If Hoosiers know about anything, it's giant pork tenderloin sandwiches, but one unassuming diner in Illinois may beat out the biggest tenderloin in Indiana.

The Tenderloin Sandwich

There are few things more "Hoosier" than a gigantic pork tenderloin sandwich. The sandwich is known throughout the state because of its popularity, but also because the pork tenderloin itself is often so big, that it makes the sandwich buns look comically small.

Canva/Paul Wayne Shrader

An article from Eater highlights the popularity of the tenderloin sandwich and even has this to say about Indiana's unofficial state sandwich:

The pork tenderloin sandwich is central to the state’s cultural identity. Some say it’s exactly like the people in Indiana: simple, not too showy, sometimes a little too big for its britches. Above all, it’s familiar and reliable — and to a displaced Hoosier (as I once was), it’s home.

Many Indiana eateries claim to have the biggest or the best tenderloin in the state, and while "best" is subjective to the person that is eating the tenderloin, biggest, however, can be measured, and one Illinois pub is giving the biggest tenderloins in the Hoosier state a run for their money!

A Small Pub With a Massive Tenderloin

There's a group on Facebook that is specifically for pork tenderloin enthusiasts (hey, there's something for everyone online). Recently, when scrolling Facebook I came across a post and HOLY TENDERLOIN BATMAN! This thing is a MAMMOTH piece of meat. It's so big that they serve it in an aluminum cake pan!

Paul Wayne Shrader

The post was shared by Paul Wayne Shrader who said:

This Indiana guy finally made it to Sadorus Illinois to Buford's Pub. I compare all tenderloins to the Mecca Tavern and this one is one of the very few that tastes as good. It was tender and of course huge. I only went 25 miles out of my way to try it and it was well worth it. Friendly people too.

Get our free mobile app

Buford's Pub in Illinois

I took a look at Buford's Pub, and it's a little pub on the side of a road in a small town in Illinois, but their tenderloin is anything but small.

Google Maps

When taking a look at their website, it sounds like they have their own version of a tenderloin challenge:

For those with an adventurous palate, Buford's presents the Giant Tenderloin Sandwich challenge, a test of courage and capacity that few have conquered.

I also took a look at Buford's Pub on Facebook, their popularity is as big as their tenderloin. They said in a post from February 28th that they are working on getting licensed to be able to ship their huge tenderloins.

I'm still in awe over the post on Pursuing Pork Tenderloins page. Here are some of the pictures from the page. Thank you everyone for the post!

We are in the process of building a USDA approved kitchen, that will allow us to ship nationwide, as well to sell to other restaurants. More to come.

Until then, if you want to try out one of their signature massive tenderloins, you're going to have to drive. They are located just south of Champaign, Illinois, and it's about a 3-and-a-half hour drive from Evansville, but with a tenderloin that big, it just might be worth the trip!