Where’s the beef? Iowa burger joint unveils Republican caucuses menu
A restaurant in Des Moines is gearing up for next week’s Iowa Republican caucuses one burger at a time.
On Friday, Zombie Burger unveiled its 2024 Iowa caucus specials that feature six items largely inspired by Republican presidential candidates including Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump.
The limited menu – which is available for in-person dining, carryout or delivery – kicks off with Mom-Aswamy Spaghetti, a Friday-only smashed vegetarian meatball patty, fried spaghetti and marinara croquette with mozzarella inspired by the biotech entrepreneur.
Mom-Aswamy Spaghetti is also a nod to Ramaswamy’s use of Eminem’s music on the campaign trail before the rapper – who memorably sang about nervously vomiting up “Mom’s spaghetti” in his 2002 song Lose Yourself – demanded last August that Ramaswamy stop using his music.
Describing the sandwich to the Guardian, Zombie Burger said: “In honor of candidate and noted rap artist Vivek Ramaswamy, this vegetarian burger was inspired by Vivek’s captivating live performance of an Eminem classic track at last summer’s Iowa state fair.”
Saturday’s menu features a homage to DeSantis called Meatball Ron, a double smashed meatball patty, mozzarella, fried banana peppers and marinara with a “hidden” garlic bread lift.
“Say what you will about the nickname … but it’s perfect for a sandwich! This burger in honor of Ron DeSantis offers classic Italian-American flavors,” said Zombie Burger, pointing to the Florida governor’s Italian-American heritage.
On Sunday, customers can get a taste of American History 101: a double pimento cheese patty, pulled pork, pulled bacon and fried okra with Carolina Gold sauce.
Pointing to Haley, who is from South Carolina, Zombie Burger said: “You don’t have to be an expert on American history to appreciate these classic southern flavors. Inspired by Nikki Haley, former governor of the Palmetto State, this burger features textbook regional ingredients.”
Monday’s menu is reserved for Day One Dic-Tater: Flamin’ Hot Cheeto, orange kielbasa sausage, Jack cheese, tater rounds, homemade sauerkraut and Russian dressing.
Zombie Burger cited Trump as the inspiration for the burger, particularly his recent comment: “I want to be a dictator for one day.”
The 2024 Iowa caucuses specials menu also takes jabs at Joe Biden with two specialty drinks.
Throughout the weekend, customers can order the Sleepy Joe Shake, a drink consisting of vanilla ice-cream, chocolate chips and tea-mint syrup, which the restaurant described to be “perfect for nodding off after a ‘lowenergy’ day”.
The Sleepy Joe Shake draws inspiration from an insult Trump often aims at Biden. The other option – Dark Brandon Shake – features chocolate icecream, chocolate-chilli sauce, whipped cream and Red Hots candy. The drink’s name takes inspiration from Let’s Go Brandon, a popular conservative slogan that is widely understood as a coded euphemism for swearing at the president.
Describing the drink’s inspiration, Zombie Burger said, “It’s what memes are made of.”
The release of the specialty menu comes ahead of the 2024 presidential election which officially kicks off next Monday in Iowa where Republicans are set to gather and hold caucuses to pick their preferred candidate.