Many amenities that draw tourists to Sandpoint in droves are also beloved by its nearly 10,000 residents. It's a recreation mecca for lake-goers and skiers, as well as a destination for visual and performing arts, shopping and dining. And although Sandpoint is accessible by major roadways, a rail line and an airstrip, it has retained its small-town charm.
"Our biggest success is we focus on the locals," says Duffy Mahoney, who co-founded MICKDUFF'S BREWING COMPANY with brother Mickey nearly 20 years ago.
Yet the brewery, which this year won Sandpoint's best brewery, is also a fave with out-of-towners, says Duffy, who notes that apps and media recognition has helped drive tourist traffic to MickDuff's.
Google searches for "Sandpoint brewery and restaurant" alike will point you toward MickDuff's — both of them. The historic Second Avenue building the Mahoneys' renovated in 2020 houses a restaurant and a five-barrel pilot brewery, while the nearby Beer Hall on Cedar Street contains MickDuff's 20-barrel system and tasting room.
Brewer Cooper Balke oversees both brewing operations, balancing creativity with consistency, so the award-winning Tipsy Toehead Blonde Ale you love is as good now as when the brothers first created it in 2006.
This year's winner for best tacos in Sandpoint, JOEL'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT has been around even longer than MickDuff's. Joel Auspiro Sr. started his namesake restaurant in 1997, after many years operating an extremely popular Mexican food truck featuring San Diego-style flavors.
"There's a lot of people looking for a particular taste they knew from California," explains Auspiro's son, also named Joel Auspiro, who manages the humble spot at the corner of Church Street and Third Avenue.
Joel's offers a range of chicken, beef, pork, seafood and vegetarian tacos, many of them gluten-free. Its fish and shredded carnitas pork tacos are the top sellers, the younger Auspiro says.
In addition to tacos, Joel's serves an even larger range of burritos, including the crave-worthy breakfast combinations that can sustain a modest eater well into dinnertime.
Comfort food is how Joel describes the menu and his family's approach to service.
"If people are having a bad day they'll come get a taco," Auspiro says, noting that being part of the community and making sure customers feel "heard, seen and valued" is a huge motivation for the entire staff.
Like Joel's, the winner of Sandpoint's best hardware store is also family-owned, and it too is service-oriented. A visit to SANDPOINT SUPER DRUG & ACE HARDWARE means getting your prescriptions filled at the pharmacy, visiting with a nutritionist, or getting help finding something you need for any room in your home or anyone on your gift list.
Oh, and it's a hardware store, too, with roughly half the floor space dedicated to plumbing, electrical, lawn and garden, paint, and all the other items people have come to rely on ACE Hardware to provide. And if your purchase involves a present for someone else, the friendly folks at Sandpoint Super Drug will gift wrap it for you, no charge.
Speaking of gifts, Inlander readers were equally enthusiastic about the gift selections at LA CHIC BOUTIQUE and OUT WEST TRADING COMPANY, both of which are equally adored for their clothing and accessories. If Out West sounds familiar, you may have visited sister locations in Whitefish, Montana, or Walla Walla, Washington, for a variety of wares befitting the Western lifestyle. La Chic, which was founded in 2013, features one-of-a-kind fun and funky locally sourced décor, books, artwork and more.
Finally, THE ST. BERNARD AT SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN is this year's winner for favorite aprés-ski hangout, but its amenities endure long after the snow melts. Located within easy walking distance of Schweitzer Village, enjoy enviable views year-round at the St. Bernard, whether that's for drinks, dessert or a full meal in the bar and restaurant. When the sun goes down, up go the stage lights, with weekend trivia and live music (check the website for seasonal schedules). Looking to get a jump on next year's ski season? The St. Bernard also has condos for rent, so all you have to do is wake up, suit up and get ready to shred.
BEST BREWERY
1st PLACE: MickDuff's Brewing Co.
2nd PLACE: Matchwood Brewing Co.
3rd PLACE: Laughing Dog Brewing
BEST HARDWARE STORE
1st PLACE: Sandpoint Super Drug & Ace Hardware
2nd PLACE: South Fork Hardware
3rd PLACE: (tie) Co-op Country Store, Ponderay; Evergreen Homestead Supply, Clark Fork
BEST GIFTS
1st PLACE: (tie) La Chic Boutique, Out West Trading Company
2nd PLACE: Azalea Handpicked Style
3rd PLACE: Sharon's Hallmark
BEST APRES SKI HANGOUT
1st PLACE: The St. Bernard
2nd PLACE: MickDuff's Brewing Co.
3rd PLACE: Pucci's Pub
BEST TACOS
1st PLACE: Joel's Mexican Restaurant
2nd PLACE: Jalapenos
3rd PLACE: Matchwood Brewing Co.
