Eating Out in South Dakota

Rapid City: Colonial House Restaurant, 2501 Mount Rushmore Rd, (605) 342-4640 We stopped here for a late lunch/early dinner since the parking lot was always full every time we drove by. My husband ordered the G4 Dipster which was sliced roast beef with Cheddar cheese and sauteed mushrooms on a grilled sourdough bun with a side of fries. I had the fish sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. Both sandwiches were huge, well prepared and so very good. I had a chocolate malt which had a good malt flavor and a little chocolate syrup left in the bottom of the metal cup (yep, the malts and shakes are served in the metal mixer cup) while my husband had the strawberry shake. We took home half our sandwiches and fries and looked longingly at the banana cream pie and rhubarb custard pie served at the next table but we were simply too stuffed to eat anymore or to even consider taking a piece of pie home with us. Pleasant surroundings, nice staff, outdoor seating for when it's not 100 degrees outside.

Stonewalls, 5955 S. Hwy 16, (605) 342-6100 Since our campground was several miles south of Rapid City itself, we tried Stonewalls for breakfast on Sunday. My husband had the 3 piece french toast breakfast with scrambled eggs and sausage. The three piece french toast was literally that; three small slices of a baguette style loaf of bread. The scrambled eggs were dry. I had the western omelet with poblano peppers; the omelet was overcooked, the ham in the omelet was diced deli ham and the veggies practically non-existent. I did enjoy the black rye bread. The iced tea was badly overpriced as were all their drinks. The surroundings were pleasant, the wait staff efficient but we wouldn't go back for breakfast.

Rockerville: Gas Light Restaurant, 13490 Main St, (605) 343-9276 We stopped at the Gas Light Restaurant because it was only a couple of miles from our campground and it was recommended by the staff there. My husband had the small filet mignon with a side of fettuccine alfredo while I had the prime rib with fettuccine. Both pieces of beef were flavorful and tender, although my prime rib had a fairly good amount of fat that needed to be cut away. The meals were quite good but the air conditioning vent right above us froze us to death. We mentioned to the waiter that we were uncomfortable at the amount of cold air blowing on us but all he said was that he'd have someone turn it down (which didn't happen) instead of moving us to a different table. Instead of sitting an enjoying another adult beverage and/or a dessert we left quickly because we were so cold we couldn't stand it anymore. There is a separate section of the building that is a bar where they were playing live music after we arrived--it was much warmer there.