What We Hanker for on a Hike

You’re hiking down the trail, admiring the flora and the fauna, and the thought of a delicious after-hike meal comes to mind. For the next several miles, all you think about are hand-packed patties and home cut fries perhaps or a big slice of pizza with melted cheese oozing down the sides.

We’ve all been there.

But where will you go to satisfy the hankering? Montana is home to plenty of hidden gems, but sometimes they can be tricky to find.

We’re building a list of delicious destinations as part of our new online trail guide, set to launch in spring 2016. Nominate your favorite Montana businesses, be it a burger joint, shake shop, pizza parlor, or wherever you like to go to satisfy an after-hike hunger.

Every time you nominate a business, we'll add your name to a raffle for a Black Diamond backpack. Nominate three places, and we'll add your name three times. 

In the meantime, here are five of our favorites:

The burger at Heather's Kitchen

• Heather’s Country Kitchen, Plains, MT. From the outside, you might mistake this place for just another roadside diner with warmed-over burgers. Inside, you’ll discover a cozy atmosphere and gourmet burgers. And we’re not kidding about that gourmet thing. This place was completely overhauled with the expertise of the Food Network, and you get to reap the benefits. 
• Yesterday’s Calf-A, Dell, MT. Warning: once your car has visited the Calf-A once, it will automatically exit at mile marker 23 every time you drive I-15. No matter the time of day, it’s impossible to not stop for their famous pie and ice cream. Surrounded by the one room schoolhouse’s chalkboards and children’s alphabet tutorials, this is the best school lunch you can ever have. 
• The Buckhorn Bar, Augusta, MT. When you’re at the base of the Rocky Mountain Front and surrounded by cattle, it’s only right to enjoy a juicy Montana beef burger, cooked to perfection. This is a favorite with locals and a must-stop for anyone passing through. 
• Tongue River Winery, Miles City, MT. This surprising Southeast Montana gem offers more than 30 unique wines, all made with locally grown fruits. Try pairing any of their beverages with our Southeast Montana Geotourism Map.
• Lindey’s Steakhouse, Seeley Lake, MT. The menu is easy: steak, steak, and more steak. The Montana-raised beef is cooked the way you want it, and with mouth-watering sides like sautéed mushrooms and garlic bread, you won’t go home hungry.

What are we missing? Be sure to add your favorites to our new map. Every nomination improves your chance to win a Black Diamond daypack.

– Kassia Randzio, MWA community engagment manager