Step inside Crawford’s Bar & Grill, and you step directly into over a century of local heritage. Long before serving craft cocktails and chef-driven dishes, our historic building at 214 S. Phillips Avenue opened as Bauch’s Meats in 1896—run by Louis Bauch, one of the first butchers in Sioux Falls.Every inch of our space tells a story. Look closely at the original quartzite walls, and you’ll spot exposed wood beams once used as scaffolding during construction. Under the first wine shelf behind the bar, you’ll find the signatures of Bauch’s son and son-in-law dated "May 1936." Behind the wine glasses sits original cork from the 1800s cooler, while black soot from the butcher’s meat smoker still traces up the men’s restroom wall. Deep in the cellar, the historic blood trough remains along the north wall—a authentic reminder of the building's roots.
When Bauch’s Meat Market closed in the late 1930s, the space transformed into local clothing and shoe shops. Among them was Crawford’s Men’s Wear, which gave us our current namesake. As you cross the threshold of our front entrance, look down to spot the original 1963 Crawford’s Men’s Wear logo embedded right beneath your feet.During our historical restoration, we even discovered Louis Bauch’s original meat cleaver—hidden neatly away inside the walls for nearly a century. Today, it is proudly displayed inside the restaurant (ask your server or bartender to point out where it’s hidden on your next visit!).
Crawford’s is more than just a historic landmark—it’s a labor of love owned and operated by the Ode family. The restoration, custom woodwork, and ongoing maintenance of our historic building were brought to life by our sister company, OdeCo LLC. Whether you’re stopping in for dinner, signature cocktails, or a late-night dessert, we welcome you to enjoy an unforgettable evening surrounded by the history, craftsmanship, and local hospitality that make Sioux Falls home.
