Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon

We had ribs and an appetizer.  Food was excellent and service was friendly and laid back.  Be sure to make a reservation - they don't seem to like to seat anyone without one.

I have in the past been a very big fan of WIllow Creek, and have sent countless guests to the area there to dine- I am afraid no more. We drove 30-miles to go to WIllow Creek last night to arrive to a handwritten sign on the door 'Reservations only, no walk-ins,' something I have never seen before in Montana- or anywhere in the world for that matter.

Well, this just can't be for a restaurant with a bar in the middle of nowhere Montana. Especially Willow Creek where they are always so friendly. So we went in anyway (it was 7:20pm on a Sunday night, Sunday working hours posted as being 4 - 9pm). We approached the bar and asked if we could sit at the bar and order food, and the bartender responded no, it was reservations only. She offered to pour us a drink, but we drove there to get food, so thanks anyway.

While inside, I noted that the place was borderline empty with at least 10 open table, and not a soul sitting at the bar. Willow Creek also has a semi-open kitchen visible from the bar area. I couldn't see much because there were two cooks standing aimlessly in the doorway not looking very busy. I also did not see the productive energy 'mayhem' that happens in an overworked restaurant kitchen. So we left.

Outside, I called the restaurant and asked to make a reservation. The response was "No, we are full." I responded by saying '"Can we sit at one of the 10 empty tables or the empty bar I am looking at right now?", and the lady that answered the phone responded that I should talk with the manager. And I did.

I stated that we had driven a long way and hoped to eat there tonight, and were very let down to see an empty restaurant not willing to seat us and wondered why we could not give him money in exchange for food, which is of course the business he is in. His response was a very gruff and rude: "I have been working all day and I am f*&:ing tired," and then he hung up.

I am a tremendous proponent of locally owned Montana businesses and part of my business is sending visitors to places just like Willow Creek. Needless to say, I will not frequent a business that does not want my business. Nor, can I with a clear conscious, recommend to any local, or visitor, to make the drive out to Willow Creek and run the risk of not being served dependent upon the manager's whim and how tired he is.

Sadly, his actions are a direct reflection upon the entirety of the Willow Creek establishment. It is a shame that an individual's actions can mar a patron's opinion so grandly, but Willow Creek has quickly gone from one of my favorites to 'Do Not Go' status.

There are always circumstances and situations that cause a person to act a certain way. However, there is no place anywhere, let alone in small town Montana, for a prima donna restauranteur. No food, atmosphere, or location is good enough to justify being treated disprespectfully- and this certainly includes Willow Creek. Perhaps they were short staffed, someone died, or a food order did not get delivered. That is fine, but tell me the truth and with respect; not that you are 'too tired'. After all, I am the one potentially giving you money for service, not the other way around.

Further, the best part of Willow Creek has always been the friendly staff and welcoming, unique 'Montana' atmosphere- not the food. Yesterday that was completely gone. I feel sorry for the staff of Willow Creek who's wages are dependent upon serving patrons, because if this level of treatment and policy continues there will not be any patrons for them to earn money off of in the future.

In conclusion, barring some serious management attitude changes, Willow Creek is no longer worth the drive.

I encourage the manager/ owner to respond to these statements, as I very much want to give Willow Creek the benefit of the doubt to the reasoning of why they would not serve 2-guys food with an empty bar, empty tables, and idle staff. I want to support their establishment, but need to know if problems will be rectified for the future.

This place has the very BEST ribs you will ever eat.  Oh, my, just thinking about them makes me hungry.  If you are anywhere near Willow Creek, do go, you will not regret it and the experience will be memorable.