A Big Change Announced for a Montana Hi Line Legend

It's a big change for a Montana Hi Line legend, here's how Eugene's Pizza is changing with the times following the upheavals facing the restaurant industry in the post-COVID era.

As a kid my family was split between Western Montana and Eastern Montana. If I was on the Western side of Highway 2, it was pizza at Moose's Saloon in Kalispell. If I was on the Eastern side of Highway 2, it was pizza at Eugene's Pizza in Glasgow.

Restaurants got hit HARD by all of the lockdowns and mandates during COVID-19. Some businesses didn't survive. Others have been forced to adapt to the upheavals in the industry and the inflation that piled up over the last 4 years.

Even the legends have had to adapt. Legends like Eugene's Pizza which have been in Montana for 63 years, and in the Knodel family for 58 years.

This week, Eugene's shared the news that they are making some changes. But thankfully, the world famous pizza is here to stay. So are the side salads, homemade dressings, and their ribs.

In a note to their "dear valued customers and friends" Sam, Jeff and Mary Sue Knodel acknowledge that the last 5 years have been increasingly difficult for every small business in Glasgow- especially restaurants.

We’ve all seen the decreased hours, and we’ve also seen restaurants that are closed certain days for one reason or another, but it’s due to staffing…or the inability to staff it.
After much thought and soul searching, we’ve made some changes to help us continue doing what we love most. As part of this, we will no longer be serving lunch, and our last day for lunch will be Thursday, August 28, 2025. We know many of you have made lunch at Eugene’s a special part of your day, and it’s not easy for us to say goodbye to that, but we will continue to welcome you each evening from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

By the way, if you aren't familiar with the family history behind Eugene's, check out the video below shared about 6 years ago by the Montana Television Network.

Plus, the full message to their customers can be seen below as well.