Farm Progress

Search begins for state’s best burgerSearch begins for state’s best burger

The ninth annual Iowa’s Best Burger contest, sponsored by Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, runs through March 12.

February 19, 2018

3 Min Read
YOUR VOTE COUNTS: Iowans can help promote beef and vote online for their favorite burger.

Iowa’s cattle producers are asking all Iowans to help find Iowa’s Best Burger in 2018. In this year’s quest, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are encouraging you to nominate your favorite burger, whether it’s gourmet or down-home style.

This is the ninth year the two groups are holding the annual Iowa’s Best Burger contest, which officially began Feb. 12. The nomination period will close at 5 p.m. March 12.

To qualify to be named Iowa’s Best Burger for 2018, the burger must be a 100% beef patty and served on a bun or bread product.

Contest helps promote beef
“We are excited to begin the search for this year’s best burger in Iowa,” says Katie Olthoff, director of communications for ICA. “This year, our goal is to get new restaurants involved in the contest. We know we have many restaurants across the state serving a great beef burger.”

To recognize great burgers, Iowans can nominate their favorite burger for the award. Those nominations can be made online or by text. Details about the contest, rules and the voting form are available on the IBIC’s website.

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. 

“Restaurants can download a digital toolkit including promotional materials for the contest from IBIC’s website at iabeef.org. They can promote the contest to their customers,” says Brooke German, director of marketing for IBIC. “The promotional materials can be used in restaurants or online, such as their social media platforms.”

Nominations accepted until March 12
The nomination period ends March 12. German says the top 10 restaurants with the most votes are eligible for the title of Iowa’s Best Burger. The top 10 finalists will be announced March 19. Finalists will receive a certificate and be eligible for the secret taste-test by contest judges. The 2018 Best Burger in Iowa will be announced May 1 with the kickoff of May Beef Month in Iowa.

“Funded by the Iowa state beef checkoff, this contest not only promotes Iowa’s restaurants serving great beef burgers, but also Iowa’s beef farmers producing safe, wholesome and nutritious products for consumers,” says Steve Rehder, chairman of the IBIC. “It is a great partnership between the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council to promote Iowa’s beef industry, which generates an estimated $6.03 billion in economic activity each year in the state.”

Last year 500 restaurants receive votes
In 2017, nearly 9,200 nominations for 500 restaurants were received in the contest. The final winners in previous years are:
2017 — The Smokin’ Hereford BBQ, 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 Co., Sac City

Source: ICA and IBIC

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