Jan. 2, 2025

With more than 225 kinds of tequilas in its cellar, the new Dahlia Kitchen + Bar is offering classes to teach people about the distilled spirit. Classes will be every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the restaurant at The Steel District. The night will start with an overview and history of tequila while participants sample four tequilas, learning about the different types, the aging process and more. Then, guests will follow along as they make their own tequila-based cocktail, all while enjoying light snacks from the Dahlia kitchen. Tickets are $65 and can be ordered here.

Coffee chain 7 Brew used a crane last month to set its pre-built drive-thru shop on a foundation along Louise Avenue on The Empire Mall campus. The company announced last summer that it was expanding to Sioux Falls and originally said it expected to open in the fall. Now, it’s shooting for an opening in April. 7 Brew will have staff of 50 and is taking applications at hp7brew.com.

Daily creations of grilled cheese sandwiches are back this month at Murph’s Burgers & Fries. The staff will come up with a new version each day Tuesday through Sunday.

Look’s Marketplace is celebrating burgers this month with its new Home-Grilled Heroes contest. Enter your burger recipe and vote for your favorite here. The winner will receive a $250 gift card. The restaurant/market also is offering $2 off the Look’s Smashburger and $1 off a pound of ground beef throughout January.

Every year, Intoxibakes joins in the Downtown Burger Battle fun with its own “burger.” This year’s cupcake/brownie creation is joined by an optional side of “cake curds” that comes with a “dipping sauce.” The curds are vanilla cake pops with vanilla icing for dipping.

The Brandon Valley Area Burger Battle is underway. Here are this year’s competitors: Porky’s Revenge at The Gruff Plates + Pours, The 212 Monster at 212 The Boiling Point, Blatasaurus at Tailgators Grill & Bar and Afternoon Delight at Double D Saloon, all in Brandon; Jammin Slaw at Bottom’s Up in Corson; and The Moo’in Hawaiian at Chuds Pub & Grub in Larchwood, Iowa. Click here for the full descriptions and info on how to vote.

The new Union Social in Harrisburg has new happy hour specials. From 3 to 6 p.m. daily, domestic draft pints are $3 or $5 for 22 ounces, and save $2 on wines by the glass, specialty cocktails and appetizers. Some days also have an added special. Monday: $15 bottles of wine, Tuesday: $4 Call Night, Wednesday: $3 bottles and $5 seltzers, and Thursday: $3 Well Night.

There’s also a Moonlight Bites menu at Union Social from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

In case you didn’t know: Starting at 1 p.m., Perch drops the price on its remaining pastry goods in half. That includes its signature cinnamon rolls. The restaurant is open until 2 p.m. weekdays at 3 p.m. on the weekend.

Nekter Juice Bar is letting customers create their own bowls. The new Build Your Own Bowl lets them choose from a base, granola option and up to three toppings.

Bee Loved Kitchen, which stocks its products at Pomegranate Market, has started offering delivery again to customers in Sioux Falls. Deliveries are every Wednesday with a $10 fee. Order plant-based meals, treats, juices and smoothies at beelovedkitchen.com. All items are vegan and gluten-free.

Chipotle is offering free delivery on its Lifestyle Bowls this month for orders online or through the app. The seven entrees are tailored for those following Whole30, keto, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, vegan or vegetarian diets. To get the details on the seven bowls in this year’s lineup, visit chipotle.com.

Here are the January breakfast specials at Crack’d Pot Restaurant.

Fans of Mike’s Special, which made frequent appearances as a special at Crack’d Pot, will be happy to know that it is now a permanent fixture on the breakfast menu, which is available all day. It’s a three-egg ham and cheese omelet, a half-order of biscuits and gravy, and hash browns.

Those who love black licorice ice cream will want to take note of the schedule for January’s weekly flavors at Stensland Family Farms.

Both locations of Tinners Public House have January food and drink features.

Check out the monthly specials at Tailgators Grill & Bar in Brandon.

The featured pancake flavor of the month at IHOP is Snickerdoodle.

Ziggi’s Coffee is featuring pistachio-flavored drinks as the new year begins. Offerings include the Pistachio Oat Milk Latte, Pistachio Blender and Pistachio Cold Foam. New seasonal treats are Frosted Lemon Bread and gluten-free Lemon Poppy Seed Raspberry Swirl Bread.

Another seasonal lineup has arrived at Scooter’s Coffee. New drinks are the Blackberry Macchiato, Blackberry Red Bull Infusion, sugar-free Caramelicious, Strawberry Protein Shake, Protein Cold Foam and Salted Caramel Creme Cold Brew. Sea Salt Caramelicious is back, and there’s a new cake bite in that flavor. Tomato & Feta Egg Bites are back.

Changes in hours, service

• Fiero Pizza is on its traditional new year’s break and will reopen Jan. 10.
• The Upper Room in Brandon is closing unless the owner finds a buyer. The final day is set for Jan. 31.
• Brandy’s Custom Cakery in Parker is closed through January. The bakery will start taking cake orders in the second half of the month.

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

Papa Woody’s works through future of downtown restaurant

McNally’s Irish Pub closed until further notice