We’re looking for one more cup of coffee. Got ideas? We’d like to hear them. Coffee is our way to stand victorious over the isolation and desolation of white, white and white — and cold. North Dakota’s legendary people and North Dakota’s legendary winters seem to duke it out every year, but it’s the people who win. Winter tucks tail and runs away after a few months of battle. And they do it one cup of coffee at a time.
So, here’s a way to beat winter: Go exploring — for coffee! Take a drive for coffee, good coffee, good locations, good conversation, and good treats to go with the coffee. Along Highway 85 you’ll find more than one coffee stop. So, explore “Coffee Road.”
Ask any longtime North Dakotans, one way to beat winter is to get out of the house; change the scenery (though it can still be white). You don’t have to go to Arizona or Las Vegas. You can beat winter in western North Dakota with a good cup of coffee in your hand.
The North Dakota Badlands is home to small-town cafes and coffee shops. Every one is distinctive with their own identity. Some are artsy, some are foodie some are downright homey.
Here are six we like along or near Coffee Road. Got other ideas?
The first stop on the Coffee Road is in Dickinson. While there are several places to get to get good coffee, one place stands out because of its history: The Brew. Art in the back, food in the front. Carmel rolls made fresh every morning.
Driving North, almost by itself along Highway 85 is a long-standing pull off for travelers. The region is a generations-old settlement of Ukrainians, so you can expect Ukrainian food (that I can neither spell nor pronounce) at Four Corners. Explore Coffee Road here and you’ll find an assortment of pie perfectly matched with coffee (rhubarb custard anyone?). If you’re fortunate, carrot cake is the premium item to go with your coffee. Go for the carrot cake!
Halliday is easy to miss. It’s just off of Coffee Road to the east on Highway 200 and Highway 8. That’s where you’ll drive to JodeO’s, a hometown café, good for coffee, conversation, and pie until they run out. Muffins and caramel rolls, too! Very popular.
Headed north from Fairfield and Four Corners, the Coffee Road goes past the Little Missouri Grill. It’s a longstanding tradition on Highway 85. Long before current popularity, farmers and ranchers ordered pie with their coffee. They still can! Several kinds of pie on hand every day.
Go on into town at Watford City to get to Door 204. Like other stops on the Coffee Road, Door 204 is known for its great coffee and local art. Soon to come, a partnership with a local bakery will add to their menu.
At the top of the Coffee Road is Meg-A-Latte. There are three locations in Williston, but the main shop is where you will find the unique offerings of art. The popular pairing with coffee here is their scones. Eddie Wold displays his metal art and that alone is worth stopping at Meg-A-Latte.
The Wild Cow is part of a group of locally owned and managed eateries in Watford City, Williston, and Sidney. It’s a coffee and ice cream shop. Because the owners have established themselves as outstanding restauranteurs in the region, we expect good things from the Wild Cow but haven’t tried it yet. Are there others to explore?
Many of these places have special events going on this winter. Here’s the calendar of events to find out when there are events. All the events of the North Dakota Badlands are here.
Your turn: Where else do we need to go to sample their coffee and other good winter-breaking snacks?
Twelve Course Ukrainian Christmas Christmas in the Beautiful Badlands brings friends and families together. Traditions…
Bison Power Bison may be the largest North American animal in North America, and that's…
Christmas Cookies, Sweet Treats for the Holidays What could be better than family…
Stay warm while you are on a winter road trip Yeah, I don’t want to…
Turkeys are not supposed to be here...but here they are! 1. Immigrant Turkeys That's right. …
6 exciting books about the Badlands: myths, and legends, lynchings, murders and killer blizzards that…