City: Rapid City, SD

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (605) 574-2908

Address: 23570 US 385

Description: If the topic were real estate, Horse Creek Inn would meet all three criteria: location, location, location. Not only is this quaint mid-20th-century cabin just a short drive from all the fun at Sheridan Lake, but it has a horse pasture out back where you’re likely to see deer and coyotes. Formerly known as Old Wheel Inn, the pine-interior restaurant and lounge has retained its rustic ambience and simple furnishings, making it a delightful place to enjoy some fine food. Beef—top sirloin and filets—is the most popular item here, but chicken, seafood, pork chops, and a couple of vegetarian dishes (fettuccine primavera and Oriental stir-fry) are available as well. You’ll see them all listed on the hand-drawn and lettered menus that are framed and propped up on easels in the dining room. Steaks are hand cut and can be ordered with Cajun spices, and you can request a hamburger or appetizer to eat in the lounge, where there’s a full-service bar.During the summer you can take your drink or sandwich out to the deck, although you won’t actually be served there. Nightly specials are offered, and the soups, salads, and desserts (such as mud pie and German chocolate cake) are made on the premises. The inn is open daily for lunch and dinner from May through Sept, for lunch Sat and Sun all year, and for dinner Mon through Sun the rest of the year. Reservations are recommended on weekends. The restaurant and lounge are nonsmoking, but you can smoke in the lounge. The inn, with its own parking lot, is one-quarter-mile north of Sheridan Lake Road on US 385, 18 miles west of Rapid City and 7 miles north of Hill City.