Taste of Bozeman - Tasting and Rating Restaurants in Bozeman, Montana

July 15, 2009

Sandwiches at Wheat Montana Deli

Reviewed by Craig Dugas

■■□□□ 2.3 / 5 "Bread as soggy as in a hot dog eating contest"

Since Wheat Montana revamped their menu in January 2009, I've only enjoyed a good breakfast (including some very large, tasty baked items) at their Bozeman location. After hearing rumors lately of less-than-palatable sandwiches, the Taste of Bozeman crew rushed to the scene.

When ordering the Havana, you'd probably expect a Cuban sandwich (pork, pickle, mustard, ham, etc) - and this version was nearly that but lacked pickles and included tomatoes. In fact, my plate lacked a pickle too, which they generally include. You can even see the void on my plate where the pickle should be.

At first glance it looked fine. Upon further inspection, the "pulled pork" was not at all pulled. It looked like they tossed a pork chop in a food processor and hit pulse a few times. I would call it "nearly minced pork." Once I picked up the steak roll, a cloudy liquid started pouring from the bottom. Did my sandwich forget to use the restroom before they served it to me? I hope not. Did I order a pre-dipped French Dip? No way! This thing was soggy... too soggy. The sog quickly dispersed and made it over to my small chip area. "Nooooo" I thought in slow motion, but it was too late. The sog had taken over.

What would have been an solid 3 blocks was pulled back to 2, with an added 0.3 for always good service. Wheat Montana - you've got to fix this problem, it's like when competitive eaters Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut dunk a hot dog roll in a cup of water - it's disgusting. We took a short video recording of the leaking sandwich, but decided not to include it since many Taste of Bozeman readers might get queasy at the sight of it.

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Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■■□□ 3 / 5 "Good, but has flaws"

When I walked up to the guy behind the counter, I politely commented, "it looks like you guys have changed your menu!"

"Yeah, we did that back in January," he responded.

"Looks like it's been a while since I've eaten at Wheat Montana," I thought to myself. The reason is mostly because their sandwiches have always been between an Average and Below Average range, (although they do make a tasty, not to mention ridiculously filling, bread bowl).

I decided to give them another chance. I ordered the Missouri, a sandwich from their old menu, but new to me. The sandwich consisted of turkey, bacon, guacamole/ranch, swiss, lettuce and tomato served on wheat bread with a side of chips and a pickle. Surprisingly, the taste was better than average. With the guacamole and ranch sauce, it was like eating a super BLT! The only reason I gave it 3 out of 5 is because holding the sandwich caused the moist bread to compress under my fingers, resulting in a thin layer of gooey dough. A slightly drier and firmer bread would have put this sandwich on top.

Aside: what's the deal with the plain tortilla chips? I feel like I need a container of salsa every time I see them.

The pickle was crunchy and excellent.

Click here to download:

Sandwiches_at_Wheat_Montana_De.zip (7002 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

Comments [5]

July 9, 2009

Sandwiches at The Grind Deli

Reviewed by Craig Dugas

■■□□□ 2.2 / 5 "Sack lunch"

The Grind just might be the tiniest restaurant in Bozeman.

They offer a small array of specialty sandwiches and gourmet coffees and sodas - of which I ordered the Turkey Raspberry Cream sandwich with fruit and a glass of water. I always love the choice of alternatives to chips. The fruit selection was decent- apples, bananas, apricots and Ziploc bags of dried cranberries. I picked the cranberries as the most unique of the selection - they were good. The sandwich was not your monster half-sub you get at Pickle Barrel. In fact, it was more bread than ingredients, which is somewhat disappointing. The flavor was packed full of mediocrity... I just don't see myself taking the trip out there specifically for that sandwich. However, if I were in that area and wanted a coffee or a very light meal, then it'd probably fit the bill. The service was kind, and the establishment had an all-around pleasant feel.

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Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■□□□ 2 / 5 "If I were starving, and near the hospital..."

In some ways, I felt like I was walking into some grandmother's kitchen when I entered The Grind deli. Everything felt homely, from the paintings on the wall, to the knickknacks neatly scattered about. Instead of an old lady behind the counter, however, there was a young lady. And instead of little grandchildren playing around, there were doctors and nurses filing in and out. Upon seeing this setting, I immediately braced myself for a simple, homely meal - and that is exactly what I received.

I ordered the Turkey Bacon Guacamole sandwich, which had turkey, bacon, red onions, diced tomatoes, and guacamole on wheat bread. Despite all of these ingredients, the sandwich was vertically challenged and mild in flavor. But, just as if you were at someone's grandmother's house, you politely eat what you are given, and thank the cook when you are finished.

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Reviewed by Matthew Johnson

■■■■□ 3.5 / 5 "I rounded up from 3.5 on the fourth block..."

The Grind Cafe is nestled away in the building just behind the Rocky Mountain Surgical Center off of Highland Boulevard. This little lunch spot is not new to me, I used to frequent it several years ago when I was running my own consulting business and enjoyed chatting with the owners who started their business the same week I did. Unfortunately the owner's weren't there today, but I was able to enjoy the nostalgia all the same. The Grind is small, very small - it can accommodate 6, maybe 8 people max in an odd little space between two offices. The service is slow, but not excruciating considering that there was only one person performing every job typical of a cafe while we were there.

I ordered the Roast Beef sandwich ($6.50), chips, and an espresso shake ($3.00). The sandwich had a creamy horseradish spread, red onions, lettuce, and of course roast beef (there may have been a few other items too, but I've forgotten). If I had one complaint about the sandwich if would be the undistinguished slices of grocery store bread it was made with, but otherwise it was delicious! The shake however was a letdown. To me, an espresso shake means milk, ice cream, espresso, and whipped cream on top. To The Grind a shake means: ice, espresso, and whipped cream. There might have been some ice cream in there too, but not much. The chips were good.

On our way out, Barnes added a delicious looking cookie ($1.00) to our order which he was will to share half of with me. I must say the cookie was only two thirds as good as it looked.

All in all, I like The Grind and would recommend it anyone looking for a new place to eat, but I'd only tell 3 people at a time so as not to overwhelm them.

Click here to download:

Sandwiches_at_The_Grind_Deli.zip (5913 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

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June 19, 2009

Lunch at Opus Deli

Reviewed by Craig Dugas

■■■□□ 3.2 / 5 "Good food, good people"

Heads up, Bozeman, there's a new deli in town! Which is good, because Starky's is still unavailable, and aside from Wheat Montana (hmm) and Gandolfo's (mmmm!), it's slim pickins.

Once I set foot inside this family-run establishment I had an overall welcoming experience. Glancing at the menu, many of the choices sounded really good, but when it came down to it, I had to order the sandwich by which the deli was named - The Opus.

Even-sized layers of Dave's Old World Pastrami, provolone, Opus sauce, coleslaw, tomato and red onion made quite the flavor experience - and yes, it was pretty good (albeit quite messy). I'm not sure what is in Opus sauce, and I'm not sure they'd ever tell me, but it was uniquely good. The sandwich came with a miniature presentation piece of a sliced pickle speared with a sliced grape tomato, a small curd of fresh mozzarella and a tiny basil leaf - I would've loved a few of these instead of chips (hint, hint)! Matthew calls it a "Caprese-salad on a stick." The option to order a half-sandwich would be a nice way to accommodate the lighter fare.

Look for the Opus Deli just west of 7th on Oak Street. They offer indoor and patio seating and are currently open 7am to 9pm serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and gourmet coffee & soda drinks. Also, they have a Fresh Squeezed Basil Lemonade - sounds neat! Oh, one last thing I'd like to include is that the service was rather pleasant - greeting us, taking our orders, bringing us our food (and refills), and saying "goodbye" - all great!

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Reviewed by Matthew Johnson

■■■□□ 3/5 - "it's good to have another option in Bozeman"

Just as I was starting to think about how hungry I was (and how nice it was outside) Eric and Craig came in to my office to tell me they were going to the Opus Deli. It had been a while since I wrote a review for Taste of Bozeman so I thought I'd tag along. The Opus Deli is new to Bozeman, replacing La Creme at 1001 Oak St. When I say "replacing", I mean it looks like the guys at Le Creme just walked out one day the Opus crew walked in - very little inside has been changed. As someone who values establishments with a unique character I was a little disappointed. I think the last three businesses to occupy the space Opus now resides in all used the same furniture.

I choose the Montana Panini ($8.50) from among the various sandwiches, soups, and salads on the menu. As a special offer I was able to add chips and a fountain drink for $1 more. All together the service was good, but perhaps a little too "t-shirt" casual. My Panini arrived quickly and was loaded with natural roast beef, caramelized onions, horseradish cheddar, and horseradish mayo. Grilled slices of wheat bread made the Panini official. The sandwich was good, but I wouldn't say it stood out. Craig made a reasonable observation, he pointed out that my Panini was more of a "core" sandwich - a classic that you can order anywhere. Given that I'd say it's not a surprise the Panini didn't stand out, the flavor wasn't new to me. On the other hand, the sandwich Craig ordered looked much more unique.

Although the Montana Panini wont be short listed among my favorite sandwiches, I would like to go back and try something more unique to Opus and sample a hot beverage from their drink menu.

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Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■□□□ 2 / 5 "Great cafe; so-so sandwich"

Before I get into the review, I have to mention that Opus Deli & Coffee has some of the friendliest employees I've seen in a restaurant in a long time. Not only did they provide excellent service, but they gave us a boat load of coupons.

The first sandwich listed on the menu is the Cajun turkey: premium cajun turkey breast with pesto, Jarlsburg swiss and sliced tomato. A vision of a nice spicy sandwich flashed into my mind. It sounded like just the thing for a Friday afternoon. And when the lady at the counter informed me that it is their most popular sandwich, I thought, "wow! This is going to be great!" And for a pricey $8.50, it had to be good.

That was chapter one of Great Expectations. Chapter two involved the inevitable disappointment. The sandwich was not spicy at all, without much Cajun taste worth mentioning. I described it to Matthew as not having a "hint of Cajun", but a "ghost of Cajun": you can almost detect that it exists, but as soon as you try to pin-point it, it's gone. In addition, the turkey was thickly cut, resulting in a slightly disagreeable rough texture. The sandwich was already tough because of the pressed, Panini style, which didn't help matters.

In summary, I was disappointed. But then again, maybe I shouldn't have set my expectations so high. Charles Dickens says it best: "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule."

I'll be back Opus Deli... just for something different.

You can follow Opus Deli and get daily specials on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OpusDeli

Click here to download:

Lunch_at_Opus_Deli.zip (4931 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

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June 16, 2009

Chicken & Potato Burrito at La Tinga

Reviewed by Craig Dugas

■■■■□ 4 / 5 "Deceivingly good / This ain't Taco Bell"

I wonder if the ancient Aztec founders of the early "tortilla wrapped delight" known to us simply as taco or burrito ever experienced something so hot (picante, not caliente) in their creations as what you can order at La Tinga. After trying their foodstuffs occasionally over a few years, I've decided that La Tinga has good food and good prices, but nothing I've ever eaten has been like the chicken and potato burrito. It sounds harmless, but each and every time you order it, the kind Hispanic woman behind the counter pauses before writing it on the ticket and warns you that it is very, very spicy. Bring it on!

Yes, I enjoy tasty spicy food - jalapeños & habañeros, woO! More Scoville! But what you have here at La Tinga, is something that is extremely hot (damaging to one's digestive system, a friend says) and tastes good too! Now that's a rarity.

Everything is available a-la-carte, so I ordered this accompanied by a side of beans & rice, which made the meal exactly 5 bucks - swish. It gave me something to eat in-between burrito bites. Plus, you get to scoop your own spicy red sauce (which pales in comparison to the green sauce) on to your plate and as much cilantro+onion mixture as you'd like. If you like traditional Mexican food, it's definitely worth a taste.

Click here to download:

Chicken_Potato_Burrito_at_La_T.zip (1806 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

Comments [3]

June 11, 2009

Pizza at On the Rise Bakery

Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■■■□ 4 / 5 "Home-baked goodness"

Here is the only pizza in town (that I am aware of) that has a genuinely home-made feel to it. Where it's at: On the Rise Bakery.

Today they were offering two kinds: pepperoni and cheese. I order a slice of both. Each were not overly greasy and had just the right balance of sauce and cheese. My favorite part was the crust, which was surprisingly light and fluffy. It was like eating a slice of home-baked bread in the shape (and taste) of a pizza.

The cost was $3.25 per slice or $4.75 for the combo, which includes a "mini cookie" and a drink. The pizza is apparently only served between 11:15 and 2:30. See the photos below for other menu options.

Click here to download:

Pizza_at_On_the_Rise_Bakery.zip (8661 KB)

Posted by Eric Barnes

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June 10, 2009

Elle's Belles Chocolate Chip Cookie

Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■■■□ 4 / 5 "Next best thing to a Starky's cookie!"

It all started on a harmless trip to Naked Noodle yesterday. There was this basket sitting on the counter filled with cookies from Elle's Belles Bakery & Cafe. I haphazardly glanced at the cookies. An automatic impulse was instantly triggered in my brain, causing a swift, mechanical motion of my hand. I reached into the basket and, in seconds, found myself standing in front of the clerk, holding up a big chocolate chip cookie. There had been no resistance. I didn't even flinch when the clerk asked me to pay $2.50.

Appearances are sometimes deceiving though. While the chocolate chip cookie was soft and delicious, it didn't quite have the home-baked taste I had been expecting. Perhaps I need to head on down to their cafe in the morning for a fresher tasting experience. In any case, it was a worth-while treat, even though it was a bit pricey. I miss Starky's cookies, but Elle's Belles is the next best thing.

Click here to download:

Elles_Belles_Chocolate_Chip_Co.zip (5284 KB)

Posted by Eric Barnes

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June 3, 2009

Breakfast Bagel at Charlie's Deli

Reviewed by Eric Barnes

■■■□□ 3.5 / 5 "Good enough"

There's nothing like a cup of coffee and a breakfast bagel to get your morning started. At Charlie's Deli, located inside the Rocky Mountain Roasting coffee shop in downtown Bozeman, you can get just that. The best part is, the breakfast bagel is completely customizable. They offer several kinds of cheeses and meats, as well as fresh bagels provided by Bagel Works. My co-workers swear by the sausage, but I usually go with bacon, topped with melted cheddar or pepper jack, served on a "works" bagel. The preparation takes about five minutes. If you are getting it to go, they package it in a convenient plastic container. If you are staying, they sometimes provide a small side of grapes. All this for a mere $3.95.

Looking back at the photo, my mouth starts to water. However, I must be honest here, the taste is nothing to write home about. It's not that it is bland by any means, but I always feel slightly disappointed in the taste, as if something were missing. Not enough sodium? Cheddar not sharp enough? Whatever it is, the good news is it's not over filling. There's nothing worse than feeling stuffed before lunch. This breakfast bagel is just enough.

As an aside: what does everyone think of Taste of Bozeman's block rating system? Do you like it? Or would you rather just see the reviews? Let us know.

Posted by Eric Barnes

Comments [5]

May 29, 2009

Wagyu Beef at WeeBee's

Reviewed by Craig Dugas

WeeBee's is a relatively new addition to the Bozeman eatery scene, bringing together a blend of original dishes, upgraded service and an all-around pleasant eating experience. The menu is tight, but the options are excellent. They offered a specially prepared dish that I didn't want to pass up on this trip - a plate of tender Wagyu beef over a bed of rice and beans smothered by a hearty chili-based sauce.

At first taste, the sauce comes off as bland, however, after tasting the Wagyu things begin to clear up. The rich, natural flavor of the beef takes over and the sauce is simply there to provide a bit of moisture for the rice and beans. This dish tasted superb and was served in a perfect portion. Excellent dish, WeeBee's - I'll be back ;)

As an added bonus, WeeBee's offers an extensive outdoor eating area, which made for a great open-air dinner (with a great view of Gallatin Valley's blue sky and green mountains).

Click here to download:

Wagyu_Beef_at_WeeBees.zip (5391 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

Comments [2]

May 29, 2009

Muffuletta + Gumbo at Mezzo Matto

Reviewed by Steve Cannon

Mezzo Matto is the Bozeman, Montana home of the Muffuletta (pronounced muff-a-lotta), one of New Orleans' great sandwiches. A circular loaf of soft Italian bread sliced horizontally and piled with salami, ham, and provolone, which are in turn topped with a wickedly spicy mélange of chopped green and black olives fragrant with garlic and olive oil. This Louisiana delicacy is actually the size of four normal-size sandwiches; accordingly, it is served quartered.

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Reviewed by Eric Barnes

Only ever having heard it by name and its excellent reputation, I was uncertain what to expect with Mezzo Matto's gumbo. However, without a doubt, it lived up to its reputation. It was wickedly (to steal from Steve's vocabulary) good. The gumbo, only served on Fridays, consists of a thick stock full of chicken, sausage, vegetables and topped on rice. The taste was intense without being overly spicy and just salty enough to go hand-in-hand with a side of sliced French-style bread. I highly recommend checking it out.

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Reviewed by Craig Dugas

I, too, enjoyed a flavor-packed bowl of home-style gumbo. Ken suggested a few dashes of the mild jalapeño Tabasco - perfect. Both reviews above are spot-on, so I'll save you from regurgitation of the same info and bring it local. Mezzo Matto is off the beaten path, quite a few blocks from Main and the building looks like an open storage unit garage. That's fine by me - they make amazing food and don't charge "downtown prices." The food shop is run by a husband and wife team (Ken and Stephanie) who are very friendly, great cooks and quite proud of their Louisianan heritage. I'll note that I went there a few times last year for breakfast pastries and they make delicious beignets, caramel-filled chewy cookies, and you'd be insane not to try the made-to-order cannolis (insert drool here).

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Shortly after lunch, we read this tweet by Joseph Money - it is included as a Micro-Review

As per usual, here are some photos of the Gumbo (and included bread), and the restaurant.

Click here to download:

Muffuletta_Gumbo_at_Mezzo_Matt.zip (11807 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

Comments [5]

May 22, 2009

The "Gut Buster" from Bar 3 BBQ

Reviewed by Craig Dugas.

■■■■■ 5/5 "Better than your all-in-one printer/scanner/copier"

Bozeman has two BBQ joints: Bar 3 BBQ and Famous Dave's. You go to Famous Dave's as a group to sit down and be served some average restaurant chain meals. You go to Bar 3 BBQ to get some tasty Q and get on with your day.

Before I get to the Gut Buster sandwich, I should mention that what pushed this review up to 5 of 5 blocks is what this critic considers the tastiest brewed sweet and unsweet tea in town. Mmmm fine. Not entirely sure what a Gut Buster was, I ordered it to-go on a whim. It turns out to be a slow-cooked pulled pork sandwich with a layer of barbecue seasoned fries, a thick slab of green chili cheese grits and a few dashes of classic southern hot sauce. Heck, even a vegetarian could enjoy this sans the juicy pig.

I ordered this as a combo meal and the guy behind the counter gave me the "uhh really?" look. That makes sense now... this sandwich IS the combo (and the extra side was completely unnecessary). The flavors work very well together - juicy pulled pork, warm seasoned fries and the green chili cheese grits are like a thick gooey layer of cheese. After each bite, you don't really taste any hot sauce, but you feel the burn on your lips and think "oh yeah, hot sauce." Of course you quickly forget about that until the next bite. Is this really a 5 block sandwich? You betcha - affordable, made fresh to order, sided with fresh brewed sweet tea, all y'all better head on over yonder to get yer barbecue.

Click here to download:

The_Gut_Buster_from_Bar_3_BBQ.zip (5527 KB)

Posted by Craig Dugas

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