Sioux Falls advice?

[bumpy mcgee]

Will be in Sioux Falls March 8-13 for work. Is there anything that must be done or seen during my trip? The wife will probably come along, so is there anything that can occupy her time other than red-hot Summit League basketball action?
She's looking for shopping and at least one nice night out with me.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Don't go.

 

[Zeke12]

Don't go.

I have no use for Sioux Falls, but they have the Summit Tourney there for a reason. If he's going to cover the Summit Tourney there, it means he's coming from a ****tier city.

 

[Zeke12]

Bump --

For eating out, if you like Mexican food at all, go to Mama's Ladas. I think it's on 11th. Be warned, though, it's a small place and will likely be packed that weekend. EDIT: Also for Mexican, Casa Del Rey by the airport is damn good.

For sitdown, night-out American cuisine, Miverva's. Same folks who own that run Spezia, which is Italian, and also good.

There is (or used to be, my sources back there differ) a really good sushi place downtown, Sushi-Masa.

For straight ahead pub fare there's a Granite City on Louise that does the job.

All this is dated, as I haven't been there in a few years. I am sure you can find some newer places on Yelp or the like.

As far as shopping, the mall is on 41st and I-29. Can't miss it.

 

[Bubbler]

Sioux Falls isn't that bad as long as you don't expect L.A. or something like that.

The actual Sioux Falls itself has a nice park, overlook, etc., though I've only been there in warm months.

There's some nice breakfasty places downtown and a decent bar district. I spent two days there two years ago and didn't want to kill myself. There's worse places.

 

[Armchair_QB]

BTW, "Playing Your Conference Tournament In Sioux Falls" is No. 1 on the "Signs You're A One-Bid League" List.

 

[Bubbler]

BTW, "Playing Your Conference Tournament In Sioux Falls" is No. 1 on the "Signs You're A One-Bid League" List.

Inarguable.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Don't go.

Stay home and let your parents worry about it.

 

[daman]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

 

[buckweaver]

Second the recommendation for JL Beers. Wasn't that impressed with Queen City Bakery, though I'm sure it's nice for SF (no offense.)

Want a great burger and milkshake? Hit up the retro-looking B&G Milkyway on Sycamore. Cool little place.

Falls Park is distinctive (reminded me a little of what they've done in Greenville with the waterfalls there.) I also enjoyed strolling up and down Phillips Avenue to see the SculptureWalk; some of the artwork is pretty funky.

Catch a show at the State Theatre, if it's open. Looks like you're a week late to see roller derby at the Coliseum, an awesome venue built in 1917. And a month early to catch the Pheasants.

If you want to know where Babe Ruth hit a 500-foot home run in an exhibition game there, I can show you. 8)

 

[Zeke12]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

Is Sushi Masa still open? That place was great.

 

[daman]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

Is Sushi Masa still open? That place was great.

It is, yes. Never been.

 

[Knighthawk]

I have no use for Sioux Falls, but they have the Summit Tourney there for a reason. If he's going to cover the Summit Tourney there, it means he's coming from a ****tier city.

I suspect the vast Summit League media contingent would have more fun in Rochester/Auburn Hills than in Sioux Falls. Oakland would be the perfect host for the tournament - they could even hold the championship game at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Only slight problem is that the league knows that Oakland has spent every minute they've been in the Summit League trying to get the hell out of it.

 

[daman]

I have no use for Sioux Falls, but they have the Summit Tourney there for a reason. If he's going to cover the Summit Tourney there, it means he's coming from a ****tier city.

I suspect the vast Summit League media contingent would have more fun in Rochester/Auburn Hills than in Sioux Falls. Oakland would be the perfect host for the tournament - they could even hold the championship game at the Palace of Auburn Hills. Only slight problem is that the league knows that Oakland has spent every minute they've been in the Summit League trying to get the hell out of it.

It's not leaving Sioux Falls, unless the Summit League dies -- record attendance figures/sponsorship money and in the new main artery of the conference (the Dakota schools and new member Omaha). A 14,000-seat Arena in the city will be finished in time for the 2015 tournament.

 

[Pencil Dick]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

Is Sushi Masa still open? That place was great.

It is, yes. Never been.

Yummy. Isn't Sioux Falls about as far from an ocean as you can get in the continental U.S.?

 

[Zeke12]

It is, but that's why they have planes. And the place is legit.

And yes, that tournament is not leaving Sioux Falls anytime soon. Jacks fans support both the men and women like crazy down there.

 

[bumpy mcgee]

It is, but that's why they have planes. And the place is legit.

And yes, that tournament is not leaving Sioux Falls anytime soon. Jacks fans support both the men and women like crazy down there.

Supposedly Saturday, Monday and Tuesday are sold out, or close to it, so letting every know they better get their tickets now!
But seriously, thank you for all the help, my wife will appreciate not eating at a sports bar, fast food or the media hospitality room stuff I can smuggle out.

 

[Buck]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

Is Sushi Masa still open? That place was great.

It is, yes. Never been.

Yummy. Isn't Sioux Falls about as far from an ocean as you can get in the continental U.S.?

I'm not slamming Sioux Falls. I've never been there, and like most small cities I'd imagine it has a lot of cool things.

But I'm not eating sushi in f#cking Sioux Falls.

 

[Armchair_QB]

It is, but that's why they have planes. And the place is legit.

And yes, that tournament is not leaving Sioux Falls anytime soon. Jacks fans support both the men and women like crazy down there.

Well yeah, what the hell else is there to do? It's too early in the year for cow-tipping.

 

[Pencil Dick]

I should apparently kill myself for living here.

Some redeemable (and current) eating options.

- JL Beers. Local chain with fantastic burger and beer options. Also small and popular, so expect to wait a little depending on the time of day.
- Luciano's. Probably the best italian option and in the downtown area. Other good italian: Spezia
- PepperJack Gril. Philly cheesesteaks. See also: Firehouse Subs. To get away from the chain sub sandwich fare.
- Bros Brasserie Americano. Had a pork belly thing that I still think about. Also duck tacos. Note: $
- Carnaval. Brazilian grill where they bring the cuts of meat for you to choose (eat ravenously). Note: $
- Phillips Avenue Diner. A couple signatures options, most namely Chicken & Waffles.
- Nick's Gyros. Been around forever for a reason. Best greek food.
- Acoustic. Unbelievable calzones and stuff and in a very neat building in downtown.
- Starz. The only choice to consider for a sports bar.
- Monk's. This is if you're looking for a bar to get a couple beers. Unique with endless beer choices.
- Queen City Bakery. Make something fresh every morning with fantastic coffee, plus cool atmosphere.

I would say the shopping options are not much different than anywhere else. There's a retail district with a mall and some shops downtown.

Is Sushi Masa still open? That place was great.

It is, yes. Never been.

Yummy. Isn't Sioux Falls about as far from an ocean as you can get in the continental U.S.?

I'm not slamming Sioux Falls. I've never been there, and like most small cities I'd imagine it has a lot of cool things.

But I'm not eating sushi in f#cking Sioux Falls.

I'll side with Buck on this matter.