Love Catalina Island, sponsor of the seventeenth annual Taste Around of Avalon, is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s “Best Tastes.”
This year’s winner of the “Best Taste of Food” is first-time participant Catalina Cantina Jr. and the “Best Taste of Drink – with alcohol” winner is Maggie’s Blue Rose, participating for the first time under new ownership.
The “Best Taste of Drink – without alcohol” is the Catalina Island Brew House and the “Best Taste of Dessert” winner is Sailor’s Delight Ice Cream Shop.
Twenty-two participating establishments offered 35 “Tastes” in the annual event, held this year on Thursday, June 1.
The top three winners in each category will be honored in the 2024 Catalina Island Visitors Guide, as well as on LoveCatalina.com, the official destination marketing website for Catalina Island.
Just over 600 participants enjoyed the beautiful evening tasting the scrumptious food, dessert and drink offerings while voting for their favorites.
One participant, Lincoln Bandlow, made it to all 22 establishments!
Catalina Cantina Jr. won in the “Best Taste of Food” category, serving Quesabirria Tacos and Potato Taquitos, Second place went to El Galleon, for their BBQ Pork Ribs and Panko Onion Rings, and both Steve’s Steakhouse & Seafood and Avalon Grille tied for third place with Chicken Piccata, Armenian Rice Pilaf & Cauliflower Steak at Steve’s and Wagyu & BBQ Pastrami Slider at the Avalon Grille.
A full list of 2023 winners is below.
Congratulations to all the winners. Love Catalina offered a big thank you to all the food and beverage establishments that participated and to all the residents and visitors who came out for the evening and voted for the Best Tastes of Avalon.
Best Taste of Drink w/ Alcohol
1st: Maggie’s Blue Rose, Organic Dulce Agave Margarita
2nd: Avalon Grille, Apres Beach Colada
3rd-Tie: Naughty Fox, Cucumber Lemonade Vodka
3rd-Tie: Bluewater, Captain’s Mai Tai
Best Taste of Drink – No Alcohol
1st: Catalina Island Brew House, Pomegranate Raspberry Mojito Green Tea
2nd: Cafe Metropole, Green Pier Cold Pressed Juice
3rd: Catalina Cantina Jr., Agua Fresca
Best Taste of Food
1st: Catalina Cantina Jr., Quesabirria Tacos & Potato Taquitos
2nd: El Galleon: St. Louis Style BBQ Pork Ribs w/ Panko Onion Rings
3rd-Tie: Steve’s Steakhouse & Seafood, Chicken Piccata, Armenian Rice Pilaf & Cauliflower Steak
3rd-Tie: Avalon Grille, Wagyu & BBQ Pastrami Slider
Best Taste of Dessert
1st: Sailor’s Delight, S’more to Love Mini Waffle Cone
2nd: Catalina Island Brew House, Coconut White Chocolate Bar
3rd: Scoops Catalina Creamery/Airport in the Sky: Killer Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich
About Love Catalina Island
Love Catalina Island Tourism Authority is the Island’s official source of visitor information.
Originally founded in 1949, the nonprofit is comprised of approximately 230 member organizations, working closely with city officials, local businesses and the community at large to attract visitors and support the local economy.
Love Catalina Island is governed by an elected board of directors and is funded in part through the collection of Transient Occupancy Taxes.
For more information, please visit www.lovecatalina.com.
Travelers can also join the conversation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lovecatalinaisland) Instagram (@LoveCatalinaIsland) and Twitter (@LoveCatalina_).
