Philadelphia is known for its gooey Philly cheesesteaks. Floridians are proud of their key lime pies. And a restaurant in Buffalo, N.Y., kicked off the “hot wing” appetizer that’s now a sports bar favorite everywhere.

Yet here in Iowa, we're famous for our breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. This Midwestern favorite starts with a tender cut of Iowa-raised pork, pounded flat to the chef's desired thickness, then coated in a breading of flour, seasonings and —sometimes but not always — saltine cracker crumbs. The patties are fried to golden, crispy perfection and served between a soft bun, topped with pickles and onion, maybe a little...