I've driven past the Highline Plaza location more times than I can count — it's that stretch near 41st and Marion where everything feels mid-transition, neither fully south Sioux Falls nor quite the west-side retail sprawl. Freddy's sits there with its red-and-white retro signage, and I finally stopped in on a Thursday when the rain made me want something that tasted like comfort without much thought.
The custard is what they're known for, and I get it — it's denser than soft serve, richer without feeling heavy, and the concrete I ordered (brownie batter, because why not) had enough mix-ins that I wasn't just eating sweet air. The steakburgers are smash-style, thin patties with crispy edges, and mine came with that classic fast-food architecture: pickles, mustard, a seeded bun that held up. It's not trying to be gourmet, and that's the point.
What struck me was the pace — orders moved fast, but not so fast that it felt like a conveyor belt. The staff seemed genuinely unbothered by the dinner rush, which in Sioux Falls can mean the difference between a decent meal and eating in your car because the vibe inside is too stressed. I ate at one of the high-top tables near the window and watched cars pull through the drive-thru in a steady stream.
The fries are shoestring-thin, which means they cool down fast — I learned that the hard way halfway through my burger. But that's the trade-off with this style, and if you eat them right away, they're salty and crisp enough to justify the grease on your fingers.
It's not the place I'd take someone trying to impress, but it's exactly the place I'd go when I want a burger that doesn't require a think-piece afterward. Sometimes that's enough.
— Grace
I ate at one of the high-top tables near the window and watched cars pull through the drive-thru in a steady stream.