The finalists for this year Best Tenderloin were announced yesterday. Here is the press release from the Iowa Pork Producers Association:

The annual competition for the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin has been whittled down from 40 restaurants to just five finalists across the state, showcasing the best of Iowa’s beloved, hand-breaded delicacy!

The top five restaurants still in the running for the coveted title this year, listed alphabetically, are:

Bronson Bar – Bronson
Dairy Sweet – Dunlap
Ruby’s Pub and Grill – Stuart
The Blind Pig – Monticello
The Market at the Tap – Monticello
“There were 532 restaurants nominated for our 22nd annual contest, which goes to show that Iowans love their breaded pork tenderloins,” said Kelsey Sutter, marketing and programs director for IPPA. “Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that Iowa has no shortage of these hand-breaded favorites.”

To win the “Iowa’s Best Breaded Tenderloin” title, a restaurant must offer the sandwich on their menu year-round. Seasonal eateries, caterers, concession stands, and food trucks are not eligible. While the style of tenderloin can vary, the pork must be hand-breaded or battered to qualify!

This summer, judging commenced for the top 40 restaurants, selected from public nominations. The list featured the five restaurants with the most nominations in each of IPPA’s eight districts, ensuring statewide representation.

IPPA members and industry affiliates visited these locations anonymously, evaluating the tenderloins on pork taste, quality, physical characteristics, and presentation. After reviewing all 40 evaluations, IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee chose five finalists to move on to the next round. A panel of three judges was then appointed to visit each finalist and determine the first and second place winners.

The winning restaurant and runner-up will be announced later in October, during a month-long celebration of pork called Porktober, or national pork month. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque from IPPA, while the winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque, a banner, and statewide publicity—which has been known to send pork tenderloin sales hog wild!

Winners from the past five years:

2023 – Cliff’s Place, Manning
2022 — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
2021 — Victoria Station, Harlan (closed)
2020 — PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg
2019 — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton

I haven’t eaten at any of the finalists yet. In fact, I still need to eat at Cliff’s Place and Lid’s Bar & Grill. Pretty sure I’m going to knock off Cliff’s on October 12. Iowa State is on the road and doesn’t play until 7 PM. Plenty of time to get there and back. Interested parties should let me know.

Back in March I made a road trip out to Dubuque to do hike around Mines of Spain and then do the Way of the Cross at Saint Donatus. Here are some pictures I took on the road trip:

Much more to share from this road trip!