The Office in Lenox Iowa

The Office is a small bar and restaurant on the main street of Lenox in Southwestern Iowa. The sign says "Try our Famous Tenderloins", and the IPPA named them a finalist for last years Tenderloin award.

Location: 122 N. Main St in Lenox, Taylor County in Southwestern Iowa.

Directions: you take Highway 34 from Creston and turn south on the County Road with the big Lenox sign.

Online at: facebook page is HERE.

The Tenderloin: The first thing you notice is that this thing is huge. Its at least ten ounces before breading and frying. The butterfly cut and pounding had turned this into two big thick portions of pork loin with a thin area in the middle. The thick parts were juicy and the thin areas dry. The breading had a lot of seasoning salt that left a taste in my mouth. The trimming job left some hunks of fat on the edge. The overuse of the salt and the hunks of fat held this from being rated higher, its still a very good tenderloin. Served on a toasted flour dusted bun with your choice of fixings. Overall 8.5 out of ten.

Price: $6.45 for a sandwich this big its like they are giving it away.

On the menu: the names have office themes like The Secretary and include burgers and steak dinners.

Service: Its table service with one person serving all the tables when I was in.

Ambiance: The layout is odd with two storefronts and you have to walk into the dining area then into the bar to get service.

Final Thoughts: I hadn't eaten a super jumbo tenderloin as big as this in a while. The nearby Elm's Club in Creston is the local legend with the IPPA Tenderloin Award and recognition from the Iowa Beef Council for their burger. The Office in Lenox compares very well.

Susie's Kitchen in Stanton

Stanton has a sign on the road into town naming itself the "Little White City" and is the birthplace of an actress from Folgers Coffee commercials. The water tower is shaped like a coffee cup with graphics reflecting the Swedish heritage of the town. In more recent times, Stanton has become locally renowned for its Swedish-American Cafe, Susie's Kök or Susie's Kitchen serving up comfort food to travelers along Highway 34 in Southwest Iowa. Susie's Kitchen has been featured in The Iowan magazine and Roadfood among other places.

Location: 404 Broad Ave. in Stanton, Montgomery County in Southwest Iowa.


Directions: The road south from Highway 34 veers to the west and turns into Broad St, leading a visitor right in front of Susie's Kitchen.

The Tenderloin: The owner of Susie's Kitchen explained to me that the tenderloin was made by breading the loin then putting it on top of a flat grill. This is not deep fried or pan-fried like nearly every other place. As a result, the texture of the breading is free of any oil or grease. The color of the breading is a bright white with golden brown and darker marks from the grill. This breading method is clearly healthier than what most other places use. The flavor just wasn't on par with others, and the loin felt a little dry. There just isn't any grease on this whole sandwich. You will notice the butter in the toasted bun. Overall 7.5 out of ten.

Price: $7.00 with a side.

Also on the menu: There is the usual breakfast and lunch with sandwiches. The Fruit of the Forest Pie and other Swedish foods are the specialty.

The Swedish Pancake with Linggonberry Jam were something special. It felt wrong to order just one on the side. These have a fine texture and the jam brings berry flavor over the top. Highly recommended.
Service: The owner of this place was walking between the tables and a local high school aged kid was waiting tables.

Ambiance: This is a small town main street cafe with tiny Swedish designs like what is on the giant coffee pot and lots of wood paneling.


Final Thoughts: Susie's Kitchen served breakfast all day, and in Stanton "all day" means until the place closes at two in the afternoon. Plan on getting here early for the great pancakes and pies. The tenderloin will probably please people looking for a healthier version of the classic breaded pork tenderloin, because its not deep fried.