By Rachel Spacek

  • Cake, pops and sundaes made for a great dessert.
    Cake, pops and sundaes made for a great dessert.
  • Johnny Rockets bacon burgers sizzle.
    Johnny Rockets bacon burgers sizzle.
  • Capital Eat's organic greek salad and hummus was a healthy hit.
    Capital Eat’s organic greek salad and hummus was a healthy hit.
  • Qdoba Mexican Grill nachos were enjoyed by all.
    Qdoba Mexican Grill nachos were enjoyed by all.
  • Casino Fandango samples brought many smiles.
    Casino Fandango samples brought many smiles.
  • Thai Thai treats guests to eggrolls, rice and chow mein in the Carson Mall.
    Thai Thai treats guests to eggrolls, rice and chow mein in the Carson Mall.
  • Qdoba attracted guests who longed for spice.
    Qdoba attracted guests who longed for spice.
  • A couple enjoys tamales courtesy of the Tamale Lady.
    A couple enjoys tamales courtesy of the Tamale Lady.
  • At Red's Old 395 Grill, guests were served sausage, a brisket sandwich and baked beans.
    At Red’s Old 395 Grill, guests were served sausage, a brisket sandwich and baked beans.
  • Pizza was a popular dish at Taste of Downtown Carson City.
    Pizza was a popular dish at Taste of Downtown Carson City.
  • Carson City Sheriff's Office Mounted Posse at Saturday's Taste of Downtown. Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.
    Carson City Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse at Saturday’s Taste of Downtown. Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.
  • Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.
    Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.
  • Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.
    Photo courtesy of Taste of Downtown.

Carson City community members flooded downtown for Taste of Downtown Saturday evening with their appetites ready to taste the delicious foods prepared by local businesses. Taste of Downtown gave guests a wide range of dinner entrees, promoted local businesses and supported Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

Guests listened to eight local bands throughout the evening and tasted food and refreshments from local restaurants, bars and eateries. Among the bands and musical performers were: Molly Seals, Chaser, Hick’ry Switch, Mo’z Motley Blues, Mic Smith, Red Rose, The Refiners, The Remains and The Smooth Two.

From cake pops to bacon burgers, guests dined like kings and queens at Taste of Downtown, courtesy of Advocates to End Domestic Violence. Go here for the list of this year’s winners as selected by guests who participated in the taste. Food samples for Taste of Downtown Carson City was provided by the following:
• Bella Fiore Wines
• Blue Bull
• Capital Eats
• Carson Cigar Company
• Carson City Arby’s
• Carson City Confections
• Carson Nugget
• Casino Fandango’s Ti Amo
• Charley’s Grilled Subs
• Comma Coffee
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
• Dream Dinners
• Dutch Bros. Coffee
• Firkin & Fox
• Francisco’s Mexican Restaurant
• Gold Dust West
• High Sierra Brewing Co.
• Jamba Juice
• Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar
• Johnny Rockets
• Karen’s Cupcakes
• Kei Sushi
• Kernels Popcorn
• Keva Juice
• LA Bakery Café
• Lake Tahoe Brewing Co.
• Lily’s China Bistro
• Nevada Nosh Food Truck/A Catered Affair
• Olive Garden
• Papa Murphy’s Pizza
• Qdoba Mexican Grill
• Red’s Old 395 Grill
• Special Teas Tea Shop
• Starbucks
• Tahoe Ridge Winery
• Thai Thai
• The Bakery Gallery
• The Lady Tamales
• The Spoke Bar and Grill
• The Thick Slice Pizza Co.
• Wally’s Pizza
• Yang’s Kitchen

Advocates to End Domestic Violence is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979 by two formerly battered women who saw a need for a domestic violence program in Carson City. The organization began in a small two-bedroom apartment and today has grown into a full service program that operates a 51-bed shelter and provides a wide variety of services designed to protect and support battered women and their children in the community.

With a mission to provide a safe and supportive environment where domestic violence victims can re-examine their view of themselves, advocates are working towards a violence free future. Advocates encourage acceptance of women for who they are and encourage women to take a step towards positive growth, independence and self-sufficiency. Advocates offers a 24-hour crisis hotline at 775.883.7654.

All proceeds from The Taste benefit Advocates to End Domestic Violence, a Carson City non-profit committed to aiding abused families in northern Nevada.