Many years ago, I lived in Iowa. Being new to town… The folks from work took me to a local Restaurant | Midtown Family Restaurants | United States to try the Iowa tradition — an enormous Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. The tenderloin was at least 2 times larger than the bun and barely fit on plate. This left a lasting impression and now whenever in Iowa I think of the wonderful sandwich.

Since I’m back in Iowa for a few weeks, I want to have another enormous Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. Talking to folks in the campground, Stumpy’s Bar and Grill located in Duncolme, Iowa has fantastic Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches. They’ve even been mentioned in new papers and TV. So, I dragged John to the Stumpy’s on a Sunday after hiking and learning…. Ooops only serves food until 1 pm and it’s brunch only. Big learning – don’t trust what the internet states. Call first.

A little about the location.. The building is owned by the American Legion and rented to Stumpy’s. The American Legion runs the bar portion and Stumpy’s the restaurant. In 2023, the American Legion wanted to end the lease to Stumpy’s because apparently Stumpy is a nice person to work with. The community got together agreed not a nice person but didn’t want to lose the restaurant. Needless to say… Stumpy’s is still around.

The building has a long history and use to be a bank and still has the safe. The interior is lined with pictures from past American Legion members.

I dragged John back to a sandwich during normal meal hours (11 to 2 pm and after 5 pm). The Pork Tenderloin sandwich large and thick. Thicker than what I had in Iowa City. The sandwich tasted but not as good as the one I had in Iowa City. Primarily due to being soo thick that the outside was very dark almost but not quite burnt. What I did love was the awesome fresh bun and stamp on bun.

Across the street was a Veterans Memorial.