SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois Pork Producers Association is launching a new road trip experience for food lovers.
The 2026 Illinois Pork Tenderloin Crawl is a self-guided culinary adventure celebrating a Midwest classic featured at locally owned restaurants across Illinois.
Running Sept. 1 through Nov, 30, 2026, the crawl features nine restaurants serving their own take on the classic breaded pork tenderloin sandwich.
Participants who visit at least eight of the eleven featured locations will earn an exclusive Illinois Pork Tenderloin Crawl T-shirt, and everyone who completes a passport will be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
This year's featured restaurants include:
- Buford's Pub, Sadorus
- River's Edge Inn, Dixon
- Route 66 Motorheads, Springfield
- The Dirty Bird, Sycamore
- Cindy Bs Café, Murphysboro
- Meadow Avenue Tap, East Peoria
- LJs Garden Café, Magnolia
- Beecher City Pit Stop, Beecher City
- The Parkview Inn, Bloomington
- Babes on Plum, Havana
- The Patio, Jacksonville
The crawl also features Buford’s Pub in Sadorus, which won the title of Illinois' Best Pork Tenderloin in 2025, and runner-up River's Edge Inn in Dixon.
"Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or simply looking for your next favorite meal, the Illinois Pork Tenderloin Crawl is a fun way to experience great food while supporting local restaurants and communities," said Mikayla Schaefer, Director of Marketing with the Illinois Pork Producers Association. "Every stop offers its own unique take on the classic pork tenderloin sandwich, making each visit a new experience."
How to Participate: To complete the crawl, participants can use a printed passport or scan a QR code at each restaurant for a digital version. Digital users simply verify their visits by uploading photos of their menu and pork tenderloin sandwich at each stop.
The crawl also honors local pig farmers. Their dedication to raising high-quality pork supplies the state's restaurants with the flavorful staple that makes these menu favorites possible.
A complete list of participating restaurants, crawl details, and an interactive map are available here.
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