Who’s the best? We asked, and you answered. Thousands of votes were cast in Shelby Living Magazine’s annual Best of the Best contest. Read on to find out our readers’ favorites in Shelby County.
Photos by Keith McCoy & Contributed
FOOD & DRINK
BEST KID FRIENDLY DINING
Station 31 Kitchen
104 Chesser Dr
Chelsea
205-677-2158
Runners Up: Taco Mama—Hwy 119, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
BEST ETHNIC DINING
Margarita Grill
234 Cahaba Valley Rd
Pelham
205-982-7281
Runners Up: Las Mesas Mexican Grill, Joseph’s Table
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Amore Ristorante Italiano
5510 US-280
Birmingham
205-437-1005
Runners Up: Half Shell Oyster House—Pelham, Chuck’s Fish—Birmingham
BEST BAR/COCKTAILS
The Beer Hog
2408 Pelham Pkwy
Pelham
205-624-3096
Runners Up: Chuck’s Fish—Birmingham, Main Street Tavern
BEST COFFEE
Leaders’ Corner Coffee & Tea
100 S Main St
Columbiana
205-620-1700
Runners Up: Bullet Coffee Company, The Copper Train
BEST BARBECUE
Tin Top Bar-B-Que 2
W, 121 Old Hwy 25
Columbiana
205-670-0583
Runners Up: Full Moon Bar-B-Que, Creekside BBQ
BEST PIZZA
Slice Pizza and Brew
1105 Ashville Rd
Montevallo
205-476-8346
Runners Up: Area 41 Pizza Co, The Pizza Star
BEST BAKERY
Edgar’s Bakery
6801 Cahaba Valley Rd STE 128
Birmingham
205-987-0790
Runners Up: Creations Galore and Moore, Tee’s Cakes & Pastries
BEST MILKSHAKE
Davis Drug Snack Bar
112 S Main St
Columbiana
205-669-9449
Runners Up: Chick-fil-A, Creations Galore and Moore
BEST PATIO DINING
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
4300 Helena Rd
Helena
205-624-2333
Runners Up: Margarita Grill, Station 31 Kitchen
BEST CATERER
Home Plate Cooking
5129 Hwy 17
Helena
205-621-6502
Runners Up: Taco Mama—Hwy 119, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods, Tin Top Bar-B-Que 2
BEST SWEET TREATS
Edgar’s Bakery
6801 Cahaba Valley Rd STE 128
Birmingham
205-987-0790
Runners Up: Creations Galore and Moore, Tee’s Cakes & Pastries
BEST MARGARITA
Taco Mama—Hwy 119
6801 Cahaba Valley Rd STE 124
Birmingham
205-705-3333
Runners Up: Las Mesas Mexican Grill, Zapopan Mexican Restauran
BEST BURGER
Tony’s Hot Dogs
1922 Montgomery Hwy
Birmingham
205-988-3236
Runners Up: Chubbfathers, Station 31 Kitchen
BEST LUNCH SPOT
Tony’s Hot Dogs
1922 Montgomery Hwy
Birmingham
205-988-3236
Runners Up: Station 31 Kitchen, Main Street Tavern
BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT
Main Street Tavern
710 N Boundary St
Montevallo
205-665-0336
Runners Up: Station 31 Kitchen, Taco Mama—Hwy 119
BEST CHEF
Jonathan Harrison
Next Level Chef Contestant
chefjonathanharrison.com
Instagram: @chef_jonathanharrison
Facebook: @chefjonathanharrison
Twitter: @chefjonathan_h
Runners Up: Chef James Washington—Refined toGo, Jeff Webster—Main Street Tavern
BEST BRUNCH
Big Bad Breakfast
5361 US-280
Hoover
205-490-7568
Runners Up: Ruby Sunshine, Azaleas
COMMUNITY
BEST FESTIVAL
Alabaster CityFest
alabastercityfest.com
Runners Up: Columbiana’s Liberty Day, Helena’s Buck Creek Festival
BEST LOCAL CAUSE
Vineyard Family Services
2834 Pelham Pkwy
Pelham
205-317-9897
Runners Up: The Wings of Hope Pediatric Foundation, Hatching Hope
BEST LOCAL PERSONALITY (TITLE REQUIRED)
James Spann
Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40
800 Concourse Pkwy STE 200
Hoover
205-403-3340
Runners Up: Bruce Andrews—Executive Director Shelby County Arts Council, Sean Dietrich—Sean of the South
BEST CITY PARK
Veterans Park—Alabaster
7305 Hwy 119
Alabaster
205-664-6840
Runners Up: Orr Park, Melrose Park Playground & Splashpad
BEST COMMUNITY CENTER
Shelby County Arts Council
105 W College St
Columbiana
205-669-0044
Runners Up: Chelsea Community Center, PELHAM RECREATION CENTER
BEST MUSEUM
American Village
3727 Hwy 119 S
Montevallo
205-665-3535
Runners Up: Shelby County Museum & Archives, Shelby County Arts Council
BEST ART STUDIO
Shelby County Arts Council
105 W College St
Columbiana
205-669-0044
Runners Up: Party Art Studio, Griffith Art Gallery
BEST GOLF COURSE
Inverness Country Club
1 Country Club Dr
Birmingham
205-991-8608
Runners Up: Ballantrae Golf Club, Timberline Golf Club
BEST PLACE FOR A FAMILY OUTING
Oak Mountain State Park
200 Terrace Dr
Pelham
205-620-2520
Runners Up: Helena Hollow, Shiloh Clays
BEST PLACE TO WORSHIP
Church of the Highlands—Riverchase Campus
9013 Helena Rd
Pelham
205-980-5577
Runners Up: Collectivus Church, Westwood Baptist Church
HEALTH & BEAUTY
BEST DENTAL PRACTICE
Luma Dentistry—Columbiana
22727 AL-25
Columbiana
205-669-9900
Runners Up: Calera Dental Center, Chelsea Comprehensive Dental
BEST ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE
Calera Orthodontics
101 Count Rd 87
Calera
205-620-4611
Runners Up: Edwards Orthodontics, Chelsea Orthodontics
BEST SPA
Spa Cahaba
2279 Valleydale Rd STE 102
Hoover
205-214-8832
Runners Up: Spa 22, Local Glo Skin Care Studio
BEST DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE
Cahaba Dermatology & Skin Health Center
2279 Valleydale Rd STE 100
Birmingham
205-214-7546
Runners Up: Inverness Dermatology & Laser, Dermatologists of Birmingham—Alabaster
BEST EYE CARE PRACTICE
Inverness Eye Care
252 Inverness Center Dr
Birmingham
205-729-7078
Runners Up: Kye L. Mansfield, OD; Pelham Eye Center
BEST CHIROPRACTIC CARE PRACTICE
Chelsea Chiropractic
398 Chesser Dr
Chelsea
205-678-1000
Runners Up: The FARM: Functional Athletic Rehabilitation & Movement; Shelby Family Chiropractic, Stan R. Stubbs, DC
BEST PHARMACY
Snider’s Discount Pharmacy
15582 US-280
Chelsea
205-678-3899
Runners Up: Brooklere Pharmacy of Alabaster, Village Drug Co.
BEST FAMILY MEDICINE PRACTICE
Total Care 280: Dr. Bentley Illescas
10 Meadowview Dr
Hoover
205-547-2323
Runners Up: Cahaba Family Medicine, Absolute Health & Wellness
BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE
Greenvale Pediatrics—Brook Highland
101 Eagle Ridge Dr
Birmingham
205-995-1004
Runners Up: Southlake Pediatrics, Inc.; Alabaster Pediatrics
WEIGHT LOSS
ENG1INE FITNESS & NUTRITION
7030 Meadowlark Dr STE 105
Birmingham
205-318-2355
Runners Up: Body by Brii Female Only Fitness Studio, The Garage Kickboxing
BEST FITNESS CENTER
ENG1INE FITNESS & NUTRITION
7030 Meadowlark Dr STE 105
Birmingham
205-318-2355
Runners Up: Burn Boot Camp—Meadowbrook, Body by Brii Female Only Fitness Studio
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER (GYM REQUIRED)
Annie Veal, Burn Boot Camp
1801 Doug Baker Blvd
Hoover
205-903-8154
Runners Up: Brii Verbitski—Body Body by Brii, Magee Patton
BEST MASSAGE
Spa 22
10313 County Rd 22 STE C
Calera
205-837-8252
Runners Up: Massage 119, Spa Cahaba
DOCTOR
Dr. Amy Bentley Illescas
Total Care 280
10 Meadowview Dr
Hoover
205-547-2323
Runners Up: Dr. Vlada Groysman, Dr. Robert Snyder
MENTAL HEALTH/COUNSELING SERVICES
Soul Story Therapy
511 Creekside Ct
Helena
205-202-9685
Runners Up: Integrative Health Services, LLC; Warrior Wellness Group, LLC
BEST ESTHETICIAN
Hannah Ayers, Spa Cahaba
2279 Valleydale Rd STE 102
Hoover
205-214-8832
Runners Up: Skin Care Solutions of Alabama, LLC; Local Glo Skin Care Studio
BEST HAIR SALON
Studio Chic Salon
271 Village Pkwy
Helena
205-358-8784
Runners Up: JustFabByKayla, Seventh Heaven
BEST BARBER SHOP
Old Town Barber Shop
3989 Helena Rd
Helena
205-624-2299
Runners Up: The Guys’ Place, Pelham Barber Shop
BEST NAIL SALON
Polished 31 NailSpa
2156 Pelham Pkwy STE E
Pelham
205-783-1180
Runners Up: Nail Star, GJ’s Nails
SHOPPING & SERVICES
BEST NEW BUSINESS (OPEN ONE YEAR OR LESS)
Taylormade Clothing
100 Brook Dr STE C
Helena
205-417-5208
Runners Up: ARC Realty—Pelham, RealtySouth—Chelsea
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Donna Gaskins, Realtor—ARC Realty
donnagaskins.arcrealtyco.com
205-441-0333
Runners Up: The Sassy Shopper Boutique, Brandi Edwards
BEST BOUTIQUE/CLOTHING STORE
The Sassy Shopper Boutique
224 Kent Stone Blvd STE 200
Alabaster
205-624-4084
Runners Up: Taylormade Clothing, Oh My Sole
BEST GIFT SHOP
The Farm Company
The Brasher Building, 105A S Main St #132
Columbiana
205-671-5477
Runners Up: Gifted, Plant Gifts & Decor
BEST SPECIALTY STORE
Just A Tish, Wine & More
113 W College St STE B
Columbiana
205-671-5267
Runners Up: Sweet Tweets Bird Supply LLC, Whiskers and Wags Pet Boutique
BEST STORE FOR HOME FURNISHINGS/DÉCOR/KITCHENS
Alabama Furniture Market
10 Commercial Park Dr
Calera
205-668-9995
Runners Up: Plant Gifts & Décor, Encore Home
BEST JEWELRY STORE
Southeastern Jewelers Inc
5299 Valleydale Rd
Birmingham
205-980-9030
Runners Up: Hughes Jewelers, Gifted
BEST CONSIGNMENT STORE
Consigned Design
72 Fulton Springs Rd
Alabaster
205-664-7540
Runners Up: Style Encore—Inverness; Vapor Thrift Store—Westover
BEST SENIOR LIVING FACILITY
Danberry at Inverness
235 Inverness Center Dr
Birmingham
205-443-9500
Runners Up: Gardens of Pelham, Somerby St. Vincent’s One Nineteen
BEST NURSERY
Cedar Creek Nursery Inc
2979 Hwy 119
Montevallo
205-283-1221
Runners Up: Myers Plants & Pottery, Cedar Creek Nursery—Helena
BEST FLORIST
Amazing Flowers & Occasions
102 S Main St
Columbiana
205-669-7061
Runners Up: The Petal Cart, Plant Gifts & Decor
BEST PUBLIC LIBRARY
Chelsea Public Library
16623 US-280
Chelsea
205-847-5750
Runners Up: Pelham Public Library, North Shelby Library
BEST STORE FOR KIDS
Gifted
2643 Pelham Pkwy
Pelham
205-533-2335
Runners Up: Sew Precious, ROE Hobby
BEST PLACE FOR A KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTY
Helena Hollow
6027 Hwy 17
Helena
205-541-8150
Runners Up: Hooligans Arcade, Oak Mountain Lanes
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL
Westminster School
5080 Cahaba Valley Trce
Birmingham
205-995-9694
Runners Up: Evangel Classical Christian School, Cornerstone Christian School
BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL
Forest Oaks Elementary School
1000 Hornet Pkwy
Chelsea
205-682-7220
Runners Up: Thompson High School, Pelham Oaks Elementary School
BEST TEACHER
Erin Haisten, Forest Oaks Elementary School
1000 Hornet Pkwy
Chelsea
205-682-7220
Runners Up: Michelle Branson—Shelby County High School, Suzanne Williams—Meadow View Elementary School
BEST CHILDCARE
Ardent Preschool & Daycare Center—Greystone
6801 Tattersall Way
Hoover
205-396-1250
Runners Up: Vinehouse Nursery, Chase Learning Center & Day Care
BEST DANCE/GYMNASTICS STUDIO
Joy’s Dance Company
378 Shady Acres Rd
Alabaster
205-835-8483
Runners Up: Dance Etc, NXS Gym
BEST DRY CLEANER
Champion Cleaners
4204 US-31
Calera
205-668-4727
Runners Up: Pelham Cleaners, W & S Cleaners
BEST ELECTRICIAN
Gallups Electric Co
322 AL-25
Columbiana
205-323-2004
Runners Up: Sentry Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, & Electrical; Jason Dunnaway—Wilsonville
BEST PLUMBER
Superior Plumbing & Drain
308 2nd Pl SW STE A
Alabaster
205-621-4141
Runners Up: The Neighborhood Plumber Inc, Capstone Plumbing
BEST EVENT/WEDDING VENUE
Oak Island Mansion—Weddings, Corporate Events, Private Parties
810 Paradise Cove Ln
Wilsonville
205-614-4800
Runners Up: Cat-n-Bird Winery, Inverness Country Club
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Burnette Farms Market
8551 Helena Rd
Pelham
205-730-9170
Runners Up: Columbiana Farmers Market, Helena Farmers Market
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY
ARC Realty
205-969-8912
Runners Up: Ellis Properties Inc, RealtySouth—Chelsea
BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
Donna Gaskins, ARC Realty
donnagaskins.arcrealtyco.com
205-441-0333
Runners Up: Corley Ellis, Brooke Handle—Exit Realty
BEST LAW FIRM
Reli Title
200 Village Dr
Pelham
205-262-2467
Runners Up: Scozzaro Law LLC, Wallace Ellis Fowler & Head
BEST ATTORNEY
Emmanuel Scozzaro, Scozzaro Law LLC
600 Creekside Ct
Helena
205-624-3367
Runners Up: Kenneth St John Reli, Bent Owens
BEST ANIMAL CLINIC
MAC Animal Hospital
4300 US-31
Calera
205-453-7500
Runners Up: 280 Animal Medical Center, Kent Farms Animal Hospital
BEST PET SUPPLY/TRAINING STORE
Whiskers and Wags Pet Boutique
16618 US-280 STE 200
Chelsea
205-703-2129
Runners Up: Fuzzy Buttz Pet Supply, Mid-State Farmers Co-Op Inc
BEST PEST CONTROL
Farmers Pest Control
P.O. Box 837
Helena
205-506-3500
Runners Up: Mr. Bugg’s Pest Patrol, Inc; Waynes Pest Control
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (CITY REQUIRED)
Kaitie Rickels Photography, LLC—Luxury Portrait Photographer
10842 AL-25
Calera
205-789-5928
Runners Up: Stephanie Fisher Photography, Untold Boudoir
HOME, FINANCE & AUTO
BEST HOME BUILDER
Winford Homecrafter—Pelham
winfordhomecrafters.com
Runners Up: Alabama Decks & Exteriors—Porches, Screen Rooms, Roofing, Windows, & Siding; Nelson Connell Construction
BEST REMODELER
Alabama Decks & Exteriors—Porches, Screen Rooms, Roofing, Windows, & Siding
405 Grove Hill Cir
Alabaster
205-492-3325
Runners Up: Nelson Connell Construction, ReStyle Staging LLC
BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER
Lauren Valentine, Valentine Style & Design
Instagram: @valentine_styleanddesign
Runners Up: Ashley White Interiors, Ashley Bernatski
BEST LANDSCAPING COMPANY
BETTER LAWNS AND GARDENS, INC.
PO Box 938
Alabaster
205-515-9467
Runners Up: Alabama Turf Works; Acre Group Lawn and Landscape; Crown Landscaping & Lawn Services, Construction & Restoration
BEST HVAC SERVICE
Higher Call Heating & Cooling
101 Hwy 47 South STE 7
Columbiana
205-966-0036
Runners Up: Carden Heating & Cooling, Country Boyz Heating & Cooling AL
BEST HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE
Helena Hardware
101 Ace Pl
Helena
205-605-0600
Runners Up: Brown Lumber & Building Supply, Dunnavant Valley Ace Hardware
BEST HOTEL
Candlewood Suites Alabaster, an IHG Hotel
1004 Balmoral Dr
Alabaster
205-620-0188
Runner Up: Comfort Suites Pelham
BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION
America’s First Federal Credit Union
180 County Rd 304
Calera
205-825-7850
Runners Up: Central State Bank of Calera, Avadian Credit Union
BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM
Essential Solutions, LLC
138 5th Ave NE
Alabaster
205-663-8686
Runners Up: SAS Tax & Accounting, VIC Smith CPA PC
BEST MORTGAGE GROUP
MortgageBanc /Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp
2007 Eagle Ridge Dr
Birmingham
205-986-4220
Runners Up: Kristy Redford Movement Mortgage, Central State Mortgage
BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Edward Jones—Financial Advisor: Adam Windsor, CFP®|AAMS™|CRPC™
100 Brook Dr STE E
Helena
205-664-2201
Runners Up: Edward Jones—Financial Advisor: Kyle Mims, Heath Morris—One Ascent
BEST INSURANCE AGENCY
Rux Carter Insurance Inc.
107 N Main St
Columbiana
205-669-3158
Runners Up: The Rinehart Agency, Jami Noe—State Farm Insurance Agent
BEST INSURANCE AGENT
Torie Rinehart
The Rushton Building, 101 W College St STE C
Columbiana
205-671-5555
Runners Up: Jami Noe—State Farm Insurance Agent, Candace Byers Alfa Insurance
BEST AUTO SERVICE
Christian Brothers Automotive—Tattersall Park
6612 Tattersall Ln
Birmingham
205-598-3106
Runners Up: Chelsea Tire Pros, Elite Offroad and Performance
BEST OIL CHANGE
Christian Brothers Automotive—Tattersall Park
6612 Tattersall Ln
Birmingham
205-598-3106
Runners Up: Chelsea Tire Pros, The Garage
BEST BOATING CENTER
Airport Marine
424 County Rd 87
Alabaster
205-664-0407
Runners Up: Skier’s Marine—Westover, Kingdom Marine
BEST RV CENTER
Burton Campers-Exclusive Jayco Dealer
320 County Rd 304
Calera
205-668-0075
Runners Up: Camping World, RV Roadway of Calera
BEST TIRE SERVICES
Chelsea Tire Pros
347 Chesser Dr
Chelsea
205-678-4944
Runners Up: Tire Doctor Inc., Howard Tire Service
BEST USED CAR DEALER
Donohoo Auto
8122 Helena Rd
Pelham
205-444-9333
Runners Up: Driver’s Way—Pelham, Calera Auto Sales
