Grinnell restaurant wins best pork tenderloin title from Iowa Pork Producers Association

GRINNELL — A Poweshiek County restaurant has earned a coveted title in Iowa cuisine.

Hometown Heroes, 908 Main St. in Grinnell, was named the winner of the annual Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest on Oct. 17.

Retired chef and culinary instructor Phil Carey, a judge in the contest, praised the sports grill’s tenderloin for several qualities, calling it “the star of the show.”

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“Hometown Heroes was one of the first ones that we judged, and as we (the judging panel) left, we agreed that this one would be hard to beat,” Carey said. “The pork was tender and juicy; it was evenly pounded and well-seasoned ... It was made complete by being served hot on a toasted bun.”

The restaurant, opened in 2019, is owned by Paul and Kalyn Durr with partners Shannon and Rodd Reding. The holding restaurant group also owns Prairie Canary, a farm-to-table restaurant in Grinnell.

The concept blends “comfort food with hometown spirit” with a sandwich-forward menu and a wall inside dedicated to athletes from nearby high schools and colleges who now represent Iowa on bigger stages. Another wall is dedicated to honoring first responders, military service members and those who serve the community in various “hero” roles.

The winning restaurant has earned a $500 cash prize, plaque and banner to display their achievement.

The 1854, a restaurant in Gilbertville, was named runner-up. Other restaurants considered for the title in the top 5 were:

Qualifying competitors must be open year-round and feature hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloin as a regular menu staple. Food trucks, seasonal restaurants and catering businesses are not eligible.

After nominations, the association narrows entries down to 40 restaurants — five from each of its eight districts across the state. Then, undercover judges test each sandwich and score finalists based on meat quality, flavor, appearance and overall taste.

In 2023, more than 9,000 nominations came from 774 restaurants.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.

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