This year Americans will go to the polls to cast their votes for the most important offices in the land and in West Seattle we asked our readers to do the same. In past years, the West Seattle Herald's readers poll has been popular, but this year the response both online and in physical votes was overwhelming...IN THE THOUSANDS!

We figure everyone was fired up for Nov. 4 and wanted to practice their voting skills and in doing so gave us a true reflection of the faces and places that make West Seattle so amazing.

Congratulations to all the winners this year and thank you to everyone that voted and continues to support the West Seattle Herald and www.westseattleherald.com.

BEST RESTAURANT

JAK'S GRILL is our first back-to-back winner in this category and whether you're looking for a place with a great lunch menu or quiet spot to sweet talk your honey JAK'S is a can't miss. Great steaks (try the Prime Porterhouse!), seafood, chicken and salads are always prepared perfectly.

Alki's La Rustica and Admiral's Angelina's finished second and third proving that West Seattle loves Italian food too!

BEST HAMBURGER

Another back-to-back category winner is ELLIOTT BAY BREWERY for best burger. They have a great variety of burgers on the menu and the Herald's own Dick Sherman (ad salesman and brewery regular) has a theory on the reason for Elliott Bay's burger popularity: "the quality beef."

Alki's Pepperdock and the Luna Park Cafe also scored big with our readers.

BEST PIZZA

Although challenged by Junction newcomers, Talerico's and Garlic Jim's, Alki's PEGASUS PIZZA is still our favorite Pizza. Check out their new location. It's right next door to the old one!

BEST SANDWICH

If you haven't had a sandwich from HUSKY DELI raise your hand!! What? There's no one?

Elliott Bay Brewery and the prime rib sandwich from Metropolitan Market had plenty of votes heaped on too!

BEST FOOD UNDER $10

This hard fought contest was won by REDLINE MUSIC & SPORTS. Not only is it the Westside's official WSU Cougar bar, but they have a great (affordable) menu.

Luna Park Cafe and Taquaria Guamos in the Junction are great places to eat on a budget too.

BEST CLAM CHOWDER

Not even a fire and temporary closure could stop CHARLESTOWN STREET CAFE from winning best chowder for the umpteenth time. If you haven't had it yet, you don't know what you're missing. The stuff wins championships around the world!

Dukes and Spud also made a good showing.

BEST BAKERY

BAKERY NOUVEAU, BAKERY NOUVEAU, BAKERY NOUVEAU!

BEST BAR/PUB

ELLIOTT BAY BREWERY not only serves up great burgers, but the beer's pretty darn tasty too. Mix that with a fun atmosphere and you've got our favorite Bar/Pub. The Junction's West 5 and Matador and Morgan Junction's Beveridge Place Pub followed closely in the tallies.

BEST HAPPY HOUR

WEST 5 took home the gold medal for best happy hour and if you've ever enjoyed their food and spirits with your friends after work, we're sure you've been back.

Last years winner Matador, newcomer Ama Ama and the Redline are a lot of fun too!

BEST COCKTAIL

WEST 5 took home their second category this year with the win for best cocktail. A repeat from last year that must say something about the quality of the product! Like, it's awesome! Cactus and Matador mix em' up pretty good too!

BEST BARTENDER

Either LESLIE at REDLINE MUSIC & SPORTS has a lot of friends, she spends a lot of time online voting for herself or she's just an awesome bartender. You should go say hello!

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Last year's champ, SKYLARK LOUNGE on Delridge, pulled it out again. It's a perfect place to see Seattle's best bands. Sweet room. Great sound.

The Rocksport, Easystreet Records and Redline rounded out the category.

BEST COFFEE SHOP

This one came down to the wire and HOTWIRE COFFEE (next to the Junction post office) beat Luna Park's Java Bean by just three votes. That is freakin' close!! Hotwire not only serves up a great cup, but has wi-fi and great service with a smile.

BEST MASSAGE

HEAD TO TOE DAY SPA in the Admiral District took this relaxing first time category and newcomer the Junction's Body Bar received votes too.

BEST PLACE TO BRING A DATE

SALTY'S ON ALKI easily won the best place in West Seattle to bring a date. Great view, great food, cool vibe. And there's parking!

BEST HAIRCUT

For the first time in years we have a new winner. Luna Park's OLA is West Seattle’s Best Hair Cut. OLA is a really cool spot and the customer service is top notch!

They were followed by past winner Illusions and Fantastic Sams.

BEST FLORIST

In this category it's LINDA'S FLOWERS and everyone else. For the past decade Linda and her talented team have been brightening up days throughout West Seattle and winning this contest.

Bobo's Botanicals received a fair number of votes this year too!

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

West Seattle is filled with great people that are helpful and courteous, but the most helpful and courteous staff in the area this year was TRUE VALUE HARDWARE located in the Junction.

Hotwire Coffee and the Body bar also got your attention.

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Over 30 businesses received votes in this category but the clear winner this year is that wild little gift shop in the Admiral District MAX & QUINN'S ATOMIC BOYS.

Other receiving a plethora of votes were Zippy's Hamburgers and Shoofly Pie Company.

BEST THRIFT SHOP

FUNKY JANES is a West Seattle mainstay and our clear winner for Best Thrift Shop.

BEST BOUTIQUE

The Junction's CARMILIA'S is a terrific Ladies Boutique and is our new champion in that category. Clementine and Sweetie also got in on the act!

BEST GROCERY STORE

Next year there will be at least two more grocery stores for METROPOLITAN MARKET to compete with, but a champion is a champion until someone takes the title away and Metropolitan Market is still the title holder.

BEST PET CARE

Where do you take your ailing pet? Most of you said WEST SEATTLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL this year, followed by Lien Animal Clinic..

BEST AUTO REPAIR

Last year, in an amazing numerical oddity two shops tied for the Best Auto Repair and this year they both received the most votes again, but TOM'S AUTO REPAIR nosed to a victory over Alki Auto.

Barnecuts and Foreign Auto Repair came on strong.