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OutSmart’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards Winners
This year’s winners contribute to Houston’s diverse culture.
OutSmart’s 24th annual Gayest & Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards are a celebration of Houston’s best and brightest. Throughout the summer, readers voted for their local LGBTQ and ally favorites in dozens of categories—from the arts and philanthropy to restaurants and nightlife.
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
Favorite Wine Bar
Max’s Wine Dive
Finalists: 13 Celsius, Bar Boheme, Postino Montrose
Best Drag-Show Bar
Hamburger Mary’s (tie), ReBar (tie)
Finalists: JR’s Bar & Grill, Michael’s Outpost, Pearl Bar, Rumors Beach Bar
Favorite Bar to Shoot Pool
George
Finalists: Barcode Houston, BUDDY’S, Ripcord, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Bar to Two-Step
Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon
Favorite Club For Dancing
Numbers Night Club
Finalists: Eagle Houston, Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon, Pearl Bar, ReBar
Favorite Community Bar
BUDDY’S
Finalists: Eagle Houston, George, JR’s Bar & Grill, Pearl Bar, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Men’s Bar
Eagle Houston
Finalists: BUDDY’S, George, JR’s Bar & Grill, Michael’s Outpost, Tony’s Corner Pocket
Favorite Women’s Bar
Pearl Bar Houston
Finalists: Buddy’s, Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon, ReBar
Favorite Straight Bar
Bar Boheme
Finalists: Belle Station, Griff’s, Max’s Wine Dive, The Flat
Favorite Place to Show Off Your Leather
RIPCORD
Finalists: BUDDY’S, Eagle Houston
Favorite Place to Watch Male Dancers
Tony’s Corner Pocket
Finalists: Eagle Houston, Papi’s
Favorite Live-Music Venue
White Oak Music Hall
Finalists: Dan Electro’s Bar, House of Blues, Numbers Night Club, Warehouse Live
Most Divine Drag Queen
Queen Persephone
Finalists: Blackberri, Chloe Crawford-Ross, Angelina DM Trailz, Nyx Laraye, Dessie Love-Blake, Alexye’us Paris, Violet S’Arbleu
Favorite Drag King
Hugh Dandy
Finalists: Damien, Preston Steamed, Ian Syder-Blake
Favorite Drag-Show Host/Emcee
Blackberri
Finalists: Kofi, Dessie Love-Blake, Violet S’Arbleu, Ian Syder-Blake, Muffy Vanderbilt
Best New Rising-Star Drag King or Queen
Brixlee Coven
Finalists: Kale A’Lily, Sir Debon Aire, Jewel, Preston Steamed
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) Female Entertainer
Wendy Taylor
Finalists: Brie Kinsey, Morena Roas, Lauren Salazar, Christina Wells
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) Male Entertainer
Wesley Whitson
Finalists: Michael Chiavone, Ty Frazier, Sebastian Gutierrez, Travis Webb
Favorite Local (Non-Drag) Nonbinary Entertainer
Nina Lombardo
Finalists: Attxla, Stoo
Favorite Local Band/Music Producers
Dirty Disco
Finalists: Attxla, Gndrbndr, Morena Roas, Space Kiddettes
Favorite Male DJ
Jimmy Skinner
Finalists: DJ Eddie E, GNDRBNDR, DJ Joe Ross, DJ Easton Santos, DJ Alex T
Favorite Female DJ
DJ Athenz
Finalists: DJ Drea, DJ Krazzy Kris, DJ Tina
Favorite Drag Queen DJ
DJ Aracely
Finalist: Lady Bunny
Favorite Nonbinary DJ
DJ Melle Mel
Finalist: Hustle Cry
PEOPLE
Favorite Female Local Politician
Lina Hidalgo
Finalists: Ann Johnson, Abbie Kamin, Kim Ogg
Favorite Male Local Politician
Sylvester Turner
Finalists: Garnet Coleman, Alan Rosen, John Whitmire, Gene Wu
Best Female LGBTQ Business Person
Julie Mabry
Finalists: Kym Adams, Caryn Craig, Heather J. Taylor, Tammi Wallace
Best Male LGBTQ Business Person
Mark DeLange (tie), Doug Smith (tie)
Finalists: Christopher Barry, John Donato, Greg Ramos, Mark Sparks
Best Nonbinary Business Person
Robin Mack
Finalists: Marley Morningstar, Chip Ware
Best LGBTQ Social-Media Account
JD Doyle (Facebook)
Finalists: Contrapoints, The Mahogany Project, Rainbow Community
Favorite Local LGBTQ Blogger
Travis Webb
Finalists: Sam Byrd, Joelle Bayya Uzuri
Favorite National LGBTQ Blogger/Vlogger
Barrett White
Finalists: Sam Byrd, Charlotte Clymer, Joelle Bayaa Uzuri
Favorite Male (Commercial) Radio Personality
Amir Diamond
Finalist: Kevin “Special K” England
Favorite Female (Commercial) Radio Personality
Sarah Pepper
Finalists: Karah Leigh, Roula
Favorite Male (Community) Radio Personality
Easton Santos
Finalists: Bryan Hlavinka, Jack Valinski
Favorite Male (Community) TV Personality
Ernie Manouse
Favorite Female (Community) Radio Personality
Tiffany Scales
Finalists: Judy Reeves, Chelsea Lerner
Favorite Male (Commercial) TV Personality
Frank Billingsley
Finalists: Eric Barajas, Blake Matthews, Derrick Shore
Favorite Female (Commercial) TV Personality
Miya Shay
Finalists: Deborah Duncan, Dominique Sachse, Courtney Zavala
Favorite Male LGBTQ Educator/Teacher
Brian Riedel
Finalists: Joan Cotton, Paul Fox Gonzales, Bryant Johnson-Wood, Sean Saunders
Favorite Female LGBTQ Educator/Teacher
Pam Straker (tie), Samantha Pisarski-May (tie)
Finalists: Kay Crayton, Michelle Palmer
Favorite Male Community Photographer
Dalton DeHart
Finalists: Gavin Calais, Sebastian Gutierrez, Steven Tilotta
Favorite Female Community Photographer
Wendy Taylor
Finalists: Andrea Simonton, Yvonne Tran
Favorite Female Community Hero
Tammi Wallace
Finalists: Katharine Ligon, Julie Mabry, Toni Mascione, Heather J. Taylor, Fran Watson
Favorite Male Community Hero
JD Doyle
Finalists: Christopher Barry, Kennedy Loftin, Brandon Mack, Jason Rocha, Jovon Alfon B. Tyler
Favorite Nonbinary Community Hero
Verniss McFarland
Finalist: Mike Webb
Favorite Trans Male Community Hero
Emmett Schelling
Finalists: Dylan Forbis, Sebastian Gutierrez, Landon Richie, Lou Weaver
Favorite Trans Female Community Hero
Dee Dee Watters
Finalists: Kymber Devine, Phyllis Frye, Atlantis Narcisse, Alexis Nicole Whitney
Leading Female Fundraiser
Chree Boydstun
Finalists: Lisa Madry, Sarah Tompkins-Gutierrez, Sallie Woodell
Leading Trans Female Fundraiser
Atlantis Narcisse
Leading Male Fundraiser
Derrick Brown (tie), Kennedy Loftin (tie)
Finalists: Mario Castillo, Don Gill, Sebastian Gutierrez
Leading Trans Male Fundraiser
Emmett Schelling
Finalists: Sebastian Gutierrez, Ian Syder-Blake
Leading Female Entertainer Fundraiser
An’ Marie Gill
Finalists: Jessica Fox, Violet S’Arbleu
Leading Male Entertainer Fundraiser
Sebastian Gutierrez
Finalists: Michael Clayton, Travis Webb
Most Prominent Female Activist
Tammi Wallace
Finalists: Katharine Ligon, Julie Mabry, Lisa Madry, Fran Watson
Most Prominent Trans Female Activist
Dee Dee Watters
Finalists: Joelle Bayaa Uzuri, Atlantis Narcisse
Most Prominent Nonbinary Activist
Mike Webb
Finalists: Joelle Bayaa Uzuri, Verniss McFarland
Most Prominent Male Activist
Brad Pritchett
Finalists: Randall Hance, Brandon Mack, Ashton P. Woods
Most Prominent Trans Male Activist
Landon Richie
Finalists: Dylan Forbis, Emmett Schelling
Most Valuable Female Volunteer
Januari Fox
Finalists: Augie Cahee, Donna Junker, Christyna Lewis, Angie Tate, Heather J. Taylor
Most Valuable Male Volunteer
Jim Taylor
Finalists: Don Gill, Randall Hance, Tom Seymour, Tim Tate
Most Valuable Trans Volunteer
Landon Richie
Finalist: Emmett Schelling
Most Valuable Nonbinary Volunteer
Kevin Nguyen
Finalist: Darrien Dyrell
REAL ESTATE
Best Male Real-Estate Agent
Brooks Ballard
Finalists: Bryan Cotton, Jeremy Fain, Thomas Phillips, Danny Pleaseon, Chris Schmidt, Colby Wulf
Best Female Real-Estate Agent
Karen Derr (tie), Debbie Levine (tie)
Finalists: Melissa Murray, LaToya Phillips, Shan Randle
Best Mortgage Company
AmCap Home Loans (Cari Middaugh)
Finalists: Amegy Mortgage, John Frels, Cody Grizzoffi
Best Title Company
Alamo Title Co. (Lyn Sullivan)
Finalists: Chicago Title Inner Loop, Texas American Title
Best Home Builder
Sabo Custom Builders
Finalists: Jose Ocque, Sandcastle Homes, ROC Homes, Loyd Russel Homes
Best Home Remodeling Company
Heels 2 Hammer
Finalists: Juancho Jimenez, Luria Construction, Odd Job Fence Co.
Favorite Rental Community
Durham Heights
Finalists: Elan Heights, Elan Memorial Park, Law Harrington Senior Living Center
COMMUNITY
Best Political Advocacy Group
Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
Finalists: Equality Texas, Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Human Rights Campaign, Transgender Education Network
Favorite LGBTQ Philanthropic Organization
The Montrose Center
Finalists: Bunnies on the Bayou, Out for Education, Save Our Sisters
Favorite LGBTQ Benefit Event of the Year
AIDS Walk Houston
Finalists: Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus Equality Brunch, Houston Transgender Unity Banquet, Mint Julep, Out for Good
Favorite LGBTQ Social Organization
Houston Gaymers
Finalists: Diana Foundation, Executive & Professional Association of Houston (EPAH), Hatch Youth, The LGBT Marriage Club
Favorite Local LGBTQ Community Organization
Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Finalists: Pride Houston, Pride Pantry, Trans Ally Collective
Best Local Corporate LGBTQ Diversity Group
Chevron PRIDE
Finalists: Accenture, Amegy Bank, MD Anderson, Shell
Favorite LGBTQ Sports Club
Montrose Softball League Association
Finalists: Houston Hurricanes, Houston Tennis Club, Lone Star Volleyball
Favorite HIV/AIDS Support Organization
AIDS Foundation Houston
Finalists: Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, Legacy Community Health, The Montrose Center, PWA Holiday Charities, Positive Women’s Network
Favorite National LGBTQ Organization
Lambda Legal
Finalists: Human Rights Campaign, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, Victory Fund
Favorite Local College or University
University of Houston
Finalists: Houston Community College, Lone Star College, Rice University, Texas Southern University
Favorite Place to Take Your Out-of-Town Visitors
The Menil Collection
Finalists: Discovery Green, Eagle Houston, The Galleria, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Favorite Place to Worship
Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Finalists: Bering Church, St. John’s UMC, St. Peter United UCC, Unity of Houston
Favorite Professional Sports Team
Houston Astros (tie), Houston Rockets (tie)
Finalists: Houston Dash, Houston Dynamo, Houston Texans
Local Business Most Supportive of the LGBTQ Community
BUDDY’S
Finalists: Amegy Bank, Eagle Houston, Mad Hat Maven, Pearl Bar, Silver Eagle Distributors, Tony’s Corner Pocket
National Business Most Supportive of the LGBTQ Community
Target
Finalists: Anheuser-Busch, Chevron, Zions Bancorporation
Best Local LGBTQ Website
JD Doyle Archives
Finalists: The Mahogany Project, OutSmart Magazine
Best National LGBTQ Website
JD Doyle Archives
Finalists: Huffington Post, Queerty, TransGriot
DINING OUT
Best New Restaurant or Food Concept
ACME Oyster House
Finalists: Eighteen36, King Ranch Texas
Best 24-Hour Restaurant
Chapultepec Lupita
Finalists: House of Pies, Whataburger
Best Bakery
Dessert Gallery
Finalists: Common Bond, Leona’s Bakeshop, Three Brothers Bakery
Best Barbecue
The Pit Room
Finalists: Goode Co., Killen’s, Spring Creek, Truth BBQ
Best Deli
Katz’s Deli (tie), Kenny & Ziggy’s (tie)
Finalists: Nielsen’s, Urban Eats
Best Food Truck
Eagle Eats
Finalists: Fusion Taco, Tasty Arepa, The Waffle Bus
Best Dumplings
Dumpling Dudez
Finalist: Auntie Chang’s
Best Hamburger
The Burger Joint
Finalists: Barnaby’s Cafe, Goode Co., Harold’s in the Heights, Lankford’s
Best Hot Dog
Good Dog Houston
Finalists: JCI, Minute Maid Park, Love Dog
Best Pizza
Pizza Birra Vino
Finalists: Bollo, BUDDY’S, Pepperoni’s, Star Pizza
Best Seafood
ACME Oyster House
Finalists: Eugene’s, M&S, The Rouxpour, Truluck’s
Best Steak House
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Finalists: Morton’s Steakhouse, Perry’s Steakhouse, Steak 48
Best Steak Night at a Bar
Free Grillin’ at George
Finalists: BUDDY’S, Pearl Bar
Best Sushi
AKA Sushi
Finalists: Oishii, Osaka
Best Vegetarian/Vegan
Verdine
Finalists: Korny Vibes, Soul Food Vegan, Sinfull Bakery
Best Breakfast
Baby Barnaby’s
Finalists: Breakfast Klub, Chilosos Taco House, Lankford’s, Snooze a.m.
Best Brunch
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Finalists: Bar Boheme, Eighteen36, Piggy’s Kitchen, Traveler’s Table
Best Lunch Spot
Urban Eats
Finalists: Barnaby’s Cafe, Gloria’s, Tacos Doña Lena
Best Dessert
Dessert Gallery
Finalists: Chocolate Bar, Leona’s Bakeshop, Urban Eats
Best British
Red Lion Pub
Best Cajun
BB’s Tex-Orleans
Finalists: Acme Oyster House, Ragin’ Cajun
Best Central/South American
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Finalist: Casa do Brasil
Best Cuban
El Rey
Finalist: Cafe Piquet
Best Chinese
Cafe Ginger
Finalists: Ambassador, China Garden, P. King
Best Japanese
Roka Akor
Finalists: Aka Sushi House, Osaka, Nippon, Uchi
Best Thai
Nidda Thai Cuisine
Finalists: Khun Kay, Thai Spice, Thai Village
Best Vietnamese
PHO 518 of Silverlake
Finalists: Kim Son, Mai’s, Pho Saigon
Best Greek
Niko Niko’s
Finalists: Eighteen36, Helen Greek Food and Wine
Best Indian
Tarka Indian Kitchen
Finalists: Himalaya, Pondicheri, Surya India
Best Italian
Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino (tie), Riva’s (tie)
Finalists: Maggiano’s, North Italia
Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern
Fadi’s
Finalists: Aladdin, Zoë’s Kitchen
Best Mexican
Tacos Doña Lena
Finalists: El Tiempo Cantina, Gloria’s, Hugo’s, Teotihuacan
Best Place for a Romantic Date
Brennan’s
Finalists: Bludorn, Giacomo’s Cibo e Vino, Traveler’s Table
Best Cooking Experience (Virtual or In-Person)
Dumpling Dudez
Finalist: 210 Fusion (Chef NaTosha Barber)
Best Restaurant for Cheap Eats
Jenni’s Noodle House
Finalists: Barnaby’s, La Tapatia, Raising Cane’s, Tacos Doña Lena
Best Restaurant for Elegant Dining
Truluck’s
Finalists: B&B Butchers & Restaurant, Brennan’s, Eddie V’s, Morton’s, Traveler’s Table
Best Restaurant for Outdoor Dining
Candente
Finalists: Backstreet Café, Eighteen36, Postino Heights
Favorite Food Delivery
DoorDash
Finalists: Favor, Uber Eats
Friendliest Restaurant Staff
Barnaby’s Cafe
Finalists: Gloria’s, Tacos Doña Lena, Urban Eats
DRINKS & SPIRITS
Club or Restaurant with The Best Happy Hour
Eagle Houston
Finalists: BUDDY’S, JR’s Bar & Grill, Max’s Wine Dive, ReBar
Club or Restaurant with the Best Margarita
Gloria’s Latin Cuisine
Finalists: El Tiempo Cantina, Eagle Houston, La Tapatia
Club or Restaurant with the Best Martini
Brennan’s
Finalists: BUDDY’S, Eagle Houston, JR’s Bar & Grill, Michael’s Outpost, ReBar
Favorite Local Brand of Craft Beer, Cider, or Seltzer
Eureka Heights
Finalists: Houston Cider Co., Karbach Brewing, St. Arnold’s Brewing Co.
Favorite National Brand of Beer, Cider, or Seltzer
Bud Light
Finalists: Dos Equis, Guinness, Heineken, Miller Lite, Modelo
Favorite Female Bartender
Sarah Tompkins-Gutierrez
Finalists: Kristina Prats, Lareyna Rodriguez
Favorite Male Bartender
Matthew Friar
Finalists: Michael Booth, Eric Ervin, Charles Garibay, Bryan Wade, Travis Webb
Favorite Nonbinary Bartender
Crystal Murley
Finalists: Piero Arevalo, Andrew Nagler, Charlotte Shottgun
Favorite Brand of Liquor
FIX Vodka
Finalists: Buffalo Trace, Deep Eddy Vodka, Dripping Springs Vodka, NEFT Vodka, Tito’s Vodka
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Best Chiropractor
Alexia McClerkin
Finalist: Airrosti Washington
Best Cosmetic Skin-Care Center
SkinCeuticals SkinLab at West Ave.
Finalists: Skin Renaissance, Skin Renewal Center
Best Male Aesthetic Physician
Patrick McNamara
Best Cosmetic Surgeon
Forrest S. Roth
Finalists: Fred Aguilar, Franklin Rose, Scott Yarish
Best Female Dentist
Cynthia Corral
Finalist: Daniella Farias
Best Male Dentist
Sam Carrell (tie), Marcus de Guzman (tie)
Finalists: Alex Barrera, Austin Faulk, Cory Logan, Randy Mitchmore
Best Female Eye Doctor
Nancy Lo
Finalists: Juliet Farmer, Michelle Hung, Christine Tyler
Best Male Eye Doctor
Paul Lovero
Finalists: Bimal Patel, Scott Sawyer, Stewart Zuckerbrod
Best Community Health-Services Provider
Legacy Community Health
Finalist: Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, St. Hope Foundation
Best Fertility Clinic
Aspire Fertility
Finalist: Houston Fertility Institute
Best Foot Doctor
Vanessa Barrow
Finalist: Neda Mehmandoost
Best Female Physician
M. Sandra Scurria
Finalists: Jennifer Feldman, Julia Kovacs, Natalie Vanek
Best Male Physician
Gordon Crofoot
Finalists: James Carroll, Abel Flores, R. Todd O’Neal
Best Female Physician’s Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Maggie White
Finalist: Christine Wysong
Best Male Physician’s Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
Derek Smith
Finalist: Donnie Harvey
Favorite Female Nurse
Christina Wells
Finalist: Kandice Webber
Favorite Male Nurse
Adam Sirico
Finalists: AJ Sarabia, Robert Vasquez
Best Male Psychiatrist
Daniel Garza
Finalists: Barry Gritz, Chad Lemaire, Jim Simon, ks Stanley
Best Male Mental-Health Therapist
Ty David Lerman
Finalists: Tony Aucoin, Daniel Garces, Jeffrey Myles, Ryan Viviano
Best Nonbinary Mental-Health Therapist
Nakita Bowman
Finalist: Thomas Oswley
Best Female Mental-Health Therapist
Tara Bates (tie), Denise O’Doherty (tie)
Finalists: Jessica Eisaman, Megan Mooney
Best Male Mental-Health Therapist/Psychologist
Denis “Woodja” Flanigan
Best Female Massage Therapist
Robin Mack
Finalist: Veronica Triplett
Best Male Massage Therapist
Ryan Fugate
Finalists: Tom Zeppelin, John Aaron Villareal
Best Female Personal Trainer
Danielle Sampey
Finalists: Melanie Jackson, Felicia Lee-Sexton
Best Male Personal Trainer
Gian Quiteno
Finalists: Andrew Hayes, Cody Soutar
Best Male Physical Therapist
Roy Rivera Jr.
Best Gym/Place to Work Out
FIT Athletic
Finalists: Body E Fitness, Club Houston, LA Fitness, Lifetime Fitness
Best Yoga Studio
BIG Power Yoga
Finalist: Black Swan Yoga
Best Emergency or Urgent-Care Center
SignatureCare Emergency Center
Finalists: Montrose ER 24-Hour, UTMB Health Urgent Care
Best Pharmacy
Avita Pharmacy (tie), Legacy Pharmacy (tie)
Finalists: Scott Read Pharmacy, Walgreens Pharmacy at CrofootMD, Walgreens
Best Female Hair Stylist
Celina Arzola (tie), Jacky Madrid (tie)
Finalists: Darcy Eaves, Patty Gooch, Alanna Hardcastle
Best Male Hair Stylist
Reza Nouri
Finalists: Mikey Nold, Cabe Nowlan, Adrian Santos, Anthony Skoogie, Christopher Michael Stribling
Best Tattoo Parlor
Electric Chair
Finalists: Arts by Meg, Corazones Tattoo, Scorpion
HOUSE & HOME
Best Female Insurance Agent
Shenice Brown
Finalist: Jennifer Majors Baca
Best Male Insurance Agent
Lane Lewis
Finalists: Dustin Harwell, Jeremy Henry, Jason Rocha, Patrick Torman
Best Air Conditioning & Heating Company
Village Plumbing & Air
Finalist: Newport Air Conditioning & Heating
Best Architectural Design Firm
Morningside Architects
Best Florist
Perfect Petals by Geo
Finalists: Gaye Jackson, Webwood Flowers
Best Furniture Store
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Finalists: Cantoni, Donna’s Home Furnishings, Nadeau
Best Furniture Store on a Budget
Alabama Furniture
Finalist: Gallery Furniture, IKEA
Best Gardening/Nursery Supply
Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques
Finalists: Another Place in Time, Buchanan’s Native Plants, Fountains and Statuary
Best Interior Designer
Jacob Medina (tie), Jean Quila (tie)
Finalist: Donna Dorrell
Best Architect
Morningside Architects
Best Landscaping Company
AJ’s Landscaping
Finalist: Suzanne Longley
Best Pest-Control Company
Natural Care Pest Control
Finalists: Amrid Pest Control, Bulwark Exterminating
Best Plumber
In the Loop Plumbing
Finalist: Village Plumbing
Best Pool Company
Venture Pool Co.
Finalist: Ultima Pool Service
Best Home Security Company
Fortress Shield Security
Finalists: Alert 360, ADT
LEGAL & FINANCIAL
Best Bank
Amegy Bank
Finalists: BB&T, Regions Bank, Wells Fargo
Best Credit Union
Houston Federal Credit Union
Finalist: People’s Trust Federal Credit Union
Best Male Accountant/Bookkeeper
Joseph Werle (Crunch Consulting)
Finalists: Gary Gritz, Brian Kapchinskie, Donald Simon
Best Female Attorney
Deborah Lawson (tie), Jessica Rodriguez-Wahlquist (tie)
Finalists: Joanne Ericksen, Lena Laurenzo, Dawn Renken
Best Male Attorney
Raed Gonzalez (tie), John Nechman (tie), Jeff Watters (tie)
Finalists: Mitchell Katine, Adam Miller
Best Female Financial Planner/Advisor
Grace Yung
Finalists: Berkely Arrents, Britt Kormann, Christyna Lewis, Lona McManus
Best Male Financial Planner/Advisor
Richard Dickson
Finalists: Elias Contreras, Shane Theriot
Best LGBTQ Fund Manager
Doug Smith (Hawthorne Capital)
PETS
Best Female Veterinarian
Kristy Kyle
Finalists: Daniele Rosser, Abigail Watkins
Best Male Veterinarian
Eric Cagle
Finalists: Jeff Chalkey, Richard Clive, James Longoria
Best Place to Adopt a Pet
BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions
Finalists: Friends For Life, Houston SPCA, Juno’s Hope
Best Doggie Day Care
Wag’n World
Finalists: Best Little Doghouse in Texas, The Dog House Pet Salon, Happy Puppy, Jackson’s Place
Best Pet Emergency-Care Center
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists
Finalists: Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital, Vergi 24/7
Best Pet Grooming Service
Aussie Pet Mobile
Finalists: Dog House Pet Salon,
Table of Love, Wag’n World
Best Pet Walking and Pet Sitting Service
Erin Kidwell
Finalists: Robert Carrasco, Over to Rovers
Best Pet Food
NULO
Finalists: FreshPet, Science Diet, Nutro, Stella & Chewy
Best Pet Treats
BakedBones
Finalist: Three Dog Bakery
Best Place to Buy Pet Supplies
NaturalPawz
Finalists: PetSmart, Quality Feed & Garden
ARTS
Best Art Gallery/Place to Buy Artwork
Archway Gallery
Finalists: Bill Arning Exhibitions, Hardy & Nance Studios, John Palmer Art
Best Community Dance Company
Houston Ballet
Finalists: Hope Stone Inc., Pilot Dance Program
Best Regional Equity Theater
Alley Theatre (tie), Theatre Under The Stars (tie)
Best Community Theater
Catastrophic Theatre
Finalists: Art Factory, Ensemble Theatre, Main Street Theatre
Best Local Equity Theater
Stages Repertory Theatre
Best Performing-Arts Company
Houston Ballet
Finalists: Catastrophic Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Pilot Dance Project, Theatre Under The Stars
Favorite Houston Museum
The Menil Collection (tie), Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (tie)
Finalists: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, National Museum of Funeral History
Favorite Local Female Actor
Tamarie Cooper
Finalists: Lydia Meadows, Amanda Marie Parker, Holland Vavra, Christina Wells
Favorite Local Male Actor
Mark Ivy
Finalists: Kyle Sturdivant, Don Jeans, Wesley Whitson
Favorite Local Nonbinary Actor
Stoo
Favorite Local Female Fine Artist
Katharine Ligon
Finalists: Liz Castellanos, Sherry Tseng Hill, Kiki Neumann, Heather J. Taylor
Favorite Local Male Fine Artist
Robin Baker
Finalists: Ryan Fugate, Joe Hale Haden, Edgar Medina, John Palmer, Hugo Perez, John Slaby
Favorite Local Nonbinary Fine Artist
Crystal Murley
Finalist: L’Quesha K. Monet
AUTO
Best Auto Body Shop
RMS Auto Care
Finalist: Ryan Automotive
Best Auto Mechanic
Tech Auto Maintenance
Finalists: RMS Auto Care, Ryan Automotive
Best Car Wash/Auto Detailing
Car Spa
Finalists: Aqua Hand Car Wash, CARisma Wash, Soap Hand Car Wash
Best Domestic Auto Dealership
Central Houston Cadillac
Finalists: Planet Ford, Planet Lincoln, Tommie Vaughn Ford
Best Import Auto Dealership
Team Gillman Subaru (tie), Fred Haas Toyota World (tie)
Finalists: Advantage BMW, Mercedes Benz of Houston
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Best Astrologer
Lilly Roddy
Finalists: Kevin Casey, Varina Rush
Best Women’s Clothing Store
Donna’s Boutique
Finalists: Macy’s, Tootsie’s
Best Men’s Clothing Store
OG 713
Finalists: King Underwear, Macy’s
Best Online Clothing Store
Hyphen
Finalists: King Underwear, OG 713
Best Copy/Print Shop
Copy.com
Best Place to Buy Erotic Playthings
The Montrose Forge
Finalists: Discount Video, Eagle Trading Co., Erotic Cabaret, Megaflixx
Best Place to Buy Eyewear
The Eye Gallery
Finalists: Eye Contact, Eye to Eye, Montrose Eye Care, Spectacles On Montrose
Best Face-Mask Designs
Davis Duo Design
Finalist: OG 713
Best Specialty Food Store
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
Finalists: Central Market, Spec’s, Trader Joe’s
Best Grocery Store
H-E-B
Finalists: Central Market, Kroger, Whole Foods
Best Place to Buy/Rent a Costume
CostumeWorx
Finalist: Erotic Cabaret
Best Jewelry Store
Tenenbaum Jewelers
Finalists: Diamonds Direct, Silverlust, Zadok Jewelers
Best Liquor Store
Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
Finalist: Total Wine & More
Best Creative Agency
Mad Hat Maven Creative
Finalists: Connect the Dots, Refuge Marketing
Best Funeral Professional
Jovon Alfon B. Tyler
Finalist: Leslie Bonnie
Best Medical Billing Service
EZee Therapy Solutions
Best Thrift Store
Out of the Closet
Finalists: Blue Bird Circle, The Cottage Shop, The Guild Shop, 1735 Resale
WEDDINGS & EVENTS
Best Place to Pop the Question
Discovery Green
Finalists: Avant Garden, Gerald D. Hines Water Wall
Best Place to Rent/Buy Formal Wear
Men’s Wearhouse
Finalist: Al’s Formal Wear
Best Wedding Officiant
Tiffany Scales
Finalists: Robert Hahn, Johnny Peden, Wendy Taylor
Best Wedding/Cake Bakery
David Alcorta Catering & Custom Bakery
Finalists: Cake Fine Pastry, Leona’s Bakeshop, Who Made The Cake!
Best Wedding/Event Catering Firm
David Alcorta Catering & Custom Bakery
Finalists: A Fare Extraordinaire, 210 Fusion Cuisine
Best Wedding/Event DJ
Darker Side DJs
Finalists: B&B Entertainment, Peyton Dolan, PB&DJ Productions
Best Wedding/Event Florist
Rexberry Luxury Events
Finalists: Scott Michael Designs, Alex Torres
Best Wedding/Event Live-Music String Quartets & Bands
Harmony Strings
Finalist: Divisi Strings
Best Wedding/Event Photographer
Sebastian Gutierrez
Finalists: David Troung, D. Jones Photography, His & Hers Photographers
Best Wedding/Event Planner
Rexberry Luxury Events
Finalists: A Day to Remember, Lauren Burnham, Wedding Bliss Events
Best Wedding/Event Venue
The Ballroom at Bayou Place
Finalists: Avant Garden, Bell Tower on 34th, Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Hotel, The Parador
Best Wedding/Event Videographer
J&D Productions
Finalists: Jay Clarke Films, Kirk Surber Photography
TRAVEL & VACATIONS
Best Airline
Southwest Airlines
Finalists: JSX, Spirit, United Airlines
Best LGBTQ Cruise or Tour Company
Aquafest Cruises
Finalists: Concierge Travel, Olivia Cruises, Vacaya
Best Local LGBTQ Travel Agency
Concierge Travel (tie), Cruise Planners (Peter & John) (tie)
Best LGBTQ Honeymoon Destination
Puerto Vallarta
Finalists: Las Vegas, New Orleans
Best LGBTQ Travel Destination
Puerto Vallarta
Finalists: Costa Rica, Palm Springs, Provincetown
Best Local Hotel
Le Méridien Downtown
Finalists: Hotel ZaZa, Hyatt Regency, Sam Houston Hotel
Thank you to all of our readers, advertisers, and sponsors—as well as everyone who voted—for making our 24th annual Readers’ Choice Awards possible!
This list appears in the October 2021 edition of OutSmart magazine.
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