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    Carver's Cafe

    3.2 (54 reviews)
    Closed • 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Carver's Cafe Photos

    CARVER'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Touristy
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Carver's Cafe

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    Lauren N.

    It's a must! you need to try the ice cream here! Cookies n cream was actually invented in south dakota, so i had to get a scoop of it. i also had thomas jefferson's vanilla. it was great, i love how it had th specks of vanilla bean in there. i didn't like how you had to get two scoops, i felt wasteful. they should make a smaller size too. there wasn't a line and service was quick. it was seemingly clean in there an we ate outside with a nice view of mount rushmore.

    Interior
    Albert T.

    The only reason we came here to Carver's Cafe was to try Thomas Jefferson's original recipe vanilla ice cream. We actually originally visited Mt. Rushmore a couple of years ago, but the cafe was closed thanks to Covid. This time, we managed to make it when they were open. TJ's Vanilla, Single ($6.75) - I think they either have some issues with the ice cream freezer or perhaps this recipe just doesn't store very well. Even though this is probably the most popular flavor in the cafe, I found a ton of ice crystals throughout the ice cream, giving a distinctively non-creamy texture. In terms of taste, it's full of vanilla flavor with a good sweetness level. The ice cream is not stringy or stretchy at all, which is good. It's churned until decently dense. I wouldn't say it's super premium, but it has decently low overrun. Note: TJ's Vanilla is the only ice cream here that is unique. The rest of the ice cream is sourced from Sysco. Overall the ice cream is just okay. I'm not sure I would get it again, purely because of how much ice was in the ice cream. If not for that, I think it would be a good choice.

    The cheeseburger
    Elizabeth S.

    It's the fast food cafe inside Mt Rushmore monument park. Regular burgers and fried menu. Nothing extraordinary Yet the place was clean, service was fast. Overall it was good. I ordered cheeseburger and fries for lunch . Again this specifically critic with my experience.

    Huge portions. Get a scoop of vanilla and something else.
    Bob T.

    If you're here then you have to. You Stop in for the ice cream and stay for the view. You also get to change scenes from North By Northwest.

    Buffalo Bacon Cheeseburger and French fries
    Brandon S.

    The ambience is nice and professional, I expect no less from the park services. The service was meh, one person was training the other person, and they were the entire staff. The food is meh as well, it's basically cafeteria food. The french fries were slightly overcooked.

    View from Carver's Café patio

    Awesome scenery in an historic location. Needed a cup of coffee during our chilly October visit. Servers were husband and wife team from our hometown of Pasadena. Just had coffee, but absorbed the magnificent view from inside the café, very reminiscent of the classic scene in North by Northwest by Alfred Hitchcock. See the movie. Come here for the grandeur and a cup of coffee. Food looks pretty good too.

    mint chocolate chip
    Maggie D.

    Our cashier Liberty was awesome when my group came up for food and then a second time for ice cream. There are clear gluten free and vegetarian labels on each menu item. I got the veggie burger with the (surprisingly good) gluten free bun. The patty was southwest style but not too spicy and had many condiments to top it with. Inside was decorated cutely and was another great edition to the historical ambiance.

    the entrance to the restaurant
    Kevin M.

    There's not much around when visiting Mt. Rushmore. Good thing Carver's Cafe is there! I thought the restaurant was nice with a pretty decent selection of healthy and fatty foods. I had a cold ham sandwich. My brother had the buffalo burger with fries. We thought each of our selections were tasty. I also thought the prices were pretty reasonable. They've got a friendly staff willing to assist you.

    Ice cream from original recipe of Thomas Jefferson
    Keo N.

    Had the cone from America's first ice cream recipe. Simple, unadulterated and delicious; all from a patio with a great view! Great way to end the Rushmore experience!

    S P.

    Visited Mt Rushmore in mid October 2018. Before we left home on our vacation, I searched the web for a detailed menu and prices so we could be prepared. I could not find any. Not sure if the menu changes, but I took photos of the menus. Will try to post. We had a hot dog, New England Pot Roast plate, chicken strips with fries and ice cream. All was pretty darn good.

    Buffalo chile, bison gf burger and gf fries

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Ok food. Flatbread pizza was meh. Husband's cheeseburger n fries was nothing special. Definitely paying for the convenience.

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Bison burger was very good. Much more lean then beef. A little pricey. $10 for a bison burger, but you do get a side of fries with that.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Pretty sure we all got dysentery from the bison burgers. Don't eat the pasta salad, either.

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    Page 2 of 2

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    Halleys West - Mushroom Swiss burger with fresh cut fries

    Halleys West

    4.7(127 reviews)
    2.3 mi

    First off - there is TWO locations near to each other. We accidentally went to the one that seems…read moreto be listed on maps but it wasn't what we intended. More of a bar with limited options and we had kids. They gave us directions to the other spot which has red signs next to subway and Dairy Queen. HIGHLY recommend this one! The owner and his daughters who helped run everything were so incredibly nice. Went above and beyond. Root beer was next level for all of us. Amazing bison burgers! We are so glad we chose this spot for a nice lunch with beautiful views outside. Give them a try but be sure you visit the right place!

    This was an interesting place. Definitely not a chain, you can tell the owner puts a lot of work…read moreand love in to their product. When I walked in, I was a little confused if I had walked in to a candy store or deli, they sell some other products. Someone quickly gave me a menu and welcomed me and cleared that right up, I would get some signage inside so I know this is the restaurant I had been looking for, and maybe consolidate some of the displays. The steak fries were great, homemade and fresh, as was all the food we ate. All in all this place has the feeling of someone's first restaurant, which is really a cool thing to see succeed and get a good product for a good value. If you're a traveler like I was, check them out.

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    Had the Omelette with bacon, ham, tomatoes and mushroom, also French toast and pancake…read more The Omelette was really good. Very generous on the ham and bacon. The ham tasted like cooked in brown sugar and honey which complemented the more savory slightly salty bacon bits. The bacon had a drier texture and more like crumbles vs chopped bacon pieces but worked well with the other ingredients. Mushroom was grilled and added an earthy flavor which balanced the heavier meat ingredients. The side of potatoes was really good, too. It was cut in cubes, lightly coated with some kind of starch and fried. The coating has the flavor of seasoned curly fries. Lightly crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. I chose rye from the bread options. The french toast was also yummy; cinnamonny and eggy flavor but without being overly soaked in custard nor soggy. This was a side order for additional cost. The pancakes tasted like it had sweet cream and had a nutty hint of flavor. More dense than fluffy but was good. Reasonable prices for the quality and amount of the food. Staff were nice and friendly. Great ambiance, too. The restaurant has a very cozy homey feel with the country style decor. Windows wrapped around most of the dining area. Plenty of parking. Highly recommend if you're around Keystone South Dakota or nearby area.

    Breakfast rocks and the chicken fried steak Beautiful…read morerustic cabin charm Will only stop here now!!

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    Carver's Cafe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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