- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Alpine Inn
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
225 Main StHill City, SD 57745
(605) 574-2749
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Touristy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Alpine Inn
Review Highlights
-
"They only have filet mignon at night, but I've been there..." In 7 reviews -
"...made ranch, two slices of texas toast, and a baked potato." In 4 reviews -
"...well) toast, and a lettuce wedge appetizer, covered in the..." In 5 reviews
Loading...
33 reviews in English
-
Review from Craig J.
Lakeville, MN
4/15/2012
Was just on family vacation in the Black Hills and without a doubt this was the best meal we had on our trip. Frankly it was one of the better meals I have had in an city I have visited on vacation or for work in the last few years. Food and service were excellent and the prices fair. Everyone really enjoyed their meals, including our kids!
The only downside is they don't accept credit cards (or debit cards) and that caught us by surprise. However, its more than worth a quick trip to the ATM before heading over here to eat. -
Review from Mona A.
Sacramento, CA
11/30/2011
Bang for your buck! There's no better place in the Black Hills where you can get such great quality meal for $10.95. For dinner, they only have two entree options: 6 or 9 oz filet mignot, wrapped in a strip of bacon. The meal includes a salad which is a head of lettuce generously dressed with their fantastic home-made ranch, two slices of texas toast, and a baked potato.
Contrast to their limited dinner entrees, their dessert menu have many wonderful ways to end your meal. I recommend the blondie, enough for two, maybe even for four, but this dessert is so amazing I can finish it by myself.
This place is a definite MUST-GO! Just be prepared to wait in line though, especially during the tourist season, but well worth it. -
Review from Susan H.
Waikoloa, HI
5/3/2012
This was about the only resturant open while we were in the area off season. It is in a very quaint building, which also rents rooms for the night. The dining rooms were small, like being in an old home. They only serve filet mignon in the evening. 6 oz. & 9 oz.. Served with a lettuce wedge and homemade dressing and a baked potato. They follow the saying- "Keep it simple" to the letter. However, the steak was tender and flavorful and the lettuce wedge wasn't bad either. Don't see that anymore. We had the mudpie for dessert- which was really good!
The wine list was pretty minimal, but at least they had wine. They also have a full bar I believe. In general the meal was pretty good, the service good and you certainly coud not complain about the price! Speaking of - be sure to bring cash or a check as they do not accept credt cards. -
Review from Amy C.
Denver, CO
11/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
While visiting Mount Rushmore just after the tourist season ended we were worried that all we would find was bland, from-a-can food. We read the reviews here on Yelp of the Alpine Inn and decided to head there for lunch. I'm SO glad we did.
I had the grilled pork cop and my husband had the breaded pork chop. Both chops were perfectly cooked! Sides were fabulous sauerkraut, cabbage cooked in beet juice (they call it red cabbage, but I assume they refer only to the color), and german potato salad. We both got a side of spaetzle (+1.95 with any entree). I didn't care for it too much, was a bit bland but my husband gobbled it down.
We made the mistake of ogling the desserts coming out of the kitchen and decided this was out calorie splurge of the day. I got a piece of incredibly rich tiramisu. I cried uncle about halfway through, but it wasn't because of the awesome taste. My husband got the Roasted Apple Napoleon. I thought he was going to lick the plate at the end.
This was an amazing lunch. Thank you, Alpine Inn! -
Review from Jerod M.
Maricopa, AZ
An absolute must stop in if you are in the area. We stop and eat here every time we come back to the Rapid City area (live in Arizona). The dinner menu is my favorite, you get the choice of large or small...that's it..
You either get a 6oz or 9az fillet that is wrapped in bacon. The wedge salad with blu cheese that you get before your steak is amazing. We have also came for lunch several times and that has always been equally amazing. You also need to get desert whether you are here for lunch or dinner.
One tip, you need to being cash or a check. They do not have a credit card machine, but do have a ATM in the bar area if you forget. -
Review from Justin T.
Walnut Creek, CA
The Alpine Inn, compared to many other restaurants around, is as good as it gets. If you're a tourist just dropping by, this is the place to check out before you leave. You will never find a better steak as such a pretty price for at least a few hundred miles.
The food they serve is just fantastic. For dinner, you either order the 6 oz or 9 oz size filet mignon, both wrapped with bacon. The steak, for me, has always been cooked perfectly to how I ordered it as, and not only does your order come with the filet, but with potatoes, German (I believe, it may be western toast as well) toast, and a lettuce wedge appetizer, covered in the Alpine Inn's homemade ranch dressing, included in the price. For lunch, they have a broad variety of sandwiches and meats. My personal favorites are the chipotle chicken and the "Monte Cristo".
Not only is the food done right, but the dessert menu is simply glorious. Two full pages of pure sugary goodness. In the past, I've always gotten the grand chocolate tower, a tall cup with layers of brownie, chocolate mousse, and chocolate chips.
The service is quick, friendly, and to the point: they know their job well. Business is always busy, so it seems, so don't be surprised if you come at 5:30, and get an hour and a half wait time. My advice is to come earlier and put your name in. You're more likely to get in in less than a half hour.
Overall, it's a great, small, treat out here in Hill City. Don't forget the word small, however: even though the restaurant may look big from the outside, don't judge it as if it were a Ruth Chris. This is a family owned and operated restaurant, and if you want a friendly, relaxing place to eat delicious food, and perhaps bring your friends too, the Alpine Inn is the place. -
Review from Kimmi M.
6/8/2011
The Alpine Inn is a restaurant that I have dreams about. After dining, my brothers and I begged my mom to make from scratch ranch dressing, much to her dismay. We dined here for dinner, but the lunch menu is a larger menu full of traditional German offerings.
Set in the majestic beauty of the Black Hills, the Alpine does one thing for dinner, filet mignon, and they do it right. Choose a 6 oz or 9 oz portion, and it comes perfectly prepared, wrapped in glorious bacon. For $10.95 for the 9 oz portion, how can you lose? Great food for a great price is what we are all searching for, right?
Each meal comes with a wedge of lettuce with homemade, to-die-for, creamy ranch dressing, a baked potato, and a slice of Texas toast.
I highly recommend the Grasshopper ice cream pie for dessert.
The Alpine Inn does not accept cards, only cash or check. The dining room fills up quickly, so get there early.
I await my next trip back to the Alpine Inn. Till then, I'll think about the filet in my dreams. -
Review from Ralph K.
Medford, OR
7/29/2011
My wife and I chose the Alpine Inn for my birthday dinner and it was a very good decision. We picked this place after reviewing the other reviews on YELP. and from recommendations from locals. I can echo the other reviews here. The fillet mignon was excellent and cooked to perfection and the ranch salad dressing was probably the best I have ever tasted.
They seat 100 people and it is still packed....get there early! -
Review from Esther Z.
White Plains, MD
9/13/2011
Yummy, yummy, yummy!!! Best place near MT Rushmore or Keystone to eat, bar none.
Go before 4PM for the the best German food around. At 5, steak only menu is only choice. We had lunch. Tried to ear dinner but the line was formidable and we wanted to catch the 8PM Mt Rushmore show. Come early and with your patience in tow for dinner. We waited about 15 minutes for lunch. However, they had run out of German potato salad and accepted a substitute. Try to save room for desert. Unless you have a huge appetite, share the desert. -
Review from Nate W.
Rapid City, SD
4/8/2011 1 photo
This is a popular place for locals and tourists, too. It's housed in a gorgeous old building that was built at the turn of the century for the local tin mining company. There are wedding suites upstairs, gorgeous rooms furnished in antiques. I don't know if they still rent those room out anymore, but I snuck up there and took some pictures a few years ago.
You should be informed a few things before you try this place.
1. They do not have an open menu at night. You can choose between two sizes of steak, a baked potato and a wedge of Iceberg lettuce with choice of dressing. So, it goes to say if you're not a big steak fan, then this isn't your go-to place. I wouldn't call it terribly kid-friendly, either (in regards, obviously, to the menu, unless your kids love steak and baked potatoes). This is a steal, because the meal, get this, is under $10.
2. Also, you need to come about thirty minutes to an hour before they open and just hang out, have a glass of wine and wait. It gets THAT packed in the evenings.
3. They only take local checks and cash, no credit cards.
4. They have a different lunch menu, and at least at lunch, you don't have to wait terribly long for a table, but like others have mentioned, most of the food is German dishes. You will want to call ahead for lunch hours.
I've been here several times and always order the Southwest Salad with black beans, a fantastic Mexican Ranch dressing, onions, grilled chicken and cheese. It's so good, I don't feel like trying anything new.
5. If you like sweets, they have a pretty extensive dessert menu. -
Review from P.J. H.
Omaha, NE
12/7/2010
As has been pointed out by other reviewers, unless you want to order the kids' hot dog, you get a choice of either a small or large filet. For some, that is a big issue. But if anyone does a bit of homework they'll soon learn that this is the S.O.P. for the Alpine Inn. I actually prefer it as the cooks/chefs can focus on doing ONE thing and get that thing perfect.
The price is great, and one of the reasons that the restaurant can serve you that steak at a great price is that they only take cash. No overhead of credit card surcharges or the hassle of bounced checks. So the consumer wins in this case.
I've been to the Alpine more than once and each time was very satisfied with how the meal turned out. -
Review from Dave S.
Aberdeen, SD
12/12/2011
The place to be in Hill City! Enough said.
-
Review from Keelin C.
7/23/2010
Hill City, SD is this restaurant's location. It's a picturesque Black Hills town and this is the place to eat dinner if you are staying there. They serve a very limited dinner menu. You can choose large or small (steak that is). The dinner is basic, but they have it mastered. It's a great steak and it's an awesome prequel to the desserts. The desserts are the reason this place gets 3 stars. They are awesome! My suggestion is that everyone order something different at your table because there are so many great ones! The chocolate waffles are the best!
There are a few drawbacks to this place. First, as many have said before me they only take cash, but they do have a cash machine in their bar, so don't worry you can survive without your credit card ;) Second, if you are not staying in Hills City it is a hike from Rapid City (the main city in the area). The major bummer is that the roads are pretty dark and turny on the way home, so don't drink too much wine with dinner. Last, the wait staff can be a little short with you if they are busy (they stretch them a little thin). I guess that's what you get when you only serve small and large. -
Review from Sarah B.
Chicago, IL
4/10/2010
This is a quaint spot in the heart of Hill City's touristy strip. I've been several times for lunch and each time was fine.
The set up is very old-school and feels like Grandma's house during the holidays. You know, when the dining room is full so she sets up card tables and random chairs in the side rooms? Not 'just' like that, but kinda.
The menu is full of German fare and there is sure to be something for everyone. Popular tourist spot; perfect for lunch when shopping the strip.Listed in: Black Hills Haunts
-
Review from Lora M.
Cheyenne, WY
8/27/2011
While we waited almost an hour to get seated, it was absolutely worth it! You get either small (6 oz) or large (9 oz) filet mignon, a wedge salad, baked potato and texas toast. The steak was cooked perfectly. We also got creme brulee for dessert, also delicious. The best part was when the check came and it was only $30! Whenever we are in Hill City we will go there. Oh, just so you know, they do not accept credit cards. Cash only.
-
Review from Elizabeth S.
Minneapolis, MN
6/17/2010
I'm being generous with that extra star because I enjoyed the restaurant's decor. Very moody and dark, but not gothic.
First, they don't accept credit cards. Small businesses with this rule, I understand, it cuts into their meager profits, but Alpine shows no shortage of local and tourist appeal.
Second, the food selection, while quite dedicated to German cuisine, lacks variety. Any dietary restriction whatsoever? Don't go to Alpine. There really aren't that many options if you can't have meat and potatoes.
My meal came with an unadvertised side of something made with beets. I wouldn't eat it, but my aunt tasted it. She told me it was dull and slightly creamy. When we asked the waitress what is was, maybe some of the ingredients, she had no idea. She told us the cooks make something "different" most mornings and while she usually watches them make it, she hadn't done so that day and no notes were left. For me, this wasn't a big deal on the surface, but what is a patron supposed to think of a restaurant that doesn't take pride in the food it serves? That's the message I got out of the mystery beet side. -
Review from Tom K.
Camp Springs, MD
7/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Either get 7 friends together or be prepared to wait an hour or two for a table. (you need a minimum of 8 to make reservations) The Alpine Inn is more an a great dinning experience, The Alpine is a South Dakota destination. "Locals" drive in from Nebraska, Wyoming, and half way across South Dakota to do dinner at the Alpine. The savvy tourist is lucky enough to get there early. And the smart tourist will wait for a table no matter how long it takes.
-
Review from Jamison E.
San Antonio, TX
7/8/2010
Went there for dinner. Since there arent many dining options in Hill City, South Dakota, Alpine Inn is considered "fine dining". It was a 2 hour wait so we had a couple of drinks at the Mangy Moose (which I recommend) down the street which I will add in another review.
At dinner there is only one choice....steak, baked potato, toast and salad. As a vegetarian you have even less choice...just the sides. While you have very little choice you cant beat the price. Roughly $11 for the steak dinner. Be aware they only accept cash!
The dessert is where it is at. Lots of yummy choices. Next time I would definately try the lunch menu since there are alot more choices and supposedly german style food. -
Review from Wendy H.
Orange, CA
7/7/2011
Awesome place!!! I remembered this place from a previous trip to South Dakota and I was thrilled to find that it is still as great as I remembered. Great food, great prices, great service!
-
Review from Susan C.
Thornton, CO
6/21/2011
A 9-oz filet mignon for only $10.95? It must be too good to be true. But it's not! Not at the Alpine Inn in Hill City, SD.
You only have two choices for dinner... a 6 oz filet or a 9 oz filet. That's it! Each dinner comes with a baked potato (sour cream on the side and a small bowl of butter packets), a wedge salad with ranch dressing (no dressing choice) and a piece of Texas toast. I ordered my steak medium and it was cooked to perfection.
But look out for the dessert menu!! There are about a dozen choices. Mom had the Roasted Apple Napoleon, served with ice cream. Delicious! I had the Raspberry Tart. Yellow cake with a layer of sweetened cream cheese and raspberries topped with whipped cream. Heavenly!
The only drawback to this restaurant is that the do NOT accept credit cards and they don't announce that very well. But they do have an ATM on site.
Best deal in town for dinner! -
Review from Team Pfeiste X.
Saint Louis, MO
1/2/2010
I want to give this zero stars, but I'm denied the option.
First of all, the dinner menu is 1 option: steak. Granted, you can choose between two sizes, but you can't get chicken, fish, god forbid something vegetarian- steak it is. How is that a menu?
Secondly, once we told our waitress (nervous at our hesitation after being told the dinner "menu,") that we would like to just have the salad and baked potato (not potato au gratin, because it had ham in it), we were served a wedge of a head of iceberg lettuce with a ladle-full of ranch dressing poured on top. No dressing choice- not even on the side!- no croutons, no nothing. How is that a salad?
Desserts might have been good, I couldn't say- we just wanted to get out of there and get some real food.
So... if you're really into steak, or you're a vegetarian who's okay with having a lone potato for dinner, this could be the place for you.
OH! and they don't take credit cards. Enough said. -
Review from Todd V.
Las Vegas, NV
7/9/2011
Bring cash and be prepared for a wait, but you won't be disappointed!
The lunch menu is great. Here's a tip though, ask your server if there are any rhubarb desserts availble as soon as you sit down! My wife insists on going to Hill City everytime we are in the Black Hills, just to get a rhubarb dessert at the Alpine Inn.
Dinner has about has much variety as the color choice of a Model T Ford, but the Filet Mignon is awesome.
Lunch or dinner, get a wedge salad with their 'homeade' ranch dressing. -
Review from Ellen M.
St Paul, MN
4/6/2011
Not sure why this place has $$$- if you do any traveling, you'll find this place is a great deal. We go every time we're in the area!
-
Review from Jennifer S.
Fort Dix, NJ
11/28/2011
Amazing food, the price was right. The raspberry tart is perfect. We went for dinner, so they only had the small or medium filet. The ranch on the lettuce was homemade and very good. The steaks were great. The price is amazing.
-
Review from Colin C.
St Paul, MN
4/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
They only have filet mignon at night, but I've been there twice now and each time it was cooked perfect. There is also something to be said about a restaurant whose salad is a lettuce-wedge. Just lettuce and dressing that's it. They think they're something to show such audacity. In a pinch between October and April its the "fancy" restaurant around Custer, and its tasty enough to warrant 4 stars
-
Review from Liz B.
Rapid City, SD
2/18/2011
Good steak that night only two options a big steak or little steak, old baked potatoe, salad was a wedge and swimming i'n ranch, nothing else. Kinda sad for such a fancy looking place. Waitress had three tables i'n our area and never cared to pick up salad dishes until after dinner course was done! I think the sad part was the packets of butter, screams cheap. A compound butter i'n a tub in the with a scoop would have been a better presentation at the table.
-
Review from John H.
Royal Oak, MI
9/3/2009 1 photo
What a great find for dinner in Hill City. Great location, friendly staff and the menu -- at least for dinner -- is simple and straightforward. Two filet options, that's it. Comes with a lettuce wedge, baked potato and veg. Not bad for 8.95 or 10.95! Desserts were also amazing.
-
Review from Rob J.
La Canada, CA
8/2/2008
Don't let the line fool you....the food is worth the wait.
I prefer the lunch menu - even though I never tire of Filet Mignon!
Great desserts...always ask what the special of the night is...everything is made fresh.... -
Review from Burbalicious X.
Elburn, IL
12/2/2010
Review of dinner - for the price, how can you beat this? A decent piece of steak, a salad, a baked potato... amazing desserts, too.
We enjoyed it and would go back if we were in the area. The wait was long but we hung out at the bar and had some wine (they were out of a few wines we wanted...boo).
Definitely kid-friendly. We saw plenty of families dining. -
Review from Paul M.
Livingston, TX
7/11/2008
11:00 A.M. - 2:30 P.M
Luncheon with German menu
5:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.
FILET MIGNON
6 oz. $8.95 9 oz. $10.95 - This is the entire dinner menu - served with baked potato and lettuce wedge salad w house dressing. No need to bust the brain trying to make choices except for choice of dessert.
Open Year Round - Monday thru Saturday
Wildly popular with locals and tourists. We went there for lunch and for dinner. Varied German menu at lunch. Food and service were both very good and very inexpensive. No credit cards or non-local checks; bring cash, you won't need much.
Seating strategies:
Lunch - we went at 11 AM; there was already a line for the dining room, so we elected to dine on the patio.
Dinner - odd arrangement; no reservations. Lounge opens at 4 PM and sometime during that first hour people start lining up for the dining room. After the first seating they begin taking names to call as other restaurants do; we were told the wait for those on the list ranges from 60 to 90 minutes. We would go there again. -
Review from Lauran H.
Napa, CA
7/24/2010
Yup-limited dinner choices. Yup-very popular. Yup-incredible dessert selections. Yup-very reasonable prices for what you get (we spent $110 for six people including a bottle of wine). Yup-they only take cash and you may have to wait a while for dinner. But, in Hill City you don't have a ton of options and we felt like the Alpine Inn was one of the best if if not THE best. OK, they did undercook a couple of steaks, but the filets were high quality. And definitely ask for dressing on the side or you will have a lettuce wedge floating in a small lake of house made ranch dressing. Great experience - try it!
-
Review from Carolyn L.
Saint Louis, MO
12/19/2010
The Alpine Inn is so good! I travel to Rapid City at least a couple of times a year to visit my son and his family and we always make at least one trip to eat there. I bought a postcard the last time I was there and put it on my bulletin board. Every time I look at that photo of The Alpine Inn, it makes me feel happy. Go there -- you won't be disappointed.
-
Review from Marie H.
Omaha, NE
8/17/2010
Good food, great desserts! We ate there once getting off the train from Keystone, it was packed, cramped seating, service was adequate. The decor was that of a quaint old time restaurant. I would go back for the dessert which is what made me give it 3 instead of 4 stars, maybe it's just me but a place should be more than good for just desserts!
