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    Skogen Kitchen

    4.9 (312 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

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    SKOGEN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate

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    Recommended Reviews - Skogen Kitchen

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    Ka'ili H.

    Skogen was a happy surprise after our almost 7 mile hike to Black Elk's peak! We woke up early from camping in the badlands to do the Notch trail hike then drove to Custer State park to explore what they had to offer and get another hike in! We checked into our cabin and were ready to eat a good dinner. Our cabin had a list of places to try in Custer and I looked up Skogen curious because the name stood out to me and I saw that it had been a James Beard recognized we knew we had to check it out. We were almost discouraged because it said reservations are recommended but walk ins are welcome if available. Their earliest reservation availability was 8:00pm. My boyfriend suggested we just go, hiking attire and all, and see if they can seat us. We did, and we were seated on their patio pretty promptly! The patio area was cozy, they had heated lamps above us to cut the chill that would blow through every once in awhile. Our waiter was Eugene, he was friendly, had great recommendations on appetizers and entrees and managed to serve the tables in the patio pretty well considering there was a door and steps to get to it. My boyfriend and I went back and forth on what we wanted for our appetizers but finally decided on espressos to start, the beef tartar tacos and the bluefin sashimi. We finished each with satisfying smiles and were eager to try the Buffalo Short Rib. We both decided on the short rib because it's something we can't get in Omaha so we went for it. I especially loved the romesco sauce spread on the side of the plate along with the spinach, toasted pine nuts (huge lover of pine nuts!) and the dried cherries added a bit of sweetness to the hearty fall tasting meal. The pine nuts added a nice crunch while the shaved manchego cheese provided a nice milky nutty taste that balanced out the whole meal. Everything on our plate married well together and provided a harmonious wholesome meal. We were both equally impressed and satisfied. Being that this dinner was the only meal we ate "out" for we were happy we chose Skogen. The chef certainly knows what he's doing and deserves the recognition he's received. If you ever find yourself in Custer South Dakota, I highly recommend you check out Skogen! (just not during Sturgis Rally or January)

    Merlot, Goldschmidt, "Chelsea", Alexander Valley 2021
    K G.

    We enjoyed dinner here and we can't say enough great things about this place! The food was flavorful and we both loved both of our meals. We got a salad to share and I got the risotto as an entry! The risotto and salad were both amazing! We both ordered a glass of Merlot from Goldschmidt Vineyards in Sonoma County. Being from Sonoma County, we were excited to see a Sonoma County wine on the menu and it was amazing! The service was excellent! This is a cute restaurant tucked away in the downtown area! Highly recommend to all looking for an amazing dining experience while in Custer!

    Butter cake and chocolate cake- both so good but butter cake is unreal!
    Rachel N.

    The food was amazing!! If I could give it 10 stars, I would! We had the pumpkin ravioli to start, followed by short rib and filet mignon. All was so delicious. Great service!! Do not pass up the butter cake, no matter what, get it!

    Beet and brown butter ravioli
    Krystal C.

    What a find A chefs table dining experience in the middle of Custer SD on the off season. A fine dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere. We had such an awesome experience from the service to the food, this is a can't miss. We ordered the lobster buns which were amazing! The goat cheese beet raviolis are to die for. For the main course the steak, sauce was awesome, and the salmon. Everything is an order again My only regret is not being able to order everything on the menu! Don't question and make a reservation!

    Tim H.

    Something's never change. From the apps to entree to dessert... "perfectomundo". When in Custer treat yourself to 5 Star excellence.

    Tomato salad
    David J.

    I didn't expect to see a fine dining restaurant in Custer SD. I was skeptical that Skogen was the real thing. It is truly fine by any standard. The building itself is a typical local place, probably an old bar. The vibe is energetic, but not too loud. Service was excellent, clearly benefiting from intensive training. The food, tomato salad, lobster buns, and the great butter cake, could not have been better. We shared a nice California Chardonnay, fairy priced. We were a little disappointed that martinis were not allowed, but we got over it. Great!

    Goat cheese and beet raviolis...outstanding!
    Missy S.

    This place has a great menu with some interesting choices. I also want to shout out the fantastic hostess who worked her magic to bump our reservation up early and our waitress, Destiny, who was so great. We got the carrot ginger soup which was very good. The endive salad was a great idea, but it was overdressed and pretty vinegar-forward for our tastes. My father got the halibut, which was excellent, but the absolute standout was the goat cheese and beet ravioli. It was beautiful to look at and every bite, from first to last was incredible!

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    4 years ago

    Wonderful food. Shishito Pepper starter was the best part of the meal. Worth the money.

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    8 years ago

    Everything about this place was amazing. If we ever come back to South Dakota, we will be eating here again.

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    7 years ago

    The best meal I've ever had--true gourmet food! Large portions and great atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable!

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    6 years ago

    We ate for dinner while passing through Custer. This place was amazing and the owners are incredibly friendly. The food was outstanding!

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    Page 5 of 8

    Ask the Community - Skogen Kitchen

    Hjem A.M.

    Hjem A.M.

    4.8
    (70 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Fresh oysters for breakfast...in South Dakota? Yes, please!…read more My wife and I stumbled upon this gem on a recent trip through the Black Hills. A note about the restaurant from their website: Erik and Camillia opened Hjem A.M. in 2022 with one goal in mind: bring amazing breakfast food to the Black Hills. The food's focus is seasonality and is inspired by Scandinavian/American flavors. "Hjem" means home in Danish. Camillia and Erik found their home in Custer and want to be your home in the morning. Everything was divine. We wanted to sample the menu so we ordered "The Bob" (pancakes with lemon cream and lingonberry), Lobster eggs Benedict which they were out of unfortunately so the gave us some oysters as an apology. Their quiche of the day was a Mexican inspired elote style with a flaky crust and delightful crema, topped with some pickled onions. Their hollandaise was likely the best I've ever had. The accompanying potatoes and hash browns were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Ashly ordered a sausage patty that included a few chili flakes to wake up the tastebuds. I'd mentioned Ashly's birthday and they brought out a birthday treat - rice pudding topped with dried apricots and granola. And a candle on the side. We certainly felt at home at this lovely place. It had a charming decor and the service was top notch. Be sure to stop by on your next trip to the Black Hills.

    Eggs Benedict - SO GOOD!…read more Everything looked really, REALLY good. Service was great, cute spot.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Tuna deviled egg
    Tuna deviled egg
    Deviled eggs starter

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    Deviled eggs starter
    Laughing Water Restaurant

    Laughing Water Restaurant

    3.7
    (82 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    I assume this place would be super busy on a holiday weekend, but we walked in and they were only…read moretwo other tables seated Anyway, what a view! My husband had the native American fry bread taco and I had a grilled chicken sandwich with fries and we both had a Michelob ultra Alex was our server and was super friendly and efficient They also play Fun old timey music - stuff I haven't heard since the 70s and early 80s My chicken sandwich was tasty, they added pepper jack for an extra dollar and it also had pickles, lettuce, and tomato. My husband thought the fried bread was good, but wasn't a huge fan of the taco meat as it tasted just like Taco Bell, lol. Total bill was $46 before tip- you're paying for the view They have a ton of room in here, so hopefully business picks up for them.

    tl;dr the Native-ish dishes deliver on the comfort food front, and nowhere have I dined with such a…read morestunning view for this low of a price Among the regional dishes native to South Dakota, many trace their roots to Native American cuisine. An accessible spot to sample these dishes is at the Laughing Water Restaurant at Crazy Horse Memorial. Here, the menu features American comfort food with a Native bent. Briefly, Crazy Horse Memorial is an in-progress mountainside sculpture depicting the eponymous Lakota warrior. Thus far, only Crazy Horse's face and hand have been completed, but the titanic scale of the sculpture dwarfs even Mt Rushmore. One of the best views of the sculpture is from the museum complex, including select tables within the attached Laughing Water Restaurant. The expansive, banquet hall-esque dining space features polished wood motifs across the walls, ceilings, tables, and chairs. Every inch of wall space is occupied by windows, Native American artwork, or memorabilia related to Crazy Horse. Austere, warmly lit chandeliers complement the ample natural light. The floors are lined with thin brown carpeting that proactively hides most stains. Background music plays quietly throughout the space. My party arrived for early lunch, aiming to dine before an incoming tour group. Our proactivity was rewarded with an unrivaled view of Crazy Horse from a secluded secondary dining room. We opted to share a smattering of entrees and desserts. Notably, multiple plates featured Indian fry bread, a disk of deep-fried dough somewhere between naan and funnel cake. My favorite dish was the Native American Taco -- fry bread topped with ground beef, refried beans, and all of the other Americanized taco fixings. The hearty combination was a half-step above the standard, at-home "taco night" creation. I also enjoyed the rich and salty Tatanka Stew, loaded with buffalo and vegetables, then sprinkled with shredded cheese. The only disappointing entree was the 1/3 lb Buffalo Smash Burger; the "smashed" patty lost all of its juice and ended up dry and flavorless. Of desserts, I couldn't get enough of the Kuchen. Derived from the German word for "cake", this custard-y tart is the official dessert of South Dakota. Laughing Horse's version featured strawberry rhubarb in its rich custard filling. Meanwhile, the Wajape (a Native berry sauce) was mostly indistinguishable from the compote paired with pancakes at any roadside diner. The service was friendly and attentive, and the prices were reasonable. Across all dishes, the portions were generous, and the food felt homemade (rather than fast-food quality or overtly upscale). The Native influences across the dishes were clearly watered down, but the food was palatable, and the views were unparalleled. Considering that we were a captive audience, Laughing Water exceeded expectations and offered a glimpse into native South Dakotan cuisine without breaking the bank.

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    Buffet Area
    Buffet Area
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    Indian taco
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    Skogen Kitchen - newamerican - Updated June 2026

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