Best Burgers in Montana: The Southeast Montana Burger Trail

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Are you planning a road trip in Southeast Montana? Use this Southeast Burger Trail Guide to help you find the best burgers in Montana so you can hit the road well fed!

Though you can enter this circular burger trail at any point, the most likely starting point will be Billings, since it is home to the Logan International Airport- the biggest airport in the area. The best way to take on this tour of some of the best restaurants in Montana is to rent a car in Billings, spend a few days there, then head out on this route to see how many of these Montana burger trail restaurants you can try.

I’ve included a bit of a list on where to stay and other things to do in Southeast Montana as well, since it’s a great area to spend a week. With towns steeped in Montana history, there is much to learn about both the state and the country as a whole.

So strap in, give this a read, then start planning your next summer road trip!

Some of these stops were visited during a trip hosted by Visit Southeast Montana tourism board. While my costs were covered at those locations, all opinions are my own and I will never recommend something I don’t believe in.  

Where to Stay on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail

Places to Stay in Billings Montana

The Vegas Hotel

This budget hotel is located close to downtown and offers everything you need in a low cost place to stay. Though it is dated, the beds are comfortable, the rooms clean and I always appreciate an in-room fridge and coffee machine! The continental breakfast is great (apparently a la cart continental breakfasts are a common thing here and I love it!), and it’s hard to complain when you’re paying under $70 for a room with 2 king beds!

Best Western Plus Clocktower Inn

Located right in the heart of downtown, this Best Western is a great option if you want to walk the Billings Beer Trail and explore the downtown on foot. If you stay here, you’ll be right above Stella’s Kitchen for easy access to one of our burger stops in Billings!

Other things to do in Billings, Mt:

• Montana’s only walkable brewery tour
• Yesteryear’s Antique Mall
• Wheat Montana – a delicious bakery (with giant cinnamon rolls!)
• Red Oxx Manufacturing – seriously well made travel bags and equipment

Broadus, MT Hotels

Sagebrush Inn and Suites

The Sagebrush Inn l is the perfect place to lay your head after a day of burger hunting. With perfectly clean rooms, comfortable beds, WiFi everywhere, a beautiful pergola to enjoy your morning coffee and a well stocked breakfast room, your stay here will no doubt be a comfortable one.

Other things to do in Broadus:

• Powder River Historical Museum – Home of the largest shell collection in the world and the funnest spot to check out period clothing, the docents at this museum are a wealth of information and will make your visit unforgettable.

Where to Stay in Terry, Montana

Kempton Hotel, Terry, MT

The Kempton Hotel in Terry, Montana is a rustic building, home to the longest operating hotel in Montana, and rumour has it that it’s haunted! With a variety of different suite styles and sizes, this is the perfect place to relax and get a feel for old Montana.

Other things to do in Terry, MT:

• Prairie County Museum & Evelyn Cameron Gallery – This museum is housed in an 1916 former state bank building and shows off a piece of life from 1800-1900 Montana. With a gallery dedicated to Evelyn Cameron, you’ll have a great time checking out her famous work.
• Calypso Railroad Bridge on Milwaukee Road – A stunning place to catch the sunrise and get some Instagram-worthy bridge photos, then you can go Moss Agate hunting along the shores of the Yellowstone River
• The Terry Badlands – An absolutely breathtaking sight that reminds me of the Alberta Badlands near our own dinosaur trail in Drumheller. Be careful during rainy weather though: the dirt roads to the lookout points turn into a mud pit when wet!

Miles City, Montana Hotels

Sleep Inn & Suites

Located just across the street from the Black Iron Grill, Sleep Inn, Miles City is the perfect hotel to head back to after an evening of burgers and beer. It’s a bit of a drive from some of the other things to do in Miles City, MT, but since you’ll have a car for your road trip it’s not far at all.

Other things to do in Miles City, Mt:

• Downtown Miles City – Lined with neat shops and great street art, it’s easy to spend an afternoon here!
• WaterWorks Art Museum – Set in an old waterworks bunker, this art gallery is a must see
• RangeRiders Museum – Embrace the deep history of the Montana Cowboy at this interactive museum

Booking.com

Other Great Stops On the Southeast Montana Burger Trail

• Medicine Rocks State Park – A beautiful place to watch the sunset, spend the evening stargazing, and take in all the healing energies that earned the state park its name.
• Carter County Museum – Explore a piece of the Montana dinosaur trail at this museum in Ekakala.
• The Bighorn River – Stay at the Bighorn River View Lodge and Cabins for an unforgettable experience in Southeast Montana. I highly recommend getting a guide and trying your hand at fly-fishing, and you won’t regret spending an afternoon on a pontoon boat or kayak tour of the Bighorn River Canyon.
• O’Fallon Historical Museum – Learn about the history of Fallon County and meet the World’s Largest Steer.
• Prairie Rose Classics – Appreciate the personal car collection of a Baker local who has been slowly adding to the current list of 27 cars.
• Old Skool Brewery – Located in an old school house, this new comer to the Montana brewery scene is worth a visit.
• Tongue River Winery – Book a stay in the onsite Airbnb to get a true look at this totally Montana winery. Running for 9 years, they won’t use any fruit that won’t grow in Montana. With 15-20 different varietals, the wine list leans more to the sweet side, but there are a few drier blends as well.

What to Pack for the Southeast Montana Road Trip on the Burger Trail

The right clothes – Obviously pants with a stretchy waist and a t-shirt that explains your mission are a great idea on a burger trail! If you don’t feel like declaring your burger-hunt to everyone you meet, opt for layers. Montana can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, with all kinds of surprises along the way, so being prepared for all kinds of weather changes is the best way to go.

A (cowboy) hat – Now is your chance to feel like a cowboy without feeling even a tiny bit out of place! In this corner of Montana you’ll probably stick out more if you don’t wear a cowboy hat, so you might as well embrace it. A baseball cap is a cool second choice to keep the sun out of your eyes.

Comfortable shoes – Granted, you probably won’t be walking much at these restaurants but if you stop at any of the places I suggested above you’ll probably be thankful you packed your comfy footwear.

Snacks – There’s not a lot of places to stop for snacks along some of these roads, so come prepared with a killer snack kit for between-meal nibbling

Offline Maps – You’ll definitely hit some areas with spotty internet so download your Google map before you hit the road.

The Southeast Montana Burger Trail: The Best Burgers in Montana

Now that you have figured out where you’ll stay and what you’ll pack, let’s hit the trail! This Southeast Montana burger trail will only take you 8 hours to drive from start to finish, but that’s A LOT of burgers to eat in a day. So I recommend you spread this over 3-4 days and really explore the area. There are some seriously worthwhile stops on this route, so why not turn your Montana burger trail into a real adventure!

Alright! Let’s find the best burgers in Montana!

Best Burgers in Billings, Montana

Montana Brewing Company, Billings

Immediately after checking into my hotel (the Vegas this time! I highly recommend it! Cheap, clean and comfortable!), I headed downtown in search of something to eat. Montana Brewing Company (that’s ‘Brewpub’ to the locals) was my first stop, in part because it sat near the top of the list of best restaurants in Billings.

The combination of tasty looking menu, good beer list and the fact that it was right around the corner from the Yesteryears Antique Mall- I love these stores!- meant it was a pretty easy first choice. I decided pretty quickly that I needed to order a beer flight, but the food menu took a bit longer. It’s a pretty robust menu selection, with several burgers to choose from and even a large-pizza-sized pretzel!

I finally settled on the Ultimate Stang Burger, named after the local minor league baseball team. Partly because that’s a killer name, but mostly because the beef patty was topped with brisket! And I’ll say it right now, I’m pretty convinced this is literally the best burger in Montana.

Menu Change: I subbed the grilled onions for fried and the blue cheese for pepper jack. I love a crunchy fried onion, and being Canadian, pepper jack cheese is a rare treat so I order it every chance I get! (Our more common equivalent is jalapeno havarti.) I also opted to put this on a pretzel bun. With the juiciness of the meat this denser bun was the perfect vehicle for all the toppings. And since the yam fries came with a spicy mayo dip (which is apparently not common in the US), I upgraded to those as well.

Dear Chef: feel free to name this one after me when you add it to the menu, because it’s BOMB!!

Seriously, I’m pretty sure this is the best burger I’ve ever eaten. The brisket was sooo tender, it literally melted with each bite I took. The crunchy onions complimented the soft and moist beef and brisket combo and the mild bite from both the pepper jack cheese and BBQ sauce added seriously great flavour. The mild kick that comes from the sauce is perfectly paired with a house made beer- try the seasonal fruit beer or the scottish ale!

Also notable is the super tasty Mac & Cheese and their Power Hour every Thursday where they serve up dollar beers and other drink specials from 10pm-11pm. Since this is Billing’s oldest brewery you definitely have to try out one of their beers, too. I’m a flight girl and Montana Brewing Company offers 8 pours for around $10, qualifying it as one of my favourite Montana brewery stops (cause you know I love value!). After returning a couple more times throughout our week in Billings, it was easy to see why the Montana Brewing Company is suggested as one of the best restaurants in Billings.

Ordering next time: Next time I’ll probably order the brisket burger again, because it was THAT good. But then I’ll come back the next day to try the Ale House Burger or the Poutine Burger with Enchilada Bites or Stockyard Nachos to start. And I’m bringing friends to share the giant pretzel!

Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill, Billings

Growing up I loved apple juice, as I think most kids do, though as an adult I’ve never been keen on the stuff. But ferment it and turn it into an adult beverage.. And I’m on board!

I initially headed to the Last Chance Pub so I could try out their cider as I’d just spent the summer exploring the Southwest Montana beer scene, so I thought cider might be a fun way to switch things up. What I wasn’t expecting was that I would absolutely LOVE their brisket burger, too! The only thing I’d change? I’d love to see what their chef could do with a ketchup-style sauce!

I visited Last Chance Cider a few times during my week in Billings and tried every cider they offer. My favourites were the Cab Sav Barrel Aged Cider and the Prickly Pear Blend, though there was nothing I actually disliked. The selection is quite varied so there’s no doubt a few that you’ll be keen to try! The flight is priced quite well at $8 for 4 pours: usually cider flights are priced quite a bit higher than a beer flights, so my budget self was quite happy.

And now, the reason you’re really here… That AMAZING brisket burger! Now, I had just had the Montana Brewing Company brisket burger the day before, so my bar was set pretty high. And for the second day in a row I was blown away by brisket. Though the basic components were the same: bun, beef patty and brisket, this sandwich offered a completely different experience than the last one.

Topped with caramelized pineapple, Swiss cheese, pickled red onion and a cherry cider BBQ sauce, I was a little skeptical at whether I’d appreciate the combination but since brisket was included, I decided to put myself in the hands of the chef. And I ever thankful I did! The smoky sweetness of the pineapple plays super well with the slight heat that comes from the pickled onions. The slow roasted brisket falls apart in your mouth and is the perfect mate to the juicy Waygu beef patty, and the cherry cider BBQ sauce is a delicious compliment.

Now the one variable that many restaurants don’t quite nail… the bun. The brioche bun that houses this pile of mouthwatering amazingness is soft, but sturdy enough to hold all the pieces without falling apart. That’s not to say that my hands weren’t a mess, because they definitely were. But that mess came from the juicy, BBQ sauce-y goodness inside, not from a sandwich that couldn’t keep itself together.

All in all, this burger is an easy one to add to my best burgers in Montana shortlist.

Ordering next time: Sloppy Joe’s BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Salt & Vinegar Chips and an Apple Puff Pastry & Cream to finish it off! Oh and maybe some Macaroni and Cheese or some Chicken Fingers, because hand breaded chicken fingers and homemade mac and cheese are just plain delicious!

Read More: A Road Trip Checklist for Your Next Road Trip Adventure

UberBrew, Billings

Located just a block from Last Chance Pub & Cider Mill and right in the heart of downtown Billings, UberBrew is one of the veterans on the Billings beer scene. They are also the only brewery, taproom and gastropub in Billings, so is a great choice when looking for places to eat in Billings, Montana. From looking at the menu and checking out their brewery space it’s clear these guys LOVE both food and beer, and they have great fun playing with the 2.

The top highlight for me was definitely the German egg rolls. Being half German, anytime a restaurant offers something that vaguely ties to my heritage I’m almost definitely going to try it. And let me tell you, those egg rolls did not disappoint!

Tip: Ask for a side of their soy-based wing dipping sauce! Though I’m not sure what they actually call this sauce, the saltiness pairs perfectly with the savoury egg roll filling.

The cheese fries at Uberbrew are basically Montana’s version of a poutine. With spicy beer queso, bacon and green onion on top of crispy fries, this is the perfect match for the wide selection of house-brewed beers. The fruity Pink Slip Berliner Weiss is my favourite, but you’ll probably want to follow my lead and try out a flight so you can find your fav, too.

Just as they do with their beer and German egg rolls, Uberbrew  also knows how to make a delicious burger. I had the classic cheeseburger topped with pepper jack (obviously). The juicy patty was well seasoned and perfectly cooked, and I love a Wheat Montana potato bun (and a Wheat Montana giant cinnamon roll, but that’s a story for another day!). With a good variety of burger choices on the menu, I was seriously tempted to try something a bit more exciting, but sometimes you just want a good ol’ cheeseburger. Thankfully, UberBrew did not disappoint!

Ordering next time: Cheese Crunchies, Whiskey Burger, Chipotle Onion Burger, Zesty Chicken Sandwich, Artichoke & Spinach Grilled Cheese, Reuben Sausage, Honey Jalapeno Mac & Cheese… Sounds like a good reason to come in with a group!

The Burger Dive, Billings

The Burger Dive on one of Billings’ main streets is probably one of the most famous restaurants in downtown Billings. Having won the title of Montana’s best burger and welcomed the Food Networks’ Man vs. Food to dine at their 50’s grunge style counter, The Burger Dive is clearly a local favourite. I stopped in for lunch right after they opened, just before 11am on a weekday and it’s a good thing I came early! By 1130 there was a line at the door and not an empty seat in the house.

It doesn’t get more Montana than the Burger Dive’s signature I’m Your Huckleberry Burger! Topped with Chef Brad’s fresh made Huckleberry Hatch chili barbecue sauce, the Angus beef patty blends really well with creamy goat cheese, roasted red pepper mayo-my fav!- spicy arugula and crispy bacon.  While this one is a bit sweeter than I tend to gravitate towards, you really can’t go wrong with this award winning burger.

The REAL star though (sorry, chef! Your burger was excellent, though!) is those delicious San Fran garlic fries!! Fresh cut fries loaded with fresh parmesan cheese, garlic and seasoning, this side dish gives the burger some serious competition for ‘best part of the meal’ status. When I eat a meal, I always find myself saving a bite of my favourite parts so that I can finish the meal on a high note. With this combo, I couldn’t decide which part should be my last bite!

Ordering next time: Best of the Bash burger, Santa Fe Southwestern Burger, Outlaw Burger, Behemoth Burger, Magnum PI Burger, Classic Chicago Dog and Sweet Potato Fries… Clearly I’ll be back to the Burger Dive in Billings a few times!

Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery, Billings

Known more for their delicious baking and huge cinnamon buns, Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery is another one of the great downtown Billings restaurants. While most patrons (my meal partners included) seemed to be after their all day breakfast, I’ve never been a very big fan of breakfast so I naturally bee lined for the burger section.

At under $10 for a cheeseburger and fries, Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery is a great, budget friendly place to grab a burger in Billings. You can choose your favourite cheese (pepper jack allll day) and enjoy it with the standard lettuce, tomato and onions. While I wouldn’t say the burger is especially remarkable in itself, it’s a solid choice for a filling meal.

Stella’s french fries are of the frozen variety, but this isn’t a negative thing in the least. The magic of a really tasty fry comes from the oil it is fried in, and Stella’s has that down in a way that only ‘greasy spoon’ style diners can master. During our road trip along Route 66 I truly fell in love with this style of diner: you know, the ones that feature a well rounded and full menu, offering a broad offering of home-style dishes and great baking, and Stella’s sent me back into that experience.

The burger had me too full to splurge on dessert the first time I visited, but I couldn’t resist popping in for a sweet treat before I hit the road back to Canada a few days later. I chose an apple turnover and a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie and both were SO worth the stop. Though, I wouldn’t recommend eating the turnover while in the car… my lap *might* have gotten completely covered by crumbs. So even if you can only stop in for some baking, Stella’s Bakery and Kitchen easily makes my list as one of the top places to eat in Billings, Montana.

Ordering next time: The Guacamole Burger, Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich and a Giant Cinnamon Bun to finish it off. Buuut I might just have to take the cinnamon bun with me for later.

Jake’s Bar, Billings

This steak house is home to a pretty chill bar, despite the more upscale appearance of the place. Though there are both a restaurant and a bar entrance to choose from, I recommend the bar side if you’re not in the mood for a legit steak dinner (you know, the kind you want to dress up for).

We popped by the bar about an hour before they closed on a random weekday and actually had trouble finding somewhere for our group of 6 to sit. Thankfully one table started getting up to leave just as we were considering going somewhere else, so we were able to enjoy a late night snack before heading back to our hotels for the night.

I ordered the aptly named Saloon Burger with a side of sweet potato fries. The burger was a fairly standard, though solid, burger. It was seasoned and cooked well, with fresh veggie toppings and a great bun. Next time I’d definitely opt to kick it up a notch and get something a bit more exciting than a standard cheeseburger, though I’m not upset with my choice tonight. Despite being a pretty simple hamburger, it’s a great option on my hunt for the best burgers in Montana.

Fun Fact: Growing up in Canada it was always normal to get a chipotle mayo or something similar with sweet potato fries and when we started road tripping the US I learn pretty quickly that preferred side dips vary by region and finding chipotle mayo (or anything slightly spicy) is actually quite rare! So when I heard that Jake’s serves a spicy mayo with their fries, I was on board. If you don’t eat your sweet potato fries, and instead use caramel, ketchup or syrup, STEP AWAY FROM YOUR SWEET SAUCES SLOWLY and try out a spicy aoili or mayo next time!

Ordering next time: The Beartooth Burger, Tempura Chicken Fingers (sub BBQ sauce, cause I’m not about mustard), Parmesan Pub Chips, Pork Potstickers, Korean Tacos, Lincoln Log Ribs… So ya, I’ll obviously be back!

Read More: The Best Diners on Route 66

Best Burger in Ekalaka, Montana

Ekalaka Wagon Wheel, Ekalaka

Ekalaka is the southeastern most stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, and a great town to visit for an afternoon. Located just a block away from the Carter County Musuem, the Ekalaka Wagon Wheel is the perfect place to grab a bite after visiting the dinosaurs and exploring the museum, and before you head to Medicine Rocks State Park to watch the sunset.

Steak fingers are a popular dish in southeast Montana and are definitely worth a try here if you haven’t had them before. On the burger front, the Cowboy-style burger with onion rings, BBQ sauce and ranch is always one of my first choices. Paired with a side of cowboy chips and fried cheese curds, and I was fed well! This burger isn’t huge, but it is definitely filling. And the combination of the crispy ring, tangy BBQ sauce and kickin’ chipotle ranch is easily one of my favourites.

Locals Tip: Check out the t-shirt rack and see if you can find a Missionary shirt for The Church of Hank Williams… then ask your server to fill you in on how this church operates! It’s more than worth the ask, and if you’re lucky you might get offered a ride to attend a service (and to check out their beer collection)!

Ekalaka itself is a town that is easy to bypass without a second thought, but it truly deserves a visit. In an area where it’s not uncommon to see a horse roaming around town, you might be just as likely to come across a dinosaur (bone) or 2 in Ekalaka. Home to the Montana famous Church of Hank Williams and Montana’s first dinosaur museum, the Clark County Museum, Ekalaka is likely to be a stop on your trip around Montana’s dinosaur trail. Plan your visit for late July so you can take part in the annual Dino Shindig and pitchfork fondue!

Ordering next time: Finger Steaks (a local favourite), Potato Gems, Cheese Curds (LOVE these things!!), a Taco Wrap

Best Burger on Crow Agency, Montana

Custer Trading Post and Café, Crow Agency

Located just around the corner from the entrance to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, the Custer Trading Post and Cafe is a natural stop for some souvenir shopping after a visit to the Monument. While it might be easy to skip over the diner portion of this building in favour of continuing on your road trip, you really shouldn’t!

Learn some history before lunch: Being Canadian, the Battle of Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand wasn’t something we spent a lot of time learning about in school, so I wasn’t really sure what the story was surrounding this huge piece of American history. But minutes after meeting Rose Williamson, the Crow woman who would be our guide for a tour of the Battlefield, I was hooked on the story. Rose gives an absolutely riveting account of the battle that took place there, and I truly believe no visit to this National Monument is complete without her leading the way. Her animated style captivates instantly and will have both followers both young and old hanging on to her every word. I only wish I had the forethought to record even a piece of her speech!

After your tour, make your way to Custer Trading Post’s parking lot lined with tee-pees for a bite to eat. Though this list is all about the best burgers in Southeast Montana, and I agree that the burger here is a tasty one, we’re going to switch it up a bit at this stop and try out something a bit more ‘local’. You may have tried fry bread before, but it was new to me! And since tacos are my second foodie love, the fry bread taco was an easy sell. And it’s PRACTICALLY a burger… bread base, meat and lettuce, tomato and cheese on top… same same. Sort of, anyways. For today, I’ll forgive the swap, because this southern Montana favourite is something you just HAVE to try. And what better place to try than at a diner run by the Crow tribe?!

Ordering next time: A Bear Paw, Crazy Chicken Sandwich and Apple or Chocolate Cream Pie to end on a sweet note

Best Burger in Broadus, Montana

Powder River Stockman’s Club, Broadus

This small town in Southwestern Montana boasts one traffic light, a seriously cool museum and a beautiful town square, along with a pretty great place to grab a burger and a beer.

The Powder River Stockman’s Club is located at south edge of town, not far from the river. From the minute we stepped out of the car and saw the tin man standing guard outside the front door, I knew we were in for a treat. Walking in the door I was greeted by 2 notable things… A large, ornate and wonderfully Montanan wooden bar, and a pine wall decorated with dozens of local cattle brand symbols. If we weren’t sure whether we were still in Montana, it became obvious pretty quickly!

The double cheeseburger and fries that I ordered paired perfectly with my unbranded huckleberry wheat ale served in a jam jar (literally unbranded… The tap had no brewery logo and the server wasn’t sure where it was from! I’m making an educated guess that it was a local Montana beer though).

Before you leave make sure you make a stop at the bar for the Shake a Day game! This is something I only learned about in Southeastern Montana, and it seems like a pretty common game around these parts. If you’re like me and have never heard of it before, you’ll just have to add this stop to your next road trip itinerary to try your luck!

Ordering next time: PR Wrangler Sandwich, Tex Melt Sandwich, Haystack Potatoes (mostly because I don’t know what they are!)

Read More: How to Plan the Best Summer Road Trip in the USA!

Best Burger in Baker, Montana

Heiser’s Bar & Casino, Baker

When in Baker, Montana there are 4 must stops on my list: Prairie Rose Classics Car Museum, the O’Fallon Historical Museum, Old Skool Brewery and Heiser’s Bar & Casino.

From the outside, Heiser’s Bar looks like a pretty typical small town, local bar. And… it kind of does on the inside, too. Which is anything but a bad thing! There’s something to be said for walking into a place and just feeling like you can hang your cowboy hat at the door (or leave it on, cause you are in Montana!) and grab a satisfying bite to eat.

We started our meal with an absolutely massive plate of nachos and a round of water served in Heiser’s signature plastic cups emblazoned with a rather colourful description of what they offer… But you’re just going to have to go there to see what it actually says!

I’ve come to learn that Montana’s version of nachos with cheese includes tortillas covered with queso or beer cheese and veggies (as opposed to the melted shredded cheese I’m used to in Canada), and Heiser’s doesn’t skimp on either! The coolest thing though was that the bottom of the plate was lined with a layer of taquitos, which is a good idea no matter how you spin it.

The burger at Heiser’s Bar was a solid one. A seasoned beef patty topped with pepper jack (you should have expected this by now), lettuce, tomato, red onion and mayo left me feeling absolutely satisfied, especially after a visit to Old Skool for some beer tasting!

Ordering next time: Onion Petals, Cheese Balls, Smoked Brisket Sandwich

Best Burgers in Miles City, Montana

Tilt Würks Brewhouse, Miles City

Every now and then I get to a restaurant and see a burger so incredibly wild on the menu, I just HAVE to order it, price and ability to actually fit in my mouth be damned. Tilt Wurks Brewhouse in Miles City offered one of those such opportunities.

Described as a ‘double double cheeseburger’, as soon as I saw the description say this burger wasn’t meant for the faint-hearted, it’s like a dare had been thrown out. And I was obviously going to take it! Not too long after we ordered our plates started to make our way out from the kitchen, and I’m fairly confident I saw more than one jaw drop.

Opened in August of 2016, this pinball themed brewery is the brainchild of owner Denis Leidholt who spent the 80’s working on pinball machines. When he and his wife decided to start up a brewery it seemed only natural to center it around his pinball passion.

Housed in a building built in the 1960’s that used to be home to a Caterpillar dealership, the 1.5 foot thick concrete walls surround a 5, 5-barrel-tank microbrewery. I was happy to hear that one of those tanks always has their popular blueberry wheat ale in it, as it was my favourite beer here.

Tiltwurks has done a really great job of setting themselves apart from a typical bar or brewery, which can be hard to find in our modern culture of chain, cookie cutter eateries. With a bar top lined with old pinballs parts, an industrial styled flight rack, their 60 sq foot video screen (that Denis boasts is likely one of the biggest in Montana!) and the old school pinball machines just begging to be played, once here you’ll no doubt wish this was your local bar. Be sure to check out the beer taps, too! They arrived in 2016 from XXX and Tiltwurks was the first place in the US to have them. The chilled piping ensures that your beer comes out at the perfect temperature, giving you the perfect pour every time.

Now this burger. Let me tell you. It was seriously tasty, though I wasn’t actually able to eat it in burger form! Instead I opted to deconstruct it and put a patty into each grilled cheese. This actually worked perfectly, both in ease of eating and the bread:meat:cheese ratio.

Once I finally dove in, I was incredibly satisfied. Not only did I get 2, very filling, meals out of this massive plate, they were both absolutely delicious! The burger was cooked perfectly to medium well and seasoned just the way I like it, the grilled cheese made the perfect cheesy, crispy vessel, and I LOVE fresh cut fries!

Ordering next time: Tilted Cheese Balls, Main Street Grind Pretzel, Beef Gorgonzola Nachos, Full Tilt Sandwich, Philly Cheeseburger

Black Iron Grill, Miles City

Though the Black Iron Grill is primarily a steakhouse, I couldn’t possibly stray from my burger and beer flight mission on the last meal of my trip! So while the rest of my table opted for a variety of delicious looking steak dishes (and gave them high reviews after the fact), the Southwest Burger sounded right up my alley. The half pound beef patty is topped with fresh guacamole, crispy onions and pepper jack cheese, served with a side of mexi-ranch to dip it in. It was the perfect blend of tacos and burgers- two of the best foods ever.

Start your meal off with the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Cowboy Candy- you won’t be disappointed!

With nearly 20 taps featuring both domestic mainstays and some great Montana-local brews, your beer cravings will no doubt be satisfied at Black Iron Grill. As you know I’m a huge flight fan as it lets me try a number of different beers to find one I really like, so that was naturally my choice here, too. Though Black Iron Grill doesn’t brew any of their own beer, they do have a great offering of local Montana brews, so I was happy with my choice. Pricing for the flight was good at just $6 for a flight of 4 pours.

Ordering next time: BBQ Brisket Sandwich (lunch only, sadly), the Quesadilla Burger, the Smokehouse Platter and the Brisket Mac & Cheese. Oh, and the waffle cut sweet potato fries! Cause waffle cut anything is delicious.

Read More: The Essential Packing List for Any Travel Adventure

Montana Bar, Miles City

Ordering next time: IPA Beer Battered Onion Rings,  Mini Tacos, Pulled Pork Sliders, Mac Daddy Burger, Reuben Pizza

My Next Visit to Southeast Montana

As much as I’d like to eat everywhere I find interesting, I can’t (though I do try hard!). So I always seem to have a list of places to stop at the next time I visit. Though it’s going to be hard trying to balance trying out these new stops and hitting up the ones I know I already love, it’s a mission I’ll gladly take on. For your benefit, of course!

Here’s all the places on my map for my next visit to Southeast Montana:

The Vig Ale House, Billings

Anytime you top an Angus patty with Mac & Cheese, it’s like one of those emergency beacons is going off, beckoning me to come in and eat it! That brisket burger sounds pretty tasty, too.

Stacked, Billings    

This husband & wife-owned food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar showcases traditional meals with a modern twist. And it’s going to be a hard choice between the Rancher Burger or the Kilted Burger!

Rendevous Casino and Burger Grill, Billings

With the option to choose up to 1lb of burger patty and handcut fries, this casino grill is definitely calling to me.

The Fieldhouse, Billings

This sustainability-focused restaurant features local ingredients and a rustic vibe. One scroll through their Instagram page has me dying to try out their house made and locally sourced burger and fries. AND they make their own ketchup!

Tiny’s Tavern, Billings

This Broncos themed sports bar offers an $8 lunch menu and a cool array of daily specials, so my budget heart is singing looking at their menu. Their burgers are rated highly on reviews and I’m eager to stop in next time I’m in Billings.

406 Kitchen, Billings

Run by a brother and sister team, this relatively new restaurant pays homage both to the old restaurant it was born from (The Rock Pile- once named Montana’s best dive bar and owned by the new owners parents), and to the state of Montana. Fun fact, Montana is one of only 12 states that have just one area code! Can you guess what it is? The broad menu has a number of delicious looking items, but the Montana Burger will be my first choice.

Big Sky Bar, Broadus

Because small town dive bars are awesome!

Remember When Cafe, Miles City

Located inside the Vintage and Rustics Antique Mall, this cafe specializes in some seriously delicious baking and has a sign that boasts they serve the best burgers in town… So I guess I’m gonna have to put that to the test!

Corner Bar, Baker

Located right next to Heiser’s, I couldn’t possibly hit both on this trip. Next time I’ll be grabbing their double cheeseburger and fries! Might as well go all in!!

The Fort at 49, Custer

This roadside diner seems like the perfect place to stretch my legs and try out one of their burgers.

Time to hit the road!

Now that you have a list of some of the best burgers in Montana, it’s time to hop in the car and plan your trip. When looking for the best restaurants in Montana, the restaurants on this list are a great place to start. Not only are the burgers delicious, but so are many other items on the menu. Use the Google map at the top to start planning your route today!

Have you eaten at any of these stops? Did one of these burgers qualify as the best burger in Montana for you? Let me know what you thought in the comments!

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