We first launched the Best of Arkansas in 1996. It was the first of its kind in the state, and, as you’ve probably noticed from the number of Best of Arkansas posters hanging on the walls of restaurants and shops around the state, it’s caught hold pretty well.
Now that the poll’s had its Sweet 16 birthday, we’ve grown nostalgic. A look back seemed in order. So we plotted every winner over the years in a spreadsheet, which you can download here. And we’ve pulled out what we thought were the most interesting data from the results. Because we know you care about stuff like how many Best Looking awards David Bazzel’s racked up, just how dominant Mexico Chiquito’s cheese dip has been, what nearly 40 years of Barbara Graves’ ads look like and how past winners of Best Weather Man would look as one man.
Below, see readers picks for the best in all six divisions of our categories. And don’t forget to check out our features on several of the best. Like the Best Local Toy Store, Heights Toy Story, home to talking dinosaurs. The Big Dam Bridge, a.k.a. the Best Cheap Date. This year’s big non-winner, Best Misuse of Taxpayer Funds Mark Martin. And the third winningest individual in Best Of history, Craig O’Neill.
Plus, our own staff’s ideas for other categories worth mention.