This Scrumptious Wyoming Barbecue Joint Doesn’t Take Reservations But It’s SO Worth The Wait

Wyomingites love their comfort food, and few things are as comforting or tasty as barbecue. Fortunately, we have just the place to go when the craving for 'cue hits. Bubba's is the place that's been serving up the best BBQ in the state for over three decades, but they've never taken reservations. It started out as a tiny little roadside restaurant with limited space, so seating was first-come, first-served. With visitors and locals learning just how scrumptious the food was, the lines got longer and longer as people walked in, wrote their names down on the list and waited for a table to open up. In the past, some have waited 2 hours or more to eat at Bubba's, but if you've ever tasted their food, you know it is worth the wait.

Bubba's Bar-B-Que opened in 1983. It's Wyoming's oldest still operating barbecue restaurant.

It's located at 100 Flat Creek Drive in Jackson, kitty-corner from the original site.

The building is in a great location on a busy street. It used to be a Village Inn, but when that restaurant closed down, Bubba's jumped at the chance to move into a bigger place with more seating space.

There was even enough room out back for Bubba's to build a smoke house to slow-smoke their tasty meats to tender, mouthwatering perfection.

Although the bigger restaurant alleviated some of the crowding issues, Bubba's still fills up to overflowing on a regular basis. Even now, seating is first-come first-served. At least the expanded accommodations mean a shorter wait, but on a busy day that can still be upwards of an hour.

When it gets really busy, the staff whips out the trusty clipboard and leaves it at the front desk for diners to sign in as they arrive and, yes, everyone has to sign in. There are few people who haven't heard about how Arnold Schwarzenegger tried jumping the line at Bubba's and got told he'd have to sign in and wait his turn just like everyone else.

The outdoor eating area is a bonus in the summer. It offers even more seating to help shorten the wait, and it's like having a catered picnic.

Bubba's is busy all day long serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you want to try to minimize your wait time, go about mid-morning for a late breakfast or early lunch, or head out for an early dinner around 5 p.m.

The restaurant is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 days a week. Trying to beat the crowd by going at odd hours is no guarantee against waiting, but it's always worth a shot.

The menu for every meal is extensive and delicious. The blueberry pancakes are bigger than the plates!

Everything is big at Bubba's - even the half order of biscuits and gravy fills up the dish.

At least once you gotta try Mama Julie's Pot Pie, a culinary creation of eggs, bacon, sausage, peppers, and onions topped with a flaky crust and served in a cast iron skillet.

The rest of the menu is filled with smoky barbecue goodness, the cornerstone of Bubba's reputation. The brisket is always a great choice.

Of course, the ribs are what bring many people into Bubba's.

Half a chicken is one of the tasty non-beef or pork menu items.

Plus, there are hamburgers, steaks, and pork chops with lip-smacking sides like baked beans, coleslaw, chili, or potato salad to make your choice even harder.

Bubba's has a huge salad bar, too, packed with enough food that one trip through could easily be your entire meal.

If you're a wing fan, you'll want to be sure to try Bubba's - they can't be beat!

If you'll only be in town for one meal, order a combo plate so you can have a little of everything at once.

Brisket, pulled pork, and chicken slathered in Bubba's signature sauce - it's at least a 5 napkin meal!

If you have just a little more room after eating at Bubba's, you can finish off with a yummy chocolate chip cookie, free for diners every Thursday.

What's your favorite item on the menu at Bubba's? What other Wyoming restaurant has food so good it's worth the wait?