When it comes to tenderloins, Iowa does them best. You’ll find the best tenderloins in the Midwest here, and our small town restaurants and cafes are constantly recognized with awards and accolades. Not all tenderloins are created equal, though, and the handful listed below are the most unique and biggest tenderloins in Iowa. How many have you had?
- Goldie’s Ice Cream Shop, Prairie City
Google Local / Gregory Wieczorek
Facebook / Goldie’s Prairie City Goldie’s is known for their tasty tenderloins any time of year, but right now, they’ve got a Pizza Tenderloin on special! Visit before it’s gone for good - because this tasty treat combines two of Iowa’s favorite foods.Address: 8578, 304 W 2nd St., Prairie City, IA 50228
- Bent’s Smokehouse, Westgate
Facebook / Bent’s Smokehouse
Facebook / Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches Bents Smokehouse in Westgate makes an enormous tenderloin - it’s seriously the size of a pizza! They don’t skimp on flavor, either - this juicy and crispy tenderloin is one of the best you’ll get to try.Address: 100 Main St., Westgate, IA 50681
- AJ’s Bar and Grill, Mount Sterling
Facebook / AJ’s Bar and Grill
Facebook / AJ’s Taproom and Grill AJ’s Bar and Grill is located in a tiny town and kind of hard to find - you might have to follow your nose! This lively grill is a favorite stop for bikers who bring their huge appetites to try and tackle one of the largest tenderloins in Iowa.Address: 101 Elm St., Mount Sterling, IA 52573
- Northside Cafe, Winterset
Facebook / Northside Cafe
Facebook / Northside Cafe Northside Cafe is a gem of a restaurant in the town of Winterset. While their classic tenderloin is always delicious, you’ll want to try one of their specials. From a spicy jalapeno-gouda ’loin to one kicked up with cajun spices and sauces, these unique tenderloins are ridiculously delicious.Address: 61 E Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273
- The Barnyard Xpress Food Truck, Chillicothe Surrounding Area
Facebook / Barnyard Tenderloin Xpress
Facebook / Barnyard Tenderloin Xpress The Barnyard Xpress Tenderloin Truck is always a hit when it comes to tracking down interesting tenderloins. You can enjoy their award-winning classic, or you can try a taco tenderloin, a philly cheese-loin, or whatever is on special when you track them down! Find the truck here.
- St. Olaf Tap
Facebook / St Olaf Tap
Facebook / St. Olafs Tap St Olaf’s Tap is another tavern in the middle of nowhere that’s always got a crowd. If you’re looking to conquer their largest tenderloin, you might want to bring a HUGE appetite… and a couple of friends.Address: 106 S Main St., St Olaf, IA 52072
- Newton’s Cafe, Waterloo
Google Local / Michelle Clark
Google Local / Shane Johansen Newton’s in Waterloo makes amazing food all-around, but their gigantic tenderloin is a crowd favorite. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that it’s larger than the plate… you’ll wish you could finish it all!Address: 128 E. 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50703
- The Blind Pig,
Google Local / AMP
Google Local / Matthew Strauser The Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids serves up on of the tastiest tenderloins in Iowa - and it’s gigantic. Plan to bring home some leftovers, because you won’t want to waste a single bite of this famous juicy pork. Address: 3325 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
- Butch’s River Rock Cafe, Mt. Pleasant
Tripadvisor / 573dk9999
Google Local / William Whitehurst Butch’s River Rock Cafe is one of Iowa’s most famous restaurants, and their tenderloin is one reason they always draw a crowd. This off-the-beaten path cabin restaurant is worth tracking down so you can taste the tenderloin that people talk about around the country.Address: 1529 253rd St., Mt Pleasant, IA 52641
Which of these tenderloin legends is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Google Local / Gregory Wieczorek
Facebook / Goldie’s Prairie City
Goldie’s is known for their tasty tenderloins any time of year, but right now, they’ve got a Pizza Tenderloin on special! Visit before it’s gone for good - because this tasty treat combines two of Iowa’s favorite foods.Address: 8578, 304 W 2nd St., Prairie City, IA 50228
Facebook / Bent’s Smokehouse
Facebook / Pursuing Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Bents Smokehouse in Westgate makes an enormous tenderloin - it’s seriously the size of a pizza! They don’t skimp on flavor, either - this juicy and crispy tenderloin is one of the best you’ll get to try.Address: 100 Main St., Westgate, IA 50681
Facebook / AJ’s Bar and Grill
Facebook / AJ’s Taproom and Grill
AJ’s Bar and Grill is located in a tiny town and kind of hard to find - you might have to follow your nose! This lively grill is a favorite stop for bikers who bring their huge appetites to try and tackle one of the largest tenderloins in Iowa.Address: 101 Elm St., Mount Sterling, IA 52573
Facebook / Northside Cafe
Northside Cafe is a gem of a restaurant in the town of Winterset. While their classic tenderloin is always delicious, you’ll want to try one of their specials. From a spicy jalapeno-gouda ’loin to one kicked up with cajun spices and sauces, these unique tenderloins are ridiculously delicious.Address: 61 E Jefferson St, Winterset, IA 50273
Facebook / Barnyard Tenderloin Xpress
The Barnyard Xpress Tenderloin Truck is always a hit when it comes to tracking down interesting tenderloins. You can enjoy their award-winning classic, or you can try a taco tenderloin, a philly cheese-loin, or whatever is on special when you track them down! Find the truck here.
Facebook / St Olaf Tap
Facebook / St. Olafs Tap
St Olaf’s Tap is another tavern in the middle of nowhere that’s always got a crowd. If you’re looking to conquer their largest tenderloin, you might want to bring a HUGE appetite… and a couple of friends.Address: 106 S Main St., St Olaf, IA 52072
Google Local / Michelle Clark
Google Local / Shane Johansen
Newton’s in Waterloo makes amazing food all-around, but their gigantic tenderloin is a crowd favorite. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that it’s larger than the plate… you’ll wish you could finish it all!Address: 128 E. 4th St., Waterloo, IA 50703
Google Local / AMP
Google Local / Matthew Strauser
The Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids serves up on of the tastiest tenderloins in Iowa - and it’s gigantic. Plan to bring home some leftovers, because you won’t want to waste a single bite of this famous juicy pork. Address: 3325 Center Point Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Tripadvisor / 573dk9999
Google Local / William Whitehurst
Butch’s River Rock Cafe is one of Iowa’s most famous restaurants, and their tenderloin is one reason they always draw a crowd. This off-the-beaten path cabin restaurant is worth tracking down so you can taste the tenderloin that people talk about around the country.Address: 1529 253rd St., Mt Pleasant, IA 52641
If you can’t get enough of Iowa’s hole-in-the-wall restaurants read through this list of 11 Tiny But Mighty Restaurants Hiding In Iowa.
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