April 19, 2024

The Cider House claims best burger bragging rights

Elm’s Club shifts focus to 2015 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin

By JAKE WADDINGHAM

The Cider House staff, from left, are Hopi James, Skylar Messer, Annalisa Thompson, Cole Fishback and Clint Stephenson.

The best burger in Iowa has been crowned for 2015, but the title is not coming home to Creston.

The Cider House in Fairfield took top honors in Iowa’s Best Burger Contest put on by Iowa Cattleman’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. This is the sixth year for the contest and the third year in a row Elm’s Club, 108 N. Elm St., has made the top 10.

“It is a lot of fun just to be involved in the contest,” said Elm’s Club co-owner Donna King. “It generates some new customers for us and it really makes us appreciate our customers and staff.”

More than 4,000 votes were submitted, nominating 286 restaurants in February and March. The top 10 were visited by unanimous judges and critiqued on the hamburger’s taste, appearance, and proper serving temperature of 160 degrees.

“We will be trying the contest again,” King said. “We might have to think of a specialty burger or something of that sort to gain some more attention.”

The four owners of The Cider House — Clint Stephenson, Hopi James, Cole Fishback and Annalisa Thompson — first thought of their pub-styled restaurant as a way to showcase the hard apple cider they produce.

They exculsively feature Adrian Family Farms beef. The cattle are pasture-grazed and corn-finished. The Cider House serves five different burgers with a choice of potato salad or triple cooked fries.

“We’ve traveled around the world, but it’s in Iowa you’ll find the best foods,” Stephenson said in a press release. “It’s an amazing state.”

Elm’s Club is owned by Mike, Donna and Gus King. Mike and Donna purchased the business in 1976 and Gus joined as a partner in 1987. The restaurant celebrated their 39th year March 15.

Their signature burgers are fresh, never frozen patties that are hand-prepared each morning.

What’s next?

While the title of Iowa’s best burger eluded Creston this year, Elm’s Club is gearing up for the 2015 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA).

Forms are available at iowapork.org and in the May issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine. The deadline for nominations is June 8, 2015.

The top five restaurants with the most nominations from each of the eight IPPA districts will be judged. Representatives of the Iowa pork industry will judge the tenderloins on pork quality, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience.

Elm’s Club earned honorable mention for their breaded pork tenderloin in 2003.