If you’ve been to Watertown, you may have seen the sign with a pelican in a red Adirondack chair peeking out on Highway 20. And if you’ve ever been inside, you know the restaurant it belongs to: The Sandbar, is the perfect destination for a family-friendly night out. Becky and Jamie Andrews, along with Jamie’s partners at J & J Earthworks, and friend Bob Drake, bought The Sandbar in February 2023. It was formerly known as North Shore Chophouse & Banquet Hall. After remodeling and turning the once supper club into what Becky describes as a “lake life family restaurant,” The Sandbar open ..read more

During her time as a teacher, Melissa Hericks and her colleagues carried out a running joke about starting a coffee truck. The group had witnessed the challenges within their roles as teachers, but saw how quickly the challenges were evolving. “We all had families and our own lives, but often joked about owning some shares in a coffee truck and supporting other teachers by delivering coffee to the various schools in Sioux Falls,” said Hericks. In 2016, Hericks took the chance to step back from teaching and moved to Watertown when she married her husband. “Watertown has always felt like home ..read more

For years, Oh Baby O’s has made a name for itself selling specialty pretzels, pizza, hot dogs, and sweet treats. Founded by Deb Borkius, Oh Baby O’s opened its doors to the public in the early 2000s. Borkius’s love affair with pretzels began during her time at Pretzel Maker, located in the Watertown Mall. When the establishment closed down, Borkius was inspired to open a restaurant solely dedicated to soft pretzels and complementary dishes. “Nothing here is pre-made—it’s all fresh.” -sara meyer For years, Oh Baby O’s grew a recognizable reputation until COVID ultimately closed the eatery in ..read more

Nestled on the shores of Lake Kampeska sits The Prop—a quirky and inviting restaurant that has become a favorite among locals. The laid-back pub offers more than just a place to grab a bite: The Prop is a spot to unwind, watch or play games, and soak up the unique atmosphere. “It’s a family scene,” stated owner Conda Williams. “It’s one of those atmospheres where families are comfortable coming to, and it’s a place where they can bring their kids.” The Prop knows a thing or two about family, as the establishment has been a part of the Williams’s ancestry since the late 1960s. What started as a ..read more

For this year’s road trip, the 605 team hopped into our Sprinter Van, Vincent Van-Go, and traveled to Watertown for the 11th Annual Cookin’ on Kampeska. Over the three-day event, visitors gather together to experience live music, local cuisine, and family-friendly activities. Throughout our trip, the team was ecstatic to explore what Watertown had to offer with its unique food, drink, and entertainment options. ROAD TRIP ITINERARY Recreate 605’s road trip! Check out our activities below. BRAMBLE PARK ZOO brambleparkzoo.com (605) 882-6269 OH BABY O’S Facebook.com (605) 886-6586 GATHER Facebook ..read more

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