Introduction

Welcome to South Dakota! Situated about 10 miles northeast of Rapid City, the area is heavily influenced by Native American and Scandinavian culture, spilling out into the culinary scene but many of the restaurants also offer exotic cuisine from India and Nepal. So, as you get acclimated to your new community, you may wonder: where are the best places to eat near Ellsworth AFB and how many of them can I visit in one day? Craving something specific? Click the links below to go straight to the information. (1-3) Food Court Restaurants on Ellsworth AFB (4-7) American Restaurants on Ellsworth AFB (8-17) Yelp’s Top 10 Restaurants in Rapid City, SD (18-20) Tripadvisor’s Top 3 Restaurants in Rapid City, SD

Suggested Read:

Ellsworth Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center

Ellsworth Air Force Base Restaurants

Dining options on base are available in many flavors and multiple locations. Due to ongoing coronavirus concerns, it is best to confirm restaurant hours before you go.

Ellsworth AFB BX Food Court

Be sure to verify hours of operation for the base dining facility and Ellsworth AFB BX Food Court. Ellsworth Main Exchange Food Court 2725 LeMay Blvd. Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone:

1 (605) 923-4816 The Main BX on Ellsworth AFB offers a food court with the following options:

1. Burger King

Phone:

1 (605) 923-5127

2. Charley’s Philly Steaks

Phone:

1 (605) 923-5127

3. Smoothie and Things Cafe

Phone:

1 (605) 923-5127

FSS Restaurants and Dining on Ellsworth AFB

Be sure to visit the Ellsworth AFB FSS page to check the status of restaurants due to COVID-19.

American Cuisine

4. Raider Cafe

1340 Ellsworth St. Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone:

1 (605) 385-3322 The Raider Cafe is the main dining facility on Ellsworth AFB. The cafe offers breakfast made to order, grilled entrees, a deli, soup and salad bar, coffee station, desserts and more.

5. Bandit Lanes

1062 Boyington St. Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone:

1 (605) 385-7625 The Bandit Lanes snack bar is located in the bowling alley on base. The snack bar is open for breakfast and lunch from 0600 to 1500 on Monday through Friday and open from 1200 to 1800 on Sunday.

6. Dakota’s Club

2838 Arnold Drive Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone:

1 (605) 385-1765 At the Dakota’s Club you’ll find dining options such as a weekly buffet, weekly lunch menu and bar food in the lounge. You can also enjoy pool tables, shuffleboard, jukebox, darts and a dozen large screen TVs to watch sports. Catering is available for special events like weddings, anniversaries, promotions, retirements and Christmas parties..

7. Prairie Ridge Restaurant

359 N. Ellsworth Road Box Elder, SD 57719

Phone:

1 (605) 791-2626 Before or after a round of golf at the Prairie Ridge Golf Course, enjoy one of the breakfast or lunch options at the Prairie Ridge Restaurant. The restaurant is also available for catering and hosting special events.

Best Restaurants in Rapid City, SD

Top 10 Yelp Reviewed Restaurants in Rapid City, SD

8. The Gyro Hub

1745 Eglin St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 348-2877 Touted as the best Mediterranean food in town, created an authentic Mediterranean family of three sisters. Don’t leave without trying the Gyro Hub’s Turkish coffee and fresh-baked baklava.

9. Everest Cuisine

2328 W. Main St. Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone:

1 (605) 343-4444 South Dakotans don’t expect to find authentic Nepalese/Indian food in their neighborhood but Everest Cuisine delivers. Enjoy a daily lunch buffet that features chicken tikka masala and chicken makhani and fine dining for dinner.

10. Kathmandu Bistro

727 Main St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 343-5070 In the heart of Rapid City in a historic building you’ll find the highly rated Kathmandu Bistro. Reviewers rave about the mango chicken and tandoor chicken tikka, along with a variety of vegan offerings.

11. Independent Ale House

625 St. Joseph St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 718-9492 Independent Ale House patrons enjoy a variety of flatbread pizzas that pair well with the 50 beers and ciders found on tap. The mashed potato pizza is not to be missed.

12. Harriet & Oak

329 Main St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 791-0396 This hot spot is where hipsters gather to order avocado toast or a sweet potato burrito. Harriet & Oak is open daily for lunch and dinner and outdoor dining is available.

13. Tally’s Silver Spoon

530 Sixth St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 342-7621 Another gem to grab a bite to eat, Tally’s Silver Spoon is basically famous for their eggs Benedict, French toast and chicken fried steak. Those with a taste for the finer things, the duck confit and foie gras are also highly rated.

14. A&D Jamaican

710 N. Lacrosse St. Suite 4, Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 719-3021 You won’t find anything else in Rapid City like A&D Jamaican. Check out the jerk chicken, brown stew chicken or curry goat.

15. Himalayan Kitchen

1720 Mt. Rushmore Road Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 593-3063 Himalayan Kitchen has an extensive menu of authentic Himalayan, Nepalese and Indian dishes, many of them catering to vegetarians. Diners suggest the vegetable pakoda and samosa chaat.

16. Essence of Coffee

908 Main St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 342-3559 This classy coffee shop is a must-visit spot for Instagram-worth berry French toast or the avocado open face. You’ll want to add a cup of the premium blend coffee with anything you order at Essence of Coffee.

17. El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant

1012 E. North St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 939-3933 One of the few Mexican places in Rapid City, family-owned and operated El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant delights patrons with homemade horchata and delicious chipotle chicken. Patrons also tout the great service at this establishment.

Top 3 TripAdvisor Reviewed Restaurants in Rapid City, SD

18. Delmonico Grill

609 Main St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 791-1664 A special night out calls for a trip to Delmonico Grill to indulge in a filet. The chef/owner prides himself and his staff on their selection of quality steaks and seasonal fare.

19. Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews

3313 E. Mall Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone:

1 (605) 716-7690 Take your pick from 50 burgers and 50 brews and more, including the glazed doughnut burger or Sickies Garage’s home brewed Big Wrench Wheat. The microchain is a great place to take the whole family for a fun night out.

20. Dakotah Steakhouse

1325 N. Elk Vale Road Rapid City, SD 57703 Phone: 1 (605) 791-1800 Celebrate with an indulgent meal of local game and fish or one of the 20 craft beers on tap at the Dakotah Steakhouse. Don’t forget to take a picture with Dakotah, a life-size metal buffalo sculpture outside the front door.

Conclusion

Hungry for more? Check out Visit Rapid City for dozens of food and beverage listings to explore. No doubt as you settle into your new community at Ellsworth Air Force Base, you will find your new “usual.” Got a hot dining tip? We want to know! Share it on MyBaseGuide’s Facebook, tag @mybaseguide on Instagram, or @mybaseguide on Twitter.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.