Arkansas is filled with amazing people and places.
Every day, AY About You magazine aims to celebrate the wonderful things that Arkansas has to offer, both in our print magazine and online platforms. We never cease to be astonished at the wealth of subjects to cover, whether it’s a hidden gem restaurant, a new town to visit or someone who has done something extraordinary.
To honor the best-of-the-best in Arkansas, we conducted the 2020 AY Best Of survey. Through this survey, our readers could tell us their favorites, and we would honor them in a special ceremony.
With the help of late night television host James Corden, AY unveiled the winners of the 2020 Best Of survey on Thursday, Aug. 27 in its first-ever virtual ceremony. Neither a pandemic or tropical storm could prevent us from honoring the best people, places and things in Arkansas.
Here are the winners of the 2020 AY Best Of survey:
HEALTH
Allergy: Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic
Assisted Living Facility: Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation
Audiology Clinic: Miracle Ear
Spa: Ava Bella Day Spa
Cardiology: Arkansas Heart Hospital
Chiropractic Clinic: Blackmon Chiropractic
Cosmetic Dentist: Dr. DJ Dailey
Cosmetic Surgeon: Suzanne Yee
Dental Practice: Heathman Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Dermatology Clinic: Arkansas Dermatology
Best Doctor-Owned Hospital: Arkansas Surgical Hospital
Family Practice: Little Rock Family Practice Clinic
Gastroenterology Clinic: Premier Gastroenterology
Hair Salon: OOH La La Salon
Hospital: Conway Regional Health System
In-Home Care: Elder Independence Home Care
Massage Therapist: Rejuvenation Clinic and Day Spa
Medical Spa: Sei Bella Day Spa
Memory Care Facility: Salem Place Nursing Rehab Center
Mental Health Facility: The BridgeWay
Neurosurgery: CHI St. Vincent, Arkansas Neuroscience Institute
Nurse Practitioner: Meghan Mallett, Conway Regional
Nursing Home: Superior Health and Rehab
OBYN/: Cornerstone Clinic for Women
Oncologist: Lawrence Mendelsohn
Ophthalmology Clinic: McFarland Eye Care
Optometrist: OD McFarland Eye Care
Orthodontist: Phelan Orthodontics
Orthopedic Group: Bowen Hefley Orthopedics
Orthopedist: William F. Hefley, Jr.
Pain Center: Advanced Spine and Pain Center
Pediatric Clinic: Little Rock Pediatric Clinic
Pediatric Dentist: Kitchens’ Pediatric Dentistry
Physical Therapist: Debbie Williamson
Place to Have a Baby: Conway Regional Health System
Plastic Surgeon: Michael Spann
Prosthetics/Ocularist: Snell Prosthetics and Orthotics
Radiology Company: RAPA
Retirement Community: Presbyterian Village
Sports Medicine Clinic: Conway Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic
Surgeon: Ali Krisht
Urology Clinic: Arkansas Urology
CLOTHING
Local Men’s Clothing: Gearhead Outfitters
Local Women’s Clothing: Indigo
DINING
Asian Fusion: Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co.
Bakery: Community Bakery
BBQ: Whole Hog Café NLR
Breakfast: The Buttered Biscuit
Brunch: Lost Forty Brewing
Burger: David’s Burgers
Caterer: Gina’s Catering
Catfish: Eat My Catfish
Cheese Dip: Stoby’s Restaurant
Cocktails: Capital Bar and Grill
Dessert: Loblolly Creamery
Dining for Kids: The Purple Cow Restaurant
Favorite Restaurant: Faded Rose
Fine Dining: Arthur’s Prime Steakhouse
Food Truck: YGFBFKITCHEN Mobile
Italian: Bruno’s Little Italy
Mexican Food: Heights Taco & Tamale Co.
New Restaurant: Roots Restaurant
Pizza: U.S. Pizza Co. | Chenal
Seafood: Ocean’s at Arthurs
Special Occasion: Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Grill
Steak: Doe’s Eat Place
ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Art Gallery: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Casino: Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Concert Venue: Robinson Auditorium
Event Venue: William J. Clinton Library and Museum
Family Attraction: Little Rock Zoo
Festival/Fair/Event: Wild Wines at the Zoo
Hotel: Capital Hotel
Live Theater: Arkansas Repertory Theatre
Local Tourist Attraction: Buffalo River Outfitters
Museum: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Park: Petit Jean State Park
Resort: Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa
Seasonal Attraction: Garvan Woodland Gardens
HOME, HOME SERVICES AND FINANCE
Accounting Firm: Hogan Taylor
Bank: Arvest Bank
Credit Union: Arkansas Federal Credit Union
Electrical Company/Electricians: Gary Houston Electric
Fabrics/Draperies: Cynthia East Fabrics
Home Accessories: Mertins Dyke Home
Home Builder: Richard Harp Homes
Home Repair/Remodeling: Scott Lucas Construction and Custom Homes
Home Security: Advanced Alarm Technologies
Insurance Firm: Allstate – Brooke Brolo
Interior Designer: Garry Mertins
Investment Firm: Stephens Inc.
Kitchen Store/Supply: Kitchen Store and More
Lawn Care: Fairway Lawns
Mortgage Lender: Simmons Bank
Real Estate Agent: Brandy Harp
Real Estate Company: Jon Underhill Real Estate
Swimming Pools: Elite Pools by Aloha
KIDS AND EDUCATION
Community College: UA Pulaski Technical College
Private School: Little Rock Christian Academy
Public School: Conway Public Schools
Public University: UCA
MEDIA
Advertising Agency: CJRW
Columnist or Reporter: The Mighty Rib
Radio Personality: Poolboy
TV Personality: Craig O’Neill
Weather Person: Todd Yakoubian | KATV
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Person of the Year: Matt Troup
Place to Worship: New Life Church
Wedding Venue: Rusty Tractor Vineyards
SERVICES
Architect: Taggart Architects
Auction: Blackmon Auctions Corporate Office
Customer Service: Chick-fil-A
Dry Cleaner: Schickel’s Cleaners
Funeral Home: Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
Heating & AC Service: Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling
Housekeeping: Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock/NWA
Law Firm: Taylor King Law
Nonprofit: Project Zero
Party Planning/Products/Rentals: Party Time Rental and Events
Pest Control: Delta Pest Control
Siding/Windows/Roofing: Wilson’s Home Improvement Company
Veterinarian: Hillcrest Animal Hospital
SHOPPING
Arkansas Handmade Products: Aromatique
Bridal Store: Low’s Bridal
Consignment Store: Fashion Exchange
Eyewear: McFarland Eye Care
Flooring Store: Lumber 1 Home Center
Florist: Tipton & Hurst Florist
Furniture: Hank’s & More Fine Furniture
Garden Center: The Good Earth Garden Center
Gift Store: Haynes ACE Hardware
Grocery Store: The Bramble Market
Home Improvement Store: Fuller & Son Hardware
Jewelry Store: Sissy’s Log Cabin
Outdoor Living: Congo Fireplace & Patio
Shopping Center: Promenade at Chenal
SPIRITS
Brewpub: Lost Forty Brewing
Happy Hour: Local Lime
Liquor Store: Legacy Wine and Spirits
SPORTS
Fitness Center/Gym: Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center
Golf Course: Pleasant Valley Country Club
Personal Trainer: Stephanie Newcomb: Unleashed Health and Fitness
Sporting Goods Store: Fort Thompson Sporting Goods
TOP EMPLOYERS
Best Boss: Bill Greene, Premier Gastro
Best Overall Company: Conway Regional Health System
Best Place to Host a Work Event: Capital Hotel
VEHICLES, DEALER AND AUTO ACCESSORIES
Auto Accessories: Mud Connection 4×4
Auto Dealer Service Department: Everett Buick GMC
Auto Glass Repair: Capitol Glass
Boat/Marine Dealer: Bradford Marine and ATV
Car Salesman: Jason Koon, Crain Automotive
New Car Dealer: Honda World of Conway
Pre-Owned Dealer: Russell Chevrolet
RV Dealer: Moix RV Supercenter
Tire Center: All About Tire and Brake Tire Pros
Window Tint: Sunstop Window Tinting