While Iowa’s best burger was crowned this week by the state’s beef industry, Iowa’s pork producers are also searching out the state’s tastiest breaded pork tenderloin. Alison Swanson, spokeswoman for the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says the annual title is much-coveted among restaurants from Sioux City to the Quad Cities.
This is the eighth year for the contest. Last year’s top tenderloin was from Goldie’s Ice Cream Shop in Prairie City. Swanson explains how Iowans can enter their favorite restaurant in the competition, as the eateries’ owners can’t nominate themselves.
To be considered, each restaurant has to be nominated by at least three people. The nomination forms can be found in publications like Iowa Farmer Today and on the website, www.iowapork.org. Swanson tells what the judges look for in the perfect tenderloin.
She says they’re judged on taste — how the pork tastes, how the breading tastes and whether they complement each other well, and also on appearance as presentation is important.
The winning restaurant will be announced October 1st as the kickoff to Pork Month. The entry deadline is June 11th. A few days ago, the Iowa Beef Industry Council named Iowa’s best burger as being the mushroom swiss burger from the Sac County Cattle Company, a restaurant in Sac City.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City