Sioux Falls Intuition, Casa Del Rey, has Closed

Where will I ever find another chimichanga as delicious as the Original Chimi from Casa Del Rey in Sioux Falls?

Corey O’Brien bought the restaurant from Don Smith in October of 2016.

According to O’Brien, it was becoming more and more difficult to find and keep employees and he wants to spend more time with his family.

 

Casa Del Rey at 901 West Russell Street in Sioux Falls opened in 1980. It was a Sioux Falls staple for great Mexican food for 44 years.

Don Smith and a college buddy opened their first Casa Dey Rey in Rapid City in 1974, then Sioux City, Iowa in 1976. Smith described the cuisine as “foods of New Mexico.”

Nearly everything was made from scratch using Don Smith’s original recipes.

Casa Del Rey was known for their margaritas, chimichangas, burritos, and complimentary homemade salsa and fresh chips.

It's always sad to see long-time local businesses close, but this one hurts. Casa Del Rey, you will be missed.

Tasty restaurants have come and gone over the years. Unfortunately, some of these restaurants were our favorites and we still crave their food.

What I wouldn't do for one more Monte Cristo sandwich from Benningan's, or a Porky Calzone from Zaroty Pizza Kitchen.

Here's a list of several of our favorite Sioux Falls restaurants that have closed. Oh, we know there are many more. If we missed your favorite, make sure you send us a message or check out this story on our Facebook page and comment.

From eating cheeseburgers at the counter of Hamburger Inn to devouring egg rolls at Ming Wah Cafe, here's a list of our favorite restaurants that have closed and we miss.

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own. 

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.