A Taste of Montana on Instagram

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.

Gourmet tacos

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).

Tacos at Victory Taco in Bozeman, Montana

Pizza is always a good idea

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.

At Biga Pizza in Missoula, Montana -- mushroom & arugula pizza below (portabella and button mushrooms, herbed mascarpone, roasted garlic, mozzarella, fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes and herb oil)

Montana sizzles

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.

Burgers and salmon on the grill before our horseback ride in Superior, Montana

Meat and potatoes

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.

Steak at the Silver Mill Restaurant in Philipsburg, Montana

Sweet treats

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.
Colorful candy canes in glass displays at The Sweet Palace Candy Store in Philipsburg, Montana

High spirits

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.

Montana Mules at Headframe Spirits in Butte, Montana

Living history

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.

Living history exhibit at Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana

The Lark 

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.

The Lark Hotel in Bozeman, Montana

Hotel Baxter

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.

Hotel Baxter, Bozeman, Montana

Fresh and pretty

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.

Peonies at farmer's market in Missoula, Montana

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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8 thoughts on “A Taste of Montana on Instagram

  1. Sophie

    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.

  2. Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    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.

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