What is Iowa Known For? 6 Things Iowans Love About Themselves

It’s tempting to say Iowa is known for its corn and then end the conversation, but that oversimplifies the state’s culture. There are a wealth of other interesting things happening within Iowa’s borders. So, what is Iowa known for? 6 things Iowans love about themselves are explained in detail.

1. Iowans Love Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

Iowan pork tenderloin sandwiches are oversized fried cutlets served with a bun. They’re similar to German schnitzel, and Iowans passionately argue about who makes the best pork tenderloin sandwich. Generally, the most popular sandwiches are simple, tender, and as big as a dinner plate.

These sandwiches start with a slice of pork tenderloin that is then pounded into a large and thin piece of meat. From there, they’re sometimes marinated in buttermilk, though this step isn’t necessary. They’re then breaded and fried, then slapped inside of a hamburger bun.

No one agrees on where the first tenderloin sandwiches came from but there are two dominant theories. One is that inhabitants of the Czech neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, created the sandwich in 1904. Another legend claims a man in Indiana named Nicholas Freinstein first served them from a lunch pushcart, but Iowans don’t favor this story.

It’s no surprise that a pork product is one of the things that Iowa is known for. The state produces more pigs than anywhere else in the United States, and the number of pigs in residence in Iowa greatly outnumbers its human inhabitants. Over a quarter of all of the food pigs reared in the United States are in Iowa.

2. Iowa is Known For Maid-Rites

Maid-rites are loose-ground meat sandwiches that look like sloppy joes, however, they’re devoid of tomato products or a runny sauce. The meat used is pork or beef, and it’s sauteed with onions. It’s served on a hamburger bun and can include pickles, onions, and cheese as common toppings.

The Maid-Rite restaurant that made these sandwiches a staple of Iowan culture first opened in 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa. It has since spread to other Midwest states with 32 locations in total.

3. Scotcheroos Star in an Iowan Love Affair

Most who haven’t been to Iowa have no idea what a scotcheroo is despite its resemblance to classic crispy rice treats. Scotcheroos are peanut butter and butterscotch rice treats bound by corn syrup. They’re then covered with a layer of chocolate.

Scotcheroos became a staple in the 1960s in the state when Rice Krispies cereal printed the recipe on their boxes. Since then, they’ve engrained themselves into Iowa’s culinary culture. While you’ll be hard-pressed to find this treat outside of Iowa, within the state, it’s available at gas stations, grocery stores, and almost every potluck.

4. Iowans Love Taking Themselves to the Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair began in 1854, and it is held every year in late August at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Today, over 1 million people show up for the festivities. In 2023, festivities are scheduled from August 10 to August 20.

The annual Butter Cow exhibit is one of the most famous parts of the Iowa State Fair. The first butter cow was sculpted in 1911 by J.K. Daniels, and since then, the tradition has taken on a life of its own. About 600 pounds of butter make up the annual sculpture, and they are generally over 5 feet tall and 8 feet long.

There is almost always one companion butter sculpture created to round out the exhibit. Some examples of previous accompanying sculptures include Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Tiger Woods, a Star Trek scene, and Sesame Street characters. In 2023, the likeness of 3 Iowan athletes named Jack Trice, Caitlin Clark, and Kurt Warner will be on display.

5. RAGBRAI is a Famous Bike Ride that Iowa is Known For

Iowa hosts one of the biggest and longest bicycle rides in the world every year called RAGBRAI. RAGBRAI stands for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. The route varies every year, but it crosses the entire state and is always over 400 miles long.

Noncompetitive bikers travel together from one location to a designated camp. After spending the night, the riders again travel together to another camp. This continues for the duration of the event which is about a week in length.

The first RAGBRAI took place in 1973, and it has occurred every year since then. The fiftieth ride took place from July 23 to 29, 2023, and covered a route almost identical to that taken during the first ride. The 2023 ride attracted more than 60 thousand riders which is the biggest turnout in the history of the event.

Riders are supposed to be registered ahead of time, but this is hard to enforce. It’s common for bicyclists to show up and join the crowds without officially having permission to do so.

The ride always kicks off by a river on the left side of the state. This river is either the Big Sioux River or the Missouri River. The ride ends at the Mississippi River on the right side of the state. Because of this, riders dip their rear wheels in the western river and their front wheels in the Mississippi River according to standing tradition.

6. Casey’s Breakfast Pizza is a Favorite Iowans Love

It’s a well-known fact in Iowa that the gas station chain called Casey’s General Stores has some of the best pizzas in the state. While this seems odd to outsiders, once you’ve tried a slice or ordered an entire pie from their hot food counter, you’ll understand its popularity. Pizzas can be ordered through Casey’s app for pickup or delivery ahead of time as well.

Arguably, Casey’s most famous pizza is the Breakfast Pizza. They come with cheese, eggs, and your choice of veggies, bacon, or sausage. The best part is that this pizza is available all day and not just in the morning.

The Breakfast Pizza celebrated its twenty-first birthday in 2022. In celebration, a limited-time Ultimate Beer Cheese Breakfast Pizza was on offer for those wishing to commemorate the birth of this Midwest staple.

Casey’s has over 2400 locations in 15 states across Middle America. Most  Casey’s locations are open 24 hours, though some do close for a few hours in the middle of the night. At most 24-hour locations, pizza is generally available from 4 am until 12 am.

Summary of 6 Things Iowans Love About Themselves