I used to think every great Indiana food story started and ended in Indianapolis, but I was way off.
The true throne of the breaded pork tenderloin sits quietly in Huntington, a small town that most travelers pass without a second glance.
Here, the tenderloin isn’t just a sandwich—it’s a rite of passage, crisped to perfection and hanging proudly over the bun like a golden badge of honor. One bite tells you everything: the crunch, the seasoning, the history. Huntington doesn’t just make great tenderloins—it defines them.
The Real Capital Revealed
Forget the big-city buzz. Huntington, Indiana wears the tenderloin crown with quiet pride, thanks to Nick’s Kitchen at 506 N. Jefferson Street. This unassuming cafe earned its place in culinary lore as the birthplace of the Hoosier breaded pork tenderloin sandwich…