Covered Wagon Ranch Cuisine & the Taylor Fork Lodge
Dining at our Montana guest ranch is a family affair, and is often the social highlight of the day. Covered Wagon Ranch is different in that all of us (owners and staff) eat with our guests! This means you can reminisce with your favorite wrangler about your ride that day or talk amongst each staff member at the ranch, as you become part of our ranch family. During your stay you will enjoy a scrumptious Montana dining experience at each meal. Most meals are served in the Taylor Fork Lodge, which is also a favorite hang out for guests, no matter if it’s meal time or not. Here, the cookie jar is always full and the coffee pot is always at the ready – plus lemonade, ice tea, water, hot cocoa, apple cider and a selection of teas!
The Lodge Experience
Feel free to come and relax at our Montana Guest Ranch lodge, which features both inside and outside spaces to enjoy at meal time and in between!
What’s Cookin?
Breakfast: Coffee is on at 6am and breakfast is served between 7:30-8:30. Breakfast is to order – there’s hot and cold cereals, breads, a fresh baked pastry, fresh fruit, a specialty item each day such as Eggs Benedict, and we always have French toast or pancakes, eggs and bacon or sausage… just tell us what you want! Fresh brewed coffee, a variety of teas, and fresh juice are always available.
Lunch: Enjoy lunch out on the trail or back at the ranch. Lunch is to order at 1pm in the lodge, unless you are on a full day ride in which you would have filled out a lunch card (what kind of sandwich you want) and filled your complementary lunch bag with goodies that are healthy (and not-so-healthy). Back at the lodge you can find homemade soup, salad, and a variety of sandwiches or main course dishes for lunch.
Happy Hour & Appetizers: Covered Wagon has a BYOB policy, so we suggest bringing some! Love a glass of wine at dinner, beer after a long ride, or whiskey on the rocks? Do it! You’re on vacation. We’ll serve up some great appetizers to entice your palette for the dinner that’s about to follow. In addition, some evening happy hours are extra special, like our Margaritas Meet and Greet night when we serve margaritas, play music, and visit before dinner, or our Pizza nights when we serve guests local Montana brews.
Dinner: Dinner is served in the Taylor Fork Lodge, or outside on the lodge’s patio. The varied menu of hearty and delicious ranch style dishes are served buffet style and homemade dessert finishes off each dinner. In addition to our regular evening dinners, we have a few specialty nights:
- Monday Dinner: Monday’s dinner is our Margaritas Meet and Greet. We serve margaritas and music is playing, it’s a chance to interact with other guests and our crew. It’s followed by a cookout on the patio with a BBQ item such as ribs, brisket or a Boston Butt, trout, accompanied with waffle or French fries, and chef’s choice veggie. While dinner is served buffet style outside, you’re welcome to eat inside or out! Make yourself at home on the ranch.
- Thursday Dinner: We drink beer and eat pizza! We have Pranzo all’aperto (dining outside) where our chef prepares artisan wood-fired pizza and serves tastings of local Big Sky brews.
- Friday Dinner: Friday brings the weekly cookout with steaks, gourmet burgers, brats, live music, dancing, roping, smores and an evening of family fun around the campfire at our rec hall . We begin the night with appetizers and live music from a local band. This give you a chance to mingle with other guests, play a round of horseshoes, lawn games, or a game of pool in the rec hall while we prepare the dinner over the grille. After dinner we continue the night with dessert or toast marshmallows and have smores around the campfire.
Whichever meal, whether it is a sack lunch in a high alpine meadow, or a sit down dinner in the lodge, you will be treated to great food, friendly service, and a true family Montana Guest Ranch dining experience. View some additional highlights in our Lodge video!
Allergies or Dietary Needs?
Are you a vegetarian, don’t eat gluten, or have other dietary needs? That’s no problem! We’ve got you covered. Our chefs are very conscious and knowledgeable about food allergies and dietary restrictions. Questions or concerns – give us a call, we would be happy to discuss your individual needs.
BYOB
Our Montana Guest Ranch is BYOB, allowing guests to compliment their meals with the drink of their choice. Wine and liquor outlets are available on the way to the ranch, though do note: Montana does not allow the purchase of hard alcohol on Sundays. Wine glasses, ice, coolers, and openers are all available at the ranch.
