Local Yocals farmHouse Downtown Des Moines, Iowa

I remember the old food court here was dark and had old tables and dated fixtures. There was a place serving pizza by the slice, another sold chicken, then there was a gyro spot. After the fire next door damaged this building, the area was renovated and reopened as Local Bites Food Court. The organizers went out of their way to find local vendors with new products that weren't already available in the skywalk area.

Location: 700 Locust St in the Local Bites food court below ground level.

Directions: You have to park in a ramp and take the skywalk to the Partnership Building then go down the stairs to the basement food court.

Online at: website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: This sandwich looked good from the outside with the pork loin overwhelming the little burger bun. The meat was pounded into a thin layer which could not hold any moisture. The texture of the breading had a good crunch, and had a little bit of salt or seasoning. Served on a soft whole grain bun with lettuce, onion, pickle, and ketchup. Overall 7.2 out of ten.

Price: $5.75 a la carte

Farm Fries with dipping sauce.

Farm Fries are tossed with seasoned salt and served with garlic mayo dipping sauce for $2.50

menu

Also on the menu: their specialty is the Farm Burger, and the rest of the menu changes. When I stopped in they had a lamb burger or a fried chicken sandwich.

The Farm Burger with bacon

Service: One person was taking orders while another was working the kitchen, and it was going a little slow during the lunch rush. I really don't like they way they stick everything into a brown paper bag.

Ambiance: This is a food court renovated and rebranded as Local Bites and opened this year with new vendors and long public tables. Local Yocals designed their stall to resemble a farm house kitchen with a shelf stocked with cook books and reclaimed barn wood holding up the menu.

receipt

Final Thoughts: I had visited Local Yocals at their farmers market stalls in the past and their burgers or hot dogs were always good. This is a vendor that goes out of its way to use words like "fresh", "local", "farm" or "Iowa" as often as they can on their menu. I wish their tenderloin was more memorable, and would recommend the farm burger to anyone trying this place for the first time.

Drake Diner in Des Moines, Iowa

The Drake Diner has a reputation as a place where Drake students go to eat with their families when their parents come to town for a visit. The menu graphics reinforce the family appeal of this place. The Drake Diner has a good thing going with all these Drake students and guests from the hotel next door, the place is busy and probably gets more people than any other spot in the Drake neighborhood.

Location: 1111 25th St near Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Directions: you turn south on 25th from University Ave while driving through the Drake neighborhood in Des Moines.

Online at: Website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: The tenderloin doesn't look big at first, and feels like just six or seven ounces compared to the bigger ones I've seen at other places. The breading has a great golden brown color and forms a fine thin layer but doesn't have much seasoning to it. The pork meat has a consistent texture like it was tenderized in a machine at the meat department, and the white pork loin meat was steamy and moist. This was an okay homemade tenderloin. Served with onion and pickle on a big soft toasted bun. Overall 7.3 out of ten.

Price: $9.49 with a side of accordion fries.

Also on the menu: They serve a lot of breakfasts with huge portions of eggs or pancakes or hash browns. Their lunch menu includes half pound burgers and other diner staples. Local specialties include a rarebit burger served open faced and topped with melted cheese or a deep fried cheese frenchie sandwich. Then there is a big ice cream and dessert menu.

Service: There is table service at the booths or counter service at the counter.

Ambiance: I think the building was built to resemble a classic diner from the fifties, there is a large counter area and booths and a patio area for seating. There is a lot of neon lighting.

Final Thoughts: This was a decent tenderloin at a diner famous for breakfasts and burgers. I still want to try the Rarebit burger sometime. I think I saw a plaque of recognition from the Iowa Cattlemen for their annual burger competition.

B-Bop's Burgers in Des Moines, Iowa

B-Bop's Burgers is a local chain with locations in Des Moines, the suburbs and Ames Iowa. They frequently win "Best Burger" polls in Des Moines and the chain predates the gourmet burger fad that has brought so many new burger places with high prices to the market in the past ten years. Just last year B-Bops opened its first location with indoor seating and counter for ordering on the South Side of Des Moines.

Location: 4500 Fleur Dr in the southwest side of Des Moines, Iowa.

Directions: This is just a few blocks north of the Airport on Fleur Dr.

Online at: website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: Described as "1/4 pound pork loin fritter". This had a layer of breading that was crunchy but also hard and flavorless. The tiny amount of soft meat inside was moist and grayish in color with the consistency of a sponge. Served on a sesame seed bun topped with shredded lettuce and onions mixed with ketchup, mayonnaise and tiny pickle slices. Overall 2.0 out of ten.

Price: I think the combo meal was $6.49 before tax but I didn't get the price of just the loin. I think its over three dollars by itself.

Also on the menu: The burgers from through a broiler and the fries were fresh and hot, they have a big vat holding chili.

Service: Its fast food counter service with your number called when your order is ready. Food is served in a paper bag even if you are eating inside, and you have to ask for ketchup.

Ambiance: This is a new concept built in the past year as a dine-in B-Bops and the tables are new and clean and there is outside seating too. The oldies music and a few fixtures hint at a retro diner meeting modern fast food.

Final Thoughts: This tenderloin was awful, get the burgers or the chili when you stop at B Bops Burgers. Even the chicken sandwich is noticeably better than the pork loin served here. The interior was clean and bright, the fries were hot and crispy, but don't get the tenderloin.

Victory Lane Cafe in Des Moines, Iowa

Victory Lane has a sign with a car tire, and some window lettering that reads "pizza to go", its hard to tell whats inside this place while driving past.  The full name of this place is Victory Lane Motorsports Cafe and it is in a simple building on the East side of Des Moines.

Location: 3801 Easton Blvd. in Des Moines

Directions: You get to Easton by taking University east past the fairgrounds and turning north on East 29th or Williams St.

Online at: website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: This felt like at least a half pound of pork in the sandwich. The breading was a thick layer that had little seasoning and badly needed some mustard. The pork inside was cut with the grain and not tender, and there wasn't much moisture inside. The bun was not toasted and the fixings were piled underneath. Overall this was an okay homemade bar food tenderloin. 7.2 out of ten.

Price: $7.29 with fries and a little extra for onion rings

Also on the menu: typical bar food burgers and fried stuff but with pizza and cavatelli.
I got some onion rings:

Service: This was bar service with a couple waitresses running the cafe on a busy Friday crowd when I was in.

Ambiance: The cafe is themed for watching racing and there are flatscreen televisions and racing gear everywhere. Seats are at table and at the bar, and they have a pool table.

Final Thoughts: Its been a while since I last visited a "neighborhood bar" and even longer since I've visited one on the East side of Des Moines. Most of the people here were getting the pizza or the cavatelli, and I might go with those on another visit.

Olson's Bread & Breakfast in Norwalk, Iowa

I had seen Olson's Bread & Breakfast featured on KCCI's Cruising for Comfort Food, and had driven past without realizing it served lunch. A recent facebook post on their seldom updated timeline had the message "Our landlord wants his building back, soon our last day at the restaurant will be Oct. 18." So I figured I should make it in before then.

Location: 1400 Sunset Dr in Norwalk just south of Des Moines

Directions: Taking 63rd South from West Des Moines eventually turns into Sunset Drive in Norwalk, and Olson's Bread & Breakfast is on the east side of the main drag through town.

Online at: facebook page is HERE.

The Tenderloin: This one come from the darker end of the pork loin and the meat was hot and juicy. It had been pounded out and the bits on the edges had overlapped, while some parts were thin and others thicker. The breading was a good crunchy layer with no seasoning. The homemade bun was soft and toasted warm and the butter melted into the bun gave it a rich flavor. Overall 7.8 out of ten.

Price: $7.29 with fries

Also on the menu: lunch has burgers and sandwiches but the full breakfast menu is the most popular fare here.

Service: There was one waitress and another person cooking when I was in. The limited hours last from six in the morning to two in the afternoon from Tuesday to Saturday.

Ambiance: There are few seats at a handful of tables inside, the walls are covered with decorations that remind you of breakfast.

Final thoughts: I usually don't go crazy for breakfast only places but in the past couple months I found some okay tenderloins at Julie's Homestyle Cafe in Oskaloosa and now in Olson's Bread & Breakfast. I don't know if this place is really closing or if it will find a new place soon.

Little Red Food Truck in Des Moines, Iowa

I was able to try a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich at The Spot Food Truck last year, and one from Chuckie's Iowa Tenderloin Truck at the Iowa State Fair the year before, and even earlier at the mobile unit of the Townhouse Supper Club when it came to Des Moines several years ago. The latest food truck to sell breaded pork tenderloins is the Little Red Food Truck parked downtown for this summer.

Location: They have only been around for a couple months and may move around, check their social media page to know where they will be.

Directions: You can drive downtown on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and they will probably be in the sculpture park area where the other trucks are parked.

Online at: facebook page is HERE.

The Tenderloin: This was described as pork ribeye loin meat, and the bright white meat was very juicy. Panko bread crumbs gave this sandwich a classic crunchy texture. The first problem was that the loin meat was not entirely coated in the breadcrumbs, parts were just bare meat. Another was the trim job that left hunks of fat in the loin meat that were a little too big. The panko had a little salt in the taste, so something could have been added. Served with your choice of fixins on a soft bun. Overall 7.30 out of ten.

Price: $7.00 a la carte

Also on the menu: fresh turnover pies, gourmet tacos with fish or fried flour shells, and soft drinks.

Service: Just a walk up food truck service. There were two people inside when I stopped by.

Ambiance: I found the truck when it was parked on a sidewalk across from the sculpture park.

Final Thoughts: This isn't the first food truck to try selling tenderloins in Des Moines, and there is another truck with tenderloins on the menu parked across the street. Fixings some problems with the sandwich could make this one competitive with the other tenderloins in town.

Culver's in Des Moines, Iowa

"Welcome to Delicious" is written somewhere on the menu and other places inside each Culver's franchise. The chain from Wisconsin entered the Central Iowa marked a little over ten years ago, and there are four locations in Greater Des Moines.

Location: 5941 SE 14th St in Des Moines

Directions: If you don't want to brave the traffic on SE 14th St, they have franchises all over the midwest.

Online at: website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: The shape resembles the loin shape I've become familial with over the years, with a little finger of meat sticking out at one corner. The breading is consistent, thin and crunchy, and very deeply tasteless. The white pork meat is clearly from one single cut of pork from with clearly visible grain, but it isn't tender at all and is significantly dryer than anything you can pick up from a cafe that makes the sandwich themselves. Served on a buttered toasted bun. Overall 4.0 out of ten.

Price: $7.09 for the combo but they talked me into a $0.25 upcharge for "deluxe condiments" like mayo and onion.

Also on the menu: Huge fast food menu based on butterburgers, frozen custard desserts, and diner classics like patty melt or cheese curds or even fried fish.

The "Original" Butterburger

The Original Butterburger SnackPack: this is part of their under five dollar value menu with fries and a drink. The burger gets a good seared surface from the hot grill, and that is about all I can say about it. Served with a slice of cheddar underneath.

Service: Its order at the counter and they bring the food to your table.

Ambiance: I suppose its brighter and more open than other fast food places, with booths and tables for seating.

Final Thoughts: I get asked often about the various fast food franchise tenderloins. I assume the Culver's tenderloin is exactly the same at every franchise, and I guess they would have the same supply chain for their ingredients. It really isn't special, but its gives some scale and comparison to the other tenderloins and are more widely available.

Sandy's Grill in Huxley, Iowa

My network of informants recently told me of a new roadside grill in Story County with a menu item titled the Hubcap Tenderloin. Checking out their social media accounts confirmed this was a place I needed to visit.

Location: 504 E 1st St in Huxley, just up highway 69 from Ankeny.

Directions: This is just a block east of the main drag through town between Ames and Huxley.

Online at: Website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: This is listed on the menu as Hubcap Tenderloin, and nearly everyone in the place was eating one. The white pork loin meat was thin cut and pounded into a wide disc of pork. The softness of the thin cut was exceptional, as most places with super thin loins wind up with stiff meat. The crackerlike breading was only slightly seasoned. Served on a very soft, buttered toasted roll. Overall 8.0 out of ten.

Price: $9.51 with a side of fries and a drink.

Also on the menu: Burgers and sandwiches make up most of the menu along with ice cream and desserts, and the macaroni and cheese is available as a side or main or even fried. The Wednesday special is Kumla.

Service: Its counter service with food brought to your table.

Ambiance: I would guess this building was once a Dairy Queen, there are old booths for seating. The renovation is between an old fast food grill with new paint and posters or Marilyn Monroe or James Dean on the walls.


Final Thoughts: Its always nice to find a new place in a small town so close to Des Moines. Sandy's is much better than the Dairy Queen or whatever used to be in this building, but I still don't know what Kumla is. I've now eat along Highway 210 and found good homemade tenderloins in Woodward, Madrid, Slater, and Huxley. I may need to find one in Cambridge or Maxwell now to make my trek across this road complete.

Brick St Market Cafe in Bondurant, Iowa

This new grocery store in the eastern suburb of Bondurant has an interesting story behind it. You can read about the owners of the Brick St Market by doing a google search for "Bondurant Lottery Winners". Its always nice to see people investing in their communities, and they are taking a big risk by building this grocery store here. Brick St. Market actually isn't the only restaurant in the Des Moines area where lottery winners invested their winnings into their business.

Location: 114 Brick St SE in Bondurant, just north and east of Des Moines.

Directions: Just follow Hubbell Avenue out of town until it turns into Highway 65, Brick St is just on the edge of Bondurant.

Online at: website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: The local newspaper article claims the loin meat is softened with a tenderizing machine, and specifically states there is no pounding. The result is a very thick piece of consistently soft pork. The small layer of batter-like breading has a heavy dose of seasoning salt and a touch of pepper and maybe a little bit of something else. The bun seemed to be cut by hand, and while well toasted, the top was a little smaller than the base and things like proportions and ratios are important to me. Served with your choice of LTOP, overall 8.5 out of ten.

Price: $7.99 with a side. I went with the Sidewinder Fries:

Also on the menu: The cafe has a huge menu including breakfast, ice cream, burgers, deli sandwiches and a salad bar.


Service: The service on the day I stopped in seemed to be backed up by a huge group of locals who all arrived at once and sat together and ordered the same thing.

Ambiance: This is a newly built grocery store with a cafe area that includes a counter, booths, and tables for seating. The color scheme on the store and the baskets reminds me of Culver's.


Final Thoughts: This is as close as you can get to a small town award worthy tenderloin in the Des Moines area. They seem to be selling quite a few of these.

Nick's Tenderloins Army Post Des Moines, Iowa

Nick's Tenderloins, or Townhouse Tenderloins, has been going by some different names. I don't always know the relationship to the original Townhouse Supper Club in Wellsburg, which I visited several years ago. The mobile unit was parked on Army Post Road a few years ago, in front of a Pawn Shop. It has been spotted at race tracks across Central Iowa since then. There have also been Townhouse Tenderloins location opened in Cedar Falls which I have never visited. Nicks opened on Southwest 9th St a couple years ago as Nick's Restaurant "featuring the Townhouse Tenderloin and Italian Beef". The move to Army Post has taken them to the former Tavern Pizza location.

Location: 1106 Army Post Road in Des Moines, Iowa.

Directions: Its on the south side of the road that is like the south side of Des Moines.

Online at: Facebook page is HERE.

The Tenderloin: Every place serving a Townhouse Tenderloin is giving you basically the thickest tenderloin in Iowa. I can't think of a thicker one, its tenderized white pork loin meat kept in a very thick shape. The meat is steamy and moist but not juicy. The breading is another thick layer of heavy crunch, it gets applied a little too thick in some places. Served on a warm, lightly toasted and very soft bun. Overall 8.9 out of ten.


Price: $7.25 for the King size, also available topped with ham and cheese, chili and cheese, or even in an eating challenge.

Also on the Menu: The tenderloins are the star, but there are appetizers, Italian Beef sandwiches, and pizza.

Chili Cheese Fries: These were just accordion fries topped with a bean chili and cheese sauce, nothing to write home about.

Onion Rings: These were cut thick and breaded in the same crunchy stuff as the tenderloin, tons of onion juice packed into each one. Great portion size and value.

Service: The older location had a counter, but this place has table service. There is also a tap serving beer.

Ambiance: This building was a dated family pizza place for a long time. The renovation has kept some of the dated fixtures but added beer bucket light fixtures and those tin antique-looking signs that aren't really antiques. The blank sign is still on the outside of the building, and the whole place just has a half finished feel to it. I would describe the graphics, signage, and font as unconventional.

Final Thoughts: I had put off getting to the new location for so long because the other Townhouse Tenderloin vendors outside of Wellsburg had opened and closed or didn't seem worth visiting. The new location is big, with tons of seating and a huge parking lot. This is a good addition to an area with only so many good places to eat.