Dining Drive: Weekend breakfast, Sunday brunch buffet at Dell Rapids bowling alley

Dining Drive, a Pigeon605 series, gives you a taste of the deliciousness that awaits within an easy drive of Sioux Falls. Today, we head north where breakfast meets bowling and an all-you-can-eat Sunday buffet is served for the whole family. 

If you’re looking for a great morning meal, look no further than a small-town bowling alley that recently was given new life. 

When Casey McCoy signed a purchase agreement for the Pinz Bowling Alley and restaurant, he knew he wanted to bring great food to Dell Rapids.

“It just seemed meant to be,” said McCoy, who has years of experience in the food industry.

Family and cooking are two of his many passions.

In fact, when he was growing up, he would watch both of his grandmothers make everything from scratch, and that ultimately drove his passion for cooking, he said.  

“I always loved being in the kitchen with my grandmas. They’re not here today to see it firsthand, but they’re watching over and guiding me through this.”

Carrying that traditional, classic cooking style throughout the menu, for example, McCoy enjoys cooking with bacon, bacon fat, “real butter,” he said, and shortening for good flavor. 

The all-you-can-eat Sunday morning brunch buffet is a popular addition to Pinz and features fresh, made-from-scratch items, including two styles of eggs, two styles of breakfast potatoes, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, fruit, sweet treats and more. 

“The biggest thing is fresh,” McCoy added. “We want to keep the pans full, we want to rotate things out and keep things fun, local and different.”

McCoy refers to his restaurant staff – most of whom are high schoolers – and his loyal customers as “the Pinz Family” and prides himself on the positive, uplifting atmosphere inside and outside of the kitchen. 

“This is another one of many reasons to come visit Dell Rapids and be a part of our community,” McCoy said. “This opportunity means everything to me.”

The vibe: “Fun, family and for everybody,” McCoy said. 

The restaurant, which is tucked inside the bowling alley, is a warm, inviting, entertaining environment. Families can enjoy a beverage or meal at the restaurant while kids are bowling or playing downstairs in the new arcade. 

What’s on the menu: Nearly everything is made from scratch and “made with love” just like he learned from his grandmothers. 

The full menu — including lunch and dinner — at Pinz is a broad one with appetizers, burgers, salads and sandwiches, mac-and-cheese, baskets of chicken strips, chislic and wings. On Friday and Saturday, there’s a soup-and-salad bar, ribeye, sirloin and “poor man’s lobster,” or boiled cod with melted butter and lemon. 

The weekend breakfast menu includes omelets, breakfast burritos and platters with options such as pancakes, French toast and breakfast meats. A revamped breakfast menu is in the works that will feature rotating items throughout the year. The brunch buffet is available only on Sunday. 

Signature breakfast dish: One of them is the Kegler omelet – bowling pun intended. It’s a three-egg omelet with sausage, bacon, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. McCoy calls it a “two-meal deal” for some who will have guaranteed leftovers. 

Signature breakfast menu items: Some of the best-selling dishes include the “Colleen Burrito” — named after a former employee — eggs, pancakes and the biscuits and scratch-made gravy. 

How far is the drive: About 20 miles or 30 minutes north of Sioux Falls, find Pinz in the heart of downtown Dell Rapids at 320 E. Fourth St.  

Bottom line: If you have spare time on Saturday or Sunday morning, pun intended, this is your place. Get the ball rolling, and stop by for breakfast on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. or on Sunday, when breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet starts at 9 a.m.

Stay up-to-date on the Pinz Facebook page.

New owner puts foodie twist on classic bowling alley