Best Buffet: Tandoori Bites

I regret to inform you that although Tandoori Bites Indian Cuisine won Best Buffet in Humboldt County, it no longer has a buffet on offer. (And to be honest, the buffet will not be coming back anytime soon. These are COVID times, people!) But fret not! Tandoori Bites has introduced a lunch special to make up for the buffet. Patrons can choose between the meat or vegetarian options, which includes three different thalis (menu is set for the day and is subject to change) with a side of basmati rice, garlic naan and salad. However, if you're truly missing the buffet-style Tandoori Bites cuisine, just do what I do almost every other week and order a whole bunch of thalis to go and have a buffet at home (with leftovers!). This has become my family's Friday night tradition since COVID began, eating thalis of delicious Tandoori Bites while watching a good show/movie. Ahh, my happy place.

Iridian Casarez

Best Vegan/Vegetarian Options: Wildflower Café and Bakery

When my nephew and his vegan partner — avid hikers visiting from New York City — made their way to the North Coast a few years ago, I knew exactly where I was going to take them: Wildflower Café and Bakery in Arcata. As she perused the menu, her eyes grew wide. Too often accustomed to being relegated to one or two options, before her was such an array of choices she could hardly decide what to order.

Now, to be clear, Wildflower Cafe is not just the realm of vegans and vegetarians. Anyone with an appreciation of good food — with as much as possible locally sourced — and a healthy appetite is going to find a new favorite amid offerings that include everything from blueberry and brie pancakes and breakfast burritos to stir-fry and nachos piled so high you think you might never find the bottom.

By the time we sat down for breakfast that day, my East Coast niece-in-law had already been dazzled by the redwoods forests and awed by region's rugged coastline. But on that morning, far from home, this vegan found a place where she belonged among the Wildflower Café.

Kimberly Wear

FOOD

Appetizers

Five Eleven

511 Second St., Eureka,

268-3852, fiveeleveneureka.com

Asian Restaurant

Siam Orchid Thai Cuisine

427 V St., Eureka,

407-3838, siamorchidca.com

Bagel

Los Bagels

1085 I St., Arcata, 822-3150

Second St., Eureka, 442-8525, losbagels.com

Bakery

Ramone's Bakery & Cafe

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville, ramonesbakery.com

Bar Food

Vista Del Mar

91 Commercial St., Eureka,

443-3770

Barbecue

Sammy's BBQ and Catering

1709 Fifth St., Eureka,

443-4227, sammysbbqcatering.com

Breakfast

The Greene Lily

307 Second St., Eureka,

798-6083, thegreenelilycafe.com

Breakfast Sandwich

McIntosh Farm Country Store

1264 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata,

822-0487

Brunch

The Greene Lily

307 Second St., Eureka,

798-6083, thegreenelilycafe.com

Buffet

Tandoori Bites Indian Cuisine

1735 Fourth St., Eureka,

442-6500, tandooribitesindianeureka.com

Burger

Eureka, Stars Hamburgers

2009 Harrison Ave., Eureka,

445-2061, eureka-stars-hamburges.business.site

Burrito

Esteban's Mexican Restaurant

1021 I St., Arcata,

826-0310

Butcher

North Coast Co-op

Eighth and I streets, Arcata, 822-5947,

Fourth and B streets, Eureka, 443-6027,

northcoast.coop

Catering Company

Sammy's BBQ & Catering

1709 Fifth St., Eureka,

443-4227, sammysbbqcatering.com

Cheesecake

Ramone's Bakery & Cafe

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville, ramonesbakery.com

Chef

Josh Wiley, Five Eleven

511 Second St., Eureka,

268-3852, fiveeleveneureka.com

Chicken Sandwich

The COUXP

737 G St., Arcata,

Instagram: thecouxp

Chili

Vista Del Mar

91 Commercial St., Eureka,

443-3770

Chips & Salsa

Oaxaca Grill Restaurant

508 Henderson St., Eureka,

445-9702

Clam Chowder

Sea Grill

316 E St., Eureka,

443-7187, seagrilleureka.com

Cookies

Ramone's Bakery & Cafe

Multiple locations in Arcata, Eureka, McKinleyville, ramonesbakery.com

Crab Sandwich

Gill's By the Bay

77 Halibut Ave., Eureka,

442-2554, gillsbythebay.com

Deli

Eureka, Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka, 442-6325,

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville, 839-3636, eurekanaturalfoods.com

Dog-Friendly Dining

Mad River Brewing Co.

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake,

668-4151, madriverbrewing.com

Donuts

Happy Donuts

2916 Central Ave., Eureka,

443-6812, happy-donuts-eureka.edan.io

Eats in SoHum

Redwood Palace

6735 Avenue of the Giants, Miranda,

223-5749, redwoodpalacemiranda.com

Eats in Willow Creek

Raging Creek Pub

38939 State Route 299, Willow Creek,

(530) 768-8687, orders.cake.net11329974

Farmers Market

Arcata, Plaza Farmer's Market

G and Eighth streets, Arcata,

441-9999, northcoastgrowersassociation.org

Farmers Market Food Stall

Shakefork Community Farm

7914 State Route 36, Carlotta,

768-7002, shakeforkcommunityfarm.com

Fish & Chips

LoCo Fish Co. Eureka

1648 Myrtle Ave., Eureka,

601-8573, locofishco.com

Food Delivery Service

US Vets Deliver

553 Main St., #1, Ferndale,

(877) 787-8387 usvetsdeliver.com

Food Truck

LoCo Fish Co.

Myrtle Ave. Liquors, 1595 Myrtle Ave.,

Eureka, 601-8573

Six Rivers Brewery, 1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville, 572-6019, locofishco.com

French Fries

Arcata, Pizza & Deli

1057 H St., Arcata,

822-4650, arcatapizza.com

Fried Chicken

Fat Anne's Bakery & Bistro

460 Main St., Ferndale,

786-9286, fatannesbakerybistro.com

Gluten-Free Restaurant

Cafe Phoenix

1360 G St., Arcata,

630-5021, facebook.com/cafephoenixarcata

Grocery Store

North Coast Co-op

Eighth and I streets, Arcata, 822-5947,

Fourth and B streets, Eureka, 443-6027,

northcoast.coop

Hidden Gem

Bencharong Thai House

600 F St., Arcata,

825-0900, facebook.com/Bencharong-Thai-House

Hot Dog

Chicago Dog House

428 Grotto St., Eureka, 502-8511

Ice Cream

Living the Dream Ice Cream

1 F St., Eureka,

407-3508, livingthedreamicecream.com

Italian Restaurant

La Trattoria

30 Sunnybrae Center, Arcata,

822-6101, latrattoriaarcata.com

Late-Night Food

Toni's 24 Hour Restaurant

1901 Heindon Road, Arcata,

822-0091, tonisrestaurant.com

Local Chocolatier

Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate

4 W Fourth St., Eureka,

798-6010, dicktaylorchocolate.com

Locally Made Food

Cypress Grove Chevre

1330 Q St., Arcata,

825-1100, cypressgrovecheese.com

Lunch

Chuchi's Old Town Eats

320 F St., Eureka,

443-7777, chuchisoldtowneats.com

Macaroni & Cheese

Richards' Goat Tavern & Tea Room

401 I St., Arcata,

630-5000, richardsgoat.com

Meat Market/Counter

Eureka, Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka, 442-6325,

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville, 839-3636, eurekanaturalfoods.com

Mexican Restaurant

La Costa Mexican Restaurant

664 S Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna,

725-9416

Nachos

Las Cazuelas Restaurant & Cantina

435 N Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna,

725-2431

Natural Foods Store

Eureka, Natural Foods

1450 Broadway, Eureka, 442-6325,

2165 Central Ave., McKinleyville, 839-3636, eurekanaturalfoods.com

New Restaurant

Opera Alley Bistro

409 Opera Alley, Eureka

442-0121 operaalleybistro.com

Onion Rings

Sixth and E Neighborhood Eatery

603 E St., Eureka,

445-8783, sixthande.com

Outdoor Dining

Café Marina & Woodley's Bar

601 Startare Drive, Eureka,

443-2233, cafemarina.net

Overall Service

Humboldt Bay Bistro

1436 Second St., Eureka,

443-7339, humboldtbaybistro.com

Pie

Slice Of Humboldt Pie

828 I St., Arcata,

630-5100, sliceofhumboldtpie.com

Pizza, Chain

MOD Pizza

2626 Broadway, Suite D, Eureka

268-5540, modpizza.com

Pizza, Local

Paul's Live From New York Pizza

604 F St., Eureka,

442-5800

Restaurant

Brick & Fire

1630 F St., Eureka,

268-8959, brickandfirebistro.com

Restaurant Server

Debbie Santos, The Chalet

3980 Walnut Drive, Eureka

798-6480

Salad

Hot Brew

904 S Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna,

725-2361

Sandwich

Hole In the Wall Great Sandwiches

590 G St., Arcata, 822-7407,

1331 Broadway St., Eureka, 443-5362

Seafood

Sea Grill

316 E St., Eureka,

443-7187, seagrilleureka.com

Serving Staff

Double D Steak & Seafood

320 Main St., Fortuna,

725-3700, facebook.com/doubledsteak

Smoothie/Juice Bar

Wildberries Marketplace

747 13th St., Arcata, 822-0095, wildberries.com

Steak

A A Bar & Grill

929 Fourth St., Eureka,

443-1632, aabarandgrill.net

Sushi Restaurant

Tomo Japanese Restaurant

708 Ninth St., Arcata,

822-1414, tomoarcata.com

Tacos

La Costa Mexican Restaurant

664 S Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna,

725-9416

Take and Bake Pizza

Babe's Pizza & Pasta

4015 Walnut Drive, Eureka,

442-3839, babespizzapasta.com

Take-Out

Kebab Cafe

5000 Valley W Blvd., Suite 19, Arcata,

826-2121, kebabcafearcata.com

Tots

The Madrone - Brick Fire Pizza and Taphouse

421 Third St., Eureka,

273-5129, madronetaphouse.com

Vegan/Vegetarian Options

Wildflower Café and Bakery

1604 G St., Arcata,

822-0360, wildflowercafebakery.com

Veggie Burger

Kebab Cafe

5000 Valley W Blvd., Suite 19, Arcata,

826-2121, kebabcafearcata.com

View from the Table

Moonstone Grill

100 Moonstone Beach Road, Trinidad, 677-1616

Wings

Humboldt Brews

856 10th St., Arcata,

826-2739, humbrews.com

Best Milkshake:

Toni's 24 Hour Restaurant

Real talk, I'm not much of a milkshake guy. I mean, they're fine, but not something I'm jumping to order, generally preferring a slice of pie or even a simple cone. But that all goes out the window when making a family run to Toni's 24 Hour Restaurant, in which case I'm ordering a milkshake. Every. Single. Time. Why, you ask? Because Toni's has captured the majestic combination of peanut butter and chocolate in milkshake form.

If you, like me, are prone to eating a jumbo sleeve of Reece's peanut butter cups without sharing or dipping that milk chocolate bar directly into a jar of peanut butter, you simply have to try the peanut butter and chocolate shake from Toni's. They take rich, chocolate ice cream and blend in real peanut butter, leaving a chocolate shake streaked with peanut butter rivers. Every once in a while, a glob of peanut butter will clog your straw but if you persist, you will be rewarded by a blast of creamy, peanut butter chocolatyness that will remind you life is good.

I'm told their other shakes are delicious, too. My partner is partial to the vanilla malt, my daughter strawberry. Me? I'll just take their word for it.

Thadeus Greenson

Drink

Bar

Shanty

213 Third St., Eureka,

444-2053

Bar Staff

The Logger Bar

510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake,

668-5000, loggerbar.com

Bar to Meet People

Phatsy Kline's Parlor Lounge

129 Second St., Eureka,

407-0634, historiceaglehouse.comphatsy-kline-s

Bartender (Name & Workplace)

Bunny Walthuis, The Logger Bar

510 Railroad Ave., Blue Lake,

668-5000, loggerbar.com

Beer Selection

The Bigfoot Taproom

1750 Central Ave., McKinleyville,

630-4057, thebigfoottaproom.com

Bloody Mary

Alibi

744 Ninth St., Arcata,

822-3731, thealibi.com

Brewery

Redwood Curtain Brewing Company

550 S G St., Arcata,

826-7222, redwoodcurtainbrewing.com

Cheap Drinks

Shanty

213 Third St., Eureka,

444-2053

Cocktails

Phatsy Kline's Parlor Lounge

129 Second St., Eureka,

407-0634, historiceaglehouse.comphatsy-kline-s

Coffee House

Old Town Coffee & Chocolates

4430, 502 Henderson St., Eureka,

442-1522, oldtowncoffeeeureka.com

Coffee Roaster

Humboldt Bay Coffee Company

520 Second St., Eureka,

444-3969, humboldtcoffee.com

Cozy Bar

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka,

444-2244

Dive Bar

Shanty

213 Third St., Eureka,

444-2053

Happy Hour

Moonstone Grill

100 Moonstone Beach Road, Trinidad,

677-1616

Hotel Bar

Phatsy Kline's Parlor Lounge

129 Second St., Eureka,

407-0634, historiceaglehouse.comphatsy-kline-s

Local Beer

Redwood Curtain IPA

550 S G St., Arcata

826-7222, redwoodcurtainbrewing.com

Local Hard Cider

Humboldt Cider Company

3750 Harris St., Eureka,

798-6023, humboldtcidercompany.com

Local Spirit

Redwood Rye Whiskey

redwoodempirewhiskey.com

Local Wine

Old Growth Cellars

1945 Hilfiker Lane, Eureka,

440-9254, oldgrowthcellars.com

Margarita

Rita's Margaritas & Mexican Grill

855 Eighth St., Arcata,

822-1010, facebook.com/RitasArcata

Martini

The Speakeasy

411 Opera Alley, Eureka,

444-2244

Milkshake

Toni's 24 Hour Restaurant

1901 Heindon Road, Arcata,

822-0091, tonisrestaurant.com

Mimosa

The Greene Lily

307 Second St., Eureka,

798-6083, thegreenelilycafe.com

Patio

Mad River Brewing Co.

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake,

668-4151, madriverbrewing.com

Place to Drink with Your Dog

Mad River Brewing Co.

195 Taylor Way, Blue Lake,

668-4151, madriverbrewing.com

Sports Bar

A A Bar & Grill

929 Fourth St., Eureka,

443-1632, aabarandgrill.net

Tea Shop/Place to Buy Tea

Humboldt Herbals

300 Second St., Eureka,

442-3541, humboldtherbals.com

Wine Selection

2 Doors Down Wine Bar

1626 F St., Eureka,

268-8959, 2doorsdownwinebar.com

Winery

Septentrio Winery

650 Sixth St., Arcata,

672-2058, septentriowinery.com