Where are the best burgers near me? In Iowa, these are the best places.

Lina PortmanJune 2, 2024

2 5 minutes read

Who can forget the iconic “Beef.” What's for Dinner” advertisements broadcast from 1992? The National Livestock and Meat Board's ad campaign featured actor Robert Mitchum recounting beef dishes eaten across the country – beef bourguignon, beef fajitas, kung pao beef, corned beef, beef skewers, porterhouse steak. The crescendo of Aaron Copland's “Hoe-Down” from the ballet “Rodeo” aptly sweeps the one-minute commercial aired during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Iowa's number of beef cows, 810,000, ranks 13th nationally, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Statewide, 17,214 farms raise beef cows, according to the 2022 U.S. Census.

In Iowa, you can bite into a beef patty, crushed thin or kept thick, cooked over an open fire or griddle, served on a bun, at restaurants in small towns and big cities alike. Take the outdoor barbecue indoors this weekend and sink your teeth into one of these great burgers7 found at restaurants across Iowa.

Baraboo is on the Main

The burgers at one of Dubuque's new burger restaurants are so good that Travel Dubuque named Baraboo's on Main the best in town. Visit the restaurant's Facebook page to discover specialties like chipotle cheddar topped with onion straws, melted cheddar and bacon.

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Location: 345 Main Street, Dubuque

Contact: 563-231-3226 or facebook.com/p/Baraboos-on-Main

Big Head Burger

Smashed beef, onion rings and barbecue sauce make the Western Burger at Big Head Burger in Waterloo stand out. It was one of the top 10 burgers in the state this year, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. Here, all burgers are served on a potato bun.

Location: 324 West, Fourth Street, Waterloo

Contact: getbigheadburger.com

Brick City Grill

Brick City Grill has moved a block south since winning Iowa's Best Burger in 2014. But its burgers remain delicious, and the pretzel burger that was considered perfection there at ten is still a local favorite. The iconic burger is topped with American cheese, crispy bacon, Thousand Island dressing and lettuce and served on a warm pretzel bun. All Brick City burgers are available with a patty made from 60% ground beef and 40% ground smoked bacon. The 60/40 menu is topped with American cheese, bacon, house-made bacon aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion. Brick City has an upscale sports bar atmosphere and a cute patio. The Somerset restaurant has been named best burger every year since 2015 in the Ames Tribune's Best of Story County competition.

Location: 2640 Stange Road, Ames

Contact:515-268-4224 or brick-city-grill.com

More: Want a good juicy burger? Here are 5 of the best in the Ames area

Clyde's Fine Diner

Every diner should have a burger, and elevated restaurant Clyde's in the East Village offers a fancy version. The CFD burger includes two patties, American cheese, the restaurant's burger sauce, sliced onions and pickles. You can also find a veggie burger with field-roasted vegan cheese, greens, sliced onions and dijonnaise, as well as an optional vegan bun and dijonnaise for $15. On Tuesdays, you can get a burger with a shot of Evan Williams Bourbon and a PBR for $15.

Location: 111 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines

Contact:515-243-3686 or clydesfinediner.com

More: Do you like a good burger? Here's where to find some of the Des Moines metro's best

Bar and flight rack

The Foundation Burger, a double smash burger topped with cheddar cheese and bacon with caramelized onions, won the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association's annual Best Burger competition in 2023. A dollar off every burger sold goes to the Ballard Education Foundation to support the local community. teachers and students in the school district. Last year, the restaurant donated $22,663.

Location:931 NUS Highway. 69, Huxley

Contact:Flightbarandgrille.com

More: Flight Bar + Grille in Huxley wins Best Burger in Iowa

The flying elbow

The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown gets its name from a wrestling move, and its burger lineup follows suit. Try the Bang! Slam! Burger covered in pepper jack cheese and caramelized onions with fried jalapeno chips on top, or make it a Texas Rattlesnake Burger with chili, chili cheese Fritos and fried jalapeno chips. The restaurant won the annual Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association Best Hamburger competition in 2022.

Location: 229 N. 13th Street, Marshalltown

Contact:641-758-3235 or Flyingelbowfood.com

More: The Flying Elbow wins 2022 Iowa Best Burger Contest – as a write-in contestant

Lachele’s Fine Foods

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. The namesake Lachele burger cooked on a griddle comes with the standards: pickles, onions, romaine lettuce and American cheese on a sesame seed bun. No, it's not a Big Mac; it's much, much better. Cory Wendel named the restaurant after his wife, Lachele. Gluten-free option also available.

Location: 2716 Ingersoll Avenue, Des Moines

Contact: 515-330-6876 or lacheles.com

Red's Brewery

Red's Alehouse may be best known for its extensive beer and cocktail menu, but a solid lineup of burgers anchors the food menu. The Alehouse Burger is an upgraded take on the classic burger with sweet chili aioli, crispy onion tangles and provolone. The burger has subtle smoky undertones with a gooey, crunchy texture. It is generously sized and each bite is perfectly balanced.

Baraboo is on the Main

Big Head Burger

Brick City Grill

Lina Portman

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