Tag: foodie

13 Reasons You Should Spend Valentine’s Day in Downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker

This list is from 2020. Click here for the current 2021 list.

It’s never too early to start planning for a very special day celebrating all kinds of love and we want to help you with yours!  Whether your celebration involves a significant other, a group of best friends, the kids, or yourself; here are 13 reasons to spend your Valentine’s Day in downtown Sioux Falls.

Many of these Valentine’s Day deals and events occur throughout the week of Valentine’s Day.  Enjoy free downtown parking after 5:00pm and weekends.

1. Experience the classic romantic dinner date with your sweetheart. (Please call ahead to make reservations!)

 

2. Bundle up for an outdoor concert and shopping at Jones421 
3. Valentines Day presents. Need we say more? 
4. Let your inner artist shine
5. Attend the theater
6. Dance the night away 
7. There’s plenty of live music
8. You can let the bubbly flow 
9. Celebrate the day of love with the kids  
10. There’s plenty of places for a special “Stay-cation”
11. Learn a new cooking skill
12. Surprise your loved one with a Singing or Candy Gram while supporting a local non-profit
13. Doing the day solo or not a fan of the holiday?  Downtown is still the place for you!

 

Find more downtown events at dtsf.com/events

 

Cover photo credit: Heidi Hansen

Everything You Need to Know About the 7th Annual Downtown Burger Battle

Posted on by Charlee Riker

Prepare your tastebuds for battle with the 7th Annual Downtown Burger Battle! DTSF and the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation kicks off January 2, 2020 and continues through January 31, 2020. A record number of participating downtown restaurants will compete by presenting their take on the classic American burger.

Diners can order and rate each burger feature based on patty, presentation, toppings, bun, and customer service. The restaurant with the highest average score by the end of the month will be the 2020 Burger Battle Champion. New this year, voting will take place on the DTSF Digital Passport. After voting, diners will earn stamps, points, and share their progress to social media.

“Bringing the community back together after the holidays to experience the downtown area in a different way is so important to these small businesses and specifically restaurants.  This year’s Burger Battle is coming back better than ever with more burgers, giveaways and the highly-anticipated DTSF Digital Passport.” said DTSF Marketing & Communication Coordinator Sadie Swier

The sixteen restaurants participating are: 

Diners can also enter a weekly restaurant gift card drawing by posting a photo of features to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, tagging the restaurant name and using the hashtag #BurgerBattle20.

In 2019, 8,123 burgers were sold and rated from twelve downtown restaurants.  Learn more about last year’s Burger Battle here.

Find burger contender names and descriptions at https://dtsf.com/event/7th-annual-downtown-burger-battle/.

Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet Celebrates 15 years in downtown Sioux Falls

Posted on by Charlee Riker

Downtown Sioux Falls is home to over 50 dining and nightlife establishments, but if you haven’t been to Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet in downtown Sioux Falls – you’re missing out on a casual, friendly atmosphere and critically acclaimed Mediterranean food. The restaurant was even lauded by the New York Times.  If you have eaten at Sanaa’s you’ll likely relate to the GIF below. Restaurateur Sanaa Abourezk is celebrating 15 years in the downtown Sioux Falls area and we are totally here for it!

When you eat literally anything at Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet:

 

We asked The Sanaa some questions about her restaurant’s history and what she loves about downtown.

Q: First off, tell us about the process to open Sanaa’s; did you have a business plan?

A: We moved to Sioux Falls about 23 years ago.  I have degree in Agriculture Engineering from Damascus University and Master’s Degree in Food and Nutrition from California State Polytech University in Pomona, California. My father was a farmer in Syria and mom is great cook. I always enjoyed and appreciated fresh cooked food.  When we moved here, I cooked and entertained at home and kept looking for farm to table style eating place.

Downtown Sioux Falls

Q: Who are your business mentors? 

A: My dad is my business mentor.  He taught me and my siblings to that do what you like, consequently to give it our best and never give up.

 

Q: Have you always been located in the 8th & Railroad Center on the Eastbank of downtown Sioux Falls?

A: 8th & Railroad is my first and only location for my first and only business.  When my husband Jim moved his law office to the 8th & Railroad Center, the building owner offered me good rent if I agreed to open there.

Q: What have you learned in your 15 years in the restaurant industry?

A: The restaurant business is hard and stressful work.  Being head chef and the business owner is double stress. My way of managing the pressure and the demand of the work is to limit the restaurant’s hours; this has allowed me to enjoy my work and my family.

 

Q: What is your favorite song or type of playlist to dance to listen to while you’re cooking?  

A: It is mixture of dance and up-lifting songs from around the world. I turn the volume all the way and dance and cook my way around the kitchen until my staff arrive.

(She’s not kidding, folks…)

Q: What is your favorite menu item?

A: I love tabbouli. I eat it every single day.

Q: Finally, what’s your favorite part of the downtown Sioux Falls community?

A: I feel that the downtown community is more like a family that help each other to succeed and grow.

 

Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet accepts DTSF Gift Cards so head over to 8th and Railroad to say congrats, and try the tabbouli.

 

Like this GIF?  Share in group messages, social media or your own blog. Use the hashtag #dtsfgif and we might share it.

Dancing Sanaa GIF