Former Owl Café’, Now the Owl Dinner Restaurant. And to Right, The Sonny O’Day Bar
“The eggs and hot cakes and coffee are from heaven. Sylvia and Chris talk intimately about his school and friends and personal things, ….“ Laurel MT Mr. Guenthner also explained the name for “Owl Café’ ”. He said that the railroad, which operated around the clock, needed meals for its employees at all hours straight through the night. Thus it was that the Northern Pacific RR, now the Burlington Northern, contracted with the restaurant to stay open all night and supply good-old hi-energy-home-cookin’ and lots of carry-out coffee in thermoses. Hence the names Owl AND Café’! Due to automation and modernization, RR crews are smaller and the need for a “stay awake” program has diminished. I understand the Owl is no longer open all night. The Northern Pacific Railroad came thru this area in 1882 and the terminal plus switch yard was planned in 1907.
New topic: On my second trip through Laurel, I almost did NOT get my interior photograph of the Owl Cafe' a second time. My son and I came here early evening and hungry. But we almost did not get in! That night they were hosting a big High School Reunion, and had a "CLOSED " sign on the door. But we did not notice it and barged right in. That was Good luck!! Because once in, we could plead that we had come all the way from S. Carolina, just to be there. Former owner Linda Frickel and her son Dirk Frickel the current owner and chef, were very gracious and worked us into their very busy serving schedule. We experienced surprisingly excellent food!! And later learned the reason: Dirk had learned his cooking art very well at the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Ore! What Luck again!! WOW!!! More info re Owl Junction Diner, the most recent name.

************************************
(Photo = 105-0586c ...... ZMM Page = 104 ...... WayPt = 123k)