This one’s for the tenderloin fans. If you’re one of those people who scours the state looking the biggest and best breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, you’ll want to make sure you have The Tin Plate Fine Food & Spirits in Elwood on your radar.
Their tenderloin is so good it was named Best in Madison County in 2024. And I can verify that the hype is true. It’s one of the best tenderloins I’ve ever had. For one - it’s huge! Like bring-your-friend-along-to-split-it-with-you huge. You’d need to have a pretty hefty appetite to finish it in one sitting. It’s got that perfect crunch on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness on the inside - the makings of a tenderloin lover’s dream.
Another must-try on their menu is the Manhattan sandwich, which is made with a tomato gravy rather than a beef-based gravy - a nod to the area’s Red Gold production plant.
The Tin Plate has a connection to the fascinating history of The American Tin Plate company in Elwood, which dates back to the early 1890s and operated until 1938. It was the first tin mill constructed after the McKinley Tariff Act of 1899 and the first place in the U.S. to do tinning. Previously, most tin products were imported from Wales.
The restaurant and bar are in a building that sat across from the mill property and was built in the 1920s. You’ll find photos and bits of memorabilia spread throughout the eatery.
This place also scores big points for their dedication to honoring our military. You’ll find a “Missing Man Table” in the dining room to honor those who are still Missing in Action or Prisoners of War.
For more information, visit tinplateelwood.com and follow on Facebook.
