Best of 280
Food and Drink
Most Friendly Service
Chick-fil-A Inverness
Who knew going into an insanely crowded fast food chain could put a smile on your face? Chicken biscuits don’t hurt the experience, either.
4620 U.S. 280 South, 995-9925
Runner up: Taziki’s
Most Kid Friendly Restaurant
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Kids eat free (with a parent) on Tuesdays, and there’s tacos and cheese dip, ready almost instantly, any day of the week.
Runner Up: Baumhower’s Restaurant
Best Casual Dining
Pulled pork, ribs, and, of course, cheese biscuits — 280 is home to one of the growing chain’s flagship locations.
Runner Up: Surin 280
Best Ladies Lunch Spot
From Greek Salads to gyros to a host of other fresh options, Taziki’s brings at taste of Greece to the South. Friday Special, anyone?
601 Doug Baker Blvd., 980-6063; 3439 Colonnade Parkway, 968-6622
Runner Up: Edgar’s
Best Date Night
Possibly the best steak you’ll ever eat comes grilled with decadent ala cart sides, wine, and, best of all, Chocolate Lava Cake.
103 Summit Blvd., 262-9463
Runner Up: Village Tavern
Best Pizza
Mellow Mushroom
Special spring form dough serves as a base for funky combinations of ingredients that are totally worth paying more than the average pizza chain.
920 Inverness Landing, 981-9914
Runner Up: Area 41
Best Italian Food
You’ll find veal and seafood alongside Tuscan Italian dishes served in its low-lit dining room on Highway 119.
6801 Cahaba Valley Road, 981-5380
Runner Up: Carraba’s
Best Bakery
Lemon bars, beautifully decorated cakes (including strawberry!), thumbprint cookies and more draw us back for a sweet treat over and over again.
6801 Cahaba Valley Road, Suite 128, 408-089; 3407 Colonnade Parkway, 968-4031
Runner Up: Pastry Art Bake Shoppe
Best New Restaurant
The owners of Leonardo’s have brought a new Italian eatery to Brook Highland Plaza, garlic rolls included.
5267 U.S. 280, 783-1388
Runner Up: Five Guys
Best Asian Food
You can’t beat a complimentary cup of Coconut Tofu Soup with a $7 lunch special, unless maybe you add sushi to the menu.
16 Perimeter Park South, 968-8161
Runner Up: Kobe
Best Coffee
Starbucks
5405 U.S. 280 East, 995-1408; 4710 US 280 East; 980-2359
Runner Up: Chelsea Coffee Shop
Best Happy Hour & Best Mexican Food
With house-made tortillas, fresh fajitas and burritos, and a happening happy hour, Superior’s neon light have drawn huge crowds for years.
4701 U.S. 280, 991-5112
Best Mexican Food & Best Happy Hour Runner Up: Chuy’s
Best Brunch
Find a seat in the sunshine on the patio for a bite to eat before a shopping spree.
225 Summit Blvd., Suite 100, 298-1222
Runner Up: IHOP
Best Restaurant Dessert
Cheesecake Factory
There’s a cheesecake flavor for any sweet craving under the sun at this Summit restaurant favorite.
236 Summit Blvd., 262-1800
Runner Up: Bellini’s
Community
Best Outdoor Space & Best Place for Family Outing
With 9,940 acres of woods ripe for adventure in our backyard, we know where to go for camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, mountain biking or just a stroll around the lake.
Best Outdoor Space Runner Up: Veteran’s Park
Best Place for a Family Outing Runner Up: Treetop Family Adventure
Best Community Event
Fresh farm produce, flowers, crafts and more bring Mt Laurel to life on summer Saturday mornings from 8 a.m.-noon.
50 Manning Place, 408-8696
Runner Up: The Big Kaboom Fireworks in Chelsea
Best Neighborhood
The Town of Mt Laurel
We can’t help think that quaint small town feel of this Dunnavant Valley gem reminds us of The Truman Show.
50 Manning Place, 408-8696
Runner Up: Chelsea Park
Best Church Choir
One of our area’s newest churches has grown to 20,000 active members over the past decade.
1700 Lee Branch Lane (Greystone Campus), 980-5577
Runner Up: Asbury United Methodist
Best Charity Event
The annual golf tournament returns to Shoal Creek June 5-9 this year.
Runner Up: The Junior League Market
Best Local Band/Musician
Since 2010, Sexy Tractor has been playing country rock hits around Birmingham.
Runner Up: 2 Blu
Best After School Activity
Seven large inflatables, a rock climbing wall, two arcades, a go-cart track, five private party rooms and a café make iJump a kids’ paradise.
157 Resource Center Parkway, Suite 109, 981-2696
Runner Up: Dance South Studio
Best Local Personality
James Spann
When the weather turns questionable, or even when we just want to know if it’s going to rain, we all look to one man: Spann.
Runner Up: Rick and Bubba
Health and Wellness
Best Orthodontist
Straightening your teeth can be a painful and long process, but Kelly Page and her staff will help get you through it with a positive, friendly atmosphere.
300 Jade Park, Suite 101, 678-2770
Runner Up: Dr. Cory Edwards
Best Work Out Facility
Saint Vincent’s One Nineteen Health and Wellness
A circular gym space surrounded by an indoor track, plus an indoor pool and wide selection of classes, make One Nineteen a retreat for first-class fitness.
7191 Cahaba Valley Road, 408-6600
Runner Up: YMCA
Best Dentist
Drs. Michelle Jones and Morgan Kennedy are the family-friendly, community-minded dentists that make Chelsea Family Dentistry a great place for those pearly whites.
300 Jade Park, Suite 102, 678-2096
Runner Up: Dr. Trent Buchanan, Greystone Smile Design
Best Family Practitioner
Dr. Andrea Lamberson, Shelby Baptist
Dr. Lamberson gives you friendly and helpful medical care for everyone in the family.
Runner Up: Dr. Amy Bentley
Businesses and Services
Best Customer Service
Snider’s Pharmacy
Its drug prices are among the lowest in town, and its staff greets each customer with a smile. What more could you want?
15582 U.S. 280, 678-3899
Runner Up: Roger’s Trading Company
Best Children’s Store
Monkey Toes is your one-stop shop for children’s, teens’, and women’s shoes and apparel.
2800 Greystone Blvd., Suite 3B, 437-9387
Runner Up: Plain Jane
Best Salon or Spa
Located right in the middle of the Village at Lee Branch, Santa Fe provides an option to slow down and relax in the midst of a busy environment.
611 Doug Baker Blvd., #214D, 408-7221
Runner Up: Morgan Ashley
Best Store to Buy a Gift
From food to jewelry to novelty items, Chelsea Lane is a shop where you can slow down from a busy day.
16700 U.S. 280, Suite A, 678-3361
Runner Up: Francesca’s
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Renaissance Consignment Boutique
This trendy, two-level clothing contains top name-brands such as Louis Vuitton, Free People and Juicy Couture.
6801 Cahaba Valley Road, 980-4471
Runner Up: Ditsy Daisy
Best Store for Men
Academy Sports and Outdoors
Academy holds all the gear you could possibly imagine for camping, hiking, baseball and so much more.
310 Doug Baker Blvd., 981-4150
Runner Up: Roger’s Trading Company
Best Place to Buy Home Décor
Hobby Lobby
Whether it’s knitting, scrapbooking or re-decorating, Hobby Lobby has the supplies for home and hobby.
1201 Doug Baker Blvd., 981-4515
Runner Up: Home Goods
Best Veterinarian
Dr. Greg Kelley, Chelsea Animal Hospital
Dr. Kelley cares about your pets like his own children, and cares about you like a good friend.
10591 Old Highway 280, 678-8895
Runner Up: Riverview Animal Hospital
Best Jewelry Store
Family owned for 61 years, Southeastern provides the quality care that a chain jeweler might not be able to have.
5299 Valleydale Road, Suite 111, 980-9030
Runner Up: Bromberg’s
Best Golf Course
A quality golf course in a peaceful neighborhood makes for a memorable 18 holes.
4100 Greystone Drive, 986-5120
Runner Up: Eagle Point Golf Club