June 10, 2022

This is about as farm to table as it gets.

Kyle Sturzenbecher and his mom, Judy, raise the sheep on their farm near Parker that, with the help of Kaylor Locker, become the chislic they sell on their food truck, Sheep Flockers.

They started the business in 2019 and are doing more events in the Sioux Falls area this year. Friday, Sheep Flockers was at Food Truck Fridays at Dawley Farm Village, and it will be back Aug. 26.

It’s booked for lunches the first Friday of the month at PleasureLand RV Center on the north side of Sioux Falls and the first Wednesdays of the month at Hope Lutheran Church at 25th Street and Cliff Avenue. They’re hoping to be part of the Sioux Empire Fair in August.

Next weekend, the Sturzenbechers will be at the Hartford Jamboree, in July at Colton Country Days and throughout the summer at other festivals across southeastern South Dakota, including the South Dakota Chislic Festival.

Sheep Flockers is a two-time winner for the best traditional chislic at the festival, which is July 30 in Freeman.

This year, Sturzenbecher said he’ll also compete for the nontraditional, or “new age,” title with pork chislic.

For the traditional version, the mutton is seasoned and grilled to medium rare to keep it tender and juicy. It’s served by the half-pound or pound.

While the focus is on chislic, the menu usually includes hamburgers, barbecues, hot dogs, chili dogs, walking tacos and fresh-cut fries.

The business expanded this season to include a second unit. Originally, Sheep Flockers operated as a stand and graduated into an old RV, but the family added one of two trailers from Front Porch Concessions when that business decided to downsize.

“We were getting double booked,” Sturzenbecher said. Now, with the help of friends “here and there as needed” — or like at Friday’s event, one of his nieces — Sheep Flockers is available for more public events and catering jobs.

“We may not be able to beat McDonald’s or Wendy’s or Burger King for speed, but it’s good home-cooking food.”

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