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The Iowa Pork Producers Association has announced the five finalists for its annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest, narrowing the field from 40 contenders to the top five restaurants in Iowa.Finalists for this year's contest include:The 1854 in GilbertvilleDexfield Diner & Pub in RedfieldHometown Heroes in GrinnellSugar’s Lounge & Diner in Council BluffsWalker’s in SalixPeople nominate eligible restaurants, which must serve hand-breaded or hand-battered pork tenderloins year-round. Seasonal stands, caterers, and food trucks are not eligible.From the 40 top-nominated restaurants across IPPA’s eight districts, mystery diners evaluated sandwiches based on pork taste and quality, physical characteristics, presentation, and experience. IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee then selected five finalists.“Our judging process includes a point system with 100 points possible. The area of pork taste and quality is worth 50% of the total where judges are evaluating flavor, freshness, tenderness, moisture and a balance of seasoning,” said Kelsey Sutter of IPPA. “But the first rule I was taught when I took over this contest 14 years ago was there’s no such thing as a 100-point tenderloin!”Now, a panel of three judges will visit each finalist to determine the first and second place winners. The panel is comprised of a retired chef, a longtime representative of Iowa’s pork industry, and a travel food blogger.The winner will receive $500, a plaque, a banner, statewide publicity, and bragging rights that often send tenderloin sales soaring. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque, while others in the top five will receive a commemorative plaque. Nominators of the winning restaurant will be entered into a random drawing for $100.The winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 17.Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin: Dairy Sweet in Dunlap takes top prize in 2024Iowa's Best Tenderloin Contest winners2003: Darrell's Place, Hamlin2004: Suburban Restaurant, Ames (permanently closed)2005: Dairy Sweet, Dunlap2006: The Town House Supper Club, Wellsburg (permanently closed)2007: Larsen's Pub, Elk Horn2008: Augusta Restaurant, Oxford (permanently closed)2009: Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe, Prairie City2010: Buck's Bar & Grill, Mitchellville (permanently closed)2011: Gramma's Kitchen, Walcott2012: Breitbach’s Country Dining, Balltown2013: River Rock Café, Mt. Pleasant (permanently closed)2014: The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill, Ogden2015: Belmond Drive-In, Belmond2016: Nick’s, Des Moines (permanently closed)2017: Grid Iron Sports Bar and Grill, Webster City2018: Three C’s Diner, Corning2019: The Pub at the Pinicon, New Hampton2020: PrairieMoon On Main, Prairieburg2021: Victoria Station, Harlan (permanently closed)2022: Lid’s Bar & Grill, Waukon2023: Cliff's Place, Manning2024: Dairy Sweet, DunlapSource: Iowa Pork Producers Association