PIERRE, S.D. – Cheyenne Crossing near Lead has been selected as the South Dakota Retailers Association’s Restaurant of the Year. Presented annually, the award recognizes a restaurant with a reputation for excellence in food, service, and atmosphere.
Cheyenne Crossing has been welcoming guests to Spearfish Canyon for 147 years.
The iconic business had its origins in 1878 as a stage stop for gold miners and weary travelers as they ventured through the rough terrain. Over time, the stagecoach business gave way to a restaurant, convenience store, gift shop and catering company.
Owner David Brueckner became the “steward of the house”, as he calls it, in 2005.
While fewer than three dozen people live in the tiny community, the business is a historic landmark with fans across the world. They come for the friendly atmosphere and mouthwatering homemade meals.
“Listen to your guests, your customers to deliver on something that they can’t really experience anywhere else,” he explained. “We pride ourselves on whole foods and good ingredients. We try to make a good experience with food, with hospitality, and we have many wonderful people that work here.”
In the store, visitors find gift items unique to the Black Hills, along with David’s proprietary spice blend, Heifer Dust. During the winter months, his cooking classes have become a popular draw.
After a fire destroyed the business in 2022, David brought the restaurant and store back to life in the same footprint. While construction was underway, he grew the catering business and created a cookbook that showcases both customer favorites and area history.
More recently, he opened David’s Deli Delights in Deadwood.
Nathan Sanderson, Executive Director of the South Dakota Retailers Association, says Brueckner has continued the long tradition of hospitality at Cheyenne Crossing.
“Since before South Dakota achieved statehood, people have known that Cheyenne Crossing is a place they can find a great meal, friendly company and outstanding hospitality, and David Brueckner is building on that historic tradition.”
To learn more about David Brueckner and the Retailers Association’s additional award recipients, visit sdra.org/awards.
