In an effort to better serve you, the ever-dedicated Fayetteville Flyer patrons, we present “Fayetteville’s Bestest.” By using the powerful combination of opinion and mathematics, “Fayetteville’s Bestest” will fill you in on what’s awesome in the Fayetteville area. Our entire writing staff is given a subject (best place in F-Ville for snake oil, to get sensual massages or to buy Nintendo 64 games. Anything) and then told to pick their top three favorites. The subsequent list of favorites is then compiled into one “super list,” treated to a Braum’s ice cream cone, sweet-talked to, made fun of by it’s peers and then presented to you, our faithful readers.

In our last edition we awarded Hugo’s the highly prestigious “Fayetteville’s Bestest” award for bestest burger in town. This go-round, our goal is to identify who has the bestest patio/deck in town.

It’s Springtime and Summer’s just around the bend. With that in mind, we thought it would be pretty timely to fill you in on where to go to take in some fresh air, grab a bite to eat and do a little (or a lot of) drinking. So here it is: Fayetteville’s Bestest Patio/Deck:

#1 - US Pizza

US Pizza has some big ass fans that helps cool you off in the Summer. They also have some big ass fans of another sort: The Fayetteville Flyer writing staff. The deck at US Pizza can lay claim to having the bestest patio/deck in Fayetteville. They may have slow service on occassion, but the cold pitchers of beer, tasty pizza and kick ass deck make it a primo place to relax outdoors. Congrats on a well-deserved victory! We’ll see you there. We’ll be the loud, obnoxious, drunk ones.

#2 - Common Grounds

In an incredibly tight race, Common Grounds needed just one more point to tie US Pizza for bestest patio/deck. The prime location and large menu (food, all kinds of booze, coffee and even cigars) only accentuate the awesomeness that is cold kickin’ it on their patio. Despite slow service and a menu that’s a little on the pricey side, the patio at Common Grounds rules. In comparison, all other Dickson Street patios (US Pizza aside) drool.

#3 - La Huerta on Crossover

If you’re on a budget and looking to get stuffed on Mexican food and drunk on (or not) freaking huge margaritas all while enjoying the great outdoors with your 35-50 closest friends, then the deck at La Huerta on Crossover is the place to be. The food and drinks are cheap, the view from the deck is, uh, ok, and there’s a decent chance your waiter will be wearing a shirt that says, no joke: “Lesbo Island: Every Man’s Dream.” Check it out.

Others: (4) Buster Belly’s, (5) La Hacienda, (6) Thep Thai, (6) ZooLoos’s, (6) Tables & Ale

Points Breakdown:

18 - US Pizza
17 - Common Grounds
7 - La Huerta on Crossover
4 - Buster Belly’s
3 - La Hacienda
1 - Thep Thai
1 - ZooLoo’s
1 - Tables & Ale (aka “Tabe’s”)

How it’s scored: Each writer gets three votes. First place earns 3 points, second earns 2 and third brings in 1. The totals are calculated and the winner of the most points takes first place. Easy.

If you’re curious on how our writers voted and why, keep on reading.

JTrain:

1. US Pizza – I can’t put my finger on exactly what’s so special about the deck at US Pizza, but for some reason the place is conducive to having a really good time. The service can be slow, the frat boy crowd can be a little overwhelming, but as long as you’ve got a couple of pitchers in front of you (and maybe some killer cheese bread), it doesn’t matter. I always have a good time here. Always.
2. Common Grounds – Just a good place to sit and hang out… as long as their isn’t live music.
3. La Huerta on Crossover – An expansive deck and killer margs make the deck a great spot to hang out when it’s hot out. If you get too hot, just order another giant-ass marg, silly.

Dern Lanningham:

1. US Pizza - I’ve spent countless beautiful days sitting on their deck getting trashed as balls as hell. The service is kinda slow, but once you get a couple beers in you, it doesn’t matter.
2. Buster Belly’s - Only on Tuesday night when you can get one of the best beer deals in Fayetteville, mason jars full of beer. Also, I like being down in that area when it’s nice, the city is so ALIVE.
3. La Huerta on Crossover - Only because I don’t really have another place and because it’s a pretty comfortable deck. Also, if you want to do things right, go for the La Huerta Solid Base drink special. One large marg and one large beer. You will spend like 13 bucks, but you’ll be well on your way to puking in your yard.

Jarsh:

1. Common Grounds: This is the coolest patio by far. You can order food or beer (or both) and sit right in the heart of Dickson Street. The second level deck overlooks the rest of the patio and in the Spring, it’s absolutely great.
2. US Pizza: As long as there’s not a band being too loud out there, this is easily the second-best patio in town. It’s relaxing and shaded by trees plus at night, the lights in the branches create a nice atmosphere.
3. La Huerta on Crossover: It’s not Dickson Street but it’s a great place to get a cheap bite to eat and have some drinks.

Strokitecture:

1. Common Grounds - I am going to stray from saying the menu is fantastic, or that the prices are nice. but the deck/patio is the original outdoor spot on Dickson…CG used to be so much better, what happened?
2. US Pizza - always nice and always slow, but super tasty and they can really get that fucken air swirling with that big ass fan…and its sooo nice. speaking of big ass fans…
3. Thep Thai - A) if you haven’t been to Thep Thai for the food, shoot yourself. B) If you haven’t had a chance to sit on the new patio by the rock-lined ponds and enjoyed the vegetation and the fish and the sweet stash of top-notch beers this place keeps cold and ready, then do so now while spring is in swing.

The Steve:

1. La Hacienda - Two words: Margaritas. And Cheese Dip
2. US Pizza - Best location w/ occasional shade. (Bonus) They would be first except their waitstaff is too stoned usually.
3. ZooLoo’s - Cheap drinks. No one is ever there.

Squidge:

1. U.S. Pizza - I don’t really care for the food, but I could sit there and drink off of pitchers all day.
2. Buster Belly’s - Patio + Mason Jar Beer Night = Heaven.
3. Tables & Ale - It’s not my favorite place to hang-out, but there are $1 drafts and sometimes the satellite station isn’t on the jam channel.

SG:

1. Common Grounds
2. US Pizza

Farrah:

1. Common Grounds - I guess. I would feel stronger except they excel at doing everything average. food is ok. service is ok.
2. La Huerta on Crossover

TomForth:

1. Common Grounds - When I want to eat outside, my default pick is always Common Grounds. The food there is okay, if unremarkable, and the drinks are a little on the pricey side, but the atmosphere on the back patio easily compensates for any shortcomings the place has, menu-wise. Nestled right in the middle of Dickson Street, Common Grounds enjoys a vaguely urban atmosphere that complements the outdoor dining experience very well. Flowing naturally from the backside of an old brick building, the bottom-level patio is shaded-in by giant old trees wrapped in strings of white lights, and enclosed by a wooden fence. Within those boundaries, you’re treated to upbeat music (every time I go there, I hear “99 Red Balloons”), and served by some of Fayetteville’s friendliest servers. On the upper-level, there’s a pleasant view that allows you the rare opportunity to people-watch. Fayetteville doesn’t have a lot to offer, when it comes to dining al fresco, and that’s why I’m thankful that Common Grounds continues exist–of all the places in town that offer up an outdoor dining experience, Common Grounds comes closest to getting it right.
2. La Huerta on Crossover - I love The Hurtcha’. Awesome food, awesome drinks, and great prices. The downside? Let’s just say the atmosphere could use some work. The deck has a not-so-scenic view of the intersection of Crossover and 45, and if you try to sit out there when it’s crowded, you’ll likely end up squatting at a picnic table covered in bird shit. And that’s no bueno.
3. US Pizza - As I mentioned in the voting for Fayetteville’s Bestest Pizza, the service at this place sucks, which is why I’ve placed them third. But the patio is super comfy and the pizza is pretty darn tasty as well.

Honorable Mention - Theo’s. Theo’s is one of the town’s best fine-dining establishments, and on top of that, their deck is pretty nice, to boot. But it’s not the kind of place a working guy like me can go to hang out on a regular basis… it’s just simply too expensive.