ANKENY, Iowa —  Rick and Lilia Romero, of Dallas Center, wanted to open a restaurant, and things fell into place for JJ’s Tavern and Grill at the site of a former bar in north Ankeny.

When the Iowa Best Burger Finalists were announced, they were shocked to make the list, after only four months in business. They got a phone call at their business when they learned they won first place.

“We had customers in there so we couldn’t get too excited,” said Rick. “So we walked out the side door and kind of started screaming in the parking lot.” 

The Best Burger Award is given to the restaurant, not just one sandwich. They have three that are the specials — the Jalapeño, the JJ, and the Brock Curdy.

“We had over 7,500 nominations this year and of course we allowed for previous winners due to it being the 15th anniversary,” said Kylie Peterson, Marketing Coordinator for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “It is the most votes per restaurant that gets them into the top 10 and so then our secret panel and judges do the work, after that they get to do the hard work going and visiting each of the restaurants.”

The Romeros say people in Ankeny reached out to them to help them reopen a former restaurant.

“Ankeny’s been tremendous for us, everybody kept telling me how do you, how did you find this place and we’re like they found us, it was just a perfect place for us to start our first restaurant,” said Rick.

Now with many new customers coming they realize they need more help.

“Think like the Beef Council like this, we’re gonna have to beef up.” 

For more on JJ’s Tavern and Grill, click here.