Nov. 7, 2025

Crawford’s Bar & Grill has won the 2025 Downtown Pork Showdown as the annual competition reported a 20 percent increase in sales from last year.

The winning dish, called Bavarian Echoes, is described as “crisp-edged pork belly glazed in hot honey alongside charred pork tenderloin, set over truffled potato puree. Autumn herbs and a spiced vinaigrette weave brightness through layers of tomato jam, mustard caviar and pickled onion relish. Finished with pretzel crumb and almond brittle for a Bavarian nod.”

This is the third year in a row that Crawford’s has won the competition. In October, the restaurant sold 495 orders of its specialty pork dish.

Customers will be able to order Bavarian Echoes at least until the end of the year, the restaurant said.

In total, there were over 6,000 pork dishes sold during the Downtown Pork Showdown, generating over $140,000 in sales.

Diners cast 1,695 votes on the Downtown Sioux Falls app —  a 39 percent increase from 2024. Each voter ranked the dishes on a 10 point scale in five categories: best use of pork, flavor, tenderness, presentation and overall experience. The highest average score was the winner.

Following Crawford’s Bavarian Echoes were Cascata’s Cascata Pork Chop, PAve’s Fork Yeah, Maribella’s Braciola di Maiale and Chef Lance’s on Phillips’ Pulled to Perfection Burrito.

“Every pork dish sold during the Pork Showdown represents more than just a great meal — it’s a vote of support for local restaurants, our city’s economy and South Dakota’s agricultural community,” said Brandon Hanson, CEO of Downtown Sioux Falls Inc.

“We host events like this to drive foot traffic downtown and to strengthen the heart of our city. Seeing participation continue to grow year after year is incredibly encouraging — it shows how much our community values coming together for authentic experiences that make Sioux Falls stronger.”

The next Downtown Sioux Falls culinary competition begins in January with the 13th annual Burger Battle.