Jan. 5, 2023

Area towns are joining in the January burger battle fun. Hartford’s fifth annual contest, which includes nearby Humboldt, has six competitors this year: Big J’s Roadhouse, Buffalo Ridge Brewing, Dugout Sports Bar & Grill, The Goat, Hartford Steak Co. Tavern and Main Street Humboldt Bar. Get the details on the burgers by clicking here. Sioux Falls Food Tours has organized an outing Jan. 26 to Hartford. Get ticket info at sufufoodtours.com. Brandon is having its inaugural competition. Participating restaurants are 212 The Boiling Point, Bottom’s Up in Corson, Brandon Steakhouse, Double D Saloon, The Gruff Plates + Pours, Kingbird Coffee and Tailgators Grille & Bar. Get the details here.

Look’s Marketplace doesn’t let being away from downtown stop it from burger battle fun. Crews in four kitchens compete for bragging rights. Reigning champ The Walk Up Kitchen is offering The Hall of Flame. The Pizza Kitchen has a deconstructed burger called The Rock Bombs, The Live Fire Kithcen is making The Hacksaw Burger, and The Culture Kitchen is serving the Rowdy Roddy Patty Melt.

Food truck Windy City Bites has teamed up with Covert Artisan Ales & Cellars for the Downtown Burger Battle, but it also has other menu items for diners to try. Here’s what you’ll find:

A new month means new specials at the Phillips Avenue Diner.

The Gruff Plates + Pours in Brandon has new daily specials. Here’s a look:

For National Law Enforcement Day on Monday, Sickies Garage is treating all officers to a free Glazed Doughnut Burger.

Sunny’s Pizzeria is teaming up with Severance Brewing Co. for a pizza-and-beer-pairing dinner. It will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Sunny’s. The menu features slices and 10-ounce pours of Augie Blues with Tearin’ The Tartan Scotch Ale, Pickle Me Timbers with False Advertising Flager,  BB-Coo Chicken with Monster Cookie Stout and Cougar Meat with Faking Sincerity IPA. Tickets are $50 or reserve a table of four for $160. In addition to the pizza and beer, tickets include a souvenir glass and a full pint of the diner’s favorite beer. Get tickets here.

Ruby Tuesday is offering a choice of four meals for $9.99 every Friday through Sunday in January. Pick from a 6-ounce rib-eye, Ruby’s Cheeseburger, Meaty Baked Penne or the Endless Garden Bar.  They’re available for dine-in or takeout. Use code UNDER10.

For “Dry January,” Tavern 180 has created three mocktails: Virgin Strawberry Mojito, Orange Kiss and Virgin Sunrise Mimosa. One of its holiday cocktails, the Spiced Sangria, was so popular that it’s staying on the menu longer.

Changes in hours, service

• Sinless Sweets is no longer open on Mondays, but it has added Sunday brunch with gluten-free and vegan offerings. Hours that day are 8 a.m. to noon.
• Harvester Kitchen by Bryan is closed through Jan. 17 for its staff vacation.
• Prairie C Dessert Bar is closed through Jan. 10 for a “winter’s nap.”

Here are other food and drink headlines from the past week.

Kabab King owner sells restaurant, will return to food truck

Bakery to open in Harrisburg

Sea bass, Turkish flatbread, seasonal dessert among new winter features

Businesses, residents band together seeking rebound in downtown building