Lippi’s Kitchen “Mess” (?)
Location: Central Ave. West about 6th Street, in the old A&W building
So I stopped by Lippi’s again after a number of years, and tried some breakfast thing called The Mess or some such, that the server said was very popular. It was supposed to be a big mix of eggs and hash browns and cheese and whatnot, already pre-smushed up together so maybe your stomach wouldn’t have to bother, with your choice of meat. I chose sausage. It was kind of disappointing.
Quantity: Not mass at all, which is pretty much the standard in Great Falls
Taste: It was pretty bland and uninspiring. Every once in awhile I would come across a tiny crumble of sausage. But not often. Not at all what was expected. Had to shake on a LOT of green Tabasco
Cost: Not horrible but not dirt cheap either
Value: Not a value play at all
Parking: A former A&W drive-in … so excellent parking!
Service: Very good, and friendly
Atmosphere: I am no spring chicken myself but this place had the oldest clientele of anywhere, on this particular day. Which is possibly remarkable as a curious passing observation but normally no big deal. Except here, thanks to a table of apparent regulars smack in the center of the floor of the main room as you come in, all old retired guys by the looks and sounds of them. And this table featured a progressive meal with a rotating cast of characters: One old guy would talk and eat and finish and leave, then a new old guy would stroll in and sit down to a hearty “Hi Norm!” or the like, and pick right up with the group as though he just left a minute ago. Which again, no big deal normally, except as a curiosity. BUT the yakking on cell phones … non-stop for all the restaurant to hear whether it wanted to or not, chatting away with buddies down in Florida or Arizona or wherever, finish one call and start another, filling the remote party in on who was at the table and what all the guys at the table and their families were up to, and on and on it went. The entire time I was there. From the time I walked in until they were still going strong when I left
Verdict: I probably won’t go back but I know Lippi’s has a lot of local fans, so if you do go consider a pass on that Mess (or whatever) breakfast thing, and seat yourself in the little room to the left as you enter, instead of in the main room near that progressive breakfast