Top tenderloins: 5 finalists named in Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has revealed the five finalists for this year’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has named the five finalists for its annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest.
Finalists include:
Video above from last fall: Grinnell restaurant celebrates winning state’s best tenderloin
“Every restaurant on this list has earned its place, but judging a great tenderloin comes down to more than size,” Greg Carlson, a contest judge and retired pork producer, said in a news release. “We look for pork that’s tender and flavorful, with breading that complements it. As a former producer, it’s rewarding to see restaurants put so much care into a sandwich Iowans love.”
Hometown Heroes in Grinnell won last year’s contest. The tenderloin on its menu is cut thick and breaded lightly, served on a brioche bun with all the toppings.
The sandwich has been a staple at Hometown Heroes since the restaurant opened in 2019, but its recent recognition has brought a surge of customers eager to try the award-winning dish. “It’s as big as your hand,” executive chef Paul Durr said, describing the generous portion size.
Now, a panel of three judges will visit each finalist to determine the winner, which will be announced in mid-October.
The winner will receive $500, a plaque, a banner, statewide publicity, and bragging rights that often send tenderloin sales soaring. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque, while others in the top five will receive a commemorative plaque. Nominators of the winning restaurant will be entered into a random drawing for $100.
Iowa’s Best Tenderloin Contest winners2003: Darrell’s Place, Hamlin2004: Suburban Restaurant, Ames (permanently closed)2005: Dairy Sweet, Dunlap2006: The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg (permanently closed)2007: Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn2008: Augusta Restaurant, Oxford (permanently closed)2009: Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City2010: Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (permanently closed)2011: Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott2012: Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown2013: River Rock Café, Mt. Pleasant (permanently closed)2014: The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden2015: Belmond Drive-In, Belmond2016: Nick’s, Des Moines (permanently closed)2017: Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City2018: Three C’s Diner, Corning2019: The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton2020: PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg2021: Victoria Station, Harlan (permanently closed)2022: Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon2023: Cliff’s Place, Manning2024: Dairy Sweet, Dunlap2025: Hometown Heroes, Grinnell
Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association
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