The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is probably one of the most Iowan dishes out there. Even though the sandwich is ubiquitous to the region, Iowa leads in the production of its most crucial ingredient — center-cut pork loin.
Other than that, there's not one sole recipe that is the standard of the breaded tenderloin. The meat can be servedthickor hand-pounded thin, battered or breaded with crumbs.
But one thing is clear —it needs to be crunchy.
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Variations on the pork tenderloin are available, but for the purist, only the original will do, served on a soft bun with only lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle for a little color. And for the health-conscious, some restaurants offer grilled versions. But what's the fun in that?
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► More:The search is on for Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin of 2019 and your favorite could win
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has an Iowa Tenderloin Trail you can explore. Download your passport from the website, iowapork.org/tenderloin-trail, or pick up a copy at a participating restaurant.
If you get 10 stamps on your passport within 24 months, you get a free shirt to show off the success of yourculinaryjourney. Here are the 14 restaurants of Iowa's Tenderloin Trail:
Three C’s Diner
300 9th St., Corning,Adams County
The winner of Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2018, Three C's Diner makes its sandwichesfresh daily ($6.99). For a dollar more, have it topped with onion rings.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Monday.
Contact: (641) 322-4182;Facebook
The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill
113 W. Walnut St., Ogden, Boone County
The hand-breaded tenderloin from The Lucky Pig in Ogden won the title in2014. The sandwichis topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickleand served on a toasted bun ($10). Sandwiches are served with one side.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Contact:(515) 275-9946; Facebook
Stout’s Irish Pub & Grill
2352 Valley West Court, Clinton, Clinton County
Stout's jumbo tenderloin was aTop 5 Finalist in the 2018Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest and the group pick from the Pursuing Pork Tenderloins Facebook group ($10.99).
Hours: Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.
Contact:(563) 243-0224;StoutsIrishPub.com; Facebook
Chuckie’s Famous Breaded Pork Tenderloin
Food truck based in Dewitt, Clinton County
Be sure to check Facebook for Chuckie's food truck schedule so you can track down this hand-breaded sandwich served by itself ($8.50) or with waffle fries ($10). The truck is often found at sporting events and fairs. The sandwich took second place in 2009 at the former TC's Point After.
Hours: Variable.
Contact:(563) 570-4420;ChuckiesLLC.com; Facebook
Breitbach’s Country Dining
563 Balltown Road, Sherrill, Dubuque County
This classic Iowa restaurant serves hand-battered pork tenderloins with a side of french fries, onion rings, soup or coleslaw ($11.99). Established in 1852, it's the oldest restaurant in Iowa and won Best Tenderloin in 2012.
Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
Contact:(563) 552-2220;BreitbachsCountryDining.com; Facebook
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Town House Supper Club
520 N. Adams St., Wellsburg, Grundy County
There are plenty of ways to enjoy tenderloin sandwiches in queen and kingsizes, along with a classic queen tenderloin ($5.50). The sandwich won the award for Iowa's Best in 2006.For the truly hungry, go for The Bigfoot Challenge — 3 pounds of tenderloin with all the fixings and fries.
Hours: Monday, 6-10 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 5-9 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Contact:(641) 869-3848; Facebook
Dairy Sweet
118 Iowa Ave., Dunlap, Harrison County
The pork tenderloin sandwich at Dairy Sweet in Dunlap can be ordered solo($5.95),or in a basket with fries and a drink ($8.95). The sandwich was named Iowa's Best in 2005.
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Contact:(712) 643-5116; Facebook
Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe
304 W. 2nd St., Prairie City, Jasper County
Award-winning pork tenderloin sandwiches at Goldie's in Prairie City can be made "deluxe"with lettuce, tomato and mayo ($7.01). Goldie's was Iowa's Bestwinner in 2009.
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Contact:(515) 994-3190;GoldiesIceCreamShoppe.com; Facebook
Nick’s
1106 Army Post Road,Des Moines, Polk County
Voted Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2016, you can order the queen size ($5.75) or the king ($7.75) served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on the side. There are plenty of variations here, like chili and cheese or bacon and Swiss.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Contact:(515) 777-2759;EatNicksLoins.com; Facebook
The Other Place
Eight locationsinIowa. Check their websitefor the closest.
The staff pick by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, The Other Place serves giant hand-cut tenderloins with lettuce, tomato, pickle and a side of mayo ($11). Keep the weekly specialTenderloin Tuesdayin mind — you can save a few bucks.
Hours: Variesby location.
Contact:TheOtherPlace.com
Brick Street Market and Cafe
114 Brick St. SE, Bondurant, Polk County
This restaurant is the governor’s pick and serves its fried pork tenderloin on a fresh-baked white, wheat or onion bun (a half sandwich is$6.99; full sandwich$9.99) and comes with a choice of side. The tenderloin wonsecond-best in the state in 2014. You can even buy the breading in grocery stores.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Contact: (515) 967-2220;TheBrickStreetMarket.com; Facebook
Larsen’s Catering & Pub
4206 Main St., Elk Horn, Shelby County
This little pub in Elk Horn was honored as having Iowa's Bestin 2007 for its tenderloin served with pickles and onions ($6.50).
Hours:Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and4:30-8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.
Contact:(712) 764-4052; Facebook
Gramma’s Kitchen & Checkered Flag
3408 N. Plainview Road, Walcott, Scott County
Featured on the Travel Channel, the pork tenderloin sandwich at Gramma's Kitchenis served with a choice of side ($10.99). The tenderloin was named Iowa's Best in 2011. There's even a pork tenderloin breakfast dish.
Hours: Mon-Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sunday.
Contact:(563) 284-5055;GrammasKitchenIA.com; Facebook
Belmond Drive-In
215 River Ave. S, Belmond, Wright County
Voted Iowa's Bestin 2015, Belmond Drive-In serveshand-cut and hand-breaded tenderloins with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles ($5.95).
Hours:Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Mondayand Tuesday.
Contact:(641) 444-7063; Facebook
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