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Best Rail Station

Ensemble/HCC South Bound

Mass transit demands a certain amount of uniformity, which means a rail station is really defined by its surroundings. Looking out the windows as you pull up to the Ensemble/HCC South Bound station, you're greeted by something lacking at most other rail stations: character. It's a location that feels like a haven from the great concrete constructs that make up most of the line, a tiny section of the city that feels inviting instead of daunting. You may not find the biggest rodeo in the world or the hustle and bustle of downtown when you step through the railcar doors, but you may just make some new friends.

Best Art Supply Store

Texas Art Supply

A Houston institution, Texas Art Supply has been meeting the needs of armchair doodlers and professional artistes for as long as we can remember. No matter your medium, Texas Art Supply will be able to meet your needs. Whether you're shopping for yourself or for a friend or family member who's even just a little passionate about art, this should be your destination. It's nearly impossible to browse among all the paints, inks, papers, textiles, clays, ceramics and pastels (and on and on) and not be inspired to create something yourself. It's that amazing.

Best Mexican Bakery

El Bolillo

Jeff Balke

Could there possibly be any question? El Bolillo stands as close to a model of fresh-baked Mexican pan as anything America knows, and rightfully so. Don't be fooled by its imposing, stately facade: Once you're inside, all the warmth of a neighborhood panadería is yours. There are the piles of variegated cakes. There are the buckets of fresh bolillos waiting for their customers' trays. There are the rows of pastries — the ones iced as you like, the ones filled with whatever fruit jam you can imagine — all for the taking. And you're a fool if you leave without a slice or three of tres leches stowed away. Come hungry and bring friends.

Best Weathercaster

David Paul, KHOU

Surely it's every TV meteorologist's worst nightmare: an on-air attack of the hiccups that can't be contained and won't be denied. But that's exactly what happened to Channel 11's David Paul the evening of May 1 — and not during a routine weather update, but instead amid some heavy rush-hour rains. Paul kept his composure while shooting a series of "Can you believe this?" looks at the camera every time another hiccup came forth. It was the same supremely affable, ever so slightly goofy style viewers have come to expect from the Westfield High grad, who has worked at KHOU since 1996 and was promoted to senior meteorologist last year, and it played well when the clip inevitably went viral. (David Letterman quipped, "What is going on there in Houston?") More important, Paul kept right on running down the rainfall totals, proving that he takes the weather much more seriously than he takes himself.

Best Watch Repair

Mr. K's

You know what sucks about Mr. K's? His shop can be a little tricky to find. You know what else sucks? Absolutely nothing. For years, Houstonians have trusted this extremely skilled, knowledgeable and personable watch-wiz with their timepieces. It doesn't matter if you have a cheapo, entirely utilitarian watch or a keepsake handed down from generation to generation — the dude will know how to fix it. He doesn't keep you waiting, and he doesn't overcharge. There's a certain level of service you get from proprietors who sincerely love what they do for a living — it's why people wind up (heh) being customers for life.

Best Cemetery

Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery

The list of "residents" at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery is impressive. Civic and government leaders like Jesse Jones, Oscar Holcombe, Hugh Roy Cullen, "Red" Adair and Lloyd Bentsen are all buried here. Some not so illustrious characters also call Forest Park Lawndale their home, including Karla Faye Tucker (the last woman to be put to death in Texas). More impressive still are the grounds. Buildings with Tiffany stained-glass windows, spectacular statues and ornate headstones fill the cemetery's 225 acres. Fifty-plus-year-old trees shade the graves and a small lake while a beautiful, wide bend of Braes Bayou gracefully makes its way along the edge of the property.

Best Car Wash

Bubbles

Here's a little ditty to help you remember where you should go for a car wash: When your Caddy's really dirty, and you want it lookin' purty — Bubbles, Bubbles. When your ride reeks like hell, and you want that new-car smell — Bubbles, Bubbles. When grit and grime attacks, and you need a trusty wax — Bubbles, Bubbles. When your Honda looks demolished and could really use a polish — Bubbles, Bubbles. What we're trying to tell you is that Bubbles will make your ride sparkle inside and out. These guys are thorough, and they care about customer satisfaction. Now go!

Best Computer Store

Fry's Electronics

Apples. PCs. Tablets. Desktops. Laptops. Printers. Scanners. More accessories than you can shake a stick at. Need we go on? Fry's is just overflowing with computers and equipment, and your needs will be met, whether you're just an average dude or dudette looking for something basic or a full-fledged tech geek on a mission for all the latest gadgets and gizmos. Awesome prices, awesome staff, awesome inventory. You can't beat it.

Best Pawn Shop

Action Pawn Shop

Think of this: It's Christmas or Mother's Day, and you forgot to buy that special someone a gift. Sure, you could go to the big-box electronics store for a big-screen or the jewelry shop in the mall for a nice watch or the hardware store for a lawn mower, and in the process waste a full tank of gas. Or you can just hit up Action Pawn. They have a large selection of items, from Xboxes to bicycles, diamond rings to laptops, and seemingly everything in between. There are big sales on most major holidays, and Action Pawn is ready to loan you money if you're in need.

Best Greeting Cards

Space

Have you noticed the price of your average birthday card at the grocery store lately? At $5.99, it's hard to justify another Maxine card, no matter how clever that old hag is. Turns out there's a shop in Montrose that offers unique handmade cards by local and national artists for the same price and sometimes less. Space is a unique gallery space-cum-boutique-cum-gift store that carries a bevy of handmade items from jewelry to original art. And to go with those gifts, there is that awesome array of cards of all styles, from the froufrou baby shower card to the ever-so-sappy anniversary card to an absurd birthday card of Jesus riding a T. rex. If your recipient will appreciate something non-Hallmark, Space is the place.

  • 1706 Westheimer Rd., Houston, 77027 Map

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