In Sioux Falls, 2019 was the year of pizza and beer

Katie Nelson | Sioux Falls Argus Leader

A lot of restaurants joined the Sioux Falls food scene this year, but we noticed a definite theme for 2019: Pizza and beer.

The popular college staples got an upgrade as pizzerias and breweries popped up all over town. From the return of a popular local pie to the arrival of a Minnesota brewery, here are all the new pizza and beer places that came to Sioux Falls this year.

Books n Brewz Pizzeria

Location: 201 N. Weber Ave.

This unique combo — featuring a bookstore, pizzeria and bar all in one — moved into the former Fernson location at Eighth Street and Weber Avenue in April. The shop serves up favorites like margherita and chicken alfredo pizza while also stocking a selection of reading material for sale.

Covert Artisan Ales

Location: 605 S. Watson Ave.

The Belgian-style brewery opened in western Sioux Falls this April. Influenced by their time abroad and in the U.S. Army, Covert's founders pride themselves on a limited-batch approach to brewing and using naturally occurring yeasts, including some cultures from a Falls Park pine cone.

Fernson Downtown

Location: 332 S. Phillips Ave.

After moving from the Eighth Street and Weber Avenue location now inhabited by Books n Brewz, the brewery opened a downtown eatery in the former Bros Brasserie location on Phillips Avenue in April. In addition to 16 taps of its popular beers, Fernson also serves appetizers like banh mi hot dogs and pork belly tacos.

Lupulin Brewing Company

Location: 2425 S. Shirley Ave.

The Minnesota-based brewery took over the former Hydra Beer Co. taproom in August. It has 19 taps serving both Lupulin beer and other local brews and prides itself on being family-friendly, kid-friendly and dog-friendly.

500 E. 69th St.

A Sioux Falls institution for more than 100 years, the newly remodeled Look's Marketplace moved into the old C.J. Callaway's space this fall. Among its many food offerings are several pizzas, including Mama's, a pie topped with Canadian bacon, sauerkraut and red onion. The market also has several beers from its own microbrewery, Look's Beer Co., available for purchase.

Papa Woody's Pizza

Location: 421 N. Phillips Ave.

After starting out as a food truck in 2016, Papa Woody's put down roots in May in the Jones421 Building. The pizzeria specializes in wood-fired pies that run the gamut from Mediterranean-style to breakfast pizza featuring gravy, egg, bacon and cheese.

Pizza di Paolo

Location: 2300 S. Minnesota Ave.

A reincarnation of the beloved Breadico pizza, Pizza di Paolo opened in a shopping center along Minnesota Avenue this fall. Diners are treated to homemade pizza dough and sauce made from the Napolitano family's own recipes, along with salads and ice cream.

Obscure Brewing Company

Location: 5200 E. Grant St.

A 20-year hobby brewer opened Obscure Brewing Company near Dawley Farm in July. In an effort to "start small," the brewery began with six taps but has since expanded to 18. Obscure also serves shareable food items like charcuterie and bratwurst.

Severance Brewing Company

Location: 701 N. Phillips Ave.

Severance Brewing Company moved into The Cascade, a massive downtown Sioux Falls mixed-use building, in August. The brewery has 11 beers on tap, along with non-alcoholic options like cold brew coffee, kombucha and hopped lemonade.

Sunny's Pizzeria

Location: 1801 S. Walts Ave.

The newest addition to this list, the self-proclaimed neighborhood pizza place opened across from the University of Sioux Falls in December. Along with a variety of pizzas, including a pepperoni pie topped with pepperoni pizza rolls, Sunny's also serves local craft beer.

More: Sioux Falls craft beer: A complete guide to local breweries