12 Retro All-You-Can-Eat Spots In Wyoming That Haven’t Changed A Bit In Years
Some food memories stick because they were flashy, but the ones that follow me across Wyoming are the buffets that feel frozen in time, the kind of places where the carpet pattern, the booth padding, and the serving spoons all seem to know your name before you sit down.
I started noticing this years ago after pulling off a long stretch of highway, hungry and impatient, only to realize that the most satisfying meals were waiting under softly buzzing lights and hand-lettered signs promising unlimited refills without a hint of irony.
These all-you-can-eat spots never chased trends or fussed over reinvention, and that stubborn consistency is exactly why I keep returning, sometimes out of nostalgia and sometimes out of pure hunger-driven curiosity.
Wyoming hides these retro institutions in plain sight, quietly feeding families, travelers, and locals who know that comfort often comes in familiar portions.
This list is my personal trail map to twelve places where the plates stay full, the routines never rush, and the past still shows up right alongside dessert.
1. China Buffet, Cheyenne
On the east side of town, China Buffet at 1958 Dell Range Blvd, Cheyenne, WY 82009, is the dependable kind of strip-mall spot where I have watched families treat Friday night like their weekly standing reservation.
I still remember my first visit, staring at the steam table while a regular behind me quietly pointed out which dishes the kitchen had just refreshed so I would start my plate with the good stuff.
The lineup usually covers crispy chicken, stir-fried noodles, shrimp, vegetables, and a few American comfort items, and I have learned that pacing myself is the only way to survive more than one lap around the all-you-can-eat bar.
What keeps pulling me back is how little the dining room changes over the years, from the worn booths to the familiar clink of plates, which makes the place feel reassuring every time I push open the door.
When I leave, I always promise myself I will take a smaller plate next time, even though I already know I am lying.
2. Hathaway’s Restaurant at Little America, Cheyenne
Every time I step into Hathaway’s at Little America, at 2800 W Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82009, I feel as if I have walked into a preserved snapshot of interstate-hotel dining before anyone talked about small plates.
My favorite visits have been on Sunday mornings, when the long-running brunch buffet fills with travelers in road-trip clothes mixed with locals dressed up for a slow meal, all rotating between carving stations, eggs, and dessert tables without any rush.
One winter, I sat by the tall windows watching snow drift across the parking lot while I worked my way from fruit to roast beef, and it felt oddly luxurious to know I did not have to decide on just one plate.
The service leans old-school polite, the coffee flows steadily, and the buffet setup feels more like a ritual than a novelty, which is why I still pencil this place into my Cheyenne plans whenever a Friday night or Sunday morning is open.
By the time I finally push my chair back, I usually realize I have spent more time people-watching than checking my phone, which is exactly how an all-you-can-eat room should work.
3. Hibachi Supreme Buffet, Casper
My first true “I may have overdone it” Wyoming buffet moment happened at Hibachi Supreme Buffet at 601 SE Wyoming Blvd, Casper, WY 82609, tucked into the Eastridge Mall with a glow that always seems to say there is still room for one more plate.
I remember circling the all-you-can-eat line with a friend while we debated strategy, trying to decide whether to commit to sushi and seafood or hold back for the stir-fried dishes and grill items that kept coming out of the kitchen.
The spread usually covers everything from dumplings and noodles to crab legs and hibachi-style meats, and I have learned that the right move is to grab small portions so I can justify a late-stage raid on the dessert section.
What feels most retro here is not the decor but the way large groups still treat dinner as an event, lingering at big tables while kids bounce between soft-serve and the chocolate-covered things they discovered halfway through the meal.
When I finally step back into the mall corridor, I always need a quiet lap around the shops just to convince myself I am capable of moving again.
4. Pizza Ranch, Casper
After long drives across central Wyoming, I keep finding myself steering toward Pizza Ranch at 5011 E 2nd St, Casper, WY 82609, where the words “legendary buffet” on the sign have talked me into more unplanned stops than I care to admit.
One afternoon, I watched a whole youth team come in dusty from a game, and within minutes they were orbiting the all-you-can-eat line for pizza, fried chicken, salad, and dessert slices like they had been training for this moment all season.
I usually start with a thin slice of whatever specialty pizza just came out, add a piece of crispy chicken that I definitely do not need, then pretend the salad bar is a responsible life choice that balances everything else.
The western-themed decor, the constant clatter of plates, and the staff calling out fresh pies make the whole place feel like a throwback to the era when buffets were the easiest answer to the question of where to feed a crowd.
By the time I wander over to the dessert pizza, I am always slightly amused at how quickly my “quick stop” has turned into a slow, comfortable lunch.
5. King Buffet, Rock Springs
Travelers rolling off I-80 into Rock Springs sometimes look surprised when their best meal in town ends up being the all-you-can-eat spread at King Buffet, sitting at 1990 Dewar Dr, Rock Springs, WY 82901, with a parking lot that never seems empty for long.
The first time I ate here, a storm had chased me off the highway, and I walked into a warm dining room where the buffet line shimmered with trays of Chinese dishes, sushi, and a few American comfort staples for anyone feeling cautious.
I remember deciding to treat the visit as research, taking a little bit of everything from stir-fried vegetables to shrimp and noodles, then realizing halfway through the second plate that the “research” excuse had run out.
Regulars move through the line with the confidence that only comes from repetition, and there is something strangely soothing about knowing the fried rice and chicken you liked last year are still waiting in the same corner.
Whenever I leave King Buffet, I always feel as if I have discovered the quiet answer to the question of where Rock Springs hides its most reliable big-plate comfort.
6. China King Buffet, Gillette
In Gillette, China King Buffet at 900 Camel Dr Ste J, Gillette, WY 82716, has become my default suggestion whenever someone wants variety without decision fatigue, because once you pay, the only real choice is how many trips back to the all-you-can-eat line you can handle.
One evening, I watched a group of workers fresh off a long shift sit down, and within minutes, plates were stacked with lo mein, fried rice, dumplings, and every saucy dish that had just come steaming out of the kitchen.
I like to start with a small plate of favorites, then wander back for whatever new tray appears, which usually leads to me quietly negotiating with myself about whether dessert happens now or after one more round of shrimp.
The room feels happily unchanged from year to year, right down to the big goldfish decor touches and the clatter of plates that never quite stops, and that steadiness is a big part of the charm when I am passing through town again.
By the time I head back to the car, I usually realize I have spent more time refilling my water and chatting with staff than checking the clock, which is how you know a buffet is doing its job.
7. Pizza Ranch, Gillette
Some days in Gillette call for one thing only, which for me is a slow, unapologetic cruise around the buffet at Pizza Ranch, sitting at 1000 W 2nd St, Gillette, WY 82716, where the combination of pizza, fried chicken, salad bar, and dessert has turned into a local habit.
I remember one snowy afternoon when I slipped into a booth near the FunZone arcade and watched kids bolt between games and the all-you-can-eat line while I plotted out which specialty pizzas I would grab before they disappeared.
The staff keeps the buffet moving with fresh pies, crispy chicken, and soft dessert slices that always seem to arrive right when I am trying to convince myself I am done, and somehow that timing never feels accidental.
Western-themed touches on the walls, big family tables, and the steady hum of conversation make this place feel pleasantly stuck in the era when piling plates high was considered an easy form of evening entertainment.
When I finally swipe my last bite of dessert through a smear of icing, I usually decide that this is exactly the sort of spot that makes a detour through Gillette worthwhile.
8. Chinatown Chinese Buffet, Cody
Downtown Cody gives me one of its easiest food decisions at Chinatown Chinese Buffet, also known simply as China Town, at 937 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414, a longtime fixture where the buffet line pulls in travelers and locals at the same steady pace.
On my first visit, I watched a couple of tour buses empty out onto the sidewalk, and in less than ten minutes, the dining room was full of people comparing plates stacked with shrimp, noodles, and sweet-and-sour dishes that kept getting replenished.
I usually grab a seat where I can see both the street and the buffet, then do a patient first pass for favorites before circling back to experiment with whatever the staff has just brought out from the kitchen.
The room has that slightly worn, lived-in feel that many buffet fans secretly love, and I find comfort in the fact that the basic layout, the friendly service, and the plentiful trays seem to hold steady year after year.
By the time I step back onto Sheridan Avenue, I always feel a little smug about having found such an easy, all-you-can-eat option within walking distance of nearly everything else in Cody.
9. Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel Restaurant & Grill, Cody
The dining room at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, at 1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414, is one of the rare places where I sit down for a buffet and immediately feel surrounded by history, along with the smell of carving-station prime rib.
I vividly remember my first night at the famous prime rib buffet, watching the carver place generous slices on my plate while I tried not to stare at the ornate back bar and the pressed-tin ceiling that have anchored the room for generations.
The buffet line usually includes hearty sides, salads, and desserts, but it is that all-you-can-eat prime rib service that keeps me going back for “just one more” slice even when I know I have already crossed the sensible limit.
Tourists come for the lore and photos, locals come because the meal still delivers, and I come because there is something deeply satisfying about piling a plate in a room that has seen so many years of the same ritual.
When I finally step outside under the Irma’s sign, I always feel grateful that some buffets manage to age without losing the quirks that made them memorable in the first place.
10. The Cody Cattle Company, Cody
Summer evenings in Cody often find me walking into The Cody Cattle Company at 1910 DeMaris Dr, Cody, WY 82414, where the chuckwagon-style dinner and live music turn the all-you-can-eat buffet into a full night rather than a quick stop.
One night, I sat at a long table with strangers who quickly became buffet allies as we compared plates loaded with beef brisket, pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and cornbread, all included in the unlimited spread before the show.
I appreciated how the staff never made anyone feel rushed, letting people circle back for seconds and thirds while the band tuned up, which gave the whole evening an easy rhythm built around conversations and refills.
The setting feels delightfully old-fashioned, with the focus squarely on generous portions and straightforward flavors rather than fancy presentation, and that simplicity is exactly what I want after a full day exploring nearby sights.
By the time the music winds down and the last plates are cleared, I always walk out convinced that this is one of the most satisfying ways to do an all-you-can-eat dinner in Wyoming.
11. Red Willow Restaurant at Wind River Hotel & Casino, Riverton
Over in Riverton, the Red Willow Restaurant inside Wind River Hotel & Casino at 180 Red Wolf Pl, Riverton, WY 82501, quietly serves one of those buffets that locals talk about in the same breath as slot machines and table games.
I still remember sitting there on a winter evening while the buffet offered everything from carved meats and hot side dishes to salads and desserts, and a regular at the next table leaned over just to make sure I did not miss the smoked salmon.
Reviews over the years have praised the transition to a fuller buffet setup, and you can feel that pride in the way staff keep the trays refreshed and the coffee topped off for people who have clearly made this a recurring stop.
The room feels pleasantly timeless, with big booths, steady chatter, and a mix of casino guests and local families who know that buffet nights here are about lingering rather than grabbing a fast plate before heading out.
Whenever I leave Red Willow, I always end up thinking that the best casino memories sometimes involve nothing more than a comfortable seat, a full buffet line, and no pressure to hurry.
12. Buffalo Sportsbook Grill Buffets at Wind River Hotel & Casino, Riverton
Game nights at the Buffalo Sportsbook Grill inside Wind River Hotel & Casino, sharing the same 180 Red Wolf Pl, Riverton, WY 82501 address, have introduced me to a very particular kind of buffet energy built around sports, prizes, and generous plates.
I remember seeing a holiday buffet here promoted with photos of miniature pies and a long table of hot dishes, then showing up to find guests wandering between the all-you-can-eat spread and the big screens that kept everyone cheering between bites.
The format is classic event buffet, with hearty mains, sides, and desserts designed for people who would rather graze steadily while watching a game than sit through a formal plated dinner, and I have happily joined that grazing crowd more than once.
Staff keep things moving with quick clear-offs and friendly check-ins, and even when the room is full, the mood stays relaxed enough that going back for another plate never feels like you are holding up the line.
By the time the last quarter ends and the buffet starts to wind down, I usually realize that the combination of endless food and shared wins has quietly turned into one of my favorite recurring nights out in Riverton.