A gum-deep crunch into a juicy, fried slice of battered pork—that’s what you’ll get if you ask an Iowan what to eat in our state. We’ll probably even buy you your first tenderloin sandwich, then proudly watch you take the first bite, waiting for the inevitable foodie grin to spread across your face. If it’s me, I’m taking you to the place once voted Iowa’s best tenderloin by USA Today: an ice cream shop nearly in the middle of nowhere.
Photos by Stephanie Frias for Only In Your State
Most of us simply call it a “tenderloin,” but it’s actually a bigger deal than that. It’s a breaded, fried, larger-than-your-face pork delight. And no matter how many new lists of Iowa’s best tenderloin come out, I am yet to be convinced any of them are better than the version at Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City. It comes slapped inside a tiny hamburger bun; its only purpose is to keep it from sliding out of your hands and onto your lap. I like mine with sliced onions and pickles, and many folks prefer it with a slice of cheese, but there are at least half a dozen ways to try it at Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe.
Related Content
The tiny town of Prairie City, a community of fewer than 2,000 residents, is just 8 miles south of Interstate 80 and 4 miles north of Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge, home to Iowa’s wild bison herd. We frequently visit on our drives between Iowa City and Des Moines, stopping to eat Iowa’s best tenderloin in-house and taking an Overload Twister on the road to enjoy while we peep at the big furry beasts just a few miles away.
Related Content
Photos by Stephanie Frias for Only In Your State
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try unique variations like The Magg or The Mingo. The latter is a jaw-busting sandwich with a sausage, mozzarella, and marinara slathered on top of Iowa’s best tenderloin. The Magg is even crazier, an Americana blend of a cheeseburger and a tenderloin smashed between one bun. If you’re craving less of a mess, I recommend the Tenderloin Strips, the core of this experience, the same giant tenderloin sans bun and sliced into finger-licking grabs.
What makes a Goldie’s tenderloin better than the rest? In my mind, mouth, and 40-plus years of Iowa expertise, it’s the perfect combo of crunchy and juicy, while never dripping in grease. It’s rare to find this level of fried perfection that doesn’t leave you reaching for a drink to relieve the dryness or for a mop to wipe the oil off your face. But half the experience of eating Iowa’s best tenderloin is in the atmosphere. Goldie’s always feels like a combo of stepping back in time and pulling up a chair in my grandma’s kitchen.
Photos by Stephanie Frias for Only In Your State
An Overload Twister is Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe’s version of a Dairy Queen Blizzard, a blended cup of ice cream with chunky ingredients. The Pineapple Upside Cake is my go-to: vanilla ice cream, cake batter, caramel, and pineapple bits. And yes, their ice cream is just as good as their tenderloin sandwich. I often think it deserves an award of its own, and no matter how stuffed you are, it’s a must to grab an Overload Twister for the road.
Seeking more Iowa foodie finds? Let Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner serve it up!
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
Dining and Cooking