A friend of ours (that's you, CJ) recently posted a photo of the lunch he enjoyed at Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City. It was a big crispy breaded tenderloin and we made the decision right then to try Goldie's as soon as we could.
Owner Brad Magg bought Goldie's in 2006, remodeled the space, and opened up his version of the restaurant in 2007. Located at 301 West 2nd Street in Prairie City, the small restaurant with the bright red umbrellas over outdoor tables is easy to find.
Even though the restaurant is small, only 5 tables and 9 barstools, it keeps very busy with people waiting for tables and a good amount of take-out business. In 2009, Goldie's was the winner of the Iowa Pork Producer's Best Breaded Tenderloin contest, which then made Goldie's a destination for many of the states' tenderloin fanatics - like me.
So, of course I had to try the tenderloin! While not of the super gargantuan plate-sized tenderloin variety, Goldie's breaded tenderloin is a nice thick-but-not-too-thick cut of pork that is quite substantial. The breading is lightly seasoned cracker crumbs, my favorite. It was very tender and the texture was spot on. Very worthy of the drive. I also enjoyed a side of potato salad, said to be a 'Magg Family Classic' on the menu - it was also delish.
Grant went for the daily special - Pepper's Chicken Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Fries and coleslaw. It was a big piece of chicken, deep fried to crispy perfection. Grant piled some of the coleslaw on top of the sandwich and that seemed to hit the spot for him.
The menu at Goldie's features several other sandwiches, including burgers, a few other varieties of tenderloins, even an Italian Sausage Sandwich. They also have salads, hot dogs, walking tacos and a wide variety of sides. Plus, don't forget about the weekday specials.
And, don't forget that Goldie's is a fabulous ice cream shoppe! Cones, sundaes, malts, shakes, twisters (their version of a blizzard), banana splits - they have it all. The flavor of the week was Lemon, so I ordered up and thoroughly enjoyed a lemon cone.
Grant decided on a hot fudge sundae with nuts, his standard order at soft serve ice cream shops.
You can't beat small town restaurants like Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe - we gladly drive miles from home just to eat at them and especially when honors like the IPPA's Best Breaded Tenderloin have been bestowed upon the place. We really enjoyed our meal at Goldie's and recommend if you're in the Prairie City area that you check it out. Heck, just drive on down - it's only about 18 miles east of Des Moines.
Let us know if you've been to Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe in Prairie City and we'll compare notes!
Goldie's Ice Cream Shoppe
304 West 2nd Street
Prairie City, IA 50228
515.994.3190
Hours
11am - 8:30pm
September - May
Open until 9:30
(Kitchen closes at 8:30pm)
June - August
Menus and more information at www.goldiesicecreamshoppe.com
Goldie's is also on Facebook here