The Mirror is proud to present the results of our 20th annual Best of Federal Way contest, which recognizes the city’s top businesses, people and places.
The winners were chosen by you – the readers – through online and print ballots. Voting was held November through January, and the Mirror officially revealed the winners March 7 at an awards program at the Federal Way Community Center.
Thousands of votes were cast this year in 61 categories covering everything from the best restaurants and service providers to the best city leaders and the best teachers in elementary school, middle school and high school.
We are also excited to announce that Shelley Pauls has been named the Mirror’s 2017 Citizen of the Year. Although frequently spotted behind a camera, Pauls is involved in a number community service projects such as the We Love Our City event and the Homeless Mothers and Children Initiative. Pauls was among the 2017 honorees for Citizen of the Month, and all of these honorees deserve our gratitude for working hard to make Federal Way a better place to live, work and play.
“She doesn’t want the limelight,” fellow community volunteer Cheryl Hurst said of Pauls, whose story appears in this special section. “She would rather just make things happen.”
Please continue to send your nominations for Citizen of the Month and let us know about local people who are making a positive difference in the community.
In the meantime, remember that the winners of this year’s Best of Federal Way contest are worth celebrating all year long. On behalf of the Mirror family, thank you for reading.
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FOOD
Asian
1st place: Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse
2nd: Thai Bistro
3rd: Grand Peking
Barbecue
1st place: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
2nd: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
3rd: Pac Island Grill
Brunch/breakfast
1st place: Black Bear Diner
2nd: Biscuits Cafe
3rd: Poverty Bay Coffee Company
Buffet
1st place: Salty’s Redondo Beach Seafood Grill
2nd: Jasmine Mongolian Grill
3rd: East India Grill
Coffee shop
1st place: Poverty Bay Coffee Company
2nd: Asensio Coffee
3rd: Gravity
Deli/sandwich
1st place: Panera Bread
2nd: Poverty Bay Coffee Company
3rd: Marlene’s Market and Deli
Family dining
1st place: Black Bear Diner
2nd: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
3rd: Red Robin
Burgers
1st place: Burger Express
2nd: Stacks Burgers
3rd: Red Robin
Ice cream
1st place: Sub Zero
2nd: Cold Stone Creamery
3rd: Menchie’s
Indian
1st place: East India Grill
2nd: Maharaj Cuisine of India
3rd: Can Am Pizza
Lunch
1st place: Panera Bread
2nd: Chipotle
3rd: Marlene’s Market and Deli
Mexican
1st place: Puerto Vallarta
2nd: Azteca
3rd: Senor Taco
Pizza
1st place: The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen
2nd: Pizza Pizazz
3rd: Vince’s
Seafood
1st place: Salty’s Redondo Beach Seafood Grill
2nd: McGrath’s Fish House
3rd: Ivar’s
Steakhouse
1st place: Black Angus
2nd: Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse
3rd: Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
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LIVING
Best police officer
1st place: Chief Andy Hwang
2nd: Chris Norman
3rd: Kyle Sumpter
Best firefighter
1st place: Jeff Bellinghausen
2nd: Ryan Herrera
3rd: Al Church
Best city leader
1st place: Susan Honda
2nd: Jim Ferrell
3rd: Tammy Campbell
Community volunteer
1st place: Cindy Ducich
2nd: Shelley Pauls
3rd: Diana Noble-Gulliford
Educational facility
1st place: Christian Faith School
2nd: Federal Way Community Center
3rd: Highline College
Kids activities
1st place: Federal Way Community Center
2nd: Wild Waves Theme Park
3rd: Pattison’s West
Local charity/non-profit
1st place: Multi-Service Center
2nd: FUSION
3rd: Communities in Schools
Teacher/Elementary
1st place: Wendy Boettcher, Christian Faith School
2nd: Maria Rainbow Rubatino, Green Gables Elementary
3rd: Chris Andrews, Mirror Lake Elementary
Teacher/Middle School
1st place: Mary Beth McCrummen, Lakota Middle School
2nd: Chrissie Bianchi, Christian Faith School
3rd: Raisa Baker, TAF@Saghalie
Teacher/High School
1st place: Pam Ashe, Federal Way High School
2nd: Jeff Chang, Decatur High School
3rd: Sherry Kerr, Federal Way High School
Tourist attraction
1st place: Wild Waves Theme Park
2nd: Dash Point State Park
3rd: Redondo pier/boardwalk
Bar/nightclub
1st place: Scoreboard
2nd: Time Out Ale House
3rd: Salty’s Redondo Beach Seafood Grill
Local arts group
1st place: Centerstage Theatre
2nd: Federal Way Symphony
3rd: Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
Best event venue
1st place: Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center
2nd: Federal Way Community Center
3rd: Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club
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SERVICE
Attorney
1st place: Tim Hickel
2nd: Rajiv Nagaich
3rd: Herman C. Brewer IV
Bank/credit union
1st place: BECU
2nd: HomeStreet Bank
3rd: Red Canoe Credit Union
Barber shop
1st place: Gents Fine Grooming For Men
2nd: Sport Clips
3rd: Great Clips
Bartender
1st place: Jen Rosentrater, Time Out Ale House
2nd: Jennie McCrory, Star Lake Inn
3rd: Tawna Gogolin, Salty’s
Health care clinic
1st place: Virginia Mason Medical Center
2nd: St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
3rd: Seattle Children’s Hospital in Federal Way
Day care
1st place: Brooklake Childcare & Learning
2nd: Christian Faith School
3rd: KinderCare (Redondo)
Massage/day spa
1st place: 8th Day Spa
2nd: Massage For Health and Day Spa
3rd: Toni Johnson, Your Wellness Massage Therapy
Dentist
1st place: Dr. Mo Mahoutchi
2nd: Dr. Kenneth Brossel, DDS
3rd: Dr. Stacy R. Kanda, DDS
Financial advisor
1st place: BECU
2nd: Wyman & Associates
3rd: Barney Hartley, Cetera Advisors
Fitness facility/location
1st place: Temple Fitness
2nd: iLoveKickboxing
3rd: Federal Way Community Center
Hair salon
1st place: Twin Lakes Hair Salon
2nd: Bella Red Salon
3rd: HairMasters
Health care professional
1st place: Dr. David Kieras, Virginia Mason
2nd: John Apostol, Pediatrics NW
3rd: Michelle Chaney
Insurance agent
1st place: Jack Stanford, Stanford Insurance
2nd: Brady Nelson, State Farm; 3rd: Ted Colby, State Farm
Mortgage company
1st place: BECU
2nd: HomeStreet Bank
3rd: Jennifer Buckholz @ CMG Financial
Nail salon
1st place: 8th Day Spa
2nd: The Avenue
3rd: Nails Tek
Real estate agent
1st place: Sarah Asay – Keller Williams
2nd: Cari Franklin – Keller Williams
3rd: Lori DeVore
Residential painter
1st place: Five Star Painting
2nd: Progressive Painting
3rd: k2 painting
Senior living facility
1st place: Village Green Retirement
2nd: SHAG
3rd: Mill Ridge Village
Tutor
1st place: Sylvan Learning
2nd: Treehouse
3rd: Multi-Service Center
Veterinarian
1st place: Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital
2nd: Sacajawea Healthcare for Pets
3rd: Crestwood Animal Hospital LLC
Waiter/location
1st place: Tad Richter, Salty’s
2nd: Jesus Nava, Twin Lakes Puerto Vallarta
3rd: Dustin Vistante, Puerto Vallarta
Waitress/location
1st place: Tia Gomez, Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
2nd: Sara Walton, Billy McHale’s
3rd: Rene Koehler, Black Bear Diner
Adult in-home care
1st place: Comfort Keepers
2nd: Catholic Community Services
3rd: Visiting Angels
Chiropractor
1st place: Life & Health Chiropractic & Massage Centre
2nd: NW Sports Rehab
3rd: Ball Chiropractic
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SHOPPING
Jewelry store
1st place: Jeffrey’s Jewelry Design Studio
2nd: Federal Way Custom Jewelers
3rd: Fred Meyer Jewelers
Nursery & Garden
1st place: Branches Garden Center
2nd: Lowe’s
3rd: Home Depot
Pet store
1st place: Mud Bay
2nd: PetSmart
3rd: Petco
Tires
1st place: Les Schwab
2nd: Discount Tire
3rd: Costco Federal Way
Doggie daycare/groomers
1st place: The Soggy Doggy
2nd: Biscuits
3rd: Big Dog Little Dog
Computer repair
1st place: Geeks @ Site
2nd: Best Buy Geek Squad
3rd: Infotech
Auto detail
1st place: Jim’s Detail Shop
2nd: Pro Auto Touch
3rd: Car Toys
Auto repair shop
1st place: Sparks Car Care
2nd: Eagle Tire and Automotive
3rd: Northshore RV & Auto Repair
Mirror publisher Andy Hobbs, right, presents Shelley Pauls with the Citizen of the Year Award. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
The Mirror’s Citizens of the Month for 2017 were recognized during the event. Jessica Keller, the Mirror
Mirror sales consultant Linda Staples, left, and best teacher – elementary school winner Wendy Boettcher of Christian Faith School. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
Dave Monteith, left, and Angela Bayler, center, from Centerstage Theatre, winner of best local arts group, with Mirror sales consultant Cindy Ducich. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
South King Fire & Rescue Capt. Jeff Bellinghausen, best firefighter winner, right, and Mirror sales consultant Cindy Ducich. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
Mirror sales consultant Cindy Ducich, left, and Carl Goretski from The Soggy Doggy, winner of best doggy day care/groomers. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
King County Councilman Pete von Reichbauer, center, and his legislative staff director Tyler Pichette, left, enjoy ice cream while talking to Sub Zero Ice Cream owner Jack Walsh and his wife, Judy, at the Best of Federal Way reception Wednesday at the Federal Way Community Center. Walsh and his wife mixed up ice cream using liquid nitrogen at one of the vendor booths at the event. Jessica Keller, the Mirror
Antoinette Johnson of You’re Wellness gives Rocky Chopra a massage during the Best of Federal Way event. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
Mirror sales consultant Linda Staples, right, and Dan and Brynn Esbenshade, owners of Temple Fitness, winner of best fitness facility. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
Jason Johnson, general manager of The Rock Wood Fired Pizza in Federal Way, hands out slices of pizza during the event. Heidi Sanders, the Mirror
