stokebailey

Well, it doesn't have to be cheap, exactly, but somewhere near that end of the spectrum. Not fancy, anyway. I'm flying in and out en route to Yellowstone, my daughter's picking me up, and I want to take her someplace fun besides the YS employee cafeteria.

starrs

Go to Dornan's!
http://dornans.com/dining/

Just a couple of miles (if that) from the airport and one of the best meals we've had. Exit the airport by taking a left (towards Yellowstone), travel for about a mile and take a left at the Moose Junction. First right into Dornan's (before the visitor center on the left).

The pizza/pasta restaurant has panaromic views of the Tetons and an upper outside deck to. I had the Greek pasta, and it was fabulous. The other entrees were great too. Full bar and great wine shop there too.

Dornan's also offers a Chuckwagon option with outside dining next to the tepee. We planned to eat pancake breakfast there (based on a local's recommendation) but got there just a few minutes too late. So, we opted for the restaurant and we were all very glad we did.

If she has a park pass, cross over the river for a quick visit to the Chapel of Transfiguration (always open so take a pic of the Tetons framed in the plate glass window) and take a short stroll on the walking loop that takes you past the Maud Noble cabin, the actual ferry (will run again when the river slows down) and the general store). It will be a 3-5 minute stroll but interesting and a good way to stretch your legs after lunch.

starrs

Oh, and if you want "cheap" they make GREAT sandwiches in the deli in the store. There are a couple of tables in there or you can take the sandwiches outside to eat.

happytrailstoyou

Sweetwater is a good place, and it is fun to have lunch on the deck: https://sweetwaterjackson.com/Lunch.html

HTTY

starrs

Just to clarify - Dornan's is north of the airport and on the way to Yellowstone. It's also one of the best places we ate. So good we went back a second time (driving back down from Jackson Lake Lodge area).

If you want to head south back into Jackson, let me know and I'll offer some suggestions we enjoyed there.

stokebailey

Oh, most excellent Fodorites! Thank you, starrs and happytrails. I'd like to try two places, so one in town and one north would be ideal, since we go into town one of the days. It looks as if those two would just fit the bill.

Hmm. Not sure about the park pass, but since she's working at YS they might offer some such thing.

HowardR

I second the recommendation for Dornan's. If the weather is cooperative, sitting outside will make it an even better experience. (See, starrs, we do indeed agree on most things!)

ElendilPickle

And I'll third Dornan's!

Lee Ann

stokebailey

Thanks so much, Howard and Lee Ann. I think we have us a plan.

stokebailey

Back, and most grateful for the recommendations.

We ended up going in to Jackson and having a great outdoors lunch at Sweetwater, with the ski runs as backdrop. Later, at Pearl St. Bagels, I found my new favorite iced coffee drink: Wild Tribe Mocha.

We had so much fun dawdling in town that we had to grab dinner, and fearing nothing would be open late on the way north had a quick decent light meal at The Bunnery.

On our return, Dornan's for excellent calzone and pizza on the deck. The chuckwagon all you can eat dinner was on, but maybe a little cowboy for our mood. Looked like fun, though. Pretty hard to beat a view overlooking the Snake and the Tetons.

Later that night, looking for a place where a mother and her 18 yo could sit outside for refreshment and enjoy the perfect air, we lucked into Nani's. The bartender whipped up a fine mocktail and I had a presecco cocktail. The couple at the next table got the last remaining serving of something that smelled amazing.

stokebailey

Also, I don't have enough about Jackson Hole to write a trip report, but let me put in a quick word here for the Sundance Inn. It's a block off the Square, tastefully retro, with comfy beds, high quality continental breakfast room with World Cup on TV when applicable. Price competitive with Super 8 even.