Ponderosa Cafe

Ponderosa Cafe

115 Main St, Hulett, WY 82720, United States

+1 307-467-5335

Bar & grill, Steak house
(615)
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About This Place

Located in the heart of Hulett, Wyoming, Ponderosa Cafe is a captivating bar & grill and steakhouse that truly embraces the spirit of the wild west with a farm-to-table approach. This charming local gem invites guests to savor the rich flavors of regional meats alongside hearty home-cooked favorites, delivering an authentic taste of the American frontier with every bite.

The menu is a tantalizing showcase of expertly prepared dishes centered around high-quality, locally sourced meats. Signature offerings like the Bison Burger, Elk Burger, and Buffalo Burger elevate traditional burger fare, each boasting a bold and robust flavor profile that only premium game meats can provide. For those craving classic comfort, options such as the savory Meatloaf and the indulgently tender Burnt Ends Sandwich hit the mark with their warm, satisfying textures and homestyle seasoning.

Seafood lovers aren't forgotten here either — the Carolina Catfish Sandwich and crispy Fish and Chips offer a delightful contrast to the meat-heavy selections, accompanied by sides like the addictive Asparagus Fries and golden Cheese Sticks that perfectly complement the main courses. The Steak Dinner and Pork Chops and Potatoes exemplify the kitchen’s finesse in delivering tender, beautifully cooked dishes worthy of any steakhouse aficionado.

Adding to the experience is a well-curated drink menu featuring local and craft brews such as the Elysian IPA, refreshing Jameson and Ginger Beer cocktails, and an inviting selection of draft beers. Whether you’re winding down after a day of exploring or settling in for a relaxed meal, the bar atmosphere invites genuine conversation amid stylish Western décor, echoing the small-town spirit highlighted by patrons like Ashley Smith who praise its "A++ atmosphere" and friendly setting.

The warm hospitality shines through in every aspect — from the staff's attentive service delivering perfectly cooked steaks as Wendy Lish affectionately recalls, to the personal touch of the owner accommodating last-minute diners, as shared by Carlos Francisco Rivera. Guests leave with a sense of having experienced more than just a meal; they walk away feeling connected to the community and the landscape around them.

Whether you’re a visitor eager to dive into Wyoming’s culinary heritage or a local looking for a dependable spot that offers hearty, well-crafted meals, Ponderosa Cafe stands out as a must-visit destination. It’s not just about dining here — it’s about embracing a true taste of the West, served with genuine warmth and thoughtfully prepared flavors.

Service options
Outdoor seating Takeaway Dine-in Delivery
Highlights
Bar games Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great coffee Great dessert Sport
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Comfort food Food Food at bar Happy-hour drinks Late-night food Quick bite Spirits Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic
Crowd
Groups Tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Ashley Smith
    2 week ago

    A++ atmosphere. If you love the wild west- small town-local’s spot- farm(meat) to table experience. We found that some items on the menu were very good home cooking and local meats! Other items were more regular deep fried pub food but good anyways! Will come back next time in Hulett

  • Wendy Lish
    1 month ago

    The steak was cooked to perfection. The chicken fell off the bone. Tasty mash potato. Friendly staff

  • Carlos Francisco Rivera
    1 month ago

    What a treat. I had the pleasure of visiting this spot yesterday. We found the place on Google. It had high ratings. We pulled up and it wasn’t open. Something told me to check the back. I am glad I did. The owner asked for 15 min and he would have the menu ready. We came in. Had drinks. I had a unique filet tip steak meal. The soup and salad that accompanied it was on point. The unique potato fries were amazing. The steak was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Every thing was amazing. It was so good I had to get another meal since we were there so long. I ended up with the pasta dish and was equally satisfied. Boy I was stuffed. You need to pay them a visit. Jodie is an awesome bartender and server and she’s hilarious. Dean is awesome. His food is amazing. I chatted with a couple of customers at the bar and they shared that this is the spot to come to for amazing food in the area. I’m a witness. Hands down one of the best experiences I’ve had. Go pay them a visit. You won’t regret it.

  • Evgeniya Bozhko (KoriAndrTheCat)
    1 month ago

    The cafe was closed when we visited, but the bar was open. It is pretty stylish inside, very atmospheric. Almost no one was there when we came in. There are several options of beer. People are very friendly, and we spent some time talking. Good experience. The coffee was pretty good too.

  • Maximilian Martin
    2 month ago

    2025-06-20 Wow! Upon a recommendation by the local chamber of commerce, I rode my bicycle down the big hill from the Hulett Airport to dine in town. So glad I did! The restaurant was packed full of tourists, but the waitress promptly seated me at a table. I was awarded with a VERY cold water glass bottle, with a pivet cork top fastener, that I poured into my adjacent glass. Cool niche approach! My house salad arrived with Caesar dressing, croutons, cherry tomatoes...the works. Amazing! I ordered the 10oz steak with garlic skewered shrimp. When the waitress placed it on the table, I sang a hymn! Perfectly cooked, scrumptious flavor. One of the best I've enjoyed in months! The shrimp was EXCELLENT! Perfect texture, seasoning, and temperature. Even the ranch fries were crisp on the outside and moist inside. Atmosphere inside and outside screamed old west decor. A perfect compliment to the local attractions. Take my word for it...this restaurant is worth a try!

  • Michael McKenzie
    2 month ago

    Wow! What a gem! We just happened upon this place traveling through Wyoming at just the right time (lunch!!). First impressions was how unique this place was. There is all kinds of fun stuff along the walls and an alien just chilling in the corner. We were greeted immediately by friendly staff. No one else was there but we were told there busier times were later in the evening. It’s not surprising because the population of these towns is so small and far apart. We ordered the fried mushrooms to start and they were hot off the fryer. The breading was full of flavor and the mushrooms have a burst of umami making all the other flavors that much better. But when you add the homemade ranch to it… hooboy it really kicks it up a notch. My bacon cheeseburger wasn’t a dive bar burger meaning it was greasy and messy (albeit wonderful). It was a classic burger cooked to perfection with a thick slice of tomato and onion with fresh greens to top it off. Normally bacon in most places is cheap thin slices. Not here. This was good old fashioned bacon also cooked perfectly. This was a top tier burger. We also got a bacon covered chicken cutlet and that thing was on another level. It didn’t need the bacon. That should be very telling because I love bacon on anything. The chicken was cooked to perfection and the breading on it was bursting with flavor as well. All the accoutrements were also fresh. They could’ve slapped just the cutlet down on a bare plate and no one would complain. It was that good. The only downer was the fries. They were typical crinkle cut fries. Nothing to complain about but also nothing to write home about. But who needs fries when you get these huge portions of culinary heaven. Based on these two dishes alone I would blindly endorse every dish they serve. I’m giving this place all sorts of five stars because not only will I joyfully eat here again if I’m around, I will be going out of my way to do it.

  • Kim S
    3 month ago

    Best burger I’ve ever had! We were passing through off season and this was the only place open. Thank goodness!! The bartender and cook were just delightful! Get the burger. You won’t be disappointed!

  • Tim Putt
    4 month ago

    I was just a passer through checking out devils tower and it had gotten late and Ponderosa Cafe was the only one open. From the first bite I was blown away with the brilliant flavors that came from the soup to the steak everything feels like it was prepared with care and love dont be hesitant this is the spot!!!

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