
All American! Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
Real Good Food, Not Just For Cowboys
Real cowboys get hungry. And so do travelers and tourists. If they want real good “Home Cooking at its Best”, they go the Cowboy Cafe, in Medora. It’s practically an institution in western North Dakota. It’s Classic!
Cowboy Cafe. It’s Been Around For Awhile
Cowboy Cafe has been around a while. Built in 1962, this building is a mainstay for locals as well as people just passing through. The present owners, who have strong and historic ranch ties to the area, have been in business there over 38 years! And they do know their business! They routinely serve up to 70 people in their diner with some of the best home cooking around.

Ranch Brands and Photos of Local Ranch History at the Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
Filled With Local Ranch History
Cowboy Cafe has a special personality rooted in the area. The wooden booths display carved brands from surrounding ranches. Some of those ranches have been in operation since 1888! The decor is comprised of photographs of local ranches and ranchers. These people are the real deal; tough, hard working people who built and continue to build the local economy.

Local Ranch History Surrounds You at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

Real Cowboys. Real Ranches. Real Good Food. Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

Historic Ranchers, and the Wooly Boys Film Cast and Crew, Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
And A Few Hollywood Stars
The only Hollywood stars to be found on these walls are the cast and crew of the movie ‘Wooly Boys’, which was filmed here. That means Peter Fonda, Kris Kristofferson, and Keith Carradine, among others, have enjoyed this real good food, too!

Historical Photos, Part of Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

Local Ranch Brands and Cowboys Are Part of the Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
Real Food at Cowboy Cafe
The food at this quaint diner is as close to real home cooking as it gets. Expect classic selections, the basics. We’ve heard the eggs, ham, and hash browns are out of this world good! We arrived near noon, so missed the breakfast option which ended at 11:00 am. The lunch menu (the cafe closes at 2:00 pm….breakfast and lunch only) was just what we were hoping for. Basic, and why the local residents return year after year. Be advised when you order, that Cowboy Cafe does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Use a nearby ATM if needed.

Lunch Served after 11 am at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

Lunch and Desserts at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
Hot Beef Sandwich. Award Winning!
When it comes to a home town diner, we wager that there are two classic menu items by which to judge the cook. Hamburgers, and Hot Beef Sandwiches! When we saw the indication on the menu that the Cowboy Cafe Hot Beef Sandwich was award winning, we couldn’t resist! The Real Buffalo Burger Steaks were a close second. We’ll try them next time.

Hot Beef Sandwiches! Some of the Best at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich at the Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
It Was Real Good!
We weren’t disappointed by this #1 (according to USA Today) Hot Beef Sandwich. Plenty of beef, tender and not dried out and tough, filled two slices of white bread. The portion of tasty mashed potatoes was huge! The gravy was the clincher. It was not flavored cornstarch from a box. It was beefy, and creamy, and real! The Hot Roast Beef sandwich filled the plate, and for a hungry appetite, it was just the right size.

Desserts at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota

“Ole’ Fashioned!” at Cowboy Cafe, Medora, North Dakota
We’re Going Back
There were other menu items which peaked out interest! We know we’ll go back to try a few of them. Between the super friendly and efficient service (thank you, owner Beth!) to the local feel of this Authentic All American Diner, to food we really liked, we’ve many reasons to return. Next time….. desserts will be included in our choices!! Yum! Our verdict? Go to Medora. Get Real Good Food at Cowboy Cafe!

Little Missouri River at Medora, North Dakota
Have a Super Sweet Tooth? (Like Me!) You’ll love this Medora establishment, open year around! This Taffy Is Great!!
Medora is the entrance to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s a must see! Click here: See What We Saw. It Was Wild!
And then, there’s the North Unit of the park. Read this: We Woke Up In A Buffalo Herd! Really! (Long Horn Cattle, Too!)
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