Juicy steaks, gourmet tacos, and ice cold distilled spirits were just a few of the tasty indulgences that Mr. TWS and I enjoyed in Montana this summer. On our “Small Towns, Big Eats” road trip from Bozeman to Missoula, we also rode horses, went kayaking, and even mined for sapphires. Some of these experiences we’ve shared in posts already and more will be coming. But for now, let’s get a taste of Big Sky Country eats, drinks and other highlights in this collection of ten Montana on Instagram photos.
These delicous tacos at Victory Taco in Bozeman are chock full of freshness and made with imaginative concoctions of quality ingredients in fun menu items such as those shown below: “The Fin” (grilled mahi, pineapple salsa, red cabbage, fresh guacamole, cilantro lime cream) and “The Bird” (Ancho lime chicken, roasted tomato sauce, red cabbage, pickled onions, cilantro).
Mr. TWS and I devoured our pizzas at Biga Pizza in Missoula. Fresh ingredients such as those found in the mushroom & arugula pizza below (portabella and button mushrooms, herbed mascarpone, roasted garlic, mozzarella, fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes and herb oil). No wonder this place is so popular.
Before taking off on our trail ride in Superior, we were treated to a wonderful BBQ lunch along the Clark Fork River cooked up by Ray Rugg, owner of Rugg’s Outfitting and one of our trail guides. I can just about hear the sizzling of these local beef burgers and the fresh salmon filet.
Looking at this photo never ceases to make my mouth water. It’s a tender and juicy 16 oz. charbroiled rib-eye served at the Silver Mill Restaurant in the small town of Philipsburg.
Among the wide selection of handmade candies such as 50 kinds of fudge, 72 flavors of saltwater taffy and 20 varieties of caramels) at The Sweet Palace in Philipsburg are these colorful candy sticks.
Not the first of the Montana Mules (bourbon, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice) we sampled in Montana, but certainly one of the best was this refreshing mugful at Headframe Spirits in Butte.
At the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, you can step back in time on the “Living History Farm” which includes the shed below, a farmhouse, and other buildings and artifacts of Montana’s homesteading era of late 19th century.
We got a very nice night’s sleep at this cool new renovated motel in downtown Bozeman. Originally a fairly typical small town roadside motel, The Lark was a wonderful surprise with its artistic decor and elements of luxury in a casual and hip atmosphere.
Across Main Street from The Lark is the historic Baxter Hotel building which is no longer used for lodging accommodations. Upper floors are residential apartments and the ground floor houses businesses such as Ted’s Montana Grill, a restaurant owned by billionaire (and Montana ranch owner) Ted Turner.
Peonies were definitely in season in June when we visited the Clark Fork River Market (held Saturdays May through October) in Missoula. They were in abundance at the flower stalls we passed while perusing the market’s wealth of local grass-fed beef, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and a variety of tasty homemade goods.
For more about our Montana trip, check out our previous posts, “Saddle Up: Horseback Riding in Montana” and “Tasting Montana, One Town at a Time: Bozeman” and stay tuned. Please follow us on Instagram, too.
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I like the look of the tacos. That is one dish I’m looking forward to sampling lots of if we ever get to the states. You seem to have a great taco culture.
Heaps of temptations here, Cathy. Very curious about this part of the USA – I have this idea it’s all about horse riding and stretches of landscape as long as the eye can see.
I would label this post, The Art of Eating, as you have taken some of the most beautiful and artistic shots of food in this one. Made me hungry – the photos and narrative worked!
We spent about 15 minutes in Montana this summer. We realized we were really close to the state line and decided to cross it just to say we’d been there. If I’d known the food was this good there, perhaps we would have stayed longer. I thought it’d be one chuckwagon dinner after another, so the grilled salmon, gourmet tacos and fancy pizza surprised me. I think I need to go back.
Nice food tour of Montana. Makes me hungry, and I sent my sister this link so she can go great something great to eat. Great post!
Sorry my spell check failed me 🙁
Would love to visit and all those pictures have left me so thirsty/hungry. TGIF It’s won’t be Montana style but I need a BBQ and Mule!