Discovering South Dakota's Hidden Gems
South Dakota's long highways and open fields may suggest quiet meals, but the backroads tell a different story. Detour into small towns or slip down an alley and you'll catch sight of diners that wear their history in neon and smoke.
Inside, regulars lean over counters, coffee flows without pause, and the food comes straight from habit and craft. Beef still hits wood coals, burgers wrap in paper sacks, pies cool on racks before heading to the case.
They’re not just stops for fuel, they’re South Dakota’s way of serving memory on a plate.
The counters gleam with years of elbows resting and burgers ordered, while the steady hiss of beef on the griddle fills the room. Author's summary: Exploring 14 local restaurants in South Dakota.