HQ 111 | AUTUMN 2020
It’s been seven years since we published our last “Best of Huntington” list. We had such a good time working on the list back then that we decided to do it again. This time around some of the categories are the same, but many are not. Ditto for the winners.
As for how we arrived at our picks, we used the latest technology available to assist us. Our readers were emailed a survey to fill out with 40 categories.
Then, that same survey was posted on our social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. By the time we tallied up all the votes, we had received responses from nearly 1,500 people. It was as simple as that.
And so, without further ado, we give you HQ’s new, improved and updated list of the “Best of Huntington.” We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.
Best Pizza – BACKYARD
Our readers said Backyard’s wood-fired ovens serve up the best pizza in town. Owners Drew and Megan Hetzer make everything from scratch and enjoy exploring flavor profiles to create very nontraditional pies.
Best Annual Event – CHILIFEST
There are few things Huntingtonians look forward to more than the charity chili cookoff that supports the Ronald McDonald House. ChiliFest is held every September in downtown Huntington.
Best Local Band – ONA
Our readers think Ona, an indie rock group featuring five musicians from our region, will be the next local band to make it big. Vice.com agrees, writing that “Ona Could Be The Next Great Rock Band.” Catch ’em while you still can.
Best Bar – DAVIS’ PLACE
This was a tightly contested category, but Davis’ Place Neighborhood Bar & Grill garnered the most votes among our readers. Founded in 1950, the bar has been completely renovated in recent years making the watering hole on the corner of 8th and 8th ready for the next 70 years.
Best Florist – GARRISON DESIGNS
Owner Gary Harrison has built a family-owned, full-service floral and interior design business that will make your home, business or special occasion bloom with beautiful décor.
Best Insurance Agency – ASSUREDPARTNERS
Formerly Insurance Systems Incorporated based in Ona, AssuredPartners is one of the fastest-growing insurance brokers in the nation. Despite their size the local agents say, “Our focus is on relationships.”
Best Burger – FAT PATTY’S
Loaded high with cheese, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and pickles, it’s easy to see why our readers chose Fat Patty’s burgers as the best in town!
Best Building – KEITH-ALBEE
Regarded as one of West Virginia’s most distinctive landmarks, the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center was built in 1928. Designed by Thomas W. Lamb, one of America’s foremost theater architects, its ornate Spanish Baroque style has wowed visitors for 92 years.
Best Food Truck – TRUCKIN’ CHEESY
Huntington has a bevy of great food trucks, but our voters chose Truckin’ Cheesy as the best. Customers love their Gnarly Nachos and Kujo Tacos, as well as the selection of quesadillas, burritos, wraps, pepperoni melts and more.
Best Ice Cream – AUSTIN’S
This vote wasn’t even close, as Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream won in a landslide. You can sample the delicious homemade flavors at two locations — the original Austin’s Homemade Ice Cream in Ceredo, or Austin’s at The Market in downtown Huntington.
Best Bed & Breakfast – HERITAGE FARM
Heritage Farm Museum & Village has become Huntington’s hidden hideaway. With six inns on the property including log cabins, a farmhouse and even a restored train caboose, it’s the perfect alternative to downtown lodging for out-of-town guests.
Best French Fries – MIDWAY
Our readers said the drive-in’s crispy, crinkle-cut French fries are simply awesome.
Best Onion Rings – CAM’S HAM
Readers said the perfect lunch is Cam’s Original Sugar-Flaked Ham Sandwich with a side of hand-cut, hand-battered onion rings.
Best Landmark – MEMORIAL ARCH
This well-known Huntington landmark is dedicated to those who lost their lives defending the nation in World War I.
Best Seafood – JEWEL CITY SEAFOOD
Named for one of Huntington’s most beautiful monikers, Jewel City serves the freshest seafood from around the world. If you aren’t able to take a beach vacation, Jewel City is the next best thing.
Best Season – FALL
Cooler temperatures, the return of football and trees ablaze with a kaleidoscope of color. What could be better?
Best Italian – ROCCO’S RISTORANTE
Our readers asserted that Rocco’s is not only the best Italian restaurant in the state, but quite possibly the best in the entire country. Mamma Mia!
Best Statue – JOHN MARSHALL
Our readers chose Chief Justice John Marshall over statues of city founder Collis P. Huntington and Father of Black History Carter G. Woodson. The impressive 8-foot bronze work by sculptor William Behrends stands at the heart of the Marshall University campus.
Best School – ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Founded in 1872, St. Joe is a highly rated, private Catholic school with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. Upon graduation, 98% of its students go on to attend a four-year college. Impressive!
Best Athlete – HAL GREER
“Hurryin’ Hal” not only broke the color barrier in West Virginia when he played for Marshall in the 1950s, but he also went on to become a 10-time NBA All-Star. In 1996, the NBA named Greer one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all time.
Best Brunch – OSCAR’S
Oscar’s serves serve up a lot more than burgers and brews at this popular eatery on Route 60. In fact, according to our readers, Oscar’s Breakfast, Burgers & Brews has the best Sunday brunch around. Mmmm!
Best Outdoor Dining – LA FAMIGLIA
The competition was stiff in this category, but La Famiglia was named the best of the best. Owner Ralph Hagy has created a special, spacious setting just outside his charming restaurant on Sixth Avenue.
Best Architects – EDWARD TUCKER ARCHITECTS
Edward Tucker Architects is reshaping the Huntington skyline with a young and talented team.
Best Bakery – PAULA VEGA CAKES
Paula Vega made a name for herself with delicious cupcakes (including flavors like vanilla bean, snickerdoodle and red velvet), but her bakery also offers up amazing cakes, pies, cookies, brownies and more.
Best Car Dealership – DUTCH MILLER
Founder Dutch Miller’s grandsons Sam and Chris now run the family business which has grown to include locations throughout the region as well as a wide variety of auto brands. The dealership is widely known for its “Friends and Family Pricing.”
Best Retirement Community – WOODLANDS
Woodlands is Huntington’s premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The impressive community sits atop 171 acres that overlook scenic hills and valleys. Woodlands has the distinction of being the region’s only LifeCare community. Plus, the food is really good!
Best Tree Service – DAVEY TREE
If you need a tree removed or trimmed, our readers said Davey was tops. Founded in 1880, the Davey arborists specialize in all things tree-related and even have their very own tree doctors.
Best Antique Shop – HATTIE & NAN’S
Located in Huntington’s historic Central City, the shop features an eclectic collection of books, furniture and knicknacks that are mainly sourced from estate sales from the surrounding region.
Best Steak – 21 AT THE FREDERICK
Our readers concurred that the ancho-rubbed prime cut of New York strip is mouthwatering with just the right amount of kick.
Best Running Route – RITTER PARK
Featuring a wide trail system, it’s no surprise that everyone’s favorite park is the best place for a walk or run.
Best Place for a First Date – SIP DOWNTOWN BRASSERIE
Huntington’s first and only wine and whiskey bar offers some 40 wines, 30 whiskeys and fine local foods carefully selected to complement your drink. It’s the ideal spot for a relaxing romantic rendezvous.
Best Pet Rescue – LITTLE VICTORIES ANIMAL RESCUE
Southern West Virginia’s only no-kill shelter, Little Victories has the biggest heart when it comes to the abandoned dogs and cats of our region.
Best Meteorologist – TONY CAVALIER
When it comes to calling the weather, our voters overwhelmingly said WSAZ Chief Meteorologist Tony Cavalier is the best in the business.
Best Breakfast – TUDOR’S
Tudor’s Biscuit World won this category easily. The West Virginia-based franchise has been serving up a bevy of mouthwatering biscuit creations for more than 20 years. Visitors from out of town rave about their first meal at Tudor’s!
Best New Restaurant – SUNSET GRILL
Sandy Call, owner of the Bridge Road Bistro in Charleston, opened this grill in the heart of downtown Huntington that uses locally sourced food from West Virginia farmers and features an eclectic menu.
Best Podcast – MBMBAM
The weekly podcast My Brother, My Brother and Me is the hilarious creation of Huntington natives Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. The brothers answer unique questions in their own unique way. The critically acclaimed podcast has been ranked in the Top 10 on iTunes!
Best Pharmacy – GRIFFITH & FEIL
Our readers picked this Kenova-based pharmacy as the best in the region. They raved about the great service from the family-owned pharmacy as well as its amazing soda fountain.
Best Dessert – JIM’S STRAWBERRY PIE
This rare treat is only available for one week in May when some 7,000 slices are sold. It’s been featured in Garden & Gun magazine in its list of “The 50 Best Southern Foods.”
Best Dry Cleaner – VICTOR’S
Operated by the Svingos family for more than 100 years, the Victor’s staff really knows the meaning of service and style.
Best Root Beer – FROSTOP
Founded in 1959, Frostop Drive-In is Huntington’s go-to spot for a frosted cold mug of root beer. Just honk your horn for service. “Making the root beer on site and in small batches really makes all the difference,” said owner Marilyn Murdock.
Best Thrill – THE BIG DIPPER AT CAMDEN PARK
Originally built in 1958, the Big Dipper is one of only three National Amusement Devices wooden roller coasters still in operation. The ride offers numerous thrills including an unlit tunnel that will scare the bejeebers out of you.
Best Home – THE FORMER MAY ESTATE
Edwin P. May built this handsome English country home on High Drive in 1930. The imposing castle-like exterior and sprawling grounds make it the finest home in Huntington.
Best Craft Beer – THE LOUD IPA BREWED BY BAD SHEPHERD BEER CO.
The voters selected The Loud IPA, the award-winning flagship brew made by Bad Shepherd Beer Co. It features Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe, Azacca and Cascade hops and is available at Black Sheep Burrito & Brews, Oscar’s and Bahnhof.
Best Car – LAMBORGHINI HURACAN
Dr. Barb Sharma’s LP 610-4 Spyder is one of the world’s great sports cars with its blistering performance (610 horsepower and all-wheel drive) and a lean, mean design.
Best Heroes
HERSHEL “WOODY” WILLIAMS
Williams received America’s highest award for valor when he stormed the beach at Iwo Jima. Today at age 97, he is the sole surviving Marine from World War II to wear the Medal of Honor.
JAN RADER
West Virginia’s first professional female fire chief has dedicated her life to fighting the opioid crisis in Huntington. She was featured in the Oscar-nominated documentary Heroin(e) and was named to the TIME 100 — a list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
