Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On the top of a hill overlooking Last Chance Gulch and the Helena Valley,
M
Karma-
dillo's Southwestern Café
(139 Reeder's Alley, 406/442-2595, 11am-9pm Tues.-Sun.) is a
perfect spot to sit outside and enjoy a summer afternoon or evening. The food is sensational,
all slow-cooked with the fresh salsas and crèmes prepared fresh daily. Lunch ($6-12) op-
tions include nachos, homemade chicken tortilla soup, tacos, enchiladas, and even a savory
barbecue-beef sandwich. Dinner ($8-14) offers some of the same items as well as tamales,
chiles rellenos, and combo plates. As good as their slow-cooked meats are, Karmadillo's
also has a number of vegetarian items and a children's menu. Even if the food wasn't so
good, you could come just for the incredible view and the spacious outdoor seating. The res-
taurant does not have a liquor license—and was only reopened in 2013 after a move for the
liquor license and subsequent return to Reeder's Alley for the unbeatable ambience—but
diners are invited to bring their own beer and wine.
Located on Last Chance Gulch,
The Quarry Bar and Grille
(22 N. Last Chance
Gulch, 406/443-8515, 6:30am-10pm Mon.-Thurs. 6:30am-11pm Fri.-Sat., 6:30am-9pm
Sun., $10-30) is a family-friendly, sports-bar-type establishment that is nearly always open.
From pancakes to prime rib, there is something for everyone.
For fine dining in Helena,
On Broadway
(106 Broadway, 406/443-1929,
www.onbroadwayinhelena.com
,
5:30pm-close Mon.-Sat., $17-42) is the elegant favorite,
with mouthwatering pasta dishes, steaks, and seafood, and live music on Thursday even-
ings.
Another great spot located just off Last Chance Gulch is
M
Benny's Bistro
(108
E. 6th St., 406/443-0105,
www.bennysbistro.com
,
11am-3pm Mon.-Tues., 11am-3pm and
5:30pm-9pm Wed.-Sat., lunch $8-12, dinner $15-27). Set in a renovated historic building,
Benny's does a phenomenal job of catering to the “locavore” movement by using as many
fresh, locally grown ingredients as possible. Their list of Montana suppliers is vast. You can
taste the best of the state in dishes like Mediterranean lamb burger with Montana lamb and
local greens, pork and beans with candied bacon made with ginger-rubbed Montana pork
loin and a Flathead cherry reduction, plus jerk chicken, with chicken from the Hutterite
colony. This is Montana cuisine at its best.
A good source of visitor information is the
Helena Chamber of Commerce
(225 Cruse
Ave., 406/442-4120 or 800/743-5362,
www.helenachamber.com
, 8am-5pm Mon.-Fri.). The
Helena Tourism Alliance
(406/449-1270,
www.helenamt.com
) is located at 105 Reeder's
Alley. Their hours are determined daily, so call ahead. A terrific website for planning a trip
