Since 2003, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has named a restaurant serving the best breaded pork tenderloin in the state. That first contest named Darrell’s Place in Hamlin as the best in the state. Forty pork producers tried BPTs from 90 restaurants across the state to determine a winner.
And a tradition was born.
Since then, restaurants big and small from Elk Horn to Ogden and Creston to St. Olaf have found themselves in the top five for the state, and 23 have earned the honor of being called the best.
How are the best breaded pork tenderloins judged?
To be considered, pork tenderloins must be hand-breaded or battered. The restaurant also must be open all year long and feature the breaded pork tenderloin on the menu as a regular item. That means no food trucks, concession stands, seasonal eateries, or catering businesses are eligible.
Currently, pork producer judges make their picks based on the taste and quality of the pork, physical characteristics, and presentation to make the first cut of nominees. Then a panel of three judges heads out to the five finalist restaurants to select the first- and second-place winners, announced later this month.
Which restaurants have been named the best breaded pork tenderloins in the state since 2003?
Here’s a look at previous winners as well as runners-up.
2025 finalists
The 1854, Gilbertville
Dexfield Diner & Pub, Redfield
Hometown Heroes, Grinnell
Sugar’s Lounge & Diner, Council Bluffs
Walker’s, Salix
2024
First place — Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
Second place — Ruby’s Bar & Grill in Stuart
Bronson Bar in Bronson
Blind Pig in Monticello
The Market at the Tap in Monticello
2023
First place — Cliff’s Place in Manning
Second place — The Roadhouse in Orange City
Spillway Supper Club in Harpers Ferry
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill in Duncombe
ToJo’s Bar & Grill in Jamaica
2022
First place — Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon
Second place — Ludlow’s Steakhouse, Corydon
Main Street Bar & Grill, Massena
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
5th Quarter Bar & Grill, Van Meter
2021
First place — Victoria Station, Harlan
Second place — Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn (2007 winner)
Stalker’s Pub, Miles
Z’s Eatery and Draught Haus, Indianola
Old Road Cafe & Bar, Emerson
2020
First place — Prairie Moon on Main, Prairieburg
Second place — Birdies, Burgers and Brews at Hillcrest Golf & Country Club, Graettinger
The Blind Pig, Cedar Rapids
Sasquatch Jacks Hideaway Barroom & Grill, Waverly
Bents Smokehouse & Pub, Westgate
2019
First place — The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton
Second place — Stumble Inn, Bradford
Nite Hawk Bar & Grill, Slater
Big Al’s BBQ, Des Moines
West Side Family Restaurant, Grinnell
2018
First place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
Second place — Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew, Luther
The Landmark Bistro, Grundy Center
Nine & Dine, Eagle Grove
Stout’s Irish Pub & Grill, Clinton
2017
First place — Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City
Second place — Northside Cafe, Winterset (Closed)
The Buffalo Tavern, Burlington
Thirsty Carp, Lake View
Double Dip, Chariton
2016
First place — Nick’s, Des Moines (Closed)
Second place — 1901 Chop Haus, Traer
Sweet ‘n Saucy BBQ & Catering, Fairfield
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill, Duncombe
Willie’s Sports Bar Inc., Hampton
2015
First place — Belmond Drive-In, Belmond
Second place — Three C’s Diner, Corning
The Recovery Room, Ottumwa
Peru Bar & Grill, Peru
The Office, Lenox
2014
First place — The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden
Second place — Brick Street Butler Café, Bondurant
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
B & S’s 529, Carroll
Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, Princeton
Menlo Café, Menlo
2013
First place — River Rock Café, Mt. Pleasant
Second place — 209 Main, Paton
Hard Luck Café, Kalona
Doosky’s Pizza & Patio Restaurant, Hinton
Malarky’s Pub, Storm Lake
2012
First place — Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
Second place — Vinny’s BBQ, Dakota City
The Dog House, Pella (Closed)
Kelly’s Country Oven, Monticello
Antlers Bar & Grill, Clare
2011
First place — Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott
Second place — The Country House Family Restaurant, Colo (Closed)
Legal Limit Pub & Grill, Boone
The Rusty Duck, Dexter
Newton’s Paradise Cafe, Waterloo
2010
First place — Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (Closed)
Second place — Happy’s Place, Dubuque
CJ’s, Aspinwall (Closed)
Boonie’s, Earlville
The Gasthaus, Cherokee
2009
First place — Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
Second place — TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
Corner Station, Templeton
Tojo’s Bar & Grill, Jamaica
Angle Inn, Walford
2008
First place — Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
Second place — Michael’s Restaurant, Des Moines
The Palmer House, Palmer
Flatheads Bar & Grill, St. Anthony
Hillcrest Golf & Supper Club, Graettinger
2007
First place — Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn
Second place — Rustix Restaurant, Humboldt
Fat Randi’s Bar & Grill, Van Meter
Junction Bar & Grill, Delta
BK’s Sports Bar & Grill, Ogden
2006
First place — The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg
Second place — The Links Restaurant & Lounge, Panora
Jo’s Bar & Grill, Searsboro
TC’s Point After, De Witt (Closed)
St. Olaf Tavern, St. Olaf
2005
First place — Dairy Sweet, Dunlap (under new management)
Second place — Lou’s Diner, Woodward
Mr. Bibbs Tenderloins, Des Moines
Big John’s, Bode
The Farmer’s Kitchen, Atlantic
2004 (Best Grilled Tenderloin Contest)
First place — Suburban Restaurant, Ames (out of business)
Second place — Stinky’s Bar & Grill, Aplington
Third place — Slaby’s Restaurant, Walcott
2003
First place — Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
Second place — Rookie’s Bar & Grill, North Liberty
Elm’s Club, Creston
Perry Bowl, Perry
Viking Lake, Stanton
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Susan Stapleton is the entertainment editor and dining reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or drop her a line at sstapleton@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: See the best breaded pork tenderloin restaurants in Iowa since 2003
Reporting by Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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