Chislic, South Dakota’s beloved meat cube delicacy, has been part of the state’s culinary identity since Russian-German immigrants brought it to the region in the 1870s.
These cubes of seasoned, grilled or fried meat (traditionally lamb, but now often beef) served on toothpicks with dipping sauces have evolved from humble farm food to an iconic state dish. In 2018, South Dakota even declared chislic its official state ‘nosh,’ cementing its importance in local food culture.
1. The Chislic House – Freeman
Freeman proudly wears the title of ‘Chislic Capital of America,’ and The Chislic House stands as its culinary embassy. Family-owned since 2019, this restaurant specializes exclusively in the South Dakota delicacy that locals crave and visitors travel miles to taste.
Their traditional lamb chislic follows authentic Russian-German recipes, but they’ve expanded options to include beef, venison, and even exotic meats like elk when available. What makes their offerings special is the house-made marinades and secret seasoning blends that have been refined over generations.…