As of this month, Senate Bill 21 is awaiting action in the Indiana House to make the breaded pork tenderloin Indiana’s official state sandwich.
Authored by former Senator Andy Zay, the bill is designed to recognize the sandwich’s significance rooted in the history and culture of Hoosiers. The sandwich originated at Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington, Indiana. It was opened by Nick Freienstein in 1908, who immigrated from Germany. This has been Zay’s motivation for the bill, according to Indiana Senate Republicans.
“I was born and raised in Huntington, and Nick’s Kitchen has been a staple in our community,” Zay said. “I am looking forward to getting this bill to the finish line.”
Currently, the restaurant is being operated by Jean Anne Bailey, who is honored by the bill.
“Indiana has enjoyed the breaded pork tenderloin for more than 100 years because of Nick’s hard work,” Bailey said. “He used to push around a cart and serve the residents of Huntington before officially opening an establishment. I am pleased to have the representation from Sen. Zay on this bill and hope to see it pass the General Assembly.”
Finding the bill “quintessential” for Indiana, in other words, Culinary teacher Todd Saylor agrees with its significance.
“You can’t go anywhere and not find a tenderloin sandwich,” Saylor said. “It’s pretty cool because we are relatively close to where it all originated in Huntington, so not that far from here. I’ve been there. I’ve tried it, and it’s pretty tasty.”
As a teacher, Saylor not only finds it important for the state, but also for his students.
“Food is important to all of us,” Saylor said. “My students are very passionate about food from their personal cultures, so we try to incorporate that in class. I agree. I’d think it is going to be important to us, the impact of what the state is trying to do.”
The StatehouseFile.com reports Zay’s bill takes pride in the identity and uniqueness of the Hoosiers.
“In 49 other states, it’s just a sandwich,” Zay said. “But, in Indiana, the breaded pork tenderloin is revered.”
Saylor has traveled all around the world and found amazing food from different cultures. The tenderloin sandwich marks one of Indiana’s passions, but not so for each and every state.
“I lived in Florida for a while, and everybody was trying to get [the pork tenderloin] that was originally from [Indiana, Huntington],” Saylor said. “So, anybody that was coming down there was like, ‘Can we get some and bring it down’ because you can’t find them everywhere?’”
If the bill is passed and signed into law, it would take effect on July 1, 2026.
“The passion for the tenderloin is still going to be there,” Saylor said. “It’s got, like, a cult following.”
