SPECIALTY FOODS BEST BBQ Crossroads BBQ 241 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel (831) 250-7616, thecrossroadsbbq.com “Our food is amazing, and our service is top notch,” says Claudia Espinola, an employee at Crossroads BBQ. The menu is a pick-your-warrior kind of experience; there’s meat inspired by a variety of regions, from California to the Carolinas. They combine top-quality cuts with their own custom rubs and wood blends, smoking each piece to flavorful, harmonious perfection. Whether it’s BBQ sandwiches, St. Louis-style pork ribs or just digging into the burnt ends, they’ve got the BBQ classics covered. BEST BUTCHER SHOP The Meatery 1534 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 656-8810, themeateryseaside.com There are games you play with the kids around the dining room table. And then there are games—party games, with every seat in the living room filled. And for those big games, when friends are coming over and planning has been going on for days, you want the food to be as good as the entertainment, the meats to be ready for prime time. Getting just the right cut for the job—knowing the quality can’t be beat—is why grillers and chillers, home chefs and foodies keep The Meatery bustling. You can’t win ’em all when it comes to games. But with The Meatery around, you’ll never blow it when it comes to the spread. BEST CUPCAKES BEST CAKES Layers Sensational Cakes 9 Soledad Drive, Monterey (831) 655-1544, layerscake.com Going to Layers with family or friends is essentially like fantasy football draft night. Death by Chocolate goes first. Duh—it led the league in oohs and aahs last year. Strawberry shortcake is a reliable pick in the first round. Should the next person take a shot at carrot cake or go with red velvet? Those quick, creative cupcakes would make for a great backfield. It’s easy to fill out a roster—and a delicious one, at that. The bakers at Layers have cakes ready to go, and they can make them special as well. BEST COOKIE Sweet Reba’s 206 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel (831) 601-4818, sweetrebas.com A cookie a day, brightens the way. Fine, this is not an actual existing saying, but it should be. Cookies are the gateway back to childhood, when you were rewarded after a morning of play with a cookie break (or that’s the way childhood should have been). This small-batch bakery has a fresh cookie selection every day. Get your classic chocolate chip cookie, snickerdoodle, oatmeal cranberry, peanut butter, ginger or a sandwich cookie. Better yet, get them all. BEST PIE Sweet Elena’s Bakery 465 Olympia Ave., Sand City (831) 393-2063, sweetelenas.com It’s all about competition, whether it’s high-stakes poker or a family round of Monopoly. You want to win. Sweet Elena’s fosters this spirit. For one, they bake what we call personal pies—sure, you can probably share this mini pie with a friend, but if you eat it all yourself, we won’t judge you. On the other hand, order a whole pecan or ollieberry pie to share with others, and you all win. Plus you learn the value of sharing. BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT MYO 157 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. (831) 574-3228 Valley Center Bowl, 1091 Main St., Salinas. (831) 759-9769 840 Broadway Ave., Seaside. (831) 375-3769 myofrozenyogurt.com While many frozen dessert outlets have what seems to be unlimited options, not all ice creams or frozen yogurts are created equal. Sure, the prospect of dips, crumbles, sprinkles and toppings loom large, but in the end, it’s the creaminess that matters, and this place is dreamy with it. Like a spin of the All-Star Baseball wheel just before it lands on a grand slam, they simply have all the bases covered. 114 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2025 montereycountynow.com/bestof With the Largest Patio Seating Area on the Wharf Lunch & Dinner Served Daily from 11:30am to 8:30pm 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey Reservations Recommended: 831-373-1851 • abalonetti.com ’25 Serving Monterey’s Favorite Calamari Over 20 Ways! One of Monterey’s Original Restaurants $12.95 - $17.95 Locals’ Menu Served Everyday THANK YOU For Voting Us The Best Calamari 22 Times! 514 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey • 649-3474 • crystalfish-monterey.com Thank you for voting Crystal Fish as BEST JAPANESE/SUSHI RESTAURANT For 16 Years! 2010– 2025 Arigatou (Thank You) Under New Ownership CRYSTAL FISH Open Mon-Thurs 11:30am-2pm - 5-9:30pm Open Fri: 11:30am-2pm - 5-10pm Open Sat: 12pm -10pm Open Sun: 12pm-9pm
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