Peppercorn Food Company expands catering operations to Dubuque, Illinois

DUBUQUE — Peppercorn Food Company, the caterer behind upscale steakhouse Peppercorn at the Bank in Cedar Rapids, has expanded with a second kitchen in downtown Dubuque.

The new kitchen opened earlier this month “in response to the overwhelming demand for custom catering in the Dubuque-Galena area,” said co-owner Jude Villafana.

The new location, 2400 Central Ave., will serve weddings and corporate events in Dubuque and northwestern Illinois, including Galena and Apple River. These areas are in addition to Peppercorn Food Company’s other territory spanning from its headquarters in Cedar Rapids to Iowa City and the Quad Cities.

The expansion comes after Peppercorn Food Company was awarded a “gold” by the 2025 Eastern Iowa Wedding Choice Awards, beating competing caterers from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, Dubuque, Davenport, Burlington and Dyersville.

The company’s upscale steakhouse, opened Nov. 18, brought new life to the historic building previously home to the beloved Popoli Ristorante and Sullivan’s Bar.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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