• Home
    • Meet Me & Mr B
  • Recipes & Food
    • Appetizers, Snacks & Small Bites
    • Beverages
    • Bread Recipes
    • Condiments Recipes
    • Desserts & Sweets
    • German Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Soup & Chowder
    • Sourdough Recipes
    • Recipes by Eating Style
      • Dairy-free Recipes
      • Gluten-free Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Recipe Round-ups
  • Cozy Living
    • Arts, Crafts & DIY
    • Music Notes
  • Cozy Travel
    • Pacific NW
      • Pacific NW Hikes
      • Portland Area
      • Oregon Coast
      • Orcas Island WA
      • Southern Oregon
    • Hikes Near & Far
    • Mountain States
    • Southwestern US
    • Hawaii
    • Tennessee for Music Lovers
    • International Travel
    • One Day in…
  • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Statement
      • Disclosure
    • Work with Us!
      • Media Kit
    • Contact Us!

The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

  • SOURDOUGH RECIPES & RESOURCES

Small Town Good Eats: Wyoming Edition

September 10 By Renée 6 Comments

If you find yourself traveling through Wyoming and feeling those hunger pangs, be sure to check out a few of these wonderful Wyoming restaurants!  

Wyoming Restaurants - Small Town Good Eats at Reasonable Prices | The Good Hearted Woman

Whenever Mr B and I go on a road trip, we make it a point of tracking down the best small town eats we can find. The smaller the town, the more Mom-n-Pop a place feels, the more the locals rave, the faster we come running. We make a week-long run through Wyoming every year: here’s a roundup of our favorite small town Wyoming restaurants!

Wavy Line

Wyoming Restaurants

Small Town Good Eats at Reasonable Prices

UPDATED: September 2019

  • Buffalo
    • Pie Zanos – Locally sourced, scratch made; traditional and new takes on Italian classics.
    • Occidental Saloon – Old West tourist spot great for lunch and a cold drink. 
  • Casper
    • Pho Saigon – Thai food that will make you swoon. 
    • Sanford’s – Monster-size portions in a cool, vintage theme restaurant.
    • HQ Southern BBQ – Some mighty fine BBQ. 
  • Gillette
    • Pizza Carello – “The Best Pizza in Wyoming”
    • Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse – Texas-style BBQ in Texas-size portions. 
    • The Coop – Tasty Tex-Mex influenced rotisserie chicken dishes.
    • Big Lost Meadery – Cool off with a horn full of craft mead and get Big Lost.
  • Sheridan
    • Cowboy Café – Classic American faire with a decidedly western slant.
    • Andi’s Coffee House – Luscious pastries, free Wifi, and lots of quiet spaces if you want a little alone time. 
    • Mint Bar – You can’t ride your horse up to the bar anymore, but you should stop in anyway. 

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Wavy Line

BUFFALO 
Pop. 4,584*

Buffalo is at the top of our list of favorite Wyoming small towns: there seems to always be something wonderful happening whenever we stop in! One year it was the National Basque Convention, another it was a Longmire Days (Longmire author Craig Johnson is a local celeb). Who knows what the next year will bring?!

Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

With all those festivals and community celebrations come some delicious smelling food carts to the town square, but these tasty, mostly barbecued offerings are available sporadically at best. There are surprisingly few sit-down restaurants in Buffalo, but we’ve found a couple of places that serve travelers an excellent meal.

BUFFALO WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pie Zanos

17 N Main Street, Buffalo

Pie Zanos is currently our favorite place to eat in Buffalo. Speaking as one who actively seeks out cozy destinations, this place virtually breathes flannel shirts and boot leather. Some of the kitsch that fills the cabinets may be a bit cringy, but overall, the “cowboy tourist” meets “attic-cleaning baby-boomer” vibe seems to be working for them.

Pie Zanos’ menu offers scratch-made traditional dishes and new spins on Italian classics. Meats and produce are locally sourced, and the menu leans heavily on seasonal produce. There were a couple of good options for vegetarians, but it might tough to get a great vegan meal here (as is the case in most of Wyoming). Service was friendly and efficient, and the low sound level made it was easy to hold a conversation in the space. 

Pie Zanos, Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

I ordered the Pasta Primavera with Italian sausage because I was jonesing for veggies, and the fresh tomatoes and zucchini in the menu description sounded delicious. When it arrived, I noted that the vegetable to pasta ratio seemed a bit low, but other than that, it made for a quite satisfying meal. The dish as a whole was excellent, and the grilled marinated veggies were especially tasty.

Pie Zanos, Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

Mr B ordered the meatball sandwich, which he described as “average to a little better than average. I’d give it a B, give or take.” (Mr B fancies himself to be a Meatball Connoisseur, which apparently roughly aligns to being a Master Sommelier, only with meatballs instead of wine.) The house-made meatballs themselves had a pleasant flavor and solid texture (as opposed to being spongy). The marinara sauce that topped the sandwich was thick, tasty, and nicely balanced with the meatballs. However, the best part about the meatball sandwich was – by far – the roll that it was built upon. It was Outstanding! If that roll is any indication of quality that their in-house bakery produces, we will be back next year with bells on! 

We did note that Everything we ordered was in desperate need of salt, pepper, and any other tableside seasoning we could find. We run into this “blandness/lack of seasoning” often when we eat out in Wyoming, and it has us thinking that maybe Wyomingites as a whole prefer their food a little on the “less-seasoned” side. 

FYI: Pie Zanos also has a wood fire pizza oven, and while Mr Band I didn’t order a pizza this time, the pizzas we saw going by our table during our visit looked and smelled delicious!

Pie Zanos

17 N Main Street
Buffalo, Wyoming
(307) 278-0161


 

Occidental Saloon

10 N Main St, Buffalo [Located in the Historic Occidental Hotel]

Founded in 1880, Buffalo’s Occidental Hotel has a long and colorful history. In its early years, it hosted such notable figures as Teddy Roosevelt, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Calamity Jane, as well as outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, and famous cattle detective (yes, that’s a thing) Tom Horn. The saloon, located on the first floor of the hotel, became a bustling gathering place that stands as testament of the times to this day. In other words, it’s everything you’d expect of an Old West-themed tourist stop. 

Occidental Saloon - Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

Mr B and I have stopped into the Occidental Saloon a number of times over the years, but it’s usually more for the air conditioning and the ambiance than the food. We’ve learned that it’s an excellent place to get a cold drink and cool off when the weather in town is too hot and muggy. (I’ve visited Buffalo about five or six times now; always in July, when it is always too hot and muggy.)

The service at the Occidental is always friendly and courteous, although on occasion, it is slower than dust settling on a breezy day. (But remember, folks – this is Buffalo! If you’re in a big hurry, you should probably go somewhere else anyway. Like Not Wyoming.) 

When you mosey up to the 25-foot bar, you will be standing in the exact spot where cowboys, sheriffs, desperados and cattle barons gathered. You may almost hear them arguing and making deals. In your imagination, you might even hear shots ring out – and if you look around you and up at the ceiling, you can still count numerous original bullet holes!

– The Occidental Saloon

Occidental Saloon - Buffalo, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants & Good Eats | The Good Hearted Woman

You can enjoy live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at the Occidental Saloon.

Menu offerings at the saloon tend to run toward heavy comfort food, and include items like chicken fried steak, french dip sandwiches, bison burgers, and assorted deep fried fare. We’ve always been happy with the food we order here: it’s never anything I feel compelled to search out the chef about, but we’ve never left hungry or dissatisfied.

Occidental Saloon

10 N Main Street
Buffalo, Wyoming
(307) 684-0451

Wavy Line

CASPER
Pop. 57,814*

 

CASPER WYOMING RESTAURANTS

 

Pho Saigon

12th & Beverly Streets, Casper

Before we go any farther, I need to apologize.

I’m sorry, Casper. I totally underestimated you.

Portland, my lifelong home, currently boasts more than two-dozen Vietnamese restaurants. I came of age at the same time Portland’s incredible Southeast Asian restaurant scene was beginning to gain momentum, and after eating my way through a couple decades of varied Asian cuisines, I guess I think of myself as something of a connoisseur. As it turns out, I’m apparently a bit of a food-snob, too: I really wasn’t expecting to find this level of quality in Casper, Wyoming.

Pho Saigon - Casper, Wyoming

I know this is a “pho” place, so we probably should have checked out the pho, but I went for my favorite: a combo cold vermicelli bowl with a spring roll. Mr B skipped his usual pho bowl and ordered one for himself as well. Wyoming Julys are simply too hot for eating steaming bowls of beef noodle soup. 

Flavors were all spot on, and the lemongrass chicken, grilled shrimp, and rice noodles were all perfectly cooked. The spring roll was crispy and the seasonings felt familiar in all the right ways. The only thing it was missing was the fresh cilantro, bean sprouts, and fresh basil that are usually served on my vermicelli bowls back home, but this may be a regional garnish. 

Prices are reasonable at Pho Saigon, but be forewarned: portions are huge! Mr B and I could have easily split one vermicelli bowl… if I had been inclined to share mine with anyone. Which I wasn’t because it was so freaking delicious!! 

Pho Saigon    

12th & Beverly Streets
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 472-5695

 


 

Sanford’s Grub & Pub

61 SE Wyoming Boulevard, Casper

If you are visiting Casper, Sanford’s is one of those places you really should visit at least once, if only for the experience. That experience starts long before you walk through the front door! A herd of dinosaurs greet you as you swing into the parking lot, and a 20-foot tall Bugs Bunny and equally towering Daffy Duck stand sentry to the entrance. 

Sanford's Pub & Grub, Casper, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

Sanford’s interior, with its cool, vintage gas station theme, reminded us a lot of Sparky’s Garage in Butte. (Think Red Robin meets Midwest BBQ.) And like Sparky’s, the menu is a balance of meaty “man-food” and deep-fried comfort, all served up in gut-busting portions. 

Sanford's Pub & Grub, Casper, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

Mr B ordered the Southern Fried Catfish with Crawdaddy Cream Sauce, while I chose to go with one of the lightest menu items I could find: a sheet pan-sized Southern Cajun Chicken Cobb Salad. The food was tasty and satisfying – not great, but a solid good – and needless to say, we had enough leftovers to last us for a couple of meals and then some. 

Sanford's Pub & Grub, Casper, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

While we waited for our food to arrive, we took the opportunity to check out the rest of the place, which is chock from bottom to top with memorabilia: classic cars and motorcycles, old gas pumps, and loads of colorful old advertising kitsch. So much fun! 

Sanford's Pub & Grub, Casper, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

Sanford’s Pub & Grub 

61 SE Wyoming Boulevard
Casper, WY
(307) 315-6040


 

HQ Southern BBQ

70 S. Curtis Street, Evansville

HQ  Southern BBQ opened in 2011 in a former gas station, and on the outside not a whole lot has changed since the days when folks were pumping gas there. The vibe is “rehabbed western truck-stop chic,” and the barbecue is fabulous. 

HQ BBQ - Casper, Wyoming

For big appetites or friendly couples who share, Mr B and I highly recommend the Rib Sampler, which comes a full slab in three different preparations – spicy bourbon habanero sauce (much less spicy than it sounds), Memphis dry-rub, and HQ’s signature wet sauce. The platter also comes with two sides, and a platter of freshly made, warm cornbread served with fluffy honey butter. 

HQ BBQ - Casper, Wyoming

Mr B and I first dined at HQ BBQ a couple of years ago, and loved it so much that we wrote up a whole post devoted to this local favorite!

HQ Southern BBQ 

70 S. Curtis Street
Evansville, WY
(307) 315-MYHQ

 

Wavy Line

GILLETTE
Pop. 30,560*

GILLETTE WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Pizza Carello

601 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

When we went through Gillette this summer, we asked everyone we met what they thought the best place in town was to eat, and nine times out of ten, the answer was, “Well, if you like pizza, Pizza Carello’s has the best pizza in Wyoming.” 

“Best Pizza in Wyoming.” That’s a pretty big statement. We chalked it up to home-town hyperbole, but we also put it at the top of our “must-try” list, and as it turns out, it may not be all hockum.

While Mr B and I have certainly not eaten at every pizza place in Wyoming, so far it appears that all those Gillettites may just be right! 

Pizza Carella, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

We ordered one of Pizza Carello’s Signature wood-fired pizzas – a “Sausage Bianco Balsamico,” which features garlic-infused olive oil, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, onions with a drizzle of balsamic reduction. It was, in a word, Amazing. The crust was tender and perfectly fired, and the toppings were fresh and generous. 

The only thing better than the pizza at Pizza Carello was the service. Our server, Tiffany, was one of the most attentive, friendly, and intuitive servers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She made excellent recommendations, and she wasn’t afraid of giving us her direct opinion when I asked what her personal menu favorites were. (I cannot stand it when the server hems and haws for fear of offering an unwelcome choice.) Tiffany was absolutely the best! 

Pizza Carella, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

SAUSAGE BIANCO BALSAMICO – Garlic-infused olive oil, mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, onions with a drizzle of balsamic reduction.

Pizza Carello is open seven days a week, and serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 2pm. 

Pizza Carello

601 South Douglas Highway
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 363-1743


 

Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

408 South Douglas Highway, Gillette

Three things that stand out from our visit to Pokey’s: the excellent service, the solid Texas-style BBQ, and the enormous portions. 

Pokey's, Gillette, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

We ordered the BBQ Sampler Platter for Two, which comes a quarter pound each of beef brisket and smoked turkey, a half pound of pulled pork, and a quarter rack of ribs. Mr B and I went for it and chose the Brisket Mac-n-Cheese and the Fried Green Tomatoes for our two accompanying sides.

The BBQ overall was very good – a solid 7.5-8 out of 10 with the smoked turkey being particularly succulent, and the brisket was tender to a fault. At $33, the sampler platter may seem a bit pricey for Gillette, but we both got a huge dinner, a midnight snack, and leftovers for lunch out of it, so I’m calling it a bargain. 

Pokey’s BBQ & Smokehouse

408 S Douglas Highway
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 687-7853


 

The Coop {Rotisserie House}

208 W 2nd Street, Gillette

Mr B and I always try to ask local folks for their restaurant recommendations, and after hearing so many rave reviews about this place, we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed.

The Coop is a small, family-friendly eatery specializing in Tex-Mex influenced rotisserie chicken dishes. “Fresh” is the daily anthem, and everything from soup to nuts is made in-house. Notably, in addition to their delicious chicken entrees, The Coop also some tasty-looking Lettuce Wraps for vegetarian eaters. (Veggie options are always a welcome surprise in Wyoming restaurants.)

The Coop, Gillette, Wyoming | Wyoming Restaurants

I ordered the rotisserie chicken tacos – three homemade tortillas filled with fresh rotisserie chicken and topped with pico de gallo. They came with a side of classic Costa Rican black beans and complimentary cornbread. So good!

If you are swinging through Gillette looking for a quick, dependably satisfying meal without a lot of fanfare, The Coop is the place to go. 

PRO TIP: Do not skip the cornbread! 

The Coop  

208 W 2nd St
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 257-7460


 

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

106 S Gillette Avenue, Gillette

(Technically, Big Lost Meadery & Brewery isn’t a restaurant. However, if hand-crafted spirits are something you enjoy, then you should definitely make time to stop in.)

I know bloggers throw around the term “hidden gem” like it was confetti at a surprise party, but Big Lost truly is. A hidden gem.

Big Lost Meadery, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery is currently the only meadery in Wyoming. (Mead is basically honey wine, and is made by fermenting honey with water. Like beer, mead is sometimes flavored with fruits, spices, grains or hops.) There is something for almost everyone here: the log cabin vibe is relaxed and family-friendly, and the space is easy to be in.

In addition to their seasonally changing rotation of craft meads, Big Lost Meadery produces some truly unique craft brews and mixed drinks. Big Lost doesn’t serve food, but they have menus from nearby cafes that deliver and will add the total to your bar tab for convenience so that it’s all on one bill.

First off, I cannot say enough good things about the service we received at Big Lost. It was outstanding! Our bartender was attentive, knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly. She made great recommendations based on our tastes, and as she carefully prepared our drinks, she enthusiastically schooled us about the history and mission of the Meadery, and its owner and driving force, Sam Clikeman.

Big Lost Meadery, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

One of my favorite things about our visit to Big Lost was the total absence of televisions and loud, blaring music. There is not one single TV in the place! This makes for a totally chill, relaxed vibe. (Kids are allowed everywhere except directly in the bar area.) I love the mission that drives this place! 

Big Lost is something unique… we look to get Big Lost from our trials and stressors of life. Hang out in a cabin with no phones, televisions, heartless stimuli, and enjoy an opportunity for true fellowship with old friends and new friends alike. This concept transcends the time and space to let us always remember there’s a time and place to be lost to the rest of the world and focus on the humanity of mankind.

– Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

After chatting with the bartender for awhile, Mr B and I wandered downstairs to check out the game room, which we found well-stock with such vintage games as Giant Jenga, Pong, and Cornhole. Mr B and I ended up staying at Big Lost for over an hour, and spent most of our time talking with a sweet young couple and playing Giant Jenga with their kids.

We will definitely be returning next year to Big Lost!

Big Lost Meadery, Gillette, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

Big Lost is currently open Wednesday through Saturday. (Check website for hours.) 

Big Lost Meadery & Brewery

106 S Gillette Avenue
Gillette, Wyoming
(307) 660-3199 

Wavy Line

SHERIDAN
Pop. 30,210*

SHERIDAN WYOMING RESTAURANTS

Cowboy Café

138 N Main Street, Sheridan

I’ve probably eaten more times at the Cowboy Café more than I have at any other place in Sheridan. Unfortunately, I never seem to take pictures when I eat there; so instead, I’m using this adorable raccoon (one of Sheridan’s 100+ brass sculptures) to hold the place. 

Cowboy Cafe, Sheridan, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

I don’t know why I don’t take pictures at the Cowboy Café. Perhaps it’s because I usually stop in after a very long, hot day on the road, and all I want is something cold with ice and a nice, tasty meal. Which is always exactly what we get. 

The Cowboy Café menu runs toward classic American faire with a decidedly western slant: the breakfast menu includes offerings like chicken fried steak and elk sausage scrambles. Lunch is heavy with burgers and meatloaf sandwiches. Dinner includes wide selection of meat-focused meals: ribs, steaks, meatloaf, etc. There are, however, a number of decent vegetarian options as well. 

The service at the Cowboy Café is always dependably friendly and attentive, the prices are reasonable, and the food arrives at the table quickly. The food itself is average in a good way (I’ll give it a B+), but dessert at the Cowboy Café is almost mandatory: they always have a case full of homemade pies, many flavors for which I can personally vouch. ?

Cowboy Café

138 N Main Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 672-2391


 

Andi’s Coffee House

738 Broadway Street, Sheridan

Lured by promises of free wifi, I stopped in at Andi’s for few hours while Mr B was working in town. This cozy neighborhood coffee shop is housed in a converted bungalow and filled with dried flowers, fresh succulents, and plenty of comfortable seating.

Andi's Coffee - Sheridan, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

Andi’s is a cool, relaxed space. They offer a selection of carefully curated delicious freshly-baked pastries, and (judging from reactions of the patrons who came and went while I was there) an excellent cup of coffee. I’m not much of a coffee drinker myself, so I ordered a chia and an orange-cranberry scone (OMG! So good!), and spent the next two hours in a quiet cubby in the back, trying to get some work done, and another hour or so sitting out on the porch playing my uke.

Andi's Coffee - Sheridan, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

The prices at Andi’s seem a tad high for Sheridan; however, the friendly, attentive staff, the comfortable workspace, and the free wifi more than made up for the extra pennies.  

Andi’s Coffee House

738 Broadway Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 429-1390


 

Mint Bar

151 N Main Street, Sheridan

Last, but never least, is Sheridan’s historic Mint Bar. Every summer, Mr B and I stop in at the Mint Bar for a cool drink (usually a Huckleberry Mule) and our annual crash-course in Mountain Man interior design. 

Mint Bar - Sheridan, Wyoming

Like Big Lost Meadery in Gillette, Mint Bar is more of a watering hole than a restaurant, but if you are in the area and looking for an interesting place to relax and cool off, this is a good stop to make. 

Part bar and part museum, the iconic Mint Bar stands as the oldest operating bar in Wyoming. Since 1907, the Mint has been the meeting place for cowboys, ranchers, and dudes from all around to kick back with a cold one at the end of the day. The interior is the very definition of rustic old-West decor, hung with panoramic photographs of ranch life, portraits of rodeo stars, trick riders, and Western celebrities, and nearly two-dozen animal mounts. 

Mint Bar (Interior), Sheridan, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

Far more interesting than dead animal heads (at least to me) are the actual walls of the Mint Bar, which are lined with cedar shingles and branded with over 9000 cattle brands from all over the state of Wyoming. 

Mint Bar (Interior), Sheridan, Wyoming | The Good Hearted Woman

Mint Bar is open Monday through Saturday, 10am – 2am. 

Mint Bar

151 N Main Street
Sheridan, Wyoming
(307) 674-9696

Wavy Line

Do you have a favorite small town Wyoming restaurant? Let us know in the comments below! 

[Population stats: 2017*]

Wavy Line

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

Wyoming Restaurants - Small Town Good Eats at Reasonable Prices | The Good Hearted Woman

Wavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: Food & Dining, Travel, Wyoming Tagged With: dining out, Wyoming

Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish

January 6 By Renée 27 Comments

Seasoned with smokey paprika and three kinds of dried peppers, this Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish has just the right amount of kick!

Blackened Rockfish

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

This Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish is one of my favorite ways to eat fish!

The star of this recipe is a Spicy Skillet Dry Rub – a delicious creation of Skillet Street Food. With a perfect balance spices (with just a hint of sweetness), it brings big, bold flavor to this simple pan-fried rockfish! 

We loved this spice blend so much, in fact, that I contacted the nice folks at Skillet and asked permission to share their Dry Rub recipe here, which they very kindly granted. (Thanks, guys!)

blank

A fresh Caesar salad on the side (traditional or kale) makes the perfect companion dish to this pan-fried rockfish, effectively quelling the dry rub’s heat without putting out the fire.

Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish & Kale Caesar from Skillet at IFBC 2015

Once you mix up the dry rub, pan-frying the rockfish is a snap! You can literally have this made and on the table in 20 minutes; less if you have the dry rub already mixed up.

Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish. Not just any blackened rockfish, mind you, but THE BEST pan-fried blackened rockfish ever!

Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish

Seasoned with smokey paprika and three kinds of dried peppers, this Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish has just the right amount of kick!
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fish
Servings: 4
Calories: 163kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. fresh rockfish fillets or Pacific cod, red snapper or striped bass 1/2'-3/4" thick
  • 1/2 batch Spicy Skillet Dry Rub
  • 2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Heat cast iron or heavy skillet over medium heat until a water droplet sizzles on the surface, then add enough vegetable oil to lightly cover bottom of skillet.
  • Coat both sides of each fish fillet with the dry rub mix and place into the heated skillet.
  • Fry on first side for about 3 minutes, or until the bottom of the fish is nicely browned.
  • Turn over with tongs and brown the other side for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the flesh is firm and opaque.
  • Remove the fillets from the skillet with tongs and drain on paper towels.

Notes

This pairs well with a Caesar Salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 438mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 17IU | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

We’ve tried Spicy Skillet Dry Rub on Pacific cod, red snapper, and striped bass; as well as everything from everything from roasted vegetables to barbecued steak, and have never been disappointed.

Wavy Line

Some of the ingredients for the dry rub were initially a little hard to locate, but once I figured out where to find them, it was a piece of cake.

Let me save you some time: You will find the ground pasilla pepper and ground New Mexico chili pepper in the Mexican/Hispanic foods aisle of most grocery stores (in my area, Winco, Freddy’s, and Safeway all stock them) or in your local Hispanic Mercado (i.e., Su Casa Imports, El Mercado, etc). I found the ground chipotle pepper in the bulk section at Winco. All of the dried ground peppers are very inexpensive and the recipe makes a lot of dry rub, so it will go a long way.

blank
5 from 12 votes

Spicy Skillet Dry Rub

Prep Time5 mins
Total Time5 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Condiment
Calories: 218kcal
Author: Skillet, Seattle, WA [IFBC 2015]

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoons garlic salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoons ground pasilla pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground chipotle pepper
  • 1 tablespoons ground New Mexico chili pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard powder
  • 5 teaspoons white granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients. Store in an air-tight container. 

Notes

Ingredient Substitution: If you don't have all the dried peppers on hand, just substitute 3 tablespoons of regular chili powder for the ground pasilla, chipotle, and New Mexico chili peppers. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1batch | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 21022mg | Potassium: 1036mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 20505IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 9mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Do you love fish? Be sure to check out these delicious recipes from GHW!

  • Korean-style Pan-Fried Fish {Saengsun Jun} with Fresh Zucchini
  • Grilled Honey Glazed Salmon {with Ginger & Orange}
  • Grilled Halibut over Greens
  • Pan-Seared Sturgeon

Blackened Rockfish

Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish - BEST ever! The secret is the spicy dry rub, seasoned with smokey paprika and three kinds of dried peppers. It just the right amount of kick, without overpowering the flavor of the fish. | The Good Hearted Woman

Wavy Line

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish {with Spicy Skillet Dry Rub} | The Good Hearted Woman  Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish {with Spicy Skillet Dry Rub} | The Good Hearted Woman
Wavy Line

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Main Dishes, Pescatarian, Recipes Tagged With: dining out, fish, Seattle

Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon}

June 5 By Renée 7 Comments

Quite possibly one of the best Creole eateries west of Louisiana!

When you think of great Creole scratch cooking – homemade jambalaya, spicy-rich crayfish gumbo, or crisp-on-the-outside, melt-in-your-mouth hush puppies – where do you think of? I’m guessing that McMinnville, Oregon is probably quite a ways down on your list.

You’re gonna want to rewrite that list.

Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Mr. B and I took a little tour down memory lane a few evenings ago and found ourselves in McMinnville early in the evening, just about supper time. (No, we weren’t over by the courthouse, but good for you for catching that one!) A quick search pointed us directly to the historic district on Third Street – and the Gem Creole Saloon.

Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

The Gem Creole Saloon offers a new century twist on Creole cooking in the historic space that first housed McMinnville’s original Gem Saloon back in the 1800’s. The ambiance is relaxed, prices are very reasonable, and the service was first-rate. The menu is not too long, but there is definitely something on it for everyone, and gluten-free and vegan choices are clearly marked. There is also a complete cocktail menu, an excellent bourbon and whisky selection, and an extensive wine menu.

Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

You can start off with a selection from the full-on frites menu (French fries) – which includes Cajun French Fries, Voodoo Fries, Bayou Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, and even “Boo Fries” with honey butter! Or opt for one of many small plates, including fried pickles and okra, braised greens, mac & cheese, four kinds of biscuits, and jalapeno-cheddar hush puppies.

Jalapeno-cheddar hush puppies at what may just be the best Creole Eatery west of Louisiana: Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Oh. My. Goodness. Those hush puppies.

Served with a crisp, sweet fennel cole slaw and a lightly seasoned dipping sauce, the Gem’s hush puppies were the best Mr. B and I have ever tasted. (It took more than a little restraint on our part to not order a second plate.) Flawlessly executed, these fried corn dumplings had a lovely outside crunch that opened to a soft, smooth, almost cake-like inside. The corn flour mixture was seasoned perfectly, balanced with just the right amount of roasted jalapeno and grated cheddar. Each bite simply melted in a pillow of delicious, airy lightness.

Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Gem Creole Saloon offers a variety of true-to-its-roots entrees, including fresh local oysters, crawfish étouffée, Louisiana BBQ Shrimp, and ‘Madame La Roux’s Gumbo.’ Portions are very generous: one small plate and a main dish would have been plenty for us if we didn’t want leftovers. Which we did.

Mr. B chose the Catfish Two Ways, which turned out to be deliciously beautiful plate. The first fillet was fried traditionally in a buttermilk and cornmeal breading, and the second blackened and served with rémoulade and a rich, mildly spiced rum sauce.

Catfish Two Way at what may just be the best Creole Eatery west of Louisiana: Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

I’ve never been a big fan of catfish: I usually find the gamey taste off-putting, and it is often served fried in a heavy corn-breading that only muddies the taste more. This catfish was none of those things. It was smooth, buttery, and delicious. The accompaniments highlighted the natural flavor of the fish without overpowering it, and the two preparation styles complemented one another very well.

As for me, I love jambalaya – I keep searching for the perfect jambalaya like Graham Chapman searching for the Holy Grail. (And let me just say, a decent jambalaya is not an easy find in the Pacific Northwest.) With the 45-minute cooking time noted on the Gem’s menu, I hesitated, but the place seemed to have more Creole-cred than most, plus our waiter Phil assured me that it was amazing, so I took a chance.

Jambalaya at what may just be the best Creole Eatery west of Louisiana: Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

It was definitely worth the wait.

Made to order, the Gem’s traditional pan-style jambalaya – smoked ham, andouille sausage, and chicken cooked in a stew of rice, tomatoes, and spices, and topped with four lusciously tender shrimp – is infused with deep, rich flavors and just the right amount of kick. (You can also order it with crawfish.) Very generously portioned, one order is enough for two servings and then some.

One word of warning: Don’t even make the trip if you don’t have the time. Everything at Gem’s is cooked from scratch.  The menu even notes that “to cook well requires a certain amount of time. If you must wait it is only to serve you better and please you more.” Our dinner took two hours, and it was lovely from start to finish.

Speaking of finishes… we didn’t intend to get dessert. We rarely do. And we were already full. So we passed on the pecan pie, and even the red velvet cake, but then… Bread Pudding. Caramel Bread Pudding, topped with whipped cream.

Once again – Oh. My.

Caramel Bread Pudding at what may just be the best Creole Eatery west of Louisiana: Gem Creole Saloon {McMinnville, Oregon} | The Good Hearted Woman

Gem Creole Saloon
Current Menu

Historic Downtown McMinnville
236 NE Third Street
McMinnville, Oregon

(503) 883-9194
Seven days a Week
Happy Hour 4 – 6 pm daily

Filed Under: Food & Dining Tagged With: dining out

HQ Southern BBQ {Casper, WY}

August 8 By Renée 3 Comments

Notes from the Man Cave

I travel to Wyoming once or twice a year on business, and Renée occasionally goes with me. When I’m on the road, I always try to find places to eat that are a little off the beaten path – the food is usually good, I get to meet new people, and every once and awhile I discover something awesome. So this July, when Renée stumbled onto a little mom-n-pop BBQ joint just a short hop east from our hotel in Casper, I was all over it like red beans on rice.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

HQ  Southern BBQ opened in 2011 in a former gas station, and on the outside not a whole lot has changed since the days when folks were pumping gas there. The place is totally without pretense: if anything, I guess you could call it “rehabbed western truck-stop chic.” It isn’t a big place either – maximum seating inside is forty-six, with a dozen or so more seats outside.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

To say HQ is popular with the local crowd would be an understatement: when we arrived, the place was packed and there were about fifteen people waiting around for take-out orders or a sit-down table.  Instead of waiting with the crowd, we opted to eat in the small bar area, which turned out to be a great decision because that was where we met Collin.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

The entire HQ bar area.

Collin was our server-bartender, and he has worked at HQ for just over 2 years. Collin’s customer service was outstanding, out-shined only by his enthusiasm for his work (and his desire to get HQ on Guy Feiri’s short list for Diners, Drive-ins & Dives).

After discussing the menu, Renée and I opted to split a Rib Sampler: a full slab plus two sides. While we waited for our food, we sat back and listen as Collin told us all about HQ BBQ. He quoted some pretty impressive statistics, too. (“My boss likes numbers, and he passes them on to me. I like numbers, too.”) Collin claims that HQ goes through 10 lbs. of chili a week and 90 lbs. of dry rub a month, and has served 45,000 lbs. (yes – Thousand!) of Mac & Cheese in the last three years. Not surprisingly, business is booming: sales increased by 25% from 2012 to 2013. “We don’t have the numbers for this year yet, but I know they’re up again.”

In the time it took Renée to go outside and snap a few pictures of the exterior, two small platters of warm corn bread were delivered to our seats. The corn bread was moist and sweet without being cakey or sticky, and came with a small service cup of honey butter.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

A few minutes later, our meal arrived: a plate heaped with three short racks of pork ribs, plus a half-pint canning jar brimming with that famous mac-n-cheese and another full of coleslaw. It was a thing of beauty for this barbeque-lover. (By the way, the mac-n-cheese lived up to the hype, and the coleslaw was crisp, sweet and clean tasting.)

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

We started with the spicy bourbon habanero ribs, which turned out to be a lot less spicy than they sounded, but were amazingly delicious. The Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs were outstanding as well, flavorful and incredibly succulent (especially for a dry-rub), with just the right amount of sweetness to highlight the spices. The last rack was also on the sweet side, smoked to perfection and generously slathered with HQ’s signature wet sauce.

Renée and I agreed that we would be hard pressed to pick a favorite. If we had to choose just one, she would go with the bourbon habenero, and I would probably lean toward the dry-rub.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

No wimpy paper napkins here – HQ gives you a full-duty bar rag for a napkin. You need it.

Regardless of style, every rib on our platter was tender and moist, the meat showing a beautiful pink against the bone and falling off in perfectly smoked bites. With the baseball game on above the bar, my beautiful wife beside me, and a Crown Royal on ice to top it off, it was a nearly perfect meal. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if the Mariners had been playing, but since we were in Rockies country, our meal at HQ was as good as it gets in Wyoming.

HQ Southern BBQ Review | The Good Hearted Woman

Getting myself a little honey at HQ.

By the way, Guy Feiri, if you are reading this,  we are supposed to tell you that Collin in Wyoming is waiting for your call.  Seriously.  This place is Awesome!  The number is (307) 315-6947.  Just call and let them know you’re coming so they have a seat waiting for you! And be sure to tell Collin that Rick & Renée from Oregon sent you!

HQ Southern BBQ

70 Curtis St Evansville, WY
(2 mile east of Casper, just off Hwy 25)

MENU

Hours
Monday – Thursday
11:00am-9:00pm

Friday – Saturday
11:00am-10:00pm

Sunday
12:00pm-8:00pm

Much thanks to my lovely wife for the pictures and for putting my words together so they make sense.

Filed Under: Beef, Brew & BBQ, Food & Dining, Wyoming Tagged With: BBQ, dining out

Hello! We’re so glad you’re here.

Hello! We’re so glad you’re here! | The Good Hearted Woman {& Mr B}

Join me & Mr B as we share the best in home cooking and cozy living - from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Follow Us!

Sponsors
Privacy Policy

© Harmony Cat LLC, 2011-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. The Good Hearted Woman is a subsidiary of Harmony Cat LLC.

sponsored