Burger beefs up on state award
By Renae B. Vander Schaaf
news@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 05/24/2012 2:54 PM
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Ritz owners Taylor Genrich and her husband, Coyote, recently received quite an honor from the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen's Association for their burger.
The association and council received more than 4,250 nominations that named 212 restaurants in their annual contest to select the best burger-building business in Iowa. The Ritz finished in the Top 10 for their Lue Burger. They missed first placed by less then a full point.
"The Lue Burger came from my mother-in-law who had a bar in the area," said Genrich. "My husband and I copied the concept of the homemade bun toasted, then pickles, tomatoes and shredded lettuce."
The fresh patty burger weighs in at just under a half pound, with melted mozzarella and American cheese. The burger is served with fries, cheese balls or onion rings.
The Ritz also pleases customers with huge fresh salads, nachos and chicken quesadillas. This season, Genrich is introducing a new menu item — Bloody Marys, which she describes as a meal in a glass. The "meal" consists of a 22-ounce glass with a salami stick and chunk of cheese with a pickled asparagus spear and stuffed olives.
The Ritz has 25 to 30 employees during the summer. A party room is available for rent.
Outdoors seating with a boat dock overlooks East Okoboji Lake. The Ritz has been totally revamped inside and out, opening the 2012 season with a new look.