Iconic Sioux Falls: Phillips Avenue Diner, a Downtown Gem

I'll never forget the best malt I ever had. It was many years ago at a new restaurant in Sioux Falls. The restaurant was housed in a silver Airstream trailer on Louise Avenue and was called The Market Diner. The malt was so creamy and I think it was probably the first time I'd ever had whipped cream on top of a malt.

 

The Market Diner was a unique '50s-style dining experience with neon signs, classic vinyl booths, stainless steel counter stools, and even a jukebox.

 

That was over 20 years ago. The Market Diner became Dixie Brothers Grill and eventually closed.

 

A few years later, the trailer was moved to a downtown location on Phillips Avenue, extensively remodeled and renamed Phillips Avenue Diner. The malts have not changed, nor has the diner ambiance.

 

POSE: Phillips Avenue Diner is South Dakota's Most Instagrammed Restaurant

 

My niece Ashlea and I ventured downtown and had lunch at Phillips Avenue Diner. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. It's diner classics turned up a notch.

The breakfast menu includes omelets, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, and of course waffles. Recently, Phillips Avenue Diner's waffles were named the best in South Dakota according to Food Network.

Ashlea had the Ranch Burger and it came topped with bacon, onion rings, American cheese, and BBQ sauce. She substituted sweet potato fries.

My selection was the Burger of Champions. You can substitute a chicken breast for any burger, so I had mine with chicken, Applewood bacon, ham, and American cheese. It also comes with a hard-fried egg on top, but I chose to hold that. 

 

Eat local. Some of the best food and atmosphere can be found at local, non-national chain restaurants. Try Phillips Avenue Diner at 121 S. Phillips Avenue and explore downtown Sioux Falls while you're at it.

Check out the menu here and enjoy one of Sioux Falls' iconic restaurants.

I'm old school when it comes to restaurant food. I worked at a small town cafe in high school and that is the type of restaurant food I still love today.

You don't need to feature mushroom risotto and kale salad on your menu to make people happy. I'm personally not a fan of pretentious food. My mashed potatoes don't need to be garlic, red-skinned smashed. I like french fries smothered in gravy and a bowl of chili.

Restaurants come and go in Sioux Falls. In order to survive in a city with over 700 restaurants, you need to have good food, decent portions, affordable prices, and good service. Without those four key elements, you might not last long.