Staggering Ox — Restaurant in Helena

“Eclectic” is the only way to describe today’s ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Club excursion. Crazy decorations with no apparent theme abound in this large, strange restaurant. Some of the sculptures and paintings may be offensive to some folks, but those are thankfully few and not prominent. The background music is a soft blend of light-hearted hits from the 50s and 60s. The dining area is huge and it kind of felt like we were eating in a mall food court.

The counter is up front, but we discovered that you don’t always order at the counter. When we arrived, a little before 11:00 AM, we had to walk all the way around to the bar area in the back and order at the beverage counter. We noticed that by the time we got our food they were taking orders at the front.

We were both in the mood for breakfast and they have an awesome-looking Keto-friendly breakfast section on the menu, but they only serve it until 11:00. Or in our case, until 10:50, which is when we tried to order it. The gal who took our order flatly stated, “My lunch crew is coming in and they don’t know how to make breakfast.” I settled on the All American sandwich, which includes bacon, so all they would have needed to figure out was how to scramble some eggs. Oh, well.

The sandwiches here at the Staggering Ox are unique in that the buns are actually small loaves of bread that are hollowed out from the end, standing on their solid end, and stuffed with a perfect quantity of fresh ingredients.

Otto ordered the Capital Complex which consists of ham, salami, pepperoni, and turkey pastrami, pepper jack and Swiss cheese, topped off with tomato, lettuce, and special sauce. When I asked him how he liked it he replied, “it’s great! I don’t know why I don’t eat here more often.”

My All American sandwich is their version of a classic cheeseburger. It is an angus burger, cut to fit the bread, with a couple strips of the aforementioned bacon, American and Monterey Jack cheese stuffed into the loaf with tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, mustard, ketchup, lettuce, and special sauce.

You may think that the unique style of loaf would make the burger too much “bread-y” but you would be wrong. My sandwich had all the flavor of a great bacon cheeseburger without losing any ingredients out the side and onto the plate. The bread seemed to be just enough.

In summary, we both greatly enjoyed our meals, and decided we’ll need to come back earlier so we can also enjoy their breakfast...

My family was meeting in Helena from 3 different states. We went to the Staggering Ox on Thursday, June 21. My brother arrived just before 7 to grab tables and let them know we were coming. There were 16 of us. We ordered as we arrived as to not overwhelm the kitchen. There was one girl who appeared to be a supervisor or to have a little more experience than the other. She had bleach blonde hair with dark roots and black glasses. RUDE! The other girl had short brown hair and I have never met someone, especially in Montana, who had such terrible customer service. I had unfortunately already tipped in the jar on the counter or I would not have given a tip. I gave the cook a $20 tip when he came out to help clear plates and he was very gracious! The women kept telling everyone "We close at 8." Yes, we realize that. We are bringing you large group who are all eating. We arrived in plenty of time to order and eat our food. If your business is opened until 8pm that doesn't mean you have to be done with your food and out of the building by then. Both of those ladies were so very rude that we will never go back again. The one with short brown hair literally "dropped" ranch off in front of my niece and the dish "slammed." They were so irritated that we were there that it was very uncomfortable for all of us. I can't imagine the owners of this establishment would appreciate or allow this kind of service. It was very embarrassing. We asked them if one of them could take our picture and the brunette ROLLED her eyes! I said nevermind, I don't want to put you out. I then asked a customer if they would take it for us. The only reason I am giving two stars is because the cook was very sweet and the food was good. RUDE RUDE RUDE...

Nestled in the heart of Helena, Montana, The Staggering Ox remains a beloved institution, evoking nostalgia and delight with every visit. Having been a fan for years, I recently had the pleasure of revisiting this iconic eatery during a trip through town, and I'm happy to report that it hasn't lost its magic.

The moment I stepped inside, memories flooded back of the original shop adorned with plants and records—a cozy atmosphere that felt like stepping into a friend's eclectic living room. Despite the expansions over the years, The Staggering Ox has retained its charm and commitment to hearty, satisfying meals.

I indulged in their famous Bread Guts and the Capital Complex, a signature creation that never fails to impress. The combination of freshly baked bread stuffed with savory fillings like turkey, cheese, and their legendary ranch dressing was just as delicious and comforting as I remembered. Each bite was a perfect balance of flavors and textures, a testament to their dedication to quality ingredients and culinary craftsmanship.

The service was friendly and efficient, adding to the overall pleasant experience. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, The Staggering Ox in Helena continues to deliver on its promise of delicious, hearty fare that leaves you craving more. It's a must-visit for anyone passing through, offering a taste of local charm and culinary excellence that stands the...