Restaurants in South Dakota

Good steaks are an expected pleasure in a land where cattle and buffalo roam. We also are especially fond of South Dakota’s ways to please a sweet tooth, from atomic sundaes in vintage soda fountains to bakeries that are devoted exclusively to cookies. One specialty unique to The Mount Rushmore State is chislic — a Russian-German dish of skewered red meat (venison, beef, lamb) that gets deep fried and seasoned and is served piece by piece on toothpicks or lined up on a skewer. Around Pierre, it is likely that the meat will be dipped in batter before getting fried. It is such a favored dish in this state that the town of Freeman boasts a restaurant called The Chislic House.

South Dakota’s Most Famous Dishes

Scoops of strawberry, pistachio, and vanilla ice cream accompany a slice of 4-layer chocolate cake.

Ice Cream

Well-garnished buffalo burger shares plate space with curly fries

Buffalo Burger

Huge, crisp-fried wiener schnitzel is accompanied by little dumplings and apple sauce

Veal

Shredded BBQ mutton is sandwiched between corncakes

Lamb

South Dakota’s Best Restaurants

Tripp Sports Bowl Café - Dakota burger
Tripp Sports Bowl Café

TRIPP, SD

Tea Steak House - Filet Mignon
Tea Steak House

TEA, SD

Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge

BROOKINGS, SD

Edgar’s

ELK POINT, SD

Essence of Coffee

RAPID CITY, SD

Badlands Saloon & Grille

WALL, SD

Horseshoe Bar and Grill

INTERIOR, SD

The Cookie Jar Eatery

SIOUX FALLS, SD

Jambonz Deux

RAPID CITY, SD

Royal Bake Shop

CENTERVILLE, SD

Murdo Drive-In

MURDO, SD

The Mud Hole of the Black Hills

RAPID CITY, SD

The Chislic House

FREEMAN, SD

The Sled Haus

LEAD, SD

Harriet & Oak Cafe and Roaster

RAPID CITY, SD

Bobkat’s Purple Pie Place

CUSTER, SD

Tortilleria Hernandez

SIOUX FALLS, SD

Lamb on a skewer, draped with limp grilled onions
Meridian Corner

FREEMAN, SD

Bumpin Buffalo sirloin tips, marinated, then deep-fried
Bumpin’ Buffalo

HILL CITY, SD

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