Safari Club - Thermopolis

Let's be clear—this place is filled with mounted taxidermy animals, which may be a major turn-off for some people. Personally, I own a couple of European-mounted elk skulls that reflect the majesty of animals I've hunted for food, but I don't have much respect for those who hunt just to display trophies on their walls. It seems like a heavy dose of ego at the cost of an animal's life, which feels like an unfair trade, especially from the animal's point of view. As you'll see in the attached photos, this display of ego knows few bounds at the Safari Club, the restaurant located in the former Thermopolis Hot Springs Hotel and Spa. The previous owners had a unique approach, but the hotel was sold a few years ago to a chain that has kept the original name intact. Now, let's discuss the food: it earns a solid 3.5 stars. They have great drink specials, so if you stay there, don’t forget to grab the 2-for-1 drink coupon for the restaurant. Their selection of wine and beer is reasonably priced and pretty good. The menu is generally typical of an American diner—think burgers, sandwiches, fries—but they also offer a few standout options like trout, hand-cut steaks, and roast beef. And if you're feeling adventurous, don’t miss out on the Rocky Mountain Oysters! While the food is decent, it's the preserved wildlife and the impressive collection of photographs from their global hunting expeditions that really draw attention. Would I go back? Possibly. The large hot tub filled with natural geothermal water was enjoyable, and the other guests were friendly and interesting to chat with. However, if you're sensitive to the sight of taxidermy, you might want to consider dining elsewhere at one of the other local restaurants or resorts. Just my two cents. - David M

After a long day fishing on the Big Horn River in Thermopolis, WY, we decided to stop by the Safari Club for a drink. A staff member seated us and mentioned she would be with us shortly to take our order. However, after twenty minutes of waiting, she never approached us, even though she took orders from customers who arrived after us. I'm not sure what happened, but we ended up leaving. I would not recommend this place and have no intention of returning. It was quite disappointing, to say the least.

The restaurant offers an array of interesting decor, generous portion sizes, and friendly service, though it's clear they could use more staff. Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

I've been here in the past and was sad to see the poor condition of this hotel. From bugs in the hallway lights to dirty floors, rooms were in poor condition. Our dinner was ok but I'm sad to say we'll find different accommodations our next trip. I hope they fix up this historic hotel. It used to be a gem

Worst service ever! The steak was tough and terrible, the prime rib tasted rotten, and the spaghetti and meatballs were cold in the middle! Took 30 minutes to get a table, 20-30 minutes to order, plus an hour to get food! There were only about 15 people in there!!