Why do I like to eat out? Because I hate cleaning up my kitchen. If I had my choice, I'd eat out every night. But, I don't. As a matter of fact, I only eat out maybe once a week. Maybe the reason I don't eat out a lot is because some of my favorite restaurants and bars have closed.

The other night, I was so hungry for Timberlodge Steakhouse's wild rice soup and bread. I really miss that place. It made me start reminiscing about other restaurants and bars that used to be a staple in the Sioux Falls but have since closed.

Here's my list of Top 7 bars and restaurants I wish would come back to Sioux Falls. What would you add?

  • 7

    Pizza & Pasta

    This place had awesome pie. The crust was thin and the sauce was smooth. I hate chunky sauce. It was located in the center Food Court of the Empire Mall. It moved from the mall to downtown Sioux Falls but has closed.  To get my Pizza & Pasta cheese pizza fix, I'd have to travel to Rapid City where there is a location in the Rushmore Mall.

    Eric Tadsen/Thinkstock
    Eric Tadsen/Thinkstock
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  • 6

    TGI Friday's (or just Friday's)

    Friday's had a great menu. Whether you wanted burgers, chicken, ribs or steak, they had a lot of options. My favorite part about Friday's was the appetizers. You can't beat those mozzarella sticks. I really wish they were still open in Sioux Falls, especially since they came out with their endless appetizer deal. The building across from the Empire Mall has been torn down.

    TGIFridays via Facebook
    TGIFridays via Facebook
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  • 5

    Ground Round

    How in the world do Brookings and Worthington, MN get a Ground Round and the 41st Street Sioux Falls location closes. It's not right! I think most of you know that I'm a picky eater. Ground Round was one of those places I could go and have a great selection of sandwiches and entrees to choose from that weren't "too funky." One of my favorite entrees was the chicken alfredo. I know a lot of people who miss the chicken tortilla soup.  And, let's face it, they pretty much invented the "Buy One Get One Free" burger night.

    Ground Round via Facebook
    Ground Round via Facebook
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  • 4

    Bennigans

    I don't remember how long Bennigans was open on Louise Avenue, but it didn't seem like very long. My absolute favorite thing to get at Bennigans was the Monte Cristo sandwich.  SO, SO, SO fattening, but SO, SO, SO good! Of course, I always had to order their asiago cheese sticks for an appetizer. Someone needs to look into opening another one around here. The closest Bennigan's to Sioux Falls is in Clear Lake, IA.

    Bennigans via Facebook
    Bennigans via Facebook
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  • 3

    Homer's Bar and Grill

    I think I single-handedly paid the utility bill at Homer's on West Avenue. My friends and I would spend more time at Homer's on a Thursday and Friday night than we would our day jobs. This place was the epitome of the "everyone knows your name" bar. The servers, bartenders and even the owners knew you by name and were so friendly. The bartenders knew what you were going to drink as soon as you walked in the door. Let's just say, those guys perfected the Tom Collins while I was a patron. And, believe it or not, the food was awesome! They made some of the best pizza I had ever tried. The sandwiches and burgers were awesome. The club sandwich was my favorite. We'd play pool and darts upstairs and then venture downstairs to the dance floor. I remember the days when that place was packed, elbow to elbow. I made life long friends at Homer's. I miss that place.

    Peter Kim/Thinkstock
    Peter Kim/Thinkstock
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  • 2

    Bonanza

    This place had THE best potato and dumpling soup on their salad bar. And, who could forget the fluffiest chocolate mousse pudding?  Do you remember the big block of cheese they used to have on their salad bar. I loved the char-grilled taste of the steaks. The best part was the big piece of Texas toast you'd get with your meal. I don't know what type of butter they put on that, but I could've eaten three slices with my meal. Even though all locations have been closed in Sioux Falls for quite awhile, I still get to Yankton every once in awhile where you'll still find one on Broadway.

    Bonanza Steakhouse via Facebook
    Bonanza Steakhouse via Facebook
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  • 1

    Timberlodge Steakhouse

    Like I said above, THE best wild rice soup EVER! When you dunked your honey whole wheat bread spread with that parmesan butter in your soup, it only made it better. My favorite thing on the menu was the Prairie Chicken. It was a chicken breast with bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce. TO DIE FOR! They eventually dropped that item from their menu.  Big mistake. The restaurant  on 41st Street closed several years ago and there are only three locations left, all in Minnesota. I do plan to stop at one the next time I'm in the area.

    TimberlodgeSteakhouse.com
    TimberlodgeSteakhouse.com
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