Where to find the best burgers in Iowa, from Clyde’s Fine Diner to Steel Plow Burger Co.
Who can forget the iconic “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” commercials that ran starting in 1992? The ad campaign from the National Livestock and Meat Board featured actor Robert Mitchum narrating, calling out dishes eaten across the country using beef — beef bourguignon, beef fajitas, kung pao beef, corned beef, beef skewers, a porterhouse steak. The crescendo of Aaron Copland’s “Hoe-Down” from the ballet “Rodeo” aptly sweeps through the minute-long commercial that ran during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
The number of beef cows in Iowa, 810,000, ranks 13th nationwide, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Across the state, 17,214 farms raise beef cows, according to the U.S. Census in 2022.
In Iowa, you can bite into a beef patty, smashed thin or kept thick, cooked over an open fire or on a griddle, served on a bun, at restaurants in small towns and big cities alike. Take the outdoor barbecue inside this weekend and sink your teeth into one of these great burger7s found at restaurants across Iowa.
Baraboo’s on Main
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Posted by Baraboo's on Main on Thursday, May 23, 2024
The hamburgers at one of Dubuque's newest burger spots are so good that Travel Dubuque named Baraboo’s on Main the best in the city. Head to the restaurant’s Facebook page for specials such as the chipotle cheddar topped with onion straws, melted cheddar and bacon.
Location: 345 Main St., 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 Iowa Cattlemen's Association. All burgers here come on a potato bun.
Location: 324 W. Fourth St., Waterloo
Contact: getbigheadburger.com
Brick City Grill
Brick City Grill has moved its location a block south since it received the award for Iowa’s Best Burger in 2014. But its burgers have remained delicious, and the pretzel burger that was deemed patty perfection a decade ago is still a local favorite. The iconic burger is topped with American cheese, crisp bacon, Thousand Island dressing and lettuce and served on a warm pretzel bun. All Brick City burgers are available with a patty that’s 60% ground beef and 40% ground smoked bacon. The 60/40 menu item is topped with American cheese, bacon, house-made bacon aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion. Brick City has an upscale sports bar atmosphere and a lovely patio. The Somerset restaurant has been named the best burger in the Ames Tribune’s Best of Story County contest every year since 2015.
Location: 2640 Stange Road, Ames
Contact: 515-268-4224 or brick-city-grill.com
More: Hungry for a great, juicy burger? Here are 5 of the best in the Ames area
Clyde’s Fine Diner
Every diner should have a burger, and the elevated diner Clyde’s in the East Village offers a fine version. The CFD burger features two patties, American cheese, the restaurant's own burger sauce, shaved onions and pickles. You can also find a veggie burger with field roast vegan cheese, greens, shaved onion, and Dijonnaise, as well as an optional vegan bun and Dijon for $15. On Tuesdays, you can score a burger with a shot of Evan Williams Bourbon and a PBR for $15.
Location: 111 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-243-3686 or clydesfinediner.com
More: Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metro
Flight Bar & Grille
The Foundation Burger, a double smash burger topped with cheddar cheese and bacon with caramelized onions, won Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association's annual Best Burger Contest in 2023. A dollar from every burger sold goes to the Ballard Education Foundation to support the local school district’s teachers and students. Last year, the restaurant donated $22,663.
Location: 931 N. U.S. Hwy. 69, Huxley
Contact: flightbarandgrille.com
More: Flight Bar + Grille in Huxley wins Iowa's Best Burger award
The Flying Elbow
The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown takes its name from a wrestling move, and its lineup of burgers follow suit. Try the Bang! Bang! Burger smothered 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 Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen's Association's annual Best Burger Contest in 2022.
Location: 229 N. 13th St., Marshalltown
Contact: 641-758-3235 or flyingelbowfood.com
More: The Flying Elbow wins Iowa's Best Burger Contest 2022 — as a write-in candidate
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 for his wife, Lachele. Gluten-free option available as well.
Location: 2716 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines
Contact: 515-330-6876 or lacheles.com
Red’s Alehouse
Red's Alehouse might be best known for its expansive beer and cocktail menu, but a strong lineup of burgers anchors the food menu. The Alehouse burger is an elevated rendition of the classic burger with sweet chili aioli, crispy onion tangles, and provolone. The burger has subtle smoky undertones with a gooey, crispy texture. It's generously sized, and every bite is perfectly balanced.
Location: 405 N. Dubuque St., North Liberty
Contact: 319-626-2100 or redsalehouse.com
More: Discover the 6 best burger restaurants in Iowa City, from gourmet to classic delights
Starlite Room
When in Cedar Rapids, head to the Starlite Room for hefty burgers from this family-owned bar and grill. Cedar Rapids Tourism calls this the “OG burger joint and local legend.” Order the Super Burger, a half-pound burger served a la carte.
Location: 3300 First Ave. N.E., Cedar Rapids
Contact: 319-362-4759 or thestarliteroom.com
Steel Plow Burger Co.
When in the Quad Cities, head to the Steel Plow Burger Co. for novelty burgers such as Dennis’ Taco Burgers topped with taco meat, queso, corn chips, lettuce and tomato, or Bre’s French Onion Burger with sauteed onions, French onion spread and Swiss cheese. While you're there, you might as well indulge in one of the crazy shakes in renditions such as birthday cake, stacked with a slice of cake on top.
Location: 1430 E. 52nd St., Davenport
Contact: 563-424-6640 or steelplowburger.com
The Wilder
Recently, The Wilder in the Graduate Hotel in Downtown Iowa City joined the ranks of being one of the top burgers in Iowa. The Iowa Gold Burger is the star of the menu. Made with nine ounces of Jiyū wagyu beef, the burger is not overstated and is rich in flavor. The wagyu beef is complemented by gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and grain mustard aioli. Its richness and tenderness often captivate diners, and many have declared it the best they've ever had.
Location: 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City
Contact: 319-327-8258 or graduatehotels.com
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, X, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where are the best burgers near me? In Iowa, these are the top spots.
