Watecha Bowl Is Serving Up Craveworthy Lakota Cuisine In Sioux Falls, South Dakota
By Courtnie Erickson|Published February 22, 2024
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
There is nothing quite like a delicious meal that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves you reminiscing (and salivating) over your experience for weeks to come. At Watecha Bowl in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, you are going to find your new favorite places to eat. This small business serves authentic Lakota dishes with a cozy vibe, incredible hospitality, and powerful flavors. This local restaurant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has made a name for itself and after just a single visit, you’ll understand why.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our 2024 Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
The idea for Watecha Bowl was formed more than a decade ago by current owner Lawrence West. The concept took several years to work out and in 2020, West officially opened a food truck in Sioux Falls that quickly gained popularity.
The food truck was just the beginning of West’s success. He later opened a brick-and-mortar store in Sioux Falls, a bar and casino version of the restaurant in Freeman, South Dakota, and even a mall location in Norfolk, Nebraska.
It wasn’t just locals who found themselves drawn to West's food. He has gained national attention and you may have seen him on "Good Morning America," the Food Network, Atlas Obscura, and Thrillist.
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"I am representing my people and making the freshest Lakota dishes in the country,” West explains. "I love cooking powwow style and traditional Lakota foods and the lack of representation in the commercial food circles is what inspired me to create Watecha Bowl. My dreams and vision for my brand is way bigger than I've ever imagined it would become.”
When you visit Watecha Bowl, you’ll quickly realize just how special this restaurant is in the community. Here, you will find traditional Lakota food and recipes with a combination of carnival-style cooking, fast-food promptness with care, and undeniable culinary skills.
The menu at Watecha Bowl features a vast selection of authentic Lakota dishes. However, one of the most popular dishes is the Indian Taco, featuring homemade frybread, meat, cheese, and a long list of tasty toppings.
The Watecha Burger is also a must try, and a menu item that people will make quite the drive to devour. It features a bison patty infused with peppers and herbs and served on warm frybread that's topped with various veggies like romaine, pickles, onions, and tomatoes.
Of course, this is just the beginning of the menu items at Watecha Burger. From a Hot Cheeto Frybread Indian Taco to fried street corn, there are plenty of options to satisfy any palate or preference! There are also weekday specials that you won’t want to miss.
This "come as you are" restaurant does have one requisite: when you come to Watecha Bowl, you must come hungry. Everything available at this restaurant is so large and so good that you’ll absolutely lick your plate clean.
This welcoming warmth and hospitality is part of what West loves about small business ownership. “I enjoy the hustle and bustle, interacting, and helping out others,” he says. “I love owning my own brand and being able to work around my family all day.”
And it isn’t just delicious food that West is providing to the community. He is also doing much to help those in need such as donating more than 5,000 meals in a year, participating in school and toy drives, and working with local farmers and ranchers to source fresh ingredients.
Many thanks to Lawrence West for sharing the story of Watecha Bowl. Learn more and support this amazing South Dakota restaurant by visiting the Watecha Bowl Facebook page. And don’t forget to check out the Watecha Bowl website for merchandise (like a dry frybread mix) that is inspired by authentic Lakota cuisine.
Of course, Watecha Bowl is one of many beloved businesses in South Dakota that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In South Dakota, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In South Dakota on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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