In Des Moines, one pork tenderloin has clearly never met a bun it respects. It stretches past the edges, turns the plate into a supporting character, and makes the whole meal feel like a classic Iowa challenge in sandwich form.
The setting adds half the fun. This old-school south side shop has been feeding locals for decades, with a retro diner look that feels honest, familiar, and delightfully unfussy.
Iowa has plenty of tenderloin pride, but this place brings the history, size, and loyal following that make the sandwich feel like more than lunch. It is crispy, oversized, nostalgic, and exactly the kind of stop that reminds you why local legends stick around.
A South Side Institution With Serious History
Some restaurants earn their reputation over a long weekend. Others earn it over generations.
Smitty’s Tenderloin Shop falls firmly into the second category, and you can feel that history the moment you lay eyes on the place.
The building has that unmistakable mid-century character, the kind that makes you feel like you stepped into a photograph from a different era.
The shop is a multigeneration family operation, which is a rare thing in the restaurant world and something that immediately earns my respect.
That kind of longevity does not happen by accident. It happens because the food is good, the prices are fair, and the community keeps coming back.
With a 4.5-star rating from around 1,800 reviews, the numbers back up what the regulars have known for years. This is not just a sandwich shop.
It is a piece of Des Moines history.
This legend sits at 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315, right on the south side of the city, and it has been a neighborhood anchor for decades.
The Tenderloin That Started It All
The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is Iowa’s unofficial state sandwich, and Smitty’s version is the one that people drive across the city to eat.
What makes it so remarkable is the sheer size of it. The pounded pork loin extends several inches beyond the bun on every side, which is exactly how a proper Iowa tenderloin is supposed to look.
The breading is golden and crispy, giving you that satisfying crunch on the first bite before you hit the tender pork underneath.
Some people have described these as enough for two meals, and I completely understand that. The portion is genuinely generous in a way that feels almost defiant.
You can get it topped with your choice of condiments, and the classic setup with mustard and pickles is a combination that has stood the test of time for a very good reason.
For anyone visiting Iowa and wanting to understand what all the tenderloin fuss is about, this sandwich is the most direct answer I can give you. Order it.
Eat it. Thank me later.
Beyond The Tenderloin: What Else Is On The Menu
As legendary as the tenderloin is, limiting yourself to just that would mean missing out on some genuinely great supporting players on this menu.
The burgers have earned their own devoted fan base, with some regulars insisting they are among the best on the south side of Des Moines.
The chili cheese loin is a variation worth trying if you want something with a little more going on. It layers chili and cheese over the already impressive tenderloin, turning an already satisfying sandwich into something even more indulgent.
Chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets round out the protein options, and they hold their own without leaning on the tenderloin’s fame to carry them.
On the side dish front, the onion rings are a major highlight. They are made fresh and have the kind of satisfying crunch that packaged rings simply cannot replicate.
Funnel cake fries are another standout that regulars rave about, offering that sweet carnival flavor in a format that pairs surprisingly well with a savory main.
The menu is focused and unpretentious, which is exactly how it should be at a place like this.
Shakes, Malts, And The Drinks That Complete The Meal
A great diner sandwich deserves a great drink alongside it, and Smitty’s does not disappoint on that front.
The malts and shakes here are the real deal. Thick, cold, and made with enough ice cream to remind you why this style of drink became a diner staple in the first place.
The chocolate malt has gotten specific praise from people who clearly know their malts, and the strawberry shake is another crowd favorite that delivers on its promise.
An Oreo shake is also on the rotation and has been described as very good by people who ordered it alongside their tenderloin.
Root beer rounds out the classic diner drink experience, and getting a cold root beer with a giant breaded pork tenderloin feels like the kind of meal that should be on a postcard.
The iced tea has also been noted as fresh and good, which matters more than you might think when everything else on the table is rich and hearty.
These are not fancy drinks. They are exactly what they should be: cold, satisfying, and perfectly matched to the food they accompany.
The Atmosphere: Retro Without Trying Too Hard
There is a specific kind of charm that only comes from a place that has never felt the need to renovate for the sake of appearances.
Smitty’s interior is a throwback in the best possible way. Red dinette sets and booths line the small dining room, and a counter with stools gives the whole space that classic short-order diner feel that most modern restaurants spend a lot of money trying to fake.
The seating is limited, which means this is not the spot for a large group dinner reservation. It is the spot for a quick, satisfying, no-fuss meal with exactly the right amount of character around you.
The building exterior has been described as looking straight out of the 1950s, and that is not a criticism. It is part of what makes the experience feel complete and authentic.
I find it genuinely refreshing to eat somewhere that has not been sanitized into a generic version of itself. Every scuff and every vintage detail in this place tells a story.
The atmosphere is honest, and that honesty makes the food taste even better somehow.
Prices That Make You Do A Double Take
One of the things that genuinely surprises people about Smitty’s is how little you pay for how much food you get.
The price rating is listed as a single dollar sign, which in restaurant terms means this is as affordable as it gets without someone handing you a coupon.
One family reported spending around thirty-two dollars for four people, including tenderloins, nuggets, fries, and sides, and came away feeling like they got excellent value.
Individual meals have been reported at under ten dollars, which is almost hard to believe when you consider the size of the portions you are receiving.
In a time when fast food has crept up to surprising price points, there is something genuinely satisfying about a real, made-to-order meal that does not drain your wallet.
The value here is not just about price. It is about getting food that actually tastes like someone cared about making it, at a cost that does not require you to think twice before ordering an extra side.
That combination of quality and affordability is rarer than it should be, and Smitty’s has maintained it consistently.
The Sides That Deserve Their Own Spotlight
Ordering a tenderloin without getting at least one side dish at Smitty’s would be a missed opportunity of significant proportions.
The onion rings are made fresh and have become almost as famous as the main attraction. They have that light, crispy exterior with real onion inside, and they are the kind of rings you keep reaching for even after you told yourself you were done.
Funnel cake fries are something I was not expecting to love as much as I did. Sweet, lightly fried, and dusted just right, they bring a county fair energy to the table that works surprisingly well as a contrast to the savory tenderloin.
Breaded mushrooms and jalapeno munchers have also been mentioned as solid choices for anyone who wants a little variety in their side selections.
Cheese curds round out the options and have gotten mixed feedback, with most people finding them good rather than exceptional.
The sides here are made with the same straightforward approach as everything else on the menu. No elaborate presentations, no trendy sauces, just honest food done right and priced fairly.
Hours, Location, And Everything You Need To Plan Your Visit
Planning a visit to Smitty’s is straightforward, which is a nice change of pace from places that seem to make it difficult to give them your business.
Monday through Saturday, the shop opens at 10 AM and closes at 9 PM, giving you a solid window to stop by for lunch, an early dinner, or anything in between.
Sunday hours are shorter, running from 11 AM to 3 PM, so keep that in mind if you are planning a weekend visit and want to avoid a closed door.
The address is 1401 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315, and it is easy to find on the south side of the city. If you are visiting Blank Park Zoo, which is just down the road, this makes for a natural and very satisfying meal stop.
You can reach them by phone at 515-287-4742 if you want to call ahead, and delivery is available through third-party apps, though eating in is clearly the better experience.
Parking is available, and the whole setup is casual and low-key, which matches the vibe of everything else about this place perfectly.
What The Regulars Keep Coming Back For
A 4.5-star rating does not happen without a genuinely loyal customer base, and Smitty’s has one of the most devoted followings I have come across in a long time.
People drive forty minutes one way just to get their tenderloin fix here, and they report that every trip is worth it. That kind of dedication tells you everything you need to know about the food.
Multiple visitors have called it their new go-to spot after a single visit, which is the highest compliment a restaurant can receive. First impressions that turn into lifelong habits are what legendary local spots are built on.
The consistency seems to be a major factor. Regulars know what they are getting every time, and that reliability is something people genuinely value, especially when so many places seem to change constantly.
Some people grew up coming here with family and now bring their own kids, which gives the place a generational quality that goes beyond just liking the food.
That kind of emotional connection to a restaurant is something money cannot manufacture. It has to be earned over time, and Smitty’s has clearly put in the work.
Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Visit
A few practical things can make your visit to Smitty’s even better, and I picked up on several of them worth passing along.
First, go hungry. This is not a situation where you want to arrive after a big snack.
The tenderloin is large enough to be a full meal on its own, and adding sides means you are looking at a serious amount of food.
Arriving closer to the 10 AM opening on weekdays tends to mean shorter waits, since the lunch rush can bring in a crowd and the seating inside is limited. Getting there early also means the food is freshest and the energy is good.
If you are visiting with a group larger than four, be aware that the dining room is on the smaller side. It is cozy rather than spacious, so plan accordingly.
Eating in is strongly recommended over delivery. The tenderloin is at its best hot and fresh, and the atmosphere adds something to the experience that you simply cannot replicate at home.
Finally, do not skip the funnel cake fries. Order them.
You can thank yourself afterward.