Urban Tulsa's Absolute Best of Tulsa

[Hoss]

Anyone perused this list?  Any comments?

http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A31177

[custosnox]

just had to point this one out

Biggest Humanitarian

Winner: George Kaiser

As the president and primary donor to the George Kaiser Family Foundation, good ol' George is always busy with the simple task of ending the cycle of poverty. Yeah, no kidding -- that's a pretty hefty goal, but so far George and the gang have put a dent in meeting that goal for many Tulsans. This past December alone, the GKFF donated $6.6 million to Tulsa-area social service agencies.

Close Calls:

Henry Zarrow

Michael Patton

[YoungTulsan]

Haha, that must be a boost for the ol' confidence to be considered a "close call" to a billionaire philanthropist.

[sgrizzle]

They have a category for best Botox?

[RecycleMichael]

I had an acceptance speech all made up and everything.

Maybe next year.

[dbacks fan]

With all of the comments that I have read here and on 6 & 8 websites by viewers, Tulsa World, and posters here, that Kathy Taylor won in two categories.

Most Effective Public Servant

Winner: Kathy Taylor

Most Genuine Public Servant

Winner: Kathy Taylor

My only other comment, is that if this is truly "A Best Of Tulsa" that some of the winners were national chains Like P.F. Chang's, PetSmart, Buffalo Wild Wings, and The Cheese Cake Factory. There was a runner up for On The Border for chips and salsa, are they still open there?

For all of the buy/patronize local establishments, I'm glad to see that most of them were represented. I understand that some of them are locally owned franchises, but just thought that they would be about Tulsa business.

Just my $.02

[waterboy]

They are about the editor/publishers' friends, supporters and advertisers. Nothing more or less.

[sgrizzle]

I know there are at least two on-the-border restaurants.

What on-the-border get is that when people come in, there needs to be something on the menu for them but without the menu being too expansive to navigate. Plus the food needs to look the same and taste the same every time. The locals seem to try to force fancier fair (El Guapos), are inconsistent (Mexicali), or have menus the size of encyclopedias (mexico lindo)

[TURobY]

I know there are at least two on-the-border restaurants.

What on-the-border get is that when people come in, there needs to be something on the menu for them but without the menu being too expansive to navigate. Plus the food needs to look the same and taste the same every time. The locals seem to try to force fancier fair (El Guapos), are inconsistent (Mexicali), or have menus the size of encyclopedias (mexico lindo)

My mom likes the flavor and the exact spiciness of OTB's salsa more than any of the other competitors. That is the principle reason that we keep eating there. Most of the other places seem hit or miss, as if their salsa recipe changes on a daily basis. The same thing could be said about the food.

[Hoss]

My mom likes the flavor and the exact spiciness of OTB's salsa more than any of the other competitors. That is the principle reason that we keep eating there. Most of the other places seem hit or miss, as if their salsa recipe changes on a daily basis. The same thing could be said about the food.

LaMansion on 31st always stays the same...it might be a little spicier one day to the next, but I like their salsa for sure.

[RecycleMichael]

They are about the editor/publishers' friends, supporters and advertisers. Nothing more or less.

I disagree with that comment. Yes, you are correct about the ties between advertisers and winners. Yes, it is about relationships with the editor/publisher, staff, and friends.

But that is true also because those are the same people who are likely to vote and have the paper right in front of them when they vote. Winners  are also usually pretty well deserving of the honor.

On top of that, the paper always throws a great party to all nominees and advertisers and spents a ton of money to show us a good time. They also go out of their way to be gracious hosts .

Yes, the contest is a way to keep advertisers happy. But those advertisers make it possible for them to pay reporters to cover real news as well and I think it is great that we have a second paper to cover local news.

[waterboy]

I disagree with that comment. Yes, you are correct about the ties between advertisers and winners. Yes, it is about relationships with the editor/publisher, staff, and friends.

But that is true also because those are the same people who are likely to vote and have the paper right in front of them when they vote. Winners  are also usually pretty well deserving of the honor.

On top of that, the paper always throws a great party to all nominees and advertisers and spents a ton of money to show us a good time. They also go out of their way to be gracious hosts .

Yes, the contest is a way to keep advertisers happy. But those advertisers make it possible for them to pay reporters to cover real news as well and I think it is great that we have a second paper to cover local news.

I'm not too sure how we disagree. I didn't say it was nefarious or unseemly. Its just the way small circulation publications do business. Relying on paid circulation would put them out of business. Much of the distribution is through advertisers or potential advertisers, friends or wannabe friends, clubs, bars and restaurants.  Its a symbiotic relationship. There is no other alternative paper to speak of around here so if they say its the "Best of Tulsa", even though its mostly those folks who are making that decision.

Sorry, Mike, the general population would not have recognized the fine work you do and have put you in company with Kaiser, Zarrow et al. But the publisher, editors or advertisers like you. That's fine with me as long as people don't go too far with it.

I laugh everytime I see a framed "Best of ...." certificate in a business.

[bugo]

Rib f'n Crib came in third in "Best BBQ".  That invalidates the entire list.

[Hoss]

Rib f'n Crib came in third in "Best BBQ".  That invalidates the entire list.

Yep, shouldn't have even been on it.

[sgrizzle]

Yep, shouldn't have even been on it.

But Rib Crib is the consistent, "something for everybody" place. It's not the best BBQ, but you're not rolling the dice either.