Wall Drug Cafe

This historic store is a must if you are driving across South Dakota. It's not just a store. It's a haven of hospitality with wonderful tastes from...

Quite the experience! Free ice water and 5 cent coffee, many unique things to view, and hours of potential wandering. Warning: some in your group may want to buy at least one thing in every shop...and there are many shops. Be aware that, in the off-season, most food services and certain shops shut down at 5. While I would not go out of the way to visit, it is worth stopping after trekking through Badlands or while passing through.

You will be pressed hard to find much more here next to the subway station.

Wall, located in the heart of South Dakota and surrounded by numerous cattle ranches, offers a menu featuring six beef-based burger options and just one plant-based choice. Fortunately, there is a vegetarian option available! The plant-based burger is called the Garden Burger, described on the menu as a "natural vegan patty with vegetables and grains." It comes topped with salad, tomatoes, and onions, and you have the option to add fries or onion rings. The patty was quite flavorful—moist without being soggy. However, it's unclear whether the bun is vegan, and it's uncertain if the fries and onion rings are also vegan or cooked in the same oil as non-vegan items. In addition to the Garden Burger, there's a small side of vegan green salad, consisting of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. These are the only two vegan options on the menu.

The vegan burger was quite good. It was juicy and slightly salty, which I appreciated compared to the dry, hockey puck-like burgers I had during my trip across the country. However, I wish there were more options available. While the dessert selection sounds delightful, they are all vegetarian, and it would be great to see at least one vegan option. Overall, I'm thankful to have discovered something tasty in such a remote location.