As most of you know we’re a military family. This post is for the military families who may ever get based in Montana or those of you who may visit one day. For 7+ years (11 years for my husband) we were based in Great Falls, Montana at Malmstrom AFB. We were there long enough to have seen plenty of restaurants come and go. However, it also means we lived there long enough to have figured out our favorite places to eat in town. ;We moved to Louisiana 3 weeks ago and I thought to put this Great Falls, MT Foodie Guide together while the restaurants are still fresh in my mind. One thing you learn as a military family is how many new families will be looking for the best restaurants in town when they first get there. So I decided to create a mini list of my family’s favorite restaurants in Great Falls as a little resource guide.
Now I won’t sugar coat anything to make it seem like there’s a huge foodie scene there because there simply isn’t. However, there are quite a few little gems in town that you will grow to love if you receive orders there. I’m originally from the Chicagoland suburbs so I’ve been accustomed to a delicious foodie lifestyle early on in life. I broke the food categories down by breakfast, burgers, ethnic, pizza, steak, and special mentions. I will give the address and a brief rundown for why this restaurant made my list as well.
Breakfast:
Family Affair: 616 26th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
This restaurant has the best French toast in town. Hands down no competition. The staff is friendly and the prices are reasonable. The only downside is they’re only open M-F 7am-2pm.
Roadhouse Diner: 613 15th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Breakfast at Roadhouse Diner always tastes fresh and legit has a diner appeal to the food. They only serve breakfast on Sundays from 9am-1:30pm.
Black Bear:
This is a newer chain restaurant in Great Falls. It just opened this year and is a great option for a quick breakfast or an extensive menu. The breakfast food can be hit or miss sometimes, but most people here seem to love it.
Wheat Montana: 1116 9th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Do yourself a favor and go try the cinnamon roll French toast. Yes, you read that correctly. And yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds! The staff is awesome and I have yet to try anything on the menu that isn’t delicious. Make sure you get a huge cinnamon or caramel roll to go!
Burgers:
Roadhouse: 613 15th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Yes, Roadhouse Diner made the list again. However, burgers is what Roadhouse does best. The owner switches up the menu every few weeks with new burgers and flavors. They’re cooked perfectly and do not disappoint. Fun fact: the owner was on a season of Guy’s Grocery Games and won!
Burger Bunker: 24 5th St S, Great Falls, MT 594014.4 mi
My favorite part of the burgers at Burger Bunker is that you have the option of Texas toast instead of burger buns. If you haven’t had a burger on Texas toast before you should head on over and try one.
Ethnic:
Jah Taime: Columbus Center, 1601 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401
This Jamaican cuisine restaurant was my favorite in town. I may be a little biased from my caribbean upbringing, but if you ask anyone who has been to Jah Taime they will tell you how delicious the food is. If you’re a newbie to the Jamaican food scene order an: oxtail, rice & peas, and cabbage dinner with a johnny cake. You will not be disappointed.
Dantes: 1325 8th Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401
If you’re looking for Italian food this is the place to go. This was our go to restaurant for a “fancy” dinner a few times a year. It became a tradition to eat here on NYE for us. Also, the balsamic and roasted garlic bread is to die for. SO. GOOD.
Kobe: 115 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404
Although Kobe is the only teppenyaki grill in town the flavors do not disappoint. It’s a Japanese restaurant and you can sit at the grill for a show or sit at a table to order from the kitchen. Whatever you do, just make sure you order the fried rice at the grill. It’s delicious!
Little Athens: 1200 10th Ave S #30E, Great Falls, MT 59405
Whenver you find yourself longing for some authentic Greek food head over to Little Athens. Their gyros are so delicious and so authentic. They even sell authentic Greek ingredients in the restaurant. If you’re wondering, this gem is located inside the mall.
Fiesta en Jalisco: 1220 10th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Mexican food is one of my all time favorite types of food so I’m going to be honest: this restaurant is about a 3/5 on the rating scale. However, Fiesta en Jalisco is the most authentic Mexcian food you’ll find in Great Falls. And they do have delicious dishes like their sizzling fajita skillet and chimichongas.
Mongolian BBQ: 2867, 2108 10th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 5940
The type of food is in the title so no need to explain that part. If you’re looking for a “create your own meal with your own ingredients” type place this is the place to go. Unlike their competitor (listed next) you can also take your leftovers home which makes them cost effective.
3D: 1825 Smelter Ave, Black Eagle, MT 59414
3D is an International Grill but it’s really just a larger Mongolian Grill with better tasting ingredients in my opinion. (Depends on who you talk to because other people prefer Mongolian BBQ). The lunch time menu is super afforable and the flavors are delicious. The downside: they don’t allow leftovers to be taken home.
Maple Garden: 5401 9th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
This is the best “Chinese food” you’ll find in town. I put Chinese is parenthesis because I’m pretty sure the owners and workers are Korean lol. Anyway, I give this a 3/5 on the tasting scale. It’s not the best Chinese food ever but it’s also no where near the worst. Their shrimp lo mein is actually pretty good. And their customer service is stellar too.
Pizza:
————
Fire: 107 5th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Here is where you can find some delicious Artisan Pizzas with extravagant pizza flavors and toppings. Being a native from the Chicagoland area I’m a pizza snob (I can’t help it) but this was my favorite go to for pizza. Our favorite pizzas were the Camino and the Pesto. On Tuesdays they do 2 for $24 pizzas AND they apply military discount on top of it!
Big Bang: 24 5th St S, Great Falls, MT 59401
My husband liked their pizza…I didn’t LOL. However, they do offer a large wagonwheel sized pizza which is extremely convenient.
MacKenzie River: 500 River Dr S, Great Falls, MT 59405
This was my backup pizza place to Fire. MacKenzie River’s pizzas have theirown flavor flare which is always fun. My favorite was the Thai Pie and my husband loved the Stockman pizza. I recommend the orignal crust!
Mighty Mo’s:
I threw this one on here because I’ve had their BBQ chicken pizza and it was delicious. This is the only pizza I’ve ever tried from here so I don’t want to tell you all of their pizza is delcious since I don’t know for sure. But I will say to go try that BBQ chicken pizza when you get the chance.
Steaks:
Special mention: I haven’t had steaks from any of these places because I’m not a huge red meat eater. (I know it’s borderline blasphemy having lived in Montana for so long to say that. Ha!) My husband on the other hand loves steak and many other people I know who love steak have recommended these restuarants. So here you go!
Bar S: 5100 N Star Blvd, Great Falls, MT 59405
Beef & Bone: 19 Ulm South Frontage Rd, Ulm, MT 59485
Borries: 1800 Smelter Ave, Black Eagle, MT 59414
Special Mentions:
Crooked Tree: 501 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401
This is my favorite cafe in town. The atmosphere is perfect, the decor is quaint and the food is delicious. I feel it’s one of the hidden gems of Great Falls. If you’re looking for a nice place to blog, read, eat, or meet up with a friend I recommend Crooked Tree. Heads up: they aren’t open for long hours so plan accordingly.
JJ’s: 112 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
When winter kicks into high gear I recommend some delicious chili or soup from JJ’s. Their steak and bacon chili is amazing. And that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even care about red meat! They have different soups every day. However, they have their chili every day. While you’re there grab a caramel roll too. They’re delicious!
Great Harvest: 515 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401
If you want some of the freshest and flavorful baked breads head on over to Great Harvest. They have a cheddar bread that is delicious for sandwiches. And during fall they have a pumpkin chocolate chip bread that is one of my favorites. They make sandwiches here too with their breads.
5th and Wine: 214 5th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
This restaurant is the perfect little date night or friend date spot. You can try their delicious wines and eat their elegantly flavorful foods. It tucked downtown and has a charming ambiance. But what else is important after learning that have good wine? Exactly.
Porky D’s: 1300 9th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405
This was my favorite rainy day soup stop. The best part? They have a drive thru! Yes, homemade soup and sandwiches on the go. I recommend following them on Facebook for announcements and specials week by week. They’re a small family owned business so they’ll keep you updated on days they’re closed too.
Cafe Rio: 900 10th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405
Although this is a chain restaurant they get a special mention because of their delicious tortillas and military Monday discount. The tortillas are hand made and they’re so tasty on all their own. Both the corn and flour tortillas. Also, on Mondays, Cafe Rio does 50% for military members and their family members with military ids. Yes, you read that correctly. And if that isn’t good enough, Tuesday-Sunday they give 25% off with military id.
