'Best of Scott County' poll returns with more categories

BENTON, Mo. -- Thanks to the popularity of last year's "Best of Scott County" poll on the Scott County Web site, the poll is being brought back this year with an expanded group of categories.

Voting for the "Best of Scott County" begins today and will last through December, with results posted on the county Web site, www.scottcountymo.com, the second week of January.

About 1,000 people voted in last year's poll, said Scott County developer Joel Evans, who oversees the site and the poll. He called the poll "hugely popular."

"We had lots and lots of votes and lots of folks talking about it," said Evans. "There was lots of talk in the coffee shops about it."

Last year's poll winners were Kirby's Sandwich Shop in Sikeston for best burger, River Ridge Winery in Commerce for best place to take a first date, the Mississippi River at Commerce for most beautiful view, Personal Expressions in Sikeston for best location to pick up a gift, Dexter Bar-B-Que in Sikeston for best barbecue, Sportsman's Barber Shop in Scott City for best barber shop, Ray's in Kelso for best fine dining, Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston for most family-friendly dining, Jay's Fried Chicken in Sikeston for best breakfast and the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo for best annual event.

Ray Ressel, owner of Ray's, said he doesn't know if he saw any increase in customers from the win, but the designation of "best fine dining" was an honor.

"It's always nice to win those kinds of accolades," he said.

Evans said all of last year's categories will return, along with some new additions -- best pizza, best place for family fun, best ethnic restaurant, best florist, best place for lunch and best retail customer service.

Evans said for the most part the additions were due to demand from Web site users. The poll provides a guide for people moving into Scott County, but also has use for county residents, he said.

"A lot of people that have lived in Scott County all their lives may have never heard of some of these places," he said.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182