A Small-Town Story That Stayed With Me: Udderly Caffeinated in North Dakota

A Small-Town Story That Stayed With Me: Udderly Caffeinated in North Dakota

One of the things I’ve always loved most about traveling is the people you meet along the way—the ones who pour their heart into what they do and create something truly special in places you might otherwise pass right by. That’s exactly what I found in New Salem, North Dakota, at a charming, cow-themed coffee shop called Udderly Caffeinated. This shop is located by a big roadside attraction, Salem Sue, the world’s largest Holstein cow. So if you’re traveling to see Salem Sue, you might as well also stop for a Holstein latte! From the moment I walked in, it felt welcoming, joyful, and completely authentic. I had the chance to spend time with co-owner Malinda Ann Ellingson and her team—Nolan, Tony, and Debbie—and to share a bit of their story. At the time, I don’t think any of us realized just how much that moment would resonate beyond that day. Recently, Malinda shared with me what happened after my visit—and her words really stayed with me.

DP Greg Barna captures Darley with Team Udderly Caffeinated—Nolan, Malinda, Tony, and Debbie—as they spotlight their Holstein shake which inspired viewers to drive over three hours just to try it.

From Malinda Ann Ellingson, Co-Owner of Udderly Caffeinated

“Our experience filming was truly remarkable. Darley is a genuine, fun-loving person, and it honestly felt like reconnecting with an old friend. What surprised us most was what happened afterward. We’ve had customers travel over three hours just to visit our coffee shop and bakery. People have called from across the country after seeing us, asking about our story—or even just wanting one of our T-shirts because they fell in love with our name, our mission, and our cow logo.”

KYFR features Darley’s feature of Udderly Caffeinated on Travels with Darley

“It opened doors we never expected. We started getting calls from local news, and then features in newspapers, TV news, magazines, websites—and even Forbes. We always believed in what we were building here, but this gave us a kind of visibility and voice we never had before. Darley may have thought she just found a fun little cow-themed shop along her travels—but for us, it changed everything.”

If You Find Yourself in North Dakota

What Malinda and her team have built isn’t just a place to grab coffee—it’s a reflection of their personality, their creativity, and their community. And it’s a reminder of something I see again and again on the road: sometimes the smallest places leave the biggest impression. If you ever find yourself in North Dakota, New Salem is worth the stop. And if you do, don’t miss the Holstein shake—it’s as fun (and delicious) as it sounds. But more than anything, take a moment to meet the people behind the counter. Because their story is what makes the experience unforgettable.

@darleynewman This cow 🐮 inspired North Dakota coffee shop is super cute. Udderly Caffeinated serves up fab coffee, baked goods and has funny cow-inspired decor and gifts. This women owned cafe and bakery is located close to the Salem Sue roadside attraction in New Salem, North Dakota! Stop by for a cup and get the Holy Cow 🐄 Cookie   . . . . . . . . . #travelswithdarley #darleynd #dakotas #BeNDLegendary #NDLegendary  #NorthDakota #NorthOfNormal #travel #cows #roadsideoddities #salemsue #quirky #coffee #womenowned ♬ original sound - DarleyNewman