Food & Drink

There were few surprises among our Reader Review picks on the places people prefer to eat and drink. Repeat winners include the perennially popular Clinkerdagger (top special occasion restaurant), The Olive Garden and Cedars in Coeur d’Alene, which grabbed the most votes for lakefront restaurant. Other top repeaters are Azteca, Outback Steakhouse and Red Robin. New No. 1’s were Denny’s (edging out Frank’s Diner as favorite breakfast joint, though we’re not sure this mega-chain quite qualifies as a “joint”) and Rocket Bakery, which dethroned Great Harvest for favorite bakery. After coming in second last year, The China Dragon pulled ahead of The Mustard Seed for most popular Chinese. Several spots garnered notice in a couple of different categories: Red Robin was picked top burger place and best restaurant to eat for under $10. The Olive Garden was chosen favorite downtown venue as well as everyone’s favorite Italian.

Special occasion restaurant

1. Clinkerdagger

2. Patsy Clark’s

3. Outback Steakhouse

Honorable mention: Olive Garden, The Onion

Downtown Spokane restaurant

1. Olive Garden

Ever since opening a decade ago, it seems there’s been a line out the door at The Olive Garden. Not even the protein-power diet craze can dent the desire for plates of pasta, all-you-can-gobble breadsticks and bottomless bowls of salad. While a few people might make a case that The Olive Garden’s cuisine is less-than-authentic, it’s all the Italian most people need to know.

2. Cyrus O’Leary’s

3. The Onion

Honorable mention:

Clinkerdagger, Chevy’s Fresh Mex

Downtown Coeur d’Alene restaurant

1. Red Lobster

2. Beverly’s

3. Dockside Waterfront Restaurant

Honorable mention: Cricket’s, Cedars Floating Restaurant

North Idaho lakefront restaurant

1. Cedars Floating Restaurant

The Cedars isn’t really a lakefront restaurant at all. It’s more like the eatery is one with Lake Coeur d’Alene, literally floating on its surface. This seafood-friendly venue actually rises and falls with spring run-off. One year, owner Ray Gillette hired a tugboat to shore up the Cedars so it wouldn’t end up at the Post Falls Dam during flood season.

2. Beverly’s

3. Dockside Waterfront Restaurant

Honorable mention: Beach House, Hill’s Resort Restaurant

Italian restaurant

1. Olive Garden

2. Tomato Street

3. Luigi’s

Honorable mention: Old Spaghetti Factory, Italian Kitchen

Chinese restaurant

1. China Dragon

2. The Mustard Seed

3. Cathay Inn

Honorable mention: Top Of China Buffet, Peking North

Thai restaurant

1. Linnie’s Thai

Linnie’s was Spokane’s first Thai restaurant when it opened more than 10 years ago. Interest in owner E. Muongkhoth’s exotic culinary efforts soon forced him to find a bigger space. At that spot on 14th and Grand, customers clamor for spicy curries and the ever-popular pad Thai, the Asian equivalent of the All-American hot dog. And, yes, there is a Linnie. The daughter of the owners, she was just a toddler when the restaurant opened. Linnie’s now 13 and has turned into quite a good cook.

2. Riverview Thai

3. Thai On First

Honorable mention: Thai Kitchen, Taste Of Thai

Mexican food restaurant

1. Azteca

2. La Chapala

3. Rancho Chico

Honorable mention: Casa De Oro, Chevy’s Fresh Mex

Seafood restaurant

1. Red Lobster

2. Milford’s Fish House

3. Skipper’s

Honorable mention:

Clinkerdagger, Ivar’s

Restaurant for smoked ribs

1. Tony Roma’s

2. Longhorn Barbecue

3. Outback Steakhouse

Honorable mention: Finnerty’s Red Lion Barbecue, Smokey’s Barbecue

Steak place

1. Outback Steakhouse

2. Wolf Lodge Inn

3. Chapter Eleven

Honorable mention: Calgary Steak House, Spencer’s Restaurant

Dinner place for under $10/person

1. Red Robin

2. Old Spaghetti Factory

3. Dick’s Hamburgers

Honorable mention: McDonald’s, Granny’s Buffet

Place for a gourmet burger

1. Red Robin

2. The Onion

3. Sawtooth Grill

Honorable mention: Wolffy’s Rockin’ 50s Hamburgers, D. Lish’s Great Hamburger

Breakfast joint

1. Denny’s

2. Frank’s Diner

3. IHOP

Honorable mention: Perkins, Knight’s Diner

Pizza place

1. Pizza Hut

2. Papa Murphy’s Take `n’ Bake Pizza

3. Godfather’s Pizza

Honorable mention: Rocky Rococo, David’s Pizza

Pub

1. Elk Public House

The Elk took a piece of Spokane history and turned it into the modern version of the traditional British public house. What was once a landmark Browne’s Addition drugstore and soda fountain now attracts neighborhood hipsters and area beer buffs alike, all in a comfortable, nonsmoking atmosphere. And with a menu ranging from a garlicky grilled lamb sandwich to a wicked gumbo to weekly dinner specials not to mention the 18 brews on tap there’s something for virtually every taste.

2. O’Doherty’s Irish Grille

3. The Viking

Honorable mention: Swinging Doors Tavern, The Ram

Wine bar

1. Niko’s

2. The Wine Cellar

3. Mizuna

Honorable mention: Vino! A Wine Shop, Arbor Crest

Bakery

1. Rocket Bakery

The Rocket first blasted onto the Spokane landscape eight years ago, with a cozy coffee spot in Millwood.

It was a desire to give customers something to jive with their java that prompted Julia and Jeff Postelwait to get into the baking business. Those classic coffee mates have expanded to include lemon bars, brownies, pumpkin bread, raspberry oat bars and all sorts of homey layer cakes (available only at the Argonne location). Little known fact: During the holidays, the Rocket also produces some breads (wine and cheese, sausage-rosemary and others) that can be special ordered.

2. Great Harvest Bread Co.

3. Albertson’s

Honorable mention: Fugazzi, Safeway