The belle of the pork ball has arrived, and the breaded tenderloin from Nick's in Des Moines is queen.
On Friday, the Iowa Pork Producers Association named the winner of its annual "Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin" competition. Judges decided that Nick's, on Des Moines' south side at 1106 Army Post Road, reigned supreme over 384 other Iowa businesses. It's the first time in the 14-year history of the competition that a winner has been in Des Moines.
"I’m really thrown back. I’ve wanted this award since I opened. I watch the contest every year,” owner Nick Iaria, a Des Moines native, said in a news release. “I’m really excited; this is great.”
Nick's has been known in the Des Moines area for its tenderloin sandwiches and serves 1,000 juicy cuts a week, Iaria said. Eighty percent of the sales at the restaurant are from the loin.
The tenderloin was praised by judges for its flavor and crunch.
"There is no oil flavor and you can taste the pork," Robert Anderson, executive director of the Iowa Culinary Institute and a judge, said in a news release.
RELATED: What makes a good pork tenderloin?
Iaria, a former stockbroker, machine-tenderizes pork loins each morning. Once a customer orders a sandwich, he uses a four-step process in which the tenderloin is seasoned, floured, battered, breaded and cooked in a tenderloin-only fryer. He sells a "queen"-size (6- to 7-ounce) and a "king"-size (12- to 13-ounce) version.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association is presenting Iaria with a $500 check, a plaque and a large banner at his restaurant at 11 a.m. Friday.
Coming in second was the 1901 Chop Haus in Traer. The restaurant will receive $250 and a plaque. Other finalists include Sweet 'n Saucy in Fairfield, Stumpy’s Bar and Grill in Duncombe and Willies Sports Bar in Hampton.
A total of 385 Iowa businesses received 1,982 nominations this year, and the top five restaurants with the most nominations from each of the eight IPPA districts were judged this summer on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience.
Previous winners
2015: Belmond Drive-In, Belmond
2014: Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden
2013: River Rock Café, Mount Pleasant
2012: Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
2011: Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott
2010: Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (now out of business)
2009: Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
2008: Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
2007: Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn
2006: The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg (now located in Cedar Falls)
2005: Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
2004 (best grilled tenderloin): Suburban Restaurant, Ames (now out of business)
2003: Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/14/best-pork-tenderloin-iowa/92010778/
On Friday, the Iowa Pork Producers Association named the winner of its annual "Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin" competition. Judges decided that Nick's, on Des Moines' south side at 1106 Army Post Road, reigned supreme over 384 other Iowa businesses. It's the first time in the 14-year history of the competition that a winner has been in Des Moines.
"I’m really thrown back. I’ve wanted this award since I opened. I watch the contest every year,” owner Nick Iaria, a Des Moines native, said in a news release. “I’m really excited; this is great.”
Nick's has been known in the Des Moines area for its tenderloin sandwiches and serves 1,000 juicy cuts a week, Iaria said. Eighty percent of the sales at the restaurant are from the loin.
The tenderloin was praised by judges for its flavor and crunch.
"There is no oil flavor and you can taste the pork," Robert Anderson, executive director of the Iowa Culinary Institute and a judge, said in a news release.
RELATED: What makes a good pork tenderloin?
Iaria, a former stockbroker, machine-tenderizes pork loins each morning. Once a customer orders a sandwich, he uses a four-step process in which the tenderloin is seasoned, floured, battered, breaded and cooked in a tenderloin-only fryer. He sells a "queen"-size (6- to 7-ounce) and a "king"-size (12- to 13-ounce) version.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association is presenting Iaria with a $500 check, a plaque and a large banner at his restaurant at 11 a.m. Friday.
Coming in second was the 1901 Chop Haus in Traer. The restaurant will receive $250 and a plaque. Other finalists include Sweet 'n Saucy in Fairfield, Stumpy’s Bar and Grill in Duncombe and Willies Sports Bar in Hampton.
A total of 385 Iowa businesses received 1,982 nominations this year, and the top five restaurants with the most nominations from each of the eight IPPA districts were judged this summer on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience.
Previous winners
2015: Belmond Drive-In, Belmond
2014: Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden
2013: River Rock Café, Mount Pleasant
2012: Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown
2011: Gramma’s Kitchen, Walcott
2010: Buck’s Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (now out of business)
2009: Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City
2008: Augusta Restaurant, Oxford
2007: Larsen’s Pub, Elk Horn
2006: The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg (now located in Cedar Falls)
2005: Dairy Sweet, Dunlap
2004 (best grilled tenderloin): Suburban Restaurant, Ames (now out of business)
2003: Darrell’s Place, Hamlin
http://www.press-citizen.com/story/entertainment/2016/10/14/best-pork-tenderloin-iowa/92010778/
