Bradley N.
Yelp
Eating at the Park Cafe reminds me of Catholic primary school.
Well, the rosary part, at least. Not the nuns, or the crucifixes, or the Ten Commandments.
Because ... ?
When you find this place, and when you finally get a table, and when you get your food and pie, you feel like you should say a few Hail Marys mother of grace the Lord is with thee.
Because you will have enough time. And ample reasons to do so.
Options for eating in Saint Mary, and east of Glacier National Park more generally, are limited. It's a big place and not many people, and far away from just about everything, except for natural beauty (which you can't eat. I've tried).
So you make do, with granola or fried from frozen food, or day-old sandwiches, or handfuls of huckleberries if you're lucky enough to find them on the trail uneaten by the bears (who need the calories more than you do).
But at Park Cafe, you don't have to make any culinary compromises, because the food is actually good, wholesome, local, and creative. And for a state known for its beef, bison, and hearty protein fare, the vegetarian options are quite appealing:
The Gypsy Burrito, a curried mishmash of yams, potatoes, and parsnips mixed with coconut milk, cashews, pineapple salsa, carrots, onions, garbanzo beans, and goodness knows what else, it's a winner.
So too the Gallienaceous Green megameal salad, which is topped with avocado, green peas, tomatoes, cucumber and your choice of tofu or marinated chicken.
The fish tacos are tempting, served with seasonal fish, including wild sockeye salmon. And many more vegetable-centric preps, from wraps to quesadillas.
Of course, there are the requisite burgers and breakfast foods and steaks and stuffed baked potatoes.
And the pies and milkshakes are famous enough for me simply to confirm that they are homemade and taste grandma good.
It's a seasonal summer cafe, closed in winter weather, and staffed largely by young people who come to be close to Glacier. It will be packed most of the time, and you'll likely wait 10-20 minutes to be seated,
But that's part of the Park Cafe appeal. Getting coverage in Sunset and on Yelp probably draws in a few extra diners, but even without the advertisements, this would be a classic stop. The sort of place the Food Network would love to profit from, if they would let them. Personally, I hope it stays hidden for a little while longer from the bleached-blond likes of Guy Fieri and Giada the pouty-mouthed wonder princess. But if *you* and your friends want to come, that'd be just fine.
"Pie for Strength" is a good slogan here. But "Pray for Veg" would work equally well.