The Garage Soup Shack & Mesquite Grill

We had an overall strange experience while dining at the Garage Soup Shack & Mesquite Grill. First, we requested to sit on the patio (as others were out on it) with our dog. The host said there were high winds coming soon, and the patio was closed. Note, the remainder of the night, people sat on the patio with their dogs. Next, we asked for a beer list, then I ordered the white ale. The host brought me a white wine. When our burgers arrived, our sides with flip flopped. The burgers were tasty with a solid coleslaw. Not sure I would come back with the strangeness of the crew working.

Hands down the BEST clam chowder Ive ever had! I stopped here on my way from Chicago on my way to Seattle, and you wouldnt think that a landlocked town like Bozeman would have such excellent seafood. But coming from the food capital of the US to a port city with access to fresh seafood, I still can’t satisfy my craving for their clam chowder. I would actually drive back to Bozeman just to visit, and this would be my first stop!

Stopped here for lunch during a long road trip… got a bowl of the pork chili… AMAZING. The place is busy and well-​staffed, and you can tell they do lots of business. Wish I had a chance to try more things from the menu. For someone who isn’t a regular, the place can be a little overwhelming. When I asked them where to order, they said to go inside… found a place that looked like a little cafeteria menu, and it seemed as if I was supposed to already know what I wanted on my soup. Minor though. Would recommend!

They should lose a star for playing dentist office elevator music. Otherwise the breakfast was way above average. Great bacon, nice German popover type pancake, massive French toast, eggs & other food good. Atmosphere is ok – staff very attentive, enthusiastic & efficient.

Loved it! Great food and a lot of it! Fun way to select your burgers/​sandwiches. The price is great too! One of my new favorite places in Bozeman!

Was excited for a great burger, but instead was inspired to write this review. I placed a carry out order for 2 «very well done» burgers & an order of fries. Instead I was given 2 lukewarm patties of marginally cooked meat & a helping of stoner apathy. (see photo)
Perhaps dining-​in would allow you to properly supervise the preparation of your food, but I was under the impression that dining out designated that responsibility to an employee of the restaurant.
After getting home & taking my first bite, I called to voice my concerns. They took my number & said someone would call me later to address the situation… it’s been 2 weeks, so I’m guessing they’re not going to call.

Ordered to go because the line was too long to get a table (so nice to sit outside with a nice weather!). I took a salad with turkey and I was very nicely surprised by the meat. They prepared it with herbs and garlic, it was very tasty!

This is one of my all-​time favorite spots in Bozeman. The Soup Shack portion of the restaurant has some of the best soups I have had anywhere. They usually have about 6 to choose from. The «Blue Moose» clam chowder is my go-​to, and it seems to be available every day. You also get to choose 3 extra toppings to add to the soup, like bacon, wild rice, and various cheeses. The rest of the menu is better than your average restaurant, but gets 5 stars, given the relative taste/​price ratio. There are many locally or regionally sourced ingredients, which scores extra points with me.
The beer isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s probably the best $ 10 meal you can get in Bozeman. In the summer, their patio is open. Bozeman’s does not really have anywhere with a fantastic patio, but these guys did an awesome job shielding you from the view and noise of the big trucks that drive through Main Street. It’s really pretty and relaxing as soon as the trees are fully in bloom.

Me and my fiancé stopped in with no reservation on a Saturday night, sat behind 3 parties also waiting for tables. The wait wasn’t terribly long, people were being sat in an orderly fashion. but just Long Enough to catch an eye to the open kitchen directly in front the hostess station. I began to watch an employee, who’s name I subsequently learned was Logan. Plate burgers and drop them into the window for pick up. After a few minutes I noticed the gentleman, full open palm, wipe the sweat from his brow, and IMMEDIATELY use the same open palm to grab the top portion of some poor customers bun, and place it atop their burger and drop it in the window, as well as handle 2 other plates with the order, with no visit to a sink or a sani-​bucket. Continuing service, I watched him again wipe the sweat from his brow and plate yet another order with no attempt to clean or wash his hands. Just as I turned to speak to my fiancé, as she had noticed me staring into the kitchen, he coughed, into his open palm, grabbed a spatula and used it to flip and plate several burgers. At this point I had definitely seen enough to put me over the edge and immediately walked out. It is a shame because I have enjoyed the beautiful patio seating, and the food had been delicious, once before. But after this I am truly not confident enough in the cleanliness and attention to detail and food safety to return anytime in the near future.

Good soup at a nice price. We had the White Bean Chicken Chile and the Pork Verde (something.) each came with a nice fresh roll and fruit. We got it to go as we were traveling with our dog and it was too cold for outdoor seating. It was very tasty and just what we needed as it started snowing.

So both of my brothers went to MSU and they sent me with a list of where to eat during my time in Bozeman. Initially, I was skeptical, I can get soup and salads at home, why would I get them on vacation? I am so glad I gave them a chance! I love their setup for soups, you go through the soup shack and pick what kind of soup you want, size and any add ons. I got the tomato basil soup with cheese and chives, AMAZING!!! They also had a nice house salad which I got as well as burgers and sandwiches which looked and smelled amazing. The vibe here is friendly and relaxed, I loved their menus with old license plates. Overall, this may have been one of the best meals I had in Bozeman, well worth the stop!

So spot on with the tomato basil soup salad and grilled cheese bacon sandwich. Also got bison burgers and fries. Great.
Unique place. Loved all the old gas station parts throughout the building. Plus the art that was displayed.
The services was good and quick. The staff was friendly.
A hit with my team.

I am extremely happy to give this restaurant 5 stars!
First, the service was awesome! Very quick and attentive. Always checking to make sure we were all set. It was my first time at this restaurant and the waiter, Tyler, explained the soup shack, and the guy working behind the soup shack was very friendly as well.
Coming from New England, I didn’t expect the Clam Chowder to live up to my high standards. Instead, it blew them away. No wonder it’s a famous dish here, it’s delicious! Probably the best out-​of-​new-​england New England Clam Chowder I’ve ever had! Tasted just like home.
Next, I ordered the Cobb salad. Normally I get the Cobb Salad if I want a quick little bit of everything. Instead I got a quick lot of everything! It was jam packed with eggs, delicious chicken, avocado, onions, peppers, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, the whole package! I couldn’t even finish it. The clam chowder was very filling and the salad just topped it off. I have no complaints.
The place itself seems very hip. I love the design aesthetics, especially the license plate menus! Very cool touch. As I am only staying in Montana 6 months, I hope to visit here again within that time period.

Great ribs — fall off the bone.
The soup is also fabulous.

The attitude here is greater than the altitude. Green chili soup was ok for Montana. But the ambiance and the staff attitude sucks!

OMG if you want to meet the soup nazi from Seinfeld this is the place to go. Been to Bozeman many times this place always intrigued me, finally decided to try it.
First let me say the portions were great for the prices and the food was good. Weird way to order soup though, it’s a little room my daughter’s boyfriend and I went to get soup the brown haired man with a half beard was so mean and cranky. Very rude it was shocking. I thought it was me, but then my husband went up and after. A few minutes I mentioned the soup nazi and he did the same to him! Unfortunately for this restaurant he was not the entertaining soup nazi he was just mean and unfriendly.
Good soup though would probably go back but have someone else order my soup!

Don’t stop here unless you have an abundance of time. Tables sitting open the entire time we waited to be sat. I was never offered another beverage. Extremely unorganized waitstaff.
Food was good.
Loved the outdoor seating.
Too many other options to waste our time here again.

The food was «ok» but the wait was ridiculous. Once we had a table we waited 30 – 40 minutes for the food.

I have eaten here a few times and tried to give it more chances but it just seems average and not very inspired. Yes, the soup is good, but everything else you can get from any five and dime. The patio is nice, I will also give them that– a great option on a hot day.
But in the end, there are just too many other good options for lunch and dinner at the same price point in Bozeman to spend your time here.

Salad was nasty but if all you like mixed green lettuce than that’s a good salad for you! Soups were the best part, neither one of our burgers were cooked to temp– why ask how we want it cooked if your just going to a frozen burger and char the hell of it! The best part of this place is there a kids area to play and out service was friendly otherwise food pretty nasty all around.