jill_h

Will be in Jackson and West Yellowstone in September and would like some suggestions for restaurants. We are a group of 6 (senior citizens and almost senior citizens!) and are not interested in cooking every night. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. No food restrictions that I'm aware of, and nothing that requires dressing up - so bring it on!!!

Thanks!

spirobulldog

Hope you are going to eat in the National Park. It would be a shame to miss Old Faithful Inn. I like Lake Hotel too. Jackson Lake Lodge has 2 nice dining options--the main dining room and the historical cafe counter down below.

maj

I'm not sure of anyplace in those towns that require dressing up. There are lots of options in Jackson and all varieties of food. These might get you started, although we haven't been to them in at least a couple of years. Nora's Fish Creek -- a "natives" place to go, Gun & Barrel Restaurant, and if you like beer Snake River Brewery (but may be only for lunch). Sweetwater has been mentioned frequently. Both Rachael Ray and Giada DeLaurentiis have had shows on Jackson that are still available on line. Bunnery for breakfast or lunch. In West Yellowstone there are less options and we haven't eaten there in about 10 years, except for a stop at the Running Bear Pancake House for breakfast.

Have a great trip!!

sludick

Overall, West Yellowstone is not exactly a food mecca, so go out with lowered expectations. Having said that, we liked the Madison Crossing Lounge in West Yellowstone. It's next to the Pine Cone Playhouse (local dinner/show - "Cowpokes & Petticoats" had me in stitches). The food at the Madison is a bit more upscale than most places, but dress is very casual. www.madisoncrossinglounge.com

Actually, the dinner show at the Pine Cone is a good value. And I think the food probably comes from the Madison (just a guess). www.pineconeplayhouse.com

jill_h

Thanks-- i'll make note of these recommendations.

Spiro -- would you recommend we make dinner reservations at the hotels? We definitely planned on visiting the OF Inn, but hadn't planned on eating there.

sludick

jill_h - keep in mind that some places start to close down in September, and by early October the crowds are gone but so are a lot of options. I think September is a wonderful time to go, even with that caveat.

You can make reservations at Jackson Lake Lodge via their website (they link to Open Table), although since it isn't summer high season, you won't have the fight for availability.

Have a wonderful trip!

spirobulldog

The food at OFI isn't all that great, maybe just lunch there. Just be sure and walk inside. I like a meal at Hamilton Store(just outside OFI-maybe 1/4mile away down the parking lot/road). A lot of people like the food at the Snow Lodge, which is also near OFI. We did enjoy Lake Hotel dinner and breakfast at Roosevelt and Mammoth. As sludick says, you need to know what is open.

If they take reservations, then yes. I don't remember where they took reservations at and that may hahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otgv3wVCJMke changed, it's been about 4 years since we've been there.

sludick

Here is the link for Jackson Lake Lodge - just look down on the page for the red "Reserve Now) icon.

http://www.gtlc.com/dining/jackson-l...ural-room.aspx

We stayed in the Snow Lodge in January and had a wonderful tenderloin. I think it is not open during your visit, though. (Also, January meant not too busy, which can make a big difference in food quality.)

maj

Xanerrra owns all the concessions in Yellowstone (lodging, dining etc.) except for the general stores in each area We like the general store soda fountains especially for breakfast or sandwiches, etc. Great places to stop while travelling through the park. No sure about dinners there though. Snow Lodge and Mammoth are open year round. The others have closing dates (which you check out on the Xanterra site below). Roosevelt closes Labor Day, Canyon the later part of September this year and lake probably around the same time. The only places in the park you can make reservations are for dinner at OFI and Lake Hotel restaurants (and you can do this on the xanterra web site also). We didn't really like the dinner menu at OFI so ate breakfast there one day. http://www.yellowstonenationalparklo...Dining-76.html

hikrchick

Sorry to hijack, but it sounds like it might be a waste of money to have dinner at OFI? My DH and I have a reservation there; I can't seem to find a menu online, can someone give me a hint what dinner is like there? Any vegetarian-friendly options? What's the cost of dinner? Maybe we should do like maj and have breakfast instead?

thanks!

voyager61

If you are staying at the Old Faithful Inn, the Old Faithful Lodge cabins or the Snow Lodge, and you want a slightly fancy, sit-down meal with wine as opposed to just OK snack bar or cafeteria food, then the OFI and the Snow Lodge are your only options. Xanterra food is definitely not on a par with what you would get at a high quality private restaurant outside the park (see Yelp reviews). However, I love to have dinner there and then walk out into the geyser basin afterward (where else can you do that?). There are vegetarian options. If you are unhappy with your food, let your server know and they will try to make up for it, I'm sure. And definitely make reservations for dinner, or you might not get in, even during the supposedly slower times. If you are staying outside the park and driving in each day, I would have dinner wherever you are staying; Old Faithful Inn does not offer a "destination restaurant"...but the building is historic and unique and the surroundings are outstanding.

maj

This has the menus and more information on it

http://www.yellowstonenationalparklo...room-7195.html


IMO -- if you've been wanting to have dinner there -- do it. Voyager pretty much covers it above.

maj

Hit the details on the left hand side of the page.

hikrchick

Thank you, maj and voyager, this is exactly what I wanted to know. We are indeed staying at OFI, and we do already have a reservation for dinner, on Sept. 26, I think it is. Sounds like we will keep the reservation and enjoy our dinner and a glass of wine.

sludick

Enjoy, hikrchick!

Katzgar

I think you might not understand were you are going. W. Yellowstone is about only about 10 by 20 blocks. You drive down the main drag and pick a likely looking place. Use gmaps streetwalk to do this in advance.

sludick

That big, Katzgar? You must be including the strictly residential areas, too...

slcbbrown

September is my favorite time for Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Restaurants in the Jackson area are the best in the area. One to consider is Stegler's which is nearer to Teton Village. For casual dining, I've always liked the food at Signal Mountain Lodge, and for fancier, the Jackson Lake Lodge is excellent for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Both of those restaurants have mountain views. The Old Faithful restaurant (really all the Y'stone restaurants) are decent for places serving so many meals so quickly. IMO, they try too hard to be fancy dining, but I've never had a bad meal. My favorite setting is the Yellowstone Lake Hotel restaurant.

Reservations for dinner at any of the main restaurants in Yellowstone is a good idea. Keep the time differences, if any, in mind. After a long day of sightseeing around Yellowstone, you could have real trouble getting a 7 o'clock seating. I think you can make reservations online before you get there. I'll be in the Jackson Hole area, myself, from 9-7 to 21.

jill_h

Thanks for everyone's input. Can't wait! And I can't wait to show my Mom this area for the first time. I have a feeling she'll be impressed.