Your McMurray Magazine's 2021 Best of YMM Readers' Choice
Welcome to Your McMurray Magazine’s Best of YMM - Readers’ Choice! With 40 topics listed in four categories, the Best of Award Program is growing to be a well-received community initiative for our region and the people who are actively evolving the betterment of our livelihoods.
We first launched the Best of YMM in 2019. And though it paused in 2020, our editorial team felt it was in our readers’ best interest to bring it back to liven up the community rapport and act as a booster to cheer each other on as we continuously adjust and readjust through the pandemic.
The 2021 program kicked off in January with thanks due to our program presenting partners, the Casman Group of Companies and the Tourism team at Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism.
Beginning with the nomination process, we tallied up the top five finalists from each of the four categories and opened up the voting polls for residents to choose their best. The entire process brought in over 7,000 responses, and you will find the results on the following pages.
Check out the Behind-the-Scenes piece to learn how our exclusive 2021 Best of YMM photographer Greg Halinda captured the photos of our top-ranked finalists, as they received the most votes in their specific categories.
Best Food
2021 Best of YMM Winner!
Best Steak: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
Chef Matthew Verhulp presents one of the Keg Steakhouse + Bar award-winning steaks in the restaurant’s lounge alongside his team members. The Best Steak title was the most our readers voted on of all the Best of YMM categories.
Best Breakfast
Cora
8528 Manning Avenue, 780-750-0395
chezcora.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
East Village Pub + Eatery
Paddy McSwiggins
Surekha’s on the Snye
The Fish Place
Best Bowl (noodles/soups/stew etc.)
Mitchell’s Cafe
10015 Main Street, 780-743-1665
mitchellscafe.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Earls Kitchen + Bar
East Village Pub + Eatery
STACS
Triple S Noodle Bar
Best Coffee
Firebag Coffee Company
271 Rattlepan Creek, 780-215-0744
firebagcoffeecompany.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
McDonald’s
Second Cup
Starbucks
Tim Hortons
Best Donair
PK’s Corner Pizza
101 Riverstone Ridge, 780-750-9991
pkscornerpizza.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Cedars Bakery
Cosmos Pizza
Hu’s Pizza & Donairs
Jomaa’s Pizza & Chicken
Best Dessert
Mitchell’s Cafe
10015 Main Street, 780-743-1665
mitchellscafe.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
East Village Pub + Eatery
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
Surekha’s on the Snye
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
Best Pizza
Hu’s Pizza & Donairs
10020 Franklin Avenue, 780-791-5554
Facebook: Hu’s Pizza & Donairs
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Boston Pizza
Cosmos Pizza
Milano’s Pizza & Grill
PK’s Corner Pizza
Best Pub Food
East Village Pub + Eatery
101-395 Loutit Road, 587-276-2238
eastvillagepub.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Blackhorse Pub
Paddy McSwiggins
The Canadian Brewhouse
57 North Kitchen + Brewery
Best Steak
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
10006 MacDonald Avenue, 780-791-2540
kegsteakhouse.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Earls Kitchen + Bar
East Village Pub + Eatery
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
The Podollan Pub
Best Take-Out Menu
Boston Pizza
Timberlea: 110 Millennium Drive, 780-715-1999
Downtown: 10202 MacDonald Avenue, 780-743-5056
bostonpizza.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Earls Kitchen + Bar
East Village Pub + Eatery
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
The Canadian Brewhouse
Best Vegan/Vegetarian
DEDICATE Healthy Kitchen & Meal Prep
135 Eagle Ridge Boulevard, 780-790-0065
dedicatekitchen.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Earls Kitchen + Bar
Freshii
Spices Restaurant
Surekha’s on the Snye
Best People
2021 Best of YMM Winner!
Best Delivery Person: Bulldog Delivery
Bulldog Delivery owner Walid Herda shows how his business will bring residents purchases to wherever they may be with this order to the Shell Place. His team claimed the Best Delivery Person title in this year’s Best of YMM.
Best Bus & Cab Driver
Diversified Transportation
920 Memorial Drive, 780-743-2244
dtl.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Hank’s Quick Cabs
Sun Taxi
United Class Cabs
Wood Buffalo Co-op Taxi Inc.
Best Beauty Care & Salon Specialist
Jenni Pottle of Spoiled Rotten Beauty Boutique
122 Millennium Drive, 780-714-5070
spoiledrottenboutique.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Jessica Beresford of The Beauty Cellar
Krista Kemp of Allure Medi Spa
Shelby Kenny of Razor’s Edge Hair Studio
Sunny Najm of Sunny’s Salon
Best Community Cheerleader
Blake Crossley of Buddy the Elf
Find @therealbuddytheelf, 780-799-5466
buddytheelf.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Judy Dredge of 9Round Fitness
Melanie Galea of Discover Fort McMurray
Mike Jones of On Stage with Mike Jones
Robbie Picard of Oil & Gas Strong
Best Grocery Store Staff
Save-On-Foods in Thickwood
131 Signal Road, 780-791-3909
saveonfoods.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Family Foods in Gregoire
Joly’s Your Independent Grocer in Timberlea
Save-On-Foods in Timberlea
Sobeys in Thickwood
Best Health Care Provider
Intensive Care Unit - Northern Lights Regional Health Centre
7 Hospital Street, 780-791-6161
albertahealthservices.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Dr. Elliot Frank of MaxWell Medical
Dr. Nasim Arruj of Hardin Medical Clinic
Dr. Raman Kumar of MaxWell Medical
Kate Farkouh of Mama Coach YMM
Best In Education
Dan Tulk - Fort McMurray Composite High School
9803 King Street, 780-743-5800
comp.fmpsdschools.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Sheldon Dahl of Fort McMurray
Composite High School
Helen Marche of St. Kateri Catholic School
Brendan Toner of Walter and Gladys Hill School
Jennifer Pope of Father Mercredi
Community High School
Best In Delivery Service
Bulldog Delivery
Find @bulldogdelivery, 780-215-3766
bulldogdelivery.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Intelcom Courier
Jomaas Pizza
SkipTheDishes
57 North Kitchen + Brewery
Best In Retail Service
Chocolates & Candlelight
4-122 Millennium Drive, 780-743-3878
chocolatesandcandlelight.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Home Hardware Building Centre
The Sprouting Fawn
Velenzia Fashion
Yvonne Lauren Boutique
Best Pet Care Provider
Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital
5-608 Signal Road, 780-715-9369
wbsah.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Ann’s Pet Services Ltd.
K9 Clubhouse
Northern Veterinary Services
Pawfessional Pet Sitting
Best Photographer
Emily Locke of Emily Gale Photography
Find @emilygalephotography, 780-881-1143
emilygalephotography.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Crystal Mercredi of Life & Portraits
Cortny MacKenzie of Cortny MacKenzie Photography
Kayla Lavers of Kayla May Photography
Thomas Hopkins of Thomas Hopkins Photography
Best Places
2021 Best of YMM Winner!
Best Bakery, Best Dessert & Best Bowl: Mitchell's Cafe
Mitchell’s Cafe owner Owen Erskine with the bakery’s award-winning cinnamon buns and dessert tray. His hardworking team topped the voting charts for the Best Bakery, Best Bowl and Best Dessert titles.
Best Barber Shop
Thickwood Barber Shop
700 Signal Road, 780-750-9939
thickwoodbarbershop.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Fade 99 Barbershop
Millennium Barbershop
MVP Modern Barbers
Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop
Best Bakery
Mitchell’s Cafe
10015 Main Street, 780-743-1665
mitchellscafe.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Cedars Bakery & Restaurant
Joly’s Your Independent Grocer
Safeway in Downtown
Sobeys in Thickwood
Best Beauty/Hair Salon
Spoiled Rotten Beauty Boutique
122 Millennium Drive, 780-714-5070
spoiledrottenboutique.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Cool Blondes Salon
Head Case Artistry
Orange Lily Hair & Body Studio
Razor’s Edge Hair Studio
Best Car Care & Dealership
NorthStar Ford Lincoln SVT
1540 Memorial Drive, 780-791-7911
www.northstarfordsales.ca
Readers’ Choice Runner-ups
Borealis Automotive
Beyond Detailing Ltd.
Legacy Dodge
Summit GM Chevrolet GMC Buick
Best Entertainment Place
The Alley YMM
15-8528 Manning Avenue, 780-972-9900
thealleyymm.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Boomtown Casino
JollyJay
Keyano Theatre & Arts Centre
Landmark Cinemas
Best Fitness Centre/Recreation Facility
MacDonald Island Park
1 MacDonald Drive, 780-791-0070
macdonaldisland.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Exhale Yoga & Barre
Oranj Fitness
Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre
9Round Fitness
Best Flower Shop
The Flower Studio
4-412 Thickwood Boulevard Bay, 780-791-4262
flowerstudioflorist.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Caribou Flowers & Gifts
Flora Boreal
Safeway in Downtown
Save-on-Foods in Downtown
Best Park & Playground
Syncrude Athletic Park
101 Cartier Road, 780-799-5865
rmwb.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Howard J. Pew Memorial Family Park
Lion’s Park
Snye Point Park
Abasand Park (Simon & Lucas Park)
Best Real Estate Agency
Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray
9905 Sutherland Street, 780-714-5050
coldwellbankerfortmcmurray.com
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
RE/MAX Fort McMurray
Royal LePage True North Realty
Seller Direct Fort McMurray
3% Realty Fort McMurray
Best Restaurant Patio
Surekha’s on the Snye
2 Clearwater Drive, 780-713-3330
surekhasonthesnye.ca
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
The Banquet
Earls Kitchen + Bar (Downtown)
East Village Pub + Eatery
Bear & Buffalo
Best of Virtually Anything
2021 Best of YMM Winner!
Best in Education, Best Online Entertainer, Best Online Party, Best Social Media Personality: Dan Tulk
Educator and musician Dan Tulk won the Best of YMM this year with six finalist titles in two categories. He showed up to the Tavern On Main stage to play some “air guitar” for photoshoot entertainment.
Best Local Online Entertainer
Dan Tulk
Just like James Taylor’s lyrics, “Winter, spring, summer or fall. All you have to do is call,” and Dan Tulk will be there. Not physically speaking, but he found his way through residents’ devices during the worst hits the past year has brought to the community and revived their spirits through guitar and song. Whether from an empty bar or his home studio, Fort McMurray’s favourite music man hit incredible heights in online entertainment and still does to this day.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Angela Ordaz
Max Noseworthy
Simma Downe
The Borderpines
Best Online Party
Dan Tulk NYE at 57 North Kitchen + Brewery with Special Guest Max Noseworthy & Shantelle Davidson
New Year’s Eve of 2020 may have seemed dull and drab without the dancefloor and dress-up opportunity, but not for the guests who took part in 57 North Kitchen’s NYE’s virtual event. With Dan Tulk headlining the evening with Max Noseworthy and Shantelle Davidson, 2021 was rung in with a start set while the restaurant had ready-made orders of appetizer platters and cocktails to-go for their guests to enjoy from home.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
2020 Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards: Midnight Steampunk
Fort McMurray Food Festival Virtual Patio Party in support of Waypoints
New Year’s Eve Bash featuring JD Hunter at Earls Kitchen + Bar
The Festival of Trees Online Tree Auction for the Northern Lights Health Foundation
Best Social Media Personality
Dan Tulk
Social media through the pandemic plays a pinnacle role for many of us because it’s one of the best ways to stay social with everyone else outside of our household. It can also be a dreary place if you’re steadily reading the negatives. However, if you’re lucky enough to have Dan Tulk on the newsfeed, you know how it feels to be enlightened by his spunk and constant positive affirmations.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Melanie Galea
Mike Jones
Paige Cyr
Simma Downe
Best Virtual Open-Mic
Open Mic Night at Tavern On Main by Dan Tulk
If you’ve travelled to the pubs and taverns regularly pre-COVID, then you have seen Dan Tulk on the stages performing and hosting open mic nights. During the pandemic, he’s kept them going to share virtually, and it’s why you see his name twice in this category because he’s the man who knows how to bring musicians together in many places.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Canada Day 2020 by the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo
Open Mic Night All Ages at Paddy McSwiggins hosted by Dan Tulk
NorthWord Magazine’s Issue 22 Anomaly - Virtual Launch
Quarantheatre Series by Theatre; Just Because
Best At-Home Initiative
Fort McMurray Birthday Parties on Wheels by Amanda Chubbs
At the beginning of the pandemic shut down in March 2020, Fort McMurray resident Amanda Chubbs launched an at-home initiative to help children celebrate their birthdays by having a motorized driveby. With hundreds of happy birthday greetings shared to-date, Chubbs created a way for residents to safely send special salutations to family and friends regardless of the COVID restrictions set in place.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Escape Boxes by Mr. E’s Solve-It-Torium YMM
Quarantheatre Series by Theatre; Just Because
Stay Home, Read Gala by Wood Buffalo Regional Library
Virtual Classes by Exhale Yoga & Barre
Best Local Online Concert
Country 93.3 Virtual Concert for Fort McMurray
On June 5, 2020, local radio station Country 93.3 brought an all-star panel of musicians together on a virtual platform to support the Fort McMurray victims of the 2020 Spring Flood and the Canadian Red Cross. Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks, High Valley, Shawn Austin, Madeline Merlo, The Washboard Union, The Prairie States and many others united for an evening of musical inspiration.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Around the Campfire: Music, Stories & Songs
Dan Tulk Music
Live Music at 57 North
Tibb’s Eve with Max Noseworthy
Best Online Program & Service
Exhale Yoga & Barre’s Virtual Classes
Between Government-authorized reopenings and lockdowns, Exhale Yoga & Barre studio has helped its clients stay healthy in body and mind with various virtual classes for residents. The studio will soon celebrate its first anniversary since it opened its doors and quickly learned how to adapt to the times. It’s most likely because it states it’s “built on community, love, experience and strong foundations” and welcomes its clients with respect and open hearts.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s Artist-in-Residency Program
Girls’ Inc. of Northern Alberta’s Home-Based Programming
Wood Buffalo Regional Library’s Virtual Story Time Corner
YMM Dance Company’s Virtual Classes
Best Social Distancing Event
Wood Buffalo Ribfest at the Casman Centre
Labour Day Weekend in Fort McMurray has had a turnover in excitement since the inaugural Wood Buffalo Ribfest in 2019. It was also named the Best Community Event in our first Best of YMM program. With the 2020 changes, organizers transitioned to continue delivering delicious barbecued eats from some of the top rib trucks available to come safely into the region and allowed residents to grab food from the comfort of their cars. Another Best of YMM title should be a great reminder for them to keep coming back!
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Dog Sledding with Controlled Chaos
Gord Bamford at the Fort McMurray International Airport
Northern Lights Health Foundation Festival of Trees
Reverse Santa Claus Parade by Regional
Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Best Virtual Conference
Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s AGM 2020
Hosting annual general meetings took a learning curve to coordinate through the pandemic for many organizations. Arts Council Wood Buffalo’s AGM 2020 was highly successful with its open discussion with its members through a Q&A session through a webinar platform. They also shared a special presentation revealing the theme of their 5th Annual Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Convergence YMM by FuseSocial
Momentum 2020 by Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism
Some Other Solutions’ AGM 2020
Best Virtual Community Event
New Year’s Eve Fireworks at MacDonald Island
The Wood Buffalo region’s residents were still able to ring in 2021 by watching the New Year’s Eve Fireworks presented by Syncrude at MacDonald Island Park. Though spaces were limited, guests did have the opportunity to view on-location and around the city of Fort McMurray, while others enjoyed them from the comfort of their own homes through live streaming.
Readers’ Choice Runners-up
Canada Day 2020 by the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo
Festival of Trees Online Tree Auction by the Northern Lights Health Foundation
Fort McMurray Food Festival presented by Suncor Energy in support of Waypoints
2020 Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards: Midnight Steampunk by Arts Council Wood Buffalo
Behind The Scenes
With all the disruptions COVID-19 has caused, we were so excited to get back to the roots of magazine content creation by curating the exclusive and original content we’ve been used to with on-site photoshoots and in-person interactions. So, we brought on one of the Wood Buffalo region’s best photographers for our Best of YMM - Readers’ Choice program. With all respect to the COVID-19 restrictions set in place, Greg Halinda shared the scoop with Your McMurray Magazine on capturing some of our highest-ranked finalists in their regular community backgrounds and settings, donning their smiling faces.
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
Greg Halinda: After working with Keg manager Tony Loga and his team to set up some photos in the beautiful two-story lounge, it was evident how they take pride in their business. I was pleasantly surprised to see people lining up outside for the doors to open at 4 p.m. Obviously, the Keg in Fort McMurray has been doing things right for years based on their devoted following!
Bulldog Delivery at the Shell Place
GH: Bulldog Delivery owner Walid brought his dog to the photo shoot, along with his Bulldog team. They are a fun bunch who enjoy working together and having a laugh or two, which they did even as I posed them outdoors in a chilly March wind.
Mitchell’s Cafe
GH: It was great to spend some time with Mitchell’s Cafe owner Owen Erskine and his crew. I’ve had so many memorable meals and snacks there over the 25 years I’ve lived in Fort McMurray. I’m always inspired when I get to ask a chef about how they do things, and it’s a bonus to share my thoughts on good coffee and food with them.
Dan Tulk at the Tavern on Main
GH: Musician Dan Tulk was photographed in his element on stage at the Tavern on Main. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions meant he wasn’t allowed to sing, as the patrons and staff at the Tavern were egging him on to do just that as I photographed him. It’s always a pleasure to be around Dan as he exudes a love of music and of people.
And that’s a wrap...
With the intent of saving the BEST for last, our team and partners would like to share a special thanks to you - our valued readers and everyone who took part in this year’s Best of YMM program. As we continue to work through and adapt to new ways of living, we value the people who surround us and all the great things they do to create the betterment of our community and region entirely.
Special thanks to our Best of YMM - Readers’ Choice partners, Casman Group of Companies and the Tourism team of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism.
As we continue to share the stories and our programs for outstanding individuals and businesses through our magazine publication, we would like to hear your feedback on the Best of YMM - Readers’ Choices. If you have any questions or inquiries, email Your McMurray Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Dawn Booth.
