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Reader Participation Day: Where Was Your Worst Dining Experience in the National Parks?

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So many superlatives swirl around the national parks that at times we forget that things aren't always so rosy. So, tell us where you encountered your worst dining experience in the parks this year.

And tell us why. Was the food cold? Tasteless? Over- or under-cooked? Was service atrocious? Wine glasses or silverware dirty? Menus unimaginative or unhealthy?

If you ate several times at the same dining room, or in a series of dining rooms operated by the same concessionaire, was there consistency in your experience? If so, where? If not, where?

For sure, it can't be easy to cater to thousands of diners a day, a number you can easily multiply by three. And everyone has an off day. But a little constructive criticism can go a long way, especially with the off-season approaching and managers looking back over the summer season business to see where they might improve things.

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TAKE YOUR PICK! Most offerings at the South Rim Grand Canyon are swill for the masses. We dined at every venue with several at El Tovar Dining Room. All was overpriced and the quality was poor. Death Valley Inn and Ranch are well below par to the point the General Manager and I are in contact about the deplorable food and service at the Inn which he is now investigating after agreeing with our opinion. Yosemite National Park has had poor cuisine for the past 40 years I've been going there. Up and down at Ahwahnee, always poor at Curry Village, and the Mountain Room's menue hasn't changed in 40 years to the point where one notices. I've dined at all venues for decades much to my amazement the food quality remains poor. Any Park served by Delaware North, Xanterra, Forever Resorts will have substandard food.

The BEST was at Glacier Park's St Mary's Lodge, Flagg Ranch Grand Tetons, and Jackson Lake Lodge NONE of which were run by the aforementioned concessionairs.


Signal Mountain Lodge in Grand Teton Park has the rudest waitresses I have ever experienced.


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