Iowa’s annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest saw a record number of nominations for 2023, and one Guthrie County eatery made it into the final five.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association says that they received more than 9,000 nominations for the 21st annual contest, with a total of 774 restaurants nominated. ToJo’s Bar and Grill in Jamaica is one of the five finalists in the contest, and the winning tenderloin will be announced during October, or Porktober, as it is National Pork Month. For restaurants to be eligible for nomination, they must be open year round and offer their pork tenderloin sandwich as a regular menu item.

The winning restaurant will receive a plaque, a banner to display, statewide publicity and $500, while the runner up will receive a plaque and $250. Winners of the contest cannot compete again for five years after the year they win. Several restaurants in the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area have taken part in the contest, making it into the top five and even the top two several times. A list of those restaurants can be found below.

2022 Top Five
Main Street Bar and Grill, Massena
5th Quarter Bar and Grill, Van Meter

2017 Runner Up
Northside Cafe, Winterset (Closed)

2014 Top Five
Menlo Cafe, Menlo

2013 Runner Up
209 Main, Paton

2011 Top Five
The Rusty Duck, Dexter

2009 Top Five
ToJo’s Bar and Grill, Jamaica

2007 Top Five
Fat Randi’s Bar and Grill, Van Meter

2006 Runner Up
The Links Restaurant and Lounge, Panora

2005 Runner Up
Lou’s Diner, Woodward

2003 Top Five
Perry Bowl, Perry