A Bonners Ferry favorite celebrates 20 years in 2024
By Jillian Chandler
The Rusty Moose Tavern and Grill will celebrate 20 years in business come this August! And this is all thanks to owners Dan and Jill Nystrom’s commitment to continuing to dish up great food, service and friendship to each customer they serve.
Jill worked in customer service before taking the leap to start her own business, inspired to open a restaurant due to her desire for more family time and to create her own success and prosperity. Opened in 2004, this family friendly restaurant offers its guests a Western-themed dining experience in its historic building in downtown Bonners Ferry. The intimate space features 10 tables in the tavern area, plus bar seating for 20. Guests can experience quieter dining in the front, with five tables. And during the warmer months, guests can opt to dine outside. There is also more seating in their adjacent pizzeria, with six large booths and three additional tables.
On the menu, choose from burgers (favorites include The Big Dan Burger and Bull Burger) and fresh and delicious salads (like the Salmon Caesar featuring Wild Alaskan Sockeye), the popular Junk Yard Ribs or Beer-Battered Portobello Mushrooms, great steaks including the Whiskey Cream Baseball Cut Sirloin and the Hand-cut Ribeye, pastas like the Creamy Alfredo with Shrimp (all pasta sauces made to order), and so much more! They also serve up amazing pizza thanks to Goat Mountain Pizzeria next door, which the couple also owns and has been serving the community since 2014. They pride themselves in offering all-natural beef from local Woods Meats.
Pair your meal with beer, wine or a canned craft cocktail, and top it all off with one of their homemade desserts and ice cream (with eight flavors to choose from!). Oh, and you can’t forget the espresso.
When it comes to what the couple believes has made The Rusty Moose a favorite among locals and visitors alike for the past two decades, Jill attributes it to that fact that they “have always served great food, straight forward, just good stuff! From the burger to the buns, steaks and fries, we want it to be the best!” She goes on to share proudly, “We hear it all the time: ‘That was the best meal that we have had on our entire trip across the country.’”
The couple agrees they could not do what they do if it weren’t for the unwavering support they’ve received over the years from family and the local community. And family and community are truly close to Jill’s heart, as she was born and raised in this wonderful place, graduated from Bonners Ferry High School, and her family has called Bonners Ferry home for at least 100 years!
The Nystroms are honored to have a business here in town and the service and opportunities they provide to their community. “Being able to help support my family and creating jobs, and hopefully teaching some skills to the young people who work for us, is truly rewarding,” Jill smiles. “And of course, seeing happy people in and out, and making lasting friendships with our customers.”
In addition to time spent at The Rusty Moose and Mountain Goat Pizzeria, they find time to be involved in the community and give back. “I was chairman of the Board for the Boundary County Historical Society & Museum for a number of years,” Jill shares. “We still give back by helping sponsor the big fundraising dinner, a Night for the Museum, as the museum is a very important piece of our town.”
Dan and Jill invite you to dine with them 11am to 8pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 11am to 8:30pm Thursday and Saturday, and 11am to 9pm Friday; Goat Mountain Pizzeria is open starting at 3pm with the same closing hours.
The Rusty Moose Tavern and Grill
7211 Main Street
Bonners Ferry, Idaho
208.267.1950
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