Cedar Rapids, Iowa City restaurants make Top 10 burger list from Iowa Beef Industry Council

Two Corridor restaurants have made 2025’s list of 10 finalists for Iowa’s Best Burger.

Salsa Guy Cafe in Cedar Rapids and Wilder in Iowa City were among the finalists across the state. The pair, selected from almost 400 nominated restaurants, made the cut after ballots were cast to the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association by over 6,000 burger enthusiasts.

Salsa Guy Cafe is one of seven restaurants that are new to the list this year.

“This year’s Top Ten restaurants are award-winning worthy, but they’re only a handful of the many outstanding establishments in Iowa that proudly serve high-quality beef raised by our state’s cattle farmers,” said Kylie Peterson, director of marketing for the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

To qualify, burgers must be made with 100 percent real beef on a bun or bread product.

The final phase of the contest begins soon, as a panel of anonymous judges visit each top restaurant to evaluate the burgers on taste, appearance and properly cooked temperature.

The 2025 Iowa’s Best Burger winner will be announced on May 1.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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