What Makes Oxen Yoke Inn A Burger Haven In Montana?

I’ve been known to go the extra mile (or 150) for a good burger, and if you’re in the mood for a road trip with serious flavor payoffs, point your rig toward Utica, Montana. Just over two hours from Billings, this tiny unincorporated community west of Lewistown is home to one of the most rural—and most delicious—restaurants in the entire state: the Oxen Yoke Inn.

Billing itself as the “Home of Montana’s Best Hamburgers,” the Oxen Yoke reportedly lives up to the hype. This no-frills joint serves up hearty, flavorful country comfort food, including massive burgers, crispy fries, and frybread tacos inspired by local Native traditions.

It’s got all the old-school saloon vibes you’d hope for in a historic Montana town, complete with a laid-back atmosphere, cold beer, and some Charlie Russell charm.

Photo by Henry Guttmann Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Speaking of Charlie Russell, the famed Western artist spent a lot of time in the area, and the Oxen Yoke honors that legacy with artwork throughout the building, including cooler doors hand-painted with scenes from three distinct phases of Russell’s life. It’s part museum, part honky-tonk, and part tasty-as-heck tiny-town diner.

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You’ll find this gem right off the highway, with great views of the Lewis & Clark National Forest surrounding you. It’s a perfect stop after a day of hiking, fishing, or just wandering around central Montana’s wide-open beauty. Grab lunch or dinner, sip something stiff from the full bar, and soak up the history. It’s a day trip you won’t regret.

More info on their Facebook page or through Russell Country.

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Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll