Is there any more iconic Iowa food than a huge pork tenderloin sandwich? Sometimes they’re pounded so flat that they resemble a hubcap more than a food item. But there’s one place in the small town of Westgate (population 191) that takes it to another level. Bents Smokehouse & Pub is all about “big food,” including massive barbecue platters that will satisfy even the heartiest appetite. But when I took one look at this massive pork tenderloin in Iowa, I was blown away. Bents Smokehouse really takes it to the next level, and this sandwich can easily feed quite a few people. It’s so perfect for dividing that the restaurant has even added a new twist to eating a pork tenderloin! Have you ever tried a pork tenderloin pizza? It’s a wild and crazy food innovation that could only come from Iowa.

Bents is a low-key joint in a low-key town, but the food is anything but under the radar. The food it serves is BIG, in every sense of the word.
Rick Thompson/Google Local
This restaurant is indulgence defined. It has a regular all-you-can-eat salad bar with your meal, and it even hosts regular buffets.
Bents Smokehouse and Pub/Facebook
The specialty here is barbecue, and you can have it in an overloaded barbecue sandwich. The brisket is a highlight.
Chad Schultz/Google Local
But if you want to try a little bit of everything - or more than a little - get the smoked sampler platter, featuring ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.
Bents Smokehouse and Pub/Facebook
However, no food here sums up "big" better than the ridiculous pork tenderloin sandwiches.
Amanda Roth/Google Local
These things are massive, often approaching a foot in length. It's tempting to split it, but the restaurant has a unique idea in mind for that.
Don Wester/Google Local
Pork tenderloin pizza! Skip the bun and regular fixings, swap them out for a coating of cheese and sauce, and it comes pre-cut so everyone can have a slice or three.
Craig Pleggenkuhle (Hawkweltbild)/Google Local

Have you eaten at Bents Smokehouse and Pub in Westgate? Tell us what you thought of this massive pork tenderloin in Iowa in the comments section. Bents is an old-school place with a low profile, but you can visit the Bents Smokehouse & Pub Facebook page to learn about the latest special. If you need a place to sleep off that food coma after your meal, why not book a night at Boarders Inn & Suites By Cobblestone Hotels Fayette, only a short drive away.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Related Articles

Explore Iowa

Featured Addresses
Bents Smokehouse & Pub, 100 Main St, Westgate, IA 50681, USA