STATEHOUSE, Ind. (WOWO) — A longtime Indiana favorite could soon get official recognition at the Statehouse.

A bill that would designate the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich as Indiana’s official state sandwich is set for its first hearing Thursday in the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology.

Senate Bill 21, authored by Sen. Andy Zay, a Republican from Huntington, aims to honor both the state’s food traditions and the pork industry, a major driver of Indiana’s agricultural economy. Supporters say the oversized, breaded sandwich is a cultural staple found on menus across the state, from small-town diners to county fairs.

“The breaded pork tenderloin has always been more than just a sandwich — it’s part of our community and our identity,” Zay said in a statement. “Indiana’s pork industry supports thousands of jobs and plays a key role in our agricultural heritage.”

Zay’s proposal also highlights Huntington’s place in Indiana food lore. The northeastern Indiana city is home to Nick’s Kitchen, which many credit as the birthplace of the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. The restaurant has long been a point of local pride and a destination for visitors seeking the classic Hoosier dish.

Indiana is one of the nation’s leading pork-producing states, and advocates of the bill say naming an official state sandwich would be a symbolic nod to farmers, processors and workers throughout the industry.

If approved by the committee, the measure would advance through the General Assembly during the 2026 legislative session. Similar efforts in other states have designated official foods to celebrate regional traditions and boost tourism.

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology is scheduled to take up the bill at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. The hearing will be livestreamed and archived on the Indiana General Assembly’s website.