Dixie's Biergarten wins 2026 Iowa's Best Burger contest

4 articles · Updated · Des Moines Register · May 1

The Decorah bar's Biergarten Smashburger won after more than 350 nominations and 5,000-plus fan votes, followed by secret judging of the top 10 finalists.
The burger has two four-ounce smash patties made from a custom brisket-and-chuck blend, with grilled onions, vegetables and house-made sauce on a brioche bun.
Owners Nick and Jordyn Harless bought the former Toppling Goliath taproom site in 2024, and since becoming a finalist in March, the venue has sold more than 153 burgers daily.

What made Dixie's Biergarten's smash burger stand out to judges compared to other finalists, and could this signal a shift in Iowa's burger trends?

How does winning Iowa's Best Burger Contest impact a small town like Decorah economically and culturally beyond just increased burger sales?