West Yellowstone, MT
Get there early on a Wednesday during the summer months. Crabby Wednesday is a favorite of the locals. You get a pound of crab legs for an extremely fair price. Order some fries or jalapeno poppers to go alongside them. Go with people who are laid back, and enjoy the sunset on the lake from the outside dining area. The waitstaff there is very personable and quite enjoyable. Take a light jacket if you are cold-natured.
Wild West Pizzeria
West Yellowstone, MT
Nice little bar the locals frequent. There is a full service bar, as well as a separate dining are for those that have youngsters in their party.
Sacajawea is one of my favorite pizzas of all time. They are all tasty, but that one might not have an equal; if you like spinach, feta, artichokes, and olives, you
If a sandwich is more your speed, I recommend The Branded Cowboy. It's meaty, cheesy, and a little bit spicy. It's hard to go wrong with anything on their menu. The Witch absolutely loves the Mac-n-Cheese, it is world famous, but I can never pass up a Sacajawea if I'm picking up the tab.
They do a karaoke night and usually have a live band once a week or so during the summer.
The Buffalo Bar
West Yellowstone, MT
Hog Handles with Huckleberry BBQ sauce. That's really all you need to know. If you glean nothing else from this post, it needs to be that the Hog Handles are what I should order. Really hungry? Order two.
Shrimp and Buffalo tacos are quite tasty, and they also have Rocky Mountain Oysters, if you are feeling adventurous. Be warned, though, RMO are very chewy; you have ample time to give thought to what exactly it is that you are gnawing on.
If you make it in time for breakfast, they have a very good Chicken Fried Steak with jalapeno gravy.
Euro Cafe (Formerly Kiwiz)
West Yellowstone, MT
Best breakfast in town. Eggs Benedict is exceptional, Florentine is also very good. The breakfast potatoes are crispy, just the way Yukon likes.
If you are too late for breakfast, but would still like something breakfast-like, get the English Burger. You'll get an egg and Hollandaise sauce on top of a half-pound ground beef patty. I also recommend the Mediterranean and Spanish Burgers.
I'm not crazy about the Italy Burger. It's not bad, it's just not for me.
If you need to get some vitamins in your life, try the green machine smoothie.
Meadow Creek Lodge
Island Park, ID
To say that this place is out of the way is not really doing the place justice. It is in the middle of nowhere, but it's worth the detour for the experience alone. They have a really good Chicken Fried Steak in brown gravy (it's the only entree I've had off their menu). They are a cash only business, take plenty of greenbacks. They do homemade pies one night of the week, Friday or Saturday, and that's when you want to be there.
It really reminds me of being at my grandmother's house, since the kitchen and dining area are open and side by side. They cook all the CFS in the same pan, so it can sometimes take a while, but as long as you have good company, you don't really notice. I do think the earlier you get there, the better. It can fill up fast. It is only accessible by snowmobile in the winter. Also, call ahead, because I am not too familiar with their days and hours.
Connie's (Formerly Island Park Lodge)
Island Park, ID
If your inner carnivore is screaming at you, this is the place to answer the call. Hopefully you will be lucky enough to visit on a Prime Rib night, if not just get the biggest Ribeye they have. I don't really know what else they offer, because when I darken Connie's door, I'm eating as much red meat as possible.
