It doesn’t get better than at Beggin’ for an Eggin’

Omelet is a French word for small, thin plate.

It’s also a reason why a Creston restaurant won a statewide honor.

Beggin’ for an Eggin’ won the Iowa Egg Council’s best omelet contest for 2024. Last year the restaurant, which opened in 2022, finished in the top five.

“I didn’t realize it was a contest until people nominated us,” said Ryan Elliott who co-owns the restaurant with his wife Bre.

Even not knowing he was involved, he liked the competition. According to the council, Iowa restaurants must offer omelets as a regular menu item and be open year-round with regular hours. The first round of the contest let people nominate their favorite. After the nomination round, Iowa Egg Council reviewed the restaurants with the most nominations. Nominations included pictures.

“The most liked moved on into the top five,” Ryan said.

The Iowa Egg Council used anonymous judges to try the omelets. Judges considered quality, taste, physical characteristics and overall experience. Ryan said three omelets from Beggin’ for a Eggin’ were the most popular options; cheesy chorizo, Denver and it’s all gravy. The chorizo features Mexican flavors of chorizo (a spicy sausage), tomatoes and cheese. The Denver is a classic omelet with ham, onion and bell peppers. The gravy is just that; topped with sausage gravy.

“It matters,” Bre said about the quality of ingredients to get the attention. The store’s eggs are from Southwest Iowa Egg, a regional cooperative of egg producers. Meats are from Weaver Meats in Afton.

“It’s nice to know who produces your food for you,” Bre said.

Beggin’ for an Eggin has a variety of menu items featuring eggs.

Ryan said his skills in omelets were inspired by the social media site Tik Tok two years ago.

“You can’t just let it sit,” he said about his simple rule for preparing one. “You have to be on it the whole time.”

The Elliott’s will receive a plaque, banner to hang in their store and some cash. The two are researching a national omelet contest to enter. Beggin’ for an Eggin’ is at 509 W. Taylor St.