Real Good Food and Real Cowboys at the 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.

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.   

 

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!  

 

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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