27 August 2024
An original, locally owned concept that served South Dakota’s state pastry, chislic, is closing its doors after six years.
Urban Chislic’s last fiscal year-end will be Friday, said co-owner Hong Phrommany.
“We decided to limit our losses,” he said of the four original partners.
Because chislic is such a popular dish here, “everyone has strong opinions about it,” Phrommany noted. The restaurant has failed to do “something that people here care so much about,” he said.
In addition to the traditional lamb and the more common beef option, the restaurant at 431 W. 85th St. also offers chicken and pork chislic, with several sauces and seasonings to choose from. Pheasant chislic was available in limited quantities during hunting season, and alligator chislic was another specialty.
“It’s a twist,” he said. “That’s why we called it ‘Urban’ Chislic. People weren’t really excited about it.”
The concept was so unique that it caught the attention of celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and Urban Chislic appeared on two of his Food Network shows. The restaurant was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2021 and last year when chef Ryan Pederson competed against Beau Vondra of Look’s Marketplace on “Guy’s Grocery Games.”
“He had really nice things to say,” Phrommany said. “He loved the concept; he loved the place.”
Every year, the restaurant held its Spice Challenge, where participants were offered increasingly spicier dishes to try for free and even had to sign a waiver.
“We’re middle-aged men and we just want to have fun,” he said of himself and co-owner Erik Christensen, who also owns Trademark Homes. That also rubbed off on the employees. “We always tried to do our best and have fun.”
For the final days, the restaurant has ordered enough supplies so “we don’t run out,” Phrommany said. He hopes longtime customers will come for one last meal and that his 15 employees will be sent off to their new jobs with some extra tips.
Phrommany said he contacted the owners of Tinner’s Public House, Krav’n and Josiah’s Coffeehouse, Cafe & Bakery – all friends – and managed to find jobs for all the employees.
As for what’s next for Phrommany, “I need to take a little break from this industry,” he said. “There’s been a lot of heartache, good and bad.”
