Canyon Fountain and Grill — Restaurant in West Yellowstone

Of the several eateries in Canyon Village, this one looked to have the most interesting menu with fresh cooked to order food (the other main one was buffet style, and the other cafes were mostly just sandwiches, etc.), so I picked it.

I was seated quickly at one of the fountain stools. (Note that all of the seating at this restaurant is shared seating around several long and skinny U-shaped soda fountain counters. The seating is pretty tight, and my neighbors on both sides and I bumped elbows several times.)

Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I sat for almost 10 minutes without being acknowledged at all by the server responsible for our counter. (Each of the counters has its own dedicated server for the 20 or so patron seated at that counter.) I sat watching the server sit for at least five minutes slowly punching things into the POS terminal—far more than should have been required.

Finally, the server, Josh, approached. He kind of halfheartedly threw menus at me and my neighbors. Several minutes later, he came around to take orders, and he just assumed I was with the people sitting next to me, even though I had sat down at least five minutes before they did.

I ordered a bison burger and asked to hold the pickles, and he just said “everything comes on the side” (I don’t like the vinegar flavor pickles leave on things). I also ordered a root beer float; despite the name, this “soda fountain” doesn’t serve malts or milkshakes.

When the float came, I asked for a straw so that I could actually drink the root beer. All I got was a “we’re not allowed to give out straws.“

The food took about an average amount of time to come out. The people sitting next to me asked for ketchup, and Josh merely gesture at the corral with ketchup without even saying anything.

The ketchup bottle in my corral was empty, but of course it took me probably a good six or seven minutes to get it refilled, because despite having only about 20 people to take care of all seated in a row, I couldn’t get Josh’s attention.

I can put up with bad service if the food is good, but this was actually pretty mediocre food. Everything was flavorless – I never have to add salt to my food, but I had to add quite a bit of salt to the fries just to coax any flavor out of them.

I know people don’t generally go into a national park expecting amazing food from lowest-bidder concessionaires, but this is probably the worst meal I’ve had in a national park — and certainly the worst service. I almost never leave anything below 20% tip, but in this case, I tipped 15% and rounded down, and after I got up, I still felt like I had overtipped him. I get that a huge number of visitors to Yellowstone are from overseas and the servers in the place like this probably get pretty jaded and just don’t give much effort, because they know they’re not going to get much in the way of tips, but still.

In its current state, I wouldn’t recommend eating here. Can’t give any information about other eateries in the park, but this one is skippable unless Delaware North, the concessionaire, can figure out how to fix...

For a quick and satisfying bite in Yellowstone National Park's Canyon Village, look no further than Canyon Fountain and Grill! This lively eatery, delicious food, fun atmosphere, and convenient location.

Classic Comfort Food Done Right: Sometimes, all you need after a day of exploring Yellowstone's wonders is a good ol' fashioned burger and fries. Canyon Fountain and Grill delivers on that craving with classic American fare done right. The juicy burgers, crispy fries, and hot dogs are sure to hit the spot.

Variety for Picky Eaters: The menu isn't limited to just burgers and fries. They offer vegetarian options, kid-friendly choices, and even some healthier alternatives like salads. This ensures everyone in your group can find something they'll enjoy.

Fast & Efficient Service: Canyon Fountain and Grill operates with a cafeteria-style service. This makes it a great option for those who are short on time and want to grab a bite to eat quickly. The staff is friendly and efficient, helping you get your food and get back to exploring the park.

A Touch of 1950s Fun: The décor at Canyon Fountain and Grill takes you back in time with a 1950s diner vibe. The red and white checkered floors and counter seating add a touch of nostalgia and fun to the dining experience.

Centrally Located & Convenient: Nestled within Canyon Village, Canyon Fountain and Grill is conveniently located near Canyon Lodge and other park amenities. This makes it a perfect stop for lunch or a quick refuel before heading out on your next Yellowstone adventure.

Bonus Tip: If you're looking for a lighter option, check out the selection of ice cream and milkshakes - a perfect way to cool down on a hot day or celebrate a successful hike.

Overall: Canyon Fountain and Grill is a great choice for a casual and satisfying meal in Yellowstone. The delicious food, fast service, fun atmosphere, and convenient location. So next time you're in Canyon Village, ditch the fancy sit-down restaurants and head to Canyon Fountain and Grill for a taste of Americana fun in the heart of...

I would realistically give this place a 2.5 stars, but I’ll just go 2 because there are a lot of cons. But… I mean you can’t really trash on it too much, because what other food options are there out here honestly? But here’s some pros, and cons:

Pros: Insanely fast speed to get your food Nice staff

Cons: Extremely busy Very crowded and awkward seating environment SOOO expense (I’ll talk about this later) Very, yes VERY mediocre food (Maybe even less than mediocre) Price doesn’t make sense with the food taste

I’ll expand on the cons here…

Just so busy, nothing much else to say You’re sitting right next to somebody because it’s a bar style layout, that wraps around. $16 for a school cafeteria cheeseburger, no thanks! Food tasted like the definition of “OK” Again… price is wayyy too much. $75 for 2 burgers, a chicken sandwich, and a kids PB&J, like WHAT??!

Final conclusion… don’t waste your time and money on this place, it’s unfortunate to say, but I’d rather go into the grocery store and...