The Best Steak in Montana
I spend a lot of time talking about the incredible dishes we find on our travels, but not so much about those we love in our little hometown.
Come to think of it, that’s because we tend do most of the cooking when we’re here - but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a handful of places we like to keep on speed dial for when we want a treat.
And now Old Salt’s The Union is on that list, too.
Such a special place to open in Montana (yes, I’m talking to the whole state on this one), The Union has taken a long-standing, somewhat depressed building in the heart of Downtown Helena and made it nothing short of magical - light and airy, with whisps of wheat lining the walls, and a unique wood-fired grill setting the stage for what’s to come - a dining experience deeply rooted in Montana flavors made with locally-sourced meat and other fabulous treats.
Not to mention their walk-in butcher shop that has, and will continue, to keep us stocked up on the highest quality ingredients for cheese plates, charcuterie, and grilling.
And while I can’t NOT mention their $2 beef sticks that we’ve suddenly become obsessed with, this post is about one of the best dinners we’ve enjoyed out in a long time.
Deciding what to order was a task in itself, but we finally landed on sharing an appetizer of the light, yet caramelized and extra crispy, Beef Fat Fried Onions with a Charred Scallion Ranch.
For dinner I ordered the Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs with a Red Wine Butter and the world’s creamiest Bausch Potatoes from Whitehall, Montana, while Hahn ordered their daily rotating Butcher’s Steak, which happened to be a perfectly cooked 12 oz New York Strip sprinkled with Maldon salt and a decadent side of Bone Marrow Butter. And to cut through the fat of those beautiful entrees, we shared a fresh and delicious Snap Pea Salad with Radish, Mint, Anchovy and Aged Sheep’s Cheese.
And let’s not forget about the Cup of S’mores we shared to finish the night with.
A ridiculously wonderful addition to the Montana food scene, The Union is exquisite, yet casual, and worth the drive from anywhere in the state.
The Union
Website
www.oldsaltco-op.com/pages/theunion
Location
361 North Last Chance Gulch
Helena, Montana
Hours
Open Wednesday through Sunday
Butcher Shop: 8am - 6pm
Restaurant: 4pm - 9pm (10pm on Fridays & Saturdays)