SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Twenty-six restaurants are participating in the sixth annual Pork Showdown in downtown Sioux Falls, each creating a unique dish featuring South Dakota pork.
At Black Watch, chef and general manager Dan Myers said the speakeasy-inspired dish starts with pork belly that’s brined, braised, cooled and fried.
“So, we did a cherry bourbon glaze. But we also called it the bootlegger’s pork,” Myers said.
“Our process literally takes 48 hours to make,” Myers said. “There’s just a lot of technique that goes into it.”
While the competition is happening downtown, organizers said there’s a connection to farms across the state.
Abby Riemenschneider, with the South Dakota Pork Producers Council, said, “The Pork Showdown is so much more than a culinary competition. It’s a direct connection between the farm and community.”
The South Dakota Pork Producers Council said the state is home to more than 3 million hogs and more than 400 farm families. The competition also shows how versatile pork can be.
“I love competition and seeing all the people being involved in it, wanting to put their best foot forward,” Myers said.
Downtown Sioux Falls said the competition is also designed to bring people downtown and introduce them to restaurants they may not have tried before.
“Our mission is to drive foot traffic to downtown,” Taryn Sietsema, Downtown Sioux Falls chief development officer, said. “And so we want all of our businesses to be supported. And a competition like this does that.”
The Pork Showdown runs through October 31. Diners can try participating restaurants’ pork dishes and vote for their favorite through the Downtown Sioux Falls Passport App.
Participating restaurants and dishesBig Sioux Diner & Dive — Sauced SwineBlack Watch — Bootlegger’s Pork BellyBlackFork Farms — The HelukaBlarney Stone — Celtic CubanBread and Circus — PBLTCrawford’s Bar and Grill — Apricot Basil PorkDahlia Kitchen + Bar — Panza De FuegoFernson Downtown — Sticky RibsIronwood Steakhouse — Pork Tenderloin RouladeJL Beers — Pork NorrisJosiah’s Coffeehouse — The CoyoteMaribella Ristorante — PlumaMB Haskett Delicatessen — Ginger Pork BowlMonks Ale House — Porky’s Torta SandwichNunzio’s — Pappardelle BologneseOde to Food and Drink — Apple Pork TenderloinPAve — Pig Play PizzaPerch — The Pork Cutlet Po’BoyPhillips Ave Diner — Pork FritterPomegranate Market — The Pork & Melon Bistro StackR Wine Bar — Pork TrilogyRivage Oak Kitchen — The Popped CollarShenanigans Sports Bar and Grill — Phillips Pineapple Al PastorThe Lodge Bar & Grill — The Herb & BarrelThe WP Café — The Sweet Heat PiggieTotally Rad Pizza — Porchetta Dip
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