Twisted Tenderloin Trail

Expiration: 365 days after purchase


Included Venues

See locations on an interactive map.

5th Quarter Bar & Grill

Home of crispy, golden pork tenderloins, homemade onion rings, and a hometown connection to baseball legend Bob Feller.

Twisted Tenderloin: Crispy, golden pork tenderloin strips - Strips served with dipping sauces, fries, and an ice-cold Twisted Tea. Eat it. Dip it. Twist it. Repeat.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Famous for homemade tenderloins and onion rings.

  2. Hometown of baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller, “The Heater from Van Meter.”

  3. Voted a Top 5 Tenderloin in Iowa in 2022.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Bob Feller Hometown Exhibit

  • Badger Creek State Recreation Area

  • Trindle Park

  • Iowa Veterans Cemetery

  • Raccoon River Valley Trail

  • Wills Family Orchard

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AJ's Saloon

Small-town saloon serving big flavors, cold drinks, hometown favorites, good times, and friendly hospitality.

Twisted Tenderloin: The Porker – Grilled tenderloin topped with cheese, bacon, grilled onions, and BBQ sauce.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Homemade pies, usually fresh Thursdays (they go fast!).

  2. Near Dutchman’s Store, the local Mennonite shopping destination in Cantril.

  3. Great Midwest hunting and visitors from all over!

Nearby Attractions:

  • Fox River Wildlife Management Area

  • Dutchman’s Store

  • Historic Bentonsport

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Bents Smokehouse & Pub

Family-friendly spot with a fun atmosphere, great food, and something for everyone.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Boss Hog – Tenderloin pizza topped with a small breaded tenderloin, ham, bacon, and pulled pork.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Home to a local Freedom Rock.

  2. Named a Top 5 Tenderloin in Iowa in 2020.

  3. Homemade salads, hand-cut steaks and chops, burgers, and grilled tenderloins.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Wartburg College Campus

  • Waterloo/Cedar Falls Metro Area

  • George Wyth State Park

  • Cedar Bend County Park

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Buffalo Joe's Roadhouse

Rustic roadways, scenic byways, and memorable experiences make every visit part of the journey.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Havana Pork Tenderloin – Served on a brioche bun with spicy pickle fries.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Featured on PBS Road Trip Iowa.

  2. Featured on the Food Network.

  3. Located along Iowa’s scenic byways.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Fowler Forest Preserve

  • Southwood Conservation Area

  • Loess Hills Scenic Byway

  • Preparation Canyon State Park

  • Historical Pioneer Log Cabin

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Friend's Hide-A-Way

Family-owned, small-town restaurant serving homemade favorites with friendly hospitality and a welcoming, community-oriented atmosphere.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Tenderloin Chef Salad – A fresh, hearty salad topped with croutons, boiled eggs, tomatoes, cheese, and honey mustard.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Named the #2 Breaded Pork Tenderloin in Iowa in 2026.

  2. Enjoy a hand-breaded, gluten-free pork tenderloin.

  3. Known for homemade soups and delicious daily and weekly specials.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Trailhead Park

  • Junge Produce

  • Iowa Welcome Center

  • Loess Hills Scenic Byway

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Hometown Heroes

Hometown pride, award-winning tenderloins, legendary burgers, incredible wings, and nonstop sports action.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Triple Threat – Hand-breaded tenderloin topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, bacon, American cheese, pickles, and fried onions on grilled sourdough.

Unique Experiences:

  1. 2025 Winner of Iowa’s Best Tenderloin contest.

  2. Exceptional wings and phenomenal Hawkeye or Cyclone burgers.

  3. Unique cocktail menu featuring specialty Mules.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Grinnell College Campus & Faulconer Gallery

  • Louis Sullivan Jewel Box

  • Downtown Grinnell

  • Rock Creek State Park

  • Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve

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Lucile's at The Continental

Dine in a historic 1866 hotel featuring charming porch seating, a hidden garden patio, and views of Centerville’s courthouse square.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Hawaiian Tenderloin – Hand-breaded, golden-fried tenderloin topped with Jack Daniel’s glaze, Pepper Jack cheese, and grilled pineapple.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Historic hotel dating back to 1866, still offering overnight stays overlooking the courthouse square.

  2. Enjoy outdoor dining on the front porch or hidden garden patio.

  3. Visit nearby Lake Rathbun, known as “Iowa’s Ocean.”

Nearby Attractions:

  • Historic Centerville Square

  • Appanoose County Historical & Coal Mining Museum

  • Sharon Bluffs State Park

  • Lelah Bradley Park & Reserve

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Machine Shed Restaurant

Dedicated to American farmers, serving scratch-made meals with Midwest hospitality for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Nashville Hot Pork Tenderloin – Hand-breaded and fried, topped with fried pickles, dill pickle ranch, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Daily fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, pies, apple dumplings, and homemade bakery treats.

  2. Family-friendly farm experience with antique tractors, farm displays, photo opportunities, and farm-to-table meals.

  3. Gift shops featuring Iowa products, kitchen essentials, gifts, and seasonal décor.

  4. Urbandale location features a chicken coop, garden, pond, and apple orchard at Living History Farms.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Living History Farms

  • Iowa Orchard & Pie Bakery

  • Clive Greenbelt Trail

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Machine Shed Restaurant Davenport

Dedicated to American farmers, serving scratch-made meals with Midwest hospitality for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Nashville Hot Pork Tenderloin – Hand-breaded and fried, topped with fried pickles, dill pickle ranch, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted bun.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Daily fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, pies, apple dumplings, and homemade bakery treats.

  2. Family-friendly farm experience with antique tractors, farm displays, photo opportunities, and farm-to-table meals.

  3. Gift shops featuring Iowa products, kitchen essentials, gifts, and seasonal décor.

  4. Urbandale location features a chicken coop, garden, pond, and apple orchard at Living History Farms.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Freight House Farmers Market

  • Vander Veer Botanical Park

  • Putnam Museum & Science Center

  • Modern Woodmen Park

  • Mississippi Riverfront

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Spillway

Quiet small-town bar nestled between the Mighty Mississippi River and scenic bluffs.

Twisted Tenderloin:

Tenderloin Wrap - Tenderloin, bacon, ham, cheese, onion, tomato, and lettuce wrapped in a tortilla.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Voted Iowa’s #1 Dive Bar in 2026.

  2. Named a Top 5 Tenderloin in 2023.

  3. Known as the “Horniest Bar” in Harpers Ferry, featuring 28 deer heads on the walls!

Nearby Attractions:

  • Effigy Mounds National Monument

  • Mount Hosmer Lookout & Park

  • Yellow River State Forest

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St. Olaf Tavern

Small-town business serving fresh food with a welcoming atmosphere and enjoyable outdoor patio seating.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Cordon Bleu – Mini tenderloin topped with Swiss cheese.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Known for fresh-made-daily tenderloin sandwiches.

  2. Famous for homemade onion rings.

  3. Enjoy outdoor dining on the customer-favorite patio.

Nearby Attractions:

  • River Bluffs Scenic Byway

  • Elkader

  • Marquette & McGregor

  • Pikes Peak State Park

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The HandleBar & Restaurant

Small-town dining with awesome food, exceptional customer service, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Breakfast Pork Tenderloin – Hand-battered tenderloin topped with egg, bacon, cheese, and awesome sauce.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Known for hand-battered appetizers and delicious homemade favorites.

  2. Famous prime rib that draws customers from over an hour away.

  3. Beautiful private party room for special gatherings and events.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Lu Verne City Park

  • Kossuth County

  • Algona

  • Humboldt

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The Landmark Bistro

Family-owned bistro serving nostalgic hometown favorites in a welcoming atmosphere for over 10 years.

Twisted Tenderloin:
Twisted Tenderloin Trio – Three sliders featuring jalapeño popper dip, fried pickles with pickle dip, and American cheese, bacon, onion tanglers, and BBQ sauce.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Iowa Guavain't Award-winning tenderloin and Top 10 Iowa burgers (Iowa Beef Council).

  2. Nearby Center Theatre offers affordable admission, snacks, and recently released movies.

  3. Dine at Landmark Bistro and receive a free theatre buck per guest!

Nearby Attractions:

  • Grundy Center Historic Downtown

  • Grundy Center Theatre

  • Town & Country Golf Club

  • Grundy County Heritage Museum

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The Roadhouse

Small-town sports bar serving Iowa’s top-ranked burgers, pork tenderloins, and milkshakes.

Twisted Tenderloin: Korean BBQ Pork Tenderloin -
Hand-breaded, pounded thin, and topped with house-made Korean BBQ sauce, sesame seeds, and green onions.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Enjoy classic cheeseburgers and hometown favorites.

  2. Treat yourself to a delicious, refreshing milkshake.

  3. Experience Orange City’s Dutch heritage and beautiful tulips during Tulip Festival season.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Windmill Park

  • Dutch American Heritage Museum

  • Hands Around the World

  • Woudstra Meat Market

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Wasted Grain

Family-friendly spot serving great food with a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

Twisted Tenderloin:
The Wasted Maui – Topped with Swiss cheese, pineapple salsa, and sweet chili sauce.

Unique Experiences:

  1. Voted Best Tenderloin in 2026.

  2. Fun seasonal holiday drink specials.

  3. Famous for haystacks, smash burgers, and wings.

Nearby Attractions:

  • Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway

  • Merchants Park

  • Iowa Legendary Rye Distillery

  • Swan Lake State Park

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