The Desoto Grill
About This Spot
Stepping into The Desoto Grill is like uncovering a warmly worn treasure nestled right in the heart of Kalispell. The moment you push open the door, the lively hum of conversation paired with the inviting scent of smoky barbecue creates an unmistakable feeling of settled comfort. This isn’t a place that rushes you; instead, time slows a touch as you settle into its relaxed, unpretentious rhythm, surrounded by walls rich with local stories and nods to Montana’s rugged spirit.
The atmosphere here strikes a memorable balance between rustic and familiar—a cozy neighborhood spot where the pulse comes from genuine connections as much as from the food. There’s a tangible sense of community, from the easy banter with servers who clearly know their regulars, to the shared smiles over heaping plates heaped with smoky, tender barbecue. It’s the kind of place where you might linger long after the last bite, drawn in by both the flavor and the feeling of being part of something grounded and real.
Every dish feels like it’s been made with a kind of careful generosity, offering hearty portions that invite sharing or savoring bite by bite. The brisket, for instance, carries the kind of fall-apart tenderness that speaks of patient smoke and steady hands behind the grill. Whether it’s layered atop cheesy nachos or nestled in a sandwich alongside classic mac and cheese, it’s clear the kitchen is telling a story through each plate—a story of tradition meeting approachable creativity. And around the table, drinks from fresh strawberry lemonade to local beers on tap foster a convivial spirit that matches the food’s depth and warmth.
For those who appreciate a barbecued meal in a setting that feels both rooted and relaxed, The Desoto Grill offers a quiet discovery: a spot alive with the subtle hum of everyday moments, where the flavors stay with you not just because of their boldness, but for the honest way they make you feel at home.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Delivery
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Fast service
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Great beer selection
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Great cocktails
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
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Live music
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Cocktails
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Bar on site
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Historic
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Trendy
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Groups
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Tourists
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University students
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | Closed | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | Closed | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
hooski 12 Jan 2026
incredible food, incredible atmosphere, incredible service…. easy 10/10! the food was flavorful, perfectly executed, and the portions were enormous. the brisket is a must try, it’s fall-apart-in-your-mouth tender, super juicy, and pairs great on the nachos or the loaded baked potato. the nacho toppings were amazingly distributed and every bite had the perfect anoujt of each thing. the drinks were excellent (hands down the best strawberry lemonade i’ve ever had) and served in huge mason jars with unlimited refills. the service was quick, our wonderful server was super attentive, and it was the perfect comfort food after a long day or hiking, fishing, or walking.
Debra Gutierrez 22 Dec 2025
We just landed in Montana to visit my daughter. She had someone recommend this place. We had such a great experience from the minute we walked in. We were greeted by the owner Rob and he was so fun to talk to and to hear the story behind the name. Hailey was our waitress and she was so sweet and personable! Such a cool place and the food was DELICIOUS!! Highly recommend!!!
James Cooper 03 Dec 2025
What a hidden gem. We found this place based on the reviews. When we arrived we almost moved on. It looked like it was closed and seemed a bit sketch. However once we opened the door we found a packed busy restaurant with a great vibe and an even better history and story. Oh yeah, the food was Fantastic! The servers were fun, and the whole experience was memorable. Food portions are Huge so bring your appetite.
Todd Powell 29 Nov 2025
The ambiance here is very cool. The sauces at the table were delicious we drizzled and then dumped it on. The pork was soft and flavorful. The Cajun vinegar sauce took it to another level. The staff were helpful and attentive. The whole experience deserves 5 big fat stars. Come for the rustic back woods feel you won't be disappointed .
H May 04 Oct 2025
This great hole in the wall bar/resturant is well worth your time. The memorabilia/history was amazing. Food was large portions and came out hot. Waitress was fantastic. It can get very busy and wait times can be up to an hour depending on size of party. In the summer months there is a patio area.
John Friedemann 27 Sep 2025
Fabulous! Desoto looks like a hole in the wall, but the food is excellent and the service is better. We had the brisket platter and the hoagie. Both were great. The cornbread is like candy. Beer options were very good. Our server, Kaylee was a delight. Even though she was busy, she took the time to make us feel like her favorite customers. Don’t miss out on a chance to eat at The Desoto Grill.
David Thompson 23 Sep 2025
Absolutely pleasure through out, the staff are very hard working you can see. Even with what I'm sure is a solid shift, they still treat you extremely good. The nachos with brisket mmmmmmmm, this is a must. However be cautious its larger than you imagined. 10 out of 10 for the entire event. If your close by and thinking about trying, don't have regrets. Just get in there and soak it in!!
Destini Febus 17 Sep 2025
AMAZINGGGGG. Do not pass this restaurant up. The food was out of this world. We’re from the south where they do BBQ like no other and if Desoto were to move to the south, they’d fit right in!! Amazing service, funky vibe, great customers, and portions are HUGE. GET THE NACHOS. You won’t regret it, we got it with brisket and I’ve never made a better decision. UGH will be stopping by again next time we’re in Kalispell. OH AND THE LEMONADE. GET THE STRAWBERRY LEMONADE. Anything on this menu slapped, so you can’t go wrong!!! Was not overly heavy, perfect dinner or lunch option. (Personal preference, wish they had smoked it slightlyyyy longer but that’s because I like alittle burnt taste to my meat). Pictured- loaded baked potato with brisket (I got a side of bacon Mac n cheese and dumped it right in the tato, was like heaven), cheese steak brisket sandwich, nachos, and believe it was a Rueben but not entirely sure. Potato salad was great with alittle bit more salt and pepper.. the BBQ sauce they had at the table was INCREDIBLE!!!