City: Rapid City, SD

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (605) 348-1915

Address: 610 Main St.

Insider Pick:

Description: South Dakota’s first brewpub isn’t just about beer, although the 15 varieties made here (only a few available at a time) provide many reasons to visit the Firehouse. (See Nightlife.) This is also an excellent place to stop if you’re looking for a hearty, appetizing meal in memorable surroundings. As the name and phone number suggest, the restaurant occupies Rapid City’s historic 1915 fire station, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Firefighting equipment of yore is suspended near the high ceiling, and garage doors are still in place in the front of the building. There’s seating for diners downstairs near the rectangular bar, but nonsmokers will want to climb the stairs to the mezzanine, where the brewing vats are on display behind giant windows. The menu changes with the season, but the food is always filling and plentiful. Popular dishes include the Reuben sandwich and Brewer’s Burger. When you’re in the mood for just a beer or cocktail and a snack, you’ll find Fire Fightin’ Nachos (jalapeños optional) among the tasty appetizers. Or you might find that Gorgonzola ale soup, made with the pub’s Wilderness Wheat brew, hits the spot. Be sure to sample the freshly baked beer bread, too, and maybe order a loaf (with 24-hour notice) to take home. And yes, you can buy beer by the half gallon. The Firehouse is open for lunch and dinner Mon through Sat. On Sun, when it is open for dinner only, kids 12 and younger (one per family) eat for free.