Top Ten Finalists Announced for Iowa’s Best Burger Contest

From quaint hometown diners to upscale urban eateries, the competition was fierce as the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association accepted nominations for the 16th annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest.

This year’s contest saw impressive engagement, with more than 6,000 burger enthusiasts casting their ballots—a testament to Iowa’s deep-seated love for beef. The Top Ten finalists for 2025 (in alphabetical order) are:

• Arcadia, Polk City
• Big Head Burger, Waterloo
• Burger & Company, Spirit Lake
• Dan’s Road House, Cresco
• Halftime Bar & Grill, Pleasantville
• Lewis and Lewis, Oskaloosa
• Salsa Guy Café, Cedar Rapids
• Smash & Grab Burger Co., Knoxville
• The Roadhouse, Orange City
• Wilder, Iowa City

“Nearly 400 restaurants were nominated during this year’s voting process,” said Kylie Peterson, Director of Marketing for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “This year’s Top Ten restaurants are award-winning worthy, but they’re only a handful of the many outstanding establishments in Iowa that proudly serve high-quality beef raised by our state’s cattle farmers.”

To qualify, the burger must feature a 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product. Toppings, condiments, sauces, and cheese are left to the creativity of the restaurant.

Seven of the Top Ten restaurants are new to the list, including Arcadia, Dan’s Road House, Halftime Bar & Grill, Lewis and Lewis, Salsa Guy Café, Smash & Grab Burger Co., and The Roadhouse.

The final phase of the contest begins soon, as a panel of anonymous judges will visit each Top Ten restaurant to evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness (160°F). The 2025 Iowa’s Best Burger winner will be announced on May 1 to kick off May Beef Month.

Several past winners:

• 2024 – JJ’s Tavern + Grill, Ankeny
• 2023 – Flight Bar + Grille, Huxley
• 2022 – The Flying Elbow, Marshalltown
• 2021 – Bambino’s, Ossian
• 2020 –Twisted Tail Steakhouse & Saloon, BeeBeeTown

To view the full list of Top Ten finalists, including locations and hours, visit  www.iabeef.org.