Back in September, we stopped in at TNT’s Sports Bar and Grill for an episode of Saturday Night Cheeseburger. I learned from Cat, the pretty bartender on duty that night, that they have a Tuesday tenderloin special where you can have your choice of twelve different types of tenderloins, check it out:
Well a lightbulb appeared over my head after seeing that menu, but sadly it was burnt out. So I went to the hardware store, bought another one and this idea hit me right between the eyeballs: “On week number twelve go and get all twelve of the tenderloins at once!”
And now it’s time to follow-up on that idea. I contacted Troy, who’s owned the TNT’s on Prospect for over four years, and while the special tenderloins are only on sale on Tuesday’s (the regular tenderloin is available daily), he agreed to cook up the tasty dozen for us last Friday. And no, I’m not going to get all Man V. Food on your ass and eat all of them myself, I’ve invited some guests to come along and sample them. It’s an MBIP tenderloin party and you’re invited, bring your appetite and come along!
It's a grey old day as we head down Prospect towards TNT's in Peoria Heights. This is my favorite kind of day as long as it's not snowing outside.
Signpost ahead...
TNT's Sports Bar & Grill. The last time we were here it was a warm September Saturday night. Now it's a chilly Friday afternoon, let's go in and get this tenderloin party underway!
Let's go in and see what's shaking inside.
Normally I'd plop myself down here at the bar, but we have quite a few guests coming, so we've got a table...
All the way back here in the dining room. I'm early, but I see two guests have already shown up...
It's MBIP pals and Contributing Writers, Scott Turley and Brandon Hovey. Scott's holding a finger coat hook that he brought as a present for the MBIP Headquarters, thanks Scott!
Mary was our pretty and friendly waitress who gave us great service and played along nicely with the MBIP crew that came along for the day. This was also her last day on the job, but she may make another appearance down the road when the tenderloin tour is over and we start another group of food posts. Stay tuned!
I asked Mary where Troy, the owner was and she said he was back here in the kitchen, let's go back and say hello.
Here's the man who's going to make the tenderloin magic happen, Troy! Troy first opened up the TNT's in East Peoria eleven years ago and he bought out the Penguin Tap and started this branch four years ago. He did acquire the recipe to the Penguin Tap pizza and they still serve that daily. We will be back to try that out soon! But today is tenderloin time!
The buns are already starting to sizzle on a buttery grill.
Here's Troy going into action to start preparing the dozen breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches.
That's a lot of plates to fill! I decide to go back out to the dining room and see if anyone else has arrived.
Well, it looks like the tenderloin gang is all here!
Mary took a shot of the group at our table and here we are. Clockwise from left: Paul O'Connor, Pastor Mark, Jeff Putnam, Erik Reader, Bob Gordon, Chip Joyce, Chris the engineer who's last name I don't know, Matt Buedel, Bob "The Whale Miller, Yours Fooly, Scott Turley and Brandon Hovey. Hey, where's Stacy Peterson, the female of this group?
Here she is, she wandered back to the kitchen to say hi to Troy and see what's going on and show off her power pointing skills.
Troy's multi-tasking and cooking the various toppings for the tenderloins.
It looks and smells delicious back here.
Happy Fry Day!
Javier shows off one of the twelve porky delights emerging from the deep fryer.
Meanwhile, back at the table, appetites and excitement are building.
Busted! Chris breaks the MBIP no-texting at lunchtime rule!
Colleen's starting to bring out the tenderloins and it looks like they're not going to all fit at this table, so we moved them...
To this table up in front. What a decadent and lovely sight! Twelve different kinds of tenderloins ready to be sampled!
There's Troy at the end of the table looking at his feast of tenderloins as Matt and Erik start digging in.
Knives were brought out so we could all slice off samples of each tenderloin. They were all fantastic tasting, but I couldn't take a picture of all of them seperately, so I picked my favorite of the dozen to showcase...
The All American Tenderloin. This is a tenderloin topped with slices of melted cheddar cheese, ham and a fried eggs. It's one of the best tenderloins I've had on the tour so far. The special tenderloins are available on Tuesdays only, which is today, so you should pop in and try one of these today. You won't be sorry!
There's no leftover pictures this week, as the group pretty much polished everything off. Thanks to everyone for coming to this special tenderloin taste of TNT and a special thanks to Troy, Mary, Colleen, Javier and everyone at TNT's for making this such a cool and fun day! Check out Tenderloin Tuesday today at TNT's. I suggest the All American!
Tenderloin Rating:
Four Porky Pigs—with all those tasty tenderloins and a such a wonderful presentation, how could it be anything less?
TNT’s Sports Bar & Grill
4319 N Prospect Road
Peoria Heights, Illinois
309-688-6000
Related Posts: Tenderloins @ Crusens, AmVets Post 64, Schooners, Bemer’s Village Inn, Sky Harbor, Kenny’s Westside Pub, Hello It’s Me (Tenderloin at Sam Wong’s), The Boar’s Nest, Donnelly’s Pub, Perdue’s Grill and Midway Duck Inn.
