Really disappointing that the Voice skipped the Arts/Entertainment/Lifestyle category-- the PA Weekly had such a category. Is it just about ad revenue from the winners, or does the Voice want to be a part of the community?

This contest has always been about the ad revenue. Why else would business from outside Mountain View qualify? For example, Chef Chu's? Because Chef Chu spends way more money advertising in this paper than any other Chinese restaurant in the city, though there are many that are far better and more authentic. It's all about the Benjamins, baby!

Should have written:

Because Chef Chu's (of Los Altos) spends way more money advertising in this paper than any Chinese restaurant in Mountain View. . . .

Other than this week's paper, when is the last time you've seen a Chef Chu ad run in the Voice?

I personally love Dana Street Roasting Co. Its quirky, fun, great coffee drinks and the attitude I get there is,"Pull up a chair, have a pastry with that drink, and you are one of us!" No one acts pretentious, and the people behind the counter provide my entertainment. Just my opinion, but this place rocks!!!! Music night with the ukelele is awesome!!My daughter and I have heard a few bands and we love the cozy and crowded ambiance. No one paid me to say this stuff, I just like the attitude I get there. Bring cash, thogh! There is an ATM in back of store if needed. Thanks for letting me talk about my favorite coffee place!

I agree with Eric, Chef Chu's and Armadillo's should not be included in "Best of Mountain View 2011" Both restaurants are clearly not in Mountain View indicated by the supplied addresses. Either change the "Best of Mountain View 2011" part or disqualify those two restaurants.

Every time I do take out at Chef Chu's, the food is cold and greasy, and I live less than 5 minutes away. I can't stand the place.

Anyone have any advice on good Chinese restaurants IN MOUNTAIN VIEW?

I agree. I have been looking for a good Chinese restaurant in Mountain View (not Los Altos or Palo Alto or Sunnyvale) for years. There must be someplace good but I haven't found it yet and, unfortunately, the Voice isn't helping me.

Cafe Yulong,
just off Castro Street at

743 West Dana Street
Mountain View, CA 94041-1303
(650) 960-1677
Open Tue-Thu 11:30am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm; also open Sun

The best. Lovely service and excellent food. Been going there for years and they never fail.

Back in the 90s there was a great Chinese restaurant heading down Castro near the tracks on the left. It was very popular with great food fun by a family. And then it was gone and nothing has come close to replacing it. And Chef Chu's is just all hype. Food is mediocre. And I too found the take out to be cold.

China Cafe has some great food usually. Mixed reviews all over Yelp, so try it for yourself for sure. They're on Miramonte in the Blossom Valley center, and so far for the past few years we're never disappointed.

Have to agree with eric above. There's no place for out-of-towners to win the Best of MOUNTAIN VIEW. It's Mountain View, not Los Altos or Palo Alto. They have their publications for competition. And what happened to the Best Live Entertainment category? I voted on it (Dana Street Roasting) but it didn't appear in the final choices. If that's what eric also meant by Arts/Lifestyle, then I agree. We need more than just food and retail for a complete picture of all the great things in Mountain View.

discerning fans? It's essentially an advertising special edition with a twist...Very uninspired, mundane, excruciatingly dull, et cetera.

Every year the list becomes more of a disappointment, I have to laugh at it. My votes must get tossed to the wayside since I didn't vote for Chef Chu's nor Red Rock. There are so many great places in Mountain View, it's sad people go for the mediocre, and sad we can't give them a little press.

I think the photography and design layout for this years winners is really great. Someone obviously did a lot of work and they all seem to be having fun. I think this is a good way to introduce us to the people at some of the local businesses. I don't see any reason that a business that is located only a few hundred feet from the Mountain View boarder should not be considered as part of the Mountain View community.

Chas, what is the purpose of having a "best of Mountain View" if any business from another bordering city gets to participate? The purpose of the promoting actual Mountain View businesses is so that Mountain View residents can support their local community with tax dollars. That means that the business has to actually be located in Mountain View. Los Altos has their own newspaper so let them promote what is good about their own city in that publication.

My favorite Chinese restaurant in MV is Hunan Chili on Castro Street! Yumm

Chef Liu's on Castro is our favorite for Chinese in Mountain View! We get take out from there a couple of times a month. They're SO friendly, the food is always fresh, and they're very fast.

I know BookBuyers never buys ad space in the Voice. They were voted on authenically.

Chef xiu, hand down' They served the Best Chinese Food in town!

I think Chef xiu Restaurant is the BEST IN MOUNTIAN VIEW. They served the Best Food in town!