From the first Best of Halifax survey in 1995 through today, Coast readers have cast millions of votes in order to choose thousands of people, places and businesses as the city’s best. And each annual list of winners is an honour roll. But over the course of several years of readers’ surveys, some winners so thoroughly dominate their categories that they deserve special recognition. As a tribute to them, we opened this Best of Halifax Hall of Fame.

There’s no simple recipe for making it here. Coast editors consider voting patterns, winning records and other portents to determine which categories and winners, if any, deserve to be retired from the annual surveys and elevated to the Hall of Fame. It doesn't happen often, although when it does the glory endures forever. Unlike a professional sports Hall of Fame, where inductees must leave the game to be considered, a business doesn't have to close to make it to the Best of Halifax Hall of Fame. It just has to be the very, very best at what it does.

One day we hope to build a brick-and-mortar monument to these winners, akin to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, or the hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. With memorabilia about the winners---including samples from Best of Food inductees---it will surely be one of the most popular destinations in Halifax for locals and tourists alike. Until then, however, this online shrine must suffice. Hall of Fame inductees are listed first by the Best of survey in which they became a legend and then by the year they were elevated to the Hall. Enjoy your visit and come back soon.

THE BEST OF HALIFAX HALL OF FAME

2012
Best Movie Theatre, Oxford Theatre
Best Steak, The Keg Steakhouse & Bar

2011
Best Clubhouse, Your Father's Moustache
Best DVD Rental Store, Video Difference

2010
Best Dim Sum, The Great Wall Restaurant
Best Home Accessories Store, Attica Furnishings

2009
Best Nachos, Economy Shoe Shop
Best Political Cartoonist, Bruce MacKinnon

2008
Best Catering, Scanway Catering
Best Laundromat, Bluenose Laundromat
Best Mussels, Five Fishermen
Best News Anchor, Steve Murphy

2007
Best Cinnamon Bun, Mary's Bread Basket
Best Falafel, Ray's Falafel
Best Street, Spring Garden Road
Best Theatre, Neptune Theatre