Gulch Guides

No Sweat but Good Food

No Sweat Cafe (427 North Last Chance Gulch / 406-442-6954) This little cafe is still true to its Montana hippy roots. A sign on the door says "No Guns or Cell Phones." The No Sweat primarily serves breakfast and lunch foods, which range from egg sausage scrambles to brown rice and vegetables. Try the Tibetan Toad for a great combination of eggs, sprouts, sausage, and garlic. The coffee is excellent, there is a lot of it, and the friendly atmosphere will make you want to come back often.

The Windbag

The Windbag Saloon (19 South Last Chance Gulch / 406-443-9669) building was, not that long ago, a brothel and the warm and friendly vibes are still around. The Windbag falls into the category of "western" cuisine: gourmet burgers, steak, fresh fish. All dishes are large, filling, and classy. Try the Big Dorothy to find out what a real hamburger should taste like. Be sure to order it with a side of the thick home style french fries. Prices range from $8-16 dollars. The bar at the Windbag is comfortable and has a wide choice of beer and wine. It’s a favorite among locals, state politicians, and visitors alike. Plus, shouldn't all bars be called saloons in Montana?

Fiery Mexican

Emiliano's (632 Euclid Avenue / 406-443-5478) takes its name from Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican revolutionary and its food can be as fiery as its namesake's politics. The food here is excellent and its spices and flavors rivals any Tex-Mex joints you might find in the Southwest. Portions are big and well worth the $5-8 price. Try the burros or fajitas and be sure to order a cold pint of Dos Equis to wash it down. The waiting space (its more of a hall than a room) is tiny and can make waiting uncomfortable if there is a long wait - which there often is. One warning - the green sauce is tear forming hot and the red sauce is not much milder.

The Silver Star

The Silver Star (833 Great Northern Boulevard / 406-495-0677) adds the term “Steak Company” to their name to let people know that even though this restaurant has a corporate, even trendy atmosphere (in comparison to Helena’s mostly low-key restaurant scene), it’s still a good place to go for the basics. Our advice, though, is to ignore the basics and even the restaurant, and head straight to the bar. Drinking a good beer and splitting a couple of appetizers, such as the baked brie or calamari, at the Silver Star just might be the perfect meal out in Helena.

The Silver Star is also home to one of the best micro-brew deals around: The 5 for $5. For five bucks you get to choose five generous samplers from their large selection of micro-brewed beers from Helena, greater Montana, and those beer-making lands beyond.

The Parrot Confectionery

The Parrot Confectionery (42 North Last Chance Gulch / 406-442-1470) first opened its doors in 1922 and has since reached near legendary status in Helena, across the state, and beyond for its handmade chocolates. The Parrot has been owned and operated by the same family since it opened and it feels like little has changed in this candy store/soda fountain/lunch café. There’s a jukebox, cozy booths, and a long counter behind which they serve up real soda fountain drinks like cherry phosphates and ice cream milkshakes.

The Parrot is most famous for their candy. They make over 120 different types of fine sweets and hand dipped chocolates, which they also ship worldwide. However, many locals go there for a different reason: they serve some of - if not the - best chili in town (it’s no sense asking, they keep the recipe secret). The Parrot is one of those types of special places that give a sense of permanence and stability that just doesn't normally exist in the modern world. So the next time it’s really cold and you’re feeling down, head to the Parrot and get a milkshake and bowl of chili, and the world will start to look pretty good again.

Coney Island & Taco del Sol: Cheap, Good Eats on the Gulch

Sometimes when eating out, you just want something that is quick, easy, cheap, and above all, good. Luckily, there are a couple of places in downtown Helena’s Last Chance Gulch that stand out.

Taco del Sol (101 North Last Chance Gulch / 406-443-3978) specializes in “Mission-style” Mexican food meaning that it is the best place in town to go for fish tacos and burritos with fresh ingredients. You can choose between corn and flour tortillas and there some good options on the menu for vegetarians and vegans. Most items are less than $5 bucks and there is free wi-fi as well.

Coney Island (325 North Last Chance Gulch / 406-443-9664) is a Helena institution and it serves the type of food that reminds one of youth. They make homemade soups, gyros, chicken strips, and even some Mexican food. However, their specialty and the best reason to visit Coney Island is the hot dogs. Two coney dogs with chili and the works is a meal that people of all ages can appreciate.