FOOD REVIEWS

Best:

FAMILY AFFAIR (Great Falls, MT) - 8.9

This small diner features fresh ingredients, exceptional service, a diverse menu and is affordable for a family.  Best sausage in Great Falls.  Hours are 7am-1pm Tuesday through Saturday.  Owners are exceptional and they have talented cooks that bring flavor to each plate.  $$ (Kid's Menu Available) 

Honorable Mention: 

THE UPHILL GRILL (Helena) - 8.8 - Fresh, flavorful food with a chef that delivers masterful combinations of food for your palette.  Limited seating.  $$

PAUL'S PANCAKE HOUSE (Missoula) - 8.5 - 

This staple of breakfast in Missoula provides great traditional breakfast comfort food and a friendly staff since 1963.  Can be busy so be prepared to wait. $$ (Kid's Menu Available)

TRACY'S DINER (Great Falls) - 8.2 - Creative dishes and plating is spectacular.  Can be busy and prices can be on the high side.  $$$ (Kid's Menu Available)

CLARK AND LEWIE'S (Great Falls) - 7.9 - Seating is limited in this hotel restaurant, but the food is outstanding.  Be prepared to wait.  $$$ (Kid's Menu Available)

R&R GOOD TIME CHARLIES (Great Falls) - 7.8 - Service is phenomenal and the food is a high-quality greasy spoon breakfast.  Best bacon in Great Falls. Pricing is affordable for the family.  $$ (Kid's Menu Available) 

MARKET ON FRONT (Missoula) - 7.7 - A market, coffee shop, and restaurant wrapped in one.  Breakfast food is worth the visit.  Popular setting with limited seating.  $$ 

WHEAT MONTANA (Great Falls) - 7.4 - Fresh pastries, coffee make this a must have, but the hot breakfast items are nothing special.  Still, plenty of seating and a clean, fun environment.  $$

TOP NOTCH CAFE (Great  Falls) - 7.0 - Greasy spoon priced right.  Call to make sure they are open.  Limited seating, old diner feel.  Great owner.  $$

4B's (Great Falls) - 6.4 - Basic, breakfast with a no frills approach.  Price is right, plenty of service.  Nothing special.  $$ (Kid's Menu Available) 

A&K DINER (Great Falls) - 6.0 - Disappointing.  Friendly staff, bland food.  $$ 

Best:

WILD HARE (Great Falls) - 8.9

There are many people who will not understand how good the Kitchen at Wild Hare is until they go try it for themselves.  Owner and chef Matt Black simply creates flavor.  Serving sandwiches, tacos and other daily specials, it is our go-to spot for lunch in Great Falls.  SS

Honorable Mention: 

SMOKED (Great Falls) - 8.7 - Excellent BBQ restaurant in Great Falls.  Family owned.  Food is great with a variety of meats and their mac & cheese is simply amazing. $$$

P GIBSON'S (Great Falls) - 8.5 - Great environment, outstanding food and great service.  Can be pricey and it is extremely busy from 5-7pm.  This is a must have.  $$$

ROADHOUSE DINER (Great Falls) - 8.4 - They sell burgers, but they sell insanely good burgers.  Owners are fabulous.  Locally sourced burger and buns.  Must have.  $$$ 

NAPS (Hamilton) - 8.3 - A staple in the Bitteroot Valley. Great place for an excellent burger and beer.  Other selections of the menu and a great staff.  $$

MEDITERRANEAN GRILL (Helena) - 7.9 - Greek food in an authentically decorated restaurant in the heart of Helena.  Authentic food, great service and atmosphere.  $$

TAMARACK (Missoula) - 7.9 - Great place for lunch.  Huge portions, great flavors and a wonderful atmosphere.  Prices are reasonable and lots of seating.  $$

BURGER BUNKER(Great Falls) - 7.7 - Want a solid burger for lunch?  Try this place.  Burgers are really good (Try the Malmstrom Burger) and service is good.  Prices are very affordable. $$

STREET BURGERS (Great Falls) - 7.7 - Good burgers, amazing fries and even better wings.  Desserts to die for.  New menu in 2024 is a huge step up.  $$

WINDBAG SALOON (Helena) - 7.5 - Great atmosphere and service. Quality food and amazing drinks.  A fun place to go to and worth a trip.  $$

5 Guys (Great Falls) - 7.5 - It is a national chain, but affordability and flavor are still outstanding.  Plus all the add-ons are free.  Oh, the fries and the shakes...Pretty damn good.  $$

SUDS HUT (Helena) - 7.5 - Small restaurant in Helena specializing in broasted chicken.  Limited seating, good food, service and prices.  $$

THE BLOCK (Great Falls) - 7.4 - Want grilled cheese?  The Block delivers a huge variety of grilled cheese sandwiches.  Try the Tri-Tip or Jalepeno Popper.  $$

MONTANA SUB SHOP (Great Falls) - 7.4 - A sub shop makes the list.  Fresh, large sandwiches and a local name for each one.  Try the Malta, and fill yourself up.  $$

MAGPIE (Great Falls) - 7.2 - The atmosphere is excellent and outside seating is simply the best.  Food is really good (try the hummus) and service is great.  $$-$$$

BUCKHORN (Augusta) - 7.2 - Good atmosphere in a small town.  Serving burgers, sandwiches and drinks.  Food is quality and the burgers. are good.  $$

SPUDS CAFE (Chester) - 6.5 - Small town, locally sourced beef.  Good burger and fries are average.  Other specials are on menu.  $

HIGH HORSE SALOON (Billings) - 5.1 - One of the worst meals in the state.  Food was bland, service was poor. $$

Best:

5th And Wine (Great Falls) - 9.1

Intimate dining experience.  Atmosphere, service and food were all exceptional.  Fresh, flavorful and delicious.  If you are looking for that perfect date night meal, go to 5th and Wine.  Best meal we had in Montana so far.  But it comes at a price. $$$$ 

Honorable Mention: 

LUCCA'S (Helena) - 9.0 - Expertly crafted Italian cuisine and a perfect dining experience awaits you here.  Wonderful service, amazing food.  $$$$

ON BROADWAY (Helena) - 8.9 - Italian food full of flavor in a lively, fun atmosphere.  Great food, really nice bar and exceptional service make this a must have.  $$$$

BEEF & BONE (Ulm) - 8.9 - Mouthwatering steaks, rich in flavor with amazing sides.  Plating is spectacular.  Intimate setting and quality service await you here.  $$$$

FIRE PIZZA (Great Falls) - 8.4 - Pizza so full of flavor, an intimate dining experience and the best spinach/artichoke appetizer in the state.  Soups are amazing.  $$$

BUFFALO JOE'S (Depuyeur) - 8.1 - Tucked away in a small town lies a perfect New York strip steak. Definitely worth the trip and at prices that won't break the bank.  $$$

RIB & CHOP HOUSE (Great Falls) - 8.1 - Great atmosphere, exceptional service.  The fried green tomatoes stuffed with crabmeat is a must have.  $$$

BORRIES (Black Eagle) - 8.0 - Don't let the 1980's vibe fool you.  The unique setting provides the cover for some exceptional food.  The fried raviolis are a must have.  $$$

MONTANA CLUB (Missoula) - 7.7 - Good food, great service and a great value on your birthday.  The food is always good and the menu has a variety of options. $$-$$$

CATTLEMEN'S CUT STEAKHOUSE (Great Falls) - 7.7 - Steaks are very good, but not great.  Salad bar is excellent and the service is very good.  $$$

BAR S (Great Falls) - 7.6 - High quality steaks.  The prime rib sandwich is a must have here.  Side items are not great.  Bar side is a great setting, but the dining side is not.  $$$

MACKENZIE RIVER PIZZA CO. (Missoula) - 7.6 - Really good pizza and the lodgepoles are famous.  Try the spinach/artichoke dip.  You will thank us!  $$-$$$

WILD WINGS (Great Falls) - 7.4 - Fun bar setting, perfect for watching a game or spending time with friends.  Service is good, wings are really good and try the All-American burger. $$

MIGHTY MO (Great Falls) - 7.0- Pizza, wings and other typical bar food at this local brewery.  Fun setting, local live musicians.  Great service.  $$ 

BRANDING IRON (Conrad) - 7.0 - Small town restaurant offering an affordable meal out.  Food is good with the best being the Philly Cheesesteak. $$

HALFTIME (Great Falls) - 6.7 -  If you like Taco Treat, you will like this place.  The food is good and it is a good atmosphere.  Not a must have, but a fun night out. $$

PIE HOLE (Missoula) - 6.7 - Craving late night pizza?  Try this college hangout serving single slice pizza and drinks until 3am.  Place has limited seating and can get busy. $-$$

MAPLE GARDEN (Great Falls) - 5.7 - Want authentic Chinese and Korean cuisine?  Avoid this place.  The worst dinner we have had in Montana.  High price, average service and below average food.  

 Jan 28th, 2025 - STEVE'S CAFE, Helena, MT (Breakfast)

Jan 29th, 2025 - JAVA HUT, Conrad, MT (Coffee) 

Jan 29th, 2025 - COACH'S CORNER, Conrad, MT (Dinner) 

Feb 1st, 2025 - HOWARD'S PIZZA, Great Falls, MT (Lunch) 

Feb 2nd, 2025 - CITY BREW, Great Falls, MT (Coffee) 

Feb 4th, 2025 - THE MONTANAN STEAKHOUSE, Lincoln, MT (Lunch)

Feb 5th, 2025 - THE CELTIC COWBOY, Great Falls, MT (Dinner) 

Feb 6th, 2025 - TRUE BREW, Great Falls, MT (Coffee) 

Feb 14th, 2025 - IZAAK'S, Wolf Creek, MT (Dinner) 

Feb 19th, 2025 - WAKE UP COFFEE, Fort Benton, MT (Coffee, Breakfast)

Feb 25th, 2025 - PARKER'S BBQ PIT, Havre, MT (Lunch) 

Feb 28th, 2025 - OUTPOST DELI, Choteau, MT (Lunch)