“The idea is to take something very common and pour all our energy and passion into doing it uncommonly well,” said entrepreneur Michael Chidiac.
Michael and his brother, Jimmy, have had a long, grueling journey creating and executing what is now the Prairie Dog Taproom in Hill City.
In 2020, the brothers from New Jersey came up with the concept in the midst of a conversation with longtime friend, Ross Crago, after dinner and some stiff drinks.
Michael recalled, “We were four bourbons in, and I think the question was posed, ‘Now that you found a piece of property up [in the Black Hills], Mike, what are you going to do for retirement money?’”
Naturally, they came up with the idea of a hot dog stand.
“‘Yeah, no one in the Black Hills is doing that,’” Michael had said. “Fast forward, a year later, we found out why.”
The motley crew spent years scouting and trying locations in Custer, waiting on their dream food truck to be completed for their “hot dog empire” (which had production delays due to COVID).
“In July of 2021, after only two bourbons, we (Ross) came up with this wonderful idea to get a pop-up tent and locate it somewhere so we could put the equipment to work making some money while we were waiting on our mobile food [truck] kitchen,” said Michael.
Many ideas and failures later (including severe weather nearly destroying their tent, and a “devastating” Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that left them with 3,726 uneaten hot dogs), the Chidiacs got their mobile food kitchen and found a spot at Miner Brewing Company in Hill City.
Pretty soon the brothers became known for their unique twist on hot dogs and hoagies.
Prairie Dog Dictionary
The Lonely Dog: A plain ol’ hot dog with no toppings.
“When we came up with the menu originally in 2020, we were in my kitchen countless hours, and we invited dozens and dozens of family, friends, friends of friends, our kids’ friends, relatives—whoever—to taste test over 40 hot dog/bun combinations,” said Michael.
The Prairie Dog crew dubbed each item with a locally-inspired name, including the popular Rushmore Rattler. Dressed with brown mustard and sharp cheddar cheese, the hot dog is garnished with a house-made jalapeño medley.
“We also hoped each name would match its ingredients, so the Rushmore Rattler has a little bite,” quipped Michael.
Other grass-fed beef dogs include Miner’s Mischief (crowned with chopped onions and brown mustard, “cuddled” in beef-based hot dog sauce) and Settler’s Claim (topped with a line of brown mustard, smothered with a buttery garlic sauerkraut).
For those wanting to mix it up, guests can try the Tatanka Dog with Black Hills free-range bison with dijon mustards, complemented with handcrafted sweet and tangy BBQ caramelized onions, garnished with fresh coleslaw.
More on the Menu
BISON EXCLUSIVES & HOAGIES
Tatanka Dog
Black Hills free-range bison, dijon mustard, complemented with handcrafted sweet and tangy BBQ caramelized onions, garnished with fresh coleslaw.
The General Custer
Bison Philly cheesesteak with delicate slices of bison sirloin tip, griddled with caramelized onions, red and yellow peppers, smothered in white cheddar and American cheese, tucked in a hoagie roll.
The Pioneer
Griddled brats basted in beer and topped with their famous garlic/ butter kraut, nestled in a white cheddar cheese-lined hoagie roll.
JUMBO, GRASS-FED, GRASSFINISHED BEEF HOT DOGS
Settler’s Claim
Topped with a line of brown mustard, smothered with a buttery, garlic sauerkraut.
SIDES
The Gold Rush
Air-fried taters, dressed with Miner’s Mischief sauce, shredded white cheddar cheese, crowned with a fried egg, and garnished with jalapeño medley.
The Prairie Bold Salad
Bowtie pasta with a smattering of mayo and sprinkled with red peppers, green onion, and carrots.
PIZZA
Pizza 2
Pepperoni, scratch-made pesto, and jalapeño medley.
Pizza 3
Soppressata, peperoni, prosciutto, and mortadella—the Italian-cured meats.
PRAIRIE KIDDOS 12 & UNDER
Served with Goldfish crackers and a Capri Sun.
Little Burger on the Prairie
Beef burger with melted American cheese.
Cheese on the Range
A melted layer of American cheese in between sourdough bread.
SWEET ENDING
Phillip’s Stake
Freshly-baked decadent triple chocolate chip cookie.
One of the most ordered items is The General Custer, which is a bison Philly cheesesteak with slices of bison sirloin tip, griddled with caramelized onions, red and yellow peppers, and is smothered in white cheddar and American cheese, tucked in a hoagie roll.
The Yankee is available for bison burger lovers (“shrouded” with Miner’s mischief sauce), while The Pioneer is a griddled bison brate basted in beer and topped with garlic butter kraut, nestled in a white cheddar cheese-lined hoagie roll.
Since patrons would wander throughout the Miner Brewing Company and Prairie Berry Winery campus, the mobile food kitchen decided to implement a QR code ordering system with a “text-when-ready” pick-up at the window.
Speaking of windows, the brothers had been watching from the food truck’s point of view and noted the comings and goings of running the popular tourism establishment.
“We were at Miner one night and fell so hard for the place that we actually thought, ‘Hey, maybe we should just buy it,’” said Michael. “Wild, right? That kicked off this whole adventure.”
“Boom—The Prairie Dog Taproom was seeded. One stop. Amazing local brewers, our food menu, and our mantra intact: quality products, served quick, at a price that won’t make you wince.”
– Michael Chidiac
Michael says they began looking at the inherent quirks and constraints of the brewery world—calling the food truck their “lab.” They started doing more research online and conducting interviews with brewers in other states.
“Then the lightbulb moment hit,” recalled Michael. “What if we took great food and great beer, put them under one roof, and made it all happen fast, fair, and delicious?”
In October of 2023, the brothers told the owners of Miner, Sandi and Matt Keck, to put their hat in the ring if it were to ever go up for sale. At the time, it wasn’t an option, and in spring of 2024 Jimmy had spotted that the Firehouse Smokejumper Station was available.
“Honestly, I was completely reticent,” said Michael. “The space spoke to me in a way that said ‘no way’ because I did not think that both our commercial and operational model would work in that environment.”
Then Jimmy took him outside to sit in the backyard.
“I sat there for 30 minutes, saw the patio, the beautiful running creek, and this perfect natural setting for a stage for outdoor concerts—and suddenly the space started speaking to me in a more optimistic way,” recalled Michael.
In December of 2024 the Chidiacs closed on the 4,960 square-foot location on 1.62 acres off Highway 385.
When trying to reimagine the space, Michael says they had one mission in mind: “From the start, we had one non‑negotiable: it had to be family‑friendly. Because what’s the point of good beer and good food if you can’t bring the whole crew along?”
They saw the location in several distinct spaces, which included a place for take-and-go products, a corner for family games, or a larger space indoors and outdoors where groups can connect over food, craft beer and wine, games, and live music.
“Community was central to our vision—a place where people could bump into friends, meet new ones, and just naturally hang out together,” said Michael.
“Above all, we wanted the space to feel warm, cozy, free-flowing, and comfortable—something that would work for a casual day or night out but also feel right for a more formal occasion.”
– Michael Chidiac
MUSIC TO (the Prairie’s) EARS
Prairie Dog Taproom boasts they’re a “no wait” food and beverage location, but that changed in August when 165 people arrived for the Jalan Crossland concert at the same time. The crew got to work and successfully checked everyone in within 30 minutes, but it made them realize they had made it as a music venue.
Prairie Dog has hosted 57 live music performances since April, and have featured acts from the area and all the way from Nashville (five performed from Nashville last year).
Smaller shows take place inside, while outdoor concerts are showcased on a 16 x 18 stage.
“Guests can sit, stand, or dance the night away—there truly isn’t a bad spot in the venue, with the furthest seat only about 80 feet from the stage,” said Michael.
“That intimacy creates a powerful connection between performers and the crowd, making every show special.”
Stay tuned for 2026 lineup announcements.
“We’re dedicated to keeping live music accessible to everyone in the Hills and love bringing a wide variety of artists to our community.”
– michael chidiac
This is why the Chidiacs carried over the mobile food kitchen’s QR Code and “text-when-ready” method, so guests wouldn’t be “strapped” to tables and could explore the venue and its offerings.
They also launched the Black Hills first “self-service” taps, which are activated by wristbands and feature 28 options from craft brews to domestics, meads, and wine.
Before opening day in March of 2025, Jimmy did a kitchen overhaul and made it possible for Prairie Dog to add a secondary offering: wood-fired pizza.
“About five years ago, our friends at Skogen Kitchen gave us some great advice: ‘Keep it simple,’” recalled Michael. “So we built our pizza menu the same way we built our dog and hoagie menu—simple and executable.”
Named by number, options include Pizza 4, which is a Margharita with whole milk mozzarella and Pizza 1 with pesto and ricotta with whole milk mozzarella.
“At The Prairie Dog Taproom, we don’t care about ‘table turns,’ so you’ll never have someone hovering and asking, ‘Are you ready to order?’”
– Michael chidiac
Ever since opening day, Michael says the brothers and staff greet everyone with “the tour.”
He described, “It’s kind of like welcoming someone into your home and showing them around—it just makes people feel special.”
And part of the purpose of the tour is to let guests know where they’re welcome to wander and explore.
“Today, we are seeing that the average visitor to our venue spends a minimum of two hours communing, spending quality time together, and entertaining inside or outside on our patio, yard, or along our shaded creek,” said Michael. “It’s exactly what we envisioned.”
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