Forget chasing the ice cream truck, just swing by one of Davis’ fine frozen yogurt shops. Yolo Berry Yogurt has once again been voted Davis’ favorite ice cream or frozen yogurt shop.

Yolo Berry opened in October 2008, and is owned by former Sudwerk manager Lee Pflugrath. Yogurt machines in the shop are self-serve, and flavors are rotated in and out daily. The most common flavors are original or tart and vanilla, with seasonal favorites such as pumpkin or raspberry among them. They also offer non-dairy sorbet for vegans and the lactose intolerant.

“The one thing that we’re most well-known for is our toppings,” said manager Zachary Coleman. “Basic math will tell you that we tend to have more.”

The shop boasts over 100 different toppings ranging from cookies to candy to fruit to whipped toppings. Prices are calculated by weight at a rate of 39 cents per ounce. Yolo Berry is located at 316 C St., across from the Davis Farmers Market downtown location and near Burgers and Brew.

“It’s a place where I want people to feel comfortable, and where they want to be to get some froyo and have a good time … I want people smiling and happy to be there,” Coleman said.

If you’re looking for another frosty treat, check out Sugar Daddies which came in second place and Cultivé which came in third.

— Nicole Noga

In the past year, the Mondavi Center has boasted many hard acts to follow; to name a few: Eddie Izzard, B.B. King, Dance Theatre of Harlem and The Shins. As a result, Mondavi was picked the best venue for evening entertainment in Davis.

The Mondavi Center hosts a wide variety of artists in different disciplines in a state-of-the-art facility. Students are able to get discounts on tickets, making it extra-popular. First-years and first-year transfer students are able to get one free ticket to any event during that year.

The Mondavi Center was built in accordance to the UC Davis mission as a land grant university. It offers cultural programming to students in support of the university’s academic departments. Additionally, the Mondavi Center has a professional laboratory to train students in the performing arts.

“The Mondavi Center is a great place for a night out to stimulate intellectual discussion and brings a new unique entertainment value to the student campus,” said Max Hong, an undeclared second-year.

As a great place to enjoy amazing talent, the Mondavi Center concentrates on the educational outreach respect as well. Artists that perform at the Mondavi Center also contribute to the arts education program at the center, which includes school matinees, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, open rehearsals and curriculum development.

All of the programs offered at Mondavi are open to the entire community of Davis, not just college students.

“We look forward to all our events, of course,” said Rob Tocalino, director of marketing at the Mondavi Center. “But personally I am looking forward to Medeski Martin & Wood playing in front of an authentic 1960s psychedelic light show, Robert Randolph and The Slide Brothers, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.”

Regal Cinema and Varsity Theatre tied for second place. De Vere’s Irish Pub Trivia Night came in third place.

— Kamila Kudelska

Nestled behind Sophia’s Thai Kitchen and The Dumpling House, the winner of the Best Chinese Food is Noodle City, which offers delicious spring rolls, pot stickers, noodle broths and fried rice as a few of their menu items.

“We [have] had a Noodle City for about 11 years, and [the] noodle is very popular in our country. All the college towns have a lot of noodle shop[s], and I get [the] idea [that] I should open [a] noodle shop in Davis, it’s good for [the] students too,” said Linda Liu, owner of Noodle City.

Noodle City’s hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Student customer Molly Burke, a third-year English major, is not surprised that Noodle City was voted the best Chinese restaurant in Davis.

“They have very delicious food; I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The menu is comprehensive, the portion sizes are large, and the food is delicious!” Burke said.

The restaurant offers Chinese food for good prices, such as their famous fried green onion bread for $3.99, vegetable dumplings for $5.95 and the wonton noodle soup for $5.95.

Burke considers her favorite dish to be the chicken fried rice.

“The [most] popular dish is beef noodle soup and also noodle salad, because noodle salad [has] no oil with sesame paste [and] has a lot of vegetables,” Liu said.

The Five Spice Beef Noodle Soup, with its five-spice braised beef and fresh veggies in the house-special beef broth, tastes like a sample of homemade culinary perfection. For only $6.95, customers consider it cheap and worth the quality taste.

Even though Noodle City is a sit-down restaurant, the food does not take long to be served to the customers, either.

“The service was fast and I enjoyed the quaint, casual atmosphere,” Burke said.

Fans of great Chinese food can also treat themselves to The Dumpling House, located near Noodle City on E Street. The Dumpling House is also owned by Liu and came in second place. In third place is Hunan, located at 207 D St.

— Alyssa Kuhlman

Either it was the luck of the Irish, or locals’ love of whiskey, because de Vere’s Irish Pub was voted the best bar in Davis. A Sacramento favorite since 2009, de Vere’s expanded to Davis in 2011, bringing along its unique pub atmosphere, a large selection of board games and an even wider selection of drinks.

“Pub hours are all the time,” managing partner Josey McCarter said. “The pub environment is one where anyone from a construction worker to a student, to a lawyer, to the president of the United States can come in and feel at home.”

In addition to a cornucopia of cocktails, de Vere’s boasts an Irish coffee, with cream so thick (and hand-whipped!) you could sleep on it. Though their specials are Irish-themed food and whiskey, throughout the week they offer international bar staples, like $2 tacos on Tuesdays and chicken wings on Thursdays.

Regulars are impressed by the warm, friendly atmosphere — dark, but not seedy like some other watering holes around town. It is this sort of comfort that McCarter credits with de Vere’s success.

“We wanted to include the students who don’t have a lot of money to spend and provide a good, clean, safe night. If they feel protected and safe and respected, they’ll come back,” she said.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen was voted the second best bar in Davis. Sophia’s is known for their tropical theme and Tuesday night trivia. During the summer, guests can be found on the patio enjoying an indie music concert series.

A fine dining establishment during the day, third place winner Our House offers locally inspired drinks, as well as a bumping dance scene on Thursdays and Saturdays.

— Becky Peterson

After tallying up the votes, the award for the best burrito in Davis goes to Taquería Guadalajara. Located on W. Covell, the restaurant is known for its regular, super and super giant burritos.

“It feels great that we’re giving the customers good quality food at their liking, that they’re voting for us as the best burrito,” Hernandez said.

Guadalajara customers have many favorites, and since there are 10 meats to choose from, there is always more to like.

“The most popular burrito is the spicy pork, meat-wise. The super burrito with the works — sour cream, cheese, guacamole — and also the super-giant — [an] almost a three-pound burrito — are good ones,” manager Rigo Hernandez said.

The casual dine-in style allows customers to drop in whenever they want for a quick meal. Passionate burrito blogger Chris Whang certainly enjoys the convenience of grabbing a carne asada burrito right before class.

“The quality of food at Guad’s is the best in Davis and at only $5.89 for a super burrito, the value cannot be beat,” he said. “Also, do not forget the horchata.”

Priced at $10.99, the three-pound super giant burrito is a favorite of Whang’s, but he struggles to get the job done.

“I always have the mindset that I’m going to finish the giant in one sitting, but as soon as I get half-way through, I ask for a to-go box,” Whang said.

Having access to the free chips and salsa bar, Guadalajara understands what students want and prides itself in satisfying them.

“What I like about the Davis community is that it’s a different community. It’s just different. It’s more ‘in’ with the students. … Being a student myself before, you kind of got that little attachment to them so you want to service them; you want to give them good pricing and service [so] that they’ll keep coming back,” Hernandez said.

Chipotle is also another burrito favorite located on E Street, while Taquería Davis is found on L Street.

— Luke Bae

Restaurant and sports bar by day, The Davis Graduate at night is, and has been, the city’s best place to dance.

“It’s probably the busiest place in NorCal on a Monday,” said Danny Ramos, general manager. “I mean, where else are you going to go for a good time on a Monday?”

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are country nights, and Tuesday is salsa, leaving only one evening of the week not designated for dance.

If line dancing and salsa are a bit out of your comfort zone, fear not. The Grad has a regular dance instructor and provides lessons.

According to Ramos, the average attendee is 18 to 25 years old, and many attendees are students.

“At nighttime you’ll see about 90 percent students — they may not be UC Davis students, though. We see people from Solano, Woodland, all over,” Ramos said.

The Grad is for the 18-and-older crowd, except for Sundays, which are open to all ages.

“We’ve been doing it for years, so the police are comfortable with it,” Ramos said. “There aren’t that many places where you can have 18-year-olds with over-21s and alcohol.”

Amber Nelson, a fourth-year math and philosophy double major, said The Grad has an active atmosphere with friendly patrons.

“I went last Friday night for line dancing night,” Nelson said. “It’s a lot of fun because … I don’t know, you just line dance!”

Those looking for different dance floors can walk down Second Street to find second-place winner Our House and third-place winner Tres Hermanas.

— Naomi Nishihara

In the Davis Commons, Mikuni Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar is one of eight in this chain of high-end restaurants. It opened in Davis in 2009, and ever since has had a reputation for excellence in the local sushi scene, winning Best of Davis for Japanese restaurants multiple times since it has opened.

Recent UC Davis graduate and self-proclaimed enthusiast for “partaking in the consumption of raw/undercooked sea creatures” Anthony Santistevan particularly enjoys Mikuni. He called it a classy alternative to most dining options in Davis.

“[What sets us apart is our] high standard for the quality of fish and superior focus on customer service,” said general manager Jay DeGuzman.

When making their food, Mikuni stresses the importance of having the freshest ingredients available in order to ensure that their product is the best you can find.

“How [your food] is served to you and your total experience there adds to everything, so we want to make sure that the guests are getting what they pay for when it comes to quality of service,” DeGuzman said.

The open, new-age decor of the restaurant provides an eye-catching and social setting, complete with outdoor patio and a fully stocked bar. Though its price may discourage some students from regular dining, it is the perfect location for a treat or any special event. Also, every business day from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Mikuni offers happy hour specials, with rolls ranging from $3 to 6 and cocktails for $6.

Coming in at second and third in the Best Japanese Food category are Zen Toro and Davis Sushi Buffet, respectively.

— Kyle Scroggins