Popular Categories

Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 21)

Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom takes over Sanford’s Grub & Pub




 

 

The name may have changed, but the antique atmosphere will live on at the Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom. For most of us locals we knew the place as Sanford’s Grub & Pub at 306 Seventh St. in Rapid City. Last August the name changed to the Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom. But don’t worry Sanford’s fans; outside of the name change nothing else has changed.

Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom resulted from a split in the ownership group for Gillette, Wyo., based Sanford’s, which opened its first salvage-yard themed eatery and sports bar in Spearfish more than 20 years ago. The restaurant’s new name draws on the heritage of the old Milwaukee Road railroad freight depot dating back to 1923. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Grouchy has had several meals at Sanford’s and enjoyed them all, so I thought I would try it under a new name and management. Upon arriving on a late Saturday afternoon, they were not too busy, just a few customers enjoying their meals. Everything looked the same. Eclectic mix of old automobile, sports collectibles and vintage, well, junk, as some people might call it, just goes well in the old railroad depot.

After a nice young man showed me to my table, and handed me the smaller version of the menu, for those of you who have eaten at a Sanford’s will know that the menu was the size of a small Steven King novel, ok not quite as big as one of his novels, but still quite big for a restaurant menu.

They have taken quite a few things off the menu, but have stuck with the most popular dishes that Sanford’s use to serve. After looking over my choices, everything looked good, and Grouchy was hungry, not a good combination. I decide to go with the Al Kickin Steak Fingers, marinated strips of sirloin hand breaded and dished up with hickory bbq, choice of potato and coleslaw. And a side of their signature bourbon sauce. I choose the Freddie’s as my potato, sliced potatoes dipped in buttermilk and breaded with seasoned flour. I also ordered a Fried Sourdough Hoagie with cinnamon honey butter. If you have never had the Freddie’s or fried Hoagie, you are missing out.

Even with the smaller menu there is a lot to choose from, they have something to satisfy everyone. I will say they do have some unusual names for some of their dishes, for example, Crocodile Cristo, sliced ham, turkey and Swiss cheese stuffed between three slices of white bread, dipped in a special batter then fried to a golden brown. Dished up with raspberry habanero sauce on the side or a Grady Bob chunks of sirloin cooked medium served open faced topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Sautéed mushrooms, and demi glaze to name a few. There is also pastas, chicken, salads, fish, burgers and Stakes. As well as a kids menu.

Grouchy’s food arrived, and looked very good, the steak fingers were light and crispy, and the Freddie’s and fried Hoagie were yummy. The only thing I would say bad about the meal was the small container of coleslaw that came with the meal, the cup was not much bigger than a condiment cup. But the rest of the meal made up for that. The bill came to $16.64 and the best part I could not finish it all, so I asked for a watetcha (doggie bag) and get to have lunch on Monday.

Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom has over 70 beers on tap, as well as a full bar, flat screen TV’s to view your favorite games, they have Happy Hour Monday-Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 there hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Grouchy encourages all our loyal readers to stop in to the Historic Freight House Grill and Taproom have a bit to eat, and take in the salvage-yard themed. Until next time good eats!


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.