Wild West Diner: Serving Rural Families For Over 60 Years

One thing about the small town life is certain: if you choose the rural path, the number of fine dining restaurants you’ll have available within close proximity to your residence is inherently slim when compared to those who live in a region where an eatery on every corner is a reality. For less populated areas, teamwork amongst citizens is as crucial in sustaining a functional economy as it is to feed our families during mealtimes. In the northeast corner of Montana, where widespread volunteerism is as common as simultaneously having two full-time positions, the Wild West Diner in the rural community of Culbertson has kept their menu mouth-watering and their prices affordable for over 60 years to support local, hardworking residents with one of the most vital resources in sustaining life, most commonly known as food.

History With Flavor

Whether it’s dinner or supper, Wild West Diner has anything but slim pickings as they offer a complete breakfast and lunch menu. Ashlee Anderson, along with her parents Shelley and Steve Baldwin, have owned and operated the diner since 2008 and have been serving up its rural patrons with some of the best cooking and the most welcoming atmosphere on this side of the Mississippi. The Wild West Diner was originally owned by Florida resident Thelma Smith, whom of which began the start of its legacy back in 1957. After discovering an abandoned train car by the Missouri River, a spot less than five miles outside of Culbertson, Smith had it moved into the small town where it was converted into a diner. Back then, the Wild West Diner commenced operations during the summer months only.

When current owner Shelley’s parents, Bob and Marie Damm, purchased the diner in 1982, construction was underway to extend the Wild West Diner’s seating capacity in a north-side addition, complete with a mudroom and restroom. Some 63 years after it first opened its doors, the diner has recently completed remodeling that included new booths and other upgrades to ensure families can enjoy this rural gem’s services for years to come.

Small Town Support

Passing on widely known chain restaurants and choosing to grab a bite to eat at a small business plays a key role in making certain places like the Wild West Diner continue operating. That ideology is well understood by the locals that have been supporting Steve, Shelley, Anderson and all of their predecessors at the diner for generations. Support to this rural business came just six weeks ago following social distancing guidelines and a stay-at-home order put in place by Montana’s Gov. Steve Bullock in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and ease the strain on rural hospitals, much like the critical access, non-profit hospital in Culbertson. The Wild West Diner could not continue normal dine-in services until Monday, May 4, so area residents gathered their generosity and, run solely on the donations received by the community, the diner was able to cook from scratch, package and deliver a Thursday meal to the town’s elderly, most vulnerable, front-line workers and other recipients entirely free of charge.

“We started with a list of the elderly but kept it open to the public, and week by week it grew,” shared Anderson. “We made the food, local artists designed our to-go boxes, and two volunteers ran the deliveries. We had been serving 150 people each week. It’s the donations and community effort that kept it going.” The Wild West Diner is a lunchtime favorite by the rural hospital workers at Roosevelt Medical Center, so frequent customers were always sure to make the delivery list on Thursdays.

How The Wild West Slows The Spread Best

Anderson also began Bake My Day, a day of the week dedicated to selling various casseroles made from scratch. It began as a way to supplement the diner not having normal Monday through Friday hours and supplying something she felt many needed. From lasagna to chicken pot pie casserole, take-out at Wild West Diner was a well-received success by the hard-working, rural residents of Culbertson. “I wanted to offer something that is easy to make in large quantities that you can also reheat. It became so popular, and I plan to try my hardest to continue offering these meals weekly,” said Anderson. She also delivered these meals to in-town residents in an effort to assist them in maintaining their social distancing arrangements.

The Wild West Diner also has a small library house outside of its restaurant where anyone can grab a book from the single, see-through door hutch and replace it with another book for the next literature fan. In a similar fashion, families in rural Montana were able to utilize this feature as a miniature food bank while the local food bank was closed until the stay-at-home order was lifted. Those at the Wild West Diner believed this was an excellent way to help anyone in need, while opening up the opportunity for others to give what they can as well. The food bank, known locally as Country Cupboard, has since reopened.

Friends on the Front-lines

Rural Americans have always had to come together during both the highs and lows, and a pandemic occurring is not what has brought out the good, the care for one another or the belief that no matter how small the act of kindness, it will make a difference; these are traits that have existed for generations and are embedded in the souls, like those in rural Montana, of today. The Wild West Diner has showcased this generosity mindset in recent weeks, but they have always been a beacon when it comes to community togetherness. Anderson, Shelley and Steve are not just the servers, chefs and managers at this cozy, small town diner; they are the friends and families to hundreds across the rural region they serve.

Ourselves and our neighbors have been asked to accept a new normal for the greater good, and with so many continuing to support small businesses in any way possible, the Wild West Diner implemented new and exciting ways for locals to do so. The diner has resumed dine-in services with the exception of following the state’s social distancing guidelines, though, take-out is still available. Bake My Day is slated to continue at the time of this publication, but updates will be posted on the Wild West Diner’s Facebook page. Each month, the diner features beef locally sourced from area ranchers, and all beef served currently is from Traeger Ranch.

For those who are comfortable with going out and dining in, don’t hesitate to hang your hat and dust off your boots for a home-style cooked meal at the Wild West Diner- and don’t forget to ask for one of Shelley’s famous caramel rolls.