Taste your way around the state this summer on the Iowa Tenderloin Trail

The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is probably one of the most Iowan dishes out there. Even though the sandwich is ubiquitous to the region, Iowa leads in the production of its most crucial ingredient — center-cut pork loin.

Other than that, there's not one sole recipe that is the standard of the breaded tenderloin. The meat can be served thick or hand-pounded thin, battered or breaded with crumbs.

But one thing is clear — it needs to be crunchy.

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Variations on the pork tenderloin are available, but for the purist, only the original will do, served on a soft bun with only lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle for a little color. And for the health-conscious, some restaurants offer grilled versions. But what's the fun in that?

► More:The search is on for Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin of 2019 and your favorite could win

The Iowa Pork Producers Association has an Iowa Tenderloin Trail you can explore. Download your passport from the website, iowapork.org/tenderloin-trail, or pick up a copy at a participating restaurant.

If you get 10 stamps on your passport within 24 months, you get a free shirt to show off the success of your culinary journey. Here are the 14 restaurants of Iowa's Tenderloin Trail:

Three C’s Diner

300 9th St., Corning, Adams County

The winner of Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2018, Three C's Diner makes its sandwiches fresh daily ($6.99). For a dollar more, have it topped with onion rings.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Monday.

Contact: (641) 322-4182; Facebook

The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill

113 W. Walnut St., Ogden, Boone County

The hand-breaded tenderloin from The Lucky Pig in Ogden won the title in 2014. The sandwich is topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and served on a toasted bun ($10). Sandwiches are served with one side.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Contact: (515) 275-9946; Facebook

Stout’s Irish Pub & Grill

2352 Valley West Court, Clinton, Clinton County

Stout's jumbo tenderloin was a Top 5 Finalist in the 2018 Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest and the group pick from the Pursuing Pork Tenderloins Facebook group ($10.99).

Hours: Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.

Contact: (563) 243-0224; StoutsIrishPub.com; Facebook

Chuckie’s Famous Breaded Pork Tenderloin

Food truck based in Dewitt, Clinton County

Be sure to check Facebook for Chuckie's food truck schedule so you can track down this hand-breaded sandwich served by itself ($8.50) or with waffle fries ($10). The truck is often found at sporting events and fairs. The sandwich took second place in 2009 at the former TC's Point After.

Hours: Variable.

Contact: (563) 570-4420; ChuckiesLLC.com; Facebook

Breitbach’s Country Dining

563 Balltown Road, Sherrill, Dubuque County

This classic Iowa restaurant serves hand-battered pork tenderloins with a side of french fries, onion rings, soup or coleslaw ($11.99). Established in 1852, it's the oldest restaurant in Iowa and won Best Tenderloin in 2012.

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Contact: (563) 552-2220; BreitbachsCountryDining.com; Facebook

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Town House Supper Club

520 N. Adams St., Wellsburg, Grundy County

There are plenty of ways to enjoy tenderloin sandwiches in queen and king sizes, along with a classic queen tenderloin ($5.50). The sandwich won the award for Iowa's Best in 2006. For the truly hungry, go for The Bigfoot Challenge — 3 pounds of tenderloin with all the fixings and fries.

Hours: Monday, 6-10 a.m.; Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 5-9 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Contact: (641) 869-3848; Facebook

Dairy Sweet

118 Iowa Ave., Dunlap, Harrison County

The pork tenderloin sandwich at Dairy Sweet in Dunlap can be ordered solo ($5.95), or in a basket with fries and a drink ($8.95). The sandwich was named Iowa's Best in 2005.

Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Contact: (712) 643-5116; Facebook

Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe

304 W. 2nd St., Prairie City, Jasper County

Award-winning pork tenderloin sandwiches at Goldie's in Prairie City can be made "deluxe" with lettuce, tomato and mayo ($7.01). Goldie's was Iowa's Best winner in 2009.

Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Contact: (515) 994-3190; GoldiesIceCreamShoppe.com; Facebook

Nick’s

1106 Army Post Road, Des Moines, Polk County

Voted Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2016, you can order the queen size ($5.75) or the king ($7.75) served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle on the side. There are plenty of variations here, like chili and cheese or bacon and Swiss.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Contact: (515) 777-2759; EatNicksLoins.com; Facebook

The Other Place

Eight locations in Iowa. Check their website for the closest.

The staff pick by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, The Other Place serves giant hand-cut tenderloins with lettuce, tomato, pickle and a side of mayo ($11). Keep the weekly special Tenderloin Tuesday in mind — you can save a few bucks.

Hours: Varies by location.

Contact: TheOtherPlace.com

Brick Street Market and Cafe

114 Brick St. SE, Bondurant, Polk County

This restaurant is the governor’s pick and serves its fried pork tenderloin on a fresh-baked white, wheat or onion bun (a half sandwich is $6.99; full sandwich $9.99) and comes with a choice of side. The tenderloin won second-best in the state in 2014. You can even buy the breading in grocery stores.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Contact: (515) 967-2220; TheBrickStreetMarket.com; Facebook

Larsen’s Catering & Pub

4206 Main St., Elk Horn, Shelby County

This little pub in Elk Horn was honored as having Iowa's Best in 2007 for its tenderloin served with pickles and onions ($6.50).

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.

Contact: (712) 764-4052; Facebook

Gramma’s Kitchen & Checkered Flag

3408 N. Plainview Road, Walcott, Scott County

Featured on the Travel Channel, the pork tenderloin sandwich at Gramma's Kitchen is served with a choice of side ($10.99). The tenderloin was named Iowa's Best in 2011. There's even a pork tenderloin breakfast dish.

Hours: Mon-Saturday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., closed Sunday.

Contact: (563) 284-5055; GrammasKitchenIA.com; Facebook

Belmond Drive-In

215 River Ave. S, Belmond, Wright County

Voted Iowa's Best in 2015, Belmond Drive-In serves hand-cut and hand-breaded tenderloins with lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles ($5.95).

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.

Contact: (641) 444-7063; Facebook

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