Eating Out in North Dakota

Medora:  Boots Bar and Grill, 300 Pacific Avenue, Phone (701) 623-2668  We arrived at Boots around 5 PM, fairly early for eating out. There were about four other couples in the restaurant. We overheard our waiter say that it was his first job as a waiter and he had only been working 3 days. He had no supervision and although he was trying very hard the young man simply couldn't keep up. For our meals, I had the chicken quesidilla appetizer which had nice tender chicken but could have used a bit more cheese. My husband had the Rue-Bourbon burger which was huge, well cooked and tasty. His onion rings were a bit greasy and the meal took a long time to get out of the kitchen. Business picked up and we had to wait another long period before we were able to get our bill. I think all this comes from what appears to be a highly inexperienced staff. Very pricey.  We wouldn't go back. (07/2012)

Cowboy Cafe, 215 4th Street, Phone (701) 623-4343  First off, the restaurant doesn't accept credit cards so after giving our order to the waitress my husband had to go find a bank to get cash. I ordered the BBQ sandwich and fries; what I got was a sloppy joe made with ground beef and fries. My husband ordered the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes, cup of soup and veggie. The steak was so tough he only ate one third of it (the waitress never came back to check on him) the mashed potatoes were a tiny little serving, the soup (tomato macaroni) tasted like Beefaroni and was barely lukewarm. This was one of the most overpriced, badly cooked and misrepresented pair of meals we've ever eaten. Not recommended.

Note: when my husband said the meat was horrible when presented with the check at the end of our meal, the waitress said the cook would make another chicken fried steak. Not wanting two of the same type of pieces of meat (plus the fact that I was already finished with my meal) he turned down the offer. No offer of a discounted price was made.(07/2012)

Pitchfork Fondue,  3422 Chateau Road, Phone (800) 633-6721  Ribeye steaks seasoned with Lowry's seasoning salt, threaded on large pitchforks and then plunged into vats of boiling oil.  Sounds horrible, but it puts a crisp char on the outside and the steaks were cooked medium rare.  There is a buffet line for the sides; baked potatoes, veggies, rolls, beans, etc.  Coffee, water and lemonade are free, alcoholic beverages and sodas are available for purchase.  Brownies for dessert.  Some days there is BBQ chicken and ribs available.  You dine overlooking the badlands in a partially covered pavilion.  It's something different to experience before walking over to see the Medora Musical.  The meal is overpriced but we've done it twice and had fun and enjoyed our steaks immensely.  (07/2012)

Theodore's Dining Room, 301 5th Street, Phone (800) 633-6721  Nice staff, nice surroundings but an average breakfast. My husband had sausage, eggs, hashbrowns and pancakes and left hungry. I had the Western Omelet which was overcooked, the toast was simply warm bread instead of toasted, but the hashbrowns were fine. Tourist prices in a tourist town.(07/2012)