Favorite Missoula Restaurants?

I was wandering what people here thought of various restaurants in town.  I know we don't have a huge selection of stuff here in Missoula and 75% of the large restaurants serve what I call "truck stop" food like burgers, chicken strips, and typical Denny's fare.

I prefer natural type foods but have a weakness for Chinese and Mexican.

The two best Missoula restaurants for these are:

Fiesta En Jalisco (really, nothing else comes close to authentic Mexican except the El Cazador bus, NOT the restaurant, just the bus)

Bamboo Chopstix (It's over  by Patty Creek Market which has a massive selection of local/organic stuff and has some of the best Chinese food I've had outside of LA/San Diego)

Notable mentions for worst Mexican/Chinese are:

El Diablo (worst "food" I've ever come across with a Mexican spin.  Guacamole is powdered and if you buy a bowl of tortilla chips you get tostitos)

China Buffet (I actually end up here a lot because the kids like it but it's dreadful stuff haha)

I guess I've managed to create myself a little island of ignorant bliss, because I would rate Missoula restaurants as 75% non-truckstop. That being said, a really good restaurant can serve the same dish as a Denny's and make it delicious, unique, and local.

Some of my favorites are The Old Post, The Catalyst, Hob Nob, Sushi Hana... hmm, these all seem to be downtown, don't they? Maybe that's just what's in biking distance. Or maybe that's where I know I'm sure to find a good, locally owned restaurant. Any suggestions for branching out into other parts of the city?

Haha, the little restaurants are great.  I meant the huge ones seem to all have the same menu.  It's hard to spot much difference between Perkins, Denny's, 4B's, Hooters, Montana Club, etc.

I do agree Sushi Hana is amazing!

So far, the silk road is my fave. 

For strapping on a feedbag, I like HuHot. 

I like gyros and the best gyro in town is at #1 gyros.

I have wondered about Curley's as well lately.  I'm not impressed by Jakers at all.  Everything on the menu looks so amazing at Jakers then when you get your food it's almost always disappointing for the price.

Ah, I see a couple of places we need to try, especially now that Tipu's is closed (thank the Gods they still make their Chai!).  We were also impressed with the Mexican place that closed at the mall as I remember.  We do like the Mustard Seed there though.

I have also heard that the new Hong Kong Chef is worthy of a new whirl, off Brooks.  We haven't yet tried it recently but apparently much is changed for the better, or so I hear!

Thanks for some new suggestions, we will check them out next time we are around!

paul wheaton wrote:
For strapping on a feedbag, I like HuHot. 

Haha at first I was going to be ashamed of my heaping plates at HuHot, but I am not alone now. 

Good

HuHot
Fiesta en Halisco
Sushi Hana - $1 sushi is awesome
Taco del Sol - a quick fish supreme burrito seems to be a staple of my diet now
Mackenzi River Pizza
Biga Pizza
The Bridge
El Diablo has been good on several occasions but I have never ordered chips or guac
Hong Kong chef is good too

and after Pauls vdeo on Gyros I will find an excuse to make it to that end of town this week.  That was an excellent ad you filmed Paul., it made me hungry all day.

I ate at Curley once I wasnt impressed.

Does anyone know of a place with a good salad bar?  Since the The Wave is gone I have not found a new place.

So having been a while since we ate in Missoula
  Is the Two sisters restaurant still around?? The food there was great. The ever changing artwork a blast.
  The Bridge was always good for ribs even if the sauce was a no no for us..


Since we both have diet challenges It would be nice to know if there are any places that have food more in touch to those who are diabetic and gluten free.We always end up at the good food store which is not always on the top of our list for good food,, better for snacks..

LOL if you think Missoula is limited try Kalispell,,

For someone who has seen the rise and fall of many great restaurants in Missoula, there is a definitive list of where to eat!

Decent food is hard to find, great food is even more rare. The best restaurants in Missoula are:

-Riverside Cafe - uses lots of local & organic - The burger is the best burger in town! I am personal friends with the farmer who raises the beef. He should be getting more money for his beef because it tastes so good!!!

-Silk Road - uses lots of local and has the best homegrown missoula chefs!!!

-Red Bird - my info is limited

-Scotty's Table - Uses local and organic

-The Pearl - Uses local - my info is limited

-Bridge Pizza - Uses local and organic and has the best prices for quality food. Plus you can't beat their happy hour!

-Biga Pizza - uses local and organic

And for my favorite new restaurant, you have to drive to Stevensville. It is called the Mission Bistro and is well worth the trip. I have gone there three times, and had the best mahi mahi i have ever had. Actually, I think my meal was the best meal I have ever had at a restaurant, and I am picky!!

Am I forgetting anything?

For Sourcing Local Food, Organic and High Quality Ingredients--These are the folks that come to Farmers Market with backpacks, wagons, baskets and a list every week, every week--with that I'm on a mission look and familiarity with the farmers--all these have Veggie Options

Red Bird Restaurant--Jim and Laura--oh my--you're exceptional--Wine, Experimentation, Flavors--they warm my heart
Silk Road--Abe and Sam--creative, professional, nice and fun--my daughter's favorite for a night out with surprises and oh those spices! Attentive
Iza--Cambodian Monks Curry
The Buttercup Cafe--Molly is sooo passionate about food--homey atmosphere---shiny, sweet faces in the kitchen--such a comfortable environment for tea or coffee with a friend--great space for business meetings--some exceptional soups and pastries too.
James Bar--Especially in Summer--Fresh Oysters and Local Mushrooms (must be Charlies?) Love those Sweet Potato Fries
Scotty's Table- amazing mussels--al fresco dining
Butterfly Herbs--for the Arty folks hanging out or taking a shopping break downtown--pots of tea--the rose peppermint is lovely, bagels, soup, salad--comfy booths

Other favorites--they buy local too.
The Pearl
The Catalyst--their salads make me happy--arugula, beet root and goat cheese--not in season now so I'm yearning for Summer

For coffee, bread, pastries--Le Petite Outre--no indoor seating--sit on the bench just outside the door (Even or Especially in Winter) with a cup of their coffee and a palmier watching the weather and people go by--so good. In summer, sidewalk umbrellas and lazy Sunday mornings with the dog--you'll see somebody from the neighborhood.

Clark Fork Market Food--Kim West in the Edgy Retro Turquoise Food Trailer--locally sourced, artsy, complex Monte Cristo Sandwiches but I do believe she's contemplating Tamales for this coming season
The Waffle Guy--Raspberry and Lemon Curd--I'm addicted and they set up right behind me--I get giddy

Thai Food--Sa Wa Dee--some Raw Choices--love their Crispy Rice Salad, Raw Carrot Salad and the Green Curry-and those fruity Thai beers-I'm so delighted when I end up in the "Elephant Booth"

Cafe Dolce' (the one on Brooks--not the Mall) for Sunday Brunch or Everyday Business Lunch-love how people are "dressed up" for lunch-nice atmosphere, salads, coffee--I'm fond of their French Press Service, smoked salmon, salads, desserts

Nara--Sushi and Tempura--lots of experimentation a possibility

Biga Pizza--I do love the Pizza but prefer to take it home rather than eating in--very creative choices--love the caramelized onion/goat cheese

Ice Cream--Big Dipper--love that social line in Summer and eating ice cream while it Snows in Winter--doggie cones too:)

Good Food Store--I have to mention them because I eat there more than occasionally--While I appreciate so much about this store, I'd be happier with them if their dealings with farmers were more in line with their promotional jargon--salad bar--and a million choices--something for everyone so if you have a group with diverse tastes, this is where you'll all be satisfied

Paula, what an excellent list!

Jacob, I might have to debate with you a bit. While the Mission Bistro in Stevi is excellent, I like the Riverside Cafe even better.

Mary James wrote:Since we both have diet challenges It would be nice to know if there are any places that have food more in touch to those who are diabetic and gluten free.We always end up at the good food store which is not always on the top of our list for good food,, better for snacks..

Mary, this is a late reply, though I do think the Riverside Cafe would feed you safely and deliciously. See more discussion about them in the organic restaurant in Missoula thread.

This might be a bit OT, or too far out of town, but just thought others besides Paul might like to drive out to Rock Creek for the huckleberry pie.

This is at Ekstrom's Stage Station.

Paula Scoggins wrote:The Buttercup Cafe--Molly is sooo passionate about food--homey atmosphere---shiny, sweet faces in the kitchen--such a comfortable environment for tea or coffee with a friend--great space for business meetings--some exceptional soups and pastries too.

Was just reminded about Buttercup Market and Cafe through an e-mail list-serve. Did I miss it in your recommendations, Paula? With local food, and organic meats for sale, I have no idea why Paul and I haven't tried it yet. It's now officially on our list.

I'll give this thread a big bump cuz I was hot-footing through your territory and happened on a really fine restaurant just down the road.

Parker's, in Drummond. About 20 miles east of Missoula.

Comfortable family place where the owner talks to the customers while taking care of biz. Service is good, lots of people know each other there, food is great. Setting is relaxed and welcoming. Definite return visit if I get the chance.


Cheers

Rufus