In the first year of the Iowa State Fair competition, the Hot Beef Sundae from Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters was selected in an online vote by fairgoers
DES MOINES, Iowa (August 16, 2024) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today congratulated Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters for winning the Best Choose Iowa Fair Food Contest during the 2024 Iowa State Fair. The Best Choose Iowa Fair Food Contestan official contest of the Iowa State Fair, was launched this year to highlight and celebrate fair trade foods made with Iowa ingredients. Choose Iowa is the state’s signature brand for Iowa-grown, Iowa-raised and Iowa-made foods and agricultural products.
The Hot Beef Sundae served by Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters was selected via online voting on the Iowa State Fair website.
“The Iowa State Fair is famous for many reasons, including its unique and delicious fair food. Choose Iowa continues to grow as Iowa’s signature food, and this new contest is a fun way to celebrate all of the Iowa ingredients that go into creating these unforgettable Iowa State Fair food offerings,” said Secretary Naig. “Thank you to all of the vendors who participated in the first year of this contest, and I congratulate Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters on winning the first title of ‘Best Choose Iowa Fair Food’ with their Hot Beef Sundae. I encourage consumers to not only enjoy these Iowa foods at the fair, but to look for the Choose Iowa logo on food and agricultural products year-round.”
Approximately 10 percent of the food vendors at the Iowa State Fair, including all of Iowa’s protein producing commodity groups as well as the Iowa Honey Producers and Specialty Crop Growers, have submitted entries for the Best Choose Iowa Fair Food Contest. Choose Iowa aims to increase the number of vendors entering the contest in subsequent years.
A map with all food locations with menu items made from Iowa ingredients is linked on the Choose Iowa website and on the Iowa State Fair website and app.
The following providers participated in this year’s competition with their dishes in alphabetical order:
The Bacon Box: Grinder Ball
Beattie’s Melon Patch: Watermelon in a cup
Cookie Bar: Hot Mess Biscuit
Bubbly Bar and Bistro: Tipsy Peach
Cattlemen’s Quarters: Hot Beef Sundae
Chuckie’s Famous Breaded Pork Tenderloins: Chuckie’s Breaded Pork Tenderloin Wrap
Cluckin’ Coop: Fiesta Pancakes
Dairy Zone: Tornado in Iowa
Destination Grille: DG Chicken Strips with homemade ranch
Fresh American Lamb: All Iowa Lamb Burger
Hagar’s Hoagies: Chopped Ham
Iowa Honey Producers: Honey Lemonade Popsicles
Iowa Pork Producers – Iowa Pork Tent: Shredded BBQ Pork Sandwich
Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association: Cinnamon Crunch Apple Taco
Iowa Turkey Federation – Turkey Grill: Sandwich with fried turkey fillet
Old West Roadhouse BBQ: Grilled Smoked Bone-In Chop
Steer N Stein: The Breakfast Chimichanga
Stockman’s Inn: Iowa Bratwurst
The Dairy Goodness Barn: Raspberry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt
The snack box: ham and salad sandwich
For more information about Choose Iowa, visit ChooseIowa.com..
-Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Management
