Echo Lake Cafe was first established in 1960 by Dickie Conley and his sister, Betty. The restaurant had a few owners after the Conleys, and in 1996 Bob and Christi Young purchased it. The Youngs spent time fully renovating the building and completely revamping the brand. They used the same logo style and menu from Fire Sign Cafe, their first restaurant, which they owned from 1980-2020 to create the new Echo Lake Cafe.
Both of the Young's restaurants have always involved the family. From their oldest sitting in a highchair in the kitchen at Fire Sign while they cooked, to employing all 3 of them later at Echo Lake Cafe. Amy, their middle child, worked at Echo Lake Cafe starting at just 12 years old. After graduating college, she and her husband, Mark, moved to CA, to run Fire Sign Cafe.
Both of the Young's restaurants have always involved the family. From their oldest sitting in a highchair in the kitchen at Fire Sign while they cooked, to employing all 3 of them later at Echo Lake Cafe. Amy, their middle child, worked at Echo Lake Cafe starting at just 12 years old. After graduating college, she and her husband, Mark, moved to CA, to run Fire Sign Cafe.
Services
We do not take reservations, just first come, first serve, including all holidays. After over 50 years, we have learned that for our business, we are able to stay more organized and efficient if we do not take reservations. We stick with what we are good at, which is Breakfast and Lunch only.
We do not host/ facilitate any special events during or after business hours (including rehearsal dinners/ brunches, or large group private seatings), nor do we do any catering.We are busy year round, making this a great opportunity for consistent hours, even in the winter!
We do not host/ facilitate any special events during or after business hours (including rehearsal dinners/ brunches, or large group private seatings), nor do we do any catering.We are busy year round, making this a great opportunity for consistent hours, even in the winter!
Since 2017, we have taken a majority of our advertising budget and committed to spending it on, "Random Acts of Kindness" throughout the Flathead Valley. Theses random acts are as simple as buying coffee for the person behind us in line at a coffee stand, paying for a strangers tank of gas, collecting items to give to the Samaritan House, or even covering a pet adoption fee at the animal shelter.
Reviews (21)
Sheryl Wilsey
Jan 26, 2022
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Love this place. Good menu, good food, great staff! Breakfast and lunch, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Most times there is a wait, but well worth it. I tend to be a creature of habit. I enjoy the tuna melt or the standard breakfast plate. If your appetite is smaller, some of the items come in half orders.
Ashley L. Steyh
Nov 04, 2021
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Hands down the best staff and breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in Montana.
I’ve never once eaten a bad meal there in 20+ years since I’ve first been there.
They get busy so be prepared for a wait. But every minute is worth every bite.
Order with confidence no matter what you choose off the menu. It’s all perfection!!!
I’ve never once eaten a bad meal there in 20+ years since I’ve first been there.
They get busy so be prepared for a wait. But every minute is worth every bite.
Order with confidence no matter what you choose off the menu. It’s all perfection!!!
Nicole Waters
Oct 21, 2021
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Damaris Hester Callaway
Oct 12, 2021
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Simeon Muller
Sep 13, 2021
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LeeAnna Springer
Sep 05, 2021
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Victoria Natekina
Aug 29, 2021
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Staying on flathead lake for the weekend and found this little breakfast place and wow had a great breakfast! The whole family enjoyed the food. Good variety of options and fresh fruit. The drinks are great too! A good price too as we had 5 people all orderd a fair amount of food and it was only about 75$
Bonnie Moss
Aug 23, 2021
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Brady W.
Aug 09, 2021
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When I first walked in, I was astonished. The old cabin feel of the place sparked memories of my grandparents' cabin. It was a cold morning and the wait for the inside would be 40 minutes, so we chose to sit outside. The patio the a great setting, lush scenery with a small waterfall. We were cold and then staff members came out and brought of heaters for warmth.
Staff: The staff was extremely nice and friendly. My family is very picky about their food and the waiter got our orders 100% perfect. All the tables were nice and clear of UFOs (unidentified food objects).
Food: The food was excellent
Staff: The staff was extremely nice and friendly. My family is very picky about their food and the waiter got our orders 100% perfect. All the tables were nice and clear of UFOs (unidentified food objects).
Food: The food was excellent
Sally Kelly
Aug 08, 2021
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Off the beaten path and an excellent find! Sweet and friendly service. Old favorites and some unusual stuff on the menu. Our food was excellent! Comfortable setting. We sat outside. I recommend the huckleberry mule and turkey pesto sandwich. My husband had breakfast chicken fried steak and said it was amazing. Topped it all off with homemade cinnamon coffee cake. A definite must.
Jill R.
Jul 14, 2021
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Nancy C.
Jul 03, 2021
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Loved it from the moment We walked and was greeted and the food was delicious! Such a variety that we will be back a few more times before we head back home. Got here on a Saturday morning and they were very busy but was seated in 30 minutes. They seem to have a very well run operation and the hosted was very pleasant and staff were all so nice and helpful. The kids menu had a great selection along with a very extensive menu for us too. This is even with the reduction of their former menu, can't imagine what that may have looked like. The coffee is delicious and they have fresh squeezed OJ
Val K.
Jun 29, 2021
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The food is really good. Surprised a small cup of coffee is $3. The server we had was either brand new or just terrible. I had to get up to refill my coffee at the bar and we sat for 20 minutes before being served and finally asked another server.
I would love to give it 5 stars if we had a different server it's a 10!
I would love to give it 5 stars if we had a different server it's a 10!
Carolyn H.
Jun 18, 2021
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This place is an absolute hidden treasure! My husband and I are breakfast aficionados and we are VERY picky. This place has some of the freshest food, best baked goods, kindest servers and overall good vibes. We've been there twice already this week and may just go ahead and make it a three-peat tomorrow before we go home.
Pochy Rodriguez
Jun 15, 2021
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Toula E.
Apr 06, 2021
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Marcie L.
Mar 26, 2021
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We went here today. The place was full and it took about 30 minutes to get a seat but once we were in the staff was great and when I had questions they were open to giving all the info. If you haven't tried it have a glass of the fresh carrot juice. We live over an hour away but we will be back for sure
Veronica H.
Oct 12, 2020
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Gotta write this before I forget our experience! Such an AMAZING breakfast spot. My husband and I want to open a restaurant when we retire, and this is the model to follow! First, amazing Bloody Mary! We had two. Great, friendly service. Beautiful views of the mountains. Be sure to get a spot on the patio to really enjoy this restaurant. I had the Greek Omelet, which was really good with large portions. Hubbie had Cowboy Benedict. Can't go wrong with anything.
Wanda H.
Oct 04, 2020
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This place does it RIGHT! We stopped in here after church and managed to get seated on the patio. Thank GOODNESS it was warm enough... The Bloody Mary was PERFECT. I ordered the Wrangler's Scramble, and for an upcharge, got the homemade Ranchero Sauce on the side. Eyes rolled into back of head! Looked like they were trying to space folks out inside. Mandatory mask wearing by customers except while seated. Clean. Service was great. Would love to make it back here!
Katie L.
Sep 27, 2020
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Jay N.
Jul 02, 2020
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My boys and I visited here while on vacation for brunch. It was highly recommended. We arrived a 11 and had to wait an hour for a table. The service was excellent once we were seated. The boys ordered a chicken sandwich and a chicken Cesar salad. I ordered chicken fried steak and eggs. The chicken sandwich was was quite large and came with a mountain of fries. The ceasar salad was also a larger portion and was average. My chicken fried steak was dense and overcooked. It wasn't tenderized enough. The eggs were slightly undercooked. I was seasoned well. I wouldn't order it again. Next
