This Wyoming Restaurant Was Named The Most Iconic In The State And You Don't Even Need Reservations
By Lisa Jensen
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Published March 01, 2018
Wyoming has loads of restaurants serving up all types of cuisine to satisfy your appetite no matter what you’re craving. However, if you’re in the mood for a side of authentic western atmosphere to go along with your meal, you’ll want to dine at the most iconic restaurant in the state.
Located inside a historic hotel in a tiny little town that happens to be pretty iconic itself, this eating establishment specializes in traditional Western dining. The menu is filled with meat – steaks, game, fish, and even the signature Hunter’s Salad is topped with blackened beef tips. It’s a carnivore’s dream and just the place to go to immerse yourself in the Wyoming vibe. You can make reservations if you want to, but they’re not necessary at the Virginian.
The Virginian Restaurant is part of the Historic Occidental Hotel, located at 10 North Main Street in Buffalo.
It got its name from the famous novel by Owen Wister, who was a guest at the Occidental during the time he was working on his book.
Wister was taken with the hotel and the little town in general. Historians say that he wrote some chapters for the book in his room at the Occidental and that details from significant parts of the story bear more than a coincidental resemblance to the hotel and the street just outside of it.
The dining room in the Virginian has been remodeled a few times over the years, but always while taking care to preserve the atmosphere.
Additionally, the building's unique features have been left in place, such as the cozy little alcoves that serve as private dining salons.
You can even take your meal inside the old vault which has also been turned into a dining nook.
There's an old-time saloon at the Occidental, too, snugged in between the hotel lobby and the Virginian.
The menu at the Virginian isn't extensive, but there is a variety of choices starting with appetizers and salads.
They have their own version of a spicy, herb-y artichoke and spinach dip, and the lamb sliders are almost a meal in themselves.
When it comes time for the entrée, there's plenty of meat on the menu including beef as well as wild game.
The chopped steak is a delicious blend of bison and elk.
You can order the beef filet mignon, an elk tenderloin, or the bison ribeye.
If you prefer seafood, you can choose baked scallops, grilled shrimp...
...or grilled salmon.
There are poultry options on the menu, too, such as chicken Alfredo and the Occidental's signature Chicken Marsala.
There's always a special on the menu, too, so be sure to ask about it to make choosing a little more difficult.
The choices don't get any easier when it's time for dessert. You can take your pick of Wyoming Whiskey cake, chocolate cake with cream, crème brulee, or whatever lip-smacking, sweet concoction the chef has a mind to make.
Have you had the experience of dining at the Virginian? What was your favorite thing on the menu?
If you don’t mind driving out to the boonies for great food, you’ll want to visit this incredible steakhouse that’s so worth the drive .
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