May 27, 2021

The fourth annual PorkPalooza will celebrate the best of barbecued pork June 4 and 5. There’s not contest this year, but Backyard BBQ, Big J’s Roadhouse, Fat Kid Filly’s and Jekyll & Hyde Barbeque will be there selling food. The festivities include live music and fireworks. Admission is free. New this year: the PorkPalooza Porker Run on June 5. PorkPalooza is a fundraiser for LifeScape and will be at the USD Discovery District, where the nonprofit agency plans to build its headquarters. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Boss’ Pizza & Chicken is trying to help boost donations of blood with a generous offer. Donate a pint June 5, and get a $20 gift card. The Community Blood Bank will be at the restaurant on Minnesota Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Strawbale Winery was supposed to kick off its Summer Porch Series tonight, but a rainy day got in the way. The first of the weekly Sangria Sundays is this weekend. Catch Rufus Kruse playing from 1 to 4 p.m. and food from Old Skool Jersey Rippers & Balls. The Thursday events are from 5 to 8 p.m. every week. Food trucks are part of both Thursday and Sunday events this year. Admission is $5 per person, $10 per carload or free for Wines Frequently members.

The carnival food stands in Hartford are closed up and getting ready to head back on the summer circuit. Last year, when the coronavirus pandemic left The Midway Cafe wagon stranded from its usual carnival and festival route, owner Rose Zeig decided to set up shop in her hometown. This year, she reopened in late April and added a second wagon, The Midway Popcorn Co., but is returning now to events with Merriam’s Midway Shows. “We’re completely booked until Labor Day,” Zeig said. She’s hoping to reopen for a few weekends beginning then in Hartford. Anyone with a craving for her funnel cakes or corn dogs can make a road trip and find her June 18 and 19 at Czech Days in Tabor.

Are you a fan of raw meat? The beef tartare featured during  Downtown Restaurant Week at Minervas was so popular that the downtown restaurant is featuring it as a special item for at least the next month — and maybe longer based on continued demand. The dish includes minced Prime-grade beef, a salt-cured egg yolk, lime juice, horseradish, Spanish oil and green onion.

Critters Bar in Crooks has several new menu items, including Critter Bites, which are fried dumplings filled with cream cheese, bacon, sweet corn, red pepper and chives. Other additions include a patty melt, guacamole queso burger and chimichanga.

Here’s the new featured pizza at Monks Ale House. Spring Time includes spring pea pesto, asparagus, chicken, mozzarella, red pepper flakes, crushed black pepper and lemon zest.

Chef Ellen is stocking frozen pizzas from CNC Food Factory. Regular and gluten-free options are available.

Breadsmith is restarting its weekly summer routes to Brookings and Mitchell, beginning the first week in June. The bread truck will be in Brookings on Wednesdays in the Village Square parking lot. On Thursdays, it will be in Mitchell at Vantage Point. Hours will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-up orders are available or order in advance at breadsmithsd.com/breadtruck.

Because it’s short staffed, M.B. Haskett Delicatessen is switching its prix fixe dinners to every other weekend. The next one will be the first weekend in June.

The Boozy Bakery cases at JJ’s Wine, Spirits & Cigars are empty through June 1 while the crew makes changes to the kitchen and adds equipment. The work also affects the kitchen for the bar, so only pizzas and dips will be available.

Sunny’s Pizzeria is celebrating the end of the school year with teachers by buying them a beer. Get a free drink through the end of the week.

And Blarney Stone Pub is celebrating veterans and those in the military on Memorial Day. Stop in for a free pint.

Here’s a look at other headlines from the week.

Local idea leads to emerging national wine label

Owners of Carpenter Bar, The Treasury planning new downtown cocktail bar

New venture to provide shared kitchen space

Prepared-meal business owner to retire, has buyer ‘in pipeline’

Acclaimed Twin Cities restaurateurs bringing 3 offerings to Sioux Falls