Here are the Five Finalists for Iowa’s Top Tenderloin!

One of the food items that is synonymous with Iowa is the breaded tenderloin sandwich. They come in many different varieties, shapes, and sizes. And each year, the Iowa Pork Producers set out and find the best tenderloin sandwich in Iowa. They have officially chosen the top five for 2025.

Choosing the Best Tenderloin in Iowa

The Des Moines Register reports that the search begins in the spring, with fans nominating restaurants from all over the state of Iowa. During the summer, judges tried 40 contending tenderloins. There were five restaurants in eight districts to visit. We now have the five restaurants that received the most votes!

Here are the five finalists for Iowa's top pork tenderloin sandwich in 2025!

• The 1854 in Gilbertville
• Dexfield Diner and Pub in Redfield
• Hometown Heroes in Grinnell
• Sugar's Lounge and Diner in Council Bluffs
• Walker's in Salix

The Register reports that the winning restaurant, which will be announced in mid-October, gets $500, a plaque and banner, but more importantly, the publicity and honor of being the best tenderloin in the state of Iowa!

Who Are Some Previous Winners of the Contest?

Last year, history was made when Dairy Sweet in Dunlap, Iowa, took home the title in 2024. The Register reports that they became the first restaurant to win the award twice! The most recent winning restaurant in Eastern Iowa was back in 2020 when PraireMoon on Main in Prairieburg took home the crown.

To be considered for the contest, the restaurant must be open all year and feature the breaded pork tenderloin on the menu as a regular item, according to the Register.