Des Moines Going Out: Tenderloins and Tacos

It's Porktober, which in Iowa is basically a food holiday. Fittingly, this was a week about eating well close to home. Here's what's worth going out for around Des Moines.

Iowa crowned its best pork tenderloin

The Iowa Pork Producers Association named Wasted Grain Bar & Grill in Carroll the state's best breaded pork tenderloin for 2026, picked from a field of 464 nominated restaurants. Carroll is a bit of a drive, but you don't have to leave the metro to eat well: Des Moines is tenderloin country. Smitty's Tenderloin Shop has been frying up its plate-sized classic on the south side since 1952, B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli (also south side) made this year's list of finalists, and Iowa Taproom downtown is a reliable pick if you want a craft beer alongside. More metro favorites are in our best restaurants guide.

Our taco scene is getting national love

Des Moines doesn't always make national food lists, so it's worth a nod when it does: our taqueria scene got a shout-out from USA Today's food writers this week. If it has you craving, our best tacos in Des Moines guide runs from al pastor and carne asada at longtime truck Tacos Degollado to the birria and barbacoa worth seeking out around the metro.

And the sushi belts start rolling Wednesday

A quick reminder from last week: Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens this Wednesday, Oct 22 at Jordan Creek, bringing Iowa its first conveyor-belt sushi, tablet ordering, and robot servers. Expect a crowd. While you wait for the line to die down, our best sushi and Asian food guide has where to go now.

That's the week. Every week we round up where to eat, drink, and go out in Des Moines and send it in one email. Get it here, no noise.