City: Rockerville, SD

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (605) 343-9276

Address: 13490 Main St.

Description: Rockerville was once a bustling gold camp. Thousands of miners settled in this section of ponderosa forest south of Rapid City, enough to warrant the construction of a flume to carry water from Spring Creek more than 20 miles away. Over time the gold ran out, the flume rotted, and nearly everyone left. The town tried to reorganize in the 1950s as a tourist attraction, hoping to catch visitors on their way to Mount Rushmore, but it seemed that Rockerville was destined to become a ghost town. It almost is, save for the Gas Light. Decorated in Old West memorabilia and antiques, this spacious restaurant is popular with groups and parties who like the meeting rooms in the back and with hungry travelers on their way to the Central Hills.You could start with a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine at the bar. For an appetizer, you might try their incredible buffalo wings, followed by a salad. The lunch menu includes sandwiches and buffalo burgers, and dinner offers many choices in chicken, pasta, seafood, and steaks. A special list of “old-world delights” such as prime rib and chicken Oscar includes recommendations for the appropriate bottle of fine wine. The Gas Light is open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. During the winter, dinner is served from 4 to 9 p.m. weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sat and Sun. The Gas Light is 12 miles south of Rapid City via US 16. Reservations are recommended, and parking is plentiful.