I-90 Roadtrip : Seattle to Rochester, NY

Starting out later this week to drive back to Rochester, NY.   We need some unique, interesting, and DELICIOUS places to eat along I-90! We're definitely stopping at Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, Chicago, and a wee detour to St. Louis. 

Cities along the way (FYI): Coeur d'Alene, ID; Butte, Billings, and Missoula, MT; Rapid City and Sioux Falls, SD; Madison, WI; Springfield and Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland, OH; Erie, PA; Buffalo, NY!

DISCLAIMER: All my recommendations are based on experiences many years ago!

You're traveling through some of my old stompin' grounds. I have several (dated) recommendations for Missoula area:

Breakfast:
The Shack
Saturday Farmers Market (literally--the vendors at the market on the north end of Higgins Ave.)
Paul's Pancake Parlor
(There used to be a great breakfast cafe on Alder St. opposite the RR tracks, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called.)

Homemade baked goods
Bernice's Bakery

Lunch
Worden's Market - great sandwiches!
Food for Thought (also good for breakfast)
(There used to be a deli associated with Freddie's Feed & Read near the university; don't know if it's still there)

Burgers
Missoula (Mo) Club - workingman's / university student bar & grill. Good greasy hot pepper cheeseburgers--go well with beer. Not good for kids (may not be allowed)

Pizza
Zimorinos (used to have a restaraunt; may only do take-out now)

Fried Chicken
Double Front

Ice Cream
Goldsmiths

Best way to find these and read about some / most might be Google Maps.

Have a great trip!

I would stop for a hotdog at Ted's in Buffalo unless you are there during rush hour.  Then I would keep driving cause there are good dogs available in Rochester too.

Any chance you might be somewhere in Wisconsin on Friday?  If you've never had fish fry this'd be a chance to do so.

Brad

12 - 13 miles south of Buffalo in Hamburg is Uncle Joe's Diner. I've only eaten there a couple times, but I'd say it's worth a stop. Food is typical regional diner food (including the hot bologna sandwich), service is great, and the place is clean. From what I hear, it's somewhat of an institution in the area.

http://unclejoesdiner.com

Happy Motoring!