"Best Pancakes in the Galaxy" - Pocketstone Cafe, Bigfork Montana

Jamie and I arrived in Bigfork, Montana for Ann Marie and Jakes's wedding, with three hours to kill before our motel check-in. So, we grabbed our luggage and headed into town in search of a local place to grab lunch and learn about this quaint, mountain town, 20 minutes outside of Kalispell, Montana.

The day was Thursday and we soon found out most places didn’t open until 3 or 4, but we followed the crowd to Pocketstone Café and put our names in for the 30-minute wait, as our choices were limited to wait or go hungry. From experience, I chose the former, having faced “hangry” Jamie, a ruthless creature that is to be avoided at all cost.

Pocketstone serves classic American fare and breakfast all day. I was at a crossroads, unable to decide between the club sandwich and pancakes, after reading the hubristic claim of “Best Pancakes in the Galaxy”, proudly displayed on a white board. Also, as if Pocketstone was reading my mind, the club sandwich description gave an option of sides with the reason "because you can't eat pancakes everyday". Our waitress, Camilla, could see my dilemma and quickly offered the solution by way of substituting my side for a short stack of pancakes. Crisis averted. Jamie went with the turkey sandwich on sourdough and said that its simplicity and freshness made for a big win. I concur with regards to my club.

Side note on Camilla – Not only was she a friendly server who educated us on Bigfork, but she offered insight into herbal tinctures made with local ingredients, like her friend’s “Stud Sauce” for male virility. She declined my request for a free sample.

The day one experience brought us back in for round two, a day later, and a pancake stack shorter. Again, a 30-minute wait, this time we huddled in the 48-degree mid-afternoon chill with other wannabe patrons. Camilla came out and offered immediate outside seating near the heater for any takers. I impatiently jumped to accept and round two began. Jamie started with the chicken noodle soup, which is made fresh 365 days a year, with a single pancake for dessert. I was feeling like a fat kid in a candy store, so I ordered two entrees, the first being chicken fried steak & eggs with potatoes and gravy, followed with chocolate chip pancakes and a side of peanut butter. Somehow, both the chicken fried steak and pancakes felt light, which is difficult for my mind to grasp. Is it something in the Montana water…or the Montana flour…or the Montana lard? Or am I turning into that fat kid and starting to consider gravy covered deep friedness a relatively healthy option? Regardless, I don’t remember being happier during a meal.

The Pocketstone Café embodies its home city of Bigfork, with its friendly people, picturesque mountain view, and slow-moving clock. We could live in Bigfork. If we did, we’d be regulars at Pocketstone.