CLIVE, IOWA (March 1, 2024) — March Madness is almost here for college basketball fans, and that means it’s time for Pulled Pork Madness for Iowans who love delicious pulled-pork sandwiches. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is accepting nominations for the restaurant that serves up Iowa’s best pulled-pork sandwich. The annual contest started Friday morning. Nominations can be made at the Iowa Pork Producers Association website, IowaPork.org.
“This contest is a lot of fun and is great at highlighting delicious pork on menus across the state,” said Hannah Spurr, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “It’s also a great way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some delicious pork!”
Now in its seventh year, Pulled Pork Madness highlights the best of the best when it comes to serving up delicious Iowa-made pulled-pork. Whether your favorite pulled-pork is sandwiched between two buns, open-faced, or smothered in cheesy goodness, we want you to tell us where to find it. The winning restaurant receives $250, a plaque, and statewide bragging rights!
We all enjoy a good March Madness basketball bracket, but let’s be real — a pulled-pork bracket is a slam dunk. The Iowa Pork Producers Association competition follows a bracket-style narrowing process like the NCAA Tournament. Based on fan nominations through March 8, the field will then be narrowed to a “Sweet 16”, which represents the top two picks in each of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s eight districts.
Here is the Pulled Pork Madness timeline:
Nomination period open: 8AM March 1 — 11:59PM March 8.
Vote for Elite 8 (from “Sweet 16” nominations): 5PM March 11 — 10AM March 15.
Vote for Final Four: 5PM March 15 — 10AM March 20.
Vote for Final Two: 5PM March 20 — 10AM March 25.
Vote for champion: 5PM March 25 — 10AM March 29.
CHAMPION ANNOUNCED MARCH 29
Previous winners include The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown (2023); Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls (2022); Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018).
Past winners cannot be nominated. Pulled-pork must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible. No e-mail or social media nominations will be counted.
Make your nomination today at this link.
About the Iowa Pork Producers Association
The mission of the Iowa Pork Producers Association is promoting, educating, and providing a leading voice for a sustainable, socially-responsible, and globally-competitive pork industry.
