Still Old School
Matt's Place
An empty drive-in is a sad thing. This one's not empty.
The Story
Butte drive-in on Placer Street since 1930, one of Montana's first. It sat closed for years, then reopened in late October 2025 with burgers, fries and shakes.
Ask somebody from Butte about an old drive-in and there’s a good chance they mean Matt’s. It goes back to 1930 and was among the first, if not the first, drive-in restaurants in Montana. The building still sits on Placer Street near the interstate.
Then it went quiet. Matt’s closed in 2021 after the previous owner died, and it sat empty for years. An empty drive-in is a sad thing to drive past.
In late October 2025, new owners Daniel Lee and Lyndee Elmer opened the doors again. Burgers, fries, shakes. The menu people remember, back on the counter.
The couple has been running a lighter schedule while they staff up, so check before you go. Then get a shake. You waited long enough.
Why It's Still Old School
Among the first drive-ins in Montana, if not the first, and still in the same building on Placer Street. The counter went quiet for a few years. It's back.
Photos
Coming soon. Know something that belongs here?
Still There.
- Address
- 2339 Placer St., Butte, MT, 59701
Sources
Got a Story About This Place?
You're Old School Montana if... you got the tandem swings at Columbia Gardens going so high your mother couldn't watch
You're Old School Montana if... spring didn't count until the drive-in west of town opened for the season
You're Old School Montana if... you can still smell the popcorn from the one-screen theater downtown
What do you say?
While You're Here
Gone, Not Forgotten · Butte · '70s
Remember This? Columbia Gardens, Where Nobody Paid at the Gate
Butte's amusement park never charged admission. It opened in 1899, closed on Labor Day 1973, and burned that November. People are still talking about the swings.
Then & Now · Butte · '20s
Then & Now: Butte's Counters, Two Comebacks and a Closed Sign
The M&M burned and reopened next door. Matt's Place went dark and came back on Placer. Pekin closed in 2026 and stayed closed. That's Butte, then and now.
Gone, Not Forgotten · Butte · '20s
Remember This? Pekin Noodle Parlor, a Century and Change Up One Flight of Stairs
Since 1911, the best seats in Uptown Butte were up a flight of stairs. Pekin Noodle Parlor, often called the country's oldest family-owned Chinese restaurant, served its last noodles in April 2026.
Still Kicking
Hotel Finlen
A hotel that's still a hotel. In Uptown Butte, that counts.
Somehow Still Here
M&M Bar and Cafe
After 130-some years, it moved exactly as far as it had to.
Still Kicking
Silver Bow Drive-In
Five miles an hour. Pick a side and stick with it.