The annual competition for the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin has been whittled down from 40 restaurants to just five finalists across the state, showcasing the best of Iowa’s beloved, hand-breaded delicacy!
The top five restaurants still in the running for the coveted title this year, listed alphabetically, are:
• Bronson Bar - Bronson
• Dairy Sweet - Dunlap
• Ruby’s Pub and Grill - Stuart
• The Blind Pig - Monticello
• The Market at the Tap - Monticello
“There were 532 restaurants nominated for our 22nd annual contest, which goes to show that Iowans love their breaded pork tenderloins,” said Kelsey Sutter, marketing and programs director for IPPA. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that Iowa has no shortage of these hand-breaded favorites.”
To win the “Iowa’s Best Breaded Tenderloin” title, a restaurant must offer the sandwich on their menu year-round. Seasonal eateries, caterers, concession stands, and food trucks are not eligible. While the style of tenderloin can vary, the pork must be hand-breaded or battered to qualify!
This summer, judging commenced for the top 40 restaurants, selected from public nominations. The list featured the five restaurants with the most nominations in each of IPPA’s eight districts, ensuring statewide representation.
IPPA members and industry affiliates visited these locations anonymously, evaluating the tenderloins on pork taste, quality, physical characteristics, and presentation. After reviewing all 40 evaluations, IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee chose five finalists to move on to the next round. A panel of three judges was then appointed to visit each finalist and determine the first and second place winners.
The winning restaurant and runner-up will be announced later in October, during a month-long celebration of pork called Porktober, or national pork month. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque from IPPA, while the winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque, a banner, and statewide publicity—which has been known to send pork tenderloin sales hog wild!
Winners from the past five years:
• 2023 – Cliff’s Place, Manning
• 2022 — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
• 2021 — Victoria Station, Harlan (closed)
• 2020 — PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg
• 2019 — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton
If you can’t make it to one of these restaurants, no worries! You can try your hand at making a Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich at home with our recipe and how-to video available here.
