BEST OF GILROY 2021
1 SPECIAL EDITION
BEST OF GILROY 2021
Voted the best Through painstaking deliberations and difficult decisions, the community voted for theirfavorites. Now, in this issue, we unveil the winners of the annual Best of Gilroy awards. Readers had the chance to vote for a variety of businesses, organizations and more through an online ballot that was live for a month. With more than 100 categories to consider, at least 20 selections
had to be made in order for the ballot to count. We received numerous entries, with the community telling us their favorite places to eat, where to shop, what they like to do on the weekend and more. The results show many old favorites have once again reclaimed their titles, but plenty of others have been voted the best for the first time.
MAGAZINE
7455 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA
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Mailing address: P.O. Box 516, Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: 408-842-6400 Publisher
Dan Pulcrano Editor
Erik Chalhoub Advertising Account Executives
Carrie Bonato, Vanessa Ashford
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General Manager
Harry Allison Production Operations Manager
Sean George Editorial Production Manager
Phaedra Strecher Cover photograph by:
Tarmo Hannula
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Care & Service
20 Shopping
Published by New SV Media Inc., Gilroy, CA Entire contents © 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form prohibited without publisher’s written permission.
TO PLACE AN AD Email:
advertising@newsvmedia.com Phone:
408.842.8313
24 Fun 30 Food & Drink 34 Editors’ Choice
TO CONTACT EDITORIAL Email:
echalhoub@weeklys.com Phone:
408.842.9505
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best Best Care Care & & Service Service
BEST GILROY 2021 BEST OFOF GILROY 2021
BEST BEST TREE TREE SERVICE: SERVICE: SKYLAKE SKYLAKE TREE TREE SERVICE SERVICE
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John Hagins of Skylake Tree Service knows that his John Hagins of Skylake Tree Service knows that his line of work can be hazardous. As such, he cannot line of work can be hazardous. As such, he cannot stress safety enough. stress safety enough. His experience in the industry has taught him the His experience in the industry has taught him the importance of the old adages, “speed can kill” and importance of the old adages, “speed can kill” and “practice makes perfect.” “practice makes perfect.” “You have to know what your limits are,” he said. “Take “You have to know what your limits are,” he said. “Take
your time. Speed comes with practice. Practice prevents your time. Speed comes with practice. Practice prevents piss-poor production.” piss-poor production.” Skylake Tree Service, established in 2016, offers tree Skylake Tree Service, established in 2016, offers tree removal services to clients that range from removal services to clients that range from homeowners, businesses and governmental homeowners, businesses and governmental authorities. authorities. “I take pride in doing quality work,” Hagins said. “I “I take pride in doing quality work,” Hagins said. “I can’t be a mass producer. I have to be out in the field.” can’t be a mass producer. I have to be out in the field.”
Tarmo Hannula Tarmo Hannula
EQUIPMENT John Hagins, owner of Gilroy-based Skylake Tree Service, shows some EQUIPMENT John Hagins, owner Gilroy-based Skylake Tree Service, shows some of his various chainsaws he uses onofthe job. of his various chainsaws he uses on the job.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best Care & Service
Erik Chalhoub
BUSY SEASON Frank Espino, manager of Gilroy Flower Shop, puts together a rose arrangement for Valentine’s Day.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
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Irwin Construction and Marini Construction (Tie) DOG GROOMER
Sassy Pooch & Kitty Too
MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
Antdawg's MMA CHIROPRACTOR
Bostock Chiropractic DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Lana's Dance Studio — Lana Wright
AUTO GLASS REPAIR
California Auto Glass
SCHOOL - PUBLIC
Christopher High School — Gilroy Unified School District SCHOOL - PRIVATE
Pacific Point
Christian Schools BED/MATTRESS STORE
Mancini's Sleepworld
ANIMAL RESCUE GROUP
South County Tail Waggers
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BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best Care & Service
Contributed
DANCING FAVORITE For more than 40 years, Lana’s Dance Studio has offered a variety of classes in a non-competitive environment.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
LASIK EYE SURGERY
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California Eye Surgeons — Dr. Harrup Kaur STORAGE FACILITY
Gilroy Self Storage Depot MORTUARY/ FUNERAL HOME
Habing Family Funeral Home
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
Chef Carlos Pineda DANCE STUDIO
Lana's Dance Studio OPTHAMOLOGIST
Visual Edge Optometric Group
INSURANCE AGENCY
Pinheiro Insurance Agency — Farmers PERSONAL TRAINER
Pulido's Pro Fitness (Linda Pulido) and R.I.S.E. Fitness
(Akua Floyd) (Tie) REAL ESTATE AGENT
Lisa Faria — Coldwell Banker BANK/ CREDIT UNION
Pinnacle Bank
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BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best Care & Service
Ffile photo
HELPING VETS Operation Freedom Paws founder, executive director and head trainer Mary Cortani talks with client Army veteran Lee Bell of Morgan Hill and his service dog.
RECYCLE CENTER
Martin’s Recycling Center
BEST OF GILROY 2021
WEDDING RECEPTION VENUE
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Fortino's Winery & Event Center ATTORNEY
James A. Ward Law and Law Office of Andrea Fortino (Tie) TIRE SHOP
America's Tire
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Rebekah Children's Services DECK AND FENCING COMPANY
Pacific Coast Fence COMPUTER REPAIR
JB Fix Phone Repair A/C-HEATING SERVICE
Guy's Heating & Air Conditioning WEDDING EVENT PLANNER
Fortino Winery & Event Center DERMATOLOGIST
Coastal Dermatology — Dr. Clayton Schlitz DOG TRAINER
Operation Freedom Paws
PHYSICIAN GENERAL PRACTICE
Dr. Smitha Kumar — Gilroy Family Medical Group AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Pacific Point Christian School »12
Thank you for recognizing Merrill Gardens as the best senior living community in Gilroy! While times have changed, our promise hasn’t. We believe it’s never been more important for seniors to love the communities they call home, and we’re committed to doing everything possible to achieve just that. (408) 843-4904 • merrillgardensgilroy.com 7600 Isabella Way, Gilroy, CA 95020 Lic #435202344
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care
Thank You Morgan Hill For Voting Us Best Auto Body Shop 11 Years in a Row!
BEST OF GILROY 2021
16170 Jacqueline Court Morgan Hill, CA 95037 Open: Mon.–Fri. 8-5 • 408-778-9678 • www.advancedautobody.com
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Best Care & Service
Erik Chalhoub
BIKES AND MORE Gilroy Motorcycle Center has outgrown its spot at 7661 Monterey St., and will soon move into 303 East 10th St.
PLACE TO TAKE A CLASS
BEST OF GILROY 2021
Gavilan Community College
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KITCHEN BATH REMODELING COMPANY
Lazy Susan Designs, Inc. AUTO REPAIR SHOP
Preferred Automotive
FINANCIAL ADVISOR/ PLANNER
Edward Jones — Tim Fortino TREE SERVICE
Skylake Tree Service SPORTS MEDICINE
Fritter, Schultz & Zollinger Physical Therapy SOLAR SUPPLIER
Simmitri Solar
LANDSCAPER
Alpine Landscapes
Gilroy Motorcycle Center
ACUPUNCTURE
ACCOUNTANT
Heart Space Healing — Ahanna Goossen, LAC
OPTOMETRY/ VISION CENTER
Visual Edge Optometric Group
MOTORCYCLE DEALER
John Blaettler Accountancy PHOTOGRAPHER
Hawk Photography — Michael Hawk FRAMING SHOP
Leedo Art and Framing »14
Specializing In You! Thank you for voting Dr. Smitha Kumar the #1 Best Physician- General Practice in Gilroy for 2021. All of us at Gilroy Family Medical Group sincerely appreciate the opportunity to provide care for the community and thank you for the trust you have put in us. We will sincerely continue to provide the best service to the community.
Smitha Kumar, M.D. Family Practice Physican
Dr. Maria Sakai Family Practice Physican
Diana Reyes, front desk • Veronica Sanchez, office manager Dulsinia Ruiz, front desk • Genoveva Nassarie, MA • Ignacia Lopez. MA.
Thank you for voting Dr. Kumar #1 Best Doctor in Gilroy!
Division of BASS
9460 No Name Uno, Suite 115 • Gilroy, CA 95020 • 408-684-8103 www.gfmga.com • Accepting Most Insurance • Se Habla Espanol
BEST OF GILROY 2021
Gilroy Family Medical Group–
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Best Care & Service
HEALTHY PETS Gilroy Veterinary Hospital is the go-to place for our four-legged friends’ routine checkups.
HOUSE OF WORSHIP
Saint Mary Church
BEST OF GILROY 2021
SKIN CARE
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PLUMBER/ PLUMBING COMPANY
Ernie's Plumbing
Mane + Skin (formerly Alchemy Hair Salon)
VETERINARIAN
FLOWER SHOP
ELECTRICIAN
Gilroy Flower Shop WEDDING VENUE
Fortino Winery & Event Center
Gilroy Veterinary Hospital
Gilroy Electric Inc. CAR WASH
Gilroy Express Car Wash
WEDDING CATERER
HOTEL / MOTEL / LODGING
BARBERSHOP
NAIL SALON
DRY CLEANERS
HEARING CENTER
DAY CARE/ PRESCHOOL
DAY SPA
Kneaded Bakery & Catering Gilroy Barber Lounge Lapels Dry Cleaners
Pacific Point Christian Preschool
Hilton Garden Inn Lavender Luxury Spa Costco Hearing Center
Lavender Luxury Spa »16
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best Care & Service
Erik Chalhoub
PLACE OF HEALING Wendy Mosgrove is the owner of Best Yoga Studios in downtown Gilroy.
MASSAGE SERVICES BEST OF GILROY 2021
Gilroy Health & Wellness
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DENTIST
Jernell Escobar DDS, Inc. YOGA STUDIO
Best Yoga Studios
PHARMACY
Walgreens NUTRITIONIST
LOVEFIX
AUTO DETAILING
Formula 1 Auto Detail and Borelli's Detailing (Tie) HEALTH CARE
FACILITY
MOVING COMPANY
AUTO BODY SHOP
SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
Kaiser Permanente — Gilroy Bonfante Collision Center
CARPET CLEANING
Cleaning Services
Mah's Furniture Transport
Merrill Gardens — Gilroy INTERIOR DESIGN
Brotin Designs, Inc.
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THE COMMUNITY THAT GROWS TOGETHER, THRIVES TOGETHER. Kaiser Permanente Gilroy Medical Offices is proud to be voted #1 Best Health Care Facility by readers of the Gilroy Dispatch for 2021!
Learn more at kp.org/gilroy.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
At Kaiser Permanente, we don’t see health as an industry. We see it as a cause. That’s why we’re excited to be a part of the Gilroy community.
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Best Care & Service
Erik Chalhoub
BEST TATTOOS Hayden Mann (left) and Kenny Brown examine designs inside Brown’s tattoo shop, 29:11 Tattoo, which opened in 2020.
DOGGIE DAY CARE
TATTOO PARLOR
HOME HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
PLASTIC SURGEON
BEST OF GILROY 2021
The Dog House Inn
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Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice OB-GYN
James A. Watson MD
29:11 Tattoo
AJM Plastic Surgery — Dr. Andrew J. Matthews
MORTGAGE BROKER
Guaranteed Rate Affinity — Lacey Sullivan
Jack Whelan Roofing
(formerly Alchemy Hair Salon)
ALLERGIST
REAL ESTATE COMPANY
ROOFER
Allergy and Asthma Associates — Gilroy
Coldwell Banker — Gilroy
HAIR SALON
Mane + Skin
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FOR VOTING US BEST W ED D IN G C A TE R ER FOO D DE L I VER Y BAK E RY CHE F - CA RLOS PINE DA www.kneaded.com | catering@kneaded.com @kneaded_bakery_catering
@kneadedbakery
@kneadedbakerycatering
Whe n you ch oose K nead ed f or b ake d g ood s an d y o ur c a t er i ng n e eds , you are providing o ur A pp re nti c es wi th t he op p ort unit y to le arn hands- on s ki l ls in b ak er y a nd foo d pr od uc tion, ca terin g a nd c u st om er s er v i ce. B ehi nd e ac h meal and bake d g ood w e p ut to geth er , the re is a deep commitment to s up por ti ng our yout h a n d giving ba ck to our c omm un i t y .
BEST OF GILROY 2021
T HANK Y OU GI L ROY F OR VOTI NG US THE C OMMUNI TY 'S “BE ST OF GI L ROY” AND F OR HE L P ING US RE AC H OUR MIS S ION OF “BE TT E RI NG LI VE S , ONE P AS TRY AND C ATE RI NG AT A TIME . ”
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Best shopping
Robert Eliason
LOVE FOR BOOKS Hotranatha and Punita Ajaya are the owners of BookBuyers in downtown Gilroy.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
BEST BOOKSTORE: BOOKBUYERS AND GRASSROOTS LEARNING
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The 9,000-square-foot BookBuyers and Grassroots Learning, with its inventory of more than 300,000 books spanning every genre the mind can imagine, is run by husband-and-wife owners
Hotranatha and Punita Ajaya, and a handful of dedicated volunteers. It’s easy to get lost in the labyrinth of shelves that fill the massive downtown Gilroy establishment at 7541 Monterey St. Where you’ll end
up, and what you’ll discover, is a satisfying journey. And it’s not just books. The store is stocked with musical albums, video games, puzzles and other items to get the brain working. Don’t forget to say hello to Happy, the friendly cat who is really in charge of the store.
GILROY IS home
THANK YOU for voting Coldwell Banker Realty Gilroy “THE BEST REAL ESTATE COMPANY” Coldwell Banker Realty independent agents don’t just sell homes in Gilroy - they live here, and are committed to making a positive difference in the community. Whether you’re buying or selling a home, land or multiple units, we can help. Contact us today. Gilroy | 408.848.2800 | 8050 Santa Teresa Blvd, Unit 210 | ColdwellBankerHomes.com BEST OF GILROY 2021
Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker. Affiliated real estate agents are Independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell
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Best shopping GIFTS/SPECIALTY SHOP
Celestial Trading
SPORTING GOODS
Big 5 Sporting Goods ART GALLERY
Gallery 1202 SMOKE SHOP
Tony's Smoke Shop JEWELRY STORE
Kay Jewelers ANTIQUES Marisa Duran
DOWNTOWN STAPLE Linda Ashford is the owner of Ashford’s Heirlooms, which is filled with kitchenware, furniture, potted plants, decor and thousands of other new and vintage items.
ETHNIC MARKET
Olives Mediterranean Market & Grill
BEST OF GILROY 2021
HOME FURNISHINGS
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Rosso's Furniture
AUTO DEALERSHIP
Gilroy Toyota THRIFT STORE
The Salvation Army Thrift Store
Ashford’s Heirlooms GROCERY STORE/ SUPERMARKET
Raley’s-Nob Hill
Johnson Garden Center
PET/FEED STORE
Shoe Palace
CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
FABRIC STORE
NATURAL FOOD STORE
WATER STORE
CARPET/ FLOORING STORE
FARMERS MARKET
LJB Farms
SHOE STORE
South Bay Natural Foods MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE
Guitar Center GARDEN/NURSERY CENTER
Ivori Boutique Water Warehouse
Petsmart
Michael’s
HARDWARE
Ace Hardware
Tomasello's Floor Covering & Interiors
BOOKSTORE
CASINO
BookBuyers and Grassroots Learning — Gilroy
Garlic City Casino »26
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best fun
Tarmo Hannula
RECREATIONAL HAVEN Bicyclists roll through the popular Uvas Creek Levee Trail.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
BEST BIKE RIDE: UVAS CREEK LEVEE TRAIL
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The Uvas Creek path is a dividing line between the calmness of the natural world and the insanity and stresses of our daily lives. The trail is also the best (but certainly not the quickest) way to get from one end of town to the other. Forget the potholes on Monterey Road or the endless roundabouts on Santa Teresa Boulevard.
A paved trail runs for roughly two miles along the boundary of the Uvas Creek Park Preserve, proving time and time again to be a popular spot for bicyclists, as well as joggers and walkers. The trail runs from the Gilroy Sports Park near Highway 101, past Gilroy High School and Christmas Hill Park, through the Heartland Dog Park (another favorite of readers) and ending near Gilroy Gardens.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best fun
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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BIKE RIDE
Uvas Creek Levee Trail RUN / HIKE / WALK TRAIL
Mt. Madonna County Park
GOLF COURSE
Gilroy Golf Course
VIRTUAL EVENT
Moya Art Gallery And Studio
PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park PLACE TO TAKE THE DOG
Heartland Dog Park SWIMMING
Christopher High School »28
Erik Chalhoub
hoto
BEST MOVIE THEATER CineLux Theatres Area Manager Christopher Gunsky sits inside one of the Gilroy theater’s newly remodeled auditoriums.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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Best fun
Tarmo TarmoHannula Hannula
DOG PACK PACK The The Heartland Heartland Dog Dog Park Park is is a a popular popular spot spot for for canines canines and and their their humans. humans. DOG
BEST BESTOF OFGILROY GILROY2021 2021
DAY TRIP TRIP DAY
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Gilroy Gilroy Gardens Gardens Family Family Theme Park Park Theme FESTIVAL/ FESTIVAL/ OUTDOOR EVENT EVENT OUTDOOR
Gilroy Garlic Garlic Gilroy Festival Festival
LOCAL BAND BAND LOCAL
JJ Hawg Hawg JJ
MUSIC VENUE VENUE MUSIC
The District District The PARK PARK
Gilroy Gardens Gardens Gilroy Family Theme Theme Family Park Park
KARAOKE KARAOKE
MOVIE THEATER THEATER MOVIE
SUMMER SUMMER DAY CAMP CAMP DAY
SMALL THEATER THEATER SMALL COMPANY COMPANY
Old City City Hall Hall Old Restaurant Restaurant Pacific Point Point Pacific Christian Christian School School
CineLux CineLux Theater Theater
Pintello Pintello Comedy Theater Theater Comedy »30 »30
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
BEST OF GILROY 2021
In these difficult times, God is with us. Thank you, Gilroy In these times, God is with us. Best Community, for difficult voting Saint Mary's Catholic Church House ofyou, Worship in South County. Thank Gilroy Community, for voting Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Best House of Worship in South County.
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Best food & drink KNEADED BAKERY When an event needs food, Kneaded Bakery is there. The bakery is run by students who have completed Rebekah Children’s Services’ Culinary Academy, and managed by Chef Carlos Pineda (who was voted by readers this year as the best chef and volunteer in Gilroy). The company was voted Gilroy’s best wedding caterer, food delivery service and bakery in this year’s awards. Kneaded caters everything from Rotary meetings, to car shows, school celebrations, weddings and more.
Erik Chalhoub
DELICIOUS MENU Kishon Southy (right) of Kneaded Bakery interacts with guests at a Gilroy Gardens event catered by the company.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
FAMILY RESTAURANT
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CATERER
Old City Hall Restaurant
California Inspirations Catering
KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
CURBSIDE RESTAURANT
Black Bear Diner STEAKHOUSE
Westside Grill PHO RESTAURANT
Pho Thanh An
Old City Hall Restaurant WINERY
Fortino Winery & Event Center
PIZZA
Pinnochio's Pizza JAPANESE FOOD
Sushi Omakase
Its varied menu of appetizers, entrées and desserts will suffice any event’s craving. Mini beef wellingtons, garlic sweet potato fries, tri-tip and cheesecakes are just scratching the surface.
HOT DOG
Wienerschnitzel BAR/PUB
Promised Land Brewery
ROMANTIC WINE & FOOD EXPERIENCE
RESTAURANT
Westside Grill
Westside Grill
COFFEE SHOP
CHEF
Fifth Street Coffee Roasting Company
Chef Carlos Pineda
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BOSTOCK CHIROPRACTIC “Handmade Health Care” Dr. Guy M. Bostock
Voted Best Chiropractor in Gilroy 2005-2008, 2010, 2014, 2016-2021
Thank you for voting for me • Chiropractic services • On-site X-ray facility
(408) 847-7246 Bostock@GilroyChiropractor.com www.GilroyChiropractor.com 7881 Church St., Suite A, Gilroy
BEST OF GILROY 2021
• Physical therapy Includes: • Electrical muscle stimulation • Ultrasound • Mechanical traction • Therapeutic massage
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Best food & drink LATE NIGHT DINING
UNDER $20
Westside Grill
Café 152 Bread Company
COCKTAILS
NEW RESTAURANT
Westside Grill BURRITO/TACO
Super Taqueria BBQ RESTAURANT Juan Reyes
BEST BURRITO Super Taqueria’s burritos are a Gilroy favorite.
MARGARITAS
Victoria's Mexican Restaurant
HAPPY HOUR
Westside Grill and The Milias Restaurant (Tie) DESSERTS
Sweet Sicily
BEST OF GILROY 2021
DELI/SANDWICH SHOP
FOOD DELIVERY
COCKTAILS TO-GO
Westside Grill KOREAN FOOD
Moon's Kitchen MEDITERRANEAN FOOD
Tacos El Abuelo
HAWAIIAN FOOD
BURGER
VIETNAMESE FOOD
ITALIAN FOOD
Cafe 152 Bread Co FOOD TRUCK
LOCALLY MADE FOOD PRODUCT
Olive Mediterranean Grill
Bartenders Union
Olives Mediterranean Market & Grill
CRAFT BEER SELECTION
MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD
Westside Grill
SPORTS BAR
Kneaded Bakery & Bread
OD's Kitchen
Pineapple Village
Baskin Robbins
Old City Hall
Saigon-2-Siam Bistro
CHINESE FOOD
ICE CREAM/ YOGURT SHOP SALADS
BREAKFAST
Promised Land Brewery
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PET FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
BBQ 152
Brew City Burgers
Christopher Ranch DONUT SHOP
Gilroy Donut House MEXICAN FOOD
Victoria's Mexican Restaurant
L&L Hawaiian BBQ Mama Mia's Restaurant THAI FOOD
Saigon 2 Siam Bistro FRENCH FRIES
Brew City Burgers
VEGETARIAN FOOD
Saigon 2 Siam Bistro DINING VALUE
Brew City Burgers BAKERY
Kneaded Bakery & Bread SEAFOOD
Phil's Fish Market WAITRESS/WAITER
Julio Maya — Westside Grill INDIAN FOOD
Little India BRUNCH
Westside Grill »34
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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editor’s choice BEST PLACE TO GEEK OUT: CALDWELL’S COMICS & CARDS The posters of superheroes and action movie stars that line the front windows give passerbys a good indication of the fantastical world inside.
David Caldwell opened his eponymous store in downtown Gilroy earlier this year, and has gained a strong following of regular customers who frequently stop by to see the latest and greatest. Caldwell also has an impressive collection of sports, Pokemon and other collectible cards in the reserves. The store, it should be noted, is responsible for setting this editor on an addicting quest to collect as many high-profile NBA rookie cards as possible.
Erik Chalhoub
Once they step through the door at Caldwell’s Comics & Cards at 7483 Monterey St., customers are immediately greeted by a colorful wall filled floor-to-ceiling, and frontto-back, with the latest new comic book releases
and rare graded treasures.
GRAPHIC NOVELS David Caldwell, owner of Caldwell’s Comics & Cards, organizes a wall of comics inside his downtown Gilroy store.
BEST RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST
Quicksilver Express at Gilroy Gardens
Erik Chalhoub
BEST OF GILROY 2021
LOOKING THROUGH Whitney Pintello was the first to show her work at the new 6th Street Studios & Art Center.
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BEST MEAL TO FEED MULTIPLE PEOPLE
Ameca Burrito at Tacos Ameca The Ameca Burrito is the mecca for burrito fans in Gilroy. The massive, corn tortilla-wrapped burrito that resembles
a tree trunk is filled with rice, beans, cilantro, onions, sour cream, cheese and the customer's choice of meat. For $18, the burrito can easily be cut into three or more pieces to fill a family. Or one very hungry person. Tacos Ameca has two locations in Gilroy (7001 Monterey St. and 9305 Monterey Road) and one in Morgan Hill (15700 Monterey Road #160).
Gilroyans are fortunate enough to live near the lush forest of Mount Madonna County Park and its numerous hiking trails. But wouldn’t it be more exhilarating to fly through those trees in a mining cart? Gilroy Gardens’ iconic Quicksilver Express roller coaster, celebrating its 20th year along with the park, allows you to do just that. With the park being closed for all of 2020, that allowed the vegetation to grow out, resulting in some exciting fly-bys and near-misses through the twisted track.
BEST USE OF WINDOWS
6th Street Studios & Art Center
The gigantic street-facing windows of 64 West Sixth St. were made to be looked
through. The building, at one point in its history, was a showroom for Studebaker vehicles, after all. It was, admittedly, an awkward location for the Gilroy Dispatch, whose reporters toiling away on their keyboards made for a boring scene to downtown visitors looking inside. When the Dispatch moved to Gourmet Alley in 2020, Emily McEwan-Upright opened 6th Street Studios & Art Center in the building earlier this year. Now, those windows provide a look into a much more visually pleasing exhibit, with rotating artwork on display 24/7.
BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK GOLF COURSE
Gavilan College Golf Course
Built in the late 1960s, the nine-hole Gavilan College Golf Course has been a popular place where thousands of golfers have learned to play and continue to do so. It’s also a popular spot for buddies to get together and enjoy a few brews while hitting those birdies or bogeys, depending on how their luck is that day.
BEST OF GILROY 2021
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FOR VOTING US BEST
COMMUNI TY ORGANIZ COMMUNITY ORG ANIZ ATI ON ON R e be k ah Ch i l dre n ’s S er vi ces ’ m i ssio n t o pro m ott e t h e so a l, mo socciia em ot ion al , an d ph ysi ca l well- bein g o f c h il dre n and fa m i li es b eg a n as a nag e. F oun ded b y t he C a lifo r nia Re be kaah h e ga a s an a n oorrpp hha na ge. b ek a nnd dO dd--FFeell llow ow o rg ani zat ion i n 1 897, th e a g ency re d Odd a nizat en cy h a s ca c are for e mos ulln neerab rab le mem bers o f o ur co mm u nit i es ev er fo r th t he m ostt vvu ever si n ce. da y , R ebekahh C h i ldr en ’s Se sin c e. To T oda Rebeka ldren Serr vic es iiss a r e gi st er e d 501 (c) (3 ) n on - p r of it of f er ing f a m i ly- cen ter e d me nt a l h ea lt h ser s, ed ucc at ion , aan ndd t ra iinin nin g t h a t p r om ott e s t h e h ea l i ng , servviiccees, e du o mo h eal ello opp men e altthy hy de d e vve mentt , and a nd f ut ur e su ccess o f t h o se w e se rv e.
www.rcskids.org | info@rcskids.org @rcskids @rcskids T H A N K Y O U G I L R OY FO R VOTI NG US THE CO MMUNITY' S “ B E ST O F G I LR N D FO R L RO Y ” A AN H E L P I N G U S R E A C H O U R MISSI O N O F SSE EEE IIN NG MMUN O UR H BY MISSION G O UR U R CO C OMMU N ITY FL FLO U R I SSH B Y BU I LD I NG PA WA YS TO H OPPE E,, H APP D WE L L -BE NG. P AT H HW AYS HO HA PP INE IN E SS, AN A ND -B E IIN