I often fantasize about moving to Montana, living in a house there, and becoming (more) of a cranky "artist" than I already am.

One of my favorite former students just got accepted to the MFA program at the University of Montana. I'm so happy for him, and I'm glad I'll have an excuse now to visit Missoula again.

I am writing this from Spokane, WA, en route to Missoula where I will spend the night, and then move on toward Kalispell/Glacier. Can anyone recommend some good eats in this town? The first post in this thread mentioned a sandwich place with the bread baked in coffee cans. Tallchris, do you remember the name of this place?

Thanks.

Tuolumne wrote:I am writing this from Spokane, WA, en route to Missoula where I will spend the night, and then move on toward Kalispell/Glacier. Can anyone recommend some good eats in this town? The first post in this thread mentioned a sandwich place with the bread baked in coffee cans. Tallchris, do you remember the name of this place?

Thanks.

The awesome sandwhich place is the Staggering Ox. Make sure you get a side of guts, which is what they cut out of the bread to put in the sandwhich fixings!

I am sorry to hear you are in Spokane. I was just in eastern Washington this past weekend (I went to high school in Newport, 40 miles north) and Spokane is still, without a doubt, CRAP.

Today I fished the Clark Fork to no avail. Tomorrow it's the Bitter Root.

My first 48 hours in Missoula have been a blast. If any of you have fishing tips please provide.

So, what's going on with that card game at the Oxford?

-Al

bfields wrote:Today I fished the Clark Fork to no avail. Tomorrow it's the Bitter Root.

My first 48 hours in Missoula have been a blast. If any of you have fishing tips please provide.

So, what's going on with that card game at the Oxford?

-Al

Poker games in Montana have a $300 total pot limit. Each table is licensed and owned separately, and not by the establishment. You should be able to find four or more tables running in various bars downtown.

The Oxford is a legendary all-night beanery that caters to every layer of Montana society. You should have a memorable evening there every time.

steve wrote:In the quiet night before I fall asleep, I often recall wonderful experiences I had in Missoula, and I enjoy them like little comic vignettes or short films. I fantasize openly about moving there and trying to make a living, but my girlfriend will have none of it.

Missoula, Montana, you were a great place to grow up and have adventures! You have given me many nice memories! Thank you!

I grew up in Miami, Florida. I often have those same fantasies, but it's a lot less likely to happen, sadly. There is always something about the place you grew up in that you will never be able to let go of. No matter where you go.

I went ot High school and college in Missoula, playing in a ton of bands that played Jay's probably 1000 times. I saw Neurosis at "club X" back around '90, saw Fugazi at the Moose club in '90, opened for DOA in '94, Rev Horton Heat in '97 etc, etc. There was a golden age of music during the 90's there, then all the musicians I knew moved west. I used to practice in a house Colin Meloy from the Decemberists had a room in, we thought he was a geek.............
I ended up leaving so I could afford to pay my student loans, if you still live there you either work for the UofM, the Railroad, or sit on a bar stool at Charlie's..............

steve wrote:

bfields wrote:Today I fished the Clark Fork to no avail. Tomorrow it's the Bitter Root.

My first 48 hours in Missoula have been a blast. If any of you have fishing tips please provide.

So, what's going on with that card game at the Oxford?

-Al

The Oxford is a legendary all-night beanery that caters to every layer of Montana society. You should have a memorable evening there every time.

True and true. There is too much to talk about this place and I could not do it justice. A "born and raised" local started a long conversation with us by saying, "Just so you know... you can get a 1lb T-bone steak covered with gravy, hash browns, and Texas Toast for only $12.50 down there [at the end of the bar]. And I mean it's a really good piece of meat."

We talked about the Chicago Bulls, fishing, poker, growing up in Missoula, and his girlfriend calling him out of the blue to go to Vegas. The bartender thanked us for drinking there and welcomed us back. Two dollars for pints. All this with a backdrop of clay poker chips and Dire Straits on the juke box.

Don't get scared off by the rough edges. Don't go in thinking your shit doesn't stink.

Missoula has been a great adventure. The Bitterroot, however, provided no fish. Lots of runoff from the snow pack has made the rivers run like rapids.

jermwelfare wrote:I went to High school and college in Missoula, playing in a ton of bands.

Were you in Night Snak'r?