Chef Lance's on Phillips

My family and I are not from this area - we’re traveling foodies from Michigan. This was on our list, based off of the glowing reviews we read prior to coming here and recommendations we received from others. All in all, we were disappointed. Our waitress Kendra was friendly, as was the host, but beyond this we were not pleased with our experience. I ordered the beef Wellington and was frustrated with the quality of meat (incredibly tough) and the temperature of the potatoes served with it (cold, not even room temp). It looked and smelled beautiful, but did not meet up to the expectations that I had in mind. My dad ordered the scallop pasta special and wasn’t that excited about anything but the scallops. My mom ordered the salmon Wellington and was happy with the salmon, but the potatoes were undercooked and subpar. In addition, all of the asparagus served with the dishes were undercooked. If you are serving asparagus, please make sure that they’re not as thick as tree trunks, or at least prepare to cook them longer. I think it should also be made clear on their website that they do not have a full bar. Granted, some may enjoy beer or wine exclusively with their dinners, but given the high ratings we were at least expecting some specialty cocktails that would be available. I advise those coming here to be prepared for no cocktails and to choose items wisely off of the menu.

We got crab cakes to start, they a were so good. My hubby got the steak and lobster. I got the scallop linguini. The food was delicious and extremely fresh tasting. Our server was the best, super attentive and very nice. Great experience overall.

I tried Chef Lance's for the first time today, and I'm glad I did. The atmosphere is pleasant with a higher end vibe. The server was prompt, attentive, and answered all of my questions without issue. I ordered a wedge salad, halibut for the entrée and creme brulee for dessert. The wedge was tasty, and I thought the drizzle of balsamic was spot on. The fish was cooked to perfection and had a great flavor. The creme brulee was excellent...the cream and berries put it over the top for sure. I have no problems paying a little more for a quality, well thought out meal, and Chef Lance's did not disappoint. If you haven't tried them yet... you should! I know I will be back. 😀

An excellent evening out with elevated, freshly prepared cuisine in a rustic setting. Each dish impressed and the overall flavor of all the appetizers and entrees exceeded expectations! [2/28/25 - Update & Addition] Got to enjoy the “Best Burger in Sioux Falls” this weekend, and it did not disappoint! 🤩 The wedge salad and the 2025 Burger Battle winning “Cuban Burger” were both fantastic. Came out of the kitchen so hot and fresh! Highly recommend!

Food and service was fantastic. Olivia was our server and was super attentive and helpful. The atmosphere was ok. Some great elements like roses on every table and the chairs are cozy and comfortable. The building itself is old and charming. With such an elevated menu though the lighting was inconsistent and the neon signs and brighter lights in places are not necessary. That said, it's very approachable. The French onion soup and the beef Wellington were our favorites!

We went out for our date night for dinner. My husband loves his burger and we are glad the chef brings it back! Always love the atmosphere and cozy restaurant. Our server was really helpful! We enjoyed our food and had a great time there!

I had my birthday dinner at Chef Lance’s and was more than impressed! The ambiance was lovely, the menu was vast and executed with delicious excellence!! Our server, Kendra, was knowledgeable, friendly, timely and we enjoyed her! This was our first time and I’m thinking about going back next week it was that fabulous! I had the lobster stuffed beef Wellington and my husband had the crispy smothered chicken. Don’t wait, make a reservation online now!

This place was recommended to me by a fellow Foodie. So I made reservations for the wife and I, put on our fancy pants and made the trip. Upon entering, it's nice. Wood and stone steakhouse type feel more than a fine dining restaurant but it was very nice. Tables are candle lit and very romantic. I always order a top shelf margarita when I go to nice restaurants. They didn't have any liquor, just beer and wine, so I drank water. I don't like beer, wine or champagne. The wife, being a wine-o, ordered a Flight of Mimosas. Then we started with the Crab Cake app and 2 cups of French Onion soup. Crab cakes were very delicious. Having lived in Florida for 20 years, it was comparable. The French Onion soup was not good. Literally not salt or flavor. I was pretty surprised and expecting a great soup. Wife had 2 spoonfuls and put it down. For dinner we ordered the Louisiana Linguine and NY Strip with scallops. Let me say this, the scallops were phenomenal. Aside from Hells Kitchen in Vegas, the best I've had and that includes Florida. They were super thick, perfectly seared and seasoned. Just amazing. The steak was decent. Nothing that knocked my socks off. About what I grill at home. My Louisiana pasta was good. The shrimp and andouille sausage were good but the chicken in the pasta dish was so dry it was ridiculous. Sauce was very good and heavy. Portion sizes are huge. Probably too huge but no complaints here. For dessert we ordered Creme Brulee and the Cookie skillet. The creme brulee was really good. The crystallized sugar was amazing. My made to order cookie was fantastic and I wanted to lick the skillet but figured that would be frowned upon. If I could have ordered some Margaritas, not ordered the soup and had moist chicken in my pasta, I would have gave it a 5 stars. The soup was really bad. Not sure if the Chef didn't taste it or they keep it bland for the older crowd but it was not good. Overall with the 20% tip, it was $189. Not too bad. I may have a desire to come back for the Scallop Picatta dish but I think this is a one and done place. If you go here, order a scallop dish. The Lobster Wellington is also something I wouldn't mind trying. I'll see if the wife will go back once more.

I was traveling for work and found this location on Yelp. Thank you, Yelp. Caprese salad and Beef Wellington. Both fantastic! Friendly, knowledgeable staff as well! I definitely will come back.

Specialists in various kinds of Wellington like salmon W, beef W, and Lobster W. The Lobster Wellington is their best. The new Burrata Caprese salad features local fresh tomatoes which are very good. I don't understand why they had to ruin the dish by downing it in a soup of balsamic vinaigrette. The dressing should augment the dish, not dominate it. The handmade tots are a clear winner, you must order some of these! The spinach artichoke dip is also quite good. Service is very good, frequent check-ins by our server made a good impression. Ambiance is warm and pleasant, a romantic place for a date. I didn't take any photos of this meal.

While the food was cooked well, I was overall disappointed. I had heard amazing things about their dinner, so perhaps my expectations were too high. I've had a couple really good lunches here so I picked it for an Anniversary dinner. The jus with the Wellington was pretty salty and my wife's cream sauce on her pasta was a little too rich. We tried the skillet cookie for dessert, but sent it back when it was soupy and tasted only of caramel and ice cream. They had a good selection of wine and service was very good. Ambiance was open, while maintaining a level of intimacy with candles and lighting.

My friends and I had a great meal with great service. They were very impressed. The only down side for me is everything has dairy in it: butter, cream and/or cheese. Therefore, I can't eat there.

Delicious! Started with a caprese salad, one of the most flavorful I've ever had. Great quality tomatoes, creamy burrata, delicious pesto, a balsamic dressing versus balsamic reduction (which added lots of great flavor), topped with crispy prosciutto which really made the dish. We then had halibut for main course. This was a special, it's not always served. It was being served crab Oscar style, but when I requested another presentation they were happy to oblige. We chose to have it Parmesan crusted, piccata style, and again, simply delicious. Our server, Olivia, was very attentive but not obtrusive. I like the vibe, it shows off the industrial style of the building with brick and wood, but is made intimate with low lights, candles, roses on the table. And the chairs are comfy which is appreciated. We dined with another couple who felt the same way we did about the meal. The wine list is not extensive, but it satisfied the 4 of us. We've been several times and highly recommend this restaurant.

We had the best time and dinner out experience at Chef Lance's. The whole dining experience was top notch and lived up to and exceeded all the hype that you might have heard about dining at Chef Lance's We highly highly recommend a night out enjoying this experience.

One of the best meals ever had! Enjoyed the caprese appetizers and especially the pulled pork wellington. Can you complain about too much meat This? No, there is enough that spills out into a whiskey gravy to enjoy. This is high-end comfort food done right. I wish I had more time to try many other items on the menu. Part of downtown and had it been warmer, I would have taken a walk after dinner. The is a must do place! Good for a romantic date, business dinner, or special occasion. Met the owner's wife. She was a pleasure to talk to while I ate at the bar! Although full, I still left with a dessert for later, the flourless chocolate cake.

Best tasting pork with boursin cheese with bacon jam that I've EVER eatin!!!!!!! So good...Compliments to the Chef and kitchen associates. Thank You!!!

This is a gem of a spot! I've dined in at Chef Lance's several times and always come out of their ecstatic. It's a romantic spot with great service, exceptional food, perfect wine list, and soft music. We also had our Christmas party there in 2022 and the staff wonderful and so accommodating. Their beef and pork Wellington is top notch along with their fillets.

The food and service was great. Started with mussels and crab cakes which were a great way to start of the night. The entrees did not disappoint either: rib and grits, salmon, scallops, chicken linguine.

The food was perfect in every way. I ordered, bruschetta, a Side salad and smothered chicken. The service was exceptional"Jacob was our server. I'd recommend this for any occasion.

The Pulled Pork Wellington still lives up to the hype! Great menu, but this one pulls me back most of the time. The Wellington trio is a great one to share as well. Wedge salad & a unique spin on tater tots to start things off!

Wonderful meal, and great ambience. The Wellington is divine! Appetizers were superb as well.

Food. Price. Atmosphere. Service. All outstanding and top notch. Highly recommend. I give it 5 stars.

Stopped in for lunch because the outside looked so inviting. It's in an OLD Mercantile building.... Really cool. We were met by a very nice, friendly young lady who seated us at a table. (Bar seating was closed due to staffing shortages). Our server, Lyric, was terrific. On the spot attention without being a pest. We ordered the Roast Beef sandwich with mashed potatoes. It turned out to be almost like an open face sandwich, on top of the potatoes with a very rich brown gravy. OMG...it was delicious and plenty enough to share. We barely could finish it. The beef was sooooo tender and flavorful. The potatoes were seasoned perfectly. All in all... reasonably priced as well. Didn't get picture but certainly should have. Definitely... a must stop when in Sioux Falls.

Date night with the wife. We shared the Wellington trio. The pork and beef were amazing and left us wanting more. The salmon was decent but didn't have the flavor profile the other two had. Chef Lance never disappoints.

We did not have a reservation so we arrived right at opening (5 PM) and were able to sit at the bar. The aesthetic of the space is wonderful. Beautiful details, tables have a good amount of space between one another and there is beautiful original artwork on the walls. Our server at the bar was great, very attentive and provided recommendations on the menu. The food was just ok. We started with the bruschetta and it lacked flavor, very bland. For our entrees, we had the rigatoni and the NY pepper steak. The rigatoni was decent on flavor, but the meat sauce was a ragu and really did not have any sauciness to it. The pasta noodles felt over cooked. The steak was chewy, not a tender cut of meat. The star of both entrees were the mashed potatoes and whiskey cream sauce with the steak, both were delicious.

We discovered this newer restaurant a week ago, and weren't able to get a reservation, but I'm so glad we got one this time! Chef Lance opened his doors less than 4 months ago, and our experience was on par with many veterans we've visited. We were greeted with our name on a table in a pleasant modern, yet rustic, atmosphere. Everything we ate surpassed our expectations. The fresh bread was so delicious with its seasoning and herb butter. We started with "Benjamin Potatoes", bite sized potatoes loaded with a herb packed sour cream, cheddar cheese and fresh bacon crumble. Our meals both came with the choice of a soup or salad, and boy are we happy that we didn't pass on the corn chowder. It was clearly made from scratch, with the perfect amount of potatoes and large tender chunks of pork. So delicious. "Jenny's Tortellini" was spot on. Nice large portion full of fresh mushrooms and spinach in an incredible sauce. The salmon was no disappointment either. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the lemon caper sauce complimented the parmesan cheese so well. If the great food wasn't enough, our waitress stood out as well. She was what you'd consider a professional in the service industry. Perfect timing on everything, very polite and not overwhelming at all. Chef Lance and his team should be very proud of what they have created, and I'm willing to bet they will become one of the top restaurants in Sioux Falls. This experience was by far my best dinner of 2020. We will certainly be visiting again soon!

NYE was awesome. Lived up to the hype. We had the Lobster carbonara, Wellington trio and the bruschetta. Every plate was plated neatly. We also had one or three sangrias. Great service, delicious food.

Went during the burger battle and had last year's winning burger that was still on the menu. It was a delicious burger and the atmosphere is great.

The service was outstanding, and we thoroughly enjoyed the ambience that existed. I had the ribs and grits. My wife had scallops. Both meals were very satisfying. We're looking forward to returning soon.

Dined with a party of 6, all with a different menu selection. The entire table gave a thumbs up on their dinner choice. Excellent service as well. Would dine here, anytime!

Chef Lance's has quickly become one of our favorite date night restaurants. It's also a great place to meet friends as it not a loud place. A wide variety of ages like to visit here it appears. There is a nice patio to the west when weather permits. It is downtown just before you enter Falls park on north Phillips. Parking is pretty decent every time we've been there. We especially love the charm of the old building. The warmth of the stone and grandness of the wood ceiling and huge wooden beams is just beautiful. The tables are very spread out, which we appreciate with covid, but just really enjoy, as you feel cozy and quiet with your party. The food is really really good and most items are below thirty dollars, with many below twenty. I like that the choices feel like you are going out, yet don't contain a long list of ingredients that I don't even know. They have a wide selection with something sure to please everyone. It's upscale without feeling fancy or pretentious. They serve beer, wine and some bar special mixes but no hard liquor. Really nice addition to Sioux Falls. Great on casual date night yet great spot for a celebration.

The food has always been so good I really love to eat at Chef Lances. His new hours make it harder for me because I am mainly able to eat out at noon. The crab cakes are a definite favorite, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is great. I would recommend a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night.

I want to give a shout to Chef Lance. My very first time at this restaurant my wife & I came to this restaurant with our friends. Friends have been to this restaurant a couple of times and they said they liked and enjoyed their previous experiences. My wife & I ordered the ribeye with mashed potatoes. Both were excellent, the ribeye was seasoned well. So far the best ribeye in Sioux Falls. I will definitely go back to Chef Lance's On Phillips. Our waitress was great and helpful. Made our first experience at this restaurant very enjoyable.

My husband and I had been here a year ago with our children to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. So I'm thinking where can we go this year for our 51st anniversary and decided to give Chef Lance's a call to reserve a table for two. We were so pleasantly greeted at the door by a very friendly young gentleman and taken to our table for two. It had a little placecard on the table that said Happy Anniversary. Our friendly waiter also greeted us with "Happy Anniversary" . Our meal was superb, along with the wine that we were served. We enjoyed our evening there and couldn't have asked for anything better. We were given a complimentary champagne and also opted for carrot cake for dessert to top off the evening. "Thank you" Jenny and Chef Lance for making our evening so special. We will be back. We're from Edgerton, Minnesota, not CA

The food and service was excellent! I had the crab pasta dish and it had the right amount of sauce. Was really good and flavorful. I will return

Absolutely amazing food, great service, and I'm happy to be supporting a local business! First came here to try their burger during the burger battle and saw they do 5 course wine or beer dinners. Husband and I decided to try one and we have been hooked! So much fun, such great food, and so much wine and beer! Be sure to take a Lyft or Uber if you do a wine or beer dinner. The pours are very generous!

Great venue! Menu is first class and ever changing. Staff goes out of their way to make your dinner exceptional. Always a hit whether it's a business occasion or with family. Enjoy!

Had the best burger in my life! I can see why it won the burger battle downtown. Our server Nikki was attentive, friendly, and made our experience memorable. Chef Lance's is a local gem.

My friend and I went here on Friday. Omg delicious food the waitress was so kind and very helpful. Definitely going back there. The food came out hot and fresh and very fast. The dessert assortment is awesome.

Amazing! Crab cakes were to die for ‍ the sea bass was meaty, crispy and buttery paired perfect with white wine

What a pleasant surprise! We found this place and came in. Wedge salad was awesome. I had crab cakes - they were just ok. Hubby had the yellowtail. It was very good. Atmosphere was great. Service excellent

Went to chef Lance restaurant for the burger battle. They have a bison burger. We also ordered the crab cakes. The crab cakes had no flavor. The sauce that was put on the plate was cold, no flavor. It was like a milky cream. The bison burger, I ordered it rare as bison shouldn't be overcooked. The burger was dry, with no flavor. When i cut the burger in half, there should have been juices coming out. They must have pushed down on the burger to squeeze the juices out. If you are from the Midwest and like bland food, you'll love this place. If you are a real foodie, don't bother, you will be disappointed. Will not be going back.

A nice surprise hidden in our home place.... My new favorite cheese curd's in Sioux Falls ( yes I judge the cover by the curds) the steaks at our table were prepared to perfection. We're not huge mash potato people but I ate most of mine. The extra butter makes them creamy while the chef leaves a few lumps to let you know it's the real deal. Yum. One dining mate had the pulled pork Wellington and was smiling while he chewed. My chicken was a teensy bit over done but the delicious sauce made up for it. Wine list is not extensive but you should find one to fit your pallet.... I have a feeling this is one of our new go to places.

Great place to eat with friends. Love the option of menu and/or the 3 course option. Appetizers were flavorful and nothing I've had before. The steak, scallops and risotto were incredible and I'm not a fan of cooked fruit but the peach tart was so delicious!!! Great atmosphere, excellent service. Thank you for a great evening!!!

Amazing food and a great place to have a glass of wine. Chef Lance is the best in Sioux Falls!

The food is always fresh and the staff is super friendly! We love eating here anytime we're in Sioux Falls and they have an open table. We have to plan ahead though because they fill up fast almost any night of the week or weekend.

This place is outstanding! Beautiful atmosphere. Helpful service and delicious food! Wow. The kitchen closes at 9pm. But the sat us at 8:58 pm. Thanks Chef Lance!!!

We had a lovely time at Chef Lance's tonight! We made a reservation and were greeted by a friendly host and seated right away. The tables are nicely spaced, not too close or crowded. There is music playing but it is not super loud, so it is still easy to carry on a conversation. Our server was pretty good and when she made a mistake she remedied it quickly. We highly recommend the cheese curds, they came out super hot and fresh, the Sriracha ranch was tasty as well, fun twist on a regular ranch for sure. We got the vegetarian risotto and Cajun chicken tortellini. We enjoyed both. The risotto was not the best ever, but nicely cooked and pretty flavorful. We loved the tortellini, the menu is correct, the sauce is mild, not very spicy, I could have taken more spice. We also got the special of the say, a white watermelon blueberry sangria, so refreshing! We topped off our meal with with a s'mores cheesecake and pecan delight type brownie dessert, AMAZING!! We will be back!

Celebrated my husband's birthday at Chef Lance's last night. The food was amazing, the atmosphere epic, and our server was a fun young woman named Eli. She helped make the evening ever brighter with her knowledge of our food choices, her charm and wit. We will be back!

Most amazing food ever. The Salmon was great. Bruschetta appetizer had great flavors. And was a perfect start to our meal

I went with high expectations and was not disappointed! My wife had the classic burger and I had a couple bites. Excellent, perfectly done. I had the smothered chicken and oh my! I was FANTASTIC! Huge serving. The chicken was so good but the potatoes made the dish. Great service and atmosphere. By the way, get the homemade tots, you won't be disappointed. Thank you Lance!

Awesome atmosphere! Very friendly staff. My waiter offered suggestions, answered my questions, and the food was excellent!! Will definitely be dining here again when I am in Sioux Falls!!

Just ok. Nice to support a new business start up. Went there this weekend for dinner. Meal was lukewarm when delivered to table. Grilled chicken was still raw in middle and sent back. Took forever for my plate to come back "cooked". The rest of the table was done eating.

The food is amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the staff are stellar. I was more than impressed with the service and the wide variety of dishes.

Awesome service from Brandon! Burgers were great with gluten free buns available. Also, thanks for travel tips for Rapid City.

Good food and great staff! Had a good cheeseburger with delicious fries. Bartender was very friendly and chatted with me, knowing I was in town for work.

We brought the family for my wife's birthday tonight. The kids both raved about the cheese curds, mac and cheese eggrolls and their entrees all night. The beef and pork wellington are amazing!