Archive for the 'South Dakota' category
October 26th, 2008
Fascinating old local photos adorn the walls, while an orange and blue soda fountain graphic remains at the top of a front window, a remnant of the Rexall drug store that used to occupy the dining room. The drug store was one of two historic downtown buildings which were restored and connected to create The Buckaroo, a top-notch dining destination in Hudson, South Dakota.
One-half lounge, one-half steakhouse, The Buckaroo combines a relaxing atmosphere with a delicious menu including chicken, steak, burgers, and more. My wife enjoyed a peppered steak topped with melted blue cheese, an entree not seen at many small-town restaurants. I opted for their juicy “Iowan” burger, which featured cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce and a couple delicious slices of bacon.
It’s always a treat to find creative, well-prepared dishes in small town restaurants like The Buckaroo. Twenty miles off I-29, and less than an hour from Sioux Falls, it’s is well worth a stop if you’re in the area.
Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
September 18th, 2008
Nestled in the basement of an historic hotel in Wakonda, South Dakota, is The Pit, a small bar famous for its homemade pizza. Served each Tuesday night, it’s simple to place your order: choose a size (small or large), a crust (thin or thick), and which of the four meats and four vegetables you want for toppings.
We sampled three pizzas during our visit and were impressed with them all. The crust was fresh and had a true homemade taste not found at the large pizza chains. The toppings were plentiful and tasty, with the ham and salami pizza receiving especially high marks.
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Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
August 7th, 2008
Drawn in by the neon lights and bright red exterior, I decided to make a stop at the original B & G Milky Way in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As I made my way to the walk-up order window, I noticed the writing on the side wall advertising their strawberry ice cream; they claimed it was the best in town.
They were right. In fact, I’d say the strawberry cone was the best soft-serve ice cream treat I had ever eaten. Featuring pieces of real strawberries, I was blown away by the unbelievable taste – and I couldn’t wait to drive back to Sioux Falls to have some more.
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Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
July 21st, 2008
If you’re in search of an enjoyable night at the movies, look no further than the Lund Theatre in Viborg, South Dakota. Ever since Amanda and I drove by (and photographed) the historic theatre last winter, we have wanted to see a movie there. Last weekend, when Get Smart was in town, we finally had a chance to make a visit.
From the neon marquee to the pleasant lobby to the old-fashioned seats, the single-screen theatre had a nostalgic feel that is truly welcome in today’s world of multiplex cinemas. Beyond the atmosphere, the concessions were top-notch while the picture and sound quality were great, considering the theatre’s age.
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Brian McMillin |
Entertainment, Places, South Dakota |
July 5th, 2008
R-Pizza is easy to overlook with its plain sign and simple exterior. In fact, Amanda and I had driven or walked past it numerous times, when going to the bank, post office, or one of the other downtown dining destinations in Vermillion, South Dakota. When we finally made a point to stop and eat there, we were treated to one of the best meals we’ve had so far this year.
There are a lot of things done right at R-Pizza. The sauce and dough are made from scratch, while their fresh ingredients are purchased locally whenever possible. The thin-crust pizza we ordered was cooked perfectly, featuring correct proportions of sauce, cheeses, and toppings. Prices are reasonable, the dining room was well-appointed, and delivery is available if you don’t want to cook or leave the house.
If you’re giving R-Pizza a try, look first to their listing of specialty topping combinations. The barbque chicken and bacon cheeseburger pizzas were top notch, and we’d suspect the more ordinary specials (ala meat supreme and veggie supreme) are great to. We’ll definitely be going working our way through the R-Pizza menu this summer.
Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
March 24th, 2008
Continuing the theme of the last two entries, I wanted to write about one more destination in southeastern South Dakota that’s worthy of mention on this blog: the West Mall 7 Theatres, located in the Western Mall in Sioux Falls.
Unlike most of the destinations I’ve written about to this point, the theatre isn’t full of charm or character. It’s located in the dingiest portion of the mostly-remodeled mall, and almost every aspect of the theatre has seen better days: the carpet needs replaced, the concession counter shows its age, and chairs ocassionally seem on the verge of collapsing when you sit in them.
Nonetheless, if you’re in the Sioux Falls area, a trip to the West Mall 7 is recommended for individuals and families looking for economical entertainment. Tickets are only $3 for any show, any day, and concession food is also competitively priced. It’s also easier to find a parking space and get tickets than it is at the larger first-run theatres in the city. There’s even an excellent website where you can quickly print a page that includes titles, showtimes and descriptions.
Brian McMillin |
Entertainment, Places, South Dakota |
February 23rd, 2008
After reading an article about Centerville, South Dakota, in South Dakota Magazine, we decided to take some time to visit. In fact, Amanda and I have traveled there each of the last three weekends. The community, located about 40 miles southwest of Sioux Falls, features a nice downtown area considering its population of around 1,000 people. In addition to a bakery, market, museum, and variety store, there’s a pretty good restaurant called The Old Street Cafe.
The interior is clean, featuring tablecloths with a country decor and a mix of clever signs and historical pictures on the walls. The menu is varied, though fairly typical for a small-town cafe. The burgers were consistently tasty and juicy. The fries were hot and crispy. The grilled cheese, however, brought mixed results: once good, once terrible.
The most noteworthy item on the menu is definitely the fried green beans. Few restaurants serve them, but they’re unbelievably tasty: whole green beans that have been dipped in batter and deep-fat fried until golden brown. I’d suggest you order them as an appetizer and they’ll tide you over while you wait for your entrees.
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Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
December 17th, 2007
Although I typically like to write about sites and places in small communities or rural areas, occasionally there are locally-owned shops in larger cities that deserve recognition. One such place is Poppy’s Popcorn, a unique store located within the city limits of Sioux Falls.
Located in a small strip mall on 41st Street, Poppy’s is home to some of the best popcorn in the midwest. You can choose from a huge variety of flavors, ranging from gourmet white to white cheddar to apple cinnamon to chocolate caramel. The popcorn can be purchased in pre-filled bags, or you can create a customized popcorn tin filled with your choice of flavors.
Finally, it would be negligent of me to not mention their fabulous popcorn balls: available in caramel, peanut butter and classic varieties, they are perfectly sized and reasonably priced. If you’re in the area and looking to enjoy a delicious treat [or pick up a last-minute holiday gift], Poppy’s Popcorn is well worth a stop.
Brian McMillin |
Places, South Dakota |
November 28th, 2007
One of the best restaurants I’ve been to in the past year is the Alcester Steakhouse, a restaurant and lounge a few miles from the Iowa border in the community of Alcester, South Dakota.
Don’t let the drab exterior fool you: the Alcester Steakhouse features quality, innovative food rarely seen at small-town restaurants. The salad bar is well-stocked, and the side dish list is extensive. Their steaks are exceptional, and the nightly specials go beyond the scope of most comparable dining destinations.
You can enjoy lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, while dinner is offered every night except Sunday. If you do visit the steakhouse for dinner service, reservations are recommended; you can call the steakhouse in advance at 605/934.2974.
Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
July 1st, 2007
We had seen the billboards on Interstate 29 and read the online reviews of Edgar’s Ol’ Fashioned Soda Fountain in Elk Point, South Dakota, but we never made it a point to stop.
Until about a month ago, that is. I had a fabulous chocolate chip ice cream soda. Amanda took a cherry sprite to go. I have since been working my way through the entire menu of fountain drink possibilities – the green river was the best I’ve ever had. I’ve also enjoyed strawberry- and lime-flavored Sprite, and most recently, cherry- and strawberry-infused Coke.
The soda fountain, which featires a marble counter that dates to 1906, is open daily and highly recommended.
Brian McMillin |
Food, Places, South Dakota |
