Jun 07, 2010
Made it to Sioux Falls, SD about 8. Several hilarious billboards welcomed us to town [Ed. note: But thanks to the camera increasingly focusing on the windshield's bugs and not signs in the distance, there's no decent pictorial proof.]. Drove around looking for hotels/restaurants for about a half hour, including about 10 minutes staring at the most depressing, downtrodden hotel in town. Laura did a bunch of research last night and decided on the Brimark, which she claims “got great reviews.” Apparently, things have changed. The mostly empty parking lot (save the rusted out 1930s roadster), neighboring abandoned buildings, and strong sense of desperation forced us to move along (despite the "great" reviews).
Downtown Sioux Falls is really cute. Super cuuuu-ute. A main drag with lots of shops, restaurants/bars, a great marquee, dueling cigar bars, and street art on every corner. A surprisingly diverse walking crowd (two African-American women having a good laugh, a very drunk American Indian-looking dude slurring in our general direction, two homophobic back crackers, after-worky dudes, cigar smokers, and more) made for an interesting three or four block walk. Laura is convinced that SF is a “bigger, more cosmopolitan” city than I’m willing to give it credit for. [Ed. note: I'm not sure "cosmopolitan" is a direct quote, but the sentiment is pretty accurate.] I’m still not sold.
We found the downtown area, parked and walked to Minerva's, the city’s “best” restaurant. A bit of a splurge. Dark wood everywhere, low lighting, and a well-mannered crowd. A fun atmosphere and a nice treat. Crab/artichoke dip to start, then a house salad for me, and entrees of steak (me) and salmon salad (LVL). Though probably a bit over priced, the food tasted pretty good, especially after nothing but snaaaacks today. Annihilated a crème brulee in about 30 seconds to finish the meal.
A bit of iPhone research found us a hotel toward the airport [Ed. note: And this time my research was on the money. I still think the Brimark could have worked (where's your sense of adventure and willingness to see what 50 bucks will buy you, Josh?), but The Quality Inn was clearly the cleaner/newer/more comfortable/so worth the extra few dollars choice.] Made it there after a quick drive-through beer store experience, 6 Fat Tires richer.
Great Faces. Great Places. After our visit, I'd say there's some truth in that advertising.
Brimark Inn, the hotel I found online. So the sign's looking a little shabby, but I've mentioned before that I like "rough around the edges."
It seemed to me to have a bit of a retro vibe going on.
Yes, the place next door was deserted. But gentrification takes time.
Really? How long could this have been there. I kinda wanted to check in just to find out the story about this jalopy.
Close-up of the Brimark hooptie.
Just about the only place open and willing to serve us.
But turns out, we were lucky and they had an appealing menu.
So much better than the Midwest salad bars I've been sampling.
Four spoons? Did she sense that we'd want to shovel it in with both hands?
Nothing seemed to be going on at the State and not sure what goes on there normally, but like the marquee.
The next day happened to be election day in SD. I don't even know what an auditor does, but I'd vote for this dude based on his marketing alone.
Works of art dot the main drag.
Hmm. Tempted by the malt, but I think we'll pass.
Despite being unsure of where we'd be sleeping for the night, I was all smiles, waiting at the window for our Fat Tire 6-pack.
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