Best Of returns with a cowboy flair.

Howdy Partner, Keely Richter here, chewin’ a piece of hay and tippin’ my ten-gallon hat atcha.

I’m getting in the spirit of this year’s Best Of Monterey County® Readers Poll, presented with a wild west theme. I’m dusting off my bolo ties and my spurs for the occasion. 

The 2024 poll brings us a change-up in a few categories. This year we’re excited to find out who makes your favorite cioppino. We also welcome Gen Z to tell us their favorite bar in the county. We’ll ask you for your favorite dive bar (and boy am I excited to discover some new dives in the process). We’ve broken the burger category down into two—there’s now an option to tell us your favorite fast casual burger (I’m team Wendy’s) and your favorite gourmet burger. 

We’ve retired a few categories as well—the internet and the promise of discreet shipping has pushed the adult novelty market out of brick and mortar and almost exclusively online, for instance. The classic categories remain and the normal rivalries are still in effect.

Here’s how it works: From now through July 14 we welcome everyone to nominate their favorite people, places and things for each category. Voting is entirely online at montereycountynow.com/bestof and you must vote in at least 20 categories. When nominations close on July 14, we will tally the results and the top nominees along with last year’s winners will go on to the finals round. We invite you back from Aug. 1-23 to select the winner from among the finalists in a drop-down menu. On Oct. 3, we’ll present the winners to you in our highly anticipated glossy keepsake edition.

Ifn’ you don’t vote, you don’t get to caterwaul. No cryin’ in your whiskey. Log on to montereycountynow.com/bestof and let your voice be heard.

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Giddy up and vote for the Best. Supes battle over whose roads are worse. Celebrate Pride.