Iowa Pork Producers Association opens up Pulled Pork Madness brackets for nominations

For college basketball fans, the third month of the year means March Madness. But for pork lovers, it means Pulled Pork Madness.

The annual bracket for the best pulled pork restaurants in Iowa, sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, is accepting nominations through March 8 for the best restaurants, at iowapork.org. Nominees can be any style of pulled pork, from served between two buns, open-faced or smothered in cheese.

The winning restaurant will receive a plaque, $250 and bragging rights.

“This contest is a lot of fun and is great at highlighting delicious pork on menus across the state,” said Hannah Spurr, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “It’s also a great way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road-trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some delicious pork.”

After nominations close, the Iowa Pork Producers Association will hold votes for the Elite 8 from March 11 to March 15, the Final Four from March 15 to 20, the Final Two from March 20 to 25, and the final champion from March 25 through 29.

The champion will be announced March 29.

The last Eastern Iowa restaurant to win Pulled Pork Madness was Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls in 2022. The current titleholder, The Flying Elbow, is in Marshalltown.

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