Iowa Restaurant Wins Best Burger

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- May is Beef Month and what better way to celebrate than by eating Iowa's Best Burger at Halftime Bar & Grill in Pleasantville, Iowa.

This is the 16th year for the best burger contest sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Iowa Beef Council. "Iowa's Best Burger Contest is more than a celebration of great taste -- it's a way to honor the hard-working cattlemen and women across our state and spotlight the local restaurants that turn high-quality beef into the memorable eating experience," said Kylie Peterson, director of marketing and communication for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. "It brings communities together, boosts small-town economies, and reminds us of all the pride we share in Iowa agriculture."

This year's winner -- Halftime Bar & Grill -- has been owned and operated by Kevin and Kathy DeHeer and their children Amanda and Tyler DeHeer for just over two years. Kathy and Amanda had previously worked at the restaurant that was in the same place as theirs is now.

"I had always wanted to run a cafe," Kathy DeHeer said. "I talked with Amanda to see if she wanted to be a part of it too. We both kind of had this restaurant dream, so we thought: Why not?"

Halftime Bar & Grill has nine grilled burger offerings on their menu. The beef is sourced from a local meat locker and never frozen. The burgers are made up of eight ounces of beef with various toppings and are served with a side of fries.

The contest starts each year with nominations taken and voted on from across the state. In April, the Top 10 finalists are named, and the contest is judged by three secret judges who travel to each restaurant, ranking their favorite.

Iowa isn't the only state with a contest. The Wisconsin Beef Council launched their own contest in 2024. "The Wisconsin Beef Council's Best Burger Contest was born out of admiration for the success of Iowa's Best Burger Contest," Tammy Vaassen, Wisconsin Beef Council executive director said in a news release. "The idea took shape after years of watching Iowa's program grow in reach and influence. We reached out to Iowa for guidance on navigating budget and logistical hurdles."

Peterson said Iowa helps fund New York's Best Burger Contest and has also helped Arkansas, Idaho and Tennessee start their own contests.

Back in Iowa, business will likely continue to boom in rural Marion County. The Halftime Bar & Grill was already seeing an influx of customers after being named in the Top 10 best. In fact, they saw an increase of 131% in just a few weeks after making the list.

"People kept telling us that we should enter the contest and that our burgers are the best thing ever," said DeHeer. "When the contest started, we had regulars say that we were going to be number one. Making the Top 10 was our goal, and winning was just the icing on the cake."

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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