Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company Restaurant

Type: Italian, American
Cuisine: Pizza, Pasta, Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Dessert
Atmosphere: Casual, Pub
Serves: Lunch and Dinner
Hours: Seasonal
MENU

Of the two restaurants found in Dornan’s, Chuckwagon and Pizza Pasta Company, Pizza and Pasta’s menu has more options and a full bar. 🙂

There is an indoor eating area and there are two outdoor decks.

The upstairs deck is for those 21 and older. No exceptions. Those under 21 cannot go upstairs, not even with an adult.

The main level deck is open to everyone.

Both decks provide great views of the Tetons, with the upper deck providing additional 360-degree views of the area – Gros Ventre, Blacktail Butte, and Shadow Mountain.

Views are Fantastic, the food average to good, prices are comparable for the area, and the service is different.

Very different.

So you know what to expect, see “Service” section.

Service

When you walk inside, the place has all the appearances of a full-service restaurant.

It isn’t.

Follow these instructions to save yourself frustration and confusion.

Seat yourself (which I recommend before ordering), grab a menu and some silverware from the cash register and take it to your table.

Order food at the cash register, take the number they give you, set the number prominently on your table.

Now go to the bar (in the same room) and order your drinks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic. If you are drinking water, there will be pitchers at one end of the bar with glasses you can fill. Take a pitcher back to your table with you if you want (recommended).

Your food will be brought to your table.

So far, so good…okay.

This is the different part. After the food is brought to you, there will not be waitstaff to come around and wait on you.

If you want beverage refills, you will need to go back to the bar.

Additional food items need to be ordered at the cash register. (Something to consider this when choosing to eat upstairs on upper deck!!)

While the lack of service may seem like a “negative”, you may choose to see it as a “positive” as you can lounge and linger without worrying about holding a server’s table. This is great for people looking for a place they can relax for long periods of time, to enjoy drinks with friends and the view.

Pizza and Pasta Company is ideal for:

• Everyone, including kids, vegetarians, and gluten avoiders (gluten-free crust on pizzas available for extra charge)
• If you are looking for a place to relax and linger while you enjoy the view (you will be serving yourself, so no waitstaff needing to turn over tables)
• If it is a hot day, and you need to get out of the sun and into the shade – great view of Tetons is still possible inside, big picture windows
• If you want a deck with drinks to look at the view, without kids (top deck for adults only) or with kids at bottom deck
• Any size groups, for very large groups or tours, call ahead 307-733-2415 ext. 300

Know Before You Go:

• No matter where you sit (except at bar) you need to order at the cash register. You will also need to order both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the bar. If you need anything or want to order anything additional, you will need to go to the cash register. There is no wait staff coming around checking on you.
• The upstairs deck is for 21 years old and up. No exceptions. Kids under 21 will not be allowed upstairs, not even with an adult.
• Both decks have fabulous views, but they are usually in full sun and can be HOT! Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses (and a cold drink) help. The upstairs deck sometimes has umbrellas, but prepare your spirit for them not to be there.
• Bug spray and sunscreen are a must, for every day, but do reapply both if you eat outside. You are at 6,200+ ft elevation and close to the Snake River. Don’t let sunburn and mosquitoes ruin your vacation.

Bonus

There is a “Hootenanny” on Monday nights from 6:00-9:00 pm! In the summer, it is held outside by the Chuckwagon restaurant.

The rest of the year, it is held inside at the Pizza Pasta Company.

Cost is free.

Our Review

When we go to Dornan’s this is where we like to eat. We like the food here better than the Chuckwagon and the pizzas are yummy (not to mention easy for kids!).

We especially like to go here after our long hikes.

We sit at the bar, order something we think we burned enough calories for, and have a well-deserved beer. James usually gets a local beer, and I go for the lightest beer possible, local or not, and take sips of his to see if I like his. We sit at the bar inside because it is usually late afternoon when we are there and the sun is beaming down on both decks. The inside bar has large picture windows to look at the Tetons.

View from the large picture window inside Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Co Restaurant

We come here, after hikes, even when we have the two 13-year-olds. We buy them ice cream for a hike well-done (actually it is their bribe reward) at the ice cream cart outside. If they are starving, they eat at the restaurant first and then get ice cream.

13-year-old after hike at Dornan’s Pizza Pasta Company Restaurant

Keep Your Eye Peeled for a Moose!

Jenn Cunningham
Founder, Explore GTNP