Last summer I made my first trip to Yellowstone National Park (other post about YNP trip- Osprey Falls, Mesa Falls). If you have not visited the park you need to. It has so much to see and do. Of course when you are there you need to keep yourself well nourished and in doing so you may as well enjoy the food. Let me recommend three worthy eateries.
If you enter YNP through the east entrance Cody, Wyoming is the last town prior to the park. Cody has a lot to offer. There are museums, shops, and a lot of restaurants. Arguably the most historic and famous is The Irma Hotel, Buffalo Bill's historic hotel named for his daughter.
I ordered the Beef Stew with cornbread and salad bar. The stew hit the spot! Big hunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, etc. The cornbread was standard cornbread but I found it a great combination with the stew. My friends ordered various items and enjoyed their meals. The cost of the meal was not excessive and actually a good value for a tourist town. While you are visiting the area shops stop by the Outpost for some tasty grub and then visit Yellowstone Motorhed for any motorcycle needs including Hawg Wash to clean your bike.
If you enter YNP through the east entrance Cody, Wyoming is the last town prior to the park. Cody has a lot to offer. There are museums, shops, and a lot of restaurants. Arguably the most historic and famous is The Irma Hotel, Buffalo Bill's historic hotel named for his daughter.
The Irma was built in 1902
The Irma offers buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Patrons may also order from the menu. The dinner buffet includes Prime Rib, Salmon, Catfish, BBQ Ribs, salad bar, various vegetables and soup, as well as numerous desserts. Everything was great! The Prime Rib was tender and delicious. I really enjoyd the Italian Wedding soup. No one in our group had a complaint about the food. The turn of the century atmosphere was enjoyable. So while in Cody stop by 1192 Sheridan Ave. and enjoy the daily gunfight show prior to an enjoyable dinner.
A great bowl of soap at the Irma
Enjoy the daily gunfight show on the street outside The Irma
If entering YNP through the west gate you will travel through West Yellowstone, MT. West Yellowstone is literally outside the west entrance and is a great location to stay when visiting the park if you don't want to stay inside the park. At 115 Yellowstone Avenue we found the Outpost Restaurant. We had just ridden in from a long day on the bikes. We were hungry and it was a little on the cool side.
Yellowstone Motorhed for your motorcycle needs while in the YNP area
It is not a complete trip to YNP until you see Old Faithful and the historic Old Faithful Inn. Now that I have eaten (twice) at the Old Faithful Inn I can say you are missing out if you don't take time to enjoy at least one meal in the inn.
The required photo of Old Faithful. It is very impressive.
The historic inn lobby
Old Faithful Inn dining room
The Old Faithful Inn offers buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as a full menu. After view the famous geyser we ate lunch at the inn. My son and I enjoyed the lunch buffet. The grilled trout was the highlight of the meal for me. Light, flaky, and well seasoned the trout was great. I also enjoyed the bison chili. Various vegetables, potato soup, and other dishes were available. For once I don't remember what was served for dessert. I think that was because the rest of the meal was so good. We enjoyed lunch so much we decided we would ride back in from West Yellowstone for breakfast one morning.
Two days later four of us left the campground early and enjoyed a hike and a view of the Grand Prismatic from a higher vantage point before joining the rest of the group for breakfast back at the Old Faithful Inn.
Steam rising in the cool morning air from the Grand Prismatic
Breakfast at the inn did not disappoint. Hot cakes, fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, cereal, milk, juices, and more! It was an awesome spread. Sometimes buffets are just average food. This buffet was anything but average. The servers kept the food fresh and hot. It seemed there was a continual flow from the kitchen to the buffet line. Everything tasted great. I loaded up at this breakfast deciding I would just skip lunch. I am really glad we made the early morning ride.
Yellowstone National Park is an awesome place. Make sure to enjoy some great food while you are there.
I second that, and hope to return one day. Nice shot of Old Faithful against the blue sky. I didn't stay at the Inn but I will take your advice and do it next time.
ReplyDeleteMotorOZ:
ReplyDeleteWe were in West Yellowstone a few years ago but sadly did not have a meal there. We had a snack in that big Log Cabin attached to Old Faithful. We did not go to Cody as we came south from Bozeman and there was a roadhouse about half way inbetween where we had a tasty meal.
thanks for the memories
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Bob, Cody was a neat town. I recommend a visit. Next time I hope to spend more time Cody as well as more in YNP and GTNP. That area has so much to offer.
ReplyDeleteSonjaM, A stay at the Old Faithful Inn would be cool, also check out the Grand Lake lodge. Great view in the evening.
My exposure to Yellowstone National Park was maddening crowds both of people and cagers who'd apparently never seen a deer in their entire lives and thought blocking the road was OK.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't leave the park fast enough, I'll have to return when it's off-season and there's snow on the ground....less traffic.
dom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
There were a lot of cagers but, I still enjoyed our time in the park and I will visit again. I would also like to visit during the "off season." It is funny how a single deer can stop traffic. I guess some folks never get out of the city.
ReplyDeleteNice review of your trip. We've never been to Yellowstone, and it's on our shortlist. Hadn't planned for it this year, as Ron's bike is unreliable for trips, but now that he's replaced it, I'm starting to think again of some summer trips. I'd like to visit Yellowstone and Glacier, and love hearing about that area. Like someone else mentioned, I think I'd like to visit in the off season to miss the worst crowds.
ReplyDeleteI loved riding through the park though the buffalo had me a bit nervous, especially the mother and calf that suddenly appeared - from nowhere onto the road. It was the one time I could have kissed my little Suzuki Savage 'cause thankfully, it was the one time that she didn't backfire gearing down. (stampeeding buffalo vs bike - wouldn't have been a fair contest). Love hearing about your rides.
ReplyDeleteVStar Lady, That is funny about the Savage. The Savage was my first motorcycle and it did have that backfire problem. Made me laugh when you mentioned it. The bison can be a little unnerving when they are close to the road.
ReplyDelete