the opportunity [to vote].”
Chauncey Woodard, a senior majoring in construction engineering, said he thought the winners in the best beer selection category (Mellow Mushroom, the Houndstooth and Innisfree) were accurate.
“Mellow Mushroom has a wide variety of both bottles and draft beers,” he said. “The Houndstooth and Innisfree are good choices for bottles but [they don’t have] that many drafts on tap.”
However, he disagreed with the best bar choices, specifically Gallette’s.
“I really don’t think [Gallettes] should be on top,” he said. “It’s cool for greeks, but otherwise I wouldn’t go in there. I mean, who runs a bar and doesn’t carry Coors products?”
On the other hand, he said the Houndstooth is one of his favorite bars.
“The Houndstooth is one of the best bars because of their drink specials and the fact that they have TVs everywhere,” he said. “I really like places that I can sit outside and people watch when I drink. There are good people working there, and you don’t have to deal with underage folks like you do at some other places.”
Katie Dollar, a senior majoring in business, said she thought most of the results were accurate, but there were a few category winners she disagreed with, such as the best late-night places to eat. The survey named Quick Grill, Taco Bell and Jimmy John’s.
“The best late-night places to eat are Waffle House, IHOP and Surin on the weekends,” she said. “DePalma’s is gross, and I’m going to have to go with The Pub as best bar,” she added.
McCrummen said though some students disagreed with the voting outcome, the Student Choice Awards accomplished what the SGA set out to do.
“When businesses are recognized for their student-centered service, the needs of students will be better remembered in the community,” she said.
BEST RESTAURANT
Chuck’s
DePalma’s
City Café
BEST BEER SELECTION
Mellow Mushroom
Innisfree
Houndstooth
BEST BAR
Gallettes
Innisfree
Houndstooth
BEST BAR FOOD
Innisfree
Bear Trap
Wilhagan’s
BEST BARTENDER
Becky Roberts (Gallettes)
Bennett (Houndstooth)
BEST BREAKFAST
Waysider
City Café
Rama Jama’s
BEST BURGER
Mugshots
Five Guys
Hooligan’s
BEST COFFEE
Starbucks
Strip Teas and Coffee
Crimson Café
BEST DINER
City Café
15th Street
BEST MEXICAN
Iguana Grill
El Rincon
Pepito’s
BEST PIZZA
Mellow Mushroom
Tut’s
Domino’s
BEST PLACE TO LATE NIGHT
Quick Grill
Taco Bell
Jimmy John’s
BEST PLACE FOR A FIRST DATE
DePalma’s
Chuck’s
Cypress Inn
BEST FOOD FOR A HANGOVER
Buffalo Phil’s
Hooligan’s
Waffle House
BEST MARGARITA
El Rincon
Pepito’s
Iguana Grill
BEST SUSHI
Bento
Chuck’s
Hokkaido
BEST ICE CREAM
Coldstone
TCBY
Dippin’ Dots
HAPPIEST HAPPY HOUR
El Rincon
The Booth
Innisfree
BEST LOCAL BAND
Junction Senators
Bypass
BEST BOOKSTORE
Barnes and Noble
Off Campus Bookstore
Books-A-Million
BEST GOLF COURSE
Ol’ Colony
Indian Hills
North River
BEST PRIVATE PARTY VENUE
Brown’s Corner
The Station
Brick House
BEST MUSIC VENUE
Jupiter
Bama Theatre
Brown’s Corner
BEST RADIO STATION
94.1
100.5
101.7
BEST APARTMENT COMPLEX
Midtown Village
University Village
The Retreat
BEST CAR REPAIR
Warren’s
BEST GYM
Student Recreation Center
Planet Fitness
World Gym
BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE
Effie’s
Private Gallery
Sassy Britches
BEST PLACE FOR GAMEDAY ATTIRE
Locker Room
Shirt Shop
Bama Fever
BEST MEN’S CLOTHIER
Locker Room
Shirt Shop
BEST OUTDOORS STORE
Woods and Water
Kinnucans
Alabama Outdoors
BEST SPA
Nancy Taylor
Gilda’s
BEST HAIR SALON
Terra Lane
Gilda’s
New Creation
BEST DRY CLEANER
University Cleaners
Penny Profit
Jerry’s
BEST SHOE REPAIR
People’s Shoe Repair
Burnett’s
BEST STUDENT BANKING
Regions
Wachovia
Alabama Credit Union
