Northside Diner Vying for Best Burger in Iowa

Washington, Iowa restaurant partners with local farm for beef in annual statewide contest.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Northside Diner in downtown Washington, Iowa is officially competing in the Iowa Beef Council's 17th annual Best Burger Contest. The diner sources its beef from a local century farm, Marek Land and Livestock, and emphasizes the importance of farm-to-table dining.

Why it matters

The Best Burger Contest is an annual event held by the Iowa Beef Council to promote the state's beef industry. For Northside Diner, the contest represents an opportunity to showcase its commitment to local, sustainable sourcing and highlight the quality of Iowa-raised beef.

The details

Northside Diner partners with Marek Land and Livestock, a Washington County century farm, for all of its beef. The beef is processed locally, keeping it "pasture-to-plate." Owner Isabella Santoro emphasizes the importance of knowing where food comes from and how it was raised, a philosophy she brought with her from growing up in Italy.

  • Voting for the Best Burger Contest is open from February 9th to March 9th, 2026.
  • The 2025 winner of the Best Burger Contest went to Halftime Bar & Grill in Pleasantville.

The players

Northside Diner

A downtown Washington, Iowa restaurant competing in the Iowa Beef Council's Best Burger Contest.

Marek Land and Livestock

A local Washington County century farm that supplies beef to Northside Diner.

Isabella Santoro

The owner of Northside Diner who emphasizes the importance of farm-to-table dining and knowing the origin of food.

Iowa Beef Council

The organization hosting the annual Best Burger Contest to promote Iowa's beef industry.

Halftime Bar & Grill

The 2025 winner of the Iowa Beef Council's Best Burger Contest, located in Pleasantville.

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What they’re saying

“To me it just seems so obvious, but I realize that we've moved away from growing our own food and getting things locally. But, having grown up in Italy, that whole farmers market, knowing where your food comes from and how it was raised, is just so ingrained in the whole process of eating. From growing it to buying it to cooking it to eating it. I live here now, but I still want to eat good food and keep that same mentality.”

— Isabella Santoro, Owner, Northside Diner (kciiradio.com)

What’s next

Voting for the Best Burger Contest will close on March 9th, 2026, and the winner will be announced shortly after.

The takeaway

Northside Diner's participation in the Iowa Beef Council's Best Burger Contest highlights the growing consumer demand for locally sourced, sustainable food options, even in the heartland of America's beef industry.