FOOD + DRINK
Local Flavor When the Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association was putting together their annual guides, they realized something was missing. They had tapped into the visitor industry as a whole with their Visitor’s Guide and showcased adventure with their Sportsman's Guide , but they wanted to feature the wide range of cuisine and drink options in the southeast region. WRITTEN BY ALANA SNYDER AND PHOTOS BY JOHN SNYDER SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA The Official Guide to
The restaurant and bar had sold various grocery items and became known for menu features like Tiger Meat , Rocky Mountain Oysters , Fleisch Kuchele , broasted chicken, pork chops, Indian Tacos, New York strips, and hand-pattied burgers—all of these are still available today. It’s best known, though, for its newsworthy chislic. “Traditional chislic is the only type served at Meridian Corner,” said manager Abby Streyle . “You have the choice between mutton chislic from Kaylor Locker or lamb chislic that is cut and stuck in-house.” Along with being dubbed Best Small-Town Chislic by the Argus Leader , Meridian Corner also has been given a shoutout on the list for Top Places to Eat by Food Network on its website. The restaurant also has a full bar with popular mixed drinks, including Bloody Marys . There are six beers on tap, with some rotating seasonally. There are seasonal food items as well, like homemade potato salad in the summer, and homemade chili and Nookala Soup year-round. “We also have the occasional special that isn’t typically on our menu,” said Streyle. “For instance, we will be doing ribs on Father’s Day, and we will be offering shrimp tacos throughout the summer, along with some other special items.” The infamous South Dakota restaurant gives “mom and pop/dive bar vibes” and hosts pool leagues. It has also become a place for farmers, neighbors, and passerby to visit with one another. Since it’s around eight miles from both Freeman and Menno at the junction of highways 18 and 81, Streyle says they’ve become a joint community, with frequent visitors from towns like Marion, Irene, Viborg, and Scotland.
“We recognized that culinary experiences—especially when they highlight local ingredients and dishes—are a major driver for travel decisions,” said marketing director Amy Bailey , “and we wanted to create a platform that specifically highlights those businesses, while encouraging visitors to explore more of the area.” The Official Guide to Local Flavor officially released this past February, and already has had such a demand Bailey says the non-profit will launch an additional run this fall. Guides are distributed throughout the region for free at high-traffic locations like visitor centers, hotels, attractions, and at businesses who are featured in the guide (along with being online). “It simplifies the experience,” said Bailey. “Visitors want trusted recommendations, and this guide gives them a curated list of places to explore.” Here are just a few members from the new guide to get a “taste” of what’s covered. MERIDIAN CORNER After a 21-year hiatus, Meridian Corner in Freeman reopened in 2011 after being purchased from Paul and Marceen Svartoien’s estate by Roland and Jean Svartoien . Originally a gas and service station in the late 1920s, it was purchased by the Svartoiens in 1980 and was renamed from Green’s Junction to Meridian Corner. They closed it in 1989 to pursue other ventures.
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