This Wyoming Buffet Was Just Named The Most Mouthwatering All-You-Can-Eat Spot In The State
Queen Victoria gave Buffalo Bill a cherrywood bar, and today it watches people go back for seconds on prime rib. Royalty at dinner is rare, unless the Burger King counts.
This Wyoming dining room drew around 12,000 to 13,000 buffet diners in 2025. Food Network even called the spread a grand slam.
That’s a lot of people agreeing on one thing, which feels rarer than a quiet toddler at a fireworks show.
My favorite part is the Wild West backstory. The man who built the place called it just the sweetest hotel that ever was.
A showman’s claim, sure, but this one came with a cherrywood bar fit for a queen.
Between the frontier lore and the prime rib, dinner here comes with quite a bit of history on the side. Buffalo Bill clearly knew how to make an impression, and apparently, the buffet is keeping the tradition alive.
Food Network Basically Handed This Buffet A Trophy
Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant didn’t earn its reputation by playing small. Food Network described its dinner buffet as a grand slam, and that’s no small compliment.
The famous prime rib buffet has become one of the most talked-about meals in Wyoming. Around 12,000 to 13,000 diners lined up for it in 2025 alone.
That’s enough people to fill a small town several times over.
So why the fuss? The star is slow-roasted prime rib, carved fresh so you get a slice that’s ready right then.
Nobody has to wonder if it sat under a heat lamp since lunch.
The buffet also fits nicely into a busy travel day. Cody sits on the road to Yellowstone, so plenty of folks roll in hungry after hours of sightseeing.
A feast like this turns a long drive into a reward.
Here’s a practical tip worth remembering. Dinner is the main prime rib event, so plan your day around that window.
Skip the big afternoon snack if you can resist it.
Your stomach will thank you later. Your belt might file a complaint, but that’s between you two.
Save Room, Because The Prime Rib Has Serious Company
Prime rib may get top billing, but the supporting cast deserves its own applause. The dinner spread often includes baked ham, barbecue buffalo and pork ribs, baked salmon, and coconut shrimp.
Buffalo ribs on a buffet line? That’s about as Wyoming as a plate can get.
It’s a fun way to try a Western favorite without committing to a whole entree.
Comfort sides fill out the rest of the line. You’ll usually find pasta, rice, and different potato dishes waiting nearby.
There’s also a soup and salad bar for anyone pretending to be responsible tonight.
A smart strategy helps here. Take small portions on the first trip and scout everything before loading up.
Buffets reward patience, and nobody wants to fill up on rolls before spotting the shrimp.
Then comes dessert, and it’s a big one. The homemade bread pudding shows up as a constant highlight on the spread.
It’s warm, sweet, and dangerously easy to justify after a long day exploring.
Leave a little space for it, even if that means one less rib. Future you will be grateful.
Present you may grumble, but present you is often wrong about dessert.
Yes, A Queen Really Sent That Gorgeous Bar
Royal gifts usually end up in museums behind velvet ropes. At this hotel, one sits right where diners can admire it between bites.
The magnificent cherrywood backbar was a gift to Buffalo Bill from Queen Victoria of England. Bill had performed his Wild West show for European crowds, and his fame reached all the way to the palace.
Getting that bar to Wyoming was quite a journey. It traveled from England to the frontier, which was no quick shipping order back then.
No tracking number, no two-day delivery, just a lot of faith and careful hands.
Today it ranks among the most photographed features in Cody. The rich wood and detailed carving catch the eye from across the room.
It gives the whole dining area a grand, old-world feel.
Want a good photo? Snap it before your plate arrives, because you’ll be busy once the food lands.
Natural light and a steady hand make the carvings really stand out.
It’s fun to think about the stories that bar has absorbed over the years. Cattle deals, celebrations, and plenty of tall tales probably drifted past it.
If only furniture could talk, right?
Not A Buffet Person? The Menu Has You Covered
Some folks just like ordering off a menu, and that’s perfectly fine. The restaurant serves a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
Steak fans get a real treat here. The lineup includes a Buffalo Rib Eye, which feels right at home in a hotel built by Buffalo Bill himself.
It’s a cut with a frontier backstory baked right in.
Seafood lovers aren’t left out either. The menu features Wild West Salmon and a steak and jumbo shrimp combo.
That second option solves the classic surf or turf dilemma by simply choosing both.
The lunch menu offers lighter choices too. Burgers, sandwiches, and classic American plates make it easy to grab a midday meal before more sightseeing.
A buffalo burger is a fun pick if you want local flavor without a full steak dinner.
Breakfast is another strong reason to stop. Starting the day here means fueling up in a building that’s been serving travelers since 1902.
That beats a gas station granola bar by a mile.
Mixing and matching works well on a longer visit. Try the menu one meal and the buffet another.
Variety keeps things interesting.
Buffalo Bill Built It And Bragged About It
William F. Cody wasn’t shy about anything, including his hotel.
He called it just the sweetest hotel that ever was, plus a gem.
Buffalo Bill co-founded the town of Cody, which carries his name. He personally built this hotel, and it opened on November 1, 1902.
More than a century later, it still welcomes guests and hungry travelers.
The name has a sweet family touch. Bill named the hotel after his youngest daughter, Irma.
Not many dads can top that kind of birthday present.
It quickly became the social heart of town. Ranchers, travelers, and adventurers gathered here regularly.
It also served as a gateway for people heading into nearby Yellowstone National Park.
That history makes every meal feel a little bigger. You’re eating in a building the most famous showman of the Old West dreamed up himself.
It’s like dining inside a history book, minus the pop quiz.
Take a few minutes to look around before or after eating. The building has plenty of details that hint at its past.
Even a short stroll through the lobby adds flavor to the visit.
Sleep Where The Showman Himself Once Stayed
After a huge dinner, a bed just upstairs sounds pretty brilliant. The hotel offers 39 air-conditioned guest rooms for anyone who wants to stay the night.
History buffs, listen up. Buffalo Bill’s original two suites have been restored and are available for guests.
Booking one means sleeping in the same space the legend kept for himself.
Modern comforts still show up. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, cable TV, private bathrooms with toiletries, and coffee and tea makers.
So the Old West charm doesn’t mean giving up your phone charger.
Some rooms lean into Western-style furnishings and elevated ceilings. Historic rooms can feel like stepping into the early 1900s.
Standard rooms keep things simple for travelers who mainly want rest.
A quick heads-up helps here. This is an older building, so expect some old-building quirks.
Packing a light sweater and an open mind makes the stay smoother.
The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which makes it a true landmark. Free parking sits close by too.
Book early during the summer months, since Yellowstone season keeps Cody busy.
Dinner And A Shootout? Only In Cody
Few restaurants offer a free Wild West show before dessert. Summer evenings here come with exactly that kind of bonus entertainment.
The Cody Gunfighters perform on the hotel’s front porch from June through September.
Costumed performers bring Old West drama to the street right outside. It’s loud, theatrical, and great for families with kids who love a good showdown.
Think of it as a live Western movie without the popcorn bucket.
Timing matters if you want a good view. Arrive a bit early to grab a decent spot near the porch.
Pairing the show with dinner makes for an easy, memorable evening.
Visiting before June? The gunfight won’t be running yet, so check the season before planning around it.
The food and history still make the trip worthwhile any time of year.
Summer in Wyoming brings long evenings and lots of visitors. This show captures that lively frontier spirit perfectly.
It’s one of those moments that kids talk about all the way home.
Hop On A Trolley Without Leaving The Hotel
Planning a town tour can feel like homework. Here, the hard part is already done because the Cody Trolley is headquartered right at the hotel.
The trolley offers live narrated tours of Buffalo Bill’s town. Guides share stories about Cody’s past and point out spots worth knowing.
It’s a relaxed way to learn the area without studying maps.
Convenience is the big win. You can eat, catch a tour, and return without moving the car.
That’s a huge plus on a packed travel day.
A tour also adds context to everything you see in the hotel. Hearing about Bill’s role in shaping Cody makes the dining room feel even richer.
Suddenly that cherrywood bar has an even better backstory.
Families tend to appreciate this kind of outing. Kids get to sit back, listen, and watch the town roll by.
Grownups get a break from asking for directions every ten minutes.
Consider scheduling the trolley early in your visit. It works like a friendly introduction to the whole town.
Afterward, you’ll know exactly which places you want to explore on foot.
Park Once And Explore Downtown Cody On Foot
Location can make or break a road trip stop. This hotel sits right in the middle of the action at 1192 Sheridan Ave, Cody, WY 82414.
Downtown Cody unfolds right outside the front door. Shops, galleries, and Western storefronts line the nearby streets.
A short stroll after dinner is a great way to make room for dessert.
Culture lovers have a big neighbor close by. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is about an eight-minute walk away.
It’s a sprawling museum that tells the bigger story of the man and the region.
Outdoor fans won’t have to go far either. Buffalo Bill State Park sits roughly 9.8 miles from the hotel.
Yellowstone’s east entrance is a scenic drive west of town.
Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel & Restaurant also provides free parking, which makes everything easier. The hotel has a gift shop for grabbing souvenirs before hitting the road.
Wyoming road trips often involve long stretches between towns. Having food, lodging, history, and entertainment in one spot is a real gift.
Few stops pack this much into a single street corner.