Iowans love their food. After all, we’ve invented some of the best dishes, and we’re home to more farms than you’d ever imagine! We take our meats seriously, and we know how to make the best food in the Midwest. Check out these dishes that we all grew up with – when was the last time you had one?
- Tenderloins
Facebook / Iowas Pork Tenderloin Sandwich Of course, a good pork tenderloin is #1 on our list! This is Iowa’s most iconic food, and everyone has a different opinion on where the best one can be found.
- Maid-Rite Sandwiches
Facebook / Taylors Maid-Rite Every Maid-Rite location does their loose-meat sandwiches differently, but they’re all tasty. The meat’s too good to be formed into a patty - but be careful, they can be messy!
- Iowa Chops
Flickr / Patrick Kuhl The best chops in the country can be found in any good Iowa steakhouse. Pair it with some tasty whipped potatoes and you’ve got the best meal for miles.
- Prime Rib
Facebook / Iowa River Power Restaurant Our Iowa corn-fed beef is a trademark of the state, and we always have an amazing selection of steaks when we dine out. Prime Rib might just be our favorite cut of beef.
- Fried Catfish
Facebook / State Fare What’s a friday night on the Mississippi without a catfish fry? From Dubuque to Davenport, you’ll find specials at every little riverfront spot.
- Dutch Letters
Flickr / Doramon Okay, maybe these should be called “dutch letter”, because I only ever see them as an “S”! These puffy pasteries are stuffed with a delicious almond filling and will satisfy any Iowan’s sweet tooth.
- Puppy Chow
Flickr / Kelly Garbato Speaking of sweet tooth… we really love our puppy chow. This
- Hamballs
Facebook / Traditions Restaurants and Bakery What, you’ve never had a hamball? Get yourself to a good Iowa diner, stat!
- AE Chip Dip
Facebook / AE Dairy Is any party complete without some AE Chip Dip? When you move out of state, this is something you’ll miss the most.
- Steak de Burgo
Flickr / Alan Light Steak de Burgo is a Des Moines dish, for the most part. It’s one of the most flavorful, juicy ways to show off our famous Iowa beef.
- Pella Bologna
Facebook / Moos BBQ Pella bologna is perfect on a burger of a breakfast sandwich! This smoky Iowa treat is something you’ll quickly fall in love with.
- Taco Pizza
Facebook / Happy Joes Taco Pizza was invented by Happy Joe’s, but many local spots have created their own version. New York may have their crispy pies and Chicago has their deep dish, but I’ll take a taco pizza over either of those, any day.
Which of these midwest dishes is your favorite? If you’re a tenderloin lover at heart, you’ll want to check out These 10 Restaurants That Serve The Best Pork Tenderloins In Iowa to be sure you’ve had the best.
Facebook / Iowas Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
Of course, a good pork tenderloin is #1 on our list! This is Iowa’s most iconic food, and everyone has a different opinion on where the best one can be found.
Facebook / Taylors Maid-Rite
Every Maid-Rite location does their loose-meat sandwiches differently, but they’re all tasty. The meat’s too good to be formed into a patty - but be careful, they can be messy!
Flickr / Patrick Kuhl
The best chops in the country can be found in any good Iowa steakhouse. Pair it with some tasty whipped potatoes and you’ve got the best meal for miles.
Facebook / Iowa River Power Restaurant
Our Iowa corn-fed beef is a trademark of the state, and we always have an amazing selection of steaks when we dine out. Prime Rib might just be our favorite cut of beef.
Facebook / State Fare
What’s a friday night on the Mississippi without a catfish fry? From Dubuque to Davenport, you’ll find specials at every little riverfront spot.
Flickr / Doramon
Okay, maybe these should be called “dutch letter”, because I only ever see them as an “S”! These puffy pasteries are stuffed with a delicious almond filling and will satisfy any Iowan’s sweet tooth.
Flickr / Kelly Garbato
Speaking of sweet tooth… we really love our puppy chow. This
Facebook / Traditions Restaurants and Bakery
What, you’ve never had a hamball? Get yourself to a good Iowa diner, stat!
Facebook / AE Dairy
Is any party complete without some AE Chip Dip? When you move out of state, this is something you’ll miss the most.
Flickr / Alan Light
Steak de Burgo is a Des Moines dish, for the most part. It’s one of the most flavorful, juicy ways to show off our famous Iowa beef.
Facebook / Moos BBQ
Pella bologna is perfect on a burger of a breakfast sandwich! This smoky Iowa treat is something you’ll quickly fall in love with.
Facebook / Happy Joes
Taco Pizza was invented by Happy Joe’s, but many local spots have created their own version. New York may have their crispy pies and Chicago has their deep dish, but I’ll take a taco pizza over either of those, any day.
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