Four decades of serving up delectable food with old world charm . Decades ago , when Waldtraut ( Wally ) Matush emigrated from Germany , she had a dream and the drive to create a viable business which would be a credit to the Black Hills town of Hill City and a reflection of her German work ethic .
This month that business , the Alpine Inn , celebrates 40 years of serving up hospitality along with German and American cuisine , a testament to her determination and that of her daughter Monika Matush , who now owns the business .
Wally purchased the old Harney Peak Hotel that would later become the Alpine Inn in 1974 and dreamed about the possibilities . The hotel was part of Hill City history , built by the Harney Peak Tin Mining , Milling and Manufacturing Company in 1883 , serving as a hotel and dining spot until 1934 . For the next 40 years it housed a variety of businesses .
After purchasing the building , Wally experimented with the use of the building . Within the rooms of the old hotel and restaurant were an ice cream parlor , gift shop , dress shop , real estate office , the Prevailer office and a beauty shop .
“ Moni actually had the beauty shop . She was about 21 years old at the time ,” said Wally .
Colleen Lewis remembers the days before the Alpine came into existence when she worked at the real estate office . She and others in the building had the distinct honor of tasting some of the dishes Wally tried making , giving the German chef their input on the taste . Lewis has been a faithful patron of the restaurant all these years and has found it to be a great place to enjoy good food and fellowship with other people in an awesome atmosphere .
In 1984 the whole main floor became the Alpine Inn Restaurant , and Wally and her staff began to serve up lunch with about 15 selections on the menu , some of them her own German recipes .
For the dinner hour guests were given two choices , the iconic six- or nine-ounce filet mignon , along with a baked potato , Texas toast and a wedge of lettuce topped with the house Ranch dressing .
In recent years , the choice of a vegetarian pasta entrée has
been added to the dinner menu . Once their lunch or dinner was nearly consumed , the dessert menu would be offered with a description of each , so many choices , all of them inviting and homemade .
“ Probably our most popular desserts are Bread Pudding , the Napoleon and Brownie Delight . About 75 percent of our guests decide to have dessert ,” said Moni .
That same basic recipe for good food , pleasant atmosphere and small-town hospitality has remained over the decades . The reputation grew over the years from a draw of Hill City residents to patrons from all over the Black Hills and today , tourists who come from all over the United States and the world .
“ Truly , word of mouth has been our driving force in getting the word out about the Alpine ,” said Moni .
They have advertised in the Black Hills Vacation Guide , Traveler Magazine , the radio and sent the word out to campgrounds in the area . She gave kudos to Janet Wetovick-Bily , the Hill City Chamber of Commerce director , who Moni says is “ amazing .”
“ We just try to be the best restaurant we can be and serve up consistently good food ,” said Moni .
That is echoed in the words of a customer who has been coming to the Alpine Inn since it first opened its doors . Sherryl Alexander has enjoyed the food with her family numerous times .
“ I like that it is very consistent . You always know what you are getting , and the service is outstanding . The prices have always been reasonable . When our kids were little , Vic and I would go in , and each of us would get a steak , and our kids would split one . We always said it was cheaper than going to McDonalds ,” said Alexander .
Alexander often meets friends for lunch at the Alpine . She enjoys all of the salads and her favorite sandwich is the Monte Cristo . She commented that “ the desserts are to die for .” Moni grew up in the Black Hills , but left for Milwaukee , Wis ., setting her heart on creating something similar to the Alpine Inn in a Victorian house there . She was gone for five years , but when her mother suggested she come back to Hill City and buy the Alpine , she liked the idea , with a caveat .
Black Hills Adventure Guide 2024 53