Russell's Fireside Dining Room

We did not eat here because the prices were too high! The dining room looks rustic but that doesn’t mean the food is good. Per reviews and what people said when we were there, the food is mediocre. I’m not paying those high prices for mediocre. I can cook my own food in my lodge.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

The service was amazing and the food was excellent. Had trout and kale salad and huckleberry pie for dessert. It was all wonderful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food was good and our server, Sam, took great care of us and was very friendly! Food is expensive, but it's also out in the middle of nowhere and pretty dang good if you account for that! Also I appreciate the gluten free options :)

First visit: Amazing ribeye. One of the best meals in national parks.

Second visit: ordered the same ribeye. Worst ever eaten. Whole plate finished within 5 min of ordering. Dry as hell with no seasonings, vegetables tastes like coming from microwaves. Based on my experience this is precooked and just reheated. probably won’t be back…

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 3

They must have known I was a hockey fan because my elk burger came out as a blackened puck. Fries were also cold and soggy. We had 5 people at our table and no one liked their meal.

Five of us got burgers and they were all massively overcooked and dry. Couldn’t even finish it. $17+ for a burger, it should be edible. Fries were gross. Server was kind though. You’re better off packing a lunch when in glacier. All places we have eaten are gross.

Food: 1

I ordered wine and my husband ordered milk and we ordered an app, pork shoulder, and entrees, ribeye and trout. My wine was dropped off in a hurry and milk forgotten about. Our app came. It was a large portion. Very tasty. Weird to half pork should cubed instead of shredded but it worked. Entrees arrived. Ribeye was ordered medium rare but cooked well. Husband could only eat half of it because the rest was too tough. It was cooked more like a steam than a sear. Veggies on the side were steamed or canned and then broiled. Very mushy and bland. Potatoes were under cooked. My trout was fine but the pasta was very bizarre. It did not come together well and each I gradient seemed to be added on and not cooked or stirred together. Cheese was not melted. Milk arrived during meal. It was too expensive for the quality that was served to us.

When asked in passing how things were I muttered it’s fine. Waiter didn’t not slow down to hear my answer and offered no help or chance to speak up.

Went back for breakfast because it was the only option. Much better breakfast (harder to screw up). Our breakfast server was much more attentive and helpful. Everything went smoothly.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

Lovely restaurant within the Lake McDonald Lodge within Glacier National Park while visiting friends in Montana. Had an entree for breakfast: scrambled eggs, wheat toast, roasted potatoes, and four slices of wheat toast. My tea was really good. Enjoyed the venue

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is good, given the isolated location. Atmosphere is fitting for a NP Lodge. Views, though mostly obstructed by trees, are still nice.
My major warning, if you are a party larger than 4, be prepared for a long wait, a wait that will exceed the estimate they give you. They seem to have almost no seating, or utilize it poorly, for parties larger than 4. We ate multiple times and were given a 30-45 minute wait each time. Each time the wait was roughly an hour. The premise of “under promise over deliver” is not present here.
If and when you are seated, or if you are 4 people or less, you will find a better than adequate experience.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 2

Great location. Very popular place. Very busy at lunch. Extremely long line to sit when lunch opens BUT they have plenty of seating so the line goes fast. There warm Huckleberry pie a la mode is absolutely a must get. I got there Huckleberry elk burger which had a fantastic combination of fixings that complimented everything really well. The charcuterie board was also fantastic, which included bison pastrami and smoked duck as well as some really great pickled onions and pickles. The Huckleberry tea was so good I had to check their gift shop to see if they sold it there. Unfortunately they sold all flavors but that one.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We stopped in here while visiting. Our server Kim was so amazing. She suggested the huckleberry spritz and it was so good. She knew so much about the park and gave us great recommendations!! Oh and the elk burger…. YUM!!! Would go back just for the service!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We actually dined at Lucke’s Lounge but they were able to serve us food from the restaurant adjacent.

The drinks were fine and moderately priced. We definitely liked the Brussels Sprouts - spot on for the flavor w/ that vinaigrette. The Pork Flat Iron was lean and texture was fine, however it was seriously lacking flavor or a sauce - it was just too bland, and I can’t justify the cost for this entree being close to $30 w/ the utter lack in flavor.

Zoe was our server and she was courteous and professional.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

We chose the regular breakfast service over the buffet. I’d probably choose the buffet next time as I am not a light eater. The serving size was reasonable though. The food was tasty and seemed fresh; French toast and strawberries were the favs.
Clean and comfortable atmosphere. Friendly staff. Nice views.
Sam, our breakfast waitress, deserves a raise. Whatever you are paying her, it isn’t enough. She hustles. Fast, polite, professional, succinct, superb service. As we walked out, I was saying I was going to write a review mostly for her. Then she was right behind us… she tracked us down outside as we had accidentally left personal items at our table.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Was there for my birthday dinner and really enjoyed it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I have been to Russell’s Dining Room at Lake McDonald Lodge and the food was just ok. Nothing was bad, but nothing stood out either. For the price, I expected something a lot better. It’s not just expensive… it’s way, way, way too expensive for what you’re actually getting. The portions weren’t large, and the quality didn’t match the fine dining prices they’re charging.

That said, the atmosphere is amazing. The historic lodge setting, the woodwork, the views through the big windows—it all feels classic and cozy. It’s a beautiful place to sit down and take a break, especially after a long day on the trails. The service was good and the staff was friendly, which helped balance out the experience a little.

But when it comes down to the meal itself, you’re mostly paying for the location and ambiance. If you’re fine with that and want to enjoy the setting, it’s worth trying once. But if you’re after great food for the money, I’d look somewhere else. I’ve had better meals elsewhere in the park at half the cost. I don’t regret going, but I probably wouldn’t eat there again unless I just wanted the view.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5