Located in the heart of Hill City is a destination market experience with The Pack Mule Provisions & Grocery. This establishment goes beyond the typical aisles of packaged goods, offering a curated selection of regional specialties and artisanal products. “We’re aiming to fill a niche on this side of the state that has been left unattended in the grocery area,” said owner Benjamin Klinkel. Klinkel, who is a chef and entrepreneur, is known for unique culinary experiences in South Dakota with Rapid City’s high-end Delmonico Grill, Tally’s Silver Spoon, and Rockerville’s casual dining, The Ga ..read more

Along Main Street in Dell Rapids stands Pinz—a local bowling alley offering a fun-filled experience for families and friends. Established in 1960, Pinz entered a new chapter in September 2022 under the ownership of Casey McCoy. McCoy never expected to own a bowling alley, though. “The mother of the previous owners approached me and asked if I was interested in taking over,” shared McCoy. “I had seen they had it on sale on Facebook, but didn’t put too much thought into it, as I wasn’t at a stage in my life where I could jump back into this type of thing.” Previously, McCoy—a trained chef—had ..read more

Something new is brewing on Main Street in Vermillion. XIX Brewing Company—founded by Ed Gerrish and Katey Ulrich—is the first of its kind in the college town. It offers a welcoming space for locals and visitors to gather, relax, and savor a taste of Vermillion’s unique character. Publisher Alana Snyder and I made the trip down to XIX Brewing Company to see what the local business was all about. When we arrived at 113 West Main Street, we were greeted with excitement by Ulrich and Gerrish. As Alana geared up the cameras, I sat down with Ulrich and Gerrish to learn more about their business as ..read more

Along the Big Sioux River in Flandreau lies Mad Mary’s Steakhouse, which, as their slogan reveals, is a place for “more than just a good meal.” Established in 1993 as the Cattleman’s Club under the ownership of Myril Arch, the restaurant was transformed into Mad Mary’s Steakhouse in 1999 when it changed hands to Ron Wolf. Over two decades, the steakhouse passed through owners’ hands, but since 2018, Christina Ramos has steered the ship. When previous owners Randy and Diane Tiedeman were looking to move onto a new path in life, Ramos admits she was at a standstill in her career. “I asked myself ..read more

Erik Hjortnaes, a former teacher living in California, and Camillia Hjortnaes, a cobbler at the time living in Minnesota, individually moved to Custer when the pandemic hit. Originally planning on staying for a month or two, the pair met and quickly fell in love with the Black Hills and each other. Once they officially moved to Custer, the two recognized the town had become a restaurant destination, but noticed a gap in the culinary realm. “There are many restaurants like Skogen Kitchen that offer elevated menus and experiences,” said Erik. “Camillia and I saw that there was a need and want fo ..read more

With the vision to create an awe-inspiring gathering spot for the Sioux Falls community, 22TEN Kitchen & Cocktails emphasizes social dining with close friends and family. “We’re a neighborhood, upscale atmosphere specializing in serving eclectic food and beverages,” said executive chef Brendan Waltz. The reputable menu reflects American-based cuisine, focusing on innovative artisan plates, including local favorites and everyday classics. Every four to six weeks, 22TEN features a new menu with diverse themes, shares Waltz. “Our menu themes have ranged from cajun and creole, seasonal, holida ..read more

Bob Godich has seen it all. The Arizona native, former fire department worker, and long-time chef says he attended “the school of hard knocks.” Growing up without a mother, Godich learned how to cook from a young age and hasn’t stopped since. Managing the Eagle Bar and Steakhouse in Deadwood and the Aladdin Café in Aladdin, WY are just two of Godich’s ventures in the last five years. After leaving the Aladdin Café in November 2022, Godich thought about retiring. “I told God, ‘Show me a sign. Either I retire or I start another restaurant,’” he said. With the holidays approaching, Godich and hi ..read more

Tucked away on 10th Street in the heart of downtown Sioux Falls sits The Orion Pub—an establishment that aims to whisk customers back to a simpler era. The Orion Pub embraces the charm of an old-fashioned neighborhood pub, offering a nostalgic atmosphere and emphasizing quality company and classic beers. Opened in 2023, the pub is the brainchild of Thomas Hentges and Jon Oppold (owner of Sunny’s Pizzeria in Sioux Falls), who envisioned a space where folks can feel at home. “There’s a lot of great bars in the area, but there was nothing like an everyday bar,” explained Hentges. “We flirted with ..read more

People shouldn’t have to choose between a quick meal and a healthy one—that’s one of the mottos behind Crisp & Green in Sioux Falls. “We focus on crisp, clean, healthy living and eating healthy food and living a nice, vibrant, clean life,” said owner and CEO Paul Goldammer. The entrepreneur was already well seasoned with franchises when he became involved in Crisp & Green, as he also owns the local Potbelly Sandwich Shop just two doors down by the Western Mall. While Potbelly specializes in toasted sandwiches, soups, salads, and hand-scooped milkshakes, Crisp & Green is more of a h ..read more

For Riccardo Tarabelsi, the thought of a career in the restaurant industry had never crossed his mind until his wife, Marybeth, was pregnant with their first child. “At the time, my wife was a registered nurse and had to be put on bed rest, so I was working three 12-hour shifts at Sioux Valley Hospital [now Sanford Health],” said Riccardo. He decided it was time to acquire a second job when Marybeth suggested he work at Spezia Restaurant. “I told her I knew nothing about restaurants, but then she replied with, ‘Well, you’re Italian,’” chuckled Riccardo. “I jokingly told her that my nationality ..read more