Between church and watching a community theater play a few weeks back Carla, Teresa, and Humble Narrator went to the only other Iowa Best Burger Finalist that is in my natural grazing area. We went to Ben’s Burgers in Ankeny. To be honest, I don’t really consider Ankeny to be in my natural grazing area. Mostly because I don’t really like Ankeny. It is mostly corporate franchise hell stuff, which is not to my liking. Being a paragon of the shop local ethic. Every once in a while, there is a diamond in the rough. Like the Korean corn dog place. (Note to self, did I take enough pictures of the Korean corn dog place to make a post.) Or in this case, Ben’s Burgers.

Here are some cruddy cell phone pictures from out trip to another one of the finalists for Best Burger in Iowa:

When I sent this picture to Elizabeth, she told me it was gross. Like that is a bad thing.

I asked the lad that took my order if Ben’s Burgers was nominated for a particular burger. Flight in Huxley was nominated for The Foundation Burger. I was told, no particular burger but most people order the Gourmet Single Cheeseburger.

It was a good tip, but I don’t possess a normal appetite. I went for the Gourmet Double Cheeseburger.

The menu describes it thusly:

Gourmet Double Cheeseburger includes lettuce and tomato + red ions + house sauce.

It was a perfectly good burger. I don’t know I think it is one of the 10 best in Iowa. But I would probably go back. I don’t think I would seek it out, but I would definitely go back.

The #3 Combo cost me $15.71. I also got a raspberry shake for the road. That was probably another five smackers.

We did get to meet Ben. He was very good at customer service and very attentive.

Of the 2 Best Burger Finalists that I have tried, I would rank them in the following order:

2. Ben’s Burgers
1. Flight Bar + Grille

You can find Ben’s Burgers here:

1325 SW Oralabor Road
Suite 200
Ankeny, Iowa 50023

It is open daily from 11 AM to 8 PM.

I don’t know that I will get to try any of the other finalists. None of them are particularly close, but I will see what I can manage. You know I love a good road trip.