Explore the Culinary Landscape of America’s Largest National Historic Landmark District
Where You Can’t Eat in Uptown Butte Anymore
From its earliest days as a gold camp to its heyday as a cosmopolitan city to the present, Butte has enjoyed a far-reaching reputation as a place where a fine meal can be found. The Chequamegon Café at 27 North Main was renowned for serving great food and earned the local nickname of the “Chew and Be Gone Again.” The Creamery Café advertised “Booths for Ladies” which was a discreet way of telling women that they could eat there without having their reputation impugned.
The Success Café was popular for its soups and its tiny size which allowed for only four customers at a time. In a heavily Democratic town, the joke was that here was the Republicans held their banquets, they advertised over their door that “If You Don’t Eat Here I Will Vote for Hoover.”
The Mai Wah Noodle Parlor on West Mercury Street, now an amazing museum, was one of several noodle parlors that served hot Chinese meals in a hurry. The Rocky Mountain Café was a famous destination restaurant in Meaderville, an Italian neighborhood on Butte’s east side that was swallowed up by the expanding Berkeley Pit open-pit copper mine. The restaurant was renowned throughout the state for its distinctive fried chicken, spaghetti, and ravioli. That proud tradition of Meaderville Italian cuisine continues at Lydia‘s which preserves these recipes in another part of town.
Butte’s reputation continues as a place to find a memorable dining experience, whether it be breakfast, lunch, or dinner or to satisfy hunger at any time of the day. This guide is offered as a service to help anyone hungry in historic old Butte to locate the perfect match for their appetite.
Annie’s Cafe
815 E. Front St., 723-0060
A popular spot for breakfast and lunch with a well-earned reputation for a pretty tasty Chicken Fried Steak.
Casagranda’s Steak House
801 S. Utah St., 723-4141
Casagranda’s is renowned as a steak house that wanders from that solid fare to serve duck a la orange, seafood and pasta entrees, and sometimes sushi. Located in Uptown Butte’s historic warehouse district across the street from Steele’s Warehouse. Open for dinner seven nights a week, 5 pm to 9 pm, and in the summer until 10 pm.
Gamer’s Café
15 W. Park, 723-5453
Currently closed for renovation, in the historic Curtis Music Hall, this restaurant with stools and booth space has long been a local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Traditional breakfasts with pancakes, eggs, steaks, pork chops, sausage and bacon and lunch specials that vary from pasties to prime rib.
Jimmy John’s
563 S. Arizona, 299-2933
Counter-serve and delivery chain specializing in sub & club sandwiches, plus signature potato chips.Sandwiches delivered fresh and fast. Full meal for $10 or less. Hours are 10:30 am to 9 pm seven days a week for in store, drive through and delivery.
M&M Bar and Cafe
9 N. Main St., 299-3998, 299-3998
An Uptown Butte tradition for more than a century. Original location burned in May 2021 but has moved just up the street and will reopen in June 2022.
Marla Mia’s and Front Street Market
8 W. Front, 782-2614
Excellent soup and sandwich specials inside Butte’s only Italian grocery. Hours are Mon. through Sat., 11 am to 3 pm.
Pekin Noodle Parlor
117 S. Main, 782-2217
On the edge of Butte’s historic Chinatown, Butte’s sole remaining Chinese noodle parlor where customers have climbed the steps for more than a century to sit in pink booths and eat chow mein and chop suey. Open for dinner 5 pm to 10:30 pm on Sun. and Mon., 5 pm to 11 pm Mon. to Thurs., and on Fri. and Sat., 5 pm to 12 am. Closed on Tuesdays.
Soho Asian Cuisine
60 E. Broadway, 221-7288; 221-7266
The Soho serves fine Chinese food and also includes Sushi on their menu In the mezzanine area of the Acoma. Open seven days a week from 11 am to 9:30 pm.
Staggering Ox Restaurant
549 S. Main St., 299-3948
This is the Butte version of a popular statewide restaurant with three other locations in Montana. They are famous for their soup in bread bowls and excellent sandwiches for under $10.
Taco del Sol Butte
146 W. Park, 782-TACO (8226)
Tacos and burritos that are fast and inexpensive. Open daily from 11 am to 8 pm. Variety of drinks available including Mexican beer.
Uptown Café
47 E. Broadway, 723-4735
Mid-day, lunch atmosphere is casual buffet-style with excellent entrees, soups and salads. Then, in the early evening transforms to elegant Continental dining. Prices range from under $10 for lunch to full course five-star dinners for under $30. Open Mon. through Friday, 11 am to 2 pm. Early dining specials and full dinners served every night except Mondays.
Bonanza Freeze
1040 S. Montana, 723-6662
This classic drive-up on the Uptown’s main entryway serves inexpensive sandwiches, burgers, fries, and ice cream. Renowned milk shakes and malts. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner from 11 am to 10 pm.
Hummingbird Cafe
605 W. Park St., 723-7044
Organic coffeehouse and juice bar with a full menu for breakfast and lunch. Hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am-9pm; Saturday 9:00am-4pm.
La Casa Toscana
53 E. Park St., 563-0444
Fine dining restaurant with Italian dishes inspired by recipes of Tuscany including lasagna featuring elk, bison, lamb and chicken . Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 3 pm to 10 pm; closed Sunday and Monday.
Metals Sports Bar & Grill
8 W. Park St., 782-5534
Located in one of the most historic buildings in the district at the corner of Park and Main. This popular sports bar features wall to wall TVs, sports memorabilia and a varied menu that includes a variety of burgers and affordable entrees that range from steaks, to seafood to poultry. Open seven days a week.
Oro Fino Coffee
68 W. Park St., 491-2093
Serving Revel coffee beans roasted in Billings. Variety of coffee drinks and excellent fresh pastries by the Butler’s Pantry. All drinks $5 or under. Hours are 7 am to 5 pm, Mon. through Fri., Sat. 8 am to 5 pm; closed Sundays.
I Don’t Know Cafe
8 W. Park St., Suite A, 299-2069
Breakfast is served from eggs and toast to huevos rancheros to fruttatas, steak and eggs, flapjacks and French toast. Most items on menu under $10, nothing higher than $14.
Pita Pit Butte
144 W. Park St., 299-3658
The Pita Pit offers a variety of pita wraps with a motto of fresh thinking and healthy eating. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee. Hours are from 10 am until 10 pm; or until 3am on Friday and Saturday.
Pork Chop John’s
8 W. Mercury, 782-0812
True Butte Cuisine at its best! This is the home of the Pork Chop Sandwich craved around the world by expatriate Buttians. Simple, delicious and inexpensive pork chop sandwiches, pork nuggets, and burgers and fries. Most meals available for under $5. Open Mon. through Sat., 10:30 am to 6:30 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Sparky’s Garage II
222 E. Park St., 782-2301
This is the Butte version of a popular Dillon dining spot that has been installed in the refurbished Lepanto building. They serve lunch and dinners of burgers, sweet potato fries and ribs and a variety of other lunch and dinner entrees in a 1950s filling station atmosphere.
Subway Sandwiches
350 S. Montana, 723-7035
Fat free sandwiches full of flavor. Sandwiches available by the foot, frozen yogurt and cookies every day. Hours are Mon. through Sat., 10 am to 11 pm., Sun. 11 am to 10 pm.
Town Talk Bakery
611 E. Front St., 782-4985
Long time Butte bakery that serves up donuts, bismarcks, smurfs, maple bars, cookies and more baked fresh daily. One of their best kept secrets is their excellent pasties, a local favorite. If you have to ask, well, you should. Theirs are some of the best in Butte, a town renowned for its Cornish pasties.