The 10 Best Tenderloins In The Midwest Are Right Here In Iowa
By Kim Magaraci|Published February 08, 2018
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
Iowans, overall, are easy going people. We like our quiet country life, and even our cities aren’t overwhelming. We’re quick to help out a neighbor, we keep polite conversation, and generally, we make great friends. However, there’s one thing that Iowans will get heated about – our tenderloins.
Imagine my surprise when I logged on one day to see that Only In Your State’s lovely Illinois writer was claiming that The 10 Best Tenderloins In The Midwest Are Right Here In Illinois. Umm… wait a second! We know that’s not quite true, and that the best Tenderloins in the world are right here in the Hawkeye State. So, to prove it, here’s a list of the top 10 places in Iowa where you can get a tenderloin that’s out of this world.
The Grid Iron Grill is a small, unassuming sports bar in Webster City. You might not expect it, but their enormous tenderloins are perfectly crispy, flavorful and tender - making them an absolute must-try for any tenderloin fan.
Northside Cafe does tenderloins right! Forget the boring, standard stuff and try one of their specials. The Northside is a classic, served with their homemade bread, which really makes a difference. Their Jamaican is served with ham, pineapple, bell peppers and topped with tasty Jerk sauce. The Smothered has a bit of a southern twist, where the tenderloin is served with beef gravy and mushrooms. Yum! If you like it spicy, try their Cedar Bridge, with jalapeño peppers and smoked gouda cheese
Nick's in Des Moines is a landmark. They're always near the top of "Best of Iowa" lists, and the kitchen turns out over 1,000 tenderloins a week! You can order the enormous king size, or the more reasonable queen size, shown above.
There's this phenomenon in Iowa that I haven't seen elsewhere in the midwest, really. Our tiny ice cream shops are often so much more than just a place to grab a cone! In fact, Double Dip is a little shop where you can order handmade ice cream, tasty pizza, and one of the best tenderloins in Iowa.
St. Olaf Tap is known for having the largest tenderloin in Iowa. You can tell by the fact that four buns doesn't even cover it! But St. Olaf isn't just about the size - the crispiness of the breading and tenderness of the pork are hard to beat.
Buffalo Tavern is a bit of dive bar in Burlington, but all of their food is outstanding. Their Tenderloin won the #1 Tenderloin in Burlington Award in The Best of Southeast Iowa Awards, and is always at the top of the list when it comes to best tenderloin in Iowa.
AJ's Bar and Grill is another spot that serves up an enormous tenderloin! Theirs is perfectly seasoned - not too salty, not too peppery, but just right - and is more tha enough to share between two people.
Goldie's is another one of those ice cream parlors that serve up amazing tenderloins! Enjoy yours with their famous crispy onion rings, and of course, save room for dessert.
Breitbach's Country Dining is the oldest restaurant and bar in Iowa, and they've used all that time in business to perfect their tenderloin. It's unqiue in the way it's fried, but you won't find a better one anywhere. This classic Iowa landmark is worth the drive from anywhere in the state.Read more about its fascinating history right here.
Darrell's Place is easy to miss, but you won't want to pass it up! Their tenderloin might not be enormous, but that's because they don't need any gimmicks to sell their sandwich. This little spot in Hamlin knows how to make the perfect tenderloin, and you'll love every bite.
4010 1st St
Hamlin, Iowa
Did your favorite tenderloin spot make the list? If not, let us know what I missed in the comments! After all, I’m all about finding the best tenderloins in Iowa.
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