Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in Homewood Life’s annual Homewood’s Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorites.
Photos by Keith McCoy, James Culver & Contributed
FOOD & DRINK
BEST FRIENDLY SERVICE
SoHo Social
1830 29th Ave S #160
205-423-8080
sohohomewood.bar
Runners Up: Taco Mama–Edgewood, Oak Hill Bar & Grill
BEST KID FRIENDLY DINING
Dave’s Pizza
1819 29th Ave S
205-871-3283
davesontheweb.com
Runners Up: Taco Mama–Edgewood, Urban Cookhouse
BEST ETHNIC DINING/REGIONAL CUISINE
Red Pearl Restaurant
243 W Valley Ave
205-945-9558
facebook.com/superorientalmarket
Runners Up: Jinsei Sushi, Maya Mexican Restaurant
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Gianmarco’s Restaurant
721 Broadway St
205-871-9622
gianmarcosbhm.com
Runners Up: SoHo Standard, Oak Hill Bar & Grill
BEST LUNCH SPOT
Edgar’s Bakery
2713 18th St S
205-871-0790
edgarsbakery.com
Runners Up: Johnny’s Restaurant, Urban Cookhouse
BEST BRUNCH
Big Bad Breakfast
1926 29th Ave S
205-666-7099
bigbadbreakfast.com
Runners Up: Demetri’s, Edgar’s Bakery
BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT
SoHo Social
1830 29th Ave S #160
205-423-8080
sohohomewood.bar
Runners Up: Taco Mama–Edgewood, Urban Cookhouse
BEST COFFEE
O.Henry’s Coffees
2831 18th St S
205-870-1198
ohenryscoffee.com
Runners Up: Red Mountain Expresso, Seeds Coffee Co.
BEST SWEET TREATS
Cookie Fix
2854 18th St S
205-582-2623
cookiefix.com
Runners Up: Edgar’s Bakery, Pastry Art Bake Shoppe
BEST PIZZA
Pizzeria G.M.
600 Oak Grove Rd
205-905-3266
pizzeriagm.com
Runners Up: Dave’s Pizza, De Vinci’s Pizza
BEST DRINKS/COCKTAILS
SoHo Social
1830 29th Ave S #160
205-423-8080
Sohohomewood.bar
Runners Up: Local No. 39, Oak Hill Bar & Grill
BEST MARGARITA
Taco Mama–Edgewood
1014 Oxmoor Rd
205-414-0441
tacomamaonline.com
Runners Up: Little Donkey Mexican Restaurant, Maya Mexican Restaurant
BEST CHEF
Tim Hontzas, Johnny’s Restaurant
2902 18th St S
205-802-2711
johnnyshomewood.com
Runners Up: Taylor Hughes, SoHo Standard; Chris Zapalowski, Homewood Gourmet
BEST CATERER
Homewood Gourmet
1919 28th Ave S STE 113
205-871-1620
homewoodgourmet.com
Runners Up: Taco Mama–Edgewood, Sorelle Cafe
COMMUNITY
BEST COMMUNITY EVENT
We Love Homewood Day
Bands, barbecues, festivities, neighbors and a street dance: always the first Saturday in May.
Runners Up: The Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook-Off, Homewood Christmas Parade
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
Edgewood
Full of sidewalks, neighbor hang outs and choices for dinner or ice cream.
Runners Up: West Homewood, Hollywood
BEST LOCAL CAUSE
The Exceptional Foundation
1616 Oxmoor Rd
205-870-0776
Exceptionalfoundation.org
Runners Up: The Bell Center, Homewood Witches Ride
BEST OUTDOOR SPOT
Homewood Central Park
1632 Oxmoor Rd
205-332-6716
homewoodparks.com/parks
Runners Up: Patriot Park, SoHo Social
BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY
Frank Morgan
A Piggly Wiggly employee who puts a smile on everyone’s face, thanks to his loveable personality and exceptional service.
Runners Up: Coach Sills, Issam Bajalia (Owner of Salon U)
BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP
Trinity United Methodist Church–Homewood Campus
1400 Oxmoor Rd
205-879-1737
trinitybirmingham.com
Runners Up: Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Our Lady of Sorrows Church
HEALTH & BEAUTY
BEST FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE
Mayfair Medical Group
3401 Independence Dr
205-870-1273
childrensal.org/mayfair-medical-group
Runners Up: Birmingham Direct Primary Care, MedHelp
BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE
Alabama Pediatrics
2815 Independence Dr
205-879-7888
alaped.com
Runners Up: Mayfair Medical Group; Michael A. Keller, DDS, PC
BEST DENTAL PRACTICE
Brighter Image Dentistry
2908 Central Ave #150
205-591-6220
brighterimagedentistry.com
Runners Up: Michael A. Keller, DDS, PC; Angelica Rohner Pediatric Dentistry
BEST ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE
Backus Smiles Orthodontic Specialists for Kids, Teens & Adults
3507 Old Montgomery Hwy
205-879-0557
Backusbraces.com
Runners Up: Law Orthodontics, Oxmoor Valley Orthodontics
BEST EYE CARE PRACTICE
VisionFirst Eye Center
1 W Lakeshore Dr STE 220
205-949-2020
visionfirsteyecenter.com
Runners Up: JJ Eyes, Red Mountain Eye Care
BEST DOCTOR
Dr. Backus, Backus Smiles Orthodontic Specialists for Kids, Teens & Adults
3507 Old Montgomery Hwy
205-879-0557
Backusbraces.com
Runners Up: Corey Hartman, Skin Wellness; Stansell B Keith, MD
BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE PRACTICE
Witt Chiropractic
1919 Courtney Dr
205-871-1888
wittchiro.com
Runners Up: Oxmoor Chiropractic, Back on Track Chiropractic–Dr. Scott Duca
BEST ESTHETICIAN
Alexa Lee, Seiler Skin
2700 Rogers Dr STE 101
205-870-0204
seilerskinandcosmeticlaser.com
Runners Up: Madison Birmingham Lash; Tatiana Ghilan, Salon U
BEST PHARMACY
Homewood Pharmacy
940 Oxmoor Rd
205-871-9000
homewoodpharmacy.com
Runners Up: Wellness Pharmacy, CVS
BEST HAIR SALON
Fringe
1830 29th Ave S STE 120
205-802-3888
facebook.com/fringeahairstudio
Runners Up: Saxx Hair Design, Salon U
BEST BARBER SHOP
Single Barrel Barbershop
1830 29th Ave S # 140
205-582-2999
singlebarrelbarbershop.com
Runner Up: Homewood Barbershop
BEST NAIL SALON
Genesis Nail Spa at Homewood
350 19th St S Ste 51
205-802-0639
instagram.com/genesisnailspahomewood
Runners Up: Elude Nail Spa, SoHo Nails & Spa
BEST SPA
Escape Day Spa
100 Broadway St
205-414-6062
theplacetoescape.com
Runners Up: Salon U, Skin Wellness
BEST FITNESS CENTER
Burn Boot Camp
1035 Broadway Pk
205-529-8444
burnbootcamp.com
Runners Up: Battle Republic, Pure Barre
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER (GYM REQUIRED)
Magen Davis, Burn Boot Camp
1035 Broadway Pk
205-529-8444
burnbootcamp.com
Runners Up: Steve Mares, Battle Republic; Paul Shunnarah, Gauntlet Fitness
BEST ANIMAL CARE/CLINIC
Homewood Animal Hospital
501 Scott St
205-943-0008
homewoodanimal.com
Runners Up: Nall Daniels Animal Hospital, Oxmoor Animal Clinic
BEST PET SUPPLY/TRAINING STORE
The Whole Dog Market
2937 18th St S
205-783-1169
thewholedogmarket.com
Runners Up: Pet Supplies Plus Homewood, Wags ‘N Whiskers Comprehensive Pet Care
SHOPPING & SERVICES
BEST NEW BUSINESS (OPEN ONE YEAR OR LESS)
Twenty Twelve Formal Wear
2719 19th Pl S STE 109
205-637-1819
facebook.com/twentytwelveformalwear
Runners Up: Cheap Chick Trading Company, Santo’s Coffee
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Alabama Goods
2933 18th St S
205-803-3900
alabamagoods.com
Runners Up: Christopher Collection, Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop
BEST BOUTIQUE/CLOTHING
Shoefly
2823 18th St S
205-870-7131
shoeflygirls@bellsouth.net
Runners Up: Hemline Birmingham, Pebblehurst Golf and Putter Lab
BEST GIFT SHOP
Alabama Goods
2933 18th St S
205-803-3900
alabamagoods.com
Runners Up: Christopher Collection, The Cottage Basket
BEST SPECIALTY STORE
Alabama Goods
2933 18th St S
205-803-3900
Alabamagoods.com
Runners Up: Christopher Collection, Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop
BEST STORE FOR KIDS
Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop
2830 18th St S
205-879-3986
Homewoodtoy-hobby.com
Runners Up: Little Professor Bookshop, Swaddle
BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DECOR/KITCHENS
At Home Furnishings
2921 18th St S
205-879-3510
shopathomefurnishings.com
Runners Up: Christopher Collection, Nadeau–Furniture with a Soul
BEST GARDEN SHOP
Sweet Peas Garden Shop
2829 Linden Ave
205-879-3839
sweetpeasgardenshop.com
BEST FLORIST
Wild Things
2815B 18th St S
205-703-8821
Wildthingsbhm.com
Runners Up: Sweet Peas Garden Shop, Blakelee’s Bouquets
BEST PLACE FOR CREATIVITY
Christopher Collection
2913 Linden Ave
205-719-3206
christophercollection.com
Runners Up: Homewood Public Library, Do It Yourself Crafts
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (CITY REQUIRED)
Lindsey Culver Photography
143 Citation Ct
205-527-6455
Instagram: @lindseyculverphotography
Runners Up: Brittany Sturdivant, Mullis Media
BEST CHILDREN’S DAYCARE
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
1728 Oxmoor Rd
205-871-8121
ourladyofsorrows.com
Runners Up: Trinity United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Episcopal Preschool
BEST DANCE STUDIO
The Dance Foundation
1715 27th Ct S
205-870-0073
thedancefoundation.org
Runner Up: Backstage Dance Centre
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry & Collectibles
1811 29th Ave S
205-874-1044
wallaceburke.com
Runners Up: Holland & Birch, At Home Furnishings
BEST SENIOR LIVING
Brookdale University Park
400 University Park Dr
205-870-0786
brookdale.com
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Art House
2823 Central Ave STE 101
205-352-7742
soldbyarthouse.com
Runners Up: ARC Realty–Homewood, RealtySouth Homewood
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
Savannah Johnson
256-293-0675
savannah@arthousecreativemarketing.com
savannahjohnson.soldbyarthouse.com
Runners Up: Ann-Yates Pate, ARC Realty–Homewood; Mandy Williams, Keller Williams Homewood
BEST LAW FIRM
Bodewell Law Injury Attorneys
1286 Oak Grove Rd STE 200
205-533-7878
bodewell-law.com
Runners Up: Steel City Law, LLC; Law Office of J. Todd Miner, LLC; Nickson Law LLC
BEST ATTORNEY
Nate VanDerVeer, Bodewell Law Injury Attorneys
1286 Oak Grove Rd STE 200
205-533-7878
Bodewell-law.com
Runners Up: Hugh Nickson, Nickson Law LLC; T Shane Smith, Steel City Law, LLC
BEST PLUMBING
Standard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
520 8th St S
205-386-4001
Standardheatingandairconditioning.com
Runners Up: Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, Bob Graham Plumbing
BEST HVAC
Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical
2490 Rocky Ridge Rd
205-979-9684
sentryheating.com
Runners Up: Homewood Heating and Air, Iron City Heating and Air
BEST DRY CLEANER
Watkins Cleaners of Homewood Inc.
1715 28th Ave S
205-879-7951
watkinscleaners.com
Runner Up: Hunter’s Cleaners
BEST PEST CONTROL
Waynes Pest Control
2195 Parkway Lake Dr
205-985-7009
Callwaynes.com
Runners Up: Cook’s Pest Control, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc
HOME, FINANCE & AUTO
BEST REMODELER
Blackstone Construction
2601 Highland Ave S
205-413-8531
Blackstone.build
Runners Up: Willow Homes, Twin Construction, Inc.
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Whitney Tingle, Christopher Collection
2913 Linden Ave
205-719-3206
Christophercollection.com
Runners Up: CBM Design, Joanna Goodman
BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION
Oakworth Capital Bank
850 Shades Creek Pkwy
205-263-4700
oakworth.com
Runners Up: Avadian Credit Union, Wells Fargo Bank
BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Zach Sims, Nowlin and Associates
2718 20th St S
205-871-9993
nowlinwm.com
Runners Up: Frank Ippolito, State Farm; Joe Greene, Merrill Lynch
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY
Thomas Waters, State Farm
3103 Independence Dr
205-879-1988
thomaswaters.com
Runners Up: Frank Ippolito, State Farm; Casey Halsey, State Farm
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
Thomas Waters, State Farm
3103 Independence Dr
205-879-1988
thomaswaters.com
Runners Up: Frank Ippolito, State Farm; Tim Johns, State Farm
BEST AUTO SERVICE
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers
1717 27th Ct S
205-879-4499
expressoil.com
Runners Up: Rob’e Mans Automotive Service, Hatfield Auto Parts and Service
