I like the idea of some indicator of quality, but I'm not sure how widespread the idea is.
I'm assuming that the "M" in your quote is for Monterey (although I see you're from Manteca so I could be wrong on that count), which I know you visit on occasion. To be honest, the weekly Monterey Coastal newspaper is the only public poll that I've heard of that does this sort of thing and issues plaques to the "Best of..." in the area (I believe there is upwards of 100 different categories to vote for).
BTW, my workplace has won "Best Place to Work" for two years in a row now 8)