Hot Beef Sundae Turns 20 as the Cattlemen's Beef Quarters Adds New Menu Items
A longtime Iowa State Fair favorite is celebrating a major milestone. The Hot Beef Sundae turns 20 this year as the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters welcomes fairgoers with new menu items, beef tallow cooking and more ways to enjoy beef at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.
Two Decades of the Hot Beef Sundae
First introduced at the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters in 2006, the Hot Beef Sundae was an instant success. The original goal was to serve 4,000 during the Iowa State Fair, a mark reached within the first two days. More than 22,000 Hot Beef Sundaes were served that first year, and two decades later, the Hot Beef Sundae remains a staple at the Beef Quarters, with approximately 19,000 to 24,000 served each year.
Over the years, the Hot Beef Sundae has earned its place among the Iowa State Fair’s most celebrated foods, including being named the 2024 Best Choose Iowa Fair Food and receiving multiple Queen’s Choice Awards.
The Hot Beef Sundae has also become part of Iowa celebrations beyond the fairgrounds, making appearances at graduation parties, family gatherings and other events across the state. The dish features shredded beef and gravy served over a warm bed of mashed potatoes, sprinkled with shredded cheddar cheese and topped with a cherry tomato.
“It is the epitome of comfort food,” said Kylie Peterson, director of marketing and communications for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “Twenty years later, the Hot Beef Sundae has become a tradition that people look forward to at the Iowa State Fair and a dish that has found its way into celebrations across Iowa.”
This year, fairgoers can join in the celebration with a commemorative 20th Anniversary Hot Beef Sundae T-shirt. Each shirt purchase includes a coupon for one free Hot Beef Sundae at the Iowa State Fair. To redeem the coupon, fairgoers must wear the anniversary shirt and present the coupon during the fair, August 13-23, 2026. The limited-edition shirt offers longtime fans and first-time fairgoers a fun way to celebrate one of the fair’s most beloved food traditions.
New Ways to Enjoy Beef
While the Hot Beef Sundae remains a fan favorite, the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is bringing several new additions to the menu in 2026.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is now cooking with beef tallow and has added two new menu items: the Pastrami Burger and Breakfast Burrito Bowl.
Pastrami Burger
Features a beef patty topped with sliced pastrami, sliced American cheese and Cattlemen’s Gold sauce, all served on a bun.
Breakfast Burrito Bowl
Combines scrambled eggs, tater rounds, chopped brisket and beef sausage gravy, topped with shredded cheese.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is also putting a beef-forward twist on its breakfast menu, now featuring beef sausage gravy in place of traditional sausage gravy.
The new offerings join the Hot Beef Sundae and other beef favorites, giving fairgoers even more ways to enjoy beef throughout the day.
Visit the Cattlemen's Beef Quarters
The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters is located west of the Cattle Barn, directly north of the Horse Barn and east of the Walnut Center.
The Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters will be open August 13-23, 2026, during the Iowa State Fair, with hours from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
For more information about the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters, visit Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters website or follow the Cattlemen’s Beef Quarters on Facebook.