The Hungry Buffalo is ready to serve you

Interested in trying something new? The Hungry Buffalo, Custer’s newest restaurant located at 607 Mount Rushmore Road, is offering a unique selection of food and flavors for the season. 
The Hungry Buffalo is managed by Isaac and Yael Yerushalmi, who came to Custer from Miami, Fla., to get the business up and running. 
After selling their restaurant of 12 years in Miami, the Yerushalmis received a phone call from the owner of the building here in Custer, whom they have known for many years. He said he had a space for a restaurant and asked if they wanted to take it on. 
“We were looking for something to do after we sold the business,” said Yael. “So we said, ‘Let’s give it a try,’ and we came over.”
In April, the Yerushalmis came to see the place and started the renovations. 
At first, the place was bare, and Yael said, “There was nothing. It was empty.” 
So starting with the walls and an empty space in between, the Yerushalmis’ goal was to create a modern dining experience for customers. To achieve this, they set up the kitchen and front counter area with brand new equipment and furnished the rest of the space with seating for customers. At the same time, they also went through the paperwork required for starting a business and applying for licenses. 
“It was very hard,” said Yael. “It took almost two months.” 
Yael said they wanted to restaurant to be clean, comfortable and aesthetic for the patrons. When everything was ready, they opened The Hungry Buffalo June 24. 
Yael said they decided on the name because buffalo were one of the things she went to see when visiting, and it seemed like a good name for the area.
“It’s not like a sitting restaurant with serving. It’s more like you come, you order by the counter and then you get your food and you sit,” said Yael. “That’s what I had for 12 years in Miami.” 
With a wait time of five to seven minutes, The Hungry Buffalo features a variety of options for hamburgers—including a buffalo burger—hot dogs, chicken wings and tenders, salads, quesadillas and wraps. 
Among the options are flavors from the Mediterranean like a Greek salad, shawarma, falafels, humus and tahini sauce. Yael is originally from Israel, so the traditional Mediterranean recipes are her specialty as well as part of her family heritage. 
“Our menu can work for the whole family,” said Yael. 
Little ones can have something familiar like chicken tenders while the parents experiment with fresh flavors from the Mediterranean. 
The falafels are also popular with those looking for a vegetarian option. Yael said these are one of her favorites as well. 
Meals can be made into combinations, and appetizers to start with are available, too. Those interested in a cold drink can also grab a smoothie with flavor choices of strawberry lemonade, pina colada, strawberry banana, mango madness and very berry. 
For dessert, there is baklava—a Greek pastry—and ice cream. 
The menu at The Hungry Buffalo is continually being updated as feedback comes in. Although Yael is still learning what people in the area want and expect from a restaurant, she said she enjoys preparing the food and making people happy. 
Yael said they are trying their best to serve customers well. As people leave, the Yerushalmis want them to remember the restaurant for its good food and an enjoyable experience. 
The Hungry Buffalo is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and has options for dining in as well as takeout. It will close for the season Sept. 17 and reopen in May. 
For more information or to place an order for pickup, call 605-673-2080.