Tuesday evening saw the opening of Sports Buzz, Rapid City's newest locally owned restaurant, at 2101 Mount Rushmore Road. The staff welcomed their first guests after simply turning on the "open" sign.

Owners Marilyn and Tim Norberg opted for the quiet start to help the 85 staff members go through a trial run of sorts in making sure that the registers worked, the wait crew knew what was on the menu, the cooks prepared the meals to specifications and the guests were satisfied with their dining experience.

Also, seating in the restaurant's three main sections - bar, party room and patio - was a large consideration, too. How to serve them all had to be worked out by the hostess.

So far, so good, the owners say.

"We wanted to open slow … but it was very successful last night. It went very well," Marilyn Norberg said Wednesday.

At the site of the former Budget Host Hotel, this new space offers tourists a short walk from nearby motels, as well as on-site parking for local diners.

Designed by the Norbergs, this unique restaurant brings together hearty favorites of a sports bar menu with a selection of 12-inch gourmet pizzas, steak sandwiches, appetizers, chicken entrees, salads, hot dogs and thick, juicy hamburgers that are made from freshly ground beef, not frozen patties.

The gourmet desserts include a variety of cakes, ice cream and more.

Having three boys at home, the Norbergs know that most kids' appetites and tastes won't match what their parents eat. So they've stocked up on foods that are kid-friendly.

"We have a pretty good kid's menu," she said.

Beverages include Pepsi products, brewed iced tea as well as beer and wines. The beers range from Miller or Coors Lite to Heineken and Sam Adams. Wines run the gamut - you won't be disappointed.

The cozy, intimate booths offer privacy with individual TVs mounted next to the table for viewing - kids can watch Sponge Bob Square Pants, parents can catch the news or media-heads can keep up with Jon and Kate. The tables have plenty of flat-screen TVs for viewing, trendy background music as well as warm colors to keep diners relaxed and comfortable while waiting for their snacks, dinners or drinks.

The arcade and prize rooms offer kids their own private carnival of games testing their skills not only in the virtual world of video games, but in basketball shoot outs and air hockey. Accumulated tickets can be turned in for prizes such as Beanie Babies, basketballs and an array of toys.

Black and white photos of athletic icons decorate the walls, such as Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, as well as heroes from basketball, football and other sports.

The Norbergs plan to have "The Hall of Fame Room," featuring South Dakota professional athletes Becky Hammon, Adam Vinatieri, Mike Miller and Billy Mills. But they also hope to showcase local high school and college athletes of the week.

"It could be something like what the Journal does," she said.

The entrance opens to a sports shop that offers sports clothing that have team logos. One T-shirt designed by Marilyn features the University of Sturgis logo. She's hoping it's the next fashion craze during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, but it will at least be a good souvenir.

Whether eating, drinking or just hanging out, Sports Buzz has it covered.

"We have a lot of fun stuff for everyone to do," Marilyn Norberg said.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.

If You Go

What: Sports Buzz, family restaurant

When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday to Saturday

Happy Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Where: 2101 Mount Rushmore Road

Other: Kids eat free at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.