Looking for a great breaded pork tenderloin sandwich? We have a list of the tops in Iowa.
Since 2003, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has named a restaurant serving the best breaded pork tenderloin in the state. That first contest named Darrell’s Place in Hamlin as the best in the state. Forty pork producers tried BPTs from 90 restaurants across the state to determine a winner.
And a tradition was born.
Since then, restaurants big and small from Elk Horn to Ogden and Creston to St. Olaf found themselves in the top five for the state, and 21 have earned the honor of being called the best.
How are the best breaded pork tenderloins judged?
To be considered, pork tenderloins must be hand-breaded or battered. The restaurant also must be open all year long and feature the breaded pork tenderloin on the menu as a regular item. That means no food trucks, concession stands, seasonal eateries, and catering businesses are eligible.
More: 5 best tenderloins in Iowa from 2023 have been announced. See which restaurants made the cut
Currently, pork producer judges make their picks based on the taste and quality of the pork, physical characteristics, and presentation to make the first cut of nominees. Then a panel of three judges head out to the five finalist restaurants to select the first- and second-place winners, announced later this month.
Which restaurants were named the best breaded pork tenderloins in the state since 2003?
Here’s a look at previous winners as well as runners up.
2023 nominees
Cliff’s Place in Manning.
Spillway Supper Club in Harpers Ferry.
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill in Duncombe.
ToJo’s Bar & Grill in Jamaica.
The Roadhouse in Orange City.
2022
First place — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
Second place — Ludlow’s Steakhouse, Corydon
Top five
Main Street Bar & Grill, Massena
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
5th Quarter Bar & Grill, Van Meter
2021
First place — Victoria Station, Harlan
Second place — Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn (2007 winner)
Top five
Stalker’s Pub, Miles
Z’s Eatery and Draught Haus, Indianola
Old Road Cafe & Bar, Emerson
2020
First place — Prairie Moon on Main, Prairieburg
Second place — Birdies, Burgers and Brews at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Graettinger
Top five
The Blind Pig, Cedar Rapids
Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom & Grill, Waverly
Bents Smokehouse & Pub, Westgate
2019
First place — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton
Second place — Stumble Inn, Bradford
Top five
Nite Hawk Bar & Grill, Slater
Big Al’s BBQ, Des Moines
West Side Family Restaurant, Grinnell
2018
First place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
Second place — Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther
Top five
The Landmark Bistro, Grundy Center
Nine & Dine, Eagle Grove
Stout’s Irish Pub & Grill, Clinton
2017
First place — Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City
Second place — Northside Cafe, Winterset (Closed)
Top five
The Buffalo Tavern, Burlington
Thirsty Carp, Lake View
Double Dip, Chariton
2016
First place — Nick’s, Des Moines (Closed)
Second place — 1901 Chop Haus, Traer
Top five
Sweet ‘n Saucy BBQ & Catering, Fairfield
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill, Duncombe
Willie’s Sports Bar Inc., Hampton
2015
First place — Belmond Drive-In, Belmond
Second place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
Top five
The Recovery Room, Ottumwa
Peru Bar & Grill, Peru
The Office, Lenox
2014
First place — The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden
Second place — Brick Street Butler Café, Bondurant
Top five
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
B & S’s 529, Carroll
Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, Princeton
Menlo Café, Menlo
2013
First place — River Rock Café, Mt. Pleasant
Second place — 209 Main, Paton
Top five
Hard Luck Café, Kalona
Doosky’s Pizza & Patio Restaurant, Hinton
Malarky’s Pub, Storm Lake
2012
First place — Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
Second place — Vinny’s BBQ, Dakota City
Top five
The Dog House, Pella (Closed)
Kelly’s Country Oven, Monticello
Antlers Bar & Grill, Clare
2011
First place — Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott
Second place — The Country House Family Restaurant, Colo (Closed)
Top five
Legal Limit Pub & Grill, Boone
The Rusty Duck, Dexter
Newton’s Paradise Cafe, Waterloo
2010
First place — Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (Closed)
Second place — Happy’s Place, Dubuque
Top five
CJ’s, Aspinwall (Closed)
Boonie’s, Earlville
The Gasthaus, Cherokee
2009
First place — Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
Second place — TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
Top five
Corner Station, Templeton
Tojo’s Bar & Grill, Jamaica
Angle Inn, Walford
2008
First place — Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
Second place — Michael’s Restaurant, Des Moines
Top five
The Palmer House, Palmer
Flatheads Bar & Grill, St. Anthony
Hillcrest Golf & Supper Club, Graettinger
2007
First place -- Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn
Second place -- Rustix Restaurant, Humboldt
Top Five: Fat Randi’s Bar & Grill, Van Meter
Junction Bar & Grill, Delta
BK’s Sports Bar & Grill, Ogden
2006
First place — The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg
Second place — The Links Restaurant & Lounge, Panora
Top five
Jo’s Bar & Grill, Searsboro
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
2005
First place — Dairy Sweet, Dunlap (under new management)
Second place — Lou’s Diner, Woodward
Top five
Mr. Bibbs Tenderloins, Des Moines
Big John’s, Bode
The Farmer’s Kitchen, Atlantic
2004 (Best Grilled Tenderloin Contest)
First place — Suburban Restaurant, Ames (out of business)
Second place — Stinky’s Bar & Grill, Aplington
Third place — Slaby’s Restaurant, Walcott
2003
First place — Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
Second place — Rookie’s Bar & Grill, North Liberty
Top five
Elm’s Club, Creston
Perry Bowl, Perry
Viking Lake, Stanton
Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find the best breaded pork tenderloins in Iowa
