Dozens of Locals Called Out as 'Best of Detroit'

A dozen local retail shops, a comedy club and drag queen bingo were just some Royal Oak's winners in the "Best of Detroit 2013," as selected by readers of Real Detroit Weekly this week.

The "Best Of Detroit" is Real Detroit Weekly's annual listing of the Detroit area's best bars, restaurants and entertainment. The list is released each February and this year 43 Royal Oak establishments were included.

"Best Of issue is a go-to guide, a collection, a historical reference for the things we’ve collectively excelled at and the advancements we’ve made as a community rich in food, ambiance, music, art and design," Real Detroit editors wrote. 

Several chains with locations in Royal Oak made the list, too. Here's a look at the best of Detroit that can be found in Royal Oak:

BEST BARS

Best Dance: Club Luna

"Whether you go there to dance yourself or just to watch their girls, Luna is the best place in town to see some jiggle going down." 

Best Pub: Hamlin Pub

"And, yes, while they have several locations in metro Detroit, you'll never go into one feeling like you're hitting up a lame neighborhood Applebee's." 

Best Looking Wait Staff [Female]:O'Toole's 

"There are many reasons why we love O'Toole's. Whether it's their great burgers, steaks, wings or beer, this place located smack dab in the middle of Royal Oak is also just a great place to take a seat and people watch."

Best Bar To Visit Any Day of the Week: Rock On 3rd

"The Rock on Third is one of Royal Oak's long-time go-to no-frills chill spots. This isn't so much for the designer jeans and designer T-shirt crowd as it is the regular old jeans and regular old T-shirt crowd." 

Best Bar at Last Call: Woody's 

"When you're bar-hopping throughout downtown Royal Oak, the best place to end your night is Woody's Diner."

Best Pick-up Scene: Commune

"With a name like Commune, it only makes sense for it to be the perfect spot to meet people. Downstairs from Bastone in Royal Oak, Commune Lounge offers the fun and excitement of downtown in an intimate setting."

Best Place to Get Loose on the Dance Floor: Mr. B's

"We have made some memories on dance floors around metro Detroit. Some were good, some not so good."

Best Billiards Hall: Fifth Avenue

"Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak is the most versatile bar in the land. Spectacular sports bar one day, sultry nightclub the next."

Best Jukebox: Gusoline Alley

"There is an allegiance that patrons of Gus's feel to their beloved dive bar. It's a great fondness that can't quite be described in words." 

BEST FOOD

Best Gyro: Kouzina 

"Metro Detroit is no stranger to gyro, a delicious sandwich of meat, veggies and tzatziki wrapped in pita, but KouZina has taken the gyro to a whole other level."

Best Delivery: Jimmy John's

"They'll be at your front door ready for you to eat before you even finish updating your Facebook status to say that you're about to eat some Jimmy John's."

Best Fast Food: McDonald's

"There's something about those two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese and onions on that sesame seed bun that just sings to us."

Best Bakery: Astoria

"Astoria originally opened in Greektown in 1971 and has been one of Detroit's premier pastry shops ever since. The original Greektown location still cranks out over 100 fine European pastries daily for customers to salivate over, as does their second location in downtown Royal Oak."

Best Bar Cuisine: Town Tavern

"There's bar food, and then there's bar cuisine. Town Tavern specializes in the latter. This comfortable and stylish bar and restaurant in downtown Royal Oak boasts a refined casual concept reflected in the menu."

Best Burrito: Zumba

"In a new location right next to the Emagine Theatre in Royal Oak, Zumba's walk-up-counter ordering system means you get to watch your burritos being made and choose what fillings and toppings you want included." 

Best Italian: Andiamo

"As one of the most established local restaurant chains in metro Detroit, Andiamo has been serving customers quality Italian cuisine for more than 20 years." 

Best Tex-Mex: Cantina Diablo's

"Tex-Mex happens to be one of our favorite varieties of quasi-authentic foods. And of those who purvey dishes of this sort, Cantina Diablo's is certainly the best. Found in downtown Royal Oak, this rather new establishment serves up delicious tacos, mango salsa, chipotle shrimp, shrimp brocheta and shrimp Diablo, just to name a few of their amazing offerings."

Best Fish and Chips: Tom's Oyster Bar

“Yes, Tom's does oysters quite well. But they do many other things with a flair that other restaurants lack as well, including their fish and chips.”

Best Broasted Chicken: Chicken Shack

"For the tasitest broasted chicken, Chicken Shack is where it's at!"

Best Pizza Delivery: Jet's

"Jet's has made the "all corners" pizza famous."

BEST ARTS

Best Comedy Club: Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

"The comedy at Mark Ridley's castle of mirth comes from people who are on their way up, people who are becoming more and more well-known and people so firmly established that their visits are just a personal way to say thanks and return a favor."

Best Community Theatre: Stagecrafters

"Stagecrafters in Royal Oak seems almost tailor-made to refute each and every slanderous joke that has ever been made about community theater over the years." 

BEST RETAIL

Best Bookstore: Barnes & Noble

"Though we may miss our dear Michigan-based Borders, the now defunct chain of stores never stood a chance again our beloved Barnes & Noble."

Best Sporting Goods Store: Dunham's

"Having opened their flagship store in Waterford way, way back in 1937, Dunham's is the Midwest's largest sporting good store and thanks to your votes, they're also known as the best in Detroit."

Best Salesperson: Scotty Hagen (UHF)

“Scotty Hagen doesn't just run a record store and he has more than just some retail experience. Having grown up surrounded by vinyl, his breadth of knowledge is vast and his love for records is ever growing.”

Best Suburban Farmer's Market: Royal Oak Farmers Market

“More than just a pretty place to pick up some produce, Royal Oak Farmers Market is the host of craft shows, flea markets, food truck rallies, artist markets and many a beer-tasting event. Beautiful and spacious, the market is also available for rental (uhm, hello, great substitute for a barn wedding!).”

Best Gift Shop: Paris

“Located in the heart of downtown Royal Oak, Paris is a gift shop unlike any other. With a whimsical Parisian feel, this emporium for all things beautiful and unique carries vintage and new finds.”

Best Independent Furniture Store: Bright Ideas

“An independent furniture store found smack-dap in the middle of Royal Oak, you'll never have to worry about finding something any less than unique at Bright Ideas.”

Best Independent Grocery Store: Holiday Market

“The words ‘pumpkin mousse’ should be enough to illicit excitement from anyone who's ever made a trip to Holiday Market near the onset of the holiday season.”

Best Place To Shop The Latest Trends: Incognito

“We've been caught stalking their shoe section more times than we can count, and we usually try on as many pairs of sunglasses as we can manage while we're inside this Royal Oak store.”

Best Store For The Bachelor: Dolce Moda

“Located in the heart of downtown Royal Oak, Dolce Moda isn't you typical clothing store. On the highest of high-end, this place is in the business of dealing out designer duds to the stylish men of metro Detroit.”

Best Vintage Store: Lost & Found

“The perfect name for the perfect mecca for all things vintage, Lost and Found isn't just a great place to pick up a one-of-a-kind piece.”

Best Watch Selection: Metals In Time

“When you go to a store as fancy as Metals in Time, watches aren't called watches. Because the watches sold within the confines of Metals in Time are more than just fake leather bands that function well enough to strap a sterling silver clock to your wrist.”

Best Women's Boutique: Shapes

“A trendy boutique found in the heart of Royal Oak, Shapes is run by and made for women. With over 18 years of experience in fashion merchandising, Shapes' owner Treas Charow is creative, professional and incredibly accommodating to those women who call Shapes one of their favorite shops.”

BEST LIVE VENUES

Best National Acts Concert Venue: Royal Oak Music Theatre

“The debate rages on. Is it gonna be Detroit, Royal Oak or Pontiac? Well, for 2012, it was Royal Oak. The Royal Oak Music Theater is a good mix of everything that a fan wants as well as the artist. Its familiar theater-style is popular in the area, and the decor is fun to look at while waiting for the lights to dim.”

BEST DRINKS

Best Microbrewery: Royal Oak Brewery

“With a 14 Barrel Specific Mechanic System producing gallons of wonderful beer on schedule every week, it's little wonder that Royal Oak Brewery is an example we turn to when someone asks for a definition of "autarky" and all those other terms for happy self-sufficiency.”

BEST PAMPERING

Best Overall Salon: Bianchi's Salon

“Aside from being stunningly chic, beautiful and modern in atmosphere, Bianchi's Salon will make you look nothing short of fabulous.”

Best Stylist: Jeph Wright

“As the owner of Black the Salon, Jeph Wright has a serious resume under his belt. Not only was he voted in as our best stylist in 2010 and 2011, he was also named by Allure as one of the nation's top stylists in 2010.”

Best Hair Removal: American Laser Skincare

“After over 9,500,000 treatments performed, American Laser Skincare is the nation's leading center for hair removal, cellulite reduction and other treatments.”

Best Men's Haircut: Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men

“As the winner of 10 Men's Stylist Awards, Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men absolutely rocks. The stylists rock, the haircuts rock and the atmosphere is always upbeat.”

BEST MISCELLANEOUS

Best Cosmetology School: Douglas J. Aveda Institute 

“If you ever imagined yourself doing hair for a living or you want to become a celebrity makeup artist, the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Royal Oak is the school to attend to make your dreams a reality.”

Best Bingo: Five15

“Do you know why Five15 offers the best bingo around. If you don't, we'll let you in on a little secret. It's run by drag queens.”

Best Bank: Chase

"Whether you're applying for a car loan or managing your account online, Chase offers so many products and services that it's no wonder why our readers love Chase."

What's your favorite? Share it in the comments.