Named after the dead trees found in the county’s gulch, Deadwood is in the scenic Black Hills area of South Dakota. This locale offers nothing short of an all-American food and dining experience. Here are our top 10 finds.
Saloon No. 10 is a landmark in Deadwood, serving steak, pasta, and offering an expansive wine list. The most important event in Deadwood history was a poker game held in Saloon No. 10 on August 2, 1876, where Jack McCall shot Wild Bill Hickok in the back of the head. The restaurant atmosphere is filled with historical Western and mining camp artifacts, spanning more than 100 years. From the menu, we recommend the wild boar nachos, buffalo ravioli and the burger.
The Roundhouse Restaurant is an outstanding chophouse with an interesting history. The building was erected in 1901 by the Homestake Mining Company and functioned as a railroad depot for many decades. The trains operated daily routes that stretched across 54 miles of harrowing track carrying equipment for miners, commodity goods as well as passengers. In 2008 it was renovated and reopened as a restaurant. Dinner is served in the historic Club Car. Guests can end the evening with a show at the on-site Living Map Theatre.
The Deadwood Grille, Deadwood | Courtesy of Jake's
Deadwood Grille
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Deadwood Grille offers patrons breakfast, lunch and dinner crafted by their contemporary chef, set in a fine dining atmosphere. The grill serves gourmet cuisine accompanied by private label wines. The restaurant is also a ‘people’s favorite’ as it was voted ‘Best Restaurant’. It was also commended for having the best customer service in the Black Hills area. From the menu, try the cinnamon roll, macadamia crusted halibut, and honey chipotle ribeye.
Jakes Fine Dining, Deadwood | Courtesy of Gerald C. Vogle
Jake’s
Kevin Costner fell in love with South Dakota while filming his Academy Award-winning film, Dances with Wolves, and opened Jake’s – a fine dining Italian outpost above a gun-slinging saloon. Polished brass and etched glass are emblems in the restaurant; meanwhile gaming goes on downstairs in Kostner’s Midnight Star saloon. From the menu, try the Water World trout burger and Alex Marshall’s Reuben.
Mustang Sally’s, Deadwood | Courtesy of Creekside Restaurant
Mustang Sally’s
Mustang Sally’s offers indoor and outdoor dining on Main Street with a lively sports bar and grill. Rumored to have the best burgers in town, Mustang Sally’s is a prime place to grab a burger, play the slot machines, and watch sports games all at once. It’s open late into the night and is a great spot for people watching. Order a burger and beer here.
Creekside Restaurant, Deadwood | Courtesy of Cousin’s Big Chair Pizza
Creekside Restaurant
Inside the Deadwood Gulch Gaming Resort guests will find the Creekside Restaurant. After a day full of games or golf, the restaurant’s location alongside Whitewood Creek makes for a beautiful setting in which to enjoy a down-home, hearty meal. The family atmosphere affords both indoor and al fresco dining on a patio and garden picnic table during seasons with warmer weather. Make sure to try the piña colada shrimp, sirloin steak made from Certified Angus Beef, and Jack Daniels blueberry pork ribs.
Cousins Pub and Pizza at the Big Chair, Deadwood | Courtesy of Pump House Coffee & Deli
Cousin’s Big Chair Pizza
Cousin’s Big Chair Pizza is part of Cousin’s Big Chair Resort, which contains the world’s largest log chair. This was erected in July 2008, standing 3.5 stories tall and weighing approximately 60,000 pounds. Three cousins bought and refurbished the restaurant, hence the name. Beyond being a tourist destination, Cousin’s Big Chair Pizza is a local favorite.
Pump House at Mind Blown Studio, Deadwood | Courtesy of Gem Steakhouse & Saloon
Pump House Coffee & Deli
Pump House Coffee & Deli is part of the Mind Blown Art Studio, which sits on a retro Texaco station housing a glass-blowing studio. Live music is offered every Friday and Saturday night. Meanwhile a summertime patio allows guests to sit outside and enjoy the music on beautiful Black Hills summer evenings. Order the muffler for breakfast and the junk yard dog for lunch.
Gem Steakhouse & Saloon, Deadwood | Courtesy of Deadwood Dick's
Gem Steakhouse & Saloon
Set inside Deadwood’s newest casino, the Mineral Palace Hotel, Gem Steakhouse & Saloon is sure to satisfy any meat-lover’s tastebuds. Serving food named after the historic town’s Wild West characters, the place has an atmosphere as inviting as the menu. Say yes to the eight-ounce hand-cut sirloin steak accompanied by a Cabernet from the restaurant’s wine list.
Deadwood Dick’s Saloon & Eatery is a mom-and-pop shop that serves up beer, wine, soft drinks, and smoothies. Plus, there is gambling and antique shopping along with a hotel. Originally built in the late 1800s, this historic landmark building was the original site of the W.E. Adams grocery warehouse. An old European-style Otis elevator with gated doors accesses the rooms and suites upstairs. From the restaurant menu, order the chicken bronco sandwich.
