The Double Front Cafe has been serving patrons at the same location on two streets in Missoula since 1909.
The restaurant has no back door.
But it has two front doors, one on West Alder Street, and the other on West Railroad Street.
It's been owned and operated by the same family since 1961.
The number 61 is an important milestone for this Missoula business.
That's how long the Herndon family has been cooking southern fried chicken.
In those years, their chicken has brought customers back time and again.
Tourists flock to Missoula to get their chicken fix.
Kids who grew up going to the Double Front and moved away return to the restaurant all the time.
So, how does one family continue to maintain success and consistency for such a long time?
NBC Montana spent time with the Herndon's to learn more.
Jason Herndon is the third generation Herndon in the business.
"We keep it simple," said Jason. "We don't need all the fancy "how many spices' can you throw in a pot. "
Jason's grandfather, Gene Herndon, taught him that simplicity is more.
That doesn't mean there isn't a secret to Double Front Chicken.
Jason laughs and wipes his hand across his face to zip his lips.
Mum's the word.
Customers also know what to expect.
“We’ll have it ready in about 25 to 30 minutes," he said of the food, "It gives us a little time to get it breaded up and in the fryer to get some fries on, and get it in a bag."
The cafe offers both takeout and indoor dining.
Jason's dad, Lex Herndon, said the family inherited the recipe from the previous owner.
“It was actually the recipe when we bought the place," he said, "the trade secret that came with the purchase of the business."
Lex said the only thing they have changed is to switch from lard to a special vegetable oil.
Lex was eight-years old when his folks bought the place.
“I started working here when I was 13," he said. (It was)" my birthday gift,"(Dad)" handed me an apron.”
Originally, Lex's dad Gene, partnered with Gene's brother Harold, in the Double Front.
But Harold had a chance to buy a bar that their dad once owned.
“ Dad cashed Harold out," said Lex, " so he could go to the Union Club in Bonner.”
Old timers know the Union Club became "Harold's Club," which is another Missoula area landmark.
Gene Herndon had been a Burlington Northern railroad man.
So, buying a restaurant in Missoula's across the street from the railroad tracks was a comfortable fit.
“He nicknamed it (the restaurant) the Working Man’s Supper Club," said Jason. "And he called the bar the 1356 Club."
" 1356," he said, "is the number on the locomotive down here at Circle Square."
The thousands of folks who attend Missoula's Farmer's Market know that locomotive and its number well.
But the Double Front goes back years before the Herndon's bought it.
“It was built as a bar, a cigar shop and a pool hall in 1909," said Lex. "It was basically, a gentleman’s club half a block from the train station.”
"When the trains would stop they'd get customers," he said, "They'd grab a cigar and drink a beer, then walk back. The train would stop for about 20 minutes."
“ Travelers, miners, loggers, and railroaders," said Jason, "all came in on the rail.”
But back to why they call it the Double Front.
The business straddles two of Missoula's most important streets.
“There’s no alley in the block," said Lex," so it’s 121 West Railroad and 122 West Alder.”
On Alder Street, the family still uses the original delivery chute.
Jason opened its two heavy iron doors to show us.
“There’s a chute to slide the chickens down into the processing room," he said.
Inside, there's a dumbwaiter.
The kitchen crew can send food down to the bar in the basement, where bartender Leslie Hiett can retrieve a meal to feed her patrons.
The longevity in the place is impressive.
“I’ve been here for 26 years," said Leslie. " I started right out of college and kept working here.”
Jason couldn't wait to start working here.
“I was 16 when I started here," he said. "I wanted to start at 14 or 15."
“I’ve always been interested in the family business," he said. " It was my first job and I’m still here 30 years later.”
Lex spent much of his professional life as a Missoula police officer.
After more than 21 years he retired from the department.
He and his wife Joyce bought the business from his folks.
But Lex said the day after he and his dad got the buy-sell agreement the building caught fire.
It took a year of remodeling to get back up and running.
But they did.
Hungry customers came back to find a restaurant that saw major improvements.
Les and Jason aren't just father and son.
They're also best friends.
“He’s my best buddy," said Les. "As a matter of fact his nickname is Bud.”
“We call each other Bud or Buddy," said Jason, " just because we enjoy each other’s company so much.”
Jason said his dad keeps trying to retire.
He jokes that's he's fired his dad once, and his dad quit twice.
But he keeps coming back.
“ I want to quit," said Lex, " but I don’t know where to go when I get up in the morning.”
So, don't look for any changes in family staffing any time soon.
It was afternoon when long time customer Dennis Serviss came in to pick up an order.
“I’ve been coming here ever since I could drive," he said. "I have them on speed dial."
“Our bread and butter is all of our repeat customers," said Jason.
“In a way, it’s kind of like a social event. I wonder whose gonna stop by today?”
For the Herndons, he said, there's always "the excitement of seeing an old friend."