Something great happens in Bozeman every night! Hidden among the bistros, eateries, and restaurants of Bozeman is the Community Café, open nightly and all year long. But what makes the Café great? It’s Montana’s only ‘Pay What You Can’ Restaurant and part of the local non-profit, HRDC’s Food and Nutrition Programs. Forget what you’ve heard or think you know, the Community Café is a sit-down restaurant featuring a rotating menu crafted by two local chefs. The Café provides the food and experience, and the customers set the price. At the Café, the chefs and staff are passionate about creating great food, and want to share their love of food with everyone who eats! The daily, rotating menu incorporates quality, fresh ingredients to create delicious soups, salads, entrées, and desserts.
It’s a restaurant that strives to source local products and support sustainable food practices whenever possible. The Café was established in March 2012 by the HRDC. In an effort to creatively tackle local food insecurity, the Café welcomes everyone. A suggested donation, that varies based on the meal, is posted and customers are invited to take part in this unique initiative by setting their own price. For folks who may struggle to meet their food and grocery needs, it’s a dignified experience and dinner free of cooking and dishes. For others who may have a little more, it is an easy way to get out of the house for dinner and pay it forward in the community. The dining room offers multiple seating options, including larger communal tables, further seeking to build social connections. The Community Café got its start thanks to the support of local congregations and service groups. It is staffed nightly with local volunteers. Customers are given the opportunity to volunteer at the café too. The Café has created a unique space in Bozeman that offers a chance to build social equity, all while enjoying a local, fresh meal. The Café’s real challenge has been attracting more customers to dine and demonstrate to Bozeman that it is a space for everyone.
Over the next few issues, the BoZone will be featuring a series of articles about the Café, the people involved, and the opportunities created, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, stop by the Café any night between 5-7pm for one of the fastest meals in town. You’ll find them at 302 N. 7th Avenue (the old Frontier Pies shop). You can also find menus online at thehrdc.org/ and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. •