Beef tallow fries and smash burgers by a lake? South Dakota, you’re spoiling us. Then there’s a grill that calls its kids’ menu the menu for the baby birds, which is just adorable.
Tiny sliders hit a flat-top right where you can watch them sizzle. A former food truck graduated into a real building, and a drive-in serving a town of about 500 even added its own drive-through.
Funnel Cake Fries showed up on one dessert menu, and they sound like the state fair in fry form. These grills take fresh beef seriously, but they clearly have fun doing it.
These flat-tops sit hundreds of miles apart, so pace yourself. Monuments can wait. Burgers can’t.
1. Murph’s Burgers & Fries
Any burger joint whose Facebook page name includes the word butterguts clearly isn’t shy about flavor. Murph’s Burgers & Fries backs up that attitude on the east side of Sioux Falls.
The headliner is the Famous Murph, built around a handcrafted house sauce. Then comes the bacon jam, a sweet and smoky spread that turns a regular cheeseburger into a conversation starter.
Patties hit the grill and come off with crispy edges. That crunchy rim is the whole point, so don’t let your burger sit around before the first bite.
Not every eater in your group needs a burger, and that’s fine here. A Reuben sandwich and a vegetarian mac and cheese give non-burger people a happy landing.
The Murph Fries deserve their own spotlight, loaded with beef, bacon jam, house sauce, and cheese sauce. Pair them with that house sauce, and you may forget about ketchup altogether.
Service runs at the counter, and things move fast. Grab a seat inside, or head to the outdoor seating when South Dakota weather plays nice.
Families get high chairs and a kids’ menu. Free wi-fi helps too, especially when someone at the table needs to finish homework before the fries arrive.
Plan ahead on timing, because the doors stay closed on Mondays. Friday and Saturday evenings get the busiest, so a weekday lunch is your calmer option.
Reservations aren’t taken, but parking is usually easy with a free lot. Family-owned and proudly casual, it’s the kind of spot that makes a Tuesday feel like a treat.
Address: 5312 E Arrowhead Pkwy, Sioux Falls, SD 57110
2. Birdie’s Tenders & Burgers Co.
Chicken gets top billing in the name, but the burgers at this Rapid City spot refuse to play second fiddle. Birdie’s Tenders & Burgers Co. keeps the plan simple: chicken, burgers, and fun.
The beef is a chuck blend, smashed hot on the grill. That smash creates crispy edges, the lacy brown kind that crackle when you bite in.
Toppings go on fresh once the patty is ready. Think lettuce, pickles, tomato, and cheese, the classic lineup that never needs a makeover.
Tenders are hand-breaded, and the sauces are made in-house. The Black Pepper Sauce is a menu standout, so try dunking a fry or two in it.
Hungry for a starter? The pretzel with queso is a smart opener when your group can’t agree on anything else.
Shakes round out the meal if you’ve saved room. Kids even get their own menu, which the restaurant cheerfully calls a menu for the baby birds.
Games play on TV, so you can catch a score while you eat. The mood stays casual and playful, just like the menu’s sense of humor.
Hours run later than many burger spots, until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Those weekend evenings fill up, so weekday lunches tend to be easier.
Delivery and takeout are both options if you’d rather eat on the couch. A free parking lot makes dining in simple too.
Out on SD-44, it’s an easy stop on the way to or from the Black Hills. Bring a friend who loves chicken, and nobody has to compromise.
Address: 3503 SD-44, Rapid City, SD 57703
3. Shorty’s
Food trucks that grow up and get a building are a special breed, and Shorty’s is one of them. This Brookings spot started as a local truck before landing on 6th Street.
The beef is fresh ground South Dakota beef, smashed on the grill. Buns come from Brookings Bakery, so even the bread has hometown roots.
Fries are fresh cut, and the onion rings are hand-battered. Picking just one side might be the hardest decision of your day.
Not in a burger mood? The ribeye Philly uses freshly sliced meat, and there’s authentic beef chislic too.
Chislic, if you’re new to it, is South Dakota’s famous dish of cubed meat. Trying it here counts as a local rite of passage.
Dessert gets silly in the best way with Funnel Cake Fries. Yes, the name is exactly as fun as it sounds, and yes, you should share.
Service is counter-style, and things move quickly. A full vegetarian menu means plant-based friends won’t be stuck with a lonely side salad.
Sports fans will like the setup for watching games. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings get the busiest, with college students adding to the buzz.
Reservations are accepted, which is handy for bigger groups. Dogs are welcome outside, and the free lot usually has room.
Open seven days a week, Shorty’s makes a reliable stop in this college town. Bring a friend so someone can help you finish the onion rings.
Address: 1224 6th St A, Brookings, SD 57006
4. Ranch and Roost
Fries cooked in beef tallow and a seat near the water make a strong first impression. Ranch and Roost is a lakeside spot in Sioux Falls built around smash burgers and chicken sandwiches.
The smash burgers come off the grill with crisp outer edges. Melted cheddar, lettuce, onions, and a special house sauce pull everything together.
Prefer to call the shots? The build-it burger lets you pick your own toppings.
Specialty burgers bring extra fun to the menu. The Jalapeno Popper Burger and the Cactus Style Burger are both highlights worth a look.
Those beef tallow fries are hand-cut, and a garlic parmesan version adds extra punch. Order a side for the table if you’re sitting with a known fry thief.
Tater Kegs are another wild card, filled with cheddar cheese, chives, and potatoes. There’s also chislic on a bed of fries, a very South Dakota way to double down.
An Elevated Taco Trio with roasted corn proves the menu doesn’t stop at buns. Diners avoiding meat should check the menu carefully, since Ranch and Roost specializes in beef and chicken and even cooks its fries in beef tallow.
Families are well covered with high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Travelers bringing dogs should check Ranch and Roost’s current pet policy before visiting.
Live music sometimes adds a soundtrack to dinner. Order at the counter, then grab a table indoors or outside.
Parking includes a free garage and a free lot. Reservations aren’t taken, so drop by when the craving hits and let the lake handle the scenery.
Address: 2215 S Lorraine Pl Suite 100, Sioux Falls, SD 57106
5. Nick’s Hamburger Shop
Pull up a stool at the counter and watch your lunch get made just a few feet away. Nick’s Hamburger Shop presses fresh beef patties and grills them on a flat-top right in front of you.
The signature here is the slider. These little burgers are small enough that ordering more than one feels like the plan, not a weakness.
Toppings stay classic with mustard, pickles, and grilled onions. No fancy sauces needed when the beef is fresh and the buns are right.
Malts are the traditional sidekick at this diner-style shop. Homemade pie and a chocolate sundae also wait for anyone with dessert on the brain.
Nick’s carries a historic feel along Main Avenue in Brookings. College students, families, and travelers passing through all find their way to the counter.
Watching the cooks work is half the entertainment. Burgers come out hot and fresh, made while you wait.
Weekday hours run from 11 AM to 7 PM. Saturday opens earlier at 10 AM but wraps up at 4 PM, and Sundays are closed.
Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest. Monday evening is the quiet window if you like a little elbow room.
Takeout works, and there’s outdoor seating too. Dogs can join you outside, though they’ll have to settle for smelling the onions.
Catering is available for bigger events. A party built around a mountain of sliders sounds like a winning idea to us.
Address: 427 Main Ave, Brookings, SD 57006
6. Sugar Shack
Breakfast at 7 AM, burgers by lunch, and Black Hills scenery along the way. Sugar Shack sits along Highway 385 near Deadwood, and the drive is part of the fun.
Burgers are hand-pressed and cooked to order on a flat-top. A gleaming stainless steel vent hood hangs over the action.
The Sugar Burger carries the house name and a big reason to stop. The Cheeseburger Deluxe is another top pick, loaded with lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
Craving something heartier? Chicken fried steak and a Ham Burger Steak bring plate-style comfort food to the table.
Sides include onion rings and chili cheese fries. Split them with the table, or don’t, and blame the mountain air for your appetite.
Morning visitors get their own lineup. Pancakes, sausage gravy, and two eggs with hash browns and toast fill out the breakfast menu.
A caramel roll might be the best road snack in the hills. Grab one for the car and thank yourself an hour later.
Seating comes indoors and out, and the patio is dog-friendly. Kids get high chairs and their own menu.
Open daily from 7 AM to 8 PM, so timing is easy. Weekend afternoons draw the biggest crowds, while weekdays run calmer.
Free parking makes the roadside stop simple. Few South Dakota detours reward you this deliciously.
Address: 22495 US-385, Deadwood, SD 57732
7. Primetime Burgers
Meat that starts as fresh ground beef, not a frozen puck, is the backbone of this Rapid City burger stop. Primetime Burgers is locally owned and makes its burgers to order.
Patties are formed from the ground beef up instead of arriving pre-made. They hit the grill only after you order.
Classic toppings keep things simple. Crisp lettuce, fresh tomato slices, pickles, and melted cheese stack up the old-fashioned way.
The fries come seasoned, which saves you a trip to the salt shaker. Dessert is on the menu too, for anyone not quite finished.
The address on North Maple Avenue lists a space number. Look for unit 603 so you don’t wander right past it.
Service moves fast, a big plus when hungry kids are involved. There’s a kids’ menu, and the mood stays casual and family-friendly.
Curbside pickup is available if you’d rather eat in the car. Takeout and dine-in work too, but delivery isn’t offered.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM. Sundays close earlier at 5 PM, so plan weekend dinners with care.
Reservations aren’t taken. Free parking in the lot and on the street makes stopping in easy.
Rapid City sees plenty of travelers heading toward the Black Hills. A burger made fresh to order here beats anything that sat waiting under a heat lamp.
Address: 2200 N Maple Ave Spc 603, Rapid City, SD 57701
8. Circle E Drive-In
A town of roughly 500 people has a drive-in with a drive-through window, live music, and banana splits. Circle E Drive-In in Murdo packs a lot of personality into one small spot.
Burgers are fresh and hand-pressed, made with farm-fed beef. They come off the grill with a nice outer singe and land on a crispy bun.
The Double Cheeseburger is a menu highlight for good reason. Thick bacon is available, and pickles and classic condiments keep things traditional.
Sides include crispy French fries, onion rings, and jalapeno poppers. Grilled and breaded chicken sandwiches give non-beef fans a solid option.
Dessert is a big deal here. Soft-serve treats like the banana split make it tough to leave without a spoon in hand.
The space has been remodeled, and the owners keep things friendly. Families can grab high chairs for the little ones.
Hours need a careful look before you drive. Doors open at 11:30 AM and close at 6:30 PM, and the place is closed Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Murdo sits along Interstate 90 in central South Dakota, making this a handy road trip stop. Curbside pickup and the drive-through help when you’re in a hurry.
Prefer to linger? Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside.
Reservations are accepted, which is handy for larger groups. Free parking keeps things simple, so your only real job is picking a soft-serve treat.
Address: 212 Kennedy Ave, Murdo, SD 57559
9. Culver’s
A chain on a list of local joints? Fair question, but the ButterBurger earns its spot with fresh, never-frozen Midwest beef seared until the edges crisp.
Culver’s in Aberdeen grills its patties to order. Classic toppings include pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, and real Wisconsin cheese.
The double Bacon ButterBurger is a big pick for serious appetites. Want something different? The Wisconsin Swiss Melt is another menu favorite.
Gluten-free buns are available, and you can go bunless too. The staff knows the menu well, which helps with special requests.
Cheese curds come out hot and chewy. Crunchy fries are the other side worth ordering, and the fish sandwich gets plenty of attention too.
Then there’s frozen custard, the dessert this chain is known for. Saving room for it is a smart strategy, not a suggestion.
Boston clam chowder also shows up on the menu. That’s a fun surprise at a burger spot in northeast South Dakota.
Hours run daily from 10 AM to 10 PM, later than most places on this list. The drive-through and curbside pickup help on busy nights.
Families get high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Free wi-fi helps if someone needs to answer messages between bites.
Evenings get busy, especially on weekends. Free parking and outdoor seating round things out, and dogs can join you outside.
Address: 616 Centennial St S, Aberdeen, SD 57401