Tenderloin and Horseshoe Sandwich Trail
The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich—also known as the pork tenderloin sandwich, the Pork-T, or simply a tenderloin—is a pounded, breaded pork cutlet that is pan-fried or deep-fried to a crispy, golden brown. It is then placed on a fluffy sandwich bun and traditionally served with mustard, onion, and pickle—often referred to as “MOP’d". It is a Midwest favorite and Unforgettable Forgottonia serves up a trail of the tastiest you can find anywhere.
Some say that the sandwich was invented in the Czech neighborhoods of Cedar Rapids, but evidence suggests the sandwich was created in 1904 by a pushcart operator named Nicholas Freinstein in Huntington, Indiana to bring the German Wiener schnitzel to the masses.
Now, what’s a Horseshoe you ask? Only one of the most audaciously delicious sandwiches you’ll ever see. Starting with thick-sliced toasted Texas bread, it’s stacked with your choice of meat and piled high with mounds of French fries, lattice fries or tater tots, then all of that is smothered in rich cheese sauce. Hungry yet? Do yourself a favor, hope on the “trail” and experience the most mouth-watering open-faced sandwich you’ll ever eat!
The origin of the Horseshoe sandwich goes back to 1928, Joseph Schweska the chef at the Leland Hotel in Springfield, IL went to his wife Elizabeth for help coming up with recipe for a new lunch item to serve at the hotel. Elizabeth suggested making an open-faced sandwich dish that included a Welsh rarebit sauce. Joseph was inspired to make the horseshoe with the toast representing an anvil, the cuts of ham as a horseshoe, French fries as nails, and the cheese sauce as the glue holding it all together. And voila! A gastronomic tradition was born.
1. Jackson Street Pub
Image: The gastronomic masterpiece, horseshoe sandwich from the Jackson Street Pub.
The Jackson Street Pub, a local Macomb favorite for decades, serves breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, juicy burgers, crispy haystack onion rings, ice cold beer and their famous open-face Horseshoe sandwiches.
2. Sports Corner @ 124
Macomb‘s locally-owned Sports Corner offers a tasty, smaller version of the famous Horseshoe sandwich, as well as wraps, appetizers and a huge selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks.
3. Z's Breakfast & Lunch
With great daily specials and outdoor seating, Z’s Breakfast & Lunch serves tenderloins and everything else, from hash & eggs to gyros and fries, hot open-faced sandwiches to jumbo fried shrimp.
4. Hometown Cafe
The Hometown Café is open every day serving up breaded pork tenderloins. You might also want to consider a Pony - with a choice of Breaded Pork Tenderloin, Hamburger patty, Chicken Tenders, sliced Ham, Corned Beef or grilled Chicken on toast topped with crispy waffle fries and golden cheese sauce. They also feature All You Can Eat menus, including Fried Chicken on Thursdays, Catfish Strips on Fridays, and Pasta on Saturdays.
5. Chick's on the Square
Chick's on the Square is a Macomb favorite known for its creative comfort food, signature Chicken “Lips,” and fresh cooked-to-order smashburgers. Recently featured on America's Best Restaurants, must-try menu items include the Chick’s Shoe — loaded with two smashburgers, toast, lattice fries, and homemade cheese sauce — and the famous Lip Shoe, topped with Chick’s signature breaded chicken “Lips” over toast, fries, and house-made cheese sauce.
6. The Breakfast House
The Breakfast House is a hometown breakfast and lunch spot serving up hearty Midwestern comfort food in downtown Macomb. Local favorites include the crispy Breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich and their classic Horseshoe, available with your choice of hamburger, chicken tenders, sliced ham, or turkey, all piled high with fries and rich cheese sauce.
7. Michelle's Countryside Cafe
At Michelle’s Countryside Cafe, don't be surprised to see Michelle, (who is cook, server, and busser) hand-pounding and breading pork tenderloins between frying your eggs and her famous thick-cut bacon.
8. Jenny Wren Club
For more than 70 years Bushnell‘s Jenny Wren Club has been legendary night spot. is a no nonsense good-time and don’t forget their GREAT food featuring our region’s very own Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich!
9. Tink's Cafe
You can’t go wrong at Tink’s in Blandinsville. Classic Tenderloins, Horseshoes, Country Fried steak, fresh juicy burgers, pan-fried chicken and mashed potatoes, and fresh baked pizza.
10. Highway Family Restaurant
Highway Family has tasty American breakfast and dinner favorites - including pork tenderloins - they also offer cuisines as diverse as Italian, Asian, Mexican and Mediterranean, all equally delicious.
11. The Full Scoop
(Loose-meat sandwich shown) Picked as one of McDonough County‘s “Best Of The Best” in 2022, The Full Scoop in Colchester is an Ice Cream, Coffee & Sandwich Shop with a variety of scratch made fast foods. Their menu includes mouth watering regional favorites such as breaded pork tenderloin, loose meat sandwiches, and the open-faced Horseshoe sandwich.
12. Adair Cafe
Though the tenderloin sandwich has it’s origins in nearby eastern Iowa, few deliver one better than the village of Adair‘s Adair Cafe. But be careful, because when this hand pounded, crispy breaded, deep-fried pork delight is served traditionally, with mustard, pickle and onion on a grill-top toasted bun, it just might change your life.
13. Dairy Den
The newly-opened Dairy Den in Bushnell, IL offers dozens of ice cream flavors, burgers, fries, shakes and the best Pork T’s in town (they’re a stop on our Tenderloin Trail).
14. Spoonies Bar & Grill
Stop in for a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich larger than your face at Spoonies Bar & Grill in London, IL – you won't regret it! They're loved for their great food and honest prices by locals throughout the region.
15. Club 41
Don't skip Club 41 – a hometown favorite home to "The World's Best Onion Rings" and a pork tenderloin sandwich that'll make your taste buds sing.
16. Twisted Sisters Bar & Grill
Drink, eat and relax with a full belly at Twisted Sisters Bar & Grill, a cozy restaurant with a casual vibe and massive burger, sandwich, and specialty pork tenderloin menu.
17. JaM Diner
JaM Diner is a casual cafe located in the cozy downtown of Industry, IL. Open for breakfast, lunch and home cooked dinners, this friendly eatery is hard to beat. JaM Diner (formerly The Lunch Box Café) also features regional favorites open-faced Horseshoe and Pork T sandwiches.
Don't miss their TOP SECRET OFF-MENU ITEM: The Tenderizza! The Tenderizza, a breaded pork tenderloin that acts as a pizza crust, in which one can choose the toppings of their choice, is served only if you call in advance (about 20-30 mins) and ask them to prepare it for you. An epic concoction that must be tasted!
18. Bob's Dairy Dipper
Established in 1951, Bob's Dairy Dipper is a must stop. Swing by for for their traditional Tenderloin or "Ponyshoe", a Hamburger or Breaded Pork-T served on Texas toast, covered in crinkle cut fries then smothered in cheese sauce.
