• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

La Bella Vita Cucina

delicious | beautiful | Italian | inspiration

  • Home
  • About
    • Start Here!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media
      • Media
      • Featured On
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • Contact
Home » Iowa Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Iowa Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

September 26, 2011 55 Comments


 

Before I even ‘talk food’, I just want to extend a sincere, from-the-bottom-of-my-heart “thank you and grazie” to all of you (100’s of bloggers and social network friends) who wrote to me to offer me your prayers and positive thoughts for the event that took place in my life.  Although the situation hasn’t disappeared, my husband and I felt that blogging with my friends about our shared passion for cooking, gardening, and travel  . . . is really tremendous therapy for me.  I started to read your posts last week to see everything that you’ve been cooking up and I have to still say that you are all some of the best cooks on the planet!!  I will get right back to commenting very soon . . . promise!

So I’m at a point now where I’m ready to return to my community of friends!  I truly believe that all of your prayers and positive thoughts sent my way will be answered in the right way and at the right time!

.

OK . . . it’s foodie trivia time!

New York has it’s famous pizza.
Chicago has it’s deep-dish pizza and Chicago Vienna Beef hot dugs.
Buffalo, NY has hot wings.
Boston has it’s beans.
New Orleans has muffalettas.
San Francisco has it’s sour dough bread.
And the South has shrimp and grits and pimento cheese!
So how about the Midwest; what stands out besides corn on the cob, buttery corn-fed beef or the State Fair’s butter cow sculpture?

Well, hold on and I’ll tell you about something that few people outside of the Midwest know of . . . . and it was recently featured in Cook’s Country (Cooks Illustrated) magazine.  It’s the Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich.

This classic Midwestern sandwich even has it’s own web-site created by a dedicated connoisseur:  Pursuing the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, a discussion/debate on the sandwich on Chowhound, plus a blog, ! The web-site also provides a list of numerous restaurants, diners, and eateries that serve this sandwich.  There is even a DEBATE over where the sandwich originated:  Was it Iowa, Illinois, or Indiana (the three “I” states in the Midwest)?

Well, I have no idea which state it originated from, but I know that there are more hogs in Iowa than there are people, so I’m voting for Iowa as the source . . . I’m just sayin’!  No offense to any of my friends and relatives in Illinois and Indiana!  Besides Iowa doesn’t have any professional sports, so give it some credit for something besides Maytag Bleu Cheese and Amana appliances!

Many of you know that my roots are from the Midwest.  My parents’ restaurant (Italian and American food) used to have these sammies on their menu and they sold as fast as hot dogs at a baseball game.  Every summer I had to have one when we’d stop at a roadside diner half-way through our 4-hour drive to Lake Okoboji in Iowa (up at the border of Minnesota).

It was a ritual !!

And this year, for the first time during one of my annual summer visits to Iowa, I brought back some super-sized pork tenderloins for this sandwich.  It’s been a LONG time, maybe even 10 years since I’ve had one of these guys!

Now to make these huge sandwiches, there are a few rules to follow:

– It must be huge, twice the size as the bun, and hanging out all over.  “think outside the bun”  ha ha!
– It must be a tenderized piece of pork tenderloin and not some tough pork ‘chop’.
– It must be served with mustard and pickles; other condiments are OK, but not necessary (lettuce, mayo, onions, tomatoes).

So here’s a great recipe for you:

 

Iowa Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Iowa Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Ingredients

Use even amounts of each of the following (start with one cup each) . . . depending on how many tenderloins that you're breading, just make up more breading if you need to.

  • Flour
  • Super-fine crushed saltine crackers
  • Panko breadcrumbs or white cornmeal

For the wet batter

  • 1 cup whole milk (some use buttermilk)
  • 2 jumbo eggs
  • minced garlic or garlic powder (to taste, I just sprinkle it all over the milk/eggs)
  • couple shakes of paprika (some use cayenne pepper)
  • These amounts also depend upon how many tenderloins that you're marinating, just make up more batter if you need to.

Instructions

  1. Prepare the wet batter.
  2. Pour into a ceramic/glass baking pan.
  3. Place the pork tenderloins in the wet batter.
  4. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator OVERNIGHT — this really makes them tender, tender!

The next day

  1. Prepare the dry breading mixture in a large cake pan or something similar because these are BIG and need the space for the breading process.
  2. Remove tenderloins from the marinade and place in the dry breading, lightly pressing down so that the breading gets into all of the crevices of the tenderized pork.
  3. Gently flip over and repeat.

Now if you really want the real deal

  1. Dip the breaded tenderloins ONCE AGAIN in the marinade and then double-dip them again in the breading!! It may be messy, but it will really be BREADED thickly!
  2. Heat canola oil to 350 degrees. The oil MUST be hot.
  3. Deep fry in a deep cast iron pan (I use my Le Crueset) or in a deep fryer (which I don’t have).
  4. Fry for 3 minutes.
  5. Serve hot.
  6. Salt to taste.
  7. Place on buns with pickles and mustard.

Notes

  • Original Recipe Web Page on La Bella Vita Cucina: https://www.italianbellavita.com/2011/09/iowa-breaded-pork-tenderloin-sandwich/
  • This recipe is from my parents’ recipe from “The Safari” restaurant that they owned and operated in Ames, Iowa in the 60’s and 70’s before they retired. This sandwich sold out every night Roz Corieri Paige

© Roz

 

Enjoy this Midwestern treat!

This bad boy was so big, that Mr. M. and P. (meat and potatoes) split it with me!
.
 

.
.
.

Related articles across the web

  • Contest to select state’s best breaded pork tenderloin starts Friday

Previous Post: « Lemon Raspberry Cheesecake
Next Post: Tortellini in Brodo (Tortellini in Broth) A Northern Italian Classic »

Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. Lisa @ Flour Me With Love says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I am SOOO happy to see your return 🙂 and remember our thoughts and prayers are always with you!

    That sandwich looks amazing and I know my family would go nuts for it, I can’t wait to make this! Thanks for an amazing recipe!

    Reply
  2. Roz from 'la bella vita' says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I love you too, Lisa! I’ve missed you! Your friendship and those of others is what has made this blogging experience so special to me! xoxo

    Reply
  3. Mimi says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Roz,
    I’m so happy that you are back. I hope your situation improves.
    Your sandwich looks fabulous.
    Keep your head up!
    Mimi

    Reply
  4. Adrienne says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Nice to see you 🙂

    Pork sandwiches? Anything with pork is good. We just had pork carnitas. Yummy!

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    September 26, 2011 at 10:55 PM

    I’m so happy to see that you’re back and enjoying some good food! I’ve been thinking of you and hoping things are getting better. Hang in there, Roz!

    I’m from the Midwest also (Ohio) and I have had this sandwich on occasion. Never, ever has it looked this good though! Your pictures actually have me salivating:)

    Reply
  6. scrambledhenfruit says

    September 26, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    So glad to see you’re back, and hope that things get better for you soon. That sandwich looks amazing! 🙂

    Reply
  7. The Glamorous Gourmet says

    September 26, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    So glad you are back and this sandwich look insanely delicious! Something about the combination of pork, mustard & pickles – wow! My husband would go nuts for this too – thanks for sharing and I hope you are feeling better – Big Hug!!!

    Reply
  8. la vita è bella (life is beautiful) says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Ciao mia amica! What happened? I must have missed something terrible that happened. Is everything okay now? I am so so sorry!!! My thoughts & prayers are with you. Hugs!!!

    P.S.

    This recipe looks really good!!

    Reply
  9. Mindy says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    I was just thinking of you yesterday when I scrolled by your blog name in my Google reader. Glad to see you back.
    The sammy looks like heaven!

    Reply
  10. redkathy says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:12 AM

    Hi Roz,

    Happy to see you back cooking and posting these lovely recipes!

    Life is just way too short to give up the things we so enjoy. Keep looking up my friend 🙂

    Reply
  11. Foodness Gracious says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:56 AM

    Welcome back! that’s one heck of a sandwich, I could munch that down right now actually..
    Take care

    Reply
  12. Anne says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:03 AM

    Roz! My goodness. My heart skipped a beat when I saw a blog post from you in my feeder. So great that you’re back on board. I hope everything is sorted now.

    That sandwich is something else. I have pork leg steaks in the freezer and I think they may be made into these.

    Anne @ Domesblissity xx

    Reply
  13. Big Dude says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Welcome back Roz. The sandwich looks super good and I like rule 1 for all sandwiches.

    Reply
  14. Rosemary says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:08 AM

    Glad you’re feeling like blogging! Missed your stuff . . . and this recipe is proof positive.

    Reply
  15. bellini says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    I am so happy to see you back on these pages Roz. There is nothing like kitchen and blog therapy. I had a chicken version of this sandwich when I was in Ontario this summer…and to say the breast was 3 times the size of the bun is no exageration.

    Reply
  16. Leigh says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Yea!!!! You’re back. Although I don’t post recipes here, I adore your blog, and have made some of the wonderful foods on here.
    Just wanted you to know that I have been saying prayers for you. We have all missed you and are so happy you are here again xoxoxox

    Reply
  17. anniebakes says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    It’s so great to see you back to blogging! I hope your prayers will be answered and thatyou will continue down the positive path, welcome back!! Anne

    Reply
  18. Pam says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    Welcome back!! And what a way to come back…what a sandwich!!

    Reply
  19. Lisa Marie says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Hello! I’ve never commented on your gorgeous blog before, but I’ve loved your posts and recipes. Delighted to see your words again!

    Isn’t it interesting that this sandwich MUST have mustard and pickles, which [I think] is also a requirement of the Cubano? Pork, despite its versatility, seems to cry out for certain flavors.

    Have a great day. Thanks for making so many people happy!

    Reply
  20. Patti says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY! Roz is back! :o)

    Reply
  21. Gloria says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    Dear Roz Im happy to see you again, wellcome back again!! love your sandwich Roz, gloria

    Reply
  22. Gina Alfani says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Welcome back Roz!

    Reply
  23. iSavortheWeekend says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Yay!!! You’re back!! Missed you SOOO much and prayed for you every time I saw your button on my page. You’re right, blogging is therapy 🙂 <3 <3 <3

    Reply
  24. MM says

    September 27, 2011 at 1:42 PM

    Glad you are back, Roz. Missed you!

    Reply
  25. [email protected] says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Roz,
    I’ve been checking every day. So glad you are back. You were truly missed.

    Reply
  26. Marguerite says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:42 PM

    Welcome back, Roz! Hope things will get better for you, soon. That sandwich is incredible and is making my mouth water!

    Reply
  27. Rach @ This Italian Family says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Welcome back!! 🙂

    That sammie looks completely AH-MAZING!

    Reply
  28. Dzoli says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    Great to have you back..it can only get better from here:)

    Reply
  29. Kitchen Belleicious says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    First of all I am so glad you are back- for the most part. again, I have no idea what has happened but I know I love sharing the joy you get from talking about food and recipes and I for one and so exited to hear from you again. What a winner you chose to as your first back to blogging post. This sandwich is fantastic. I love breaded meat sandwiches and this tops the cake!

    Reply
  30. Suzie Ridler says

    September 28, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    It is so great to meet you! Thanks for commenting and following, right back at ya!

    That is a crazy sandwich, just up my foodie alley. Hope you enjoy the figs and I am sorry to hear you are going through some struggles. It seems to be rampant these days, I can relate. I do hope that life gets better for everyone soon. We could all use it! Until then, continue with the double battering, LOL, love it!

    Reply
  31. the food dude says

    September 28, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Wow, that’s a great looking sandwich! Great post. Oh, and I do hope everything’s fine as I was reading the earlier comments. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  32. A Feast for the Eyes says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Doesn’t it just make you warm and fuzzy by all the blog love that is out there. My blogger friends help ease my own personal pain, during some personal losses. It’s nice to see you are back. You are family.
    As for the sandwich– Holy Schnitzel! My husband is from the midwest. I’ll have to ask him about this sandwich. Better yet, I can guarantee I’ll make it. I always buy pork tenderloins, and I’m a huge fan of Cook’s Country. This isn’t low-cal, but who cares? Sometimes, ya just have to live it up. Looks crunchy and golden.

    Reply
  33. Ann says

    September 28, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    So glad you are back! This sandwich looks amazingly yummy. I just shared “my favoritie sandwich” story the other day!http://housefinally.blogspot.com/2011/09/best-sandwich-i-ever-ate.html

    Reply
  34. Tina says

    September 28, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I am so glad that you are back blogging!
    This recipe post looks delicious. I have never had this tasty sandwich and it is a nice change of pace. Well done.

    Reply
  35. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

    September 29, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    This is the best news I’ve had in a long time. You are back! I am so glad. I’ve missed you terribly. I’m so sorry I wasn’t the first one to get here to tell you so. Lots going on up my way and I haven’t been out-and-about as much as I would like.

    This sandwich is something. I’ve never seen anything like it. Would love to dive right in.

    Again Roz, so so very happy to see you back in our world. You’ve been on my mind. Hope things continue to improve and your life gets back to normal very, very soon.
    Sam

    Reply
  36. Misty says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Welcome back! I am still praying for you and happy to have more delicious recipes to try!!!

    Reply
  37. Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti says

    September 29, 2011 at 5:10 PM

    So good to see you back, Roz — You were missed! This sandwich looks so mouth watering fabulous!

    Reply
  38. [email protected] at the Crossroads says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Roz, I’m so glad you’re back! You know, no matter what happens to us, we must eat! And you’ve shared a great recipe with us. I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  39. Kristi says

    September 30, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    Glad to see you back!

    Reply
  40. Miranda says

    September 30, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Roz! Stopped by today to see what has been going on since I haven’t seen any posts lately…So glad you are back in the swing of things, I hope everything is okay!!! That is one large and in charge sammy! xoxo

    Reply
  41. cookingmisadventures says

    September 30, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    So glad you’re back, Roz! Hope things work out for you! ~ Courtney

    Reply
  42. Katherines Corner says

    September 30, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Roz I am overjoyed to see you back!!!!!!Sending big hugs and sincere wishes for a weekend filled with joy, Katherine

    Reply
  43. peachkins says

    September 30, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    I’m so glad you’re back Roz..
    ..and I’m glad you’re back with that delicious sandwich!

    Reply
  44. Miz Helen says

    September 30, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    I am so excited to see you today! Welcome back, we missed you so much and are so happy that you are back.Your sandwich looks so delicious. I know I would really love that sandwich. I still have you on my prayer list and will continue to keep you in Gods arms.
    Miz Helen

    Reply
  45. Lizzy says

    October 1, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Roz!!!! Hooray!!! I’m so glad to see a blog post from you. I hope you know how much we missed you.

    Wow, you made this perfectly! So crispy and wonderful. I know my boys would go nuts for this.

    Welcome back, my friend! xoxo

    Reply
  46. Natasha in Oz says

    October 2, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    I’m so happy to see that you are back here! We all missed you and your amazing recipes and gorgeous pictures. Welcome back!

    Best wishes and take care,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  47. Vicki V @ blestnest.blogspot.com says

    October 2, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    I am so happy to see you back online! You were missed. Pork tenderloin sammie looks awesome!

    Reply
  48. Galexi Cupcakes says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Roz,
    Welcome back. I’ve MISSED you!!!
    Jackie
    Galexi Cupcakes

    Reply
  49. Lauri in Texas says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Yeah!!!! So glad your back!!!!

    Reply
  50. Winelady Cooks says

    October 13, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    Hi Roz, So happy you are back and sharing your love of food with all of us. Sometimes we need to keep on doing things we love in order to heal.

    Thanks for sharing the sammie, it looks delicious.

    Joanne

    Reply
  51. Art By ASM says

    October 14, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Hi Rozabella! (hee hee) I am not sure what had happened, but in any case I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you a big hug your way. God Bless, Annamaria

    Reply
  52. April says

    October 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Hi Roz 🙂 I was assigned your blog for the Secret Recipe Club, and I chose this delicious sandwich to share on my blog. I love your site and the wonderful recipes you share. Here is the link to my post.

    http://angelfoodskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/10/breaded-pork-tenderloin-sandwich.html

    Reply
  53. Google says

    March 8, 2014 at 10:02 PM

    I am just no longer sure where you’re helping your data, although beneficial subject matter. My spouse and i needs to commit quite some time mastering far more and also working out a lot more. Thank you for fantastic information I had been trying to find this info for my mission.

    Reply
  54. Stella says

    June 5, 2019 at 6:58 AM

    Nice post! That pork sandwich looks yummy! Great job too on that blog.

    Reply
    • Roz says

      June 8, 2019 at 12:02 AM

      Thanks Stella! This is an oldie, but goodie! Thanks for your visit and your kind compliment! Please come back and say ‘hi’ again! Let me know if you prepare this pork tenderloin sandwich too!
      Ciao,
      Roz

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

Top Food Blog 2020

Looking for something special?

Most Popular

Pastina Chicken Soup — Italian Childhood Memories

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Chopped Salad -- Copycat Recipe is SO DELICIOUS!!

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Chopped Salad — Copycat Recipe is SO DELICIOUS!!

Classic Italian Minestrone Instant Pot

Classic Italian Minestrone Soup

Copyright © 2010 - 2021 · La Bella Vita Cucina ·