With the recent elections behind us, we thought we would revisit one of the principles Oklahoma Gazette was founded on: the idea that everyone should have a voice. Hence, the annual Best of OKC reader poll was born. This week, we pulled 2014 winners, finalists and eateries worth mentioning from the contest’s exotic food categories.

— by Devon Green, photos by Mark Hancock, Shannon Cornman

Mr. Pho

1133 NW 25th St.

This little noodle shop is tucked away east of Super Cao Nguyen. The menu includes shrimp vermicelli bowls, fresh spring rolls and, of course, pho. Taking pho to-go can be difficult, and Mr. Pho handles it with style. When you get it home, it’s hot, fresh and ready. Dine in and come hungry; there are many tempting items on the menu, and we think you should try them all. Mr. Pho won third place in Best of OKC’s Best Pho Restaurant category.

Coriander Café

323 White St., Norman

801-3958

This charming Campus Corner cafe offers consistently good food that is light and flavorful. People do love choices, but at some point, it’s refreshing to see ingredients in a “build your own” format such as rice bowls, sandwiches and lettuce wraps. As a bonus, have a hankering for a banh mi without jalapeños? No problem. This cafe was listed as one worth mentioning in the 2014 Best of OKC category Best Vietnamese Restaurant.

Thai House II

500 NW 23rd St.

If you go to Thai House II for the lunch buffet, you have only peeked at the restaurant’s vast menu choices. Try the crispy duck, a perfect blend of sticky, umami goodness that will have your taste buds clamoring for more. It’s served with perfectly cooked white rice to offset the heat. We’re addicted, and you might just get addicted, too. Readers voted Thai House Best Thai Restaurant in this year’s Best of OKC awards.

Grand House Asian Bistro

2701 N. Classen Blvd.

524-7333

This restaurant gets quite a bit of attention from our readers, who have fantastic tastes. Grand House offers delicacies and traditional favorites that are pleasing to all the senses, especially sight and smell. These are rich, evocative flavors paired with some handsome teas to offset the sweet and spicy of the dishes. Grand House was named Best Chinese Restaurant in this year’s Best of OKC awards.

Shiki Japanese Restaurant

14041 N. May Ave.

751-8989

Shiki is a hibachi restaurant; the cooking is part of the show, and oh, what a show it is. The menu features traditional and more contemporary fare, so you can be adventurous with flounder or octopus or even let the chef choose for you. May your eyes be the same size as your stomach. Shiki earned a Best Japanese Restaurant worth mentioning nod in this year’s Best of OKC awards.

• The Himalayas mountain range over the Buffet line, while workers tend to the offerings, for lunch at Himalayas Aroma of India. mh

Himalayas Aroma of India

709 N. Moore Ave., Moore

701-3900

This lovely location has a sit-down eatery and offers catering services. There is a mouth-watering assortment of authentic Indian dishes, including those made with halal meats prepared according to Islamic law. The lunch buffet is filled with an assortment of items to sate different diets. Himalayas was voted worth mentioning in the Best Indian Restaurant category.

Zorba’s Mediterranean Cuisine

6014 N. May Ave.

947-7788

From its humble beginnings, Zorba’s blossomed into a full-service restaurant that offers far more than beef or lamb meat carved from a spit. It’s open for lunch and dinner with daily specials and live belly dancing on Saturday nights. Zorba’s also caters, so skip the veggie platter and wow your guests with tangy hummus, tasty kabobs and perfectly grilled veggies. Congratulations, Zorba’s, for winning Best Mediterranean Restaurant.