Operators of a Fairfield eating establishment are hoping to feast their eyes on another Iowa’s Best Burger award.

Iowans submitted nominations for the best burger in Iowa between February 15 and March 15 to the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The number of votes each restaurant received determined the 2021 Top Ten restaurants, including the Fishback and Stephenson Cider House which also claimed the title in 2013.

Owner Clint Stephenson says winning it again would be even more special, “We had only been in business for four months or so when we won it last time, so we were just learning the ropes of running a restaurant. The four of us owners had never run a restaurant before, so we were new to that and this (award) added a whole new element that we weren’t necessarily prepared for. This time it would be nice to be better prepared for it and enjoy it more.”

Stephenson says they hope their smokehouse burger with smokey bleu cheese and jalapenos will be a winner.  All top ten restaurants will be visited by a panel of anonymous judges who will evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness (160 degrees Fahrenheit). The judges’ scores and comments will be accumulated and the winner will be announced on May 3 to kick off May Beef Month.