Jan. 3, 2025
In a move that shocked absolutely no one, Shenanigans Sports Bar & Grill has been handed over to a new owner with an impeccable restaurant pedigree—because clearly, dining establishments are popping up like mushrooms after a rainstorm these days.
The beloved establishment at 1903 S. Ellis Road has transitioned from Don and Jean Rose, who founded the place back in 1986 (because who doesn’t want to run a bar and grill for several Olympic cycles?), to Brandon native and self-proclaimed restaurateur Paul Ode. Who? Yes, exactly.
“I remember going back to Shenanigan when it was in the mall,” said Ode, as if he just discovered a long-lost sock. “There’s a nostalgia to it. It’s built a great neighborhood reputation. It’s just a good spot.” Since when is that the basis for a business model? Clearly, the bar has some overachieving expectations here.
Yet, fear not! In a plot twist that rivals any daytime soap opera, Andy Rose, the son of the original owners, will stick around as general manager. Andy commented, “It’ll be a transition from working with my family for 20 years but really excited to have Paul on board.” Excited? More like “let’s just see how this plays out during family dinners for the next decade.”
Now, Ode has made it perfectly clear that he wants the loyal customers (who actually remember when the establishment was in a mall) to know their role as valued constituents of this new regime. He’s committed to maintaining the restaurant’s self-important slogan, “Where Friendly People Meet,” as if the world hasn’t seen friendly faces since the pandemic started. Let’s not even discuss the acoustic guitar strumming in the background for live music—you know, to make sure everyone can ignore their feelings together.
“I didn’t buy into it to make a bunch of change,” vowed Ode, conveniently neglecting to mention which changes will be enforced depending on Yelp reviews. He added, “The same hospitality, the same welcome that the Roses have established, we’re going to keep that moving forward because it’s special to the customers and it’s special to the employees.” Translation: “Don’t worry, the toxic energy will stay the same.”
Negotiations reportedly began in the second half of 2024, led by Ryan Tysdal of Van Buskirk Cos., who brokered this exhilarating shift. “It’s great to see such a cherished Sioux Falls mainstay end up under the ownership of a well-run restaurant group,” Tysdal declared, as if throwing a barbecue in his backyard to celebrate the news.
In even more shocking news: Ode is contemplating launching more Shenanigans locations across the city. Because heaven forbid, we don’t have enough places with questionable bar food and pizza that tastes like cardboard.
Ode and his family are already busy with other local culinary ventures like Crawford’s and Wagoo Burger—because why stick to one chaos when you can juggle several? With yet another “future concept” in the pipeline, we await with bated breath while hoping the pickled jalapeños are fresh!
