Nominations are now being accepted for the title of “Iowa’s Best Burger.” The award is handed out each year to one restaurant by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. Iowa Beef Council spokesperson Michelle Baumhover says judging from past winners, the key may be keeping the burger basic. “I know when we’ve reviewed the judges’ comments, that’s what comes to the top…when it’s a really high quality burger, you don’t need a lot of additives,” Baumhover said.

Last year’s winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger contest: The Coon Bowl Burger.

The Coon Bowl, a diner and bowling alley in Coon Rapids, won last year’s competition. Co-owner Cindy Heydon noted they don’t mix anything into the half-pound burger, not even salt. Nominations for this year’s contest will be accepted through March 10. The top 10 restaurants that receive the most nominations will be announced on March 25. “Then we turn the contest over to an anonymous panel of judges who will go out and try the burgers,” Heydon said. “They will select a burger based on presentation, appearance, taste and safety – making sure it’s at that ‘medium’ 160 degrees.”

The 2013 winner of Iowa’s Best Burger contest will be announced on May 2. In addition to The Coon Bowl last year, previous winners of the award were The Rusty Duck in Dexter (2011) and the Sac County Cattle Company in Sac City (2010).
More information about the contest rules and how to submit a nomination is available at: www.iabeef.org

(Radio Iowa)