Harper’s Public House in downtown Dysart pictured this past Monday afternoon. The restaurant, which first opened in August of 2021, boasts one of the best breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches in the state and is currently vying to be named No. 1 as part of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s 2024 Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest. PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

DYSART – For the third year running, the breaded pork tenderloin at Harper’s Public House in downtown Dysart has been designated one of the best in the state by the Iowa Pork Producers Association – a feat leading co-owner Jenna Scott to hope third time really is the charm and Harper’s will finally break out of the Top 40 to reach the coveted Top 5.

“As far as being nominated again, it’s an amazing feeling!” Scott, who owns Harper’s along with her husband Chad, told the newspaper last week Friday in a text message exchange shortly after receiving the 2024 Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest Top 40 letter. “A little restaurant on Main Street Dysart, Iowa[?] Who would have thunk it? We are humbled by the support and the recognition for the third year in a row!! Actually, every year we have been open!”

The Iowa Pork Producers hosts the annual quest to locate Iowa’s most flavorful tenderloin sandwich every summer culminating in an Oct. 1 announcement of the Top 5. After opening in August of 2021, the wildly popular Harper’s Public House has been recognized every subsequent July/August as being in the Top 40 – meaning it was one of the Top 5 most nominated tenderloins in its district (out of eight districts statewide).

“This year there were nearly 5,500 nominations which totaled 532 restaurants,” the Iowa Pork Producers wrote in Harper’s letter. “Of those, we will judge 40 delicious pork tenderloin sandwiches, including yours! You should feel very proud about being a contestant as it reflects your dedicated local fan base and their desire to share your business with the rest of the state.”

The first round of tenderloin judging took place this past summer.

Harper’s Public House’s breaded pork tenderloin pictured in October of 2022. Since the restaurant opened in late summer 2021, the restaurant’s tenderloin recipe has not changed much because, in the words of co-owner Jenna Scott, “Why fix something that’s not broken?” PHOTO BY SOREN M. PETERSON

“Our judges were looking for high quality pork characteristics such as fresh, juicy, moist, and tender (not overcooked or too thin), flavorful breading/batter that compliments instead of overpowers the pork and a pleasant eating experience which includes good service, presentation, value, cleanliness, the bun and fixings, etc.,” the Iowa Pork Producers further wrote.

Meaning, it’s not just the tenderloin that needs to impress the judges – it’s the whole restaurant package.

Not too long after opening in August of 2021, Harper’s more than doubled its seating capacity in the fall of 2022 by expanding into the building directly adjacent – providing folks from both near and far the opportunity to take part in the tenderloin craze without having to wait long (or at all) for a table.

But one thing that hasn’t changed much over the last three years, Jenna told the newspaper, is the restaurant’s tenderloin recipe.

“We have made just a couple little tweaks to our breading from when we first started,” Jenna explained, “[but] nothing earth-shattering!! We figure, why fix something that’s not broken?”

Jenna Scott pictured back in August of 2021 taking in a rare moment of calm in her newly opened bar and grill, Harper's Public House. Three years later, the restaurant’s breaded pork tenderloin has again made the Top 40 in Iowa for the third year running as part of the annual Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“I think part of what makes ours so delicious is the fact that the pork is always fresh. We cut and tenderize them IN HOUSE. So, we can control the thickness of them!! And we like people to know they are eating a pork tenderloin, not just some meat with some breading on it. The tenderloins aren’t cooked until they are ordered. So, they are as fresh as they can be!”

If Harper’s at last reaches the Top 5 echelon this year, notification will arrive in late September via a judging panel visit. The official announcement of the winners will then be made sometime around October 1.

Will 2024 be the year Harper’s serves up the best breaded pork tenderloin sandwich in Iowa? Win or lose, those who love and frequent the downtown Dysart establishment probably already feel like winners, a sentiment Jenna and Chad Scott certainly recognize.

“A SINCERE thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us and keep coming in to have some GREAT food!” the Scotts wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook page on July 22. “Here’s to hoping we can break through [to] the next level!!!”

Last year’s Top 5 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest winners included first place winner Cliff’s Place in Manning and second place winner The Roadhouse in Orange City, as well as Spillway in Harpers Ferry, Stumpy’s Bar & Grill in Duncombe, and Tojo’s Bar & Grille in Jamaica.

For a complete list of the Top 5 winners dating back to 2003, click here.

Harper’s Public House, located at 325 Main Street, is open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Refer to the restaurant’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date hours of operation.