2020 Best Breaded Tenderloin Finalists Named

NWICY

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I didn't realize that there was a tenderloin war between Iowa and Indiana. Both states have a version of the sandwich, and while to the casual observer the difference between the two might appear nominal, we all know that midwesterners are sticklers for details, and people will live and die to proclaim that those details make their version superior.


Well Indiana's sucks so that solves that debate

















( full disclosure never had a Indiana tenderloin so take above statement very lightly)
 
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JM4CY

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2021finalists, two in Shelby County. Past winners right across the Shelby County line include Darrel's Place in Hamlin and the Dairy Sweet in Dunlap.
  • Larsen's Pub in Elk Horn
  • Old Road Cafe & Bar in Emerson.
  • Victoria Station in Harlan.
  • Z's Eatery and Draught Haus in Indianola.
  • Stalker's Pub in Miles.
Larsen’s is good.
 

AlaCyclone

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Well Indiana's sucks so that solves that debate

















( full disclosure never had a Indiana tenderloin so take above statement very lightly)
I have, and they (Indiana Tenderloins) suck!
Trying to be funny.
/ sarcasm
 
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BillBrasky4Cy

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I think they just rotate this award so eventually, everyone who makes pork tenderloin sandwiches in the state will get it, no matter if they're worthy or not. I had a pork tenderloin sandwich a few years ago at one of the previous winners, a place in Ogden, and it was just awful. Not a pork tenderloin like I remember when I used to live in Iowa. The ones I remember were thin and crispy and the size of a dinner plate. This was about an inch thick and chewy with some kind of mushy breading on it, not crispy at all, and not nearly the size of a dinner plate.

The thin hammered out T-Loins suck. Give me a thicker tenderized and properly breaded version all day long. The Dairy Sweet in Dunlap has set the bar for me and they won the award back in the mid to late 2000's.
 

BillBrasky4Cy

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I'll even throw a tip of the cap to HyVee. When I was in the guard out at the airport the Fluer HyVee would make them fresh for us and they were dynamite.
 
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bozclone

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The thin hammered out T-Loins suck. Give me a thicker tenderized and properly breaded version all day long. The Dairy Sweet in Dunlap has set the bar for me and they won the award back in the mid to late 2000's.

I too like the thicker tenderloins. I will have to check out the Dairy Sweet. My mom grew up in Dunlap. She would like it that they have a good tenderloin.
 

1UNI2ISU

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If you like the thicker ones, Sasquatch Jacks in Waverly has the best one I've ever had. The breading is also seasoned really well.
 
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JP4CY

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I too like the thicker tenderloins. I will have to check out the Dairy Sweet. My mom grew up in Dunlap. She would like it that they have a good tenderloin.
Nick's tenderloin in DSM has a thicker one.
 
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Bipolarcy

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The thin hammered out T-Loins suck. Give me a thicker tenderized and properly breaded version all day long. The Dairy Sweet in Dunlap has set the bar for me and they won the award back in the mid to late 2000's.

If you look up pork tenderloin sandwich on the internet, nearly every photo that pops up will be of the thin crispy type. Any other type is not a true pork tenderloin sandwich but some attempt to make one better or bigger or something. You can't beat an authentic pork tenderloin sandwich and if you think these bastardized versions are better, then you've never had a good "real" pork tenderloin sandwich. I used to co-own a restaurant in Iowa that served the real deal and it was very popular.
 

IASTATE07

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If you look up pork tenderloin sandwich on the internet, nearly every photo that pops up will be of the thin crispy type. Any other type is not a true pork tenderloin sandwich but some attempt to make one better or bigger or something. You can't beat an authentic pork tenderloin sandwich and if you think these bastardized versions are better, then you've never had a good "real" pork tenderloin sandwich. I used to co-own a restaurant in Iowa that served the real deal and it was very popular.

The tenderloin version of "coach speak".
 

BillBrasky4Cy

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If you look up pork tenderloin sandwich on the internet, nearly every photo that pops up will be of the thin crispy type. Any other type is not a true pork tenderloin sandwich but some attempt to make one better or bigger or something. You can't beat an authentic pork tenderloin sandwich and if you think these bastardized versions are better, then you've never had a good "real" pork tenderloin sandwich. I used to co-own a restaurant in Iowa that served the real deal and it was very popular.

I disagree because the whole point of a tenderloin is that the cut of pork loin has been tenderized. Just because it's a thicker cut doesn't mean it makes it any different. The "real deal" hubcaps on a bun suck and believe you me, I'm no rookie in the T-loin department.
 
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ISUTex

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Last time I was in Sully, I ate dinner at The Coffee Cup Cafe. Their tenderloin is right up there. This was a few months ago so not that long ago.
 
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NickTheGreat

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I'll even throw a tip of the cap to HyVee. When I was in the guard out at the airport the Fluer HyVee would make them fresh for us and they were dynamite.

HyVee tenderloins are my favorite. Most places are either really dry or bland. HyVee's are better than you'd think.