Now in its sixth year, Local’s List has become much more than just an online poll. Over a period of two months beginning in early March, the public nominates and then votes for its top picks in lifestyle-related categories. Nominees are vetted based on their local engagement and category fit, the top five from each advance to voting, and then it’s off to the races.
Once the polls close, our team compiles the list of winners and the production of our July issue begins. This year, when everything was said and done,179,572 votes were cast from 33,711 people. While Local’s List is now in its sixth year and the growth it’s experienced is exponential, some things will just never change. It will always be a poll populated by the readers, for the readers. It will always serve as a reminder that locals really do know best. But above all else, it will always take us back to the reason The Bend Magazine exists in the first place: because of you, your stories, your dreams, and your passions.
For this year’s list, we decided to include the second and third place entries (because the more local businesses, the merrier!). So, what are you waiting for?! The winners of all 127 categories await you.
Arts, Culture, & Entertainment
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Annual Festival
Corpus Christi Dia de los Muertos Winner
Texas Jazz Festival Second Place
Buccaneer Days Third Place
Annual Fundraiser
Fiesta de los Niños, Driscoll Children’s Hospital Winner
TRIUMPH Over Kid Cancer Second Place
Cattle Baron’s Ball Third Place
Art Gallery
Art Museum of South Texas Winner
K Space Contemporary Second Place
Nueces Brewing Co. Third Place
Arts Theatre
Harbor Playhouse Winner
Aurora Arts Theatre Second Place
Port Aransas Community Theatre Third Place
Band
ChicasRock Winner
Scarecrow People Second Place
Seattle Rising Third Place
Ceramicist
Moonstone’d Pottery Winner
Lovedrunk Pottery Second Place
Aloe Tile Third Place
Comedian
Tina La Cochina Winner
Happy the Comedian Second Place
Murk 361 Third Place
Dance Studio
Munro Ballet Studios Inc. Winner
Tippi Toes Dance Co. Second Place
Alcorta’s Compania de Danza Folklorica Third Place
Date Night
Water Street Oyster Bar Winner
Republic of Texas Second Place
Dokyo Dauntaun Third Place
Digital Artist/Illustrator
Savannah Garza Winner
Gilbert Cantu Second Place
Rick Gallegos Third Place
DJ
El Dusty Winner
DJ Skip Second Place
DJ Weasel Third Place
Event Venue
Texas State Aquarium Winner
House of Rock Second Place
BUS Third Place
Family Attraction
Texas State Aquarium Winner
Grow Local Farmer’s Market Second Place
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Third Place
Fine Arts Painter
Alex Gillis Winner
Daniel De Leon Second Place
Mayra Zamora Third Place
Fishing Guide
Jesse Torres Winner
Capt. Chris Elliott Second Place
Geronimo Leal Third Place
Girls Night Out
Painting with a Twist Winner
The Post at Lamar Park Second Place
Tannins Wine Bar Third Place
Hangout Spot
Executive Surf Club Winner
BUS Second Place
The Post at Lamar Park Third Place
Influencer/Blogger
Monica Benavidez Winner
Clarissa Serna Second Place
CCBucketList Third Place
Kid-Friendly Atmosphere
Texas State Aquarium Winner
Brewster Street Icehouse Second Place
Whataburger Field Third Place
Live Music Venue
Brewster Street Ice House Winner
Concrete Street Amphitheater Second Place
House of Rock Third Place
Mural
!Loteria!, Various South Texas Artists Winner
Soldier Mural, Michaela S. Gonzalez Second Place
Dokyo Wall, Jeremy Flores Third Place
Museum
Art Museum of South Texas Winner
Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History Second Place
USS Lexington Museum Third Place
Outdoor Photographer
LJ Photography Winner
Angel Ramirez Second Place
Taylor Mayfield Photography Third Place
Podcast
Sew Taco Winner
Leading Ladies of Corpus Christi Second Place
Beer and a Movie Third Place
Portrait Photographer
Sweetest Snaps Photography Winner
Meagan Benavides Photography Second Place
Flora & Fig Photography Third Place
Radio Personality
COCO on the Radio Winner
Rex Gabriel, C101 Second Place
Eric Ramirez, Planet 102.3 Third Place
Sculptor
Kent Ullberg Winner
Leticia Bajuyo Second Place
Michael Manjarris Third Place
Solo Musician
John Eric Hernandez Winner
Jon Mikael Mrez Second Place
Moniq Third Place
Sports Team
Corpus Christi Hooks Winner
TAMU-CC Islanders Second Place
Corpus Christi IceRays Third Place
Tattoo Artist
Chris Lain, Pinnacle Tattoo Winner
Matthew Rosas, Axis Tattoo Second Place
Oliva Bransom, Psychic Seas Tattoo Third Place
Tattoo Shop
Pinnacle Tattoo Winner
Axis Tattoo Second Place
Black Lantern Tattoo Third Place
TV / News Personality
Alan Holt Winner
Katia Uriarte Second Place
Bill Vessey Third Place
Wedding Photographer
VM Photography Winner
Taylor Mayfield Photography Second Place
Ascending Photography Third Place
Food, Drink, & Nightlife
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Asian Cuisine
BKK Thai Kitchen + Bar Winner
Hu Dat Noodle House Second Place
Z Counter Third Place
Baked Goods
Sweet Rose Cupcakes Winner
Trendy Eats & Vegan Treats Second Place
Mo’s Cookies Third Place
Bakery
Hester’s Cafe Winner
Bien Mérité Second Place
La Michoacana Third Place
Bar
BUS Winner
The Post at Lamar Park Second Place
Brewster Street Ice House Third Place
Barbecue
Salty Oak BBQ Winner
Julian’s BBQ Second Place
Butter’s BBQ Third Place
Beer List
Nueces Brewing Co.Winner
B&J’s Pizza – Brewpub Second Place
Lazy Beach Brewing and Cafe Third Place
Breakfast Tacos
Taqueria Acapulco No.1 Winner
Hi-Ho Restaurant Second Place
Nano’s Taco Run Third Place
Brunch
Hester’s Cafe Winner
Andy’s Kitchen Second Place
Chops & Eggs Third Place
Burger
Padre Island Burger Company Winner
Wallbanger’s Second Place
Hamlin Fountain Third Place
Café
Hester’s Cafe Winner
Nuevo Cafe Second Place
Island Joes Coffee and Gallery Third Place
Cajun Cuisine
Surfing Crab Winner
Catfish Charlie’s Second Place
Mudbugs Cajun Icehouse Third Place
Catering
Water Street Catering Winner
Marco & Co Catering LLC Second Place
Texas State Aquarium Third Place
Chef
Tony Posada, The Blue Clove Winner
Gail Huesmann, Black Marlin Second Place
Clint Lewis, Andy’s Kitchen Third Place
Coffee
Coffee Waves Winner
Stingers Coffee Second Place
Island Joes Coffee and Gallery Third Place
Juice Bar
The VINE Juice Company Winner
Island Squeeze Fresh Juice Bar and Clean Eating Second Place
Sacred Juice Third Place
Craft Cocktails
The Post at Lamar Park Winner
BUS Second Place
The Gold Fish Third Place
Dessert
Bien Mérité Winner
Hester’s Cafe Second Place
Yummy Tummy Cheesecakes Third Place
Diner/Dive
Andy’s Kitchen Winner
Price’s Chef Second Place
Town and Country Cafe Third Place
Distillery
South Texas Distillery Winner
Aerodrome Distilling Second Place
Wild Horse Distillery, Inc Third Place
Donuts
Gates Donut Shop Winner
S & J Bakery Second Place
La Michoacana Third Place
Food Truck
TacoBar Street Winner
Jefe’s Mobile Cafe Second Place
Birrieria y Mariscos El General Third Place
French Fries
Executive Surf Club Winner
Wallbanger’s Second Place
The Post at Lamar Park Third Place
Frozen Treats
Marble Slab Creamery Winner
Sno Ball Too Second Place
A La Mode Gelateria Third Place
Gourmet Dining
Republic of Texas Bar & Grill Winner
Bellino Ristorante Italiano e Bottega Second Place
Katz 21 Steak & Spirits Third Place
Happy Hour
Scuttlebutt’s Seafood Bar & Grill Winner
The Post at Lamar Park Second Place
Executive Surf Club Third Place
Indian Cuisine
Ginger Cafe & Grill Winner
Sufi Kabob Second Place
Pavani Express Third Place
Italian Cuisine
Luciano’s Italian Restaurant Winner
Bellino Ristorante Italiano e Bottega Second Place
Frank’s Spaghetti House Third Place
Margarita
Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina Winner
YOLA cocina mexicana Second Place
Wings N’ More Third Place
Mediterranean / Middle Eastern Cuisine
Ginger Cafe & Grill Winner
Eirinis Gyros & More Second Place
Middle East Restaurant Third Place
Mexican Cuisine
Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant & Cantina Winner
Taqueria Acapulco No.1 Second Place
Senor Jaime’s Mexican Restaurant Third Place
Microbrewery
Nueces Brewing Co. Winner
Lazy Beach Brewing Second Place
B&J’s Pizza – Brewpub Third Place
Mixologist
Michael Green, The Post at Lamar Park Winner
Caitlin Bishop, BUS Second Place
Michael Cantu, The Gold Fish Third Place
New Restaurant
Dokyo Dauntaun Winner
YOLA cocina mexicana Second Place
Sal’s Bronx Pizza Third Place
Outdoor Seating
Snoopy’s Pier Winner
BUS Second Place
Harrison’s Landing Third Place
Pizza
B&J’s Pizza Winner
Panjo’s Pizza Second Place
House of Rock Third Place
Poke
Hawaii Poke Winner
Hanaya Poke Second Place
BKK thai kitchen + bar Third Place
Ramen
Z Counter Winner
Mikoto Ramen Second Place
Ramen Legend Third Place
Sandwich
Hester’s Cafe Winner
Surfside Sandwich Shoppe Second Place
Small Planet Delicatessen & Bakery Third Place
Seafood
Water Street Oyster Bar Winner
The Blue Clove Seafood Bar and Grill Second Place
Doc’s Seafood and Steaks Third Place
Seafood Market
Paul’s Seafood Winner
Groomers Seafood Second Place
Morgan Street Seafood Market Third Place
Soul Food
Portis Kountry Kitchen II Winner
Nolan’s Original Poorboys Second Place
Trap House Kitchen Third Place
Soup
Nuevo Cafe Winner
Hu Dat Noodle House Second Place
Pho Life Third Place
Steak
Ol’ Steakhouse Co. Winner
Niko’s Steakhouse Second Place
Republic of Texas Bar & Grill Third Place
Street Tacos
TacoBar Street Winner
Jefe’s Mobile Cafe Second Place
Taquitos Mi Tierra Third Place
Sushi
Rock & Rolls Sushi Lounge Winner
Aka Sushi Second Place
Dokyo Dauntaun Third Place
Thai Cuisine
Thai Cottage Winner
BKK thai kitchen + bar Second Place
Drunkn’ Noodlez Third Place
Vegan/Specialty Diet Eatery
PHAT Keto Co. Winner
Hester’s Cafe Second Place
BKK thai kitchen + bar Third Place
Wine Bar
TANNINS Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant Winner
Bellino Ristorante Italiano e Bottega Second Place
Island Wine Third Place
Wine List
TANNINS Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant Winner
Bellino Ristorante Italiano e Bottega Second Place
Yardarm Restaurant Third Place
Health & Beauty
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Barber
Barber Jon, Fellas Barber Shop Winner
Rick “Da People’s Barber” Morin, Flawless Barbershop Second Place
JC Cotton, Hands Of Gold Third Place
Barber Shop
Legends Barber Shop Winner
Flawless Barber Shop Second Place
Hands of Gold Third Place
Day Spa (non-medical)
The Woodhouse Day Spa – Corpus Christi Winner
Beauty Dungeon Second Place
Glam Getaway Third Place
Fitness Studio
The Quad Fitness Studio Winner
FitBar Fitness Second Place
Island Fitness Third Place
Hair Salon
Riptide Salon Winner
Elegancia Salon Second Place
Design Concepts Salon & Boutique
Third Place
Hair Stylist
Kristie Langston, Bombshell Salon Winner
Christopher Jarred, Superior Haus of Beauty Second Place
Eva Linda Carrillo, POLISHED Hair by Eva Third Place
Licensed Esthetician
Ciara Paige, Beauty Dungeon Winner
Gabby Gonzales, Allure Med Spa Second Place
Carissa Horalek, Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Third Place
Makeup Artist
Savannah Moore, Bloom Beauty Winner
Olivia Franco, Superior: Haus of Beauty Second Place
Rubenn Ashlee Third Place
Massage Therapist
Lauren Schroeter, LMT Winner
Jordan Longoria, LMT Second Place
Monica Santos, LMT Third Place
Medical Spa
Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Winner
Gold Dust Cosmetic Collective Second Place
Allure Med Spa Third Place
Microblading/Cosmetic Tattooing
Tina Lain, Gold Dust Cosmetic
Collective Winner
Allie Garcia, Herbanna Second Place
Savannah Moore, Bloom Beauty Studio Third Place
Nail Artist
Stephanie Esquivel, My Nail Girl Steph Winner
Linh Odom, Kosmo Salon Second Place
Jelly Tijerina, Kosmo Salon Third Place
Personal Trainer
Trey Lopez, Treyner Winner
Kyle Polansky, The Quad Fitness Studio Second Place
Santos Rosales, Hybrid Fitness
Academy Third Place
Tanning Salon
Third Coast Spray Tans & More Winner
Electric Tan Second Place
Glow Spa Third Place
Water Sports Instructor
Stacie Richline, Water Dog
Floating Yoga Winner
Anastasia Nichols Antonetz, Water Dog Floating Yoga Second Place
Brooke, Aquatic Kids Survival Swim Third Place
Yoga Instructor
Stacie Richline, Water Dog Floating Yoga Winner
Leah Bess Murray, Akasha Yoga Second Place
Michelle Acebo, Yoga Studio of Corpus Christi Third Place
Yoga Studio
Water Dog Floating Yoga Winner
Akasha Yoga Corpus Christi Second Place
Yoga Studio of Corpus Christi Third Place
Home, Garden, & Shopping
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Renaissance Winner
Wildflowers Second Place
20/20 Vintage Third Place
Architect
Gignac & Associates Winner
Turner Ramirez Second Place
Dykema Architects Third Place
Children’s Clothing
Four Chicks in the Park Winner
The B Hive Boutique Second Place
Goo Goo Boujee Boutique Third Place
Consignment/Resale Store
Threads Winner
Hi Again Resale Second Place
Sun Moon and Stars Vintage Third Place
Farmer’s Market Vendor – Fresh Goods/Produce
Bluntzer Fruit Stand Winner
Grow Local Second Place
JalaPeña’s Salsa & Catering Third Place
Farmer’s Market Vendor – Products
Lemonade Stand Cosmetics Winner
Love is a Seed Second Place
Southern Beauty Third Place
Fine Jeweler
Camille’s Original Jewelry Designs Winner
Susann’s Custom Jewelers Second Place
Pharaoh’s Jewelers Third Place
Florist
Blossom Shop Florist Winner
Wild Veggie Bouquet Second Place
Always In Bloom Florist & Gifts Third Place
Furniture
Chic to Chic Winner
Wildflowers Second Place
My Coastal Home Furniture Third Place
Gift Shop
Hamlin Fountain and Gifts Winner
Gatherings Second Place
Bleu Frog Mercantile Third Place
Handcrafted Jewelry
Lavender + Lee Winner
Tula Blue Second Place
Phat Knits Third Place
Handcrafted Product
Avele & Arrow Winner
Tula Blue Second Place
M O N A É Candle Co. Third Place
Home Decor
Wildflowers Winner
Chic To Chic Second Place
My Coastal Home Furniture Third Place
Homebuilder
Hogan Homes Winner
South Texas Home Builders, Inc. Second Place
MPM Homes Inc. Third Place
Interior Decorator
Terrie Moore, Wildflowers Winner
Susan Castor, Susan Castor Collection Second Place
Stephanie Peirce, Dane Design Third Place
Landscape Designer
Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co. Winner
Turner’s Gardenland Second Place
Gignac Landscape Architecture Third Place
Licensed Interior Designer
Susan Castor Wilson, Susan Castor Collection Winner
Bennett Maddox III, Bennett Maddox Designs Second Place
Suzette Hubbard, My Coastal Home Furniture Third Place
Pet Boarding
Barkaritaville Pet Resort Winner
Bruno’s Bath House Second Place
Feathered Friends & Co. Third Place
Pet Grooming
Grooms by Miranda Winner
Fancy Paws Dog Grooming Second Place
Bruno’s Bath House Third Place
Pet Store
Feathered Friends & Co. Winner
EarthWisePet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa Corpus Christi Second Place
Salty Aquatics & Fish Third Place
Plant Nursery
Gill Garden Center + Landscape Co. Winner
Turner’s Gardenland Second Place
Bay Area Landscape Nursery Third Place
Pop-Up Market Event
Loca for Local Winner
Southside Farmers Market Second Place
The BUS Shop Third Place
Pop-Up Market Vendor
Bluntzer Fruit Stand Winner
Sew Bonita Second Place
La Brujita Third Place
Surf Shop
Wind & Wave Watersports Winner
Board House Second Place
Third Coast Beach Company Third Place
Veterinarian
Doddridge Animal Clinic Winner
Southside Animal Hospital Second Place
Tejas Veterinarian Clinic Third Place
Vintage Retailer
Threads Winner
Renaissance Second Place
20/20 Vintage Third Place
Wardrobe Stylist/Personal Shopper
Alexa Gignac, Julian Gold Winner
Sarah Estrada, StyledxSarah Second Place
Pam Raska, Shabby Shack Third Place
Women’s Clothing Boutique
Stef & Becs Boutique Winner
Jewels Clothing and Accessories Second Place
Julian Gold – Corpus Christi Third Place
