My 605: Megan Jansick

What’s home unless you make it your own? My 605 takes you inside the lives, loves and little secrets of those who call South Dakota – area code 605 – home.

This week’s edition features Megan Jansick, director of marketing for the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and the owner of pigeon Frank.

Photo by Creative Kindling

My home in the 605 is: Sioux Falls on the west side!

The biggest reason I live in the 605 is: Family and friends. When I met my now-husband, Dustin, he was already very much established in Sioux Falls, and I just moved here to come along for the ride. From there, connections with friends came easily, and my family moved from our hometown of Rapid City to be closer to us.

After home, I spend the most time here: My home office. I know it is still “home,” but I do freelancing work from there, so it has a totally different feel to it. The next closest would be anywhere outside, especially walking the streets of our neighborhood because my son loves to go for walks.

When I need to get away, you’ll find me: It depends on if we can get a sitter or not, but we love to head out to Grand Falls Casino to sports bet or head downtown for a day of baby-free eating and some adult drinks.

The best meal I ever ate in the 605 was at: Hands down, the Hartford Steak Co. Tavern. I am a prime rib-eating machine and order it whenever I can, and this prime rib is to die for. Ask for their house-made horseradish to go with it to really make the meal special.

My go-to coffee shop is: Coffea. Always. Either the downtown location or on the west side.

My favorite place to grab an adult beverage in the 605 is: I am a beer-drinking gal, and WoodGrain Brewing is my favorite craft brewery in Sioux Falls. Covert Artisan Ales’ funky sour beers are making a strong play for my favorite top spot now that it is becoming summer — some of the days.

I also love Buffalo Ridge Brewing out in Hartford for some tasty beers as well. For nonbeer, I like to go big at PAve or nice and fancy at Bin201 or R Wine Bar to get my wine fix.

When I need to experience the great outdoors, you’ll find me: Walking around my neighborhood with my family, working in my garden, playing sand volleyball or golf or tennis, going to a park.

And when we actually plan something, I love going to the Palisades as it just blows my mind that something like that is on the eastern side of the state, or we go camping at Newton Hills.

The spot I’d recommend for a date is: Hartford Steak Co. Tavern: affordable, delicious, still fancy. That or Shahi Palace because why not get a little adventurous on your date? #spiceupyourlife

The best pizza in the 605 is: Charlie’s Pizza House in Yankton.

When my friends and I get together, you’ll probably find us: Andy’s Top Hat or Falls Landing. Shout-out to the best bartenders in town: Nate and Ben!

The place you never can go wrong taking kids is: Butterfly House & Aquarium. We took my son when he was about 6 months old, and he lost his little baby mind over all the pretty butterflies, and he was just enamored with all of the fish as well.

When I want to meet new people in the 605, I go: Sioux Falls Young Professional Network events. I am a steering committee member, so if you ever want to chat YPN, I am here for you.

I also loved my experience with Leadership Sioux Falls and Leaders of Tomorrow and getting to know all my classmates through those two programs.

My best memory in the 605 is: The birth of my baby boy, Ben. It may have been a long, painful process, but he is truly the best baby a mama could ever ask for.

The one thing I’m least crazy about in the 605 is: The wind. I am delicate flower, and the wind really does a number to my poor skin.

And finally, life in pictures. Here are the top three photos that most sum up My 605: