New restaurant to feature American fare, global flavors

Nov. 23, 2018

A new restaurant will bring “basic American fare” and global flavors in a family-friendly environment to Dell Rapids.

David and Rebecca Ohayon are getting ready to open Papa’s Pub & Eatery in the former El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant location downtown. They’re hoping to be ready by the first week of December.

“The menu will be basic American fare, and we’ve thrown in a few other options based on my cultural background and restaurant history,” David Ohayon said.

Ohayon’s parents were born in the French colonies of North Africa. He was born in Los Angeles and moved to Sioux Falls with his family when he was in high school. His father, Daniel, was the first director of coaching for Dakota Gold Soccer Club, now known as Dakota Alliance Soccer Club. The restaurant is named in memory of his father, who died three years ago.

The menu will include items such as hamburgers, hand-cut steaks, pasta dishes and salads, including a few creations by Ohayon that will be called Papa’s Originals. International flavors will come with street tacos, beef bourguignon and Mediterranean dishes, he said. The restaurant has a full liquor license.

Ohayon has a long history in the Sioux Falls restaurant industry, including a stint as the head chef and kitchen manager at Johnny Carino’s, where he met his wife. They live in Sioux Falls, but Rebecca grew up in Dell Rapids and has family there.

“Friends and family have been prodding me, ‘David, you need to open up your own restaurant,’ ” Ohayon said. “I was finishing up at another location, and this space was available.”

The couple has been working since the beginning of November to renovate the space, which they are leasing.

“It’s Old World, very classic looking. The owners of the building have done a fantastic job of keeping it up and in pristine shape.”

The main dining area seats 84, and the bar and lounge has room for about 20, he said.

“We want it to be a very welcoming and family-type environment based on the nostalgia and memory of my father that we named it after,” Ohayon said. “It will be a warm and welcoming space that people can come out and hang out with family — a place for people to experience not just the food.”

Initial hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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New restaurant to feature American fare, global flavors

A new restaurant will bring “basic American fare” and global flavors in a family-friendly environment to Dell Rapids.

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