Nick's on State swept both food awards at the 9th Annual Taste of Carlsbad Village, winning Best Savory Bite and Best Sweet Bite by attendee vote.
The State Street restaurant's Maple Chipotle Meatloaf, served with whipped potatoes, pearl onions, carrots and asparagus, took the savory title. The restaurant's Warm Butter Cake with Fresh Berry Compote claimed the sweet category. The Carlsbad Village Association announced the results Wednesday, Oct. 21.
It is the first time a single restaurant has taken home both awards.
The meatloaf is familiar territory for Nick's on State. At the 2024 event, attendees voted the restaurant's maple glazed meatloaf the overall "Best Of" Taste of Carlsbad Village winner. That award category debuted in 2024 through a partnership with Edible San Diego magazine. The winner received a commemorative plaque and a feature in the publication, according to the Carlsbad Village Association.
The 2026 event split the competition into two categories, savory and sweet, giving restaurants a chance to compete on both sides of the menu. Nick's on State won them both.
The sold-out event drew 1,000 ticket holders to Carlsbad Village on Thursday, Oct. 8, according to the Carlsbad Village Association's event page. Guests walked the Village sampling dishes from participating restaurants while enjoying drinks and live music. The 2024 edition featured 35 restaurants and 19 beverage vendors across 17 tasting locations, according to the association's recap of that year's event.
Nick's on State, located at 2742 State Street in State Street Commons, opened in May 2022. The restaurant has competed in Taste of Carlsbad Village every year since, according to the Carlsbad Village Association.
The next major Carlsbad Village Association event is the Carlsbad Village Street Faire, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
