The story of Jorgenson’s began in the year 1912, when Fred Jorgenson, a young Danish immigrant, was traveling through Montana on his way to California. His train broke down in Helena, and by the time it was repaired several days later, Jorgenson decided not to continue on to California.
Instead, he decided to make his home in Helena.
Jorgenson found work as a cook at Mount Saint Charles College, the forerunner of today’s Carroll College. He worked for the college for seven years before going to work for the Montana Club, which to date is the oldest private dining establishment in Montana. He remained with the Montana Club from 1919 to 1950.
In 1951, Fred and his children, Lucille, Ruth and Chuck, started their first business. Jorgenson’s Grocery, Catering and Locker Plant in downtown Helena "begun with two frying pans and a stove”, according to Chuck Jorgenson.
Jorgenson's catering grew to be a huge success. At its peak it was able to accommodate as many as 1,500 guests at a time. Jorgenson’s popularity had a far reach, and it was normal for Fred and his children to travel 200 miles just to cater an event. Besides regularly catering for ranch auctions, weddings and conventions, Jorgenson’s also became known for their Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys, often preparing more than 200 turkey dinners, complete with dressing and a pot of gravy.
While the Jorgenson family was busy building up their reputation in the catering business, they simultaneously operated a restaurant in Frontier Town until 1957. In 1958, Fred and his family had an opportunity to build their own restaurant adjacent a 37-unit motel near the state capital. The motel was later purchased by the Jorgenson family and expanded into a 114-room complex.
Jorgenson’s quickly became a landmark in Helena, Montana. The convenience and quality of the restaurant, paired with the hotel's proximity to the capital, led many businessmen, state officials, legislators & lobbyists to call Jorgenson’s their “in town” home.
After three decades in operation, the Jorgenson family sold their business. Shortly after purchasing Jorgenson's, the new owners managed to convince the 3rd generation of Jorgensons, (Lucille’s daughters, Bonnie Andrew, Barbara Morris & her husband Steve), to lease the restaurant. They ultimately purchased the complex back in 2004, and in 2019 they sold the business for the last time.
Today, the hotel operates separately as a Best Western franchise. However, Jorgenson’s restaurant lives on under the same flag, operated by Evergreen Food Service, a local restaurant group led by the husband-and-wife team, Chris and Jenna Abrego.
Chris and Jenna are honored for the opportunity to carry the torch Fred Jorgenson and his family started when they decided to make Helena, Montana their home in 1912.
