BUTTE, HELENA, AND SOUTHWEST MONTANA - Montana and Wyoming - page 351

entirely disproportionate to the incredible fusion of flavors, reservations are strongly re-
commended.
While the cuisine at The Old Hotel is surely the most surprising and remarkable in
the region, this is not plain burger-and-fries country (although the beef in southwestern
Montana is notably good). There is fine dining at Wells Fargo Steakhouse (314 W. Wallace
St., Virginia City, 406/843-5556 summer, 4pm-9pm Tues.-Sun. mid-May-mid-Sept.), a
stately building with tall, tin ceilings and a grand horseshoe bar. In addition to gourmet
cuisine like crispy cumin-crusted chicken, seared duck breast with brown ale glacé, and of
course mouthwatering steaks, the Wells Fargo often hosts live music in its ballroom-sized
dining room.
The M Star Bakery Restaurant (1576 Hwy. 287, Nevada City, 406/843-5777,
7am-7:30pm daily Memorial Day-Labor Day, breakfast and lunch $7-11, dinner $15-30)
has been serving delicious and hearty meals since 1863 when it was a hot spot with miners.
Today the clientele is more family-oriented, and the menu has plenty to appeal to everyone,
including homemade sandwiches, beer-battered shrimp, and sodas from the early-1900s
soda fountain. The restaurant is known for their fried pickles, so you might want to indulge.
The emporium offers quick sugary goodies like ice cream, fudge, and penny candy.
In Dillon, a good bet for a relatively quick bite (depending on the crowd of hungry col-
lege students) is Sparky's Garage (420 E. Poindexter St., 406/683-2828, 6:30am-10pm
Mon.-Thurs., 7am-10pm Fri.-Sat., 7am-9pm Sun., $7-18), a neat little barbecue joint with
tender brisket, mouthwatering pulled pork, and delicious sweet-potato fries.
In the Ruby River Valley, all roads lead (or ought to lead) to the Sheridan Bakery
& Café (201 S. Main St., Sheridan, 406/842-5716, 6am-3pm Mon.-Fri., 6am-2pm Sun.,
$5-10), a great little spot for homemade doughnuts and pastries, breakfast all day, plus ex-
cellent sandwiches, homemade soups, and terrific sack lunches for the river.
INFORMATION AND SERVICES
The Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce ( www.beaverheadchamber.org , 9am-4pm Mon.-
Fri. year-round) is located in the same building as the Dillon Visitor Information Center
(406/683-6731, 8am-6pm daily May-Sept.) at 10 West Reeder Street in Dillon.
The Virginia City Chamber (406/843-5555 or 800/829-2969, www.virginiacity.com )
does not have a physical address but provides information by phone and on their website.
The Montana Heritage Commission (300 W. Wallace St., Virginia City, 406/843-5247,
www.montanaheritagecommission.mt.gov , summer) is a good source of information be-
cause they manage most of the sights in Virginia City and Nevada City.