Smalltown Diner Indiana birthplace of the pork tenderloin sandwich

Smalltown Diner Is the Birthplace of the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

There is a network of people, mainly from the Midwest, that obsess over a simple yet tasty sandwich. They populate online forums and have developed travel websites to guide you to the best restaurants, and of course, there are Facebook pages dedicated to it. Most of those websites point you to a specific iconic smalltown diner Indiana.

Nick’s: A Smalltown Diner Indiana

Most cities and towns in Indiana and throughout the Midwest all have a pub or diner that claims to have the best pork tenderloin sandwich. While many local spots produce a tasty treat, there is only one original serving up this original since 1908; Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington. 

The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is a lovely piece of deliciousness that is wildly popular throughout the Midwest of the US, especially in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. Pork tenderloin sandwiches are a simple treat. A breaded pork tenderloin is a pork cutlet, pounded down thin then breaded and deep fried. It is very similar to the German dish Wiener schnitzel, put deep fried instead of pan-fried. 

The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich originated at the legendary diner Nick’s Kitchen in downtown Huntington, Indiana. They offer the full-sized sandwich and this is mini version.

Pork Tenderloin History

Nick Freienstein started selling hamburgers at night from a food cart in downtown Huntington. He eventually saved enough money to open up a restaurant at 506 North Jefferson, and Nick’s has been a staple for the dining scene ever since. Today, it is the third generation of the Drabenstot family in charge of this Hoosier institution.

Nick’s Kitchen offers classic American diner food. So on the off-chance you don’t want a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, they still have you covered. That selection includes some amazing-looking breakfast dishes, including a pork tenderloin biscuit sandwich, smothered in gravy. 

The lunch menu from Nick’s Kitchen in downtown Huntington, Indiana. Known as the birthplace of the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, they offer a wide variety of options for breakfast and lunch.
The lunch menu from Nick’s Kitchen in downtown Huntington, Indiana. Known as the birthplace of the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, they offer a wide variety of options for breakfast and lunch.

A proper tenderloin is pounded thin and usually quite large, often extending well beyond the bun or even off the plate it is being served. Nick’s offers that treatment too, though they also offer a mini-version of their sandwich if you’re not coming in with a huge hunger.

There are several reasons the tenderloin at Nick’s pork tenderloin Nick’s pork tenderloin is better than others. First off, they are serving it on top of a specially made bun. They are working directly with the highly respected Hyler’s Bakery in Ossian, Indiana for their buns. In addition to the buns being so light and fluffy, Nick’s tenderloin has a full flavor but contains less grease than other breaded pork tenderloins you might come across. 

You can select the toppings you want on your sandwich. Loaded up and then topped with mustard and mayonnaise is a personal favorite. The perfect side for a pork tenderloin sandwich is their crinkle fries, which Nick’s features. They also offer hand-cut fries or waffle fries, and even a tasty coleslaw if you want to avoid an all-fried meal. 

Leave Room for Dessert

Nick’s used to have t-shirts with the slogan: Come for the tenderloin – stay for the pie. We thoroughly endorse this motto and something you need to keep in mind when you plan your visit to Nick’s. The selection of homemade pies available daily will vary. You’ll not find the pie selection on their menu. Rather, you simply need to get a good look at cooler located right behind the cash register and then start the process of which one you to try.

You come to Nick’s for the pork tenderloin but you stay for the pie. Their daily selection is displayed on their cooler, just behind the cash register.
You come to Nick’s for the pork tenderloin but you stay for the pie. Their daily selection is displayed on their cooler, just behind the cash register.

You cannot go wrong with your pie selection, and the very friendly staff at Nick’s will help guide you. The most difficult decision you’ll have with your meal at Nick’s is trying to decide which pie you should select. Can’t decide? Then consider doing a flight of pies. Like you’ve likely seen at breweries where they allow you to sample a variety of their brews, Nick’s allows you to select three pies for your flight so you don’t miss out.

Can’t decide on which pie you want for dessert? At Nick’s, you don’t have to when you select a flight of pie. On this flight are a blueberry sour cream pie, buckeye pie (peanut butter pie with chocolate), and their sugar cream pie.
Can’t decide on which pie you want for dessert? At Nick’s, you don’t have to when you select a flight of pie. On this flight are a blueberry sour cream pie, buckeye pie (peanut butter pie with chocolate), and their sugar cream pie.

We have yet to find a bad choice for dessert. Personal favorites for us are the sugar cream pie and the peanut butter pie. Insider tip for you – with the sugar cream pie, ask them to heat it up slightly. Their creamy peanut butter pie is fantastic. Adding a little chocolate like they’ve done with the buckeye pie to create a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup-type pie just adds to an already perfect dessert.

Nick’s is serving up breakfast and lunch seven days a week, from 7AM to 2PM. If you want to purchase a whole pie, make sure you call the day before to place your order. If you are on the hunt for the perfect breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, then you should check out the place that invented pork tenderloin sandwich. Be sure to make sure you check out Nick’s . But be sure to leave room for dessert.

Nick’s is a smalltown diner where locals have gathered for over a century. Known as the birthplace of the pork tenderloin sandwich, Nick’s is a relaxing choice when you’re ready for a hardy meal.
Nick’s is a smalltown diner where locals have gathered for over a century. Known as the birthplace of the pork tenderloin sandwich, Nick’s is a relaxing choice when you’re ready for a hardy meal.

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