A restaurant in Iowa that was once celebrated for serving the state’s best burger has now closed its doors, just a year after receiving the award. It’s a surprising move that has left many locals and food lovers across Iowa shocked and disappointed.
Cliff’s Place in Manning, Iowa, was crowned the winner of the 2023 Iowa’s Best Burger Contest, a well-known annual competition organized by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. This award usually brings a lot of attention and more customers to restaurants, helping them grow their business. But for Cliff’s Place, things didn’t turn out the way many expected.
Located in a small town with a population of about 1,400 people, Cliff’s Place became a food destination after winning the award. People came from different parts of the state to try the now-famous burger, which was praised for its juicy beef, fresh ingredients, and simple, no-fuss presentation.
But even the popularity of the award-winning burger couldn’t keep the business running for long.
In a Facebook post, the owners shared the news with their customers, saying the decision to close was difficult. They thanked their loyal customers, family, and community members who supported them over the years. The post did not mention specific reasons for the closure, but it hinted at the challenges that small-town businesses often face—such as rising costs, staffing issues, and managing day-to-day operations.
While the closure came as a shock to many, people in the town and nearby areas responded with kindness and support. Comments on the post were filled with messages of love, appreciation, and thanks. Many mentioned how much they would miss the food and the friendly atmosphere. Some even shared memories of their first visit to Cliff’s Place and how the burger lived up to the hype.
Winning the Best Burger in Iowa is considered a big achievement. Every year, burger lovers from across the state vote for their favorite spots. Finalists are then visited and judged based on taste, appearance, and overall experience. For Cliff’s Place to win in 2023 meant it had beat out some big names and long-time favorites in the Iowa food scene.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association even released a statement following the closure. They said that Cliff’s Place had done a great job representing Iowa beef and thanked them for being part of the campaign to promote local farmers and ranchers. They also wished the owners all the best in their future plans.
This situation also opens up a larger conversation about the struggles small-town restaurants face, even after big wins. Awards can bring a short-term boost in popularity, but sustaining that momentum can be tough, especially in rural areas where customer traffic might not be consistent.
Experts in the food and hospitality industry say that while awards help bring attention, restaurants still need long-term strategies to survive. These include managing costs, hiring skilled staff, creating new offerings, and adapting to customer needs. In smaller towns, these challenges can be harder to overcome.
According to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (www.iowaeda.com), small businesses form the backbone of the state’s economy. Many local restaurants depend heavily on regular customers from their town or nearby areas. If there’s a slowdown or increase in operational costs, these businesses can struggle quickly. Rising inflation and supply costs over the past couple of years have only made things more difficult for restaurant owners.
Cliff’s Place isn’t the first award-winning restaurant to shut down, and unfortunately, it likely won’t be the last. Across the U.S., many eateries that gain sudden fame often face unexpected challenges—from maintaining quality during rushes to dealing with pressure from higher customer expectations.
Still, the short run of Cliff’s Place will be remembered fondly. For many people in Iowa, it offered a taste of something special, made with care and heart. Even though the kitchen is now closed, the legacy of its “Best Burger in Iowa” will live on through the stories, social media photos, and satisfied memories of those who visited.
This closure also serves as a reminder that running a restaurant is more than just serving great food. It’s a business filled with ups and downs, and even the best tasting burger can’t always fight against bigger financial realities.
For those who missed out on tasting the award-winning burger from Cliff’s Place, there’s still hope in discovering the next best burger in Iowa. The 2024 Best Burger contest is already underway, and soon a new winner will be announced. As always, it will highlight a hardworking, passionate restaurant somewhere in Iowa, keeping the tradition of celebrating great beef and great stories alive.
