Piggyback Barbeque: Texas BBQ in Flathead Valley

Interior of a Glacier National Park restaurant with brick walls, a counter, and rows of tables and chairs.

Piggyback Barbeque serves Texas-style BBQ with Flathead Valley flair in a casual, rustic space. Signature dishes include brisket, ribs, and pulled pork smoked with cherry wood, plus the Deep Fried Huckleberry Cream Cheese Jalapenos specialty.

Down-home spot with comfort food from BBQ meats to Southern sides & picnic tables outside in summer.

Quick facts

Establishment Type: restaurant
Cuisine Type: american
seafood
bbq
Meals Served: Beef Brisket Sandwich
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Hushpuppies
BBQ for 2 (two meats and 3 sides)
Signature Dishes: Tender brisket; Crispy pork belly; True Grit Half sandwich; Pulled pork

What to order

Establishment Type: restaurant
Cuisine Type: american
seafood
bbq
Meals Served: Beef Brisket Sandwich
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Hushpuppies
BBQ for 2 (two meats and 3 sides)
Signature Dishes: Tender brisket; Crispy pork belly; True Grit Half sandwich; Pulled pork
Local Specialties: Flathead Cherry wood for smoking; Local cherries in BBQ sauce
Popular Items: Tender brisket; Pulled pork; True Grit Half
Menu Recommendations: Brisket and pulled pork are the crowd-pleasers; True Grit Half is a local favorite; for drinks, grab a beer during Happy Hour
Dietary Options: Vegetarian options available

Prices & reservations

Price Range Symbols: $$
Price Specifics: Beef Brisket Sandwich: $15.50; Pulled Pork Sandwich: $15.50; Hushpuppies: $10; BBQ for 2 (two meats and 3 sides): $50; Brisket and rib pricing recently increased due to supply chain issues; pricing aims to normalize.
Reservations Policy: Reservations are not required.
Typical Wait Times: No official wait-time data published. Reviews describe a busy, bustling scene with attentive staff. Plan for a short to moderate wait during peak lunch hours and on weekends, and consider ordering takeout to speed things up.
Payment Methods: Card
Debit card
NFC mobile payment

Hours & seating

Operating Hours: Monday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Happy Hour Times: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Seating Types: outdoor
patio
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Parking Details: Street parking likely; no dedicated lot listed.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; indoor and outdoor seating at 102 Wisconsin Ave, Whitefish, MT 59937.

Visit strategy

Best For: Families
Casual gatherings
Not Ideal For: Fine-dining purists seeking a formal setting
Service Type: Table service and takeout
Service Speed: Casual pace
Vibe: Casual
Rustic
Welcoming
Noise Level: Moderate buzz
Busiest Times: Peak dinner hours and weekends
Best Visit Times: Mid-afternoon on weekdays
Book If Skip If: Walk-ins are welcome; reservations aren’t required. If you’re planning a larger group, call ahead to check availability.
Order Strategy: Counter-service setup; order in person at the counter. Takeout and delivery are available, and you can place orders ahead for pickup.
Tips Advice: Go for Tender Brisket or Pulled Pork; True Grit Half is a feast.
Catch Happy Hour 4:00–6:00 pm for beer or wine deals.
Outdoor patio is dog-friendly and shaded.
Takeout and delivery available for big orders with advance notice.

More details

Takeout Available: 1
Delivery Available: 1
Delivery Details: Delivery available for large parties with advance notice
Dress Code: Casual
Beverage Program: Beer and wine; happy hour specials
Local Beers: Local beers on tap not listed
Bottle Sales: 1
Parking Available: 1
Dog Friendly Patio: 1
Wi-Fi Available: 1
Family Friendly: 1
Family Friendly Notes: Kid-friendly; outdoor area accommodates families; dog-friendly patio
Bar Seating: 1
Seasonal Rushes: Summer weekends with outdoor patio crowd and live music.
Live Music: 0
Special Events: Outdoor live music on the patio
Unique Attractions: Playful metal pig artwork; large dog-friendly outdoor patio
Unique Factor: Flathead Cherry wood smoking; True Grit Half sandwich
Nearby Facilities: Located on Wisconsin Ave in Whitefish; near Whitefish Mountain and City Beach
Recent Updates: Recent price increases on brisket and ribs due to supply chain issues; pricing expected to normalize
Best Time To Visit: Mid-afternoon on weekdays to dodge crowds.
Vibe Check: Casual, rustic spot with pig-themed art and a friendly, no-frills atmosphere. The dining room is often lively, with a moderate to busy buzz.
Crowd Factor: Regularly busy, especially during lunch and on weekends; expect crowds and quick turnover at peak times.
The Order Strategy: Skip the generic sandwich, get the Tender Brisket. For a crowd-pleaser, order the True Grit Half. For drinks, order a local beer during Happy Hour.
The Vibe Check: Casual, family-friendly with outdoor space and occasional live music; good for a relaxed meal after a day in the park
The Crowd Factor: Best to go mid-afternoon on weekdays to avoid crowds; weekends are busier during dinner hours
Eat Here If Skip If: EAT HERE IF: you want authentic MT pit BBQ with cherry wood smoke; SKIP IF: you expect a refined dining room
Distance From Park: approximately 31 miles from park entrance
Review Summary: Meats come out tender and flavorful; cherry wood smoke lends a comforting, home-cooked vibe; no major complaints across reviews