The Badlands will make you feel small. You’re standing on the edge of an ancient, jagged rock and open sky, and for a moment food is the last thing on your mind.
Then your stomach reminds you that you’re driving three hours to South Dakota with nothing but the brown gas station to keep you alive. At this very moment, this place grabs you.
A small restaurant located right where the meadow falls into one of the most dramatic landscapes in the entire country. I sat down not expecting anything special.
The bison burger arrived and completely changed the conversation. Some meals are just food.
That felt like the whole point of driving.
The Bison Burger that defines this stop
Bison on a bun sounds simple. But your first bite tells you this is not your average high street burger.
Badlands Saloon and Grille serves up a bison burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. The patty is extra lean, meaning its texture is firmer and cleaner than beef.
It’s not greasy. It doesn’t sit heavy.
It just tastes like something honest and real.
Bison is naturally lower in fat than beef, so its flavor is bold without being rich. You can tell the difference right away, especially if you’ve only had beef burgers.
The meat has a slightly earthy, almost dry quality that pairs well with the simple toppings.
The accompanying potatoes are also worth mentioning. Seasoned and crunchy, they have a quality that reminds you someone back there actually cares.
Located at 509 Main Street in Wall, SD, this place treats the bison burger like the headliner it is.
A Mac and Cheese Burger that actually works
Some menu items exist just to make you stop scrolling and say out loud, “Wait, what?” The Ultimate Mac-N-Cheez Burger is just that kind of menu item.
This is a burger topped with macaroni and cheese, and somehow it works perfectly. The combination sounds like something invented at midnight, but the result is comfort food piled on top of comfort food in the best possible way.
Creamy, cheesy, filling and really fun to eat.
Customers who ordered it during road trips through the Wall described it as one of the most uniquely satisfying things they ate on the entire trip. That’s no small compliment when you’re driving to South Dakota with a cooler full of snacks and high expectations for every meal.
The kitchen at Badlands Saloon and Grille clearly enjoys pushing the boundaries of the burger. This is for the person who looks at a standard cheeseburger and thinks they could use more cheese in a different form.
Bold, creative and amazingly balanced.
A hot beef dish known for its size
No one warned me about the portion size. It was a surprise and a real challenge.
The hot beef at Badlands Saloon and Grille is the kind of dish that makes the table quiet when it arrives. Many guests have noted that a single order is known for its large portion.
The portion is so generous. Tender beef, rich gravy, and enough food to fuel a full afternoon of hiking in Badlands National Park without a second thought.
Hot beef sandwiches are a Midwestern classic, and this version totally respects the tradition. The sauce is hearty, the beef is tender, and the whole dish looks like the kind of meal your grandma would be proud to serve on a Sunday afternoon.
For early morning travelers on the road, this dish hits the spot just right. It’s warm, hearty and satisfying without being overly complex.
Sometimes the simple and well done is the most impressive thing a kitchen can do.
Pair it with a side and you’ll really be set for hours. The restaurant is open daily from 10am. to 10 p.m., so there’s plenty of time to stop and tackle this dish at whatever time your road trip allows.
Cheese curds that make people order more
Order the curd. Just do it.
Don’t overthink it.
The curds at Badlands Saloon and Grille come up repeatedly in discussions about what to order first. Crispy on the outside, chewy and melty on the inside, it’s the kind of appetizer that disappears from the basket before the main course even arrives.
More than one guest admitted they could have made a full meal out of them alone.
Fried cheese curds are a staple throughout the upper Midwest, and when they’re done right, there’s nothing better to start a meal. These hit the mark.
The topping is light, the cheese cleans, and the salt level is just right.
They work great as a common starter for a team, although you may find yourself reluctant to pass the basket. Fair warning on that front.
Order two if you’re with people you like.
The ambiance inside the Saloon and Grille adds to the enjoyment.
Fried pickles stand out on the menu
Fried pickles are one of those types of food that seem basic until you have a really great version.
Badlands Saloon and Grille patrons continue to rave about the fried pickles. The coating is crispy, the pickle inside remains bright and tangy, and the contrast between the crispy exterior and the shiny interior is exactly what this snack is supposed to deliver.
One guest called them amazing without any hesitation, and it shows that the kitchen seems to be doing well on all levels.
Fried pickles work best as a shared side, though they also make a strong case for being ordered as a snack while you wait for your main course. They arrive hot and stay crisp enough to enjoy without rushing.
The menu at this place rewards people who order beyond the obvious. The bison burger gets most of the attention, and rightfully so, but the supporting cast of sides and entrees are really strong.
The fried pickles are a perfect example of something that could be forgotten, but is instead talked about coming back for.
Steaks that add something more to the menu
Six hours into a South Dakota road trip, you stop for a snack. You want a real meal.
Badlands Saloon and Grille has an answer to that. Steaks feature on the menu and represent the more serious side of what this kitchen can do.
One guest who ordered the blue cheese burger noted that the beef tasted noticeably different, in the best possible way.
The steaks are cooked to order, and the kitchen generally hits the mark. One guest reported receiving a steak slightly above the temperature he requested, although he described the dinner as amazing overall.
The fried pickles together helped smooth things out considerably.
For a restaurant in a small South Dakota town, offering steaks is a sure move. It signals that the kitchen isn’t overwhelmed by the tourist traffic that passes by on the way to Badlands National Park.
There is real ambition on this menu and the steak section is where it shows most clearly.
A simple breakfast option that works
Most people don’t think of breakfast when they think of Wall, SD. It should be.
Badlands Saloon and Grille brings that same generous, no-nonsense approach to its early hours. Guests who stop by for breakfast often report hearty options that they feel right after staying at the Badlands.
Eggs, toast and classic sides done simply and well. Nothing reinvented, nothing overdone.
Just a hearty meal that sets you up for the day ahead.
The place is clean and relaxing, easy to settle in before hitting the road again. For travelers passing through the Wall, having a reliable spot to grab something warm in the morning is more valuable than it sounds.
Times and offers can vary, so it’s worth checking ahead of time before an early stopover.
An atmosphere that suits the setting
Walk outside and the Badlands will stop you cold. This kind of landscape requires a place to match.
Badlands Saloon and Grille does not disappoint.
The interior is warm, woody and relaxed. It’s vibrant without being overwhelming and clean without feeling sterile.
Many guests described it as comfortable, which is just right for a place that sits on the edge of some of the country’s most spectacular geography. Nothing here is staged or forced.
He feels he belongs.
Seating works for everyone. You can grab a spot for a quick solo meal or settle in with a group and spread out.
The noise level varies depending on the crowd, but the overall atmosphere remains comfortable and welcoming throughout the day. Families feel right at home here, as does the solo traveler just passing through Wall, SD on the way to something bigger.
