Tenerloin vs loin filet?

[windycitysmokin]

hey guys, what’s the difference is these two cuts here? I notice them at the store today, are they the same just labeled different? Two different brands, but same thing. Also, smoking times and temps for each? Additionally, opinions on the preseasoned / flavored variety of these for smoking?

 

[daveomak]

The loin runs along both sides of the back bone on top... It's the meat that makes the T-Bone steak... The Tender Loin runs both sides of the back bone on the inside gut cavity, on the back end of the animal near the hams... It's the smaller hunk of meat on a very expensive T-Bone... Porterhouse...

 

[chef jimmyj]

Tenderloins are the small muscle on the inside of the T shaped back bone. Super tender, about a pound each, 2 in a pack. Loin fillets are center cut pork loins, cut down to a similar size and sold at a premium using " Tender " Loin Fillet as deceptive marketing fooling people into paying the higher price, thinking they are getting Tenderloins. You can buy center cut loin at 1/3 the price and have the same thing. I don't buy pre-marinated anything. Too easy to make your own and you know what is in it...JJ

 

[windycitysmokin]

I guess what I’m asked for then is, are the pictures in the OP the same cut of meat, just labeled differently (deceptively) or different cuts? And if it is the same, which cut is it actually?

 

[chef jimmyj]

Different cuts...First is actual Tenderloins. The second is Pork Loin, usually cut into Pork Chops, trimmed to resemble the MUCH more tender, and expensive, tenderloins. Marketing deception at it's best. #2 is nowhere near as tender as #1...JJ

 

[windycitysmokin]

That would explain why #2 was BOGO. Thanks for the clarification. I wish I could get fresh cut tenderloin, but living in the heart of Chicago isn’t the ideal place for freshly butchered cuts of meat

 

[chef jimmyj]

That would explain why #2 was BOGO. Thanks for the clarification. I wish I could get fresh cut tenderloin, but living in the heart of Chicago isn’t the ideal place for freshly butchered cuts of meat

Look to the Mexican meat markets/grocery stores. They often do more custom cutting from whole hogs.
Kind of strange to hear the Meat Processing Capitol of the US for more than a century no longer has a butcher that custom cuts from whole animals. Especially since Boutique Butchers cutting organic, grass fed, heritage hogs, is all the rage, in many high end City fine dining restaurants and with customers that can afford the premium price...JJ

 

[Bearcarver]

ChefJimmy has you covered real Good!!
Dead on!!

Bear

 

[windycitysmokin]

I’m sure there’s some viable options if I wanted to spend the extra money on the meat itself and the transportation there and back. But for just myself and the gf, on a quick evening smoke, bite worth the dollars or time. The effort tonight is going into the homemade sangria

 

[windycitysmokin]

ChefJimmy has you covered real Good!!
Dead on!!

Bear

He’s always had solid info for me. And responds quickly