Eating Wyoming: Western Sky’s Family Diner | Cowboy State Daily

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Placing Household in Household Eating

By Tim Mandese, Cowboy State Every day

Wheatland is likely to be simply one other place that numerous us drive previous on our journeys down the interstate, however fortunately, my job is to show proper, go down the offramp and see what gastronomic delights these communities supply. 

It’s all the time a pleasure to discover a true household restaurant, run by pleasant folks, that truly serves up nice meals — for instance, Western Sky’s Household Diner simply off of Interstate 25 in Wheatland.

Western Sky’s is a type of locations that jogs my memory what an actual hometown diner is all about. It’s operated by locals, for locals. However everyone seems to be native after they stroll within the door. Greeted by my server Carla, I used to be welcomed like I had been there 100 instances.

Wanting round, I may see this place was clear and vivid and the décor was tastefully western. I had arrived simply earlier than midday, and there have been an excellent variety of tables filled with patrons already having fun with a meal. That’s an excellent signal, because it implies that I’m in the appropriate place for lunch. 

As soon as seated, Carla took my drink order and handed me a menu that had various pages in it. I see that Western Sky’s Household Diner is open for breakfast, and has tons to select from. 

There’s country-fried steak and eggs, the ever in style breakfast burritos and a protracted listing of omelets. There are pancakes, waffles, French toast, breakfast sandwiches and even a bowl of oatmeal if you need one. 

Focus Tim! Focus! You’re right here for lunch!

Okay, let’s take a look at the lunch a part of the menu. As I used to be about to do this, my lunch buddy, Glenn, noticed “The Freedom Burger.” 

The menu reads: “To: Patriots And First Responders, In Honor of Our Patriots Standing In Hurt’s Manner Round The World And At House Defending America’s Liberty WE supply the… FREEDOM BURGER!” The outline guarantees a 7-ounce hamburger patty with American cheese, bacon, & grilled onions on Texas toast with “Freedom Sauce” distinctive to Western Sky’s.

So the Freedom Burger was spoken for. However now what? I see a considerable listing of different burgers, however I additionally see a ribeye steak sandwich on Texas toast and a traditional French dip sandwich. Over within the nook of the menu is even a spaghetti and meatball dish that sounded good. 

Wanting on to dinners, there much more! You’ll have to hold on to your hat, as a result of it is a lengthy web page! Only a few issues on this web page included country-fried steak, roast turkey, roast beef, a 12-ounce or 8-ounce ribeye steak, and, what I lastly would choose, a seafood basket.

The seafood basket was a mix of battered cod filets and battered shrimp. Each of that are provided as separate entrees as effectively. Sounds actually good, however I additionally see one thing below the facet dishes that I couldn’t cross up, white cheddar mac and cheese. As Carla got here again to take our order, I used to be already salivating.

I gave Carla my order however when it got here to my pal’s selection, as he stated Freedom Burger, Carla raised a fist and yelled out “Freeeeeedom!” type of like Mel Gibson within the film “Braveheart.” Appears there’s a working joke with a chef within the kitchen that each time somebody orders that burger, she ought to yell that out. Good thought, as a result of it prompted a number of different folks round us to ask about it. Plus, it was simply humorous!

Whereas ready on our meals, I see the place is actually packed now. Carla higher have skates on. 

Simply then, proprietor Pat Hollingworth stopped by the desk, so I requested her concerning the diner. She tells me that she’s been working the diner for the previous 10 years. I requested her if she had been within the restaurant enterprise earlier than.

”No, however I used to be a cook dinner since I used to be 12,” she stated. “I didn’t like that poverty mentality, so I went to work at 12. I’ve all the time preferred cooking.” 

I requested her simply who was liable for the Freedom Burger. She smiled proudly and stated “Me!” She stated she actually needed to supply one thing to honor our heroes and first responders and thus, the Freedom Burger was born. 

I requested what the preferred dish was and with out hesitation she stated the roast beef. Our order is coming, and I can odor the Freedom Burger earlier than it will get to us! WOW! This smells superb! The bacon is the very first thing to greet you. Then you definately get a whiff of the grilled onions, and that is all earlier than it’s put in entrance of you. 

It doesn’t disappoint both. A tackle the traditional patty soften, the Texas toast is sweet and thick, buttered and grilled good and golden. On the facet have been “fats fries” as our server Carla referred to as them.

Subsequent up is the seafood basket. Okay, it wasn’t in a basket, however I’m not going to complain about that! There have been two good golden cod fillets and plenty of these battered shrimp. It was served up with extra fats fries, with cocktail and tartar sauce. 

I’m from Florida, and each every now and then, I would like seafood in my soul! This was going to be good.

Earlier than I may stick a fork in my first shrimp, I used to be already getting an “Oh my gosh!” from throughout the desk.

“I do know you needed the seafood for selection, however you’ll need this subsequent time!” Glenn stated. “Belief me!” 

Glenn stated the meat was good and crisp on the skin as a patty soften must be, with a young juicy center. The bacon and onions make an excellent topping, however the Freedom Sauce drives this excessive. 

“I don’t know what this sauce is, however I find it irresistible!” added Glenn.

Keep in mind, that was all earlier than I had my first shrimp! Talking of which, I lastly received one. Very nice medium-sized shrimp with simply the correct quantity of batter. Dunking one of many shrimp within the cocktail sauce, it was an exquisite change of tempo for me. I do love fried shrimp! 

The cod fillet was subsequent, and as with the shrimp, the batter was excellent. Simply sufficient to present you that crispy crunch that contrasted with the flaky tender cod. The fish was excellent. Moist and juicy with a contemporary taste. The tartar sauce on the facet went effectively with each chew. 

This meal is a diner winner, 100%, although what I’m actually enthusiastic about is diving deeper in to the menu and attempting the roast beef that Pat stated was so in style.

It’s effectively value mentioning, and one of many causes I needed to cease right here was that Western Sky’s Household Diner has a web based score of 4.4 stars with 858 opinions! With that type of buzz, I couldn’t cross up the prospect. 

So head on over to Western Sky’s Household Diner and see how they put the household in household eating.

Western Sky’s is positioned at 86 sixteenth St. in Wheatland. Hours are 6 a.m. to eight p.m. each day. You’ll be able to name them at (307) 322-9302

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