>>> BEST DIVE ON FOURTH AVE.

McCoy's Tavern

There is no shortage of dive bars in our fair city. There's no shortage of dives on Fourth Avenue, either. The Clipper, the 4th Ave. Tav, the Eastside - plenty to pick from. But which dive is king? Friendly bartenders, stiff, stiff drinks and a solid mix of old-timey regulars and hip-to-jive young guns puts McCoy's Tavern a touch above the rest (in my book, anyway). With so many things going for each dive (the karaoke in the Clipper and the beer at the Eastside, just to name a couple), it's hard to pinpoint exactly what tipped the scale. Maybe it was that one weeknight in mid-December when I witnessed a lone man eating a full crab at the bar, cracking it open with his bare hands. Yeah, that's it. McCoy's wins. - Brett Cihon

[418 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, 360.352.0696]

>>> BEST REDNECK KARAOKE

The Viking Lounge

In the spirit of journalistic integrity, I must confess I've been to the Viking exactly once, as part of a birthday celebration for my future brother-in-law, Buddy. How we settled on this particular destination is lost in a haze of ethyl alcohol, but if countrified beer bars with off-key karaoke is your thing, then you were there that night, too. You were probably wearing your boot-scootin' best from Cabela's, and a trucker's cap festooned with either the Confederate flag or "FBI: Female Body Inspector." There were few female bodies to inspect, and those were sturdy at best. Damn right they were exhorted to save a horse, ride a cowboy! Where did we think we were, the Pacific Northwest? Yet the Viking's downscale clientele didn't just accept us, they gave Buddy a standing O for his defiant rendition of "She Hates Me" by Puddle of Mudd. - Christian Carvajal

[karaoke nightly, 6318 Martin Way E., Lacey, 360.456.1555]

>>> BEST VIEW OF THE WATER

Anthony's Hearthfire Grill           

Anthony's Hearthfire Grill in Olympia has one of the best views in town - it feels as though you're sitting on a boat in the middle of the water ... in a good way. The restaurant actually sits on pilings and is a great place to catch the many waterfront events in Olympia. Plus, the huge bay windows (which encompass an entire wall) take full advantage of the scenery. Anthony's Hearthfire has happy hour and early dinner specials - a prime opportunity for you to get a sampling of their delicious surf and turf menu offerings. - Brooke McKenzie

[1675 Marine Dr. NE, Olympia, 360.705.3473]

>>> BEST MINI CASINO

Hawks Prairie Restaurant And Sports Bar

With weekly poker and blackjack tournaments, low minimums, player rewards and the perfect blend of gamblers that only the cross-pollination of Lacey, Tacoma and the local dump can produce, this little casino holds its own. Mini casinos are table games only, so bring your strategy and luck as you gamble on Lucky Ladies, Texas Hold‘em or the nightly beef special. The casino is 21 and older only, so if you can't find a sitter, request a table on the restaurant side, have your husband/wife/friend keep on eye on the little ones and go back and forth between double downs, cheese fries and wiping dirty chins. - Nikki Talotta

[8306 Quinault Dr. NE, Lacey, 360.459.0900]

>>> BEST 24-HOUR CAFFEINE FIX OR HERBAL CURE 

Sizizis Coffee House

This 24-hour coffee and tea house is an interesting place. At any given time, most tables are filled with students, entrepreneurs and gamers with laptop screens glowing against their concentrating faces. Yet the wood-covered walls and lack of advertisement suggest a place and time before technology. Plant tendrils sprawl against the ceiling and walls, grabbing onto random glass doorknobs and twisting around portholes, creating an ambiance that works well with steaming mugs of deliciousness. The menu has tea blends like Calm My Chaos for mental clarity and Sword of Chiron with immunity-boosting properties, as well as your basic coffee and espresso lineup. It is definitely nice to have the 24-hour option available for all of hardworking Olympia to get their fix, and Sizizis fills that niche. - NT

[704 Fourth Ave. E, Olympia, 360.236.9988]

>>> BEST RE-OPENED RESTAURANT

(Currently closed due to a fire) King Solomon's Reef

Have you seen the Reef's new menu cover? It's awesome. An octopus with reaching tentacles battles a scraggly pirate for a plate of King Solomon's now famous brine soaked crispy chicken with waffles. The cover was chosen after the Reef's owners held a contest asking the community to design the new menu. It's this kind of community involvement and thoughtfulness that ripples throughout the business. Other manifestations of this involvement and thoughtfulness that helped earn the Reef this award include carefully chosen ingredients, cleanliness and staying open late for holidays and special shows. The business has also continued to hold true to its Reef roots - the bar is almost an exact replica of the original, and the restaurant continues to serve a striking array of state workers, families and late night drunks. - NT

[212 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia]

>>> BEST PLACE TO SAMPLE STINKY CHEESE

Acqua Via

Acqua Via has a smorgasbord of cheeses to sample with olives, meats and hot bread. Imagine mole salami paired with a delicious cheese and a sweet complement of fruit on the side. At Acqua Via, this vision can become reality. The restaurant uses Peterson's cheeses from Portland and Salumi meats from Seattle. The entire staff is delightfully knowledgeable on meats, cheeses, wine and every other bit of Acqua Via's delicious cuisine. Plus, you can leave with a bottle of olive oil, Italian white sardines and some cured meat or cheese under your arm. Bonus. - BM

[500 Capitol Way S., Olympia, 360.357.6677]

>>> BEST PARADE

Bathroom Line At The Brotherhood

If we have one complaint about the Brotherhood, and we barely do, it's the name. Granted, the BroHo occupies the former Labor Temple - a union hangout - so as you can imagine, it was quite the sausage-fest back in its peak union days. But on any given night in 2011, only about two-thirds of the Brotherhood's hard-drinking Hos will be Bros; which is to say, it could do with more than a single john in the little jills' room. The staggering diversity of Brotherhood patrons, from patchouli-scented Greeners to grizzled septuagenarian boozehounds, is exemplary. Trouble is, all those convivial celebrants merrily downing cheap beers inevitably wind up in line for the crapper; so for all our sakes, please, do your business, wash your hands and skedaddle. Those IPAs we drank aren't gonna drain themselves. - Christian Carvajal

[119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153]

>>> BEST PLACE TO SIP SOUP

Bayview Thriftway

Olympia is a soup town. An endless supply of gray, drizzly days simply cry out for spoonfuls of lobster bisque or hearty vegetable. And for those looking for a creamy cup o' clam complete with a view, Bayview Thriftway is the place to go. The second floor eating area of the downtown grocery store really puts the words bay and view in, um, Bayview. Large windows look north on the Sound, framing exquisite scenes of the water and the surrounding land. Crumble extra saltines in that cup o' chowder, because you'll want to take a long lunch. - BC

[516 W. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.352.4901]

>>> BEST SANDWICH SHOP

Meconi's Italian Subs

Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a nice sub sandwich. Meconi's classic East Coast-style sandwiches loaded with capicola, pastrami, pepperoni or meatballs quite literally drip flavor with every bite. For those that aren't too into delicious sandwiches (we call them crazies), there are soups, salads and a hearty homemade chili to ease their hunger. Just be warned: Meconi's is a popular spot, and the lunch hour line can grow a bit long. Don't worry though, it's worth the wait. With locations in Lacey, Tumwater and Olympia, a sandwich is always within reach. The Lacey spot may be the best of the bunch. - BC

[5225 Lacey Blvd. SE, Lacey, 360.459.0213]

>>> BEST BURRITO

Quality Burrito

Oh, how we love our QB. Let there be no confusion about that. Not only is the Steve's Cadillac a masterpiece of deep-fried Tex-Mex perfection, nor is it sufficient that QB serves the finest freakin' chips and salsa in the South Sound, but it offers a roster of signature cocktails that rival the Mark's at half the price. But in a town full of groovy liberals, is it too much to ask that our server drift over to our table some time within the first 15 minutes of our visit? Let's be honest, QB's glacial service is way more Flo than Vera - and if you get that reference to the ‘70s TV series Alice, then you're too old to feel at home in this noisy hipster hangout. Still, it's worth getting shot full of laser hate vision from surly, tattooed servers to bite into QB's glorious gut bombs. - CC

[213 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.357.7292]

>>> BEST LOCAL ICE CREAM

Olympic Mountain Ice Cream

Shelton's Olympic Mountain Ice Cream has a delicious, creamy flavor, which is probably why almost every restaurant in town carries it. Olympic Mountain claims to be one of the oldest artisanal ice cream makers in the Northwest, having crafted ice cream and sorbets for 25 years. You can go in for a cone at the Painted Plate or choose from an entire ice cream case at the Sidewalk Café. Dockside Bistro even has a special blend inspired by their chef. - BM

[301 E. Wallace Kneeland Blvd., Shelton, 360.426.0696, olympicmountainicecream.com]

>>> BEST PLACE TO GET AN APPLE FRITTER

Lattin's Cider Mill

Lattin's Cider Mill offers one hell of an apple fritter, but plan accordingly - They're only available on Saturday and Sunday. The fritters are hot, sweet and full of apple goodness, and you should come early to ensure they don't sell out. Lattin's also offers fresh local products, fresh produce, cider and pie. My favorite pie is the huckleberry - and it is worth the price. Lattin's is a great place to visit any time of the year, but especially in the spring with all the baby animals. - BM

[9402 Rich Road SE, Olympia, lattinscider.com]

>>> BEST DRUNKEN MUNCH

Olympia Hot Dog Company

After a night of drinking fancy IPAs down at the Eastside, you're going to need some food in that belly to sidestep a crippling hangover. And where is the best place in town to ease that rumble in your gut? Why, Olympia Hot Dog Co. of course. Serving fatty hot dogs, gooey nachos and humongous tubs of Tater Tots, a late night stop at Olympia Hot Dog Co. is exactly what the doctor ordered. By 1:30 a.m. the Hot Dog Co. is a minefield of spilled Tater Tots and confused partiers, but if you can make it through the madness, a delicious treat waits for you at the end.  - BC

[311 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia] 

>>> MOST APPROACHABLE COFFEE EXPERT

Oliver Stormshak

Oliver Stormshak, the Green Coffee buyer and roaster at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co., is a great local resource for all things java. Stormshak is down-to-earth, approachable and willing to explain almost anything about coffee. His 10 a.m. cupping sessions on Wednesdays at Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. are something everyone should experience  - a great way to get in the know about coffee. At the cupping you slurp a selection of more than 10 coffees - straight up - while Stormshak leads you through the taste, scent, history and experience of each variety. - BM

>>> BEST PLACE TO GET A PUPUSA

El Pulgarcito

Looking for one delicious pupusa? Possibly more? Look no further than the El Salvadorian restaurant, El Pulgarcito, in Lacey. The pupusas come with a variety of fillings, including pork, beans and cheese, veggies, and a promise to be hot and delicious. This hole-in-the-wall spot also serves a delicious yucca root either steamed or fried and in a spicy salad. - BM

[4509 Lacey Blvd. SE, Olympia, 360.491. 4068]