Caramelized French toast in the morning, prime rib mac and cheese at night, and mermaids swimming upstairs make Clark & Lewie’s one of the more unusual places to eat in Great Falls.
The restaurant sits inside the O’Haire Motor Inn, a Great Falls fixture dating to 1962. Breakfast brings generous plates of eggs, hashbrowns, corned beef hash, omelets, and a caramelized French toast that gets some of the strongest praise.
Dinner gets even heartier. Prime rib is one of the most talked-about choices, and the kitchen also turns it into an unusual prime rib mac and cheese.
Then comes the surprise upstairs. The famous Sip n Dip Lounge has performers dressed as mermaids swimming behind a large window, and the full Clark & Lewie’s menu is available there too.
A Warm Welcome on Seventh Street
Some places feel right the second the door swings shut behind you. Clark & Lewie’s Restaurant sits at 17 7th St S in Great Falls, Montana, inside the O’Haire Motor Inn.
The outside looks plain, yet it is clearly well cared for.
Inside, the mood is relaxed and friendly. Casual clothes are totally fine here, and the noise sits at a comfortable level, so you can chat without shouting.
I noticed families, couples, and solo diners all settling in with the same easy smile.
Seating includes both indoor tables and an outdoor patio, which is handy when Montana weather cooperates. The central spot makes it simple to find whether you are passing through or staying a few days.
Park, wander in, and let the smell of coffee and sizzling hashbrowns do the rest. Breakfast is where this place really flexes, and the next plates prove it.
Big Breakfast Plates That Mean Business
Hungry travelers, take note: the portions here are not shy. One guest from out of town cleaned a full plate for the first time ever, and I understand why.
Two eggs with hashbrowns and toast arrive crisp and golden, and ham or thick bacon can join the party.
The corned beef hash earns loud praise as well. Eggs Benedict also gets plenty of attention from regulars.
Omelets let you customize your morning, with a ham and cheese version for classic lovers and a vegetable one for those who want something lighter. Sausage and bacon are available on the side if you want to build your own feast.
Pace yourself, because leftovers are a real possibility. Still, I have one sweet breakfast star to tell you about, and it deserves its own spotlight right next.
The Caramelized French Toast Everyone Talks About
Picky eaters, listen closely. Plenty of people who call themselves French toast snobs say this version beats every other they have tried.
The edges turn sweet and crackly, while the middle stays soft and custardy.
The plate lands thick and generous, so sharing is a smart idea if you also want eggs or bacon. Pancakes are on the menu too, and they make a fine partner for a hungry crew.
Service helps the experience along. Coffee mugs get refilled before they run dry, and empty plates disappear quickly, which is rarer than you might think.
My tip is to order it early in your visit while the kitchen is calm. Weekend mornings fill up fast, and you will want to savor every bite without a rush.
Sweet is only half the story, though, because the comfort food menu has real muscle.
Prime Rib Takes Center Stage
Ask locals what to order after sundown, and prime rib comes up again and again. It is the most talked about item on the menu, and diners praise it for tenderness and flavor.
You can enjoy it as a dinner plate or tucked into a hearty dip sandwich with rich au jus on the side.
Then comes the showstopper that sounds like a dare: prime rib mac and cheese. Creamy pasta meets tender beef, and the result is far from childhood cafeteria fare.
Steak lovers also mention a Philly style cheese steak that gets high marks. Prices land in the fair range, not cheap but not painful.
A smart move is to arrive a little hungry and skip the snack before dinner. Share an appetizer if your group likes variety.
Speaking of variety, the menu wanders well beyond beef, and I found some delightful detours.
Comfort Classics With Montana Soul
Cold day outside? This menu has a cure.
Fish and chips come out crunchy outside and flaky inside, and the beer battered fries make a worthy sidekick.
The chili has won awards, and a cup of creamy tomato soup pairs nicely with a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Chicken fried steak draws steady praise, and daily specials such as goulash or a fresh soup keep regulars curious.
Brown gravy shows up on more plates than you might expect, which tells you what kind of cooking this is. It is honest, filling, and made for people who plan to spend the day outdoors.
I like that nothing feels fussy. The food tastes like it was made by someone who wants you to leave happy.
Next, I will show you a few plates that break away from the traditional script.
Steak Bites and Garden Surprises
Appetizers deserve more credit, especially these. The steak bites use beef tenderloin tips in a bourbon glaze, lightly breaded and fried until tender, then served with a zesty aioli.
The Black and Bleu version gets blue cheese crumbles, bacon bits, and balsamic glaze, with warm bread bites for scooping.
Salads get real attention as well. The Montana Salad combines grilled steak, blue cheese, and bacon under a balsamic horseradish vinaigrette that wakes up your taste buds.
Prefer something lighter? The smoked salmon salad mixes berries, cherry tomatoes, and red onions with a tomato basil dressing and garlic toast.
Guests have also raved about cajun chicken pasta, coconut shrimp, and fish tacos, so the menu truly wanders the map. A pastrami sandwich with spicy slaw hides a horseradish kick that surprised one happy eater.
Now let me describe the room where all this happens.
Vintage Vibes Without the Gimmicks
Nostalgia can be tacky, but here it feels natural. The hotel dates to 1962, and the dining room carries a stuck-in-time charm that stays comfortable instead of trendy.
Decorations and small details give the walls plenty to look at while you wait for your food.
The room is small, with only a handful of tables, yet it stays spotlessly clean. That cozy size means the place fills quickly and conversations hum nicely.
On one visit, the crowd stretched from a family with a toddler to a couple in their late 80s enjoying date night. That mix tells you everything about the welcome.
Bring your camera for the decor, and your patience for peak hours. A warm room is only part of the magic, since the people running it add the real sparkle.
Let me introduce them.
Service That Feels Like Family
Great food can be ruined by cold service, but the team here brings the opposite. Many guests describe the staff as kind, funny, and attentive.
Servers offer menu advice, which helps when the list of options feels as long as a Montana highway.
Refills come quickly, plates leave the table on time, and regulars get greeted like old friends. Even a busy kitchen with every employee hustling still produces smiles.
Experiences are not identical for everyone, and a few diners have reported slow or unfriendly moments during rushes. Patience and a friendly hello tend to go a long way when the room is packed.
Kindness matters more than any garnish, and most guests walk out feeling cared for. If you are traveling with kids or a big group, mention it when you call.
Upstairs, another surprise waits for after dinner.
Mermaids Upstairs at the Sip n Dip
Here is the twist I promised. Upstairs, the famous Sip n Dip Lounge offers a view of mermaids swimming in an indoor pool behind a big window.
Yes, real performers in mermaid tails, and it is every bit as quirky as it sounds.
The full Clark & Lewie’s menu is available in the lounge, so you can change scenery without changing dinner. Diners often finish their meal and then head up for a nightcap and a show.
The hotel recently went through a major renovation that honors its 1960s roots. The restaurant kept more of its original charm, and that contrast makes the building fun to explore.
Bring friends who like unusual stories to tell. Evenings here feel like a mini adventure after a satisfying meal.
Before you go, a few planning tips will help the whole trip run smoothly.
Smart Tips for Beating the Wait
Good news travels fast, so weekends get busy. A wait of fifteen minutes or so is common at mealtimes, and the kitchen may take around twenty-five minutes when both dining rooms are rolling.
Arriving early is the simplest fix.
Reservations are accepted, and groups of different sizes are welcome. A quick phone call to 406-454-2141 can save you time.
Hours run from 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and until 8 PM on Sunday. Takeout and delivery are available, and the spot offers free Wi-Fi and bike parking.
Google rates the place 4.4 stars across more than 680 reviews, which shows that most guests leave happy. Pack patience for rush hours and a good appetite always.
Beyond the table, the city itself has stories worth hearing.
The Electric City Around You
Great Falls earned the nickname Electric City thanks to the dams along the Missouri River. It also calls itself the Museum Capital of Montana, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is a highlight.
Those explorers even inspired the restaurant name.
That history adds flavor to a meal. After a big breakfast, you can walk off the calories by visiting nearby sights and river viewpoints.
The motor inn itself holds a piece of the past. Built in 1962, it has seen updates, yet the dining room keeps a familiar feel that locals appreciate.
Plan a morning stop here, then spend the afternoon learning about the people who crossed this country long ago. A well-fed explorer travels farther, after all.
One last theme ties everything together, and it is about community.
A Community Table Worth Pulling Up To
Strong restaurants become gathering spots, and this one proves it. Locals catch up over omelets in the morning, while travelers from Wisconsin, Missouri, and beyond stop in on the way to Yellowstone or from Banff.
A Veterans discount has even been offered to a grateful guest.
The menu wanders across American, Mexican, and Italian dishes from breakfast through dinner, so everyone at the table can find a favorite. That range keeps families, friends, and road trippers coming back.
Hearty plates, friendly faces, and a little mermaid magic upstairs add up to a memorable Montana stop. Portions are large, prices are fair, and the welcome feels genuine.
Next time your trip brings you to Great Falls, pull up a chair, order the French toast or prime rib, and let the town feed you well.
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