Jan. 24, 2019

Big Rig BBQ at 41st and Minnesota has been closed for several weeks. Owners Bob and Nicole Brenner will announce new hours soon. They’re still taking catering jobs.

The staff at The Co-op Natural Foods has started baking on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Gluten-free and vegan baked goods are offered along with regular options. Upcoming offerings include baker’s choice bagels, bee bars, apple hand pies, vegan and gluten-free tahini chocolate orange cookies, vegan pear ginger muffins and maple doughnuts, and gluten-free raspberry ginger muffins. The Co-op is at 18th and Minnesota.

Boss’ Pizza and Chicken has added a cauliflower crust as an option. The low-carb choice is available only on medium-size pizzas for an additional $3.

Over-the-top burgers are the star on the new menu at Sickies Garage on South Louise Avenue. Among the 15 creations are two Turbocharged Burgers, which come speared by a knife to hold them together. The Hacksaw is three layers of sourdough, two beef patties, pickles, onion, lettuce, Swiss and cheddar cheese, Sickies’ sauce and Thousand Island dressing. The Chowzilla has two beef patties, pepper jack cheese, fried jalapenos and pickles, peppered bacon and spicy sauce on Texas toast. Eight choices have been added to the Supercharged Burgers, with names such as Da Beef, topped with pot roast and gravy, and Hangover, a beef patty loaded with ham, fried eggs and American cheese on a glazed doughnut bun.

McDonald’s is celebrating its new Cheesy Bacon Fries and bacon as an option for Big Macs and Quarter Pounders with Bacon Hour on Tuesday. From 4 to 5 p.m., customers will get a free side of bacon with any item they order – limit of one per person. Surprisingly, bacon works with almost everything on the menu: bacon and apple pie, bacon and an ice cream sundae. The new thick-cut, apple wood-smoked bacon items hit the menu Wednesday.

Apparently, it’s the season to bring back specialty fries. Burger King’s Funnel Cake Fries, which were introduced in 2009, are on the menu for a limited time. And, for the record, there’s no potato in the fried dough treats. Taco Bell’s popular Nacho Fries also are here. They’re traditional fries coated with Mexican seasoning and served with a side of nacho cheese sauce for dipping.

As the partial government shutdown stretches into its fifth week, several additional businesses are offering help to federal workers.

• The Co-op Natural Foods: 20 percent off grocery purchases and free coffee – membership not required. Members get a grace period for ownership investments.
• Dunn Brothers Coffee: Free coffee and muffin.
• Fernson Brewing Co.: Half-price tap beers.
• Monks House of Ale Repute: Half-price tap beers.
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop: BOGO entrees through Sunday.

Sample more than 120 beers from more than 60 breweries from Sioux Falls and across the nation at the fifth annual Sioux Empire on Tap on Saturday at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. Two admission sessions and a VIP early access event are available. Food will be sold, but beer drinkers can come with a “pretzel necklace” that they can wear and snack on. Tickets and information are available at americaontap.com.

Prairie Berry Winery’s Calamity Jane was one of 24 wines to win the top sweepstakes award at the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition in Kansas City. According Prairie Berry, the competition isn’t open to every winery willing to pay an entrance fee. The 740 wines that were part of the judging were selected through tastings and other competitions throughout the year. Another Prairie Berry wine, Lawrence Elk, also was a nominee for the sweepstakes award and earned a double gold. Wild Bill won a gold, Peach Mead earned a silver and four wines captured bronze awards.

JL Beers had a little fun with one of the popular SculptureWalk pieces near the downtown restaurant and bar. A  social media post reads: “BREAKING: Sioux Falls man braves winter storm to bring family life sustaining burgers, fresh-cut chips and a crowler of craft beer.”