How to vote for your favorite pulled pork sandwich in March

Iowa restaurants are set to duke it out on a figurative court in this year’s Pulled Pork Madness competition.

Like March Madness, Iowa restaurants compete in a tournament to be crowned the reigning champions of the state’s best pulled pork sandwich. The winner receives a $250 cash prize, a Pulled Pork Madness plaque and all the prestige that comes with the honor.

Here’s how you can vote in the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s 7th year of Pulled Pork Madness.

What is Pulled Pork Madness?

The Iowa Pork Producers received about 850 nominations representing nearly 70 Iowa restaurants, according to a news release. Like March Madness, the Pulled Pork competition winnows down to eight contenders, then four, followed by a championship round and ultimately, a winner. The bracket is divided by region, and seeding was based on the two restaurants with the most votes in each of their respective eight districts, according to the news release.

When can I vote for Pulled Pork Madness?

Vote by 10 a.m. March 15 to help winnow the list to eight. Then, those restaurants will compete in the next round of voting that ends March 20 to determine the final four. Choose the contenders for the championship bracket by March 25, and the title round, and announcement of the winner, will take place March 29.

Where can I vote for Pulled Pork Madness?

You can vote on Iowa Pork Producers Association Facebook page or on the Pulled Pork Madness’ webpage at iowapork.org.

What are the first-round matchups in Pulled Pork Madness?

The first-round matchups span restaurants across the state. Here are the restaurants waiting to discover whether they advance in the tournament, or not:

⬤ District 1: Iowa Barbeque Company, Le Mars, vs. The Roadhouse, Orange City

⬤ District 2: Birdies, Burgers, & Brews, Graettinger, vs. Smoke N Firehouse No. 20, Ringsted

⬤ District 3: Whiskey Road Tavern & Grill, Cedar Falls, vs. The Blue Bird Bar & Grill, Elma

⬤ District 4: Backwoods Bar and Grill, McGregor, vs. Brady’s Bar & Grill, Edgewood

⬤ District 5: Barrel Smoke BBQ, Templeton, vs. Junction Cafe, Bedford

⬤ District 6: Chuckwagon Restaurant, Adair, vs. Bett & Bev’s BBQ, Jefferson

⬤ District 7: Bubba-Q’s, Ottumwa, vs. Five Hawgs BBQ, Agency

⬤ District 8: Skinny’s BBQ, Muscatine, vs. Cynful Smokehouse and Creamery, Wapello

Who won past Pulled Pork Madness?

The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown won Pulled Pork Madness in 2023, defeating The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill in Ogden. In 2022, Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls was named the champion — and has moved to Waterloo since, according to the news release. Other previous winners are:

⬤ 2021: Smokin’ Butt Barbeque, Davenport

⬤ 2020: Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther

⬤ 2019: Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse, Ottumwa