Des Moines Burger Bracket Reaches Championship Round

Readers vote to determine the metro area's best burger in final matchup.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:33pm

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A highly stylized, pop art-inspired illustration featuring a repeating grid of a single, iconic burger icon rendered in a bold, neon color palette with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the excitement and community engagement around the Burger Bracket competition.The Des Moines Register's annual Burger Bracket competition has reached its championship round, with readers voting to determine the metro area's best burger.Des Moines Today

The Des Moines Register's annual Burger Bracket competition has reached the championship round, with readers now voting to determine the best burger in the metro area from a field of top local restaurants and burger specialists. The final two competitors will face off to claim the title.

Why it matters

The Burger Bracket has become a highly anticipated annual event that celebrates the thriving burger culture in Des Moines, showcasing the city's diverse dining scene and passionate food community. The championship round generates significant local interest and media attention.

The details

The Burger Bracket started with a field of 32 burgers from across the Des Moines metro area. Through multiple rounds of voting, the competition has been narrowed down to the final two contenders. Readers can now vote online to determine the winner, who will be crowned the city's best burger.

  • The Burger Bracket competition began in early March 2026.
  • The championship round voting is open now through April 6, 2026.

The players

Des Moines Register

The leading newspaper in Des Moines, Iowa, which has organized the annual Burger Bracket competition.

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What’s next

The winner of the Burger Bracket championship will be announced on April 7, 2026.

The takeaway

The Burger Bracket has become a beloved annual tradition that celebrates Des Moines' thriving food culture and passionate community of burger enthusiasts. The championship round showcases the city's top burger destinations and allows residents to have a direct say in determining the best burger in the metro area.