We have had the pleasure of dining at the Ranch Hand Trail Stop in Montpelier, Idaho from time to time.  It opened its doors in 1979 to serve the residents of Bear Lake Valley, and it is a very convenient place for truckers and travelers heading to the northwest to refuel both trucks and tummies.  It was also a route the pioneers traveled.

  The intent from the beginning, according to owners Wood and Rhonda Dowding along with Mike and Linda Hunzeker, was to serve huge portions and have outstanding breakfasts which they serve 24/7.

Their menu is impressive. Each day offers freshly made rolls, biscuits, and soup.  The hamburgers are hand-pressed and the pancakes are enormous.  They have the Big Stack Challenge – if you eat three pancakes in an hour they buy!  I’m a biscuits and gravy kind of gal and theirs are some of the best!

The Ranch Hand was purchased by Mike and Linda Hunzeker in 1981.   In 1993 it was voted Best Breakfast Stop in America by the Truckers of America.  Bob Schofield from CBS filmed a family enjoying breakfast at the Ranch Hand.  They were featured in Land Line Magazine.

It was later sold and, sadly, closed in 2007, but due to a new partnership between the Hunzekers and Greg and Kirsten Moore, its doors were once again opened in 2008.

It has gone through three upgrades over the years, the last one resulting in a Sports Bar with two big-screen TVs.  A truckers lounge with nice, new showers was added above the restaurant.  The store has been enlarged, as has the kitchen and dining area.  They offer free wi-fi and an 8-acre parking lot.

The convenience store offers the usual, plus many interesting keepsakes, some of which are Ranch Hand cups.  They even offer them in right and left-hand versions.  I accidentally bought a left-hand one, but will have to exchange it.  I can’t use a left…

The Ranch Hand Trail Stop is a “good old guys/gals” type of place and we love it.  The booths have battle scars that are very evident and if we could hear the stories told by the people making those scars over the years I’m sure we would both laugh and cry. 

There is plenty of seating with tables as well as booths and there are seats at the counter also.  You must avoid the two seats in the center of the counter though.  It plainly says it’s reserved for grumpy old men.  When I went up there to take a picture of the sign I asked the gentlemen there if the seats were reserved specifically for them.  In keeping with the sign, they didn’t answer but I saw little smiles on their faces. 

There is a sign at the entrance to the restaurant that says “If you go away hungry it’s your own fault.”

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