Ames, IA (KICD)– The Iowa Beef Industry Council has announced the ten restaurants in the finals for Best Burger in Iowa.

We announced the kickoff to that contest a month ago and instructed you to go online and nominate your favorite eating establishment and you came through as TWO of the top-ten vote-getters are right here in the local area. Birdies, Burgers, and Brews at Hillcrest Country Club in Graettinger has been nominated again as has Burger and Company in downtown Spirit Lake which is making the top ten for the first time.

Kylie Peterson with the IBIC says 509 restaurants split 6,414 votes. Other first-time qualifiers are Ben’s Burgers in Ankeny, Flight Bar and Grille in Huxley, Jerinimo’s Bar and Grill in Springbrook and Parlor on Main in Central City.

The returning competitors are Arly’s Ice Cream and Grill in Wilton, Foodie Garage Eatery in Dubuque, Troy’s Bar and Grill in Earling and the 2014 winner – The Cider House in Fairfield.

The Iowa Beef Industry Council has held the contest since 2010. The only winner from our nine counties so far is the Smokin’ Hereford in Storm Lake, which won the contest back in 2016.

The ten finalists will be visited by incognito judges and the winner will be announced May 1st to kick off Iowa Beef Month.