Great Falls has a locally-owned burger haven where fresh Montana Angus beef ground on-site meets military-themed creativity at 5th Street South. 🍔
The Burger Bunker opened with owner John W. on a mission to battle “wimpy, flavorless burgers” with hearty American comfort food made for patrons with appetites to match their gusto.
This Great Falls institution starts all burgers with fresh 4oz hand-pressed patties, tops them with the finest ingredients available, and finishes them off with fresh Montana baked buns.
The restaurant features military-themed decor, including memorabilia, pictures, and a special tribute sign from the previous restaurant called Lily’s, creating an atmosphere that honors service members from nearby Malmstrom Air Force Base.
How The Burger Bunker won Great Falls’ hearts
The Burger Bunker captured Great Falls by using Montana Angus beef ground fresh on-site rather than purchasing pre-ground frozen patties, creating exceptional flavor and tenderness you could taste immediately.
The restaurant’s military-themed naming system with burgers called Panzer, Sherman, Howitzer, and Malmstrom created fun connections to Great Falls’ Air Force Base community.
Their “The General” eating challenge featuring 2 Malmstrom Burgers, fries, and onion rings for free if finished in 20 minutes added competitive excitement to dining.
Their extensive side options, including waffle-cut sweet potato fries, curly fries, buffalo chips, and tater tots, gave guests variety beyond standard fries.
The dual-concept operation, also featuring “Grinders” sandwiches, demonstrated versatility beyond just burgers.
Their curbside pickup and easy online ordering made getting fresh burgers convenient, whether dining in or taking them home.
Food Highlights
- Bunker Burger: The house specialty showcases American cheese, burger sauce (ketchup, mustard, and relish), onion, pickle, tomato, lettuce, and mayo.
-
Panzer Burger: The standout creation featuring pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard. 🥩
-
Malmstrom Burger: The signature double featuring 2 burger patties, American cheese, burger sauce, bacon, onion, pickle, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, named after the local Air Force Base.
-
Howitzer Burger: A bold choice featuring chili, mustard, grilled onions, jalapeño, and cheddar that packs serious heat and flavor. 🌶️
-
Sherman Burger: A hearty option combining American cheese, burger sauce, onion, pickle, ham, onion ring, and BBQ sauce with sweet and savory elements stacked high.
-
Frenchman Burger: The unique creation with American cheese, pickle, French fries, and fry sauce that puts fries directly on the burger for an all-in-one experience.
- Winston Burger: The tropical twist with pineapple, pickles, Swiss, ham, and BBQ sauce.
-
Venice Burger: An Italian-inspired option featuring pizza sauce, onion, parmesan cheese, and Swiss American that transforms the burger into a pizza-burger fusion. 🍕
-
Patton Burger: The upgraded mushroom masterpiece featuring a double burger, mushroom sauce, and American cheese. 🍄
Atmosphere
The vibe at The Burger Bunker creates a patriotic American diner experience honoring military heritage. 🇺🇸
The military-themed decor with memorabilia, pictures, and tribute signs creates interesting visual storytelling that the owner, John, personally shares with guests.
Plenty of seating in the nice premises accommodates both quick lunches and leisurely dinners in a casual, welcoming environment.
The cozy 5th Street location in downtown Great Falls makes it easily accessible for locals and visitors exploring Montana’s Electric City.
Bottom Line
Visit The Burger Bunker for Montana Angus beef ground fresh on-site daily, hand-pressed 4oz patties on fresh Montana baked buns, creative military-themed burgers like the famous Panzer with pastrami and sauerkraut, huge baskets of sides with endless variety, and friendly locally-owned hospitality from Owner John and his team. ✨
Address:
24 5th St S, Great Falls, MT 59401
📞 (406) 952-0130
🕐 Open Mon-Sat, 11 AM–7:45 PM | Closed Sun