Twin Butte Country Restaurant — 10 miles north of Waterton Park, Alberta on The Cowboy Trail, otherwise known as Highway 6.

Given the backwoods nature of the location, one would think that Mexican food would be the farthest thing from here, but that’s not the case at all.

This little gem is a complete surprise, believe me. It’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by field and stream and mountain. I first stopped in last week, and was so taken with the enchiladas that I had to come back and sample them again, just to be certain that it wasn’t a fluke.

Now I can spill the beans on this place: It has the best enchiladas north of Mexico — and that’s 1,500 miles away. You can order them plain or con pollo o con carne, and believe me, any way you choose is pretty fine. The photo below doesn’t do the enchiladas justice.

The salsa is no slouch either.

The place runs on Mexican time, so if you’re in a hurry, keep right on going.

Updated below

My informant tells me that on Tuesday evening, May 20, the venerable Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, burned to the ground. All that remains are the outer stone walls holding up sections of a collapsing roof.

The Rock was a quaint little place in the sleepy town of Stroud, Oklahoma, where once-busy Route 66 passed through as the premiere highway for those heading west. Now, of course, 66 has been replaced by the interstate system and most of the towns once served by the old route have languished.

I ate at The Rock Cafe only once, and had the fried tomatoes and pink lemonade. The proprietor, Dawn Welch, was happy to regale me with tales of being the inspiration for the character “Sally Carrera” in the Pixar movie “Cars”.

My thanks to Coaster for the update.

Read more here.

Updated June 2009: Dawn has reopened the Rock! Here’s a link to her blog.

The Lunchbox — Circle, Montana

It’s hard to miss, since it’s the only place on the main drag through town.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. spring/summer; to 5:30 p.m. in the fall/winter

This little gem is tucked away on Montana 200. I was looking for a place to stop for my normal road breakfast after an hour or so of riding, but when I pulled in, I discovered that Billie, the owner, doesn’t have a grill. Instead, she has wraps, subs, soups, smoothies and a tanning salon.

I’m sure I’m much healthier for my effort, since I had broccoli soup and a chicken salad wrap.

Not bad for the middle of nowhere — but don’t tell Billie I wrote that.

The Burger Scoop – Ignace, Ontario
Updated here August 2009

On the north side of the highway, beside the Shell gas station. Don’t confuse it with a place farther east. You’ll be sorry if you do.

Hours: Summertime and the livin’ is easy. You figure it out.

Eat in or sit outside on the fenced-in patio, or in the front of the building. I was able to park the bike in front by the tables to keep an eye on my baggage.

This mom and pop place is pretty fine. Try the burger and shake. The burger is old-school flavor, served hot off the grill. If you’re in a hurry, don’t bother. You won’t be able to appreciate the ambiance nor the taste of good food served in a small-town setting.

Even though it’s located in the middle of nowhere, don’t miss out on making this a long-distance riding destination for satisfying eats.

There’s plenty of fuel available in town for those motorcycles with distance-challenged fuel tanks.

Update July 21, 2008 I just revisited The Burger Scoop, and let me tell you, the burger and milkshake are just as good, if not better. If you drive by this place, you’ll be sorry.