Restaurant Roundup: Inca chips in stores, holiday food & drink events
Inca Salsa now has branded tortilla chips to go with its salsas. “Inca is a little more complete package now with chips and salsa,” owner Julio Espino said. “We definitely are in a snacking world.” While the salsas have wider distribution, the chips are in limited production, so they’re available only at JJ’s Wine, Look’s Marketplace and the Hy-Vees on Louise, Marion and Minnesota, Espino said. “People are really responding. I can’t keep up.” He’s looking for a larger co-packer to expand availability. The chips are made using the same recipe as those at Inca Mexican Restaurant, which Espino started and later sold to relatives. A 10-ounce bag sells for $5.99.
R Wine Bar & Kitchen is keeping up the creativity with its second annual holiday gift box of wines. Last year’s box of 12 wines paired with a specific day from the “12 Days of Christmas” song. This year, the downtown wine bar selected bottles from around the world to pair with classic holiday movies. “Home Alone,” for example, is paired with a French wine in a nod to where Kevin’s parents are when they realize he is missing. The box includes eight reds, two whites, one sparkling red and one port with tasting notes and connections to the movies from owner Riccardo Tarabelsi. For each box sold, $20 will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities. A limited number is available.
Glacial Lakes Distillery & Brewhouse is having another holiday charcuterie board event with Cultivated in Love. Build your own board while sipping on holiday-themed cocktails. Tickets are $65 for the event that starts at 6 p.m. Dec. 21.
Caliber has teamed up with Prairie Cocoa & Confections on a signature cookie to raise money for the Helpline Center’s Serve and Learn Student Association. The cookies feature Caliber’s Chrisp-Mix, which started as a snacking treat for hunting trips and turned into a traditional gift for clients, vendors and friends of the marketing agency. All proceeds will be donated to SALSA, which connects with high school students to engage them in volunteerism. Get a half-dozen cookies for $24 or a dozen for $48. They can be ordered at ChrispMix.com.
The winner of Stensland Family Farms’ family flavor battle, Mootella Cheesecake, is available in the dipping cases at all three retail locations. It’s made with bourbon caramel swirl and homemade chocolate chip cookie crust cheesecake and likely will be in stock through January. Runner-up Rhubarb Crisp will be available next season when rhubarb is back in season.
It’s also time for a seasonal treat in the stores. Stensland egg nog floats and quarts of egg nog are available. The floats are made with dips of Farmhouse Original, egg nog, whipped cream and nutmeg.
Several items have been added to the menu at Big J’s Roadhouse in Harrisburg and Humboldt. New offerings include poutine featuring Stensland Family Farms cheese curds with add-ons of brisket, pork or smoked chicken; loaded tots with cheese, bacon and sour cream; BBQ Salad with brisket, pork or smoked chicken; and popcorn shrimp po’boy. Also new: Big J Nachos, buffalo shrimp and BBQ Mac and Cheese. Grandma’s Smoked Meatloaf and chicken fried steak, which often were served as specials, have earned permanent spots on the menu along with the Lumberjack, a burger that has been a secret menu item since the start.
Five downtown bars are participating in The Christmas Bar Crawl on Saturday, which also serves as a fundraiser for Toys for Toys. Participants are required to donate $10. They also pay $20 for an event wristband, which includes two drinks or shots, along with food and drink specials. Check-in runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at Rough Cut Social Axe Throwing. Groups move from bar to bar in no particular order to avoid waiting a long time to order. Other bars participating are Falls Landing, Lucky’s Bar, The Hello Hi and Wileys, which also will host an after-party. Purchase tickets at crawlwith.us.
On the Rocks in Harrisburg is having an ugly sweater contest Saturday. Get a free drink for participating and a chance to win a $50 bar tab. Southside Pine will be playing.
Wear an ugly Christmas or holiday sweater to Pomegranate Market on Wednesday, and get 10 percent off your entire purchase, excluding alcohol.
Bring in a bag of dog or cat food to donate to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, and get a free drink at The 18th Amendment, The Alpine, Billy Frogs Bar & Grill, The Red Eye Bar or The Liebrary. The offer is good all month.
Get a wake-up call Friday morning from Taco Bell with a reminder to pick up a free Toasted Breakfast Burrito from 7 to 11 a.m. Text “WAKE UP” to 866-925-3873.
Changes in service, hours
Fred’s Franks will have its final day of the season Saturday. The hot dog cart moved inside Kingbird Coffee Shop in Brandon from the parking lot when the weather turned cold. It will be back outside in spring once it’s warm. Final hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Combine in Garretson is no longer serving breakfast on the weekend. It opens at 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. On weekdays, it opens at 4 p.m.
Here’s other local dining news from the past week.
Giliberto’s moves next door, will open ice cream shop in original location
3 favorite local restaurants join forces for Christmas Feast like no other
