Op/Ed: Pork tenderloin lovers still waiting for it to become Indiana's official sandwich
Sandwich lovers are devastated by the rejection of House Bill 1143 in the Indiana General Assembly, which didn’t make it beyond the slush pile of 1,200 proposed bills up for consideration. Introduced by Rep. J.D. Prescott, R-Union City, the one-sentence bill would have designated the breaded tenderloin sandwich as the official state sandwich of Indiana. Carried by Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, the bill came at the request of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s agenda.
Weighing in on this seminal issue are two Central Indiana Tenderloin Tour members, who must remain anonymous to continue their research efforts. Both men have spent their retirement years visiting as many pork tenderloin joints in central Indiana as possible. While some restaurant owners may know them, the brothers of a different mother prefer to search secretly.
Bert sat in his Plainfield home, resting on his leather couch. His brother, in the high pork game, Billy, sat in his red corduroy recliner in West Lafayette (where we thought it was illegal to own a crimson-colored chair).
Bert: “I’ve traveled to 45 states in my career and have yet to find a breaded tenderloin sandwich west of the Mississippi. We’ve got to protect this Indiana treasure.”
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Both men feel strongly that the legislation must advance in the next session.
Billy: “I’m hearing some chatter from the cloakroom. People from Hammond are pulling for the Polish sausage, while Evansville Westsiders want a brain sandwich. Our research, however, is confined to central Indiana, where citizens demand legislation on this critically important issue.”
Bert: “If we have a bird, flower and other items representing the Hoosier state, we should have a state sandwich. The breaded pork tenderloin symbolizes Hoosier’s appreciation for good food, it shows our love for fairs and carnivals, and we sure cannot let Iowa claim it over us. Therefore, I think the law should be passed with an article encouraging the use of tenderloin and discouraging any other cut of pork.”
These men take their research seriously and represent citizens who want to see this legislative issue move forward in the next session. They’ve enjoyed tenderloins all over the central part of the state, including their favorite, the Mecca Tavern in Parke County.
Billy: “One of my favorites is Mecca in Parke County, most noted for its sizeable fenced-in auto cemetery. Did I mention that the kitchen is outside? The joint has a traditional bar and red-checkered tablecloths on their square tables. Their breaded pork tenderloin is vast, flavorful and tender. Mecca sets a great example with beautiful pork tenderloin. They exceed our standards and know that it must never be a fritter.”
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Bert has been known to play “What’s New, Pussycat?” on the jukebox at Mecca as many as six times in a row.
Concerned about the intense hyperbole of the Tenderloin Tour brothers, I checked with Brad Sanders, owner of the Mecca Tavern, who corroborated that there once had been an outdoor kitchen and an auto cemetery still stands on the former Mecca tile factory next door. Sanders, who also coaches football at Riverton Parke High School, notes that multiple family members have worked at the famous restaurant, and it enjoys excellent community support. In addition, the tavern, with a covered bridge next door, makes for a great road trip from Indy.
While the anti-fritter Tenderloin Tour brothers enjoy wandering central Indiana, they have a few favorites in Indianapolis. Indy favorites include Mikie’s Pub, Dawson’s on Main and Plainfield’s Oasis Diner.
Billy: “Our work on the Tenderloin Tour is incredible, both art and science. We want the people of Indiana to step it up with our legislators and demand that this issue be taken seriously.”
Bert: Idaho can have peanut butter and huckleberry jam. Illinois can claim turkey with cranberry sauce, but in Indiana, we need a high-flying flag showing our dedication and love for the breaded pork tenderloin.
Amy McVay Abbott is an author and writer who lives in southwestern Indiana.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Naming the tenderloin Indiana's official sandwich is a no-brainer
