Happy National Pork Month!
Now that October has arrived, the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is kicking off National Pork Month with a BIG announcement… we now know the five finalists in Iowa’s BEST Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest for 2026!
The Top 5
Today (October 2nd), the IPPA revealed the top five restaurants that serve the best breaded pork tenderloins in the state of Iowa. Those five restaurants (in alphabetical order) are:
Friend’s Hide-A-Way via FacebookFriend’s Hide-A-Way via Facebook
Landmark Grill and Grind via FacebookLandmark Grill and Grind via Facebook
Sasquatch Jacks via FacebookSasquatch Jacks via Facebook
Tin Roost via FacebookTin Roost via Facebook
Wasted Grain Bar & Grill via FacebookWasted Grain Bar & Grill via FacebookHow it Works
Every spring, Iowans are asked to send in nominations for the local restaurants that serve their favorite breaded pork tenderloins. After the nomination period is over, the votes are tallied, and the long list of nominees is narrowed down to 40 (the top five from each of the 8 IPPA districts). Those 40 restaurants are then widdled down to just five, and a panel of judges spend the month of September traveling around to taste them all. The finalists and the winners are always announced during National Pork Month, aka “Porktober.”
The Facebook post from the IPPA doesn’t give a specific date when the 2026 winner will be revealed, it simply says that it will “be announced later this month.” You can follow their Facebook page HERE for the latest updates.
2025 Winners
If you’re wondering about last year winners, here are the top 5 restaurants chosen in 2025:
Here are photos of all of Iowa’s Best Pork Tenderloin winners (that are still open) since the contest began back in 2003:
All the Restaurants That Have Won Iowa’s Best Pork Tenderloin ContestThe Iowa Pork Producers Association has been hosting their annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest since 2003! Here are all of the winning restaurants that are still in business:
Gallery Credit: Courtlin
READ MORE: Iowa Tenderloin Named One of the Best Sandwiches in AmericaEastern Iowans Name Their Favorite Local Burger Joints
In honor International Burger Day, we asked Iowans on Facebook to share with us their favorite burger joints in Eastern Iowa. Here are some of the responses!
Gallery Credit: Courtlin
Dining and Cooking