Apparently the people surveyed  for KFOR’s “Best of Lincoln” publication either forgot or never tried the hand-pattied burgers at Parkway Pub.

Those 1/3-pound wonders created by Fred Valenta, who got his start in the restaurant business at the legendary King’s Restaurant, are indeed the best in Lincoln.

If voters ever had a Parkway patty, I’m sure there is no way they would have ranked it behind burgers from Runza, Wendy’s and Burger King, which were ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the KFOR survey.

Unless they forgot.

Last week, the Lincoln AM radio station released the results of its latest survey, which it’s been doing since 1984. KFOR has used an independent research firm since 2000 to determine Lincoln’s favorites in 61 categories, ranging from the best Mexican food to the best health club.

What KFOR does is great, but the results tend to raise a few eyebrows.

The restaurant portion of the list is dominated by corporate chains such as Applebee’s, Village Inn, Outback Steakhouse and Famous Dave’s.

While these places are popular, I don’t believe they are the best.

I didn’t get a call from the research firm because I’m one of those people who gave up a home phone in favor of a cell phone to avoid those kinds of calls.

Had I voted, Valenta’s burger would have topped my list.

Here’s a look at KFOR’s list and my choices, which, of course, are purely subjective.

You’ll discover I’m big on local places, but there are some instances when I went with a corporate giant. Yes, I admit it, I really like Starbucks coffee.

I’m curious about your picks. Send me an e-mail or check out the Ground Zero blog on this subject under dining at www.journalstar.com/blog/gzo.php.

Steak

KFOR: 1. Misty’s, 2. The Steak House, 3. Outback Steakhouse

Korbelik: 1. Wilderness Ridge, 2. Marz Intergalactic Shrimp and Martini Bar, 3. Misty’s

Pizza

KFOR: 1. Valentino’s, 2. Pizza Hut, 3. Godfather’s Pizza

Korbelik: 1. Yia Yia’s, 2. Venue, 3. Piezano’s

Chicken

KFOR: 1. Popeyes, 2. Lee’s, 3. Kentucky Fried Chicken

Korbelik: 1. Lee’s, 2. Grandmother’s, 3. Culver’s

Breakfast

KFOR: 1. Village Inn, 2. IHOP, 3. Green Gateau

Korbelik: 1. Green Gateau, 2. Tina’s Cafe, 3. Kuhl’s Restaurant

Lunch

KFOR: 1. Applebee’s, 2. Lazlo’s, 3. Green Gateau

Korbelik: 1. Lazlo’s, 2. Brewsky’s, 3. Duggan’s Pub

Dinner

KFOR: 1. (tie) Applebee’s and Lazlo’s, 2. Olive Garden, 3. Famous Dave’s

Korbelik: 1. Dish, 2. The Oven, 3. The Parthenon

Hamburger

KFOR: 1. Runza, 2. Wendy’s, 3. Burger King

Korbelik: 1. Parkway Lanes, 2. 1st Avenue, 3. P.O. Pears

Buffet

KFOR: 1. Valentino’s, 2. Old Country Buffet, 3. Golden Corral

Korbelik: 1. The Knolls, 2. Peking Palace, 3. Valentino’s

Mexican

KFOR: 1. La Paz, 2. Carlos O’Kelly’s, 3. Tico’s

Korbelik: 1. La Mexicana, 2. D’Leon’s, 3. El Rancho

Italian

KFOR: 1. Grisanti’s, 2. The Olive Garden, 3. Vincenzo’s

Korbelik: 1. Vincenzo’s, 2. Grisanti’s, 3. Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Fast food

KFOR: 1. Runza, 2. Burger King, 3. Wendy’s

Korbelik: 1. D’Leon’s, 2. Ali Baba, 3. Oso Burrito

Fine dining

KFOR: 1. Misty’s, 2. Venue, 3. Vincenzo’s

Korbelik: 1. Wilderness Ridge, 2. Billy’s, 3. Venue

Seafood

KFOR: 1. Red Lobster, 2. Long John Silver, 3. Lazlo’s

Korbelik: 1. Venue, 2. Red Lobster, 3. Wilderness Ridge

Barbecue

KFOR: 1. Famous Dave’s, 2. Rib Ranch, 3. Skeeter Barnes

Korbelik: 1. Paul’s BBQ, 2. Rib Ranch, 3. Famous Dave’s

Sandwich shop

KFOR: 1. Subway, 2. Doozy’s, 3. Mr. Goodcents

Korbelik: 1. M&N Sandwich Shop, 2. Maggie’s, 3. Manhattan Deli

Bakery

KFOR: 1. Hy-Vee, 2. Conroy’s Bakery Shoppe, 3. Panera Bread

Korbelik: 1. Grateful Bread, 2. Panera Bread, 3. Open Harvest

Coffeehouse

KFOR: 1. The Mill, 2. Starbucks, 3. Village Inn

Korbelik: 1. The Mill, 2. Scooter’s, 3. Starbucks

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.