[Best of Silicon Valley 1999]

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Readers' Survey Winners

Food and Drink

Much as we despise cultural hegemony, we had to bow to your wishes and print things like "McDonald's," "Taco Bell," "Denny's" and the only slightly less egregious "In-N-Out Burgers" as winners of assorted categories in our food and drink section. And we are deeply disappointed. May we strongly suggest venturing forth into the world of real food? Not only is the cuisine at local joints usually tastier and fresher, but patronizing these places actually helps to support the local economy. Capish?

Hotly contested races in this category include "Best Burrito" (with Andale Taqueria barely edging out Burrito Factory for first), "Best Independent Coffeehouse" (in which Orchard Valley Coffee beat the lordly Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company for third by a nose), and "Best Mexican," which was down to the wire. Glad it's over--the tension was unbearable.

Also of note: Guess "power lunch" doesn't mean what it used to, or else everyone's a comedian. Jamba Juice won and Fresh Choice took third.

Best Pizza

First Place
Pizz'a Chicago--4115 El Camino Real, PA * 650.424.9400; 1576 Halford Ave., Santa Clara * 408.244.2246

Second Place
Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza
1072 Willow St., SJ * 408.971.7080
20 S. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.5566
1554 Saratoga Ave., SJ * 408.871.0400

Third Place
Pizza a Go-Go
117 E. San Carlos St., SJ * 408.280.0707
335 University Ave., PA * 650.322.8100

Best Burger

First Place
Johnny Rockets--Locations in Campbell, Milpitas, San Jose

Second Place
Kirk's, 361 California Ave., PA * 650.326.6159

Third Place
Juicy Burger--Multiple locations

Best French Fries

First Place
McDonald's
Multiple locations

Second Place
In-N-Out Burgers
Multiple locations

Third Place
Gordon Biersch (garlic fries)
33 E. San Fernando St., SJ * 408.294.6785
640 Emerson St., PA * 650.323.7723

Best Burrito

First Place
Andale Taqueria
21 N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.395.8997

Second Place
Burrito Factory
Multiple locations

Third Place
Iguanas Taqueria
330 S. Third St., SJ * 408.995.6023

Best Independent Cofeehouse

First Place
Mission City
2221 The Alameda, Santa Clara * 408.261.2221
19636 Stevens Creek, Cupertino * 408.257.4076

Second Place
Great Bear/Los Osos
19 N. Santa Cruz Ave,. LG * 408.395.8607

Third Place
Orchard Valley Coffee
349 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell * 408.374.2115

Best Sushi

First Place
Miyake
10650 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino * 408.253.2668
140 University Ave., PA * 650.323.9449

Second Place
Sushi Lovers
599 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas * 408.945.9999
3147 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara * 408.567.9899

Third Place
Komatsu
300 Orchard City Dr., Campbell * 408.379.3000

Best Mexican

First Place
Pedro's Cabo Street Grill
316. N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.7570

Second Place
Andale Taqueria
21 N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.395.8997

Second Place
El Burro
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.371.5800

Third Place
Aqui
145 Lincoln Ave., SJ * 408/995-0381

Best Italian

First Place
Paradiso Deli
791 Auzerais St., SJ * 408.295.6459

Second Place
Mio Vicino
Locations in Campbell, Willow Glen and Santa Clara

Third Place
Original Joe's
301 S. First St., SJ * 408.292.7030

Best Chinese

First Place
Chef Chau
14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.2554

Second Place
Taiwan Restaurant
1306 Lincoln Ave., SJ * 408.289.8800

Third Place
Mandarin Gourmet
10145 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino * 408.725.8168
5560 Santa Teresa Blvd., SJ * 408.281.8898

Best Thai

First Place
High Thai
5210 Prospect Rd., SJ * 408.873.7630
335 Saratoga Ave., SJ * 408.248.8813

Second Place
Krung Thai
640 S. Winchester Blvd., SJ * 408.260.8224

Third Place
House of Siam
55 S. Market, SJ * 408.279.5668

Best Place For Fish

First Place
Fish Market
Locations in Palo Alto, San Jose and Santa Clara

Second Place
Race St.
253 Race St., SJ * 408.287.6280

Third Place
Scott's Seafood
185 Park Ave., SJ * 408.971.1700
2300 E. Bayshore Road, PA * 650.856.1046

Best Innovative Cuisine

First Place
Mongo's
83 S. Second St., SJ * 408.280.1738

Second Place
Eulipia
374 S. First St., SJ * 408.280.6161

Third Place
California Cafe
50 University Ave., LG * 408.354.8118
Valley Fair Mall * 408/296-2233

Best American Food

First Place
Johnny Rockets
Locations in Campbell, Milpitas and San Jose

Second Place
Southern Kitchen
27 E. Main St., LG * 408.354.7515

Third Place
The Flames
Multiple locations

Best Cheap Eats

First Place
Taco Bell
Multiple locations

Second Place
Falafel Drive-in
2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., SJ * 408.294.7886

Third Place
Tung-Kee Noodle House
Multiple locations

Best Splurge Restaurant

First Place
La Fondue
14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.3332

Second Place
A.P. Stumps
163 W. Santa Clara St., SJ * 408.292.9928

Third Place
La Forêt
21747 Bertram Road, SJ * 408.997.3458

Best Vegetarian Cuisine

First Place
White Lotus
80 N. Market St., SJ * 408.977.0540

Second Place
The Good Earth
Locations in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and Santa Clara

Third Place
Vegetarian House
520 E. Santa Clara St., SJ * 408.292.3798

Best Breakfast

First Place
Hobee's
Multiple locations

Second Place
Southern Kitchen,
27 E. Main St., LG * 408.354.7515

Third Place
Denny's
Multiple locations

Best Power Lunch Spot

First Place
Jamba Juice
Multiple locations

Second Place
Birk's
3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara * 408.980.6400

Third Place
Fresh Choice
Multiple locations

Best Margarita

First Place
Chevy's
Multiple locations

Second Place
Left at Albuquerque
445 Emerson, PA * 650.326.1011
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.558.1680

Third Place
Pedro's Cabo Street Grill
316. N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.7570

Best Wine List

First Place
Plumed Horse
14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.4711

Second Place
Bella Mia
58 S. First St., SJ * 408.280.1993

Third Place
Rue de Paris
19 N. Market, SJ * 408.298.0704

Best Martini

First Place
Fuel
44 S. Almaden Ave., SJ * 408.295.7374

Second Place
Agenda
399 S. First St., SJ * 408.287.4087

Third Place
Fairmont Lobby Lounge
170 S. Market, SJ * 408.998.1900

Best Micro-Brewery

First Place
Gordon Biersch
33 E. San Fernando St., SJ * 408.294.6785
640 Emerson St., PA * 650.323.7723

Second Place
Tied-House
65 N. San Pedro, SJ * 408.295.2739
954 Villa St., MV * 650.965.2739

Third Place
Rock Bottom Brewery
1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.377.0707

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From the September 30-October 6, 1999 issue of Metro, Silicon Valley's Weekly Newspaper.

Copyright © 1999 Metro Publishing Inc. Metroactive is affiliated with the Boulevards Network.

For more information about the San Jose/Silicon Valley area, visit sanjose.com.