AMES, Iowa — There are less than two weeks to nominate your favorite burger joint and it’s a close race to the finish line for several Iowa restaurants vying for this year’s title of Iowa’s Best Burger. The annual contest, sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), is looking to award this title to the best burger in the state.
“Restaurants are a valuable partner to the beef industry and play an important role in providing our customers with an enjoyable eating experience at an affordable price. A 100% real beef burger is a classic American favorite with a taste that can’t be beaten and this contest showcases just that,” says Kylie Peterson, IBIC’s Director of Marketing.
Nominations are being accepted online at iabeef.org. The nomination period closes at 5:00 p.m. on March 10.
Details about the contest, rules, and voting form are available on the Iowa Beef Industry Council’s website, www.iabeef.org. Burger lovers can also find a link to the online nomination form at the Iowa Beef Council Facebook page; or by texting BEEF to 313131. Photos of your favorite burger can be shared socially using #IABestBurger.
The quest to find Iowa’s best burger began on February 10. To qualify for the title, burgers must be a 100% real beef patty, served on a bun or bread products and be cooked to 160° F doneness.
The 10 restaurants with the most votes will be named on March 13. In addition to receiving the title of one of the Top 10 best burgers in the state, these finalists qualify for the title of Iowa’s Best Burger. A secret panel of judges will visit each of these restaurants to taste and judge their burger to help us determine the winner.
“This contest is a hats-off to Iowa’s 25,000 beef farmers and the high-quality, wholesome, and nutritious beef they produce,” says Katie Olthoff, Director of Communications for ICA. “Our cattlemen and women raise a great tasting product that all Iowans can be proud of.”
In 2019, nearly 7,000 nominations for more than 500 restaurants were received in the contest. The final winners in previous years are: 2019 – Wood Iron Grille, Oskaloosa; 2018 – Café Baudelaire, Ames; 2017 – The Smokin’ Hereford, Storm Lake; 2016 – The Chuckwagon Restaurant, Adair; 2015 – The Cider House, Fairfield; 2014 – Brick City Grill, Ames; 2013 – 61 Chop House Grille, Mediapolis; 2012 – Coon Bowl III, Coon Rapids; 2011 – Rusty Duck, Dexter; 2010 – Sac County Cattle Company, Sac City.
— Iowa Beef Industry Council
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