Is there any better comfort food than a hamburger? Beefy, juicy, and enhanced with just about any topping you can think of, they can be found on just about any menu in the Hawkeye State. But who actually serves the best burger in Iowa? There are many strong candidates, but our favorite has got to be the iconic Maxie Burger at Maxie's Restaurant & Lounge in West Des Moines. A mighty half-pound burger with all the fixings, grilled to order and served with fries and onion rings, it's a classic burger, little changed since the restaurant opened in 1967 - until Maxie's gets creative. Because every month, you can find a unique new burger with some of the craziest toppings anywhere. Do these combos work? Part of the fun is finding out, but you can count on one thing - there'll be a great burger at the center each and every time.
The awning at Maxie's has been hanging for fifty-five years now, and it's still home to the best burgers in Iowa.
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Inside, you'll find an old-school atmosphere that feels like a classic supper club.
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How classic? Look for the black-and-white photographs of the many celebrities who have wandered into the lounge over the decades.
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You'll want to start your meal with a cup of the chili, thick with beans and ground beef - but an even better spotlight for that beef is coming.
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Meet the Maxie Burger, the perfectly-grilled half-pound testament to the art of the burger. But it's more than a burger at Maxie's - it's a canvas.
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One variant you can always find at Maxie's is a Rarebit burger, smothered in house-made cheese sauce. You'll definitely want a knife and fork for this one.
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The Gyro burger, topped with tzatziki sauce and feta cheese, will transport you right to the Mediterranean.
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For more experimental palates, why not try the Goober Burger if it's on offer? This burger is topped with melted peanut butter!
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If you're not in the mood for burgers, Maxie's has a full restaurant menu - including one of the best prime ribs in Des Moines.
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And of course, you'll want to end your meal with one of Maxie's famous cocktails - like this Dark and Stormy, made by a skilled bartender who knows all the classics.
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Have you been to Maxie's Restaurant & Lounge before? Let us know about your meal, and tell us your pick for the best burger in Iowa in the comments section. If you're planning a visit, make sure to visit their website and Facebook page to see what's on offer today! If you want to visit another classic Iowa restaurant, check out this Little Italy legend.
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