SHEBOYGAN – A downtown Sheboygan eatery has made it to the top eight in the Wisconsin Beef Council’s Best Burger Contest.
Local Press Eatery, 502 S. Eighth St., is among the third annual contest’s Elite Eight of restaurants, bars and grills serving 100% beef burgers, narrowed down from thousands of votes.
“It’s really exciting,” said Greg VanDemark, owner of Local Press Eatery. “I’m thankful for the staff and the community for the support.”
He said Local Press Eatery cuts and grinds meat in a specific blend every morning, which is a rarity and shows the team takes a lot of pride in the quality of the eatery’s food.
Other restaurants in the Elite Eight across Wisconsin
Other Wisconsin burger joints in the top eight include Mihm’s Charcoal Grill in Menasha, Game Over in West Bend and Skippy’s Burger Bar in Thiensville.
“It’s exciting to see the enjoyment of this contest as the Elite Eight welcome curious burger lovers, and new customers, through the door,” Tammy Vaassen, executive director of the Wisconsin Beef Council, said in a news release.
Past winners and Local Press Burger Bar’s 2025 run
The Local Press Burger Bar — another Local Press Eatery location that opened in Kewaskum in 2021 — made it to the top eight in the 2025 contest, but Brazen Head Pub’s Brazen Beer Cheeseburger won the title.
The All American Burger at Hazelhurst’s Pickles Bar and Grill won in the inaugural contest in 2024.
How the Wisconsin Beef Council Best Burger Contest is judged
In the next stage of the contest, a secret panel of judges will visit the top eight restaurants to score burgers based on taste, appearance, proper doneness and overall enjoyment. A burger could earn up to 105 points if it earns up to five additional points based on the overall dining environment and experience.
To be eligible for the contest, restaurants had to offer a 100% beef hamburger served on a bun or bread substitute, like a biscuit or tortilla, with optional condiments, sauces, cheese and toppings.
The Best Burger Contest winner will be revealed April 24.
Sheboygan community praises Local Press Eatery burgers and fries
Sheboygan Press readers have lauded Local Press Eatery in responses to callouts for the best spots to get burgers and fries. They’ve praised the eatery’s burgers, specifically noting creativity, quality and freshness, and truffle fries, which are made with fresh parsley, grated Parmesan, truffle zest and white truffle oil.
Fan-favorite burgers and truffle fries at Local Press Eatery
VanDemark said the Truffle Boom (slow-roasted garlic portabella mushrooms, button mushrooms and Swiss cheese truffle aioli)and Press Classic (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and secret Press sauce) are among favorites. He thinks the Figalicious (fig jam, crispy prosciutto, deep-fried goat cheese and mixed greens) is the most underrated burger on the menu.
The Local Press Eatery menu also features paninis, sandwiches salads, ice cream, shakes and malts. The eatery also caters and sells snacks like flatbreads, handhelds and more at Local Press Munchies at Hops Haven, 1327 N. 14th St.
When to eat at Local Press Eatery in Sheboygan
Local Press Eatery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Local Press Eatery in top 8 for Wisconsin Best Burger Contest
Reporting by Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
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