Teton Pines Happy Hour

Life is sublime at the Teton Pines happy hour.

On a whim, we drove five miles south of Teton Village to the Teton Pines Club House in January. For more than a week we kept passing the sign advertising a happy hour. Curiosity finally overcame us and we decided to go. Admittedly, we were not overly expectant.  After all, Teton Pines is a country club – not the sort of thing my wife and I usually plan on going to when we visit Jackson Hole.

Teton Pines Happy HourBut from the moment we walked in and found our way to the bar tucked into the back of the clubhouse we realized we had found something special. The huge glass windows looking out on a beautiful landscape perfectly showcase both past and present snowfalls. The bar is small and cozy; especially if you arrive before 5:00 p.m. and the extremely friendly bartenders have time to engage in conversation.

The drink menu had some great combinations. My wife and I ordered a hot cider combination and our friends enjoyed a chocolate flavored concoction. But for those who aren’t looking for something quite so sweet there are plenty of other possibilities along with the normal top shelf liquor found at a well-stocked bar.

But the clear winner was the happy hour menu. Seven different appetizers, each sounding better than the other, will tempt you. We ordered three:

  1. Crispy Buffalo Chicken Bites;
  2. Trio of meatball Sandwiches; and
  3. Mini Fish Tacos.

Not only were they delicious, the portions were surprisingly large – and the price was right – $7 -$9 each. Four of us were satiated from eating those three choices.

Happy hour is only available Wednesday through Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Unfortunately, it is only offered during the winter. Hopefully, that policy will change for the summer folks.

On this web site, I only write about places I have enjoyed and will return to. Yesterday I went back again.  This time the four of us ordered five different appetizers and then ordered repeats of two of them. Needless to say, we were not disappointed. Check it out at Teton Pines.

Jackson Hole – Great Harvest Bread Company

Ok.  I can’t believe I am recommending a franchise.  I can’t believe I am recommending that you go all the way to Jackson Hole and then frequent an eatery that you might have back home.  However, this ain’t just your ordinary Great Harvest Bread Company store (and the ordinary ones are pretty darned good too!).  This bakery is special – at least it is to me and everybody I have brought in there.  It is quite different than the franchise that is located where I live.  The owners appear to have taken special care to put their own distinctive twist on the brand.

It starts with the free samples.  They offer you gigantic portions of several different types of bread, swathed in butter or jelly that, except for your guilt, would be enough to eat along with their Snake River Roaster coffee sold by the cup.  However, even though they serve fine looking breakfasts that is not what brings me in.  Even the tempting smells emanating from the freshly baked loaves of bread would not necessarily warrant a stop there an almost command performance.

For me, it is their sandwiches and desserts.  Specifically, it is one of each.  Usually I am a roast beef or corned beef sandwich guy.  However, once I ventured out of my comfort zone when I saw the description of their Cowboy Cobb.  It included:

  • Fresh avocado
  • Smoked turkey breast
  • Crispy bacon
  • Blue cheese spread

When I opened it up forty minutes later up at the Oxbow (see a future post on this incredible wildlife viewing location), I thought I had died and gone to heaven.  I was so impressed that between bites I called my wife in Maryland and told her I had found Nirvana.  [Read more…]

Jackson Hole – Creekside Market and Deli

This little gem is a great place to stop for a surprisingly inexpensive sandwich to take along on your outdoor adventure.  The turkey club is especially good, but alternatively you have your choice of:

  • 13 meats
  • 8 cheeses
  • 12 breads
  • 19 fixings

or 9 other specialty sandwiches.  Along with all this you get the benefit of a small grocery ( a clean bathroom for those in need) and personal assistance.

It is located at 545 N. Cache Rd. ( the main road heading north out of town).  As you are leaving town, you will see a long low strip center on your left.  The Deli is located in the middle of the structure.

Jackson Hole – Dornan’s

If you want the best Bloody Mary for the best price in the world, Dornan’s is the place to go.  If you want world class views of the Tetons while savoring incredibly tasty pizzas, calzones, and salads washed down by local beers, Dornan’s is the place to go.  If you want to rent bikes to ride into Grand Teton National Park or just pick up a few grocery items before you enter the Park, Dornan’s is the place to go.  If you…. well you get the idea – Dornan’s is the place to go! [Read more…]

Wilson – Nora’s Fish Creek Inn Is A Fabulous Place to Eat Breakfast

Nora’s Fish Creek Inn hands down has the best atmosphere to eat breakfast in the Valley.   Every time we visit the valley my wife and I make it a point to eat at Nora’s at least once.  The interior is a large rustic log cabin that oozes the authentic charm of the Old West. Most of my family finds its pancakes to be the signature dish, although I find the omelets not so shabby either. Others will enjoy eating the monster sized huevos rancheros.  Try to get there early or the lines composed of locals and tourists alike might deter you from anything other than a cursory look inside.

It is located in Wilson, which is found by either heading West on Route 22 from Jackson or South on the Teton Village road (U.S. Hwy. 390) from Teton Village or the Aspens and then turning right on Route 22 at the traffic light where the road ends.  Nora’s can be found directly across the street from the Post Office and the General Store (which is well worth exploring).

Hiking and Sandwiches

If you are hiking I strongly suggest that you keep in mind how long it will be before you eat the sandwich and how hot it is.  The fact of the matter is that as much as guacamole, tomato, coleslaw, lettuce or other similar sandwich ingredients might taste great, they break down over time and create a soggy mass of goo that is the last thing you want to encounter after a few miles of walking.  Even using a baguette to ward off the “wets” will always work.

The stores I use depend on the direction I am traveling from Teton Village.  I always try to get to them before 11:00 AM to avoid the crowds.  They are:

  • Dornans near Moose Junction on U.S. Hwy. 89/191 – If I am headed into Grand Teton National Park
  • Backcountry Provisions – If I am heading East into the Gros Ventre Mountains by way of the Elk Range
  • The Westside Grocery (Deli)  at the Aspens- If I am heading West over Teton Pass
  • Kelly on the Gros Ventre  in the town of Kelly – If I am heading onto Antelope Flats or towards Slide Lake

Organic Food Tour

Walking on the farm

While in Back Country Provisions getting sandwiches several days ago, my wife noticed a flyer advertising a tour by Slow Food in the Tetons of three organic farms in Teton Valley, on the other side of the pass from Wilson.  Despite my initial reservations, I agreed to go.  What I saw and learned  served to remind me of the special character of the land and the people which comprise the Teton region. [Read more…]