2024 Iowa's Best Burger announced

[Al_4_State]

I always keep in mind that awards like this, and frankly almost all awards in general, are completely subjective and arbitrary. They don't mean anything unless you choose to give them value.

I just use it as a guide post for interesting places to possibly check out if traveling through the area. The 2021 winner for example is pretty close to me, and I'd never once heard anyone talk about them having great burgers. But we went for supper and it was a pretty damn good burger. Best in Iowa? Hell, I'm not sure it was the best in that county. But I'm glad I tried it.

 

[CueTheMusic]

JJ's Tavern in Ankeny is pretty new and their burgers are great, as is the service there. I can't say it is the best burger I've ever had, but the best I've had at a restaurant in Ankeny. We've been back multiple times since they've opened and it's a pretty great option for a meal.

 

[MeowingCows]

Went to JJs once, tiny cozy place but great bar and good people. Owner chatted us up and such. However... I didn't get a burger there! Guess I'll be going back.

 

[DrClone]

Stopped at the place that won in Ossian that won a few weeks ago and it was.....a burger? I guess. It was fine but it certainly wasn't anything I'll go out of my way to get again.

Same. Stopped there a couple of weeks ago. It was good.Probably not one of the best I've had. Probably top 10. percent. I'd have it again.

 

[Mr Janny]

In Ankeny, we liked Ben's Burgers a heck of a lot, but I was sad to hear that they closed. I thought they made one of the better fast food style smash burgers that I've had.

 

[JD720]

Stopped at the place that won in Ossian that won a few weeks ago and it was.....a burger? I guess. It was fine but it certainly wasn't anything I'll go out of my way to get again.

It was their "veggie burger" that won, which is just a regular burger with lettuce and tomato. This was around the time everyone was cranky about impossible meats and the impossible whopper, so I'm guessing the beef council was yucking it up over the "veggie" vs actually judging the best burger.

And thats fine. As other have mentioned this is a Iowa Beef PR event, not a Michelin Star rating. Just take the results with a grain of salt.

 

[ripvdub]

It's packed all the time now. It's pretty small inside. They might want to relocate...

 

[BCClone]

It was their "veggie burger" that won, which is just a regular burger with lettuce and tomato. This was around the time everyone was cranky about impossible meats and the impossible whopper, so I'm guessing the beef council was yucking it up over the "veggie" vs actually judging the best burger.

And thats fine. As other have mentioned this is an Iowa Beef PR event, not a Michelin Star rating. Just take the results with a grain of salt.

I was with my mom at Mayo. Went searching for something besides the food court in the underground area. Found a Dairy Queen and ordered the veggie burger. Found out it was not what I was used to. It was a burger from everything but meat. In small town Iowa, a veggie burger means burger with vegetable toppings.

 

[Kinch]

On radio, they said it was a smash burger.

 

[pourcyne]

If you've never had a burger at the Copper Lantern in Sigourney,



or one at Dino's in Washington,



you are not qualified to judge a good burger.