The Food Mauling: 8.12.2021

The Internet Is Obsessed With Hot Takes About Food (And Here Are 25 More) - Eater
Although food opinion pieces have always been part of a healthy media diet, hot takes about dining and drinking have dominated the culinary conversation so far in 2019, from “The Aperol Spritz Is Not a Good Drink” to “Don’t Let Naysayers Ruin Dining Out on Valentine’s Day.” These strongly voiced opinions keep writers and food enthusiasts arguing about frivolous nonsense for days and sometimes weeks on end, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. For anyone who wants to light up the internet with a spicy rant, here are 25 fresh headline ideas that are sure to get everyone arguing on Twitter:

Montana: The Burger Dive (Billings) from The One Restaurant You Need to Visit in Every State
The Burger Dive owner and head chef Brad Halsten was crowned the “Burger Champion” at the 2016 World Food Championships, and you can try three of the burgers that helped him win that title at his restaurant in downtown Billings. The Best of the Bash Burger — a blackened one-third pound Angus patty with goat cheese, bacon, fresh-cut onion ring, arugula, sriracha and garlic basil mayo on a locally baked bun — is one of the best burgers in the country, and definitely worth the visit.

The Best Foodie Destination in Every State | Eat This Not That
40 craft beers on tap—need we say more? Known for the expansive selection of craft beers (with many of them locally made in the northwestern U.S.), Montana Ale Works is a great place for you to pair your beer with your food. In true Montana fashion, they're known for the buffalo meat menu options. Try out the buffalo burger, the buffalo steak, or even the buffalo patty melt.

Best Restaurant in Every State
Lucca's cozy dining room — which holds a mere 15 tables — creates an intimate environment for guests to enjoy Chef Hyyppa's carefully crafted dishes.

Most Famous Restaurant in Every State
Lucca's in Helena, Montana, is a fine dining restaurant that focuses on Italian cuisine. The eatery serves Italian mainstays like baked ziti, spaghetti, risotto, and chicken. In 2015, Lucca's was named the best restaurant in Montana, and TripAdvisor ranked it among the best eateries in the state.

Best Fast-Food Chains in America
Fast food took root in the US the 1950s and has flourished into a $255 billion industry. These restaurants — globally associated with American culture — evoke surprising passion, with many developing a cult-like loyalty from customers. But which chain is the best?

The Best Regional Fast-Food Chains in Every State | Eat This Not That
This sub chain has plenty of locations across Montana and an extensive menu to boot. At The Pickle Barrel, you can't go wrong with a classic cheesesteak. Or, go for one of the more inventively-named sandwiches like the Beach Comber.

The Best Bakery in Every State, According to Yelp | Eat This Not That
This homey micro-bakery and coffee bar specializes in European-style slow-fermented bread and pastries. In other words, there are no shortcuts in the kitchen here—and Yelpers say it shows. Fuel up for a hike in the mountains or a day on the slopes with a hearty biscuit breakfast sandwich, frittata of the day, or "flavorful and filling" Croque Madame. Or, if you've got a sweet tooth, Yelpers praise the cinnamon-packed morning bun (part croissant, part cinnamon roll)—which is also available in a bread pudding version with yogurt and maple syrup. Rich danishes, pecan sticky buns, and scones the size of your face are just several other highlights here. Thanks to the charming ambiance and positive vibes, you just might want to savor that pastry slowly and stay awhile.

The Best Steakhouse in Every State | Eat This Not That
Nothing says "Big Sky Country" like Lolo Creek's log cabin restaurant, constructed from century-old logs hauled up the road from Lolo Pass. The menu has the usual suspects, with a focus on the steaks. Try the Huckleberry Martini while you're waiting for the owner's choice, a 12-ounce New York Strip of USDA choice hand-cut steak.

Best Breweries in America: Best Craft Beer Brewery in Every US State - Thrillist
It’s been brewing in Montana’s capital for almost two decades, but a trio of Great American Beer Festival medals and the title of Small Brewing Company of the Year helped put Lewis & Clark on the national radar in 2018. Thankfully for its customers, the brewery’s three award-winning beers are easily available, everyday offerings -- Miner’s Gold wheat beer, Pompey’s Czech-style pilsner, and Prickly Pear English-style pale ale with real cactus fruit. They’re all packaged in cans, but the latter especially is a staple of almost any outdoor summer excursion in Big Sky country. -- KB