Yellowstone food

westernrvparkowner wrote:
I have to agree. How hard is it to make a dinner reservation? Why take a chance on being ready to eat, only to be told there is no seating available or there is a three hour wait for seating? And seriously, not everything revolves around money. Some people see a $100.00 dinner as a waste of $97.50, but others see it as an experience that is indeed "priceless".

Well said westernrvparkowner

We have not been in May but have spent two weeks in September and a week in October. We got in our reservations as soon as possible and were willing to eat at 5 PM or 9 PM. If you cannot take whatever odd hour they offer you might be out of luck.
Different years, not three weeks in one year.
They also had stores that sold sandwiches.
And be willing to share a table.

Busskipper wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Pack a cooler for the day...no waiting, beautiful spots to enjoy the animals or scenery, much easier and cheaper. :)

Never want to disagree with 2gypsies, BUT ---- while we seldom make reservations to Camp I would make a reservation for Dinner, IMHO dinner in the Old faithful dining room, is a part of the Yellowstone experience, and should not be missed, I also think everyone should also spend the Night also.

And yes, a glass of Wine, out of the cooler, in a real Wine Glass at Sunset, in YNP, along the side of the Yellowstone River, is "Priceless".

JMHO,

I have to agree. How hard is it to make a dinner reservation? Why take a chance on being ready to eat, only to be told there is no seating available or there is a three hour wait for seating? And seriously, not everything revolves around money. Some people see a $100.00 dinner as a waste of $97.50, but others see it as an experience that is indeed "priceless".

2gypsies wrote:
Pack a cooler for the day...no waiting, beautiful spots to enjoy the animals or scenery, much easier and cheaper. :)

Never want to disagree with 2gypsies, BUT ---- while we seldom make reservations to Camp I would make a reservation for Dinner, IMHO dinner in the Old faithful dining room, is a part of the Yellowstone experience, and should not be missed, I also think everyone should also spend the Night also.

And yes, a glass of Wine, out of the cooler, in a real Wine Glass at Sunset, in YNP, along the side of the Yellowstone River, is "Priceless".

JMHO,

I don't know if the Old Faithful Inn still serves a drink called the Yellowstone Raspberry, but if they do, you can't go wrong with it for dessert!

kknowlton wrote:
2gypsies is right. (Are right? :) ) Lots of picnic areas in the park, all over the place. Our favorite thing to do for lunch, at least.

X2, us too. Way more relaxed and the scenery can't be beat!

Dan

2gypsies is right. (Are right? :) ) Lots of picnic areas in the park, all over the place. Our favorite thing to do for lunch, at least.

Pack a cooler for the day...no waiting, beautiful spots to enjoy the animals or scenery, much easier and cheaper. :)

Lake Hotel is the "big yellow lodge" on the lake. And they always suggest reservations for dinner. For breakfast & lunch it's not necessary. Same with Old Faithful Inn. Their dining rooms do have very good food, and are pricey - just FYI.

Lake Hotel is not the same as Lake Lodge, and Old Faithful Inn is not the same as Old Faithful Lodge, by the way. The hotel and inn are the "nice" places to eat; the other places have cafeterias. Lake Lodge cafeteria is our go-to place when we're there; food quality is really pretty good (especially for a cafeteria) and prices much less than in the hotel. AND you have a view of the lake while you eat.

In general, any of the sit-down (and get waited on) restaurants in the park are pricey. Food is quite good, usually; at the beginning of the season there may be a little more irregularity, with new seasonal employees just learning their jobs. (There are a lot of repeaters, though, and many who have worked over the winter.) Snow Lodge is a very nice restaurant in its own right.

Yellowstone opening & Closing Dates

Looks like the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the Geyser Grill are also open now. The Geyser Grill is cafeteria style eating. We have used the Snow lodge a few times without reservations, but usually had to wait for a while. Those times were in June though.

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is also open. Been there a few times and never had to wait for a table. Food was good.

Looks like the Lake Hotel (big yellow building) isn't open yet.

You are getting there well before the serious tourist season, so I doubt there will be any need for a reservation at the Old Faithful Inn dining room.