Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge

09/18/2026

77 years can fly by!

When a kindly gentleman called from Chicago for a reservation to celebrate his birthday with his children and grandchildren, he mentioned an old photograph showing his family’s car at The Pheasant shortly after we opened in 1949.

We had a pretty good idea which photo he meant.

We printed him a copy when he showed up last night, and sure enough, Ron pointed out his family’s Hudson. He was just six years old when his family drove from Sioux Falls after hearing the buzz about the new Pheasant Café in Brookings. He later returned to Brookings to attend SDSU pharmacy school.

Before leaving us, he marked the car in the pic and added a little of his story for us.

In 1949, a six-year-old boy came and made a memory here with his folks. Last night, he came back to make memories with two more generations of his family.

And there was his family’s car, still waiting in the parking lot.

Happy birthday, Ron! We’re awfully glad you came back.

(Ron’s note reads: “1949 — This was the year The Pheasant Café opened! Our Hudson car is present in the parking lot. My dad, ‘Virgil Keith,’ was general manager of Sioux Hudson in Sioux Falls. I was 6 yrs. old at the time. — Ron Keith, Dixon, Ill.”)

09/16/2026

Any guesses what’s going on here? 👀

A little late-night prep on something that needs to brew…

Wrong answers also enthusiastically accepted.

08/31/2026

Come to the table. 🍷

Join us September 17 for a special evening with J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines — five w**es, four courses, and an evening inspired by the places and the stories that connect us.

Seating is limited. Reserve your place: https://tables.toasttab.com/pheasant/experience/j-lohr-vineyards-w**e-dinner

A Brookings institution since 1949. Family-owned and locally operated since 1966, proud to be a James Beard America’s Classics Award winner—serving real, thoughtful cooking and genuine hospitality, rooted in place.

08/04/2026

See you for Scandi Waffle Brunch: Sat. 10-11:30/12 and Sun. 10-2!

Looking for the perfect brunch stop? 🍳☕

Might we suggest The Pheasant? From comforting breakfast favorites to locally inspired flavors, it's a one-of-a-kind dining experience that's worth adding to your Brookings itinerary.

Did you know The Pheasant is a James Beard Award-winning restaurant? There's only one way to find out what all the buzz is about—try it for yourself!

07/24/2026

One year ago today, The Pheasant lost more than an owner. Brookings lost one of the people that shaped who we are as a community.

This photograph was taken in 1967, just one year after Ron and Georgie Olson became owners of The Pheasant.

At first glance, it looks like any old group photo. But it has a story.

These were restaurant owners and staff from across the Brookings area gathering at SDSU to plan waitress training workshops for women who wanted to work. The note on the back reads, “Planning Workshop for Waitress Training Classes – 1967 – SDSU.”

In those days, Brookings was a community built almost entirely by locally owned businesses. (Do you recognize anyone?) Rather than viewing one another only as competitors, these neighbors believed that a stronger hospitality community made Brookings stronger for everyone.

That was the kind of leader Georgie was even while running a 24-hour business and raising a house full of kids and foster children while married to an active-duty National Guard. We still try to live up to her philosophy.

Georgie helped to gather and worked alongside other restaurant owners to improve training, food safety, and professionalism while helping create opportunities for women seeking meaningful work and greater independence (at a time when that could be an uphill battle). She believed success wasn’t something to hoard. It was something to claim, but also to share. Communities benefit when anyone in it does.

That spirit became part of The Pheasant’s foundation.

Today, we remain grateful to be part of a community filled with outstanding locally owned restaurants, eateries, brewpubs, bakeries, coffee shops, and small businesses. Their success makes Brookings a better place to live, work, play, learn, gather, and grow. We believe that just as strongly today as Georgie did nearly sixty years ago.

As we remember her on the first anniversary of her passing, Ron and Georgie’s family (both biological and chosen) is proud to preserve their legacy. That legacy is a promise to care about each other, welcome everyone to the table, and leave our community stronger than we found it.

Thank you, Georgie.

Your legacy is still bringing people together. ❤️

07/15/2026

Working on some new menu items…

Meet our Three Sisters Smoked Salmon Salad!

Ribbons of chilled, smoked salmon over crisp mixed greens with sweet grape tomatoes and a relish of roasted corn, beans, and squash, all tossed in a smoky, sagey maple vinaigrette and topped with crunchy pepitas.

Still tweaking. What do you think?

🌽🥬🍅🍁

07/08/2026

Always leaning into who and where we are… and working on a some stuff for ya.

🌽🕺❤️ A little chef mischief…

07/04/2026

05/23/2026

🇺🇸 The Pheasant will be closed Sunday and Monday as we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to others.

In a time when so much divides us, Memorial Day reminds us of the sacrifice these Americans made to defend the dignity of every life and the idea that we belong to one another.

However you gather, whoever you are, and whatever this country means to you, we hope this weekend brings moments of rest, reflection, community, and some chill time with the ones you love most.

Fire up the grill. We will reopen Tuesday at 11 AM.