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Food and Drink Much as we despise cultural hegemony, we had to bow to your wishes and print things like "McDonald's," "Taco Bell," "Denny's" and the only slightly less egregious "In-N-Out Burgers" as winners of assorted categories in our food and drink section. And we are deeply disappointed. May we strongly suggest venturing forth into the world of real food? Not only is the cuisine at local joints usually tastier and fresher, but patronizing these places actually helps to support the local economy. Capish? Hotly contested races in this category include "Best Burrito" (with Andale Taqueria barely edging out Burrito Factory for first), "Best Independent Coffeehouse" (in which Orchard Valley Coffee beat the lordly Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company for third by a nose), and "Best Mexican," which was down to the wire. Glad it's over--the tension was unbearable. Also of note: Guess "power lunch" doesn't mean what it used to, or else everyone's a comedian. Jamba Juice won and Fresh Choice took third. Best Pizza First Place Pizz'a Chicago--4115 El Camino Real, PA * 650.424.9400; 1576 Halford Ave., Santa Clara * 408.244.2246 Second Place Willow Street Wood-Fired Pizza 1072 Willow St., SJ * 408.971.7080 20 S. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.5566 1554 Saratoga Ave., SJ * 408.871.0400 Third Place Pizza a Go-Go 117 E. San Carlos St., SJ * 408.280.0707 335 University Ave., PA * 650.322.8100 Best Burger First Place Johnny Rockets--Locations in Campbell, Milpitas, San Jose Second Place Kirk's, 361 California Ave., PA * 650.326.6159 Third Place Juicy Burger--Multiple locations Best French Fries First Place McDonald's Multiple locations Second Place In-N-Out Burgers Multiple locations Third Place Gordon Biersch (garlic fries) 33 E. San Fernando St., SJ * 408.294.6785 640 Emerson St., PA * 650.323.7723 Best Burrito First Place Andale Taqueria 21 N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.395.8997 Second Place Burrito Factory Multiple locations Third Place Iguanas Taqueria 330 S. Third St., SJ * 408.995.6023 Best Independent Cofeehouse First Place Mission City 2221 The Alameda, Santa Clara * 408.261.2221 19636 Stevens Creek, Cupertino * 408.257.4076 Second Place Great Bear/Los Osos 19 N. Santa Cruz Ave,. LG * 408.395.8607 Third Place Orchard Valley Coffee 349 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell * 408.374.2115 Best Sushi First Place Miyake 10650 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino * 408.253.2668 140 University Ave., PA * 650.323.9449 Second Place Sushi Lovers 599 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas * 408.945.9999 3147 Mission College Blvd., Santa Clara * 408.567.9899 Third Place Komatsu 300 Orchard City Dr., Campbell * 408.379.3000 Best Mexican First Place Pedro's Cabo Street Grill 316. N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.7570 Second Place Andale Taqueria 21 N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.395.8997 Second Place El Burro 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.371.5800 Third Place Aqui 145 Lincoln Ave., SJ * 408/995-0381 Best Italian First Place Paradiso Deli 791 Auzerais St., SJ * 408.295.6459 Second Place Mio Vicino Locations in Campbell, Willow Glen and Santa Clara Third Place Original Joe's 301 S. First St., SJ * 408.292.7030 Best Chinese First Place Chef Chau 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.2554 Second Place Taiwan Restaurant 1306 Lincoln Ave., SJ * 408.289.8800 Third Place Mandarin Gourmet 10145 N. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino * 408.725.8168 5560 Santa Teresa Blvd., SJ * 408.281.8898 Best Thai First Place High Thai 5210 Prospect Rd., SJ * 408.873.7630 335 Saratoga Ave., SJ * 408.248.8813 Second Place Krung Thai 640 S. Winchester Blvd., SJ * 408.260.8224 Third Place House of Siam 55 S. Market, SJ * 408.279.5668 Best Place For Fish First Place Fish Market Locations in Palo Alto, San Jose and Santa Clara Second Place Race St. 253 Race St., SJ * 408.287.6280 Third Place Scott's Seafood 185 Park Ave., SJ * 408.971.1700 2300 E. Bayshore Road, PA * 650.856.1046 Best Innovative Cuisine First Place Mongo's 83 S. Second St., SJ * 408.280.1738 Second Place Eulipia 374 S. First St., SJ * 408.280.6161 Third Place California Cafe 50 University Ave., LG * 408.354.8118 Valley Fair Mall * 408/296-2233 Best American Food First Place Johnny Rockets Locations in Campbell, Milpitas and San Jose Second Place Southern Kitchen 27 E. Main St., LG * 408.354.7515 Third Place The Flames Multiple locations Best Cheap Eats First Place Taco Bell Multiple locations Second Place Falafel Drive-in 2301 Stevens Creek Blvd., SJ * 408.294.7886 Third Place Tung-Kee Noodle House Multiple locations Best Splurge Restaurant First Place La Fondue 14510 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.3332 Second Place A.P. Stumps 163 W. Santa Clara St., SJ * 408.292.9928 Third Place La Forêt 21747 Bertram Road, SJ * 408.997.3458 Best Vegetarian Cuisine First Place White Lotus 80 N. Market St., SJ * 408.977.0540 Second Place The Good Earth Locations in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and Santa Clara Third Place Vegetarian House 520 E. Santa Clara St., SJ * 408.292.3798 Best Breakfast First Place Hobee's Multiple locations Second Place Southern Kitchen, 27 E. Main St., LG * 408.354.7515 Third Place Denny's Multiple locations Best Power Lunch Spot First Place Jamba Juice Multiple locations Second Place Birk's 3955 Freedom Circle, Santa Clara * 408.980.6400 Third Place Fresh Choice Multiple locations Best Margarita First Place Chevy's Multiple locations Second Place Left at Albuquerque 445 Emerson, PA * 650.326.1011 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.558.1680 Third Place Pedro's Cabo Street Grill 316. N. Santa Cruz Ave., LG * 408.354.7570 Best Wine List First Place Plumed Horse 14555 Big Basin Way, Saratoga * 408.867.4711 Second Place Bella Mia 58 S. First St., SJ * 408.280.1993 Third Place Rue de Paris 19 N. Market, SJ * 408.298.0704 Best Martini First Place Fuel 44 S. Almaden Ave., SJ * 408.295.7374 Second Place Agenda 399 S. First St., SJ * 408.287.4087 Third Place Fairmont Lobby Lounge 170 S. Market, SJ * 408.998.1900 Best Micro-Brewery First Place Gordon Biersch 33 E. San Fernando St., SJ * 408.294.6785 640 Emerson St., PA * 650.323.7723 Second Place Tied-House 65 N. San Pedro, SJ * 408.295.2739 954 Villa St., MV * 650.965.2739 Third Place Rock Bottom Brewery 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell * 408.377.0707 [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]