Dubuque is already blessed with a gaggle of amazing businesses, both national and locally owned. There's a reason that it is the hot-spot for tourism for people in Iowa, Illinois, and beyond. However, it is missing a few specific establishments/attractions that would continue to catapult it into the upper-echelon of down-home entertainment districts. Below are 10 options that would make our already beautiful city even better!

NOTE: Items are not ranked in order from most-to-least important

1. A minor league team: Cedar Rapids has the Kernels baseball team. Des Moines has the Wolves (the NBA G-League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves). Dubuque is missing a sporting attraction that doesn't require a two-to-four hour drive. Sports teams, both major and minor, are known to be a driving force behind a town's economy. Now, it would take more logistical planning than these other options. However, the possibilities are bountiful. A community as tight as ours would embrace a team, be it baseball, basketball, or hockey (or, hey, if the USFL succeeds and actually wants to expand)!

2. Indian restaurant: A glaring void in Dubuque is the lack of options for Indian cuisine. We need some bajji and curry in our lives! There's nothing wrong with a tried-and-true pub-style burger and fries, but an Indian restaurant would promote culinary diversity — and be another destination point for folks vacationing or simply passing through!

Popularity Of Fast Food Chicken Helps Drive Nationwide Chicken Shortages And Price Increases
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3. Wingstop: Wingstop has been steadily expanding in the United States for years. There's two in Des Moines alone, but not Dubuque. On top of being famous for their pithy yet delicious menu of boneless and bone-in wings, Wingstop has mastered the art of the fast-food fries. They combine a sensational mixture of spices: garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, salt, and pepper (with their "secret" ingredients being both sugar and brown sugar). A Wingstop would add a figurative and literal spice to the city, and potentially serve as an expensive eatery for University students.

4. Red Lobster: I know I'm not the only one salivating over the very thought of those Cheddar Bay biscuits! Red Lobster is one of the best chain-sit-down restaurants out there. Between their combination of land and sea(food) platters, crafty cocktails, and reasonable prices (and did I mention the biscuits), they'd be a lovely addition to Dubuque!

5. Topgolf: Golfing is a great activity, and we are fortunate to have beautiful ones in Bunker Hill and Dubuque Golf & Country Club. However, it's brutally cold in the winter. And not everyone has the time to practice nor money to drop on a premier set of clubs and an arsenal of balls. Topgolf has bridged the gap between accomplished golf players and casual fans of the sport by offering a competitive, affordable activity — one that works for families, dates, couples, and a group of friends. It'd be hard to see a place like Topgolf even remotely empty on any given weekend.

Agree or disagree with any of these options? What would you like to see come to Dubuque? Drop a comment and let us know!

You can also check out the gallery below, for I've listed a few other bonus entries in there as well!

Businesses that Dubuque Could Use!

Businesses and attractions that would be right at home in Dubuque, Iowa.

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