TOTFest 2025: Tater Tot Casserole Battle Returns

You know that 2 a.m. craving? The one where you would sell your soul for the greasiest cheeseburger. That’s pretty much how TOTFEST was born. Years back, Leif (formerly of Walking Corpse Syndrome) hit up social media asking if anyone had the perfect tater tot casserole recipe. He woke up to a comments section at war, and out of the chaos came one of Missoula’s wildest festivals.

Jump forward to today, and TOTFEST is not just about casserole. It’s a metal and potatoes parade, with over 20 bands, beer, and more tots than any person should ever eat. It all happens this Saturday, August 16th, at The Dark Horse.

The centerpiece? The Tater Tot Casserole Cook-Off. Brave souls with their version of grandma’s heirloom recipe will throw down for the crown. Imagine the glory and fame that will shower on you as you claim the top spot as the culinary cookoff champion. Some things are worth more than just the prize. Think your tot game can hang?

How to Enter:

• Get your official TOTFest baking pan at The Dark Horse (1805 Regent St.)
• Grab an entry form with the pan
• Prebake your casserole at home and let it cool in the fridge
• Absolutely no home pans, definitely no last-minute melted cheese — play ball or get spud-shamed.
• Bring your chilled casserole and entry form to The Dark Horse on Saturday, August 16th

It’s noisy, it’s a little cheesy, and it benefits Camp Mak-A-Dream. Missoula food festivals are never boring. We crowd surf at ours.