Metro burger named the best in the state

ANKENY, Iowa — Iowa’s Best Burger has been named for 2024 and an Ankeny dining establishment has come out on top.

The 10 finalists for the Iowa Beef Industry Council’s contest were named back in March and on Tuesday, JJ’s Tavern + Grill was announced as 2024’s winner. The newcomer opened in late November of 2023.

The burgers at JJ’s are smash burgers and there are currently eight variations of the burger on the menu. The JJ’s Smash Burger is the classic, with tavern sauce, American cheese, fresh lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles.

The IBIC recommends making the burger a double to get a “robust beef taste.”

The other finalists in the contest were:

• Big Head Burger, Waterloo
• Chuckwagon Restaurant, Adair
• Flight Bar + Grill, Huxley
• Houston’s on Main, Milo
• Lucile’s at The Continental Hotel, Centerville
• The Flying Elbow, Marshalltown
• The Market at the Tap, Monticello
• Wilder at Graduate Hotel Iowa City, Iowa City
• Wiliamson Tavern, Williamson

To celebrate the 15th year of the contest, past winners were allowed to compete.

Anonymous judges chose the winner based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

JJ’s Tavern + Grill is located at 1975 N. Ankeny Boulevard in Ankeny.

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