National Filet Mignon Day – August 13, 2026

History of National Filet Mignon Day

Filet mignon is basically meat that is cut from the smaller end of the tenderloin of an animal such as a pig or a cow. While pork tenderloin is famous and is known to tingle one’s taste buds, several religions forbid pork meat and the followers instead opt for filet mignons made from beef. However, each meat version has a taste of its own and it is recommended that every foodie try both.

The history of filet mignons is unclear because the dish has existed and been served in the U.S. since before the 18th century, and was also one of the most popular items on the menu. The only difference is, they were known as medallions or tenderloin steak since the term filet mignon was not coined until 1906. The word ‘steak’ on the other hand, was first used in mid-15th century Scandinavia and became popular in Florence, Italy. Whereas, the name ‘filet mignon’ was first used in William Sydney Porter’s book “The Four Million,” and was marketed as an expensive and luxurious meat cut that the poor could not afford. Building the image of the dish as one that was out of the reach of the masses only increased its popularity, and it soon became the most wanted item on the dinner table of the wealthy and the royals. While the dish is consumed today by millions of individuals yearly and is no longer ‘unaffordable,’ it is still an undercut that is pricier than the usual meat items.