By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has named Heard’s BBQ and Soul Food in Maplesville a finalist in the Bama’s Best Burger contest.

Owner Roman Heard said he received an email on Aug. 25 that the Heard’s Signature Burger had been selected as a finalist.

“It was exciting,” Heard said.

He said he is thankful to all of the customers who voted for him to make it this far.

“I appreciate them loving the food and taking the time to make sure we made it to the next round,” Heard said.

Heard had been watching the Facebook voting to see how it was going. Heard’s Signature Burger received 66 percent of the votes cast in the head-to-head vote against 82 West’s Cheeseburger.

A winner will be selected in September.

To determine a final winner, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association will send out a judge to taste the burger. Heard’s will not know who or when.

On his Facebook page, Heard said he would be serving burgers more often.

The excitement has led to more customers requesting the Signature Burger, Heard said.

Each burger is made from fresh ground beef. The burger is topped with chipotle mayo, smoked cheddar, Applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and mustard.