Inexpensive places to eat in YNP?

We%26#39;ll be eating some of our meals out of the cooler, but also planning to eat some in the cafeterias/restaurants. What are some of the cheaper places to eat? Would two adults be able to eat in the cafeterias for under $30? Under $20?

I%26#39;ve also read that there are lunch counters in the general stores that serve burgers, etc. Do all the general stores have lunch counters? Are we talking about a $2 burger or an $8 burger? Just trying to decide if it would be worth it to eat most of our lunches and breakfasts out of the cooler, or if it%26#39;s just as cheap to do the general store lunch counters and cafeterias.

Thanks!

Inexpensive places to eat in YNP?

You can probably eat in the cafeterias for under $30 for 2. Here%26#39;s a link to a menu for the dining room at Canyon. You can see other links to the left.

travelyellowstone.com/canyon-lodge-dining-ro…

Eating in the dining rooms won%26#39;t be under $30 for 2.

The general stores are apparently operated by a different group. We never ate there but I%26#39;d assume the burgers to be $6 - $7.

We eat meals out of the ice chest more for convenience than anything else. When you start filling it up wth breakfast and lunch stuff, the money can mount up too although I think its some cheaper too. It is nice to just enjoy the picnic areas and not worry about the nearest cafeteria.

Inexpensive places to eat in YNP?

Ah - my area of expertise - Food :-)

Here%26#39;s a link to places to eat in the Park: www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/wheretoeat.htm

The cafeterias are definitely cheaper than the dining rooms and are all priced the same - you could eat lunch there for about $20-$25, maybe a little more for dinner. I%26#39;ve only eaten at the lunch counters a couple of times - pretty good burgers etc. and if memory serves me (which it doesn%26#39;t always :-)) prices fairly reasonable around $5-$10 depending on what you get. Maybe someone who has been there more recently can correct me if I%26#39;m wrong on that. I do know that the general stores all have that great Wilcoxson%26#39;s ice cream!

Eating from the cooler - especially for lunch - is as much a matter of convenience as price. It frees you up to eat where you happen to be, rather than having to plan to be at a lodge etc. at lunchtime. Also, breakfast out in the Park watching the wildlife can be a memorable experience in itself.

I don%26#39;t know how long you%26#39;re staying, but you might think about splurging one night and having dinner at either the OFI or Lake Hotel dining rooms. More expensive, but beautiful atmospheres. You do need to make reservations for them.

Have Fun!

Looks like AKJ was posting as I was writing - hence the repetition :-)