LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Beef Council has announced the return of the Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest, a statewide effort to identify and recognize restaurants that exemplify quality in the preparation of 100% beef burgers. The contest reinforces the Council’s commitment to promoting high‑quality beef, supporting Arkansas cattle producers, and engaging consumers in celebrating the state’s beef industry.
Arkansas is one of the nation’s leading cattle‑producing states, with thousands of family farms contributing to the state’s agricultural economy. Beef cattle are raised in all 75 counties, making the industry a cornerstone of rural communities. Cattle and calves consistently rank among Arkansas’s top agricultural commodities, generating more than $824 million in cash receipts each year.
Beginning today, Arkansans can nominate their favorite burger at arkansasbeef.org. Fans may submit one nomination per day per email address through April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., giving burger lovers across the state the chance to rally behind their go‑to local spots.
“We’re thrilled to bring back Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest and shine a light on the restaurants that take pride in serving high‑quality, 100% Arkansas beef,” said Caleb Plyler, a beef producer in Hempstead County and Chairman of the Arkansas Beef Council. “This contest isn’t just about great burgers, it’s about celebrating the farmers and ranchers who raise our cattle, the restaurants that elevate beef on their menus, and the communities that support them. Arkansas knows good beef, and we can’t wait to see which burger rises to the top.”
To qualify, nominated burgers must be made from 100% beef and appear on the restaurant’s regular or special menu during the contest period. Restaurants with multiple locations will have nominations counted individually for each site. Regional finalists will be selected, and the burger receiving the most nominations statewide will be crowned the winner in May.
Past champions include the Big Daddy Burger from Johnson’s Country Cookin’ in Melbourne and the Caveman Burger from Bailey’s Family Restaurant in Cave City.
The Arkansas Beef Council is a producer-funded entity dedicated to strengthening the state’s beef industry through promotion, education, and research. The Council is governed by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor, representing cattle producers and livestock markets across the state.