Thank you to everyone who came to sip, savor, and sample their way through the inaugural Taste of the Tri-States, on Tues., March 3, 2026, 4-7:00 PM at Hotel Julien Dubuque. This lively evening celebrated the greatest in food, wine, beer, and craft cocktails—all set to the backdrop of live music, great company, and a high-energy atmosphere.
This tasting experience brought together 20 local vendors under one roof to showcase their most delicious offerings. From savory bites and sweet treats to bold wines, refreshing brews, and creative cocktails, guests enjoyed tastings and discovered new favorites.
Attendees voted for their favorites in the following categories, and here are the winners!
- Greatest Savory Taste in the Tri-States - Backpocket Pin & Pixel Dubuque
- Greatest Sweet Taste in the Tri-States - The Outside Scoop
- Greatest Sip in the Tri-States (local beer/local wine/craft cocktails) - Pub 225
Our winners were announced live at the event, earning a commemorative plaque and a year of bragging rights!
Food and Beverage vendors, were abke to put their brand in front of an engaged, tasting-happy crowd of community members, professionals, and food lovers eager to find their next favorite spot. With built-in voting, live energy, and on-the-spot awards, this event was full of excitement, buzz, and real connection with potential customers.
Get excited for 2027 when we invite you back to taste, vote, and enjoy live music at Taste of the Tri-States!
Thank you again to all of our participating Vendors!
- Q Casino + Resort/Island Social Kitchen
- Smoked Salmon Profiterole with Dill-Lemon Cream (Savory)
- Blueberry Corn Cookies (Sweet)
- Lock & Key Exchange: Rum, Orgeat, Ginger Beer, Black Berries, Lemon, Hot Honey (Sip)
- Hotel Julien Dubuque/Caroline's Restaurant
- Coconut Panna Cotta with Mango Jelly, vegan (Sweet)
- Polenta, Potato, and Brisket Bite, gluten free (Savory)
- The Blushing Hibiscus Mule, alchool & N/A (Sip)
- EJ's Wine Shop
- Fruity Bird: Dark Rum, Coconut Washed Campari, pH Balanced Pineapple Juice, Banana Syrup, Fruity Pebbles Whole Milk (Sip)
- Mr. Stachio: Cold Brew, Cognac, Chai Infused Mr. Black, Pistachio Syrup, Pistachio Dust (Sip)
- Grand River Center
- Whipped Ricotta and Bacon Tomato Jam Crostini (Savory)
- Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Macerated Berries (Sweet)
- 7 Hills Brewing Company
- Fried Pita, Beetroot Hummus, Charred Cauliflower, Herb Oil, and Balsamic Glaze (Savory)
- Bear Pear- Rice Laber with Pear and Elderberry (Sip)
- Green AF- Coconut, Lime, Cotton Candy Sour Ale (Sip)
- Bangers the Upside Down Cake- Pineapple Upside Down Cake Sour Ale, gluten free (Sip)
- Shells & Cheesecake- Turtle Cheesecake Pastry Stout with Pecan, Caramel, and Chocolate (Sip)
- Paradigm Coffee Co.
- Brookie (brownie/cookie) with poprocks whipped cream (Sweet)
- Dayfarer and Not for Sale Espresso coffee (Sip)
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- River of Love: Chocolate, Walnut Toffee Bourbon Lover's Dream (Sip)
- Fleur de Love: White Chocolate and Citrus meet up to make an Otter's Paradise (Sip)
- Moon Jelly Juice mocktail (Sip)
- Betty Jane Candies
- Gremlins: Topper pecans & homemade caramel coated in milk chocolate (Sweet)
- Shorties: local shortbread cookie & caramel coated in milk chocolate (Sweet)
- The Outside Scoop
- Goat Cheese and Roasted Cherries ice cream (Sweet)
- Cake Batter Oreo ice cream (Sweet)
- Chocolate Oreo Cookie Dough ice cream (Sweet)
- White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake ice cream (Sweet)
- Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich (Sweet)
- Non-dairy option: Sorbet (Sweet)
- Potosi Brewing Company (Sip)
- Hy-Vee - Locust/Dodge/Asbury
- Cherry Cheesecake (Sweet)
- Brownies (Sweet)
- White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, Smoked Pulled Pork Garnish with Crispy Onions and BBQ Sause (Savory)
- Roast Beef Sliders (Savory)
- Antipasta Skewers (Savory)
- ReveLuna
- Mocktail assortment (Sip)
- Chick-Fil-A Dubuque
- Chicken Tenders with multiple sauce choices (Savory)
- Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (Sweet)
- Strawberry Hibiscus Lemonade (Sip)
- Pub 225 (Sip)
- Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
- Mango Habanero Martini
- Freddie's Popcorn
- Dill-icious popcorn (Savory)
- Monster Cookie popcorn (Sweet)
- Rice is Nice
- Vegetable red curry (Savory)
- Carnitas Beans and Rice (Savory)
- Chicken Fried Rice (Savory)
- Stone Cliff Winery
- Strawberry Rhubarb wine (Sip)
- Apple Cranberry wine (Sip)
- Moscato wine (Sip)
- Backpocket Pin & Pixel Dubuque
- Korean Style BBQ Wings (Savory)
- Carnitas Tacos (Savory)
- Funnel Cake Fries with Strawberry Coulis (Sweet)
- Strawberry Panic cocktail (Sip)
- Tchoupitulips Cajun Cottage Kitchen
- Cherry Praline King Cake bites (Sweet)
- Mocha Cookies (Sweet)
- Dimensional Brewing Company
- Selection of Craft Beers (Sips)
