Nov. 12, 2025

Rosie’s Cafe is coming back — and so is the bread pudding.

The old-school cafe, which operated on West Madison Street for more than 40 years under two generations of ownership, will reopen in early December with a new owner.

Longtime friends Tom Hinrichs and Barry Selland describe themselves as the “next generation” to operate Rosie’s, which will be open six days a week. Hinrichs is the owner while Selland is the working partner.

The two men met at a poker table and have collaborated on other food-related projects.

“Tiger is the finesse guy,” Selland said, using the name by which Hinrichs is known in the local cooking world. “I’m the get-it-done.”

Hinrichs’ first experience in the restaurant world came 22 years ago when he was 14 and began working at a McDonald’s. His first experience in a full-service restaurant came when Johnny Carino’s opened.

Selland started working at the former Champps restaurant in the Western Mall when he was about 18 years old in the early 1990s. He grew up in Garretson and watched his grandmother and aunts in their kitchens. He also operated a food truck, Soul Train, in Sioux Falls.

They are leasing the property at 2200 W. Madison St. and purchased the equipment inside from former Rosie’s owner Beckie Mettler. Rosie Warner had opened Rosie’s in 1984; Mettler, her daughter, took over almost 25 years ago while Warner continued to cook on a part-time basis.

Mettler now operates Rosie’s Farmhouse Cafe in Chester.

“We’ve always been big fans of these neighborhood spots, and there aren’t a lot of them in Sioux Falls,” Hinrichs said.

The interior is being remodeled, and the checkout counter will be moved. That will reduce the number of tables a bit. When it opens, it will have seating for 40 to 45 diners.

Selland and Hinrichs plan to retain the menu familiar to Rosie’s fans while adding their own twist. They respect the history behind the cafe, Hinrichs said.

They already have received requests for bread pudding, and that will be on the menu, they said. They’re not as sure about a request to bring back liver and onions, however.

What customers will see are the traditional breakfast items such as biscuits and gravy, pancakes and French toast, and muffins will be added to the menu. Chili will be on the menu daily, and there also will be a daily “soup of the moment.”

Plans are still being made for what homemade pies will be offered, although traditional favorites such as apple and pecan will be included. There also may be a “pie of the moment” too.

Hinrichs and Selland will serve as the chefs when the cafe opens. They both relish what Selland describes as “the joy of cooking,” and despite the ups and downs of the restaurant business, they are where they want to be, Hinrichs said.

There will be a display case for customers who want to take pie and baked goods home. A license to serve beer and wine will be obtained after the first of the year.

“We want to show this town what we can do,” Selland said. “Rosie’s was here for 42 years, and we want to do it justice.”

Added Hinrichs, “We’re the next generation of Rosie’s.”

Both men are “super-excited” about bringing Rosie’s back to Sioux Falls.

“I’ve been stress-eating for two months,” Selland said.

Hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday when brunch will be served. For takeout orders, the phone number will remain at 605-334-7928.