Restaurant Roundup: Downtown Burger Battle contenders announced, margaritas to go

Dec. 21, 2021

Twenty-seven restaurants – three more than last year — are planning to compete in the ninth annual Downtown Burger Battle. The competition kicks off Jan. 1 and continues through the month. Using the DTSF Digital Passport App, diners rate each burger on the patty, presentation, toppings, bun and customer service. New this year, diners can participate in weekly scavenger hunts for restaurant gift cards. Find the full list of burgers, descriptions and location hours at dtsf.com.

Chevys Fresh Mex is making to-go orders more appealing. Now, customers can get margaritas for takeout. Flavors include house, strawberry, mango, peach and raspberry. Get a quart for $25 or two for $40.

With the addition of culinary director Nicholas Skajewski, R Wine Bar & Kitchen has expanded its menu. While all the popular pasta dishes remain, there are three new entrees: blackened salmon served with pesto gnocchi, a fig and balsamic pork chop with parmesan and prosciutto orzo, and chicken parmesan with fettuccine. There’s a new salad – the Caesar wedge – and new salad sizes: entree and side. Three appetizers have been added: mussels, scallop crostini and arancini cakes, which are made with a roasted mushroom, prosciutto and sangiovese risotto that’s lightly pan-fried and served with citrus and roasted garlic aioli and a smoked balsamic reduction. Weekly features also continue Thursday through Saturday.

And if you’re there and don’t want to drink a glass of wine, nearby Remedy Brewing Co. has created an Italian-style pilsner for the wine bar. It’s called R Pilsner.

Take-and-bake pans of cinnamon rolls for Thanksgiving were so popular at The Pickle Barrel that they’re back for Christmas. Get a pan of 12 rolls and handmade cream butter frosting for $20. Extra frosting is available for an additional charge. Orders can be placed in the restaurant, by phone or through Facebook and picked up Thursday or by 4 p.m. Friday.

The owners of Watecha Bowl are inviting anyone “with nothing else to do on Christmas” to join them for a friends-mas at 2 p.m. at the restaurant, 2305 W. Madison St. They’ll be serving barbecued beef and buffalo ribs and roast beef with several side dishes. No RSVP is needed.

And if you don’t feel like getting dressed Christmas Day but you still want to go out, Wileys is having a Pajama Party. There’s no cover, and the DJ starts at 9 p.m.

Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen is having a community gumbo feed from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Downtown Library, 200 N. Dakota Ave. “Join us for an opportunity to give back, and enjoy a free bowl of gumbo.”

A seasonal special at Coffea Roasterie is now being sold by the half-gallon through a partnership with Stensland Family Farms. Lumberjack Latte is available in jugs at Stensland’s three retail stores. Coffea staff hand-pulled each espresso shot that was combined with Stensland milk, pure maple syrup and cinnamon. Shake and pour it over ice, or serve it warmed up. Limited quantities are available.

Taco Wednesdays are back at The Willows at Willow Creek Golf Course. Get a taco basket for $6 and half-price margaritas.

Rudy M. Navarrete’s Tex-Mexican Catering has been serving tacos and more every Thursday in December at Severance Brewing Co. and that’s going to continue into January. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m.

Changes in service, hours

Yakkity Yak Coffee Shack is taking a holiday break and will be closed through Jan. 2.

Here are other recent food and drink headlines.

Caribou Coffee adding west-side location

5 new dining options await with quick trip out of town

Little Caesars to add south Sioux Falls location

Celebrate Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve with feast, gala downtown

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Restaurant Roundup: Downtown Burger Battle contenders announced, margaritas to go

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