Cracken's Grill

This place is a hole in the wall, tucked inside a gas station convenience store , the kind of spot where you’d never expect to find the perfect fried pork. When I think fried pork, I picture greasy supermarket cuts, dripping oil with rubbery centers. This is something else…a perfect pork steak. The breaded crust is golden and crisp without a trace of grease, giving way to shockingly tender meat that’s moist, flavorful, and fresh. Every bite hits that rare balance of crunch and juiciness. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you rethink what fried pork can be. By the way, I don’t like fried food in general.

Yumm, pork tenderloins. These are an Iowa treat. Don’t get them much outside Iowa. This is on the side of a gas station cute little place. The staff was fast and friendly. The tenderloin was super tender and cooked just right. And it was huge! Way bigger than my hand. You can’t go wrong with Cracken’s Grill.

I'm an Iowan born and bred. I used to take for pork tenderloinsfor granted because... they were everywhere, always (Iowa has some of the best pork there is). Now it seems like you have to hunt them down and if you find one quality is a toss up. This was one of the most satisfying sandwiches I've had in a good long while. Maybe one of the best pork tenderloins in the State (I dont say that lightly), and at a very reasonable price tag. I'll be back!

The only downside of this place… is that there are not more of them. Expand, Ben! :) The western burger is fantastic… had to throw an onion ring on it. The fried spicy chicken is a big slab of chicken and the breading is so perfectly minimal. The produce is fresh and ripe (lettuce, tomatoes, onions). The beans are a meal by themselves and very flavorful. And the fries are the fluffiest, most golden brown fries I have had from memory. This is how a burger joint should be. This is an amazing place, Ben. Keep it up, sir.

Excellent BPT and fries. The staff is exceptional. Friendly, courteous and they greet you with a smile. The young man taking orders would make his employer proud. Nice young man!