Voters with the Iowa Beef Industry Council have spoken and declared Pleasantville, Iowa, southeast of Des Moines home to the best burger in the state.The annual contest, now in its 16th year, is sponsored by the he Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. More than 6,000 fans of Iowa burgers submitted nominations for more than 400 restaurants. A group of secret judges reviewed the top 10 vote-getters and determines a final winner.So who won the title of best burger in Iowa?Who has the best ...
Voters with the Iowa Beef Industry Council have spoken and declared Pleasantville, Iowa, southeast of Des Moines home to the best burger in the state.
The annual contest, now in its 16th year, is sponsored by the he Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. More than 6,000 fans of Iowa burgers submitted nominations for more than 400 restaurants. A group of secret judges reviewed the top 10 vote-getters and determines a final winner.
So who won the title of best burger in Iowa?
Who has the best burgers in Iowa?
The organization named the hamburger at Halftime Bar & Grill in Pleasantville the best in Iowa.
Kevin and Kathy DeHeer, along with their children, Amanda and Tyler DeHeer, have owned and operated Halftime Bar & Grill for more than two years after buying the restaurant in 2023.
The sports bar offers nine burgers, including a classic bacon cheeseburger, a sriracha bourbon burger, over-the-top beer cheeseburger, and the Humpback Burger with an 8-ounce all-beef patty topped with ham, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and saute?ed onions that is then drizzled with Halftime’s smoky house sauce.
Unlike recent years, Halftime’s burger is a grilled patty instead of a smash burger. Each patty is 8 ounces of fresh beef, sourced from a local meat locker.
Since being named a finalist in March, the owners of Halftime Bar & Grill have increased their burger sales 131%, from 170 burgers a week to 392, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council.
Where to find Halftime Bar & Grill
Location: 107 N. Jefferson St., Pleasantville
Contact: 515-481-9053 or facebook.com
Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Which restaurants made the Iowa's Best Burger Top 10?
Here's a look at the finalists from 2025:
More: The best burger in Iowa is found at The Flight Bar + Grille in Huxley
Burgers must be made with a 100% real beef patty served on a bun or bread product. The combination of condiments, cheeses, toppings and sauces does not matter.
JJ's Tavern and Grill in Ankeny was awarded the best burger restaurant in Iowa in 2024.
Who won Iowa’s Best Burger contest in the past?
More: Love a good burger? Here's where to find some of the best in the Des Moines metro
Sign up for our new dining newsletter, The Dish, which comes out on Wednesday mornings with all the latest news on restaurants and bars in the metro. You can sign up for free at DesMoinesRegister.com/thedish.
If you see a new restaurant opening or a beloved place closing, send me some details at [email protected].
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at [email protected].