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Entertainment, Travel, Winery

Prairie Berry Winery, Hill City, SD

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Prairie Berry Winery, 23837 US-385, Hill City, SD 57745

Hill City, SD, just south of Rapids City has a winery row, and Prairie Berry Winery started it.  I have been to this winery a few times on my way through SD or when visiting the badlands.

The wines are made from the sweet berries that are found on the prairie.  Despite being located in SD this wine maker has a long history of making wine dating back 5 generations.  The first time I visited this winery I knew that these people know what they are doing and I was honestly surprised to find that with all of the novices trying to start wineries these days.

Calamity Jane 011

They have their berry wines and their old world wines.  I really like their wines containing rhubarb.  The sweetness and flavor is just amazing.  Red Ass Rhubarb has a cute little story behind it.  You will have to ask about it when you go there.  Expect to buy a bottle of this one.  It is a delicious mistake.

Calamity Jane with her strawberry flavors is another one of my favorites.  I am a sucker for strawberries.

Calamity Jane 009

When you arrive at the winery you should walk up to the bar and choose your tastings.  They let you try four or five for free.  The individual serving is witty and tells you the back stories which is really neat to learn.  Choose the ones that you like based on your taste testing and then load up a cart.

Buy a case worth for two reasons.  One, when you get these wines home you will find you go through them way faster than you would expect and if you do not live in the area it might be a while before you get back.  They will ship the wines to you if you find that you drank them all, but there are a lot of restrictions including the weather.  This is a testament to a good winery.  A good winery knows that if the temperature is too hot or too cold that the wine will be ruined.  The second reason to buy a case is that there is a discount.

You can combine your wine tasting with some food as well.  They have a variety of sandwiches, cheeses, and pizzas that you can pair with your wine.  There is even a kids menu if you are in the neighborhood on a family vacation.  I tried one of the cheeses while tasting, but we didn’t eat here.  The prices seem reasonable, not cheap, just what I am used to in the cities, so probably a little on the high side for South Dakota.  The kitchen looks really clean.

The wine is amazing.  If you are so inclined, after you enjoy the amazing wine at Prairie Berry Winery you can check out Naked Winery and Stone Face Winery & Distillery.  Both are located just down the road.  I have not been to either one since it seems like they might just be leaching off of Prairie Berry’s customers, but I honestly have no idea.  Maybe they are great.

Prairie Berry Winery is definitely a place I suggest visiting on your Mount Rushmore, badlands vacation or if you live anywhere close by.  It is a great winery that knows what they are doing and makes some super delicious wines.

Restaurant, Travel

Crossroads Delicatessen, Hopkins, MN

Crossroads Delicatessen, 2795 Hedberg Dr, Hopkins, MN 55305

Crossroads Delicatessen is a Jewish deli and it is delightful.  It helps if you are about fifty, but they do not card at the door so enjoy.  It reminds me of my grandmother for some reason.  It is just good old fashioned food, yum.

When you walk in the door there are items that you can buy to the left.  Wait to be seated and you will be taken into the dining hall on the right.  There are two eating areas that I could see.  You will find some booths and some tables.

I ordered a cream soda.  Specifically Dr. Browns cream soda.  It was pretty good.

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They start you off with bread and butter.  They bring a variety of breads:  white, wheat, and rye.  I took the white and having bread and butter really took me back.  It is such a simple thing, but also amazing because the bread is fresh baked, not something sitting on the shelf.  Yes, absolute joy from simple bread and butter.

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I then ordered the beef n’ borscht because why not?  It smells funny (cabbage) , but wow, the beef was so tender, the sauce was tangy.  It all tastes so good.  I do not think that I have ever had borscht before, but I have to say it reminded me if eating a meal with my grandmother.  They were going for this feeling and the nailed it.  Delicious.

Cross Roads, Borscht

Everything is priced very reasonably.  It is really a great place.  The crowd is older, but they know what good food tastes like.  I really like this place.  I think you will too.

Restaurant, Travel

Snuffy’s Malt Shop, Minnetonka, MN

Snuffy’s Malt Shop, 17519 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

“I just can’t find a great, old fashioned, malt and burger shop.  You know the kind that existed back in the 50’s with great burgers, fries, and shakes.”

“Have you tried Snuffy’s?”

Snuffy’s is the place that you dream about.  The burgers are good and greasy and not too big.  One order of fries is all you need for both of you.  The malts are amazing.  The half is perfectly adequate.  I cannot even imagine what a full shake is like.  You can choose from tons of flavors.  I stick with strawberry.  It is my favorite.

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Did I mention the fries.  The single is plenty for two.  The family will feed your whole family.  The fries are so good, perfection really.

Snuffy's fries

Pick your burger.  Choose a single or a double.  The Snuffy burger is really goo with its lettuce, tomato, bacon, and choice of cheese (cheddar, why would you get anything else).  You can build your own or add toppings as you like.

Snuffy's burger

There are others items to order as well, sandwiches and such.  Soups and salads.  Sodas, Sundaes, and Floats to boot.  You could order any of these items, but why when you can order a burger, fries, and a malt?

Snuffy’s can be a little difficult to get into right away, but it is worth a little wait, not too long.  Minutes really.  Just sit down and wait, really.