The freedom of The Prairie Dog self-serve taproom allows everyone an opportunity to mingle, versus being chained to the same table throughout their dining or drinking experience.
“ It ' s not like casual dining,” Jimmy says, calling the Prairie Dog experience communal. When families or groups of friends come,” they play video games together, they play board games together. They watch TV together, they do everything together.”
Badminton, cornhole, Jenga or ring toss Pong and various board games create a fun vibe in a spacious, welcoming setting that is perfect for families and even well behaved dogs.
The Prairie Dog Taproom is more than just a place to grab a beer or a meal, it ' s also a place to hear some of the best live music the Black Hills has to offer.
The brothers strive to bring in unique acts, musicians people can only see on one of The Prairie Dog’ s two stages. Good weather means creekside concerts, under the light of the stars and moon.
Cold or rainy weather offers a chance for a cozy concert, where every seat offers a great view and fantastic sound.
Every Friday and Saturday night locals and tourists can come hear top talent from the region.
The Prairie Dog has also hosted three Nashville acts since it opened in the late spring and has three more scheduled, including Sam Grow, Maggie Baugh and Jalon Crossland.“ No one ' s ever brought in top talent that people would recognize nationally,“ Michael says about the central Hills location.
On game day, The Prairie Dog Taproom will be football central as the summer season comes to an end and the fall season kicks off. Micheal says the taproom will have a game on each of its four TVs along with a big screen to watch the main game. Fans who follow The Prairie Dog on Facebook can find out which games will be playing“ so people can bring their jerseys and gather,” Michael said.
Michael and Jimmy deliver that same bar-raising attitude in the food they serve up, making everything from scratch.“ There ' s nothing that we source out," Michael says.
The boys, who hail from New Jersey originally, serve up a mouthwatering pizza with dough prepared daily. The tomato sauce begins with a base of imported San Marzano tomatoes.“ Everyone that comes says it’ s the best pizza they’ ve ever had,” Michael says and just the smell alone makes the pizzas impossible to resist.
Those not coming for the pizza are likely trying The Prairie Dog hot dogs, the food that made the brothers famous. The Prairie Dog offers three grass-fed beef hot dogs. The Rushmore Rattler is dressed with a fresh-made jalapeno medley; the Settler’ s Claim is smothered in a buttery, garlic sauerkraut; and the Miner’ s Mischief features the signature proprietary beefbased hot dog sauce. The menu also features a bison burger or a bison Philly cheesesteak as well as chips, pasta salad, bourbon beans and air fried taters. The brothers also serve up a fun children’ s menu complete with Goldfish crackers and Carpi Sun.
The vibe, the games, the music, the atmosphere and the freedom is attracting repeat customers and loyal followers.“ With no wait," Michael says,“ we ' re seeing a cultural change and we’ re seeing a transformation. And we love it because that social cultural change for people, you just feel different when you ' re in here.”
You can feel that unique Prairie Dog vibe throughout the fall season, Wednesday through Monday by visiting the taproom at 23858 US-385 in Hill City, South Dakota. myblackshillscountry. com Down Country Roads
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