I set out before sunrise, chasing the crunch and comfort of Iowa’s most beloved sandwich. Twelve stops, endless two lane roads, and a mission to find the tenderloins that truly deserve a morning alarm. Some were good, a few were great, and five made me grin before the first sip of coffee. Buckle up and bring napkins, because this ride gets gloriously crispy.
Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe – Prairie City, Iowa
Goldie’s hits you with the smell of fresh fryer oil and sweet waffle cones the moment you step inside. The tenderloin arrives like a hubcap, spilling past the bun with proud golden ridges. One bite brings a clean crunch, juicy pork, and a simple trio of pickles, mustard, and onion that keeps everything honest.
The breading is light yet clingy, never chalky, seasoned just enough to whisper pepper. I loved how the meat stayed tender without turning floppy under the crust. You will want to split it, but finishing it feels like winning a friendly small town dare.
Canteen Lunch in the Alley – Ottumwa, Iowa
This tiny alley institution usually draws me for Maid Rites, but the tenderloin deserves its own fan club. It comes pressed wide, lightly wrinkled from the fryer, with soft edges that crunch like chips. The bun is squishy diner white, built to cradle the heft without getting in the way.
Pickles, onion, and a swipe of mustard snap the richness into focus. The pork is pounded thin yet still juicy, a balance that feels like a lesson in restraint. You leave smelling like fryers and smiling anyway, already plotting the next excuse to duck down that narrow alley.
Machine Shed Restaurant Urbandale – Urbandale, Iowa
Machine Shed serves a tenderloin that feels like a farm handshake, firm and friendly. The breading is sturdy with a peppery thrum, holding up under a shower of house pickles. It stays crisp even after a few minutes of storytelling with the server, which says a lot about technique…