March 10, 2021

Cluckin’ Good Chicken & BBQ’s final day of regular operations will be March 31, but the business will continue to do catering – and possibly Saturday night dinners – until a buyer is found.

“I can’t just walk away from it and let it die,” said Ben Weiland, who owns the business – the successor to Bob’s Cafe – with his son, Jona.

Weiland announced in February that he planned to retire and close the east-side restaurant in March unless a last-minute buyer was found. His son didn’t want to carry on the business without him.

They didn’t find a buyer yet, but beginning April 1, Cluckin’ will begin operating as a catering business, continuing to use the space it leases at 3607 E. 10th St.

“We will continue to cater to the Specialty Hospital and take caterings by appointment,” Weiland said.

Cluckin’ caters lunch four days a week to the 300-member staff at Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital.

There’s a possibility, however, that customers will be able to get a broasted chicken dinner once a week.

“I’m going to attempt to open up on Saturday nights for a few hours to the public while we keep trying to find a buyer,” Weiland said.

The Saturday evening hours will happen if he can find people who are willing to work for a few hours once a week.

The menu would be limited to chicken and a few side dishes, he said, noting that the smoked meats “take a lot of time and effort.”

“We can downsize and yet keep things going at the same time and still be prepared to bring it up to full steam” if a buyer is found, said Weiland, who took over Bob’s Cafe 20 years ago.

“Hopefully, we will find someone who will be able to run with it, and I’ll help them get it rolling when the time comes.”

Legacy of Bob’s Cafe coming to end unless last-minute buyer is found