The beloved Sioux Falls diner, famous for pies and warm hellos, will serve its last plate on June 13, leaving regulars wondering where to find the next slice of “cozy.”
For four decades, Rosie’s Cafe has been more than a spot for scrambled eggs—it has been a living scrapbook of neighborhood stories. This Friday the lights will dim for good, but not before one final round of hugs, hot coffee and bittersweet smiles.
A cherished gathering place prepares to serve its last slice Friday
Owner Rosie Warner, now in her 70s, bought the little restaurant back in 1984 when it was still called Curly’s. “I just wanted a place to cook and raise my girl,” she recalls. Raise her she did: daughter Beckie Mettler went from teenage dishwasher to proprietor, steering the cafe with the same grit and grace for nearly 25 years.
Regulars filled the Formica tables for daily specials—no frills, no fuss, just “real food for real people,” as Beckie likes to say. Breakfast still stopped at 10:45 a.m. sharp, a rule locals joked was firmer than South Dakota winter ice. This is the menu favorites customers will miss most:
- Fluffy cinnamon‑swirl pancakes.
- Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and brown gravy.
- Liver and onions “like Grandma made it”.
- Thursday turkey‑and‑dressing plate.
- Mile‑high strawberry rhubarb pie.
Is your go‑to order on that list? If so, you’re not alone.
Longtime customers share memories as mother‑daughter team turns the page next
Over the years the dining room saw first dates, retirement lunches and plenty of kids who learned to spell by reading the pie board. “Everyone’s comfortable together—lawyers in suits next to farmers in ball caps,” Rosie says with a laugh.
Beckie is set to open Rosie’s Farm House Cafe in Chester, 37 miles away, carrying treasured recipes—and, she hopes, many familiar faces—into a new chapter. “It’s hard to say goodbye,” she admits, “but I’m excited to start fresh closer to home.” Below, farewell gathering schedule at Rosie’s Cafe:
| Time (CT) | What’s happening | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m. | Backyard cookout: burgers & hot dogs | Free |
| 12:30 p.m. | Open‑mic memory sharing | — |
| 1:30 p.m. | Group photo with Rosie & Beckie | — |
| 2:00 p.m. | Final closing bell | — |
Thinking of stopping by? Better arrive early—the tiny parking lot fills up fast.
What to know if you plan one final visit and community farewell
Patrons are encouraged to bring handwritten notes or snapshots for a “memory laundry line” Beckie will string across the dining room. Cash tips left on Friday will be donated to the local food pantry—one last gesture of neighborly care.
After the doors close, Rosie plans to rest (“maybe finally sleep past 4 a.m.!” she jokes), while Beckie readies the Chester location for an August debut.
Rosie’s Cafe may be closing, but its spirit—warm, welcoming and proudly old‑school—will travel wherever Rosie and Beckie serve the next plate of comfort.