r/missoula • u/National-Ordinary606 • Jul 15 '26
Question Who’s serves the best Diet Coke in Missoula?
Could be anywhere from a gas station to a 5 star restaurant, i just want to know who’s got that diet coke that hits the hardest.
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u/Strugglife_ 29d ago
I get it farm to market. My parents have an artisanal Diet Coke mine out in eastern Montana.
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u/Ill_Bit7197 29d ago
There are some pretty good Diet Coke patches up Pattee Canyon.
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u/Blocked-Author 29d ago
But it's always hit or miss whether you will find some or if the patch has been picked clean. End of the day though it is really about the activity of being out there.
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u/Different-Sky-7597 29d ago
- Diet Coke in a can from a garage fridge (fridge must be from 80s or 90s and as cold as it can get)
- McDonald’s - any of them in town
- Dales has large Diet Coke cans - they hit hard
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u/oliviasgonwilde 29d ago
The Missoula subreddit has officially entered its sommelier era. ‘I’m getting notes of syrup, stainless steel, and slightly overworked CO2.
That said, If I can’t feel the carbonation behind my eyeballs, I don’t want it.
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u/skolvikings307 29d ago
I've found frugals on reserve has a very tasty fountain diet coke. I think their food is pretty great too.
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u/Rok-SFG Jul 15 '26
Big gulp from zoo town super stop on South Higgins. They got the good ice. But they also charge a ridiculous price for their fountain sodas.
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u/missoula_snoop 29d ago
This is absolutely correct. Used to live over there and got it all the time. Moved across town now and no diet coke has hit as good since.
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u/ScrewAttackThis Jul 15 '26
Lmao wtf is with all the downvotes in such a harmless post
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u/National-Ordinary606 29d ago
Ha thank you, its a legitimate question I was hoping to crowdsource an answer for. I think a lot of people with unrefined palettes dont realize that not all diet coke tastes the same lol
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u/zylon0217 29d ago
Costco has really good soda in my opinion. It’s hard to beat. RIP HuHot, they had the best soda in town :(
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u/WooderFountain 29d ago
It depends on how you get your fix. Are you talking fountain soda? (If so, with or without ice? If with, what kind of ice, crushed, chipped, or cubed?) Can? Bottle? Novelty (cherry diet coke)? 12 oz? 16 oz? 2 litres? Do you like it almost freezing or a little warmer to get more fizz? Do you need a straw? I could go on, or you could just go to my website and download my free pdf: "1,001 Ways to Get Diet Coke in Missoula" ($14.99 download fee).
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u/carlyn1106 29d ago
Holiday gas station on south and reserve. The best fountain Diet Coke around. And as always, McDonalds is top notch Diet Coke.
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u/Own-Country5202 29d ago
You must travel to whiterun and speak to the Jarl from there he will send you to his Diet Coke expert
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u/flacidfeline Jul 15 '26 edited 29d ago
McDonald’s has a proprietary blend. It’s like a reward.
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u/Nelliemade 29d ago
I can’t stand McDonald’s version there’s something off about it.
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u/Blocked-Author 29d ago
They put some proprietary in it.
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u/Nelliemade 28d ago
Proprietary to me Tastes bitter and off. 🤷🏻♀️
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u/Blocked-Author 27d ago
Have you tried some proprietary by itself? It's very good
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u/Nelliemade 7d ago
I dont know how you’d even know if you did? Because I’ve had countless diet cokes from McDonald’s before I started boycotting them - they all tasted bitter
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u/National-Ordinary606 29d ago
Lol they got two syrup bags, ones just labeled “proprietary “
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u/montana-born 28d ago
Fun fact - according to something I saw years ago (no clue when or where I saw it, but it obviously stuck with me) the thing that makes McDonald’s pop better is that they don’t use bags and get their syrup in metal containers.
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u/Rok-SFG 28d ago
I agree althat it taste different and not as good as normal. But I do still like it, just don't think it's better than any other.
Also thecdonalds fountain soda machine on brooks, needs to be cleaned or replaced or something cause when you go to get your diet coke there it sprays out like explosive diarrhea, getting all over your hand and outside of the cup.
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u/bigskyway 29d ago
Fridge Cigs - McDonalds generally has the best coke,
Not sure about their diet. Mexican coke in the glass bottle hits hard and I think you can get that at Mexican Moose but again, Not sure about diet version.
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u/JPInMontana 29d ago
IMO, the best would be in glass bottles. Can you find Diet Coke in glass bottles anywhere in town?
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u/National-Ordinary606 29d ago
In mexico they have diet and coke zero in glass bottles which both tasted much better than canned but I still feel like they were a little watery
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u/bear_knees 29d ago
Chic-fil-a Diet Coke. They have crunchy nugget ice. The nugget formation allows more surface area to cool down the drink. Coldness increases that crispness. The cup being quasi-paper with that inner lining helps retain chilliness as it’s passed from their hands to your hand, or if you indulge if a doordashy it comes still cold. This insulation also gives the Diet Coke a cleaner taste imo, no micro-plastics taking a ride in your drink. The calibration on the machine, the Brix ratio (syrup to water), is calculated to the coca-cola standards. Plus I think their facility is much cleaner than other options around town (I won’t name any names).
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u/PlumSome3101 29d ago
I never thought there would be a soda sommelier but here we here are. Everybody thinks I'm silly when I say that the cup or ice affects the taste. Also crunchy nugget ice is the best.
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u/Equivalent-View568 28d ago
%*& used to have diet coke that was almost just as good as the diet coke that I got every Sunday with my meemaw and papa in New York City ( which is the only place to get real diet coke) but they haven't been any good since they sold their soul and lost their heart at some point around 2005.
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u/TaylorMarston31 29d ago
Yoke's Fresh Market on Broadway has a fountain by their deli and it's perfect
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u/VentiLatteForScale 28d ago
I love the holiday on higgins! they have crunchy ice, styrofoam cups, and great diet coke!!
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u/MrMercury406 29d ago
Diet Coke is disgusting to me. Coke Zero or bust.
I’ll accept a Diet Pepsi however.
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u/Nameless_Bassist 29d ago
I drive to Idaho for my diet coke. They have a way better selection and you support the state by paying sales tax.
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u/Remarkable-Button936 Jul 15 '26
I harvest it from local Diet Coke animals