Every year, the Mirror highlights and honors the Best of Federal Way with our annual contest.
Our readers vote for the winners in nearly 60 categories, including the best restaurants, real estate agents and the top volunteers, service providers and leaders in our city.
This year was unprecedented.
Nearly 20,000 people voted from Nov. 15, 2019 through Jan. 31, 2020 and we tallied the winners.
We had a record number across many categories who tied amongst first, second and third place. This says a lot about the greatness in Federal Way when there is more than one finalist in several categories.
In this year’s contest there were also nearly 20 businesses and people who joined our inaugural Five-Year Club, which recognizes those who have won the Best of Federal Way for five consecutive years.
And this year also proves that big heroes can come in the smallest forms, as we recognize our youngest Citizen of the Year to date.
Every month throughout the year leading up to the announcement of our Best of Federal Way results in March, the Mirror recognizes a Citizen of the Month.
This year we had the opportunity to feature stories about exemplary residents in the community who go above and beyond.
The Mirror voted on these stellar residents and selected our Citizen of the Year — 5-year-old Ariana Graham. She helps her family promote Down syndrome awareness and acceptance by placing signs around Federal Way.
Other fun facts about this year’s contest:
• 68% of voters are female;
• The biggest age categories of voters was 33-42 and 43-52;
• The most popular zip code was 98023.
• Over 400 participants signed up for our daily and weekly newsletter at FederalWayMirror.com.
Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Best of Federal Way contest.
We encourage you to help us honor all of our winners by frequenting their businesses, utilizing their services and saying thank you to all who help make Federal Way an extraordinary city.
Congratulations to the following winners:
Food Asian 1 Pac Island Grill & BBQ
Food Asian 2 Thai Bistro
Food Asian 3 Jasmine
Food Asian 3 Pho Fusion & Grill
Food Barbecue 1 Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Food Barbecue 2 L & L Hawaiian Barbeque
Food Barbecue 3 Billy McHale’s
Food Breakfast 1 Poverty Bay Coffee Company
Food Breakfast 2 Biscuits Cafe
Food Breakfast 3 Black Bear Diner
Food Buffet 1 East India Grill
Food Buffet 2 Salty’s at Redondo
Food Buffet 3 Mika Japanese Buffet
Food Burgers 1 Burger Express
Food Burgers 2 JP’s Tavern
Food Burgers 3 Red Robin
Food Coffee Shop 1 Poverty Bay Coffee Co
Food Coffee Shop 2 B&R Espresso
Food Coffee Shop 3 Gravity
Food Deli/Sandwich 1 Panera Bread
Food Deli/Sandwich 1 Marlene’s Market & Deli
Food Deli/Sandwich 2 Joe’s Deli
Food Deli/Sandwich 2 Poverty Bay Coffee Company
Food Family Dining 1 The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen
Food Family Dining 2 Mama Stortini’s
Food Family Dining 3 Black Bear Diner
Food Family Dining 3 Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Food Family Dining 3 Vince’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Food Ice Cream 1 Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Food Ice Cream 2 Cold Stone Creamery
Food Ice Cream 3 Menchie’s
Food Indian 1 East India Grill
Food Indian 2 Maharaj Cuisine of India
Food Indian 3 Can Am Pizza
Food Italian 1 Vince’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
Food Italian 2 Mama Stortini’s
Food Italian 3 Olive Garden
Food Italian 3 Verrazanos Italian Restaurant
Food Lunch 1 JP’s Tavern
Food Lunch 2 Burger Express
Food Lunch 3 Chick Fil A
Food Lunch 3 East India Grill
Food Mexican 1 Puerto Vallarta
Food Mexican 2 Azteca
Food Mexican 3 Senor Taco
Food Pizza 1 The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen
Food Pizza 2 Mod Pizza
Food Pizza 3 Pizza Pizazz
Food Salad 1 Chopped Leaf
Food Salad 2 Panera Bread
Food Salad 3 Marlene’s Market & Deli
Food Seafood 1 Salty’s at Redondo
Food Seafood 2 Ivar’s
Food Seafood 3 Red Lobster
Food Steakhouse 1 Black Angus
Food Steakhouse 2 Tokyo Japanese Steak House
Food Steakhouse 3 Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Living Bar/Nightclub 1 JP’s Tavern
Living Bar/Nightclub 2 Billy McHale’s
Living Bar/Nightclub 3 Mama Stortini’s
Living Bar/Nightclub 3 Time Out Ale House
Living Best City Leader 1 Susan Honda
Living Best City Leader 2 Rebecca Martin
Living Best City Leader 3 Dave Larson
Living Best Cop 1 Josh Haglan
Living Best Cop 2 Andy Hwang
Living Best Cop 3 Dave Prince
Living Best Firefighter 1 Gordon Goodsell
Living Best Firefighter 2 Jeff Bellinghausen
Living Best Firefighter 3 Dan Peterson
Living Community Volunteer 1 Cheryl Cole-Hurst
Living Community Volunteer 2 Betty Taylor
Living Community Volunteer 3 Shelley Pauls
Living Educational Facility 1 Pacific Christian Academy
Living Educational Facility 2 Federal Way Community Center
Living Educational Facility 3 Highline College
Living Event Venue 1 Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center (PAEC)
Living Event Venue 2 Knutzen Family Theatre
Living Event Venue 3 Abbe Vineyard & Winery
Living Event Venue 3 Federal Way Community Center
Living Kids Activities 1 Federal Way Community Center
Living Kids Activities 2 Wild Waves
Living Kids Activities 3 Highline Mast Aquarium
Living Local Arts Group 1 Centerstage Theatre
Living Local Arts Group 2 Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
Living Local Arts Group 3 Federal Way Chorale
Living Local Charity/Non-Profit 1 Multi-Service Center
Living Local Charity/Non-Profit 2 F.U.S.I.O.N
Living Local Charity/Non-Profit 3 Federal Way Rotary
Living Teacher / Elementary 1 Kiersten Stimets (Pacific Christian Academy)
Living Teacher / Elementary 2 Kimberly Buchanan
Living Teacher / Elementary 3 Elsa Aguilar
Living Teacher / High School 1 Helena Cho (Pacific Christian Academy)
Living Teacher / High School 2 Toru Garofalo
Living Teacher / High School 3 Angelina Philip
Living Teacher / Middle School 1 Rachel Johnston (Pacific Christian Academy)
Living Teacher / Middle School 2 Dee Cantellay
Living Teacher / Middle School 3 Bob Morse
Service Adult in-home care 1 Comfort Keepers
Service Adult in-home care 2 Home Well Senior Care
Service Adult in-home care 3 Dependable Staffing Agency
Service Bank 1 Columbia Bank
Service Bank 2 HomeStreet Bank
Service Bank 3 Umpqua Bank
Service Barber Shop 1 Great Clips
Service Barber Shop 2 Salon Parente
Service Barber Shop 3 Gent’s Fine Grooming for Men
Service Barber Shop 3 Sport Clips
Service Chiropractor 1 Life & Health Chiropractic & Massage Centre
Service Chiropractor 2 Wolf Chiropractic & Massage
Service Chiropractor 3 Dr Phillip Spencer
Service Credit Union 1 BECU
Service Credit Union 2 Red Canoe Credit Union
Service Credit Union 3 Qualstar Credit Union
Service Day Care 1 Brooklake Childcare and Learning
Service Day Care 2 FW Community Center
Service Day Care 3 KinderCare
Service Dentist 1 Dr Stacy Kanda
Service Dentist 2 Dr Ken Brossel
Service Dentist 3 Dr Mark Nordlie
Service Dentist 3 Dr Douglas Sheets
Service Dentist 3 Dr. Dan Shoop
Service Financial Advisor 1 Dan Altmayer
Service Financial Advisor 2 Doug Legg
Service Financial Advisor 3 Barney Hartley
Service Fitness Facility/Location 1 iLoveKickboxing
Service Fitness Facility/Location 2 Federal Way Community Center
Service Fitness Facility/Location 3 Federal Way Jazzercise
Service Funeral Services 1 Funeral Alternatives
Service Funeral Services 2 Yahn & Sons
Service Funeral Services 3 Bonney Watson
Service Health Care Clinic 1 St Francis Hospital and Medical Center
Service Health Care Clinic 2 Virginia Mason
Service Health Care Clinic 3 Seattle Children’s Hospital in Federal Way
Service Insurance Agent 1 Jack Stanford / Stanford Insurance
Service Insurance Agent 2 Chad Erwin / Allstate
Service Insurance Agent 3 Brady Nelson / State Farm
Service Massage 1 Life & Health Chiropractic & Massage Centre
Service Massage 2 LaVida Massage of Federal Way
Service Massage 3 Toni Johnson @ You’re Wellness Massage
Service Mortgage Agent Company 1 BECU
Service Mortgage Agent Company 2 Greg Ocken/Movement Mortgage
Service Mortgage Agent Company 3 “Jodi Longley, CMG Financial”
Service Painting 1 Five Star Painting
Service Painting 2 Derek flavel
Service Painting 3 Studeman
Service Real Estate Agent 1 Cari Franklin
Service Real Estate Agent 2 Sarah Asay
Service Real Estate Agent 3 Vickie Chynoweth
Service Senior Living Facility 1 Village Green Retirement
Service Senior Living Facility 2 Mill Ridge Village
Service Senior Living Facility 3 Brookdale Federal Way
Service Tutor 1 Kumon Math and Reading Center of Federal Way
Service Tutor 2 Treehouse Learning Center
Service Tutor 3 Sylvan Learning
Service Veterinarian 1 Sacajawea Healthcare For Pets
Service Veterinarian 2 Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital
Service Veterinarian 3 “Crestwood Animal Hospital, L.L.C.”
Service Waitperson/Location 1 Delaney Record/Star Lake Inn
Service Waitperson/Location 2 Dustin/Puerato Vallarta Twin Lakes
Service Waitperson/Location 3 Daniel Greer/ Hitching Post Saloon
Shopping Auto Detail 1 Jim’s Detail Shop
Shopping Auto Detail 2 Brown Bear Car Wash
Shopping Auto Detail 3 Car Toys
Shopping Auto Repair Shop 1 Eagle Tire and Automotive
Shopping Auto Repair Shop 2 Les Schwab Tire Center
Shopping Auto Repair Shop 3 Northshore RV & Auto Repair
Shopping Auto Repair Shop 3 Sparks Car Care
Shopping Doggie Daycare/Groomers 1 Biscuits
Shopping Doggie Daycare/Groomers 2 The Soggy Doggy
Shopping Doggie Daycare/Groomers 3 Bath Brush & Beyond
Shopping Gift Store 1 Branches Garden Center
Shopping Gift Store 2 Amy’s Hallmark
Shopping Gift Store 3 Virginia Mason Federal Way Medical Center
Shopping Jewelry Store 1 Jeffery’s Jewelry Design Studio
Shopping Jewelry Store 2 Federal Way Custom Jewelers
Shopping Jewelry Store 3 Fred Meyer Jewelers
Shopping Nursery & Garden 1 Branches Garden Center
Shopping Nursery & Garden 2 Edgewood Nursery
Shopping Nursery & Garden 3 Lowe’s
Shopping Pet Store 1 Mud Bay
Shopping Pet Store 2 PetSmart
Shopping Pet Store 3 The Soggy Doggy
Shopping Tire Store 1 Eagle Tire & Automotive
Shopping Tire Store 2 Les Schwab Tire Center
Shopping Tire Store 3 Discount Tire
Branches Garden Center won first place for Best Gift Shop and first place for Best Nursery & Garden Center. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Centerstage Theatre won first place for best Local Arts Group. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Columbia Bank won first place for Best Bank. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Comfort Keepers won first place for Best Adult In-Home Care. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Five Star Painting won first place for Best Residential Painter. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Federal Way Community Center was recognized with a first place award for Best Kids’ Activities. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
The community voted South King Fire and Rescue’s Gordon Goodsell as Federal Way’s Best Firefighter. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Great Clips won first place for Best Barber Shop. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
iLoveKickboxing won first place for Best Fitness Facility/Location in Federal Way. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Jeffrey’s Jewelry Design Studio won first place for Best Jewelry Store in Federal Way. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Jim’s Detail won first place for Best Auto Detail. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
JP’s Tavern won first place awards for Best Lunch and Best Bar/Nightclub. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Marlene’s Market placed first for Best Deli/Sandwich. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
Multi-Service Center was recognized with a first place award for best Local Charity/Non-Profit. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Pac Island Grill & BBQ won first place for Best Asian Food. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
Pacific Christian Academy won first place for Best Educational Facility. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
The Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center won first place for Best Event Venue. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Panera Bread won first place for Best Deli/Sandwich. Courtesy photo
Poverty Bay Cafe won first place for Best Breakfast. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
Sacajawea Healthcare for Pets won first place for Best Veterinarian. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
Jack Stanford of Stanford Insurance won first place for Best Insurance Agent. Spencer Pruitt/staff photo
Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream won first place for Best Ice Cream. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Village Green Retirement place first for Best Senior Living Facility. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse won first place for Best Barbecue. Cindy Ducich/staff photo
