Best of the Region

Vote for the 2009 Best of the Region

Staff reports

Let your voice be heard! Vote for your favorite places in the 2009 edition of the Best of the Region! Fill out your Best of the Region ballot online Fill out a kids Best of the Region ballot online See last year's winners... Full story

Best Activity for a Date

1. Movie Highlights: You may have thought the first cinema was in California. After all, it is the movie capital of the world. But not so. The first theater designed exclusively for cinema opened in Pittsburgh in 1905. Apparently heading to the... Full story

Best Bang for Your Buck at a Restaurant

1. McDonald's Location: Several Lima locations Hours: Vary per location Phone: Various Highlights: Every college student knows you can grab a great meal at McDonald's for a really great price. Where else can you get a grilled chicken snack wrap... Full story

Best Book or Book Series

1. Harry Potter Series Highlights: Kids know there are seven books in the series and each one is loaded with adventure and fun. After all, how would you like to be a boy wizard trying to make it into the Ministry of Magic when you have Lord... Full story

Best Cell Phone Service Provider

1. Verizon Location: 2400 Elida Road, Lima Mall, 2465 Elida Road, Lima Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday Phone: 419-224-4029, Lima Mall, 419-331-4644 Elida Road. Highlights: It's the network. Verizon carries... Full story

Best Chinese Restaurant

1. Mark Pi's China Gate Location: 702 W. North St., Lima Hours: Monday to Saturday: lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m.); Sunday: lunch buffet 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; dinner or buffet 4:30 to 8... Full story

Best Draft Beer Selection

1. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar Location: 3000 W. Elm St., Lima Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday Phone: 419-991-2999 Highlights: It may be hard to choose which... Full story

Best Fast-Food Restaurant

1. Happy Daz Location: 4557 Elida Road, 1064 Bellefontaine, 810 W. North St., 2025 N. West St., 802 S. Cable Road Hours: All locations except North St.: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. North Street: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed... Full story

Best Gaming System

1. Wii Highlights: Sorry kids, but the Wii is for everyone. Did you know when the Wii name was derived, the two lowercase ii's were meant to represent people coming together to play the game? With the introduction of Wii Fitness, the entire family... Full story

Best Italian Restaurant

1. Olive Garden Location: 1936 Roschman Road, Lima Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Phone: 419-222-7724 Highlights: Do you love everything about Italian cuisine? The chefs at the Olive Garden... Full story

Best Jeweler

1. Von's Location: 3217 Elida Road, Elida and 1691 Tiffin Ave., Findlay Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday Phone: Lima: 419-227-5616 or 800-837-9855; Findlay: 800-425-4207 Highlights: Diamonds really are a girl's... Full story

Best Mexican Restaurant

1. La Charreada Location: 3355 Harding Highway and 1448 N. Cable Road, Lima Hours: Harding Highway: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Cable Road: 11... Full story

Best Organic Selection at a Grocery Store

1. Meijer Location: 3298 Elida Road, Lima Hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week Phone: 419-331-6400 Highlights: Green leafy vegetables are in abundance at Meijer. Make your summer dining count with wonderful, fresh mangos, bananas, apples,... Full story

Best Park/Playground

1. Faurot Park Location: Collett Street and North Shore Drive, Lima Highlights: We all love to visit our local parks to spend a lazy summer afternoon at the playground. Did you know plans are underway to renovate the children's fountain at Faurot... Full story

Best Pizza Delivery Place

1. Domino's Location: 1060 Bellefontaine, 1450 N. Cole St., 2400 Cable Ct., Lima Hours: All locations: 11 a.m. 12:30 a.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday Phone: Bellefontaine 419-224-5474; Cole St. 419-227-0667; Cable... Full story

Best Place for a Manicure

1. Jewel's Health and Beauty Spa Location: 3233 Harding Highway, Lima Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Phone: 419-227-5000 Highlights: Jewel's Health and Beauty Spa has a relaxing,... Full story

Best Place for a Picnic

1. Faurot Park Location: Collett Street and North Shore Drive, Lima Highlights: If the thought of an old blanket and a picnic lunch brings back great memories, start making new ones today at Faurot Park. The little ones will romp around the... Full story

Best Place for a Weekend Get-Away

1. Indian Lake Location: Lakeview Highlights: The 5,800 acre lake offers unlimited horsepower boating and excellent inland sailing. Everyone in the family will stay occupied for hours at Indian Lake. Enjoy boating, hiking, fishing, water skiing,... Full story

Best Place for Appetizers

1. Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Location: 3296 Elida Road, 1925 Roschman Ave., Lima Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday Phone: 419-331-8502 Elida Road;... Full story

Best Place for Breakfast

1. Bob Evans Location: 1810 Harding Highway and 1530 N. Cable Road Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily Phone: 419-223-3237 Harding Highway; 228-2004 Cable Road Highlights: The roosters are crowing early at Bob Evans. Plan to start that diet tomorrow... Full story

Best Place for Coffee

1. The Meeting Place on Market Location: 220 W. Market St., Lima Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday Phone: 419-222-0985 Highlights: Maybe you love rare, premium... Full story

Best Place for Dessert

1. Dairy Queen Location: 1225 Allentown Road, 2805 Shawnee Road, Lima Hours: Allentown: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Shawnee Road: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone:... Full story

Best Place for Fish

1. Captain D's Location: 2575 Elida Road and 2020 Harding Highway, Lima Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Phone: Elida Road: 419-331-8888; Harding Highway: 419-223-8899. Highlights:... Full story

Best Place for Free Wi-Fi

1. McDonald's Location: Several Lima locations Hours: Vary per location Phone: Various Highlights: You'll enjoy free Wi-Fi at all McDonald's locations in Lima except the one in Wal-Mart on Harding Highway. Where else can you get a great... Full story

Best Place for French Fries

1. McDonald's Location: Several Lima locations Hours: Vary per location Phone: Various Highlights: Who hasn't quickly grabbed the empty McDonald's bag desperately searching for a lone fry at the bottom of the bag? McDonald's fries are now made... Full story

Best Place for Hamburgers

1. Kewpee Location: 111 N. Elizabeth St., 2111 Allentown Road, 1350 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima Hours: Downtown: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 6:30 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Kewpee West: 5:30 a.m. to 10... Full story

Best Place for Live Music

1. Rally in the Square Location: ArtSpace/Lima, downtown Lima Hours: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays during summer, rain or shine Highlights: Summer means loud music and good times and you are sure to find it at the Rally in the Square. Organizers say... Full story

Best place for pizza

1. Fat Jack's Location: 1806 N. West St. and 801 Findlay Road (carryout only), Lima Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday Phone: 419-227-1813 West Street; 419-223-1600 Findlay Road Highlights: Great piping-hot... Full story

Best Place for Ribs

1. Red Pig Inn Location: 1470 N. Perry St., Ottawa; 2215 Tiffin Ave., Findlay Hours: Ottawa: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday to Saturday. Findlay: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday to... Full story

Best place for Steak

1. Texas Roadhouse Location: 1940 Roschman Ave., Lima Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday Phone: 419-228-7427 Highlights: Texas Roadhouse has two full-time meat cutters on... Full story

Best Place for Vegetarian Options

1. Subway Location: Several Lima locations Hours: Vary per location Phone: Various Highlights: You might be able to wear that bikini before summer's over after all with the delicious options at Subway. Take it from Jared and eat fresh. Choosing... Full story

Best Place for Wings

1. Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar Location: 3000 W. Elm St., Lima Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday Phone: 419-991-2999 Highlights: You know football season is right... Full story

Best Place to Buy Electronics

1. ABC Warehouse Location: 3465 Elida Road, Elida Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Phone: 419-224-2360 Highlights: The sales associates at ABC Warehouse say this summer they can... Full story

Best Place to Buy Flowers

1. Mohler's Location: 1052 Bellefontaine Road, Lima Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8:30 to noon Saturday, closed Sunday Phone: 419-228-4641 Highlights: Mohler's Flowers is a full-service shop and has been serving the Lima area since... Full story

Best place to buy Ice Cream

1. Dairy Queen Location: 1225 Allentown Road, 2805 Shawnee Road, Lima Hours: Allentown: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Shawnee Road: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Phone:... Full story

Best Place to Buy Music

1. Wal-Mart Location: 975 N. Cable Road; 2400 Harding Highway, Lima Hours: Cable Road, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week; Harding Highway, 24 hours, 7 days a week Phone: Cable Road: 419-224-3168; Harding Highway: 419-222-4466 Highlights:... Full story

Best Place to Buy Toys

1. Toys ‘R' Us Location: 2292 Elida Road, Lima Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Phone: 419-229-1014 Highlights: Toys ‘R' Us is a kid friendly place. When it's your... Full story

Best Place to Get Your Car Serviced

1. Tom Ahl Location: 2525 Allentown Road, Lima Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Phone: 419-228-2345 Highlights: Tom Ahl's service department is packed with the most current diagnostic equipment to quickly... Full story

Best Place to Have a Birthday Party

1. Westgate Location: 721 N. Cable Road, Lima Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to midnight Tuesday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Phone: 419-227-7231 Highlights: Prepare for... Full story

Best Public Golf Course

1. Hawthorne Hills Location: 1000 Fetter Road, Lima Hours: Sun up to sun down, weather permitting, seven days a week Phone: 419-221-1891 Highlights: Hawthorne Hills offers a beautiful course in tournament condition. Enjoy 18 holes with a cart... Full story

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