EVANSTON — Life moves at its own pace at Jody’s Diner, a local Wyoming joint that revels in a classic 1950s vibe.
It’s a go-to place for locals, but is more than just a restaurant — it’s where relationships are built, life’s stories are swapped and great comfort food is just a bonus.
“Everything on the menu is good, but it’s not just about the food,” said Elizabeth Haggerty, restaurant cashier. “It’s about the relationships we have with each other, the customers and the community.”
That came full-circle during first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
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“When we had to close during the lockdowns, we had a customer who gave each of the employees $200 just to help us out,” Haggerty said.
Approaching the modest brick building, once a Texaco gas station situated off Exit 6 along Interstate 80, the diner’s true identity reveals itself as its sign comes into view. In front, the parking lot is filled, mostly with locals.
Upon entering, your attention is immediately drawn to the hometown newspaper strewn across the front counter. Only one is needed, as it gets shared and passed along the counter from one customer to the next.
The scene invites nostalgia.
There’s usually a 15-to-30-minute wait for a table at Jody’s Diner, but nobody complains and nobody leaves. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily)
The atmosphere in Jody’s Diner is fun and bright. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily)
At Jody’s Diner, people actually talk to each other. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily)
Jody’s Diner in Evanston, Wyoming, is where the local go to eat and catch up. (Tracie Sullivan, Cowboy State Daily)
‘We Are Family Here’
The restaurant doesn’t have any booths, opting for an open floor plan with vinyl chairs and laminate tables that captures a vintage charm.
There is a checkerboard floor back wall is pure 1950s diner kitsch with a mural featuring an old-time diner with classic vehicles parked out front and a highway sign welcoming you to Evanston.
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Children’s drawings hang on the opposite wall as do obituaries of people who were once regular customers. They are reminders of the people that make up Evanston and representative of the relationships forged between the diner’s staff and the community it serves.
“The diner has even been listed as honorary pallbearers for our customers who have passed away by their surviving family members,” said manager Kristy Shaffer. “We’ve seen kids grow up and graduate. We’ve seen people get engaged in the restaurant. We are family here.”
People Actually Talking To Each Other
There’s another noticeable difference — hardly anyone has their nose buried in their cellphone. People are actually talking to each other. The entire atmosphere is reminiscent of a bygone era, a time many would argue represents a simpler life.
The restaurant is full, with patrons waiting to be seated. The cashier starts a list, it’s going to be at least a 15- to 30-minute wait for many of them. But no one complains, and no one leaves.
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In the mornings, the regulars gather to share laughs and gossip over coffee. These honored members of the coffee club enjoy the lower prices and some extra smiles from staff before starting their day.
“We call them ‘The bullshitter table,’” Haggerty said. “We even have a button for the club.”
Locals Say Don’t Skip The Soup
Despite the atmosphere, Jody’s is a restaurant, after all, and it’s the home-cooked comfort food that fuels all the conversation and bullshitting.
Locals will tell you to get the chicken-fried steak and specialty soups made by the owner Jody Burton.
“Everything on the menu is good, but her soups are my favorite. I come here every Friday for the clam chowder. It’s like a tradition for me,” said Evanston resident Jessica Schneider. “I won’t go anywhere else for soup. This is it.”
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Burton has won several awards for her soups that range from a variety of traditional to unconventional.
“We really go out there with our soups, that’s for sure,” Burton said. “I have all kinds of soups I make. One of the favorites for customers is cheeseburger soup, which people just love. My soups are always gone really fast.”
Another favorite that always sells out is the cheesecake made by local resident Sandy Shaffer. At 80 years old, Shaffer makes the cheesecake and her daughter and diner manager Kristy delivers it every Thursday.
“The cheesecake is only delivered one day, so it sells out fast,” Kristy Shaffer said. “People love her cheesecake.”
Making The Most Of A Second Chance
While locals clearly enjoy Jody’s Diner, Burton also receives high marks online with more than 2,200 reviews giving it an average score of 4.6 stars out of 5. Her staff says that’s because of Burton.
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“Jody did this,” Shaffer said. “We were slow for the first few years, but she worked really hard and she is the reason people stay working at the restaurant and why customers keep coming back.”
Burton bought the diner in 2011 after the former owner said he was going to close it. At the time, she was managing the restaurant, but as a former addict early in recovery, she didn’t think she could make it work. She decided to try it anyway.
“I really believe that God opened the door for me,” Burton said. “I didn’t have credit. I didn’t have money. I couldn’t get a loan. I’m a recovering drug addict. I’m a felon. I just think God opened the right doors so that I could do this. And I am extremely grateful.”
Burton has since created not only a restaurant, but a place where people can gather and connect.
Here, you get to enjoy a great piece of homemade cheesecake made by an 80-year-old Evanston baking legend while leaving the fast-paced world outside, even if for just a bit.
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails has officially released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional appraisal services to evaluate concession facilities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
These appraisals are mandated by 2026 Senate Enrolled Act 27, Section 335, which requires appraisals of the “capital investment” and “ongoing concern” for the businesses known as the Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Qualified professional appraisers are encouraged to review the full requirements. Proposals must be submitted through the State’s Public Purchase online bidding system by 2:00 p.m., May 18, 2026. To view the full RFP (Number 0270-M), please visit https://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/wyominggsd,wy/buyer/public/home.
For additional information, contact Wyoming State Parks’ Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Dillmon at (307) 777-5734 or by email at Stephanie.Dillmon2@wyo.gov or learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov.
When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.
For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.
Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.
The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.
In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.
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These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.
In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.
The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.
In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline.
To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.
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Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.
The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.
While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.
According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.
Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.
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Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.
The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.
