Here's a full list of the 2018 Best of the Upstate winners (2024)

Here's a full list of the 2018 Best of the Upstate winners (1)

Now that the 2018 Best of the Upstate Finalist Celebration and Winner Reveal event has come and gone, here's what you've been waiting for: the fulllist of all the winners and runners up for the 2018 Best of the Upstate awards.

Food & Drink

Best Asian Restaurant

First Place: Lieu’s Chinese Bistro
Runner Up: Oriental House

Best Bagels

First Place: Greenfield’s Bagels and Deli
Runner Up: Sully’s Steamers

Best Bakery

First Place: Brick Street Cafe
Runner Up: Strossner’s Bakery, Cafe & Deli

Best Bar

First Place: UP on the Roof
Runner Up: Local Cue

Best Bar Staff

First Place: Local Cue
Runner Up: Liberty Tap Room & Grill

Best BBQ

First Place: Henry’s Smokehouse
Runner Up: The Smokin Pig

Best Beer Selection on Tap

First Place: Yard House
Runner Up: Pour Taproom

BestBreakfast

First Place: Stax Omega
Runner Up: Eggs Up Grill

Best Buffet

First Place: Mutt’s BBQ
Runner Up: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

Best Burger

First Place: Grill Marks
Runner Up: Five Guys

BestCafe/Coffee House

First Place: Coffee Underground
Runner Up: Coyote Coffee

Best Caterer

First Place: Henry’s Smokehouse
Runner Up: Larkin’s Catering & Events

Best Chef

First Place: Jason Scholz - Stella’s Southern Bistro
Runner Up: Chad Gangwer - Southern Culture

Best Cocktails

First Place: UP on the Roof
Runner Up: Bar Louie

Best Deli

First Place: Two Chefs
Runner Up: Greenfield’s Bagels and Deli

Best Desserts

First Place: Brick Street Cafe
Runner Up: Strossner’s Bakery

BestFamily Restaurant

First Place: Stax Omega
Runner Up: Tipsy Taco

BestFood Truck

First Place: Automatic Taco
Runner Up: The Chuck Truck

Best Frozen Treats(Ice Cream, Yogurt, Gelato)

First Place: Spill the Beans
Runner Up: Luna Rosa Gelato Cafe

Best Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant

First Place: Pita House
Runner Up: Olympian Grill

Best Happy Hour

First Place: Smoke on the Water
Runner Up: Bar Louie

Best Hot Dogs

First Place: Skins
Runner Up: The Clock

BestIndian Restaurant

First Place: Saffron
Runner Up: India Palace

Best Italian Restaurant

First Place: Portofinos
Runner Up: Jianna

Best Jerky

First Place: Beef Jerky Outlet
Runner Up: Greenville Jerky and Vine

Best Late Night Menu

First Place: Brixx Woodfire Pizza
Runner Up: Sully’s Steamers

Best Local Brewery

First Place: Birds Fly South
Runner Up: Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom

Best Margarita

First Place: Willy Taco Feed & Seed
Runner Up: Tipsy Taco

BestMartini

First Place: Hall’s Chophouse
Runner Up: Bar Louie

BestMeat & 3 Veggies

First Place: OJ’s Diner
Runner Up: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

Best Mexican

First Place: Papa’s & Beer
Runner Up: Willy Taco Feed & Seed

BestPizza

First Place: Sidewall Pizza
Runner Up: Mellow Mushroom

BestRestaurant

First Place: Hall’s Chophouse
Runner Up: Southern Culture Kitchen and Bar

Best Restaurant for Vegetarians

First Place: Pita House
Runner Up: Happy + Hale

Best Romantic Restaurant

First Place: Larkins on the River
Runner Up: Hall’s Chophouse

Best Seafood

First Place: Rick Erwin’s Nantucket Seafood
Runner Up: Bimini’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Cafe

Best Shrimp & Grits

First Place: Soby’s
Runner Up: Southern Culture

Best Soul Food

First Place: OJ’s Diner
Runner Up: Southern Culture

Best Sports Bar

First Place: Carolina Ale House
Runner Up: Local cue

Best Steak

First Place: The Peddler
Runner Up: Hall’s Chophouse

Best Sunday Brunch

First Place: Southern Culture Kitchen and Bar
Runner Up: Soby’s

Best Sushi

First Place: Tsunami
Runner Up: Irashiai Sushi Pub Japanese

Best Wait Staff

First Place: Hall’s Chophouse
Runner Up: Tipsy Taco

Best Wine Selection

First Place: Northampton Wine + Dine
Runner Up: Hall’s Chophouse

Best Winery/Vineyard

First Place: City Scape Winery
Runner Up: Victoria Valley Vineyards

Shops & Wares

Best Antique Store

First Place: Sweetbriar
Runner Up: The Rock House Antiques

Best Appliance Store

First Place: Jeff Lynch Appliance & TV Ctr.
Runner Up: The Cook’s Station

Best Book Store

First Place: M. Judson books
Runner Up: Mr. K’s

Best Carpet Store

First Place: Greer Flooring Center
Runner Up: Michael’s Wholesale Flooring

Best Children’s Clothing Store

First Place: Vann and Liv
Runner Up: Grey Goose

Best Collegiate Store

First Place: Palmetto Moon
Runner Up: Mr. Knickerbockers

Best Comic Book Shop

First Place: Borderlands Comics and Games
Runner Up: Mr. K’s

Best Consignment Store

First Place: Miracle Hill
Runner Up: Kids and More

Best Convenience Store

First Place: QuickTrip
Runner Up: Spinx

Best Costume/Party Store

First Place: Costume Curio
Runner Up: Halloween Highway

Best Firearms Store

Upstate Living

Best Apartment Homes

First Place: Enclave Paris Mountain
Runner Up: Velo Verde

Best Assisted Living

First Place: The Woodlands at Furman
Runner Up: The Springs at Simpsonville

Best Childcare

First Place: Classy Kids Child Development Center
Runner Up: Legacy Academy

BEST Church or Place of Worship

First Place: Grace Church
Runner Up: NewSpring Church

Best Festival

First Place: Fall for Greenville
Runner Up: Artisphere

BestFundraising Event

First Place: Reedy River Duck Derby
Runner Up: Cancer Society of Greenville Hope Ball

BEST Green Business

First Place: Swamp Rabbit Grocery
Runner Up: Kitchen Sync

Best Higher Education

First Place: Clemson University
Runner Up: Furman University

Best Neighborhood

First Place: North Main
Runner Up: Sugar Creek

Best Outdoor Event

First Place: Fall for Greenville
Runner Up: Artisphere

Best Place to Work

First Place: Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
Runner Up: Cleveland Park Animal Hospital

Best Preschool

First Place: Classy Kids Child Development Center
Runner Up: Christ Church Episcopal Preschool

Best Private School

First Place: Southside Christian School
Runner Up: Christ Church Episcopal School

Best Public Space

First Place: Falls Park
Runner Up: Downtown Greenville

News & the Media

Best Local Radio Personality

First Place: Hawk & Tom
Runner Up: Rob Dempsy, Alison Storm and Jim Mann - His Radio

Best Local Radio Show

First Place: The Hawk and Tom Show
Runner Up: HISRadio Morning Show

Best Social Media Influencer

First Place: Jamarcus Gaston
Runner Up: Leslie Haas

Best Talk/News Radio Station

First Place: 89.3 HIS Radio
Runner Up: WYFF

Best TV Anchor

First Place: Nigel Robertson - WYFF4
Runner Up: Cody Alcorn - Fox Carolina

Best TV Weather Forecaster

First Place: Chris Justus - WYFF4
Runner Up: John Cessarich - WYFF4

Recreation

Best Bike Shop

First Place: Sunrift Adventures
Runner Up: Pedal Chic

Best Golf Course

First Place: The Cliffs
Runner Up: Thornblade Club

Best Hiking Trail

First Place: Swamp Rabbit Trail
Runner Up: Table Rock

Best Hotel

First Place: The Westin Poinsett
Runner Up: Aloft

Best Local Sports Team

First Place: Clemson Tigers
Runner Up: Greenville Drive

Best Outdoor Outfitters

First Place: Sunrift Adventures
Runner Up: Mast General

Best Place for Family Fun

First Place: Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Runner Up: Falls Park

Best Place to Buy a Boat

First Place: Sunrift Adventures
Runner Up: Palmetto Boat Center

Best Place to Buy a Motorcycle

First Place: Harley-Davidson of Greenville
Runner Up: Foothills Motorsports

Best Place to Buy an RV

First Place: Camping World of Spartanburg
Runner Up: Sonny’s Camp-N-Travel

Best Shooting Range

First Place: Palmetto State Armory
Runner Up: SharpShooters

Best Team Building Service

First Place: BREAKOUT
Runner Up: Escape Artist Greenville

Health & Beauty

Best Barbershop

First Place: Frank’s Gentlemen’s Salon
Runner Up: Liberty Fine Cuts & Shaves

Best Chiropractor

First Place: Upstate Spine and Sport
Runner Up: AlignLife

Best Cosmetic Dentist

First Place: ProGrin Dental
Runner Up: Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Best Cosmetic Surgeon

First Place: Dr. Kevin Keller - Upstate Plastic Surgery
Runner Up: Dr. Thomas C. McFadden, Jr. - Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

Best Day Spa

First Place: Urban Nirvana
Runner Up: MG’s Grand Day SPA
Runner Up: The Spa at West End

BEST Dentist

First Place: ProGrin Dental
Runner Up: Family Dental Health

Best Dermatologist

First Place: Greenville Dermatology
Runner Up: Carolina Dermatology

Best Eye Care Center

First Place: Jervey Eye Group
Runner Up: Clemson Eye

Best Fitness Studio

First Place: Orangetheory Fitness
Runner Up: Cyclebar

Best Hair Salon

First Place: Wilson’s on Washington
Runner Up: Artistic Cutters Salon & Day Spa

Best Hair Stylist

First Place: Mary Catherine - Wilsons on Washington
Runner Up: Bo Stegall - Bo Stegall the Salon

BEST Health Club

First Place: GHS Family YMCA
Runner Up: SPORTSCLUB

Best Hearing Aid Center

First Place: Hearing Services of Foothills ENT
Runner Up: Advanced Hearing Solutions of Greenville

Best Hospital

First Place: Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
Runner Up: Greenville Health System

Best Massage

First Place: Urban Nirvana
Runner Up: Massage Envy

Best Medical Spa

First Place: Back to 30 Rejuvenation Centers
Runner Up: Brio Aesthetics

Best Mental Health and Wellness

First Place: GHS Psychiatry - Patewood
Runner Up: AFC Bon Secours

Best Nail Salon

First Place: Oscar Nail and Spa
Runner Up: Studio Luxe

Best Ophthalmologist

First Place: Jervey Eye Group
Runner Up: Upstate Eye Care

Best Optometrist

First Place: Jervey Eye Group
Runner Up: Upstate Eye Care

Best Orthodontist

First Place: Summers Orthodontics
Runner Up: Orthodontic Associates of Greenville

Best Orthopedic Surgeon

First Place: Piedmont Orthopedics
Runner Up: Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

BestPediatric Dentist

First Place: Upstate Pediatric Dentistry
Runner Up: Greenville Pediatric Dentistry

Best Pediatrician

First Place: Parkside Pediatrics
Runner Up: Childrens Medical Center

Best Personal Trainer

First Place: Justin Bowers
Runner Up: Amanda Holt Fitness

Best Piercing Studio

First Place: Purple Haze
Runner Up: Up In Smoke

Best Primary Care Physician/Practice

First Place: Brio Internal Medicine
Runner Up: Internal Medicine Associates

Best Tanning Salon

First Place: UltraTan
Runner Up: Browning Studio

Best Tattoo Studio

First Place: Main Street Tattoo
Runner Up: Bearded Brothers

Best Urgent Care

First Place: MD 360
Runner Up: Bon Secours AFC Urgent Care

Best Vitamin & Supplement Store

First Place: Garner’s Natural Life
Runner Up: Vitamin Shoppe

Best Weight Loss Services

First Place: Back to 30 Rejuvenation Centers
Runner Up: Brio Internal Medicine/Aesthetics

Best Wellness/Alternative Medicine

First Place: Garner’s Natural Life
Runner Up: Pure on Main

Best Yoga Studio

First Place: Southern Om Hot Yoga
Runner Up: Soul Yoga

Culture Arts & Entertainment

Best Art Gallery

First Place: Greenville County Art Museum
Runner Up: Art & Light Gallery

Best Art Instruction

First Place: Greenville Center for Creative Arts
Runner Up: Open Art Studios

Best Comedy

First Place: Cafe and Then Some
Runner Up: The Comedy Zone

Best Community Theatre

First Place: Greenville Little Theatre
Runner Up: Cafe & Then Some

Best Dance Studio

First Place: Upstate Carolina Dance Center
Runner Up: Shock Dance center

Best DJ

First Place: Nate C The Chief
Runner Up: DJ EZ

Best Exhibit of Past Year

First Place: Curious George: Let’s Get Curious - The Upcountry History Museum
Runner Up: SC Comiccon

Best Jazz Band

First Place: Greenville Jazz Collective
Runner Up: Jamie Wright Band

Best Karaoke Night

First Place: Sharkey’s Pub
Runner Up: Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe

Best Live Theatre

First Place: The Peace Center
Runner Up: Cafe and Then Some

Best Local Band

First Place: Synergy Twins
Runner Up: Steel Toe Stiletto

BEST Local Visual Artist

First Place: Kate Furman
Runner Up: Mark Mulfinger

Best Museum

First Place: The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
Runner Up: Upcountry History Museum

BestMusic Venue

First Place: The Peace Center
Runner Up: Smiley’s Acoustic Cafe

Best Musical Instruction

First Place: Pecknel Music
Runner Up: Eastside Guitars

Services

Best Awards

First Place: Cowart Awards
Runner Up: Trophies Unlimited

Best Bathroom Remodeling

First Place: Riggs Custom Builders
Runner Up: Ferguson Builders

Best Carpet/Upholstery Cleaner

First Place: Stanley Steemer of Greenville
Runner Up: Ron’s Carpet Cleaning Services

Best Commercial Roofing Company

First Place: GUY Roofing
Runner Up: Gilstrap Roofing

Best Computer Services

First Place: CPR Cell Phone Repair
Runner Up: Homeland Secure IT
Runner Up: Compugeeks

Best Dry Cleaner

First Place: Master Mark Cleaners
Runner Up: Brashier Polk Cleaners

Best Family Lawyer

First Place: Lauren Taylor Law
Runner Up: Tripp Atkins - Atkins Law Firm, P.A.
Runner Up: Jessica Christophillis - Christophillis & Gallivan, P.A.

Best Flooring Installation Team

First Place: Greer Flooring Center
Runner Up: Michael’s Wholesale Flooring

Best Funeral Home

First Place: Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes
Runner Up: The Wood Mortuary, Inc.

Best Generators

First Place: Carolina Generators
Runner Up: Blue Ridge Generators

Best Gold/Precious Metals Buyer

First Place: Upstate Gold Exchange
Runner Up: Solid Gold

Best Heating & Air Services

First Place: Waldrop Plumbing, Heating and Air
Runner Up: Bentley’s Heating & Air

Best Home Improvement/Remodeling

First Place: Riggs Custom Builders
Runner Up: Ferguson Builders

Best Home Security

First Place: CPI Security
Runner Up: ADT

Best Hospice Care

First Place: McCall Hospice House
Runner Up: Patriot Hospice

Best In-Home Care and Adult Day Center

First Place: Elite Home Care
Runner Up: St. Francis Bon Secours Home Care

Best Landscaper

First Place: Palmetto Lawn and Landscape
Runner Up: Precision Landscape Management

Best Law Firm

First Place: David R. Price, Jr., P.A.
Runner Up: Bryan Ramey P.A.

Best Limo/Transportation Service

First Place: GSP Limousine & Transportation Service
Runner Up: Eastside Transportation

Best Moving Services

First Place: Tiger Moving
Runner Up: Two Men and a Truck

Best Painter

First Place: Southern Painting & Maintenance Specialists, Inc.
Runner Up: CertaPro Painters

Best Personal Injury Lawyer

First Place: David R. Price, Jr., P.A.
Runner Up: George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers

Best Pest Control

First Place: Hired Killers Pest Control
Runner Up: Gregory Pest Solutions

Best Pet Boarding & Daycare

First Place: Cleveland Park Animal Hospital
Runner Up: Astro Kennels

Best Pet Groomer

First Place: Paws & Claws
Runner Up: The Noble Dog Hotel

Best Photographer

First Place: In Vogue Photography
Runner Up: Amanda Roeben Artistry

Best Plumber

First Place: Dipple Plumbing, Electrical, Heating & Air Conditioning
Runner Up: Plumbing In Pink

Best Pool Builder

First Place: Hot Springs Pools & Spas
Runner Up: B&B Pools Inc.

Best Roofing Co.

First Place: GUY Roofing
Runner Up: Gilstrap Roofing

Best Sales Rep

First Place: ProSource Supply, LLC
Runner Up: Cliff Floyd - Bon Secours St. Francis Health System

Best Screen Printer

First Place: Swamp Rabbit Tees
Runner Up: Dapper Ink

Best Senior In-Home Care

First Place: St. Francis Bon Secours Home Care
Runner Up: Elite Home Care

Best Solar Company

First Place: Summit Solar
Runner Up: Sunrun

Best Storage Facility

First Place: CubeSmart Self Storage
Runner Up: Powdersville Self Storage

Best Travel Agency

First Place: AAA Travel
Runner Up: Dreamy Destinations by Amy

Best Trial Lawyer

First Place: David R. Price, Jr., P.A.
Runner Up: James Bannister - Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC

Best Tutor/Child Development Center

First Place: Classy Kids Child Development Center
Runner Up: Ahead Start

Best Veterinarian

First Place: Cleveland Park Animal Hospital
Runner Up: Foothills Veterinary Hospital

Best VHS Transfer to DVD

First Place: Image East Video
Runner Up: Bianchi Video Productions

Best Videographer

First Place: Let People See - Chris Freeland
Runner Up: Image East Video

Real Estate Banking & Finance

Best Bank

First Place: Wells Fargo
Runner Up: Bank of Travelers Rest

Best Credit Union

First Place: Greenville Federal Credit Union
Runner Up: SC Telco Federal Credit Union

Best Financial Advisors

First Place: Foster Victor Wealth Advisors
Runner Up: Edward Jones

Best Green Builder of the Year

First Place: Habitat for Humanity
Runner Up: Dan Ryan Builders

Best Home Builder

First Place: SK Builders, Inc.
Runner Up: Ryan Homes

Best Insurance Agency

First Place: South Carolina Insurance Brokers, Inc.
Runner Up: State Farm

Best Insurance Agent

First Place: Dante Russo - SC Insurance Brokers
Runner Up: Jim McGill - State Farm Insurance

Best Mortgage Company

First Place: Benchmark Mortgage
Runner Up: Countybank Mortgage

Best Property Mgmt. Co.

First Place: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS
Runner Up: Alpha Property, LLC

Best Real Estate Attorney

First Place: The Cogdill Law Firm
Runner Up: Nelson & Galbreath, LLC

Best Real Estate Team

First Place: The Haro Group
Runner Up: Modern Real Estate Consultants

Best Realtor

First Place: Maggie Aiken - BHHS C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS
Runner Up: Deborah Dujardin - Remax

Best Realty Co. Commercial

First Place: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS Commercial Division
Runner Up: Modern Real Estate Consultants

Best Realty Co. Residential

First Place: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices C. Dan Joyner, REALTORS
Runner Up: Keller Williams Realty

Automotive Sales and Service

Best Car Wash

First Place: Canopy Car Wash
Runner Up: Greenville Car Wash

Best Dealership Body Shop

First Place: Breakaway Honda Body Collision Center
Runner Up: Toyota of Greenville

Best Dealership Service Department

First Place: Breakaway Honda
Runner Up: Toyota of Greenville

Best Mechanic/Auto Repair

First Place: North Hills Automotive
Runner Up: Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

Best New Franchise Dealership

First Place: Benson’s in Greer
Runner Up: Big O’ Dodge

Best Tire Store

First Place: Discount Tire
Runner Up: Piedmont Tire

Best Used Franchise Dealership

First Place: Carmax
Runner Up: Breakaway Honda

Best Used Independent Dealership

First Place: Southern Cars
Runner Up: Northside Auto Sales