Gayest & Greatest — Galveston winners

275 6 minutes read

OutSmart readers have chosen their community favorites from auto dealerships to socialites.
And the 2012 Gayest and Greatest survey winners are…

Gayest & Greatest 2012 | G&G Community Profiles | Houston Winners

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PEOPLE • COMMUNITY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT
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GALVESTON PEOPLE

Community Hero (Male)
Rodney Seiler
Finalists: David Bowers, Joe Jaworski

Community Hero (Female)
Jill Costa
Finalist: Misty Valdez

Most Prominent LGBT Male Activist
Rodney Seiler
Finalist: James Stork

Most Prominent LGBT Female Activist
Jill Costa
Finalist: Misty Valdez

Most Valuable Male Volunteer
Robert Zahn
Finalists: David Bowers, James Stork

Most Valuable Female Volunteer
Pam Froeschner
Finalist: Misty Valdez

Leading Male Fundraiser
Rodney Seiler
Finalists: Tim Dudley, James Stork

Leading Female Fundraiser
Misty Valdez

Favorite Local Politician (Male)
Mayor Joe Jaworski

Favorite Local Politician (Female)
Betty Massey
Finalist: Elizabeth Beeton

Best LGBT Businessperson
Rodney Seiler
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
Finalists: David Paschall, V.J. Tramonte, Reese Woods

Best Attorney (Male)
Eric Kirkpatrick
1 Moody Plaza,18th Floor
409-797-3200
greerherz.com
Finalists: Joe Jaworski, V.J. Tramonte

Best Attorney (Female)
Debbie Hunt & Connie Moore
3608 Audubon, Houston, TX
713-522-4282
mooreandhunt.com

Best Eye Doctor
Kevin Katz, OD
Texas State Optical
515 22nd St.
409-762-8679
tso.com/office/kevin-katz-od

Best Physician (Male)
Victor S. Sierpina, MD
6710 Stewart Rd., Ste 100
409-744-4030
Finalist: Jim Hunderup

Best Physician (Female)
Angela Shepherd, MD
6710 Stewart Rd., Ste 100
409-744-4030

Best Dentist (Male)
David Colombo, DDS, PC
4410 Seawall Blvd.
409-763-8444

Best Dentist (Female)
Barbara A. Pickering, DDS
8333 Stewart Rd.
409-744-4330
barbarapickeringdds.com

Best Chiropractor
David Kingcaid, DC
17313 El Camino Real
281-486-7044
Finalist: Daniel Hatmaker, DC

Best Mental Health Therapist
Marco Vega
301 University Blvd.
409-486-7044

Best Personal Trainer (Male)
Nick Gray
Iron Den
1611 Dakota
409-234-4766
theirondengym.com

Best Personal Trainer (Female)
Jill Costa
16602 San Luis Pass
281-543-9887

Best Veterinarian
Jackie Cole, DVM
Campeche Cove Animal Hospital 3802 Cove View Blvd.
409-740-0808
campechecoveanimalhospital.com

Best Interior Design
Seamus Kraham
Frog at Home
2701 Broadway
409-762-3764
frogathome.com

Best Insurance Agent (Male)
Alex Monteith
SMI Agency
1802 Broadway, Ste 118
409-765-9515
smiagency.com

Best Insurance Agent (Female)
Suny Robinson
American Insurance Life
10700 North Frwy, Houston, TX
866-797-6455
ailife.com

Best Real Estate Agent (Male)
David Bowers (tie)
The House Company
2615 Broadway
409-763-2800
thehousecompany.com
Robert Zahn (tie)
Boulevard Realty
1401 Postoffice
409-939-9237
Finalist: V.J. Tramonte

Best Real Estate Agent (Female)
Jill Costa
Galveston Island Real Estate
16602 San Luis Pass
281-543-9887
galvestonislandrealestate.net

Best Hairdresser
Jim Windmiller
Windmiller’s Hair Salon
1015 26th St.
409-762-1627
windmillers.com
Finalist: Roy Fronsee

Favorite Community
Photographer (Female)
Susan Henry
2115 Postoffice
409-762-6454
susanhenryphotograpy.com

Favorite Community
Photographer (Male)
Billy Hill
409-771-8211
g-townsurf.com

Favorite Radio Personality
George Douglas Lee
Electric Theatre Radio Hour
georgedouglaslee.com
Finalist: Billy Hill

Best TV Personality
Frank Billingsley
KPRC, Channel 2
click2houston.com

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GALVESTON COMMUNITY

Favorite Social Organization
Krewe of Bacchus
kreweofbacchustexas.com

Favorite Community Organization
Galveston Historical Foundation
502 20th St.
409-765-7834
galvestonhistory.com
Finalist: AIDS Coalition of Galveston

Favorite Benefit Event of the Year
3rd Coast Turn-About
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalists: ACCT Annual Brunch, PAWS Gala

Most Supportive of the LGBT Community (Local)
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalists: Galveston.com, Island ETC Theatre, Stars Beach Club

Best (Local) LGBT Website
Galveston.com
523 24th St.
409-765-3502
galveston.com

Best Bank/Credit Union
Hometown Bank of Galveston
1801 45th St.
409-763-8628
bankofgalveston.com
Finalist: Bank of America

Best Mortgage
Company
David Paschall
Secure Mortgage Co.
6511 Stewart Rd.
409-741-9300
securemortgagecompany.com

Best Title Company
Stewart Title
222 Kempner
409-763-4641
stewartgalveston.com
Finalists: Chicago Title, Southland Title

Best Furniture Store
Star Furniture
3727 Broadway
409-762-7821
starfurnituregalveston.com
Finalist: The Frog at Home

Best Landscaping Company
Tom’s Thumb Nursery & Landscaping
2014 45th St.
409-763-4713
tomsthumbnursery.com

Best Garden/Nursery Supply
Tom’s Thumb Nursery & Landscaping
2014 45th St.
409-763-4713
tomsthumbnursery.com

Best Grocery Store
Kroger
5730 Seawall Blvd.
409-741-8580
kroger.com

Best Specialty Food Store
Spec’s
6815 Stewart Rd.
409-740-3161
specsonline.com
Finalist: Oasis Market

Best Liquor Store
Spec’s
6815 Stewart Rd.
409-740-3161
specsonline.com
Finalist: Economy Liquor

Best Place to Buy
Nutritional Products
Peak Nutrition Centers
6187 Central City
409-740-6949
peaknutritiononline.com

Best Domestic Auto Dealership
Classic Auto Group Galveston
8020 Broadway
877-390-3705
classicgalveston.com

Best Import Auto Dealership
Clear Lake Fiat
15965 Gulf Freeway
281-310-8300
houstonfiatdealer.com

Best Place to Buy Women’s Clothing
The Firm
2218 Avenue East
409-762-8300
galveston.com/thefirm
Finalist: Tina’s

Best Place to Buy Men’s Clothing
Cruz Cortez Clothiers
2227 Postoffice St.
409-763-9600
cruzcortezclothiers.com

Best Jewelry Store
Fullen Jewelry
2215 Postoffice
409-763-0555
fullenjewelry.com
Finalists: John Ford, Vic’s Estate & Fine Jewelry

Best Place to Buy Eyewear
TSO/Kevin Katz, OD
515 22nd St.
409-762-8679
tso.com/office/Kevin-katz-od.com

Best Art Gallery/Antiques
Rene Wiley Studio Gallery
21218 Postoffice
409-750-9077
renewileyart.com
Finalist: Big House Antiques

Best Place to Buy Erotic Playthings
Eros (tie)
1207 Spencer Highway
S. Houston, TX
713-910-0220
eros1207.com
Wild Side Things (tie)
902 Seawall Blvd
409-762-0074

Best Catering Firm
Mosquito Café
628 14th Street
409-763-1010
mosquitocafe.com
Finalist: Benno’s

Best Tattoo Parlor
Aasylum Tattoo South
6604 Seawall Blvd
409-770-0150
aasylumtattoo.com
Finalist: Island Tattoo

Best Day Spa
Hotel Galvez
2024 Seawall Blvd.
409-765-7721
wyndhamhotelgalvez.com
Finalist: San Luis Resort

Best Gym/Place to Work Out
Urban Fitness
2009 Postoffice
409-621-2878
urbanhealthandfitness.com
Finalist: Total Fitness

Best Local B&B
The Victorian
6300 Seawall Blvd
409-740-3555
victoriancondo.com
Finalist: Lost bayou

Best Local Hotel
San Luis Resort
5222 Seawall Blvd.
409-744-1500
sanluisresort.com
Finalists: Commodore on the Beach, Hotel Galvez & Spa, The Tremont House

Best Local Travel Agency
Galveston.com
523 24th St.
409-765-3502
galveston.com

Best Travel Website
Galveston.com
523 24th St.
409-765-3502
galveston.com

Best LGBT Cruise or Tour Company
Galveston.com
523 24th St.
409-765-3502
galveston.com
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GALVESTON DINING

Best New Restaurant
Waterman
14302 Stewart Road
409-632-0233
waterman-galveston.com

Best Restaurant for People Watching
The Spot
3204 Seawall Blvd.
409-621-5237
thespotgalveston.com
Finalists: 901 Postoffice, Brickhouse Tavern and Tap, Olympia Grill

Best Restaurant for Elegant Dining
The Steakhouse at San Luis Resort
5222 Seawall Blvd.
409-744-1500
sanluisresort.com
Finalists: 901 Postoffice, Rudy & Paco’s, Salt Water Grill

Best Restaurant for Cheap Eats
Gorditas
712 Seawall Blvd.
409-621-1944
galveston.com/gorditas
Finalist: The Press Box

Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
The Spot
3204 Seawall Blvd.
409-621-5237
thespotgalveston.com
Finalists: 901 Postoffice, Brickhouse Tavern, Yaga’s

Best Breakfast
Mosquito Café
628 14th St.
409-763-1010
mosquitocafe.com
Finalists: Miller’s Landing, Sunflower Cafe

Best Brunch
Hotel Galvez & Spa
2024 Seawall Blvd.
409-765-7721
galveston.com/galvez
Finalists: Mosquito Café, Sunflower Cafe

Best Lunch Spot
Mosquito Café
628 14th St.
409-763-1010
mosquitocafe.com
Finalist: Eatcetera

Best Dessert
The Steakhouse at San Luis Resort
5222 Seawall
409-744-1500
sanluisresort.com
Finalists: 901 Postoffice, Mosquito Café

Best Barbecue
Queen’s Bar-b-que
3428 Avenue S
409-762-3151
galveston.com/queens
Finalist: Leon’s World Finest BBQ

Best Steak
The Steakhouse at San Luis Resort
5222 Seawall Blvd.
409-744-1500
sanluisresort.com

Best Cajun
Benno’s on the Beach
1200 Seawall Blvd.
409-762-46221
bennosofgalveston.com
Finalist: Cajun Greek

Best Chinese
Happy Buddha
2827 61st St.
409-744-5774
galveston.com/happybuddha
Finalist: Beijing Garden

Best Greek
Olympia Grill
4908 Seawall Blvd.
409-766-1222
galveston.com/olympiagrill
Finalist: Mediterranean Chef

Best Hamburger
The Spot
3204 Seawall
409-621-5237
thespotgalveston.com
Finalist: Sonny’s Place

Best Italian
Di Bella’s Italian Restaurant
1902 31st St.
409-763-9036
galveston.com/dibellas
Finalist: Mario’s on the Seawall

Best Japanese
Yamato Japanese Restaurant
2104 61st St.
409-744-2742
Finalist: Sky Bar

Best Mexican
Original Mexican Café
401 Market St.
409-762-6001
galveston.com/theoriginal
Finalists: Gorditas, Salsa’s

Best Mediterranean
Mediterranean Chef
2402 Strand
409-765-7700
Finalist: Olympia Grill

Best Pizza
Mario’s on the Seawall
628 Seawall Blvd.
409-763-1693
mariosseawall.com
Finalists: Jack’s Pub on Postoffice, Papa’s

Best Seafood
Gaido’s Seafood
3900 Seawall Blvd.
409-762-9625
gaidos.com
Finalists: 901 Postoffice, Fisherman’s Wharf

Best Sushi
Sky Bar
2107 Postoffice
409-621-4759
skybargalveston.com
Finalist: Yamato Japanese

Best Thai
Pho 20
3728 Broadway
409-750-9200
pho20.com

Best Vegetarian
Mosquito Café
628 14th St.
409-763-1010
mosquitocafe.com
Finalists: Pho 20, Sunflower Cafe

Best Vietnamese
Pho 20
3728 Broadway
409-750-9200
pho20.com

Best Wings
Wingstop
6202 Broadway
409-740-9464
wingstop.com
Finalist: The Press Box
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GALVESTON ENTERTAINMENT

Favorite Gay Bar
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalists: Robert’s Lafitte, Stars Beach Club

Best Women’s Bar
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Coffee House
MOD Coffee & Tea House
2126 Postoffice
409-765-5659
modcoffeehouse.com

Best Happy Hour
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Margarita
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalists: Salsa’s, Stars Beach Club

Best Martini
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalists: Sky Bar, Stars Beach Club

Best Straight Bar
Voodoo Lounge
201 26th Street
409-515-5454
voodooloungegalveston.com

Best Club for Dancing
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Drag Show Bar
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Place for Two-Step Dancing
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Place to Shoot Pool
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Place to See Male Dancers
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Place to Show Off Your Leather
3rd Coast Downtown
2416 Postoffice
409-765-6911
3rdcoastdowntown.com
Finalist: Stars Beach Club

Best Bartender
John Timothy Branstetter
3rd Coast Downtown
Finalists: Marcus Williams, Stars Beach Club