Out to Eat Fall Break Edition: The Depot in Mitchell

On the south end of Main Street in Mitchell, South Dakota, sits an enormous brick building that was originally part of a railroad supply line. The Depot is historic, a community staple since 1908. In 1992, it transformed into an American-style restaurant.

Early in the afternoon on Saturday, Oct. 4, my family and I decided to get together and have lunch in my hometown while I was back for the weekend.

The dimly lit interior is filled with toy trains and random historic photos, sparking a nostalgic feel. If one goes at the right time, they will see real trains passing by and feel the ground underneath them shake with that signature horn.

We sat down at our booth and opened up the menu, quickly realizing the struggle we’d have in choosing what delicious meal to stuff our faces with.

My family as a group decided to get the “Train Wreck Basket” as an appetizer, which was made up of a random collection of breaded items including pickle fries, corn nuggets, cheese curds and even mini tacos.

For my main course, I was in between the “Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap” or the “Turkey Club Sandwich.” In the end, I chose the club sandwich with a side of waffle fries and a Diet Coke.

The restaurant’s pricing is quite fair for the sizable amount of food you get. The “Train Wreck Basket” of appetizers was $21.99, which fed my family of 6, while my club sandwich meal was $16.99.

After putting in our orders, we waited patiently until the appetizer came to our table. Out of all the appetizers, the pickle fries had to be my favorite — the crispy outer layer with the tangy dill will always be a strong appetizer choice.

Still, the other breaded items made for delightful surprises as their identities were revealed on the first bite. My family and I found ourselves guessing what we were tasting while we waited for our main courses, turning the breaded appetizers into a fun little game.

While finishing up, we saw our waitress holding our food in the distance. My stomach rumbled with excitement, ready to devour my meal.

The turkey club sandwich was absolutely divine with the freshness of the tomato and lettuce and the creamy mayonnaise spread evenly across the sourdough bread. Paired with the seasoned-to-perfection waffle fries and a side of their delicious ranch, it was overall a

filling meal. If I had to make one complaint, I would have wished my french fries were served slightly warmer and crispier.

The staff were welcoming and kindhearted, consistently checking up on our table and staying on top of refilling our drinks with efficiency. The food was cooked to near perfection and came out in a timely manner.

A staple in Mitchell for as long as I’ve been around, The Depot is always an unforgettable experience. While it may be slightly pricey for some, the hard-to-beat atmosphere and the mouth-watering food make up for the big splurge.

I recommend it to anyone who comes to visit my hometown. That nostalgic feeling I get when I walk through the doors and hear the chattering amongst other small-town folk is what truly makes the whole experience.