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,...