BEST AUTO MECHANIC (17.3%) SKID MARKS TIRES & AUTO SERVICE
With four locations in the Baton Rouge area offering full service from tires to oil changes, Skid Marks has built a loyal clientele. Owner Miles Holley’s business philosophy is simple: “We’re in the people business,” Holley says. “When we open the doors every day, it’s about how we can help every person who walks in.” Multiple locations. skidmarkstires.net
Runners-up:
(16.9%) Gordon & Sandifer Auto Service Inc.
(13.3%) Firestone Complete Auto Care Store
(11%) Ragusa’s Automotive
(9.9%) Plantation Tire Pros
BEST CATERER (19.6%) CHEF DON BERGERON ENTERPRISES
When your kitchen is led by an international Cajun cooking ambassador for the Louisiana Office of Tourism, your food is bound to be good. Chef Don Bergeron and his catering team can whip up something savory or sweet—asparagus quiche, mint julep lamb chops, bread pudding souffle—for any event, even gourmet wedding spreads. chefdonb.com
Runners-up:
(15.5%) Sammy’s Grill
(13.1%) Unique Cuisine Catering Company
(8.9%) Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar
(7.3%) Bonanno’s Fine Catering
BEST FITNESS/WORKOUT PROGRAM OR FACILITY (29.1%) THE Y
Your one-stop shop for swim lessons and Zumba classes, the YMCA boasts nine locations and thousands of members across the capital area. But the Y is more than just fitness; it’s a community center. While Baton Rouge’s athletes can call the gym home, programs like summer camps and senior social clubs invite the whole community to get involved. ymcabr.org
Runners-up:
(19.1%) Woman’s Center for Wellness
(12.5%) Spectrum Fitness
(7.7%) Yogalates II
(7.6%) Anytime Fitness
BEST HAIR SALON (26.2%) PARIS PARKER SALONS & SPAS
Paris Parker grew out of Hammond into nine luxurious locations in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Louisiana’s Northshore, built on a reputation for fabulous coifs and creative shears. Their slogan promises to help you “be your best self, live your best life” through pampering, styling and naturally derived AVEDA products. With a promise like that, why not sit back and relax? Multiple locations. parisparker.com
Runners-up:
(13.8%) Rigsby Frederick Salon & Gallery
(8.8%) On The Boulevard Salon & Spa
(7.3%) Via Veneto Salon
(7.2%) SOHO Boutique Salon
BEST GROCERY STORE (19.3%) WHOLE FOODS MARKET
They say your food is only as good as your ingredients. Some of the freshest organic ingredients in Baton Rouge come from Whole Foods, where meat is butchered daily and a shopper can find healthy options for everything from frozen pizza to liquor. And with a deli, bakery and gelato bar, it’s not a bad lunch option either. wholefoodsmarket.com
BEST HOTEL FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS (26.1%) RENAISSANCE BATON ROUGE HOTEL
A total of 13,000 square feet of meeting space? A food and wine bar open all day? Cozy bathrobes? Whatever your traveling friends, relatives or colleagues need, the Renaissance has it. Nestled in the center of Baton Rouge, this sweet stay is only minutes from two movie theatres and shopping hotspots like Perkins Rowe and the Mall of Louisiana to keep your guests entertained. marriott.com/hotels/travel/btrbb-renaissance-baton-rouge-hotel/ (Photo by: Collin Richie)
Runners-up:
(23.7%) Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
(17.5%) L’Auberge Casino Hotel
(14.7%) Hotel Indigo Baton Rouge
(7.5%) The Cook Hotel and Conference Center
BEST HUNTING AND FISHING STORE (29.2%) BASS PRO SHOPS
A self-proclaimed “Outdoor World,” Denham Springs’ Bass Pro Shops certainly is a bayou world of its own. Come for the sprawling square footage and inventory; stay for the free outdoor workshops, fishing demonstrations on the private lake and dinner at the in-house restaurant. basspro.com (Photo by: Bianca Zaragoza)
Runners-up:
(21.6%) Cabela’s
(14.7%) Bowie Outfitters
(13.7%) Academy Sports & Outdoors
(8.9%) The Backpacker
LOCAL WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE (16.8%) FROCK CANDY
For trendy, chic clothing and accessories at a great price, look no further than Frock Candy (also pictured on page 99). Whether you’re going to work, date night, girls’ night or just a fun shopping trip, this boutique-style shopping haven can meet your fashion needs from head to toe. Stop by one of Frock Candy’s two Baton Rouge locations, and you’re all set to turn up your style quotient. frockcandy.com (Photo by: Bianca Zaragoza)
Runners-up:
(16.3%) Bella Bella
(13.9%) Merci Beaucoup
(6.7%) nk Boutique
(6%) Noelie Harmon
BEST LOCAL MEN’S CLOTHING STORE (32.6%) CARRIAGES FINE CLOTHIERS
Specializing in the finest men’s apparel for more than 30 years, the Bocage Village location of Carriages Fine Clothiers offers a wide selection of premium brands. From casual to formal to everyday sportswear, they have all you need to look your dapper best in no time. The store also offers free in-house alteration and gift-wrap. facebook.com/CarriagesBR (Photo by: Bianca Zaragoza)
Runners-up:
(27.6%) McClavy Ltd.
(12%) Harper’s Haberdashery
(10.6%) Martinez Custom Clothier
(6.3%) Brown & Brown Custom Clothiers
BEST MARKET FOR MEAT (20.1%) MAXWELL’S MARKET
This great, relaxing deli-style lunch destination is a local favorite. It offers everything from quality meats like pork chops and lamb to specialty items such as crab cakes, shish kabobs and stuffed chicken breasts. The market’s special-cut fresh meats are perfect for impressing your guests at dinner. Planning for a party? Worry not; Maxwell’s Market’s catering menu has got you covered. Enjoy shopping among rare specialty items and premium ingredients while you indulge in some free draft beer. maxwells-market.com (Photo by: Amy Shutt)
BEST PLACE FOR PET GROOMING (22.2%) PETZ PLAZA
Petz Plaza is the ideal place to take your pet for all its grooming, boarding and training needs. The professionally trained pet groomers and stylists at Petz Plaza are known to offer hands-on care that will leave your furry friends looking great. And with top-notch boarding and daycare facilities, rest assured your pet is home away from home. What’s more, the pet pick-up and delivery service provides for all your four-legged best friend’s needs whenever you need to leave home. petzplaza-batonrouge.com (Photo by: Erin Parker)
Runners-up:
(18%) PetSmart
(11.1%) Kleinpeter Veterinary Hospital
(10.4%) Petco
(9.1%) The Royal Treatment LLC
BEST PLACE TO BUY FURNITURE (22.8%) OLINDE’S FURNITURE
Looking for a makeover for your abode? Our readers say Olinde’s is the place to shop. With more than 150 years in the business, Olinde’s is best known to meet all your furniture needs at an affordable price. From vintage furnishings to the latest styles, living room to entertainment furniture, they have everything that your home will ever need. Try the latest home design and style tips from Olinde’s, and your nest will be feathered in no time. olindes.com
Runners-up:
(19.5%) Christian Street Furniture
(11.2%) Town & Country Furniture
(8.6%) Ethan Ellen
(8.2%) Stoma’s Furniture & Interiors
BEST SEAFOOD MARKET (64.7%) TONY’S SEAFOOD MARKET
With more than 50 years in business, Tony’s Seafood continues to provide the best live and boiled seafood in town. From crawfish etouffee and fried catfish to stuffed shrimp, they offer umpteen varieties of everything delectable you can imagine when it comes to Creole cooking. tonyseafood.com
Runners-up:
(6.5%) LA Boilers Seafood
(5.9%) Whole Foods Market
(4.4%) Randy Montalbano’s Seafood & Catering
(3.9%) Tommy’s Fish House
BEST SPA (46.9%) BUMBLE LANE
Looking for some spa indulgence at a pocket-friendly price? Bumble Lane wins the vote hands-down in Baton Rouge, for men and women alike. With sparkling facilities, impeccable service and an array of beauty, health, therapeutic and fitness treatments to choose from, you will leave feeling a new rejuvenated you. bumblelane.com
Runners-up:
(13.2%) Paris Parker Salons and Spas
(8%) Le Roche Bleu Day Spa
(6.5%) Massage Envy Spa
(6.1%) Woman’s Hospital Day Spa
