In the heart of downtown Missoula, a mom-and-pop restaurant has transformed one of the city’s oldest buildings into a vibrant gathering place where Pacific-inspired flavors meet Montana hospitality. 🍺
Cranky Sam Public House, owned by Jennifer and Jed Heggen, combines scratch-made food, award-winning craft beer brewed on-site, and craft cocktails in a beautifully restored space with fascinating historical significance.
Chef Jarrod Somaoang, born in Lahaina, Maui, designed a menu that takes diners on a journey around the Ring of Fire, fusing his Hawaiian childhood palate with traditional Montana cuisine to create something truly unique in the region. 🌺
How Cranky Sam Public House Won Missoula’s Hearts
The story of Cranky Sam’s success began when Jennifer Heggen decided to pursue her passion for the culinary arts after years of operating mattress and furniture stores throughout the Northwest.
After completing training at the Big Sky Culinary Institute, this trained chef and sommelier took the reins of what would become Cranky Sam Public House, working alongside her partner to transform his brewing hobby into a thriving business.
When they opened in May 2020, the Missoula gastropub focused initially on craft beer and wine, building relationships with local food vendors like Biga Pizza and Notorious PIG food truck to satisfy hungry customers.
The addition of their scratch food program in March 2024 changed everything, introducing a menu that set Cranky Sam apart from every other brewery in town. 🍍
Chef Somaoang’s Pacific Rim-inspired creations resonated immediately with locals tired of the same cowboy-inspired menus, while still offering enough familiar Western classics to welcome traditionalists.
The genius lay in the subtlety—this wasn’t marketed as a Hawaiian restaurant, but rather a thoughtful fusion that allowed Montana diners to discover new flavors without feeling intimidated.
Weekly events, including trivia nights on Wednesdays and bingo on Tuesdays, transformed Cranky Sam from just a restaurant into a community hub, regularly drawing 200-300 people within an hour.
Food Highlights
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Loco Moco: This classic Hawaiian dish features a burger topped with sunny-side-up eggs and brown gravy over rice—customers call it the “star of the show” with glorious eggs and perfectly balanced textures and flavors.
- Shrimp Tacos: Customers describe these as abundant and tasty, featuring fresh shrimp with Pacific-inspired seasonings that set them apart from typical taco offerings.
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Pulled Pork Bowl: A hearty Montana-sized portion featuring tender pulled pork with complementary sides that satisfy even the biggest appetites.
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Kalua Pork Island Plate: Chef Somaoang’s tribute to his Hawaiian roots delivers tender pulled pork with rice and traditional island accompaniments, showcasing attention to detail from the classy water carafe to soy sauce presentation.
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Kalbi Short Ribs: These Thai-barbecued Korean-style ribs come with napa cabbage slaw, pickled veggies, and teriyaki sauce—the meat falls easily off the bone with all fat trimmed for pure enjoyment.
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Brussels Sprouts: Locals call these a must-order appetizer, crisped to chip-like perfection rather than soggy, proving this Missoula restaurant understands how vegetables should be prepared.
- Shrimp and Butter Lettuce Salad: Mixed with grapefruit and dressed in guava balsamic, this refreshing salad demonstrates the menu’s commitment to unexpected flavor combinations.
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Wings: Available with guava barbecue sauce or traditional preparations, these wings showcase the Pacific-inspired twist that makes Cranky Sam’s menu special.
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Smashburger: This Montana classic gets elevated with a sweeter, fruitier sauce that adds tropical flair to the perfectly smashed patty and quality toppings
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Pan-Seared Salmon: This perfectly cooked fish has earned repeat customers who order it every visit, praising its consistent quality and delicious preparation.
Atmosphere
The vibe at Cranky Sam Public House perfectly balances historic charm with modern energy, where cool brick and wood create an upscale beer hall setting in one of Missoula’s oldest buildings. 🎶
The lively taproom buzzes with trivia teams and beer enthusiasts, while the back patio offers a more peaceful dining experience under umbrellas or near the long fire pit.
Inside, the beautifully restored space honors the building’s Red Light District past with thoughtful design elements, including an incredible mural discovered during renovation.
Bottom Line
Visit Cranky Sam Public House for Chef Jarrod Somaoang’s Hawaiian-Montana fusion cuisine, unlike anything else in the region, award-winning craft beer brewed on-site by Master Brewer Timmy Evon, mom-and-pop hospitality from trained chef Jennifer Heggen, and historic ambiance in a beautifully restored building. ⭐
Experience the Missoula gastropub that brought Pacific flavors to Big Sky Country.
Address:
233 West Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802
📞 (406) 540-4325
🕔 Open Sun-Wed, 11:30 AM–10 PM; Thu-Sat, 11:30 AM–11 PM