Welcome To The Food in My Home Town - Havre, Montana

I live along the Hi-Line in north central Montana…south of Havre….on a ranch in the foothills of the Bear Paw Mountains.  I am preparing to retire and move permanently to Arizona where my son and his family live. Before I leave I want to reminisce about all the local good eats.

 

Let me tell you about all the good places to eat in Havre.  I especially want to tell you about all the good food to eat.  I am sure that all of us feel like this about the food where we live.  Send me a note and share where you live and all the good food that is just particular to your hometown.

 

When friends from out of state come to visit.  I pick them up at the airport in Great Falls.  As soon as we arrive in Havre….here’s the route!

 

Rod’s Drive-In                      Home of the Ugly Burger

1827 5^th Avenue

Havre, Montana 59501

(406) 265-9781

 

There isn’t quite anything like an Ugly Burger.  It is a double patty…and comes with lots of lettuce…and  really juicy with all the condiments…so juicy they put it in a special white paper holder before they wrap it up in the aluminum wrap to keep it warm.  I must say it isn’t the uniqueness of the burger….it is the great taste of the burger.  And…the bun is toasted.  I feel that a really good burger has to have a toasted bun.

 

I always choose curly fries to go with it.  The orders are huge.  They taste best with the fry sauce…so order it…and not ketchup…unless you have to have ketchup on your fries.  I also love the Onion Rings too…so for an extra $1 or so you can get fries.

 

Don’t leave town without trying this great burger.

 

Note:  Another great menu item at Rod’s is the Chicken Strip Basket…three huge pieces of deep fat fried breaded chicken breasts…choice of fries…cole slaw…Texas toast.  ( Don’t forget to ask for Ranch Dressing for dipping your chicken…and Fry Sauce for dipping your fries.)  It is a huge dinner.  Jo Martin and I always share an order for a quick dinner.

 

Don’t even stop to think.  After your burger and fries, drive north on Fifth Avenue until you reach our local Dairy Queen.   Don’t even look at the menu…just order a nut whip.  They come in many flavors.   My favorites are – Hot Fudge Nut Whips, Blackberry Nut Whips and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Nut Whips.

 

Dairy Queen

535 Fifth Avenue

Havre, Montana

(406) 265-7221

 

Nowhere else in Montana can you buy a Nut Whip at the Dairy Queen…maybe nowhere else in the world.

 

Later in the evening  call Nalivka’s and order the world’s best pizza…thin, flakey crust…and the freshest ingredients…homemade sauces…all come together for the best pizza pie I have ever eaten.  My favorites:  Pepperoni,  Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut (sounds not so appetizing but is delicious) and the McNutt – comes with a hot zing at the end of every bite.

 

 

Nalivka’s Original Pizza Kitchen

1032 1^st Street

Havre, Montana

(406) 265-4050

 

They also have Homemade Steak Soup packaged to take home.  It is a family recipe in a thin white cream sauce loaded with pieces of ground up steak….and finely chopped vegetables.

 

When you spend a day with me visiting and eating all of these great spots in Havre I call it the “Havre Trifecta”.  It’s a winner!

 

Best steak in town:

 

Andy’s Supper Club

658 1^st Street West

Havre, Montana 59501

(406) 265-9963

 

This is a fine example of the family owned long time steak houses that dot the Midwestern slice of the United States.

 

I always order the Half Cut Tenderloin.  You will be served a sizzling steak on a wooden tray with an inserted slotted  metal tray.  Each of the dinners is served with a relish tray, shrimp cocktail, fresh salad, ravioli and garlic bread.  You get your choice of baked potato, fries, hashbrowns or steam rice.  The baked potatoes come with all the garnishments..and it is loaded.

 

I always tell the good with the bad…and my only objection at Andy’s is that they put an extra charge on your credit card if you pay by credit card.  I don’t believe in this.  Accepting credit cards should always be a cost of doing business.  I think this practice cheapens the establishment.  The profit from one drink when ordered from the bar should more than enough pay for any credit card charge.

 

Best Mexican in town:

 

The Guadalajara Restaurant

335 1^st Street Suite 104

Havre, Montana 59501

(406) 265-1852

 

Cash and credit cards only – no checks.

My friends and I eat here as often as possible.  The menu is very encompassing…and the food is delicious.

 

Some of favorites:

 

Carnitas de Res – thin strips of beef sautéed with onions, tomatoes and green peppers.  Garnished with guacamole and pico de gallo.

 

Arroz con Pollo – tender strips of chicken breast sautéed in a special sauce with onions and mushrooms.   Served over a bed of rice with melted cheese.  Garnished with onions and tomatoes.  Served with flour tortillas.

 

Steak a la Mexicana – thin strips of beef sautéed with onions and green peppers, covered in the restauarnt’s  own Spanish salsa.

 

Chile Verde – tender chunks of pork cooked and simmered in a light green tomatillo sauce.  Served with rice and beans. You get your choice of two flour tortillas or three corn tortillas.

 

Carne Asada – thin cut broiled steak garnished with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo.

 

Everything is served with rice and beans.  What I like about the beans is the way the cheese is served and melted on top of the beans.

 

The menu contains a whole page of combinations so you are always able to order tacos, enchiladas, chalupas, taquitos, flautas, burritos, fajitas, et al.

 

I will be describing more of this restaurant’s offerings as I continue to eat there.

 

Best Lunches in Town:

 

If you like soup, you must try the menu at :

 

Henny Penny Cupcakes and Cake Creations

215 Third Avenue

Havre, Montana 59501

(406) 262-7886

Hours:  10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.   Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

 

 

My favorites:

 

Tuscany soup…a light cream broth...loaded with sausage…potatoes and spinach…served with the a huge homemade roll...just out of the oven…loaded with butter.

 

Potato with Bacon – heavy white creamy broth

 

Stuffed Green Pepper – this soup tastes as if you are eating a stuffed green pepper.

 

Creamy Tomato – creamy-type tomato broth complete with tomato pieces.

 

Plus, never leave without trying a cupcake.  You will love them so get your card for a free cupcake after ten.  It is amazing how quickly one gets to ten.

 

My Favorites:

 

1. Peanut Butter 
2.  Almond Joy
3.  Banana Cream Pie
4.  Coconut Snoball
5.  Butterfinger

 

Let me know what your favorite cupcakes are.

 

If you prefer a good sandwich…especially accompanied by a cup or bowl of homemade soup then you must stop here for lunch:

 

Grateful Bread, The

Atrium

Havre, Montana 59501

Owners: Rick and Sheila Neuwerth

Rick is the bread baker.  They also serve lunches…homemade soup and sandwiches…on great homemade bread

 

Great place for lunch…this bakery is open until 2:00 p.m.

 

Cash and checks only…no credit cards.

 

Triple Cheese Panini:  Provolone, Swiss and Cheddar Cheese, sweet red bell peppers, Bermuda onions and special sweet mustard seed blend…grilled with a light spread of garlic butter herb sauce…my bread choice:  Cibatta

Soup:  Cream of Tomato

 

I will be adding more soups and sandwiches to this blog as I try them.  I have some really great favorites but I need to describe them to you…such as Chicken Salad, Sheila Style…BLT…

 

I am sure that you will be able to find something to whet your appetite in my home town.  Writing this blog makes me think of all the good restaurants that no longer exist in Havre.  I will write about them in some of my upcoming blogs.