we are going to yellowstone may 2003 and since it seems that things are far apart, are we supposed to take our lunch or are there restaurants available?

I don't think you've done too much research on the park. Of course there are restaurants, but you can always bring a lunch if you like.

There are restaurants in the various lodges @ Yellowstone. I believe there are regular dining room styls available and cafeterias. We ate at the lodge @ Old Faithful. We could pick from a fairly large entre to hot dogs (the cheapest on the menu.)

As the other posts said, there are places to eat in the lodges and some of the shops, but they are quite expensive. You can pack a lunch and picnic in so many places in the park. Just an idea.

We traveled with family out west for 3 weeks last summer in June. My advise would be to make reservations expecially at Old Faithful, and the barbaque Chuck Wagon Dinner at Roosevelt Lodge. Also, if you go outside the park to West yellowstone there are family places to eat. But most restaurants don't serve dinner or open until 5:00 p.m. We stayed at the Snow Lodge, they had a very good breakfast and dinner menu.