May 2013
21 posts
I've had a week full of comfort food. What's...
I didn’t plan it this way, but this last week has been all about my comfort food. I didn’t try any new places, didn’t try any new dishes. Just went with what I know, and what I love best.
It started on Monday with lunch at Jacky’s and the Pollo en Crema. I love that dish, I love that restaurant, and I was with two of my best friends. Comfort. Familiarity.
It...
Five Guys plan mid-August opening, I plan...
Seems I’ve got about two and a half months to drop the 30 lbs. that I’ll surely add by having a burger joint across the street from my work.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is planning a mid-August opening, according to the Sioux Falls Business Journal.
Great?
Quick hit: Love starting the morning at a Juice...
Not to be outdone by the Fro-Yo craze that is sweeping the nation Sioux Falls, Juice Stop now has four locations in the city (west, southwest, east and central). This is a saturation I can get behind.
With more than 50 smoothie combinations, I’ve definitely not tried them all, but two jump out as my favorites:
1. The Slalom: Orange juice, pineapple juice, orange sherbert, bananas,...
South Dakota #4 on list of most bars per capita....
Check this cool interactive graphic below from The Cap Times: South Dakota ranks just behind neighbors North Dakota, Montana and down-the-block Wisconsin for the number of bars per capita in the United States. (Thanks to Michelle for the tip!) Learn About Tableau
My first thought is, ‘duh.’ It’s cold here. It’s sparse here.
My second thought is, ‘What is your...
Thanks for the notes: fun food stuff around the...
One of the perks of writing a blog about eating, is friends, family and even readers(!) send in tips, stories, grotesque food-related websites and the like to me all the time.
And I love it. Below is a quick roundup of a few from just the last day:
1. I’ve not been to Vegas in years, but it really is an outstanding place to get in trouble. And by that I mean eat way-too-much and way...
Minervas Buffalo Wellington is for real
In my continued effort to eat good food AND support my own company’s efforts, I hit up another Falls Taste Tour - Chefs Challenge participant recently: Minervas for the Buffalo Wellington.
For me, the great thing about the Chefs Challenge is, most of the participating places are restaurants I frequent anyway. Minervas, for example, is consistently good, and a place you KNOW you’re...
What is a Beef O'Brady's? No, really. Tell me!
I though Beef O’Brady’s was just a college bowl game! Apparently, they are a family restaurant chain and one is coming to Sioux Falls at the Sanford Sports Complex, according to the Sioux Falls Business Journal.
I’ve never been to one. Who has, and what can we expect?
One thing to try: Pretzel Roll and Beer Cheese dip...
My friends, at least many of them, make fun of me for liking Skelly’s. They say it’s weird, it’s old and it’s dirty. And to all of that I say: they’re right.
But I don’t care! I’m going to keep trying to make it a thing because I think that as far as pub food goes, Skelly’s does a lot of things right. And I’ve had more than a few very...
The Six-step Process of the CH Patisserie...
These is my suggested how-to guide to your first CH Patisserie visit. Along with getting a pistachio macaron. Step 2 is really the most important if you want to be a good person, as you’ll see. Step 1: Go to CH Patisserie and purchase a tube of the Vanilla Caramel Meltaways. They are different than the Vanilla Bean Soft Caramels I sampled earlier. Step 2: Give some out to your friends and...
Food lineup for the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta...on May...
So what if the celebration is going to be a week after the ACTUAL holiday of Cinco de Mayo? The Sioux Falls Fiesta is one of my favorite events of the summer, if only for the Mexican food trucks.
Plus, this year it looks like the weather is going to be beautiful. So join me down at Falls Park tomorrow! Check out the food menu:
La Tapatia: Elotes (Mexican style corn on the cob), Fruta Picada...
1 tag
Is Instagram + Food making me obese? This video...
Yeah, I take pictures of my food when I eat out. Partly because I love food, and partly because I have to feed the food blog beast. Like the above GORGEOUS photo of Mama’s Ladas I took last week.
And I know some cringe at the now ever-present documentation of eating and sharing on Facebook and Instagram. But I’ve always said (and still say) ‘get over it.’
Anyway, here’s a video saying it’s...
Chefs get Challenged, we get to eat and win.
Today marks the start of our third Falls Taste Tour promotion, the Chefs Challenge.
Like the original Falls Taste Tour, and the Falls Wine Tour before it, the Chefs Challenge offers up some great food and a chance to win some pretty hefty prizes.
Here’s the breakdown:
Eight local chefs have created a new dish and added it to their menu. We go and eat said dish(es), head on over to...
South Dakota: We need more beer up in this joint!
Next week is Craft Beer Week apparently, and the folks at craftbeer.com have this (outstanding really) map of the United States plastered with the labels of the craft breweries of America.
Which is all pretty awesome…EXCEPT South Dakota is the ONLY state in the union represented by only one brewery, Crow Peak.
Now I know there are some upstarts in Brookings, but for a cold, northern,...
Anonymous asked: How about putting together a list of Mother's day brunches/specials for guys like me that waited too long to get in to the normal bruch spots?
Quaker Steak & Lube coming to 74th and Louise,...
Because we, as a collective people, are apparently obsessed with chicken wing joints, you can’t go to one of our two Buffalo Wild Wings in this town at any normal hour without it being packed. So today’s story on the new Sioux Falls location for Quaker Steak & Lube, another national wing restaurant chain, is sure to draw high interest.
And since I’m not only a normal...
Quick Don't Do It: Pizza Hut Crazy Cheese Crust...
If it’s not apparent from this blog, I love excess when it comes to food. So I was actually excited when I saw the new, weird, grotesque Crazy Cheese Crust Pizza. It’s the one with pockets of cheese built into the crust.
Because, let’s be honest, stuffing the crust with cheese has just never been enough.
My ‘problem’ was my wife did not share my enthusiasm and...
Video: People come out in droves for $1 subs at...
People love discounted food. Duh.
So it should come as no surprise that Jimmy John’s (at least the Minnesota Ave. location) was backed up past neighboring businesses for its customer appreciation day Thursday.
Check it out:
Did you hit up the cheap subs? How much does price factor into your willingness to stand in line?
CH Patisserie opens Friday, AND a new restaurant...
If you’re someone, like me, who considers new restaurants, bars and eateries opening up to be good news, this post is for you.
First, CH Patisserie is opening Friday at 5 p.m. The shop, owned and operated by Chris Hamner, a former winner of the Top Chef - Just Desserts competition, will sell European-inspired pastries including macaroons, tarts and brioche and luxury candies.
I got a...
April 2013
30 posts
Forty people, one night, four restaurants, nine...
Heads-up if you like group dining: Dishcrawl, a California-based start-up aimed at building community around love of food, has recently added Sioux Falls to its roll.
The idea is this: A small group of people go to four restaurants in one night. At each of the first three stops (all within walking distance of each other), three tasting-sized entrees are served, for a total of nine. The fourth...
Huron man wins bacon-eating contest at BaconFest
I was one of five judges for the 4th Annual Roller Dollz BaconFest today, and while my favorite, the ‘Buck Bacon’ made from 50% deer and 50% pork, didn’t win, I had a good time.
And two hours later, I’m still feeling great, having not over-eaten.
The same, I’m sure, can’t be said for these gentlemen. Ten men competed in a bacon-eating contest, each with two...
Quick hits: The rest of Rapid City Round Two
Beyond the glory that is Philly Ted’s, detailed earlier here, I tried to hit up as many new spots as my time, wallet and belly could handle in my second weekend trip to Rapid City this month. Here’s a quick rundown: Independent Ale House: Pretty cool place. It was packed by 5 p.m. on Friday, had a full wall of taps from favorites like Odell and New Belgium, as well as some pretty...
My new favorite thing West River: Philly Ted's
I recently finished my second of three weekends West River this month, and have a few thoughts:
1. The Black Hills are beautiful…so long as you look past the the glut of signage for flea markets, tourist traps (see: Reptile Gardens, Bear Country, etc.) that, surely, nobody gets caught in and antiques/souvenirs/motorcycle t-shirt shops. If ever there was a case study for the merits of...
One thing to try: Chorizo omelet at Original...
It’s a little weird to be writing about this in the midst of the Lions Club Pancake Days, but it’s a shame this blog has been going this long without an Original Pancake House mention (at least one I can remember).
Yes, it’s a chain. Yes it’s also in a strip mall on 41st Street. And, yes, it’s crazy-delicious. Just try going there on a weekend morning without a...
Pork chops are now ribeyes as U.S. meat industry... →
I’m sorry, I think this is lame. Leave the pork chop alone. And stop trying to re-brand everything, re-branders! By P.J. Huffstutter CHICAGO (Reuters) - BBQ fans, brace yourselves: “Pork butt” will soon be a thing of the past. In an effort to boost sales just ahead of the U.S. grilling season, and make shopping at the meat counter a bit easier, the pork and beef industries are...
Bacon may have jumped the shark, but I'm still...
Let’s all jump in the WAY back machine, and travel to the year 2010. The place? The Center for Active Generations and the inaugural Sioux Falls Roller Dollz BaconFest.
Bacon was approaching it’s peak as a food meme of force and ubiquity. Heck, Megan and I hosted a Bacon and Boxing Party (alternative title: Pork and Punches) in January of 2009!
So when we heard about the...
Gluttonous, horrible foods: Great read, even...
Graphic by Dorothy Gambrell/Bloomberg Businessweek. Data: Center for Science in the Public Interest, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Burger King This Bloomberg piece is a fun read on how crazy menu combinations are targeting us eaters, especially young men. Plus, the infographic is absolutely mesmerizing. Question: What is the most outrageous menu item in Sioux Falls? Something...
One thing to try: Banh Mi at Lam's
A few months ago, I bagged on the Banh Mi at Leonardo’s, and bemoaned the lack of a good Vietnamese/French sandwich in Sioux Falls.
Shortly, people started alerting me to the Banh Mi at Lam’s. I’d been before, but never remembered the sandwich on the menu.
That’s changed with a new menu, and we’re all better for it.
The sandwich, served on a soft French...
Wall Drug Cafe has the best donuts. Thanks Lloyd.
I loathe going to Wall Drug. Yeah, I get its oasis-like draw for vacationing families driving across South Dakota on their way to Mount Rushmore or the hills. But past that, I’d avoid it’s garishness at all cost.
But when Lloyd Cunningham asks you for a favor, you do it. At least that was my experience when working with the Argus Leader photo icon. Lloyd LOVED donuts from the Wall...
Eat out this week and help the American Red Cross
Of the things I do outside of work, eating and drinking out with my wife Megan, and/or friends, is my #1-favorite thing to do. It’s what lead to this blog’s existence.
Another thing we spend our time on is philanthropy, which leads to my disclaimer that I recently joined the board of the American Red Cross of the Sioux Empire, and you should know that when I tell you below about...
CH Patisserie plans to open in early May →
Downtown dessert business CH Patisserie plans to open in early May.
A new favorite pizza at Red Rossa
I’m on record as saying Tomacelli’s is my favorite pizza in town. But it’s not by a long shot, and when you consider the different styles represented, I could easily talk myself into almost leaning Red Rossa.
Almost.
But their Napoli-style, small pizzas, with their crispy/chewy crusts, are so delicious, I end up over-ordering every time. Every. Time. And now there is a new...
Adventure: The Cheeseburger Shot
Everybody has the same first reaction.
‘Um, no. That is gross.’ ‘You’re crazy.’ ‘Gross.’ (Again)
But of the people I’ve been able to talk into it over the years, everyone of them has come away some level of surprised, shocked, impressed.
I give you: the Cheeseburger Shot. One shot of tequila, one shot of tomato juice and one shot of pickle...
Ordering from Asia: Always a bad decision
Why did I do it?
I knew it was a bad decision before I even placed the order.
But I was very hungry, Jimmy John’s had called to cancel my order because of a power outage, and David Montgomery was going to go across the street to Asia. It would be oh-so-convenient!
Terrible, dry, bland chicken in, again, not-garlic sauce with overcooked vegetables. And exactly how old was the oil...
After more than 40,000 votes, the 2013 FoodFalls...
Congrats to Kristine, Mitch and the entire crew over at Queen City Bakery for winning the tournament. Their path to the championship ran through Rosie’s, Foley’s, Nikki’s, Parker’s Tomacelli’s and Wild Sage Grill.
Quite the run!
And thanks to everyone who voted, and hopefully had some fun with this.
Championship is REALLY close; last day to vote!
Voting for the 2013 FoodFalls Restaurant Bracket Championship closes at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning (or basically tonight for those of us who are sleeping then).
Right now Queen City Bakery leads Wild Sage Grille by only 1.5%, so it’s very close. You should vote now if you haven’t already.
Rapid City Weekend #1 in the books
Thirty-eight hours later, and still all I can think about is the smoked white fish from The Corn Exchange. Light, flaky meat subtly smoked atop a grilled corn and scallion pancake, cucumber/horseradish yogurt sauce, radish sprouts and a boiled egg. One of the more perfect things I’ve ever eaten.
And that was just one appetizer. The entire meal (a crazy-good Peeky Toe crab cake with an...
Championship set: Wild Sage Grille v. Queen City...
This tournament started with 64 of the finest restaurants our city has to offer. But the nature of, and reason for, competitions like this is to crown a champion. And only two remain with a chance to sit atop the imaginary pile or riches that comes with winning the 2013 Food Falls Restaurant Bracket.
Your finalists: Wild Sage Grille and Queen City Bakery.
Vote now, and thanks again for...
Need Rapid City recommendations!
I’m going to be in Rapid City three of the next four weekends, and need help with where to eat in the greater West River area.
Decided to make the road trip this weekend to eat at The Corn Exchange one last time, so that’s a done deal. But other than that, I need your recommendations!
Help me out? Thanks!
1 tag
First day of Restaurant Week, LAST day to vote in...
I’m kicking off DTSF Restaurant Week with lunch at The Cookie Jar and their Cuban Sandwich special. Check out all the specials here.
Secondly, there are only 13 hours left to vote in The Final Fork round of the 2013 FoodFalls Restaurant Bracket. By tonight we’ll have our championship matchup set. And right now (as seen in the screenshot above), Tomacelli’s is holding a slight...
Video: The Final Fork Breakdown
We have our final four restaurants, or as we are now calling them, The Final Fork.
Queen City Bakery will battle Tomacelli’s Pizza on one side of the bracket, while Phillips Avenue Diner takes on Wild Sage Grille on the other. You can (and should!) vote here.
As you’ll see in the video, the shocker for me was that the Diner pulled off the win over Minervas. When I went to bed...
“East Regional Final - 10 hours left! Vote:
Wild Sage Grille 50.9%
Mama’s...”
– http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup-list.php?id=1890&r=4
“South Regional Final - 10 hours left! Vote:
Minervas 51.6%
Phillips Avenue...”
– http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup-list.php?id=1890&r=4
“West Regional Final - 10 hours left! Vote:
Tomacelli’s Pizza 59.8%
The...”
– http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup-list.php?id=1890&r=4
“Midwest Regional Final - 10 hours left! Vote:
Queen City Bakery 54%...”
– http://public.bracketeers.com/matchup-list.php?id=1890&r=4
It's back! Downtown Restaurant Week starts Friday
Downtown Sioux Falls Restaurant Week starts this Friday, and I’ll be honest, I got sorta scared when I found that out.
See, last year, I made it my mission to hit up every place on the list. You can read about it here, here, here, here, here and here. It was difficult to pull off, involved some serious planning and was certainly gluttonous. Not to mention expensive. I ended up following it...
Testing the Bracket embed
Bear with me for a bit if this isn’t working, folks. Once fixed, you should be able to vote in the Elite Ate right from here. Thanks.
