I'd go for another helping.
There are places, no, make that 'times' in your life where a little memory goes a long way. Several years ago, I took the roundabout way to Williston to visit a friend. From Seattle to Minneapolis, to Minot and then route 2. A first timer to ND, I knew that towns were sparse. But knowing from my own rural Pennsylvania experience that what some folks may call a population deficit usually translates into a blessing of hospitality, I pulled into Berthold. I succumbed to a bit of modern American and did ask for info at the Texaco quick mart (But no Frito's for me). I asked for directions to the Tumbleweed Cafe.

I don't know if Friday is still fish day, but I had the fish buffet. Tasty fish and potatoes, veggies and a piece of home cooked pie. It may sound like a 'normal' entree choice, perhaps to some, even bland. But local residents coming in and going out, discussing all sorts of things, (appropriate things at that too) added a flavor even to the water that cannot be duplicated except in venues such as the Tumbleweed. The food and service was great.

At that time 2 new owners had begun to get their feet into the fire and they do get my vote for an openness that did not appear on the menu. One does not go to such a place simply because it is one of the only places in town....it simply IS the town. It's a place where, after the events of September, posters would have been put up saying not only "God Bless America", but "Prayer Changes things" or "Martin Fredrick's cousin Jack lost his wife at the Pentagon. I know not if the same 2 capable, friendly persons still serve up smiles, scrumptious food and dish up hospitality, (I would like to know) but they gave me a mug which I now have in New Hampshire. I see the drawing on the cup now in front of me. The scraggly tumbleweed rolling by a barbed wire fence and a rabbit springing up to get out of the way reminds me of the time I blew into town for a bite and had a memory created for life. I figured since I was the first one to write a review, I'd give it a 15 (or so) star rating. One for each of my brothers and sisters of our humanity who along with, the owners too, came through the doors of The Tumbleweed Cafe that afternoon, and who still have a little bit of them remaining behind at Berthold's beacon of Americana.    [06 Jul 2002 16:35:12]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: fish buffet and lots of local flavor

     ­Jeff Devilbiss   jeffdevilbiss at yahoo dot com