Yellow House Barbeque

Katie Thomas

The question of whether or not Bozeman has good barbeque is a hotly debated one. “Good” is subjective; it’s different from “authentic,” and we don’t all agree on which is more important. It’s like one’s…

National Geographic’s National Parks Cookbook

Katie Thomas

What foods do you associate with Yellowstone National Park? Dining is generally not the goal of a park trip, but after some geyser-watching, hiking, and wildlife viewing, you’re likely to become a little peckish. For many folks who have been…

Aurore French Bakery

Katie Thomas

The boulangerie. I never thought we would get a French bakery in Bozeman, much less one run by a native Parisian. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to experience the tiny corner bakeries of Paris, you know why I’m thrilled about Aurore…

Junk Pile Recipe

Katie Thomas

The time has come; I can put it off no longer. I feel culturally obligated to share the following recipe with you. It is called Junk Pile and, you guessed it – I got it from the same dear auntie who brought us Scroutch. Never in my life have I…

Seven Sushi

Katie Thomas

I’m going to go get a spider roll—you want anything?” my husband hollered down the hall of our little house on South Rouse one day. I knew exactly where he was going, and no, I did not. Besides, what was a spider roll? Sushi made of…

The Colophon Cure

Katie Thomas

AKA KT’s Spicy Chicken Lemon Ginger Garlic Chili Paste Soup

Fielding's

Katie Thomas

I have a cousin whose first name is Field. I used to think it was a really weird name, but not as weird as his brother’s name (Cotter). I was worried they would get made fun of on the playground, same as I was for my maiden name (which is…

Lemon Poppyseed Cake with Strawberries

Katie Thomas

As one of my favorite vocalists sings, “The nights are long and cold and scary / Can we live through February?” Sometimes I dislike February; sometimes I don’t. It depends on whether I have to spend two days shoveling snow to get my…

The Carlisle

Katie Thomas

In 1882, a lumber mill was opened at the mouth of Hyalite Canyon. For the convenience of the town’s growing population, a retail store for this lumber was then established on Main Street. In 1889, Squire C. Kenyon purchased the business, which…

GranMary’s Lobby with Herb Bread

Katie Thomas

Winter in southwest Montana. What does it mean to you? For many, it means the chance to recreate in our glorious mountains—skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting, skating, fat-tire biking, ice fishing. Maybe winter motivates you…

Biankini’s The Soup, Salad and Sandwich Market

Katie Thomas

Where is there to go for lunch?” asks the monthly text from my dear mom. She treats me like her personal Google search engine when it comes to restaurants – possibly because I write this column – and fortunately for her, I do keep a…

Sidewinders American Grill

Katie Thomas

A life-sized G.I. Joe greets customers outside Sidewinders American Grill in Bozeman. That’s because this welcoming, family-friendly restaurant was founded by a group of U.S. Marine Veterans, who live by the Marine Corps values of…

Scroutch: Where Montana’s Freezer Meets The 1950s Casserole

Katie Thomas

Do you have a freezer with a bunch of random packs of frozen game? I know I do, and I’m not even a hunter. But I love a lot of hunters, have generous friends, and I prioritize eating sustainably. So every year I end up with a good supply of…

Dry Fly Saloon

Katie Thomas

Kid’s Eat and Stay Free! screamed the sign, as I approached Bozeman from the east. The billboard for the Holiday Inn sat shamelessly on I-90 for years with that incorrect apostrophe, making my teeth itch. I had been commuting from Livingston to…

Naya Nuki

Katie Thomas

Once upon a time, I was working as a freelance editor and copywriter. Equally distant in my memory is that I was also friends with a developer and her spouse. This couple asked me to write some marketing copy for their firm’s website and…

MacKenzie River Pizza

Katie Thomas

Fluffy, perfect pizza crust. This is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the words “MacKenzie River Pizza.” Today, this restaurant is much more than a pizza place, but when the first and original location of MacKenzie River…

It Will Always Be That Way

Katie Thomas

What’s the name of that place again?There’s a very fun, unique little venue hidden in what was once the original pea cannery in, naturally, Bozeman’s Cannery district. It boasts an unusual menu of small plates and cocktails, and its…

La Brasserie

Katie Thomas

Il y a un nouveau restaurant en ville, et c’est fabuleux. Translation: There’s a new restaurant in town, and it’s fabulous. I am a little biased. I spent a year in France as a tween, and after six months of eating only baguettes, I…

Up In The Air: Sky Shed at the Armory Hotel

Katie Thomas

Like it or not, downtown Bozeman now boasts many tall buildings. By “tall,” I mean higher than two stories. The old Armory building at 24 West Mendenhall is now one of these. Originally built in 1941 to house the 163rd Infantry Regiment…

Shan

Katie Thomas

Two years ago, the nice guy installing my new kitchen cabinets mentioned that his neighbor was opening an authentic Thai-Chinese restaurant in Bozeman in the near future. I said, ‘Hold that hammering – are you sure?’ I didn’t want to be…