Alta Restaurant Among Finalists for Iowa Beef Council's Best Burger Contest

Scooters on Main in Alta is the only finalist west of Interstate 35 in the statewide competition.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:10pm

The Iowa Beef Industry Council has selected ten finalists for its annual Best Burger contest, with Scooters on Main in the town of Alta being the only restaurant west of Interstate 35 to make the cut. The other nine finalists are all located east of I-35, and three have been finalists in previous years. The winner will be announced on May 1st to kick off Beef Month in Iowa.

Why it matters

The Iowa Beef Industry Council's Best Burger contest is a highly anticipated annual event that celebrates the state's thriving beef industry. For a small-town restaurant like Scooters on Main to be selected as a finalist is a significant achievement, showcasing the culinary talent and dedication to quality ingredients found across Iowa.

The details

A total of ten restaurants have been selected as finalists in the Iowa Beef Industry Council's Best Burger contest this year. Scooters on Main in Alta is the only finalist west of Interstate 35, representing the western half of the state. The other nine finalists are all located east of I-35, with three having been finalists in previous contests: Arcadia from Polk City, Salsa Guy Cafe from Cedar Rapids, and Smash and Grab Burger Company from Knoxville. The six other new nominees are the B52 Bar and Grill in Bennett, Dixie's Biergarten in Decorah, Northside Diner from Washington, Prairie Canary from Grinnell, TCI Bar and Grill also in Polk City, and Landmark Bistro in Grundy Center.

  • The ten finalists were selected through online voting.
  • The winner will be announced on May 1st to kick off Beef Month in Iowa.

The players

Scooters on Main

A restaurant located in the town of Alta, Iowa, that has been selected as a finalist in the Iowa Beef Industry Council's Best Burger contest.

Iowa Beef Industry Council

The organization that hosts the annual Best Burger contest to celebrate the state's thriving beef industry.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The ten finalist restaurants will now be judged by secret judges, and the winner will be announced on May 1st to kick off Beef Month in Iowa.

The takeaway

The selection of Scooters on Main in Alta as a finalist for the Iowa Beef Industry Council's Best Burger contest showcases the culinary talent and dedication to quality ingredients found across the state, even in small-town restaurants. This annual event is a celebration of Iowa's thriving beef industry and the chefs who showcase it through their craft.