https://www.iowapork.org/community/contests/breaded-tenderloin-contest
Living in Omaha I guess I should go and try Sugars.
Living in Omaha I guess I should go and try Sugars.
Finalists for the 2025 Best Pork Tenderloin contest
- Thread starter Cyclones_R_GR8
- Start date
I need to go try the one at Dexfield Diner & Pub as I grew up just a few miles out of town from there. The owners have been through a lot there with fire destroying their business the other year and they've been battling insurance to get it rebuilt. I actually went home the day it burned down to help my dad with something on the farm and they were trucking in water from the nearby rural water tower because they has water supply issues that day in town so didn't realize what was going on until I pulled in and checked my phone to see that all the fire trucks I saw on the road on my way were responding to that fire.
They currently are renting another former bar in town that is for sale so they are committed to keeping their business alive in a town that has a population less than 800. The diner there has gone through a a few different owners over the years. Pretty cool they made the finalists as the boost in business should hopefully help with their rebuild effort.
They currently are renting another former bar in town that is for sale so they are committed to keeping their business alive in a town that has a population less than 800. The diner there has gone through a a few different owners over the years. Pretty cool they made the finalists as the boost in business should hopefully help with their rebuild effort.
There's a place at the main intersection in Slater that looks like a dump, but their tenderloins are wicked good. Can't recall the name of the place.
Cole's Famous Tenderloins. I drive by there all the time on the way to Ames but doesn't seem like they are open a lot. Quick Google search and their hours are pretty limited. 4-8:45p Monday-Friday 12-7pm Saturday and Sunday although I swear I have been through Slater many times over the years around then and doesn't feel like they are consistently open. I would try one there some day if I happen to catch it open and have time to stop.
The 1854 is a restaurant near me that I've already visited once, but have not tried the tenderloin so I'm excited to go back and try it. I had a pulled-pork-bacon wrap that was outstanding...everything they served was great.
It's a cool little place that's only been in business for a couple years. It's a small operation so I hope this doesn't bring them to their knees, lol
It's a cool little place that's only been in business for a couple years. It's a small operation so I hope this doesn't bring them to their knees, lol
Makes me think these lists are mostly feel good type things. How can the list be so different every year. Is there a rule if you win it one year, you can’t the next or even be in the top five?
I’ve had Lids in Waukon, they won 1st in 2022. It was ok. I’ve had way better from other places though. St. Olaf is my favorite of the ones I’ve tried.
Sasquatch Jack's (Waverly) and Bigfoot Betty's (CF) have the best. It's not close. They just don't run the campaign as hard as they used to after they first opened.
There are several that are very, very good (St Olaf, 1854, Firehouse (Eldora), Lids) but nothing touches Jack's/Betty's (same owners).
There are several that are very, very good (St Olaf, 1854, Firehouse (Eldora), Lids) but nothing touches Jack's/Betty's (same owners).
A couple of years ago Victoria Station in Harlan won (has since closed down). I tried it and wasn't impressed. Lucky Pig in Ogden won a few years before that and I thought it was very good.
Pretty sure this is just a way to promote pork throughout the state. But it's fun to try the winners if you can.
There are some great ones all around the state and so many that need to be nominated and tried.
I have helped judged these in the preliminary rounds. It's a great promotion, and a lot goes into this from Iowa Pork. I think a couple of places are great enough to be in top 5 every year, but it's good to spread it around and it really does depend on what the taste buds are of the judges each year.
There have been several great restaurants in the last 10 years that have won or placed in the top 5 that ended up closing down. Nicks in Des Moines comes to mind since I judged that one.
There are 2 tenderloins in Central Iowa that I love that I think are undervalued. Z Eatery in Indianola is really good, and Tojo's in Jamaica. Both have made the top 5 before but never won. I will suggest both to anyone in the area.
Tojo's is the biggest dive bar, but the beer is cold and food is great.
I have helped judged these in the preliminary rounds. It's a great promotion, and a lot goes into this from Iowa Pork. I think a couple of places are great enough to be in top 5 every year, but it's good to spread it around and it really does depend on what the taste buds are of the judges each year.
There have been several great restaurants in the last 10 years that have won or placed in the top 5 that ended up closing down. Nicks in Des Moines comes to mind since I judged that one.
There are 2 tenderloins in Central Iowa that I love that I think are undervalued. Z Eatery in Indianola is really good, and Tojo's in Jamaica. Both have made the top 5 before but never won. I will suggest both to anyone in the area.
Tojo's is the biggest dive bar, but the beer is cold and food is great.
It's probably just a way to help support local establishments just like the best burger contest does. It's not like they change how they make tenderloins or burgers after they win it. I think it's good for the state as it drives more business to these smaller local places when they make these lists.
Darrell's place in Hamlin was the original winner when the contest started tin 2003 and they still make a pretty tasty tenderloin. Here's a list of all the past winners. Would be interesting what % of them are still in business today.
https://www.iowapork.org/filesimages/Tenderloin contest/Tenderloin Winners List For Website NEW.pdf
Yup, Darrell's Place is always good, and they serve pie. One that was on the list previously was Twisted Tail in Beebeetown and we thought it was blah. OP mentioned Sugars in Council Bluffs. I have been there twice, it is pretty good.
It's not a feel good thing.. Iowa Pork has producers go out and nominate, and some judge. They then have a group that goes out and tries them to reach top 5. In order to win, they have to be nominated by more than 1 person I believe. So if you like a place nominate it and get a few more people to do the same. You can find info on Iowa Pork's website.
These always seem weird to me. To be considered "top" the tenderloin must be the size of dinner plate while the bun is about the size of a coffee saucer. 
The frozen ones a lot of stores use now suck. But the stores that still hand bread them are stupid good.
Got it. Same as the burger contest as well then. Just a way to promote pork and beef and the lists aren’t too serious. Just means I need to get out and try more places on my own!
