PHOTOS: 2023 Downtown Pork Showdown

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Get ready for some pork.

Downtown Sioux Falls and Smithfield Foods are hosting the 3rd Annual Downtown Pork Showdown throughout the entire month of September which starts on Friday, Sept. 1 and ends Saturday, Sept. 30. This year 17 local businesses will feature new menu items showcasing pork.

You view some of the 2023 pork dishes in the photos below. The slideshow will be updated as more participating restaurants share photos of dishes.

Blarney Stone Pub: BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese. Cavatappi Pasta tossed in a Creamy Smoked Cheddar Cheese Sauce then topped with Shredded Parmesan Cheese, Pulled Pork coated in our Dragon BBQ sauce, Fried Onion Strings and Parsley.
Chef Lance’s on Phillips: Pork Au Gratin. Niman Ranch Iberian Duroc Pork Tenderloin, charbroiled and sliced with a Burgundy Demi Glace and Applewood Smoked Bacon Augratin Potatoes.
Crawford’s: Pork Wellington. Pork tenderloin, jalapeno bacon and braised mushrooms all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Accompanied by boursin mashed potatoes, asparagus and carrots. Finished with strawberry pepper jam.
Holiday Inn City Centre: Pork Tulapho. Tenderized pork ribeye, butterflied and fried to perfection; tossed in a blend of garlic seasoning, and finished with a zesty jalapeno fajita lime relish. Your choice of two sides and garlic toast.
La Luna Café: Pork Belly Pizza. A personal pizza with gochujang, bacon, pork belly, lots of mozzarella and red onions (gluten option available).
M.B. Haskett Delicatessen: Tacos Al Pastor. Pork, pico, queso cotija, pickled root vegetables.
Papa Woody’s: The Big Porker. The extreme pulled pork parfait. Enjoy layers of pulled pork, Mac N Cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy; 2 slices cherry wood smoked bacon; topped with a 2-bone of our ‘fall off the bone wood fired pork rib’ and a pickle spear.
PAve: Pig Roast. A pork rib tender sandwich with jalapeno cream cheese spread, habanero bacon jam combined with our sriracha bourbon sauce, topped with pepper jack cheese and fried onion strings, all served on a toasted jalapeno cornbread loaf. Served with curly fries.
Pizza Cheeks: Smoked Pork Pizza. House Red Sauce, Smoked Pork, Fresh & Dry Mozz, Local Cherry Tomato, Local Sweet Corn, Pecorino, Alabama White Sauce Drizzle.
Severance Brewing Company: Notorius PIG by Smoked Culture. A serving of bacon burnt ends with an Asian sauce on a bed of our slightly spicy slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and green onions.
The WP: Bahn Mi. An airy, crunchy French-styled baguette stuffed with a combination of meats, vegetables.
Bread & Circus: Pork & Beans! Honey Mustard Brined 12oz Pork Chop w/ Watermelon Sauce, House Bacon Baked Beans, Poppyseed & Horseradish Slaw.

“It’s a win-win,” DTSF Marketing Director Tenley Schwartz said about the event that is similar to the Burger Battle in January. “It’s really fun for people to come down and try some new things.”

Chef Lance’s on Phillips won the 2021 and 2022 pork showdown titles.

Last year, White’s pork dish was a ribs and grits and Chef Lance’s sold nearly 600 pork dishes in September. In total, 5,130 pork dishes were sold last year resulting in an estimated $156,465 economic impact for the Sioux Falls community.

In the first year, nearly 3,000 pork dishes were served by 16 different restaurants.

People can use the DTSF Digital Passport App and rank each dish on the categories of