Road trip!

Have you heard, the weather is finally gonna take a turn for the better here in the Sioux Falls area starting this weekend?

Word has it we are supposed to see the upper 60s by Saturday and Sunday and dare I say possibly even close to 80 by Monday. I know, only in South Dakota can we have nearly a 50-degree temperature swing in a matter of just five days. But enough about the weather, at least it going to finally start resembling spring, right?

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When it does warm up, you might consider hopping in the car after being cooped up all winter and go road-tripping in search of the best burgers in the area.

A website called FoodandWine.com has put together what they consider to be the best hamburger made in each state.

For our purposes here, we will focus on the best burgers in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa that are all within a reasonable driving distance from Sioux Falls.

We are also going to showcase burger joints that are not associated with national restaurant chains. The three burger destinations featured in this article are all unique to the city they reside in, which is one of the contributing factors as to why they were named the best burger in their respective state by the gang at FoodandWine.

So what ya say we get this burger journey started.

Our first burger stop is roughly 4 hours away from Sioux Falls.

The folks at FoodandWine say if you're a burger lover and you're visiting the Twin Cities you must try "The Nook" on Hamline Avenue in St. Paul.

Google Maps

The Nook is billed as a small place with big burgers. I guess the burger you need to try is the "Juicy Nookie." Minnesota is known as being the state that invented the Juicy Lucy, and the Juicy Nookie takes the Lucy to a whole another level. A big beefy burger, that is oozing with either American or cheddar cheese in a soft bun, the Juicy Nookie is to die for according to FoodandWine. Plus, The Nook is also known for its bowling alley in the basement. Their burgers are delivered downstairs via a dumbwaiter which makes this burger joint even more cool.

Burger lovers that plan on heading to Iowa anytime soon, must make a stop in Des Moines according to FoodandWine to visit a place called B&B Grocery at 2001 SE 6th Street.

Google Maps

Meat lovers have come to know and love B&B Grocery for nearly a century in Des Moines. They recently added a sandwich shop that has quickly developed a reputation for being one of the best in the entire state of Iowa. FoodandWine says you must try a burger called the Quadzilla. It's more than a pound of grilled beef, that is spilt into four patties. This particular burger is oozing with American cheese, and topped with all the fixings. They bill it as the backyard barbecue burger of your dreams, just four times the size. It will run you just a little over ten bucks.

And now for the best burger in all of South Dakota.

Sioux Falls residents won't need to drive far, just 50 miles north to be exact. The folks at FoodandWine claim the best burger in the Rushmore state can be found in the city of Brookings, at Nick's Hamburger Shop on Main Avenue.

Google Maps

If you've lived in South Dakota for any period of time, there's a good chance you've devoured a Nick's burger or two in your life. A Nick's slider might not be much to look at, but what it lacks in looks, it more than makes up in flavor. This modest-looking burger is fried up in beef tallow and topped with a mustard-based pickle and onion relish inside a small slider bun. Again, it's not going to win any burger beauty contests, but I promise you won't be able to eat just one, that's why you can buy them by the bag.

The biggest challenge you might have dining at Nick's is trying to find a place to sit. It's not very big, and what seating there is surrounds the counter. I've found it to be busy most of the time. Good luck!

There you have it, the absolute best burgers in all of South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa according to FoodandWine.com.

We would love to get your thoughts on the area's best burgers. Feel free to chime in on social media and let us know what your go-to burger is.

Source: FoodandWine.com

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Source: South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa’s Best Burgers Are Located Here

Filed Under: South Dakota, Minnesota, Hamburgers

Categories: Articles