Dining at the Lazy E-L Ranch | The Cook House

Member, Montana Dude Rancher Association

Dining at the Lazy E-L Ranch is the collective gathering place and the social center of the cook house. The cookhouse is the first place the entire crew gathers in the morning at the crack of dawn for breakfast and the last place we see each other before turning in or heading out on an evening activity. We chalk-talk our cattle drives, plan our week, and organize our days over a hearty meal. Think of it as being the ranch HQ, every attack needs a battle strategy and most of our antics and adventures have had their birth around the cookhouse tables. Dining with the crew in the cookhouse really means you are dining as one of us. Afterwards we will typically relax in the rocking chairs on the cookhouse porch before returning to work.

An antique locomotive bell rings twice to call everyone to the cookhouse; the first ring means you have 15 minutes to finish your

chore, the second ring means you are late. Wash your hands in the basins on the porch before coming in and finding a seat. Our cooks specialize in delicious home-cooked meals, complete with homemade breads, fresh ranch eggs, and vegetables from our family gardens. Once a week everyone gathers for a barbeque that features steak grilled to order. Sometimes we will pack up the cooking supplies and head out to Shorey cabin, a homesteader cabin on the West Rosebud without electricity or running water, and build a fire and have our cookout under the sunset.

The Lazy E-L firmly believes in supporting the local ranching and agricultural community. In addition to our own free range eggs, and produce, we strive to serve foods produced in an authentic, ethical fashion, free of additives whenever possible. Our friendly cooks are happy to adapt their menus to accommodate special dietary needs or requests.