“The Dive is about being better than who we were yesterday,” said owner and chef Allen Wright. “This goes for the business, the employees, myself, our culinary program, and how we impact the community.”
Wright first introduced The Dive in The Gaslight Lounge in 2022. After serving the Sioux Falls community on West 12th Street for a year, it was time for an expansion.
In March 2023, the eatery opened its second location in the Park Ridge Galleria, filling the site that once held local sandwich shop The Pickle Barrel.
The larger space allows for a more family- friendly environment, serving lunch and dinner to the community.
“We want to be a neighborhood spot for people to grab a quick bite to eat, a spot to meet up, or a place to do homework,” said Wright.
Wright shared that his love for cooking stemmed from working on a lock apiary (a honeybee farm), and to this day he says it created one of the biggest impacts in his life.
“It taught me so much about how everything in this world is connected,” he said. “Everything we eat, grow, produce, or do has an impact on us and the natural world.”
This realization of connectivity drove Wright to become a chef. His first culinary role began at The Market in downtown Sioux Falls, working for chef Greg Springer.
“This man made me into the chef I am today,” he expressed.
When Wright saw a need and desire to push himself and the local food scene, he wanted to prove to himself that he did have the knowledge to open his restaurant.
Learn more about Wright, The Dive, and what his life looks like outside of the kitchen.
FUN FACT:
The Dive will celebrate its first anniversary as a stand-alone restaurant this March!
1. What are your most popular dishes at The Dive?
Our burgers, the Nashville Chicken Sandwich, or our beef and lamb chislic. Customers have given us the claim of “Best Chislic” in South Dakota, and also mention our house-made sauces.
2. What’s your favorite dish?
My favorite would be the Nashville Chicken Sandwich. I haven’t tried the original sandwich from Nashville, but people claim it’s just as good.
3. If you could describe The Dive in three words, what would they be?
Honest, competitive, and passionate.
4. What are your hobbies?
I love to disc golf, paint, garden, and spend time with my daughter, friends, and family.
5. What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust yourself, keep your head up, breathe, and for the love of God… just keep swimming.
