In Illinois, a good pork tenderloin sandwich has one job, and that job is to hang way past the edges of its bun. These pounded, breaded, and fried cutlets are a Midwest classic, and small-town taverns around the state still take them very seriously.
The eight spots on this list range from quiet village bars to busy city taps, and each one has its own way of turning a simple pork cutlet into a reason to take a road trip. Grab a friend who likes big lunches, because you will probably need help finishing what lands on your plate.
1. Smitty’s Bar & Grill, Leonore, IL
Blink while driving through Leonore and you might miss the whole village. That would be a mistake, because this tiny LaSalle County community is home to a bar and grill that has built its name on the pork tenderloin sandwich.
Smitty’s sits at 308 Gary St, and the tenderloin is the headliner on a menu of burgers and quick comfort food. Onion rings are a natural sidekick, and there is also a salad bar if someone at the table wants a little green on the side.
The setting is casual and relaxed, with bar games and TVs for catching a game. Service tends to move quickly, which is handy if you are stopping in on a lunch break.
Families fit right in here. Smitty’s has a kids’ menu and high chairs, and it even accepts reservations, which is a nice touch for a small-town spot.
Plan your visit carefully. The kitchen is closed Mondays, open 11 AM to 8 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings are the busiest stretches, so a weekday lunch is your best bet for a quieter table. Parking is free and easy to find, both in the lot and on the street.
2. Spoonies Bar & Grill, London Mills, IL
Most menus offer one tenderloin. Spoonies offers enough versions to make choosing the hardest part of the meal.
This laid-back bar and grill at 103 S 3rd St in rural London Mills leans hard into tenderloin options. The Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich and the Hand Cut Tenderloin Sandwich are two of the standouts, and there is even an item called Share a Loin, which tells you something about portion sizes.
I like this stop for a small-town road trip in western Illinois. London Mills is a quiet river village, and a plate of tenderloin makes a fine excuse to wander through it.
Burgers and other simple bar food round out the menu, along with a salad bar and desserts. Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available.
Free wi-fi, outdoor seating, and bar games add to the easygoing setup. Reservations are accepted if you are bringing a group.
Timing matters here. Spoonies is closed Sunday and Monday, open 11 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, and 11 AM to 9 PM Wednesday through Saturday.
Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons into the evening draw the biggest crowds. Mornings earlier in the week are much calmer.
3. Schooners, Bloomington, IL
When a menu calls its sandwich “Our Famous King Tenderloin,” expectations run high. At Schooners in Bloomington, the tenderloin is huge enough to earn the royal title.
This neighborhood bar at 810 E Grove St is a longtime local favorite for generous pub grub. Along with the King Tenderloin, there is a Tenderloin Supreme, and the onion rings get nearly as much attention as the pork.
Schooners also serves the horseshoe, the open-faced sandwich piled with fries and cheese sauce that Central Illinois claims as its own. Ordering both a horseshoe and a tenderloin for the table is a very Illinois way to spend an afternoon.
Other picks include chicken tenderloin sandwiches, corn fritters, a fried chicken plank salad, and a club wrap. Burgers and classic comfort food fill in the rest.
Out back, an outdoor area with picnic tables hosts live music, which makes warm evenings especially popular. Inside, the mood stays casual, with TVs for watching sports.
Hours run 11 AM to 10 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday. Reservations are not accepted, so Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings can get busy.
For a calmer visit, try a weeknight. Kids are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs on hand.
4. Buford’s, Sadorus, IL
One tenderloin not enough? Buford’s has a stacked answer for that.
Known to many as Buford’s Pub, this casual eatery sits at 109 E Market St in Sadorus, a small village southwest of Champaign. The menu item that turns heads is the S7 Stack Giant Tenderloin, which lives up to both halves of its name.
For a more traditional plate, there is the classic Breaded Tenderloin. Smaller appetites can go for the Mini Breaded Pork Tenderloin, which is a thoughtful option for kids or for anyone saving room.
What sets Buford’s apart from the other stops on this list is breakfast. On weekends the kitchen serves brunch-style dishes like a Denver Omelette, so a morning tenderloin run is possible here.
Beyond pork, the menu stretches to burgers, a Philly cheesesteak, and Dumpster Nachos. Live music and bar games keep the weekends lively.
Hours shift through the week, so check before heading out. Buford’s is open 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM to 9 PM Friday, 7 AM to 9 PM Saturday, and 8 AM to 4 PM Sunday.
Reservations are not taken. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons are the busiest times, while midweek visits tend to be relaxed.
5. Flo’s on Pulaski, Peru, IL
Here is a road trip tip for the Illinois Valley. Pair Smitty’s in Leonore with Flo’s on Pulaski in Peru, and you can tour two LaSalle County tenderloins in one day.
Flo’s sits at 1309 Pulaski St and proudly lists “Our Famous Pork Tenderloin Sandwich” as its signature. The tenderloin is also known as a bargain, which is always welcome news for a sandwich this size.
The rest of the menu has a few surprises for a tavern. Chicken dishes and tacos share space with comfort food favorites, small plates, and desserts.
The setting is relaxed, with an onsite bar, bar games, and TVs for game days. It is an easy place to grab lunch alone or gather a group for dinner.
Flo’s is one of the few spots on this list that offers delivery, along with takeout and dine-in. A kids’ menu is available too.
The doors open early for a tavern, at 10:30 AM. Hours run until 8 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, and until 9 PM Thursday through Saturday, with Mondays closed.
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings are the busiest. Free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
6. Mikes Tavern, West Peoria, IL
Some taverns hand you a long menu. Mikes Tavern keeps it simple, and the tenderloin is the star of the show.
This casual neighborhood bar at 626 N Cedar Ave in West Peoria is known for two things above all, tenderloins and burgers. It also has a reputation for friendly staff and plenty of sports on TV.
There is no table service here, so plan to order at the bar and find a seat. That straightforward setup fits the no-frills personality of the place.
Hours are generous. Mikes is open every day from 11 AM to 2 AM, which makes it one of the easier stops on this list to work into a busy schedule.
I would save this one for a Saturday game day with friends. Saturday afternoon into the night is the busiest time, while weekday mornings are much quieter.
Outdoor seating and bar games are part of the draw. Takeout is available if you want to bring a tenderloin home, but delivery is not offered.
Prices typically run between 10 and 30 dollars per person. Reservations are not accepted, and parking is free in the lot and along the street.
7. The Victory Tap, Rockford, IL
Rockford is a long way from the Central Illinois tenderloin belt, but The Victory Tap makes a strong case that the northern part of the state knows its pork too.
This relaxed bar at 2315 Harrison Ave serves hand-breaded tenderloins, and that hands-on prep is the reason it earns a spot here. Breading by hand is the old-school way, and it shows in how seriously the kitchen treats the sandwich.
The menu wanders in fun directions after that. A Mushroom Swiss Burger, a Victory’s Maid Rite, a Dragon Philly Wrap, and crab rangoon all show up, so a group can order all over the map.
Nights here can get lively. The Victory Tap hosts karaoke and live music, and TVs keep sports fans covered.
Hours are about as flexible as it gets, from 11 AM to 2 AM every day of the week. Friday and Saturday evenings into the night are the busiest, while Sunday and Monday mornings are calm.
Delivery, takeout, and outdoor seating are all options. Reservations are not taken, but free parking is usually easy to find.
8. Country Saloon, East Peoria, IL
Pizza and tenderloin on the same order ticket is a very Peoria-area move. At Country Saloon in East Peoria, both sit at the top of the menu.
This neighborhood spot at 3415 Meadow Ave serves a Pork Tenderloin Sandwich that ranks among its most popular items. Burgers, wings, fried fish, and pizza round out a menu built for sharing.
Country Saloon has more going on after dark than most stops on this list. Live music, live performances, and dancing are part of the lineup, along with bar games and sports on TV.
It also opens early, at 10 AM every day. Closing time is 1 AM Sunday through Wednesday and 2 AM Thursday through Saturday, so late-night food is a real option here.
Tuesday and Friday evenings are the busiest times. For a quieter lunch, aim for a weekday morning or early afternoon.
Reservations are not accepted, but outdoor seating and takeout give you some flexibility. Free parking is available in the lot and on the street.
From Leonore to Rockford to East Peoria, these eight taverns prove that the Illinois tenderloin is still going strong. Pick one close to home, or map out a weekend and see which bun loses the size battle first.
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