My food adventures really don’t concentrate on tenderloins enough. I don’t know that will change, but it probably should. This was the most recent tenderloin adventure I’ve had with my OG Tenderloin Buddy. The co-founder of the Tenderloin Appreciation Society. My guy and yours, Scottie D.!
But this was a poorly planed trip. Really doomed for failure. We wanted to do it on a day where Scott had it off and I wanted to do it on a Friday because I’m going to burn some PTO, it is almost always going to involve me getting a 3 day weekend. So a plan was hatched to go tenderloining on the day after New Year’s Day. But the plan quickly fell apart.
Scott is a big dreamer. His big dream since time was a double tenderloin road trip. He has proposed this several times and it has pretty much never happened. I feel very confident in saying, it has never happened. It wouldn’t happen this time.
The double tenderloin road trip was quickly paired down to a single road trip. Then the location was changed from the reigning tenderloin champ in Grinnell to the nearest finalist for best tenderloin in Redfield. Then the window was drastically reduced. We couldn’t leave until 11 because Porter had wrestling practice. We had to be back to Boone because Austin had a haircut at 2 PM. Redfield is about a 50 minute drive from Boone. So we had about an hour window in Redfield. If everything came off without a hitch.
We agreed to meet at the park and ride near the Speedway at 11 AM. I got there about 10:55. Porter showed up about 10:57. Austin showed up at 11:02. Scott showed up at 11:15. It was probably later, but I’m feel like being generous. This is Jesse Howard level of not understanding how time works.
So we finally hit the road, but as you can guess, we didn’t end up having enough time to eat the tenderloin at the Dexfield Diner in Redfield. We had to grab the food for the road and eat it on the way back to Boone.
Here are the pictures from the adventure:
Such a cool idea! Also a reminder I need to eat at that pay it forward restaurant in Cedar Rapids this year.
The good condiments.
For the road!
The tenderloin!
Onion rings!
Scott got cheese curds for his side!
They may take away our cell phone rights while driving, but they will never take away our rights to eat a tenderloin while driving! FREEDOM!!!
THE VERDICT?
No cap. This is one of the best tenderloins I’ve ever had. These are some of the best onion rings I’ve ever had. These are some of the best cheese curds I’ve ever had. I’m ready and Scott agrees to add it to the Tenderloin Pantheon. It is on the tier with Darrell’s in Hamlin. Coles in Slater (I think they are still open). Dairy Sweet in Dunlap. Prairie Moon on Main in Prairieburg. Stumble Inn in Bradford. And may they rest in peace…BK’s in Ogden and The Country House in Colo.
This tenderloin is at least 3 times better than the tenderloin that won in Grinnell. Which was a great restaurant with a mediocre tenderloin.
Will I be going back? Oh yeah! I’m 95% sure that if anybody takes me out for my birthday this year. This is where I will be choosing to go! If… I can’t wait to go back! I really want to try their fried mushrooms. You know your boy is a fiend for a good fried mushroom!
You can go to the Dexfield Diner & Pub. It is located at 1119 Thomas Street in Redfield, Iowa. It is open 11 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Saturday. From my front door it is a 54 minute drive.
Next Sunday’s food adventure will involve ice cream!