10 Classic Dishes Every Wyoming Native Loves

Wyomingites love a lot of things... our mountains, rivers, ranches, quiet cities, and of course, our food. When you ask someone what sort of food defines Wyoming, you'll get all sorts of answers, depending on who you ask. With a history drenched in cowboys, cookouts, hunting, and camping, it's no wonder there are so many iconic Wyoming dishes that we all grew up with! Check out the list below—does it remind you of home?

1. Chicken Fried Steak

Every down-home diner in Wyoming will serve up a delicious chicken fried steak, but nothing can ever quite match the spices and flavors of a home-cooked steak with potatoes and gravy. However, there are some close seconds. The Cowboy Café, for one, cooks up some of the very best chicken fried steak in the entire state.

2. Trout—Fried, Breaded, Grilled… Pretty Much Any Way You Can Make It

Wyomingites will eat trout pretty much any way it's presented. When you grow up throwing a fresh-caught fish on the campsite grill, having it fried or breaded is a luxury! Still, pan-fried or grilled trout is tasty as well.

3. Bison Burgers

Once you've had a bison burger, you'll never want to go back to beef again. The only thing that might be better is an elk burger. Whether you're dining at one of Wyoming's hole-in-the-wall joints or a top-rated steakhouse, these Wyoming-style burgers are truly unforgettable.

4. Fry Bread and Fry Bread Tacos

Fry bread is a Native American food that's become part of Wyoming's landscape. You can eat it plain or load it up with meat, cheese, and veggies for a taco bread that's to die for. It's a fluffy, fried comfort food that reminds many Wyomingites of home.

5. Jerky of All Sorts

Turkey jerky, beef jerky, elk jerky, lamb jerky, bison jerky... Wyomingites are basically the Bubba Gump of Jerky. When you've had the real deal, it's hard to go back to that store-bought stuff.

6. Chili

Many consider chili to be Wyoming's signature dish and it’s easy to see why. Beans are big in Wyoming, and many people have perfected their chili recipe. Try making white chicken chili, turkey chili, wild game chili, or a classic bison and bacon chili. When the smell fills the house, you'll be transported back to your childhood in Wyoming.

7. Soda Bread

While most people think of the Irish when they think about soda bread, the Native Americans have been making this stuff for ages! In Wyoming, there are a few restaurants that make outstanding "Indian" soda bread, but nothing beats having a homemade soda bread delivered by a close friend.

8. Chokecherry Jam and Biscuits

Chokecherries are a mountain fruit, and plenty of farmers markets are stocked with chokecherry jams, jellies, and preserves. Named due to the berries' bitter taste when eaten raw, they're wonderful cooked and sweetened. It's best served on homemade biscuits!

9. Elk Steak

Elk is an interesting meat, and a properly prepared elk steak is something that's hard to find outside of Wyoming. If you're going to make it at home, try marinating the cut overnight to get the best tenderness and flavor.

10. Prime Rib

It wouldn't be a list of iconic Wyoming dishes without at least one beef steak, right? Prime rib is always a favorite, and while you can find pretty much any cut of beef in the Cowboy State, there's something about a prime rib dinner with a baked potato that really feels like home.

If you're not much of a cook, you can still find iconic Wyoming dishes at local restaurants. Try any one of these 12 exceptional Wyoming eateries and you'll love dining with the Cowboy State in mind.

Planning a trip somewhere soon? Whether you're simply staying a weekend or planning a longer adventure, try using Only In Your State's itinerary planner to build the perfect trip, with custom tips on lodging, restaurants, and more.