WYld Adventure: Lovell/Deaver, Wyoming
By Steph Weed
Photography by: S² Creative Marketing
Wyoming 310
First the restaurant that you HAVE to visit: Wyoming 310. A few people had highly recommended visiting the restaurant and bar, Wyoming 310. They had all mentioned three things: It is family owned by three sisters. Check. They make almost everything from scratch and use local meat and vendors. Check. You will want to bathe everything in their 310 sauce…even yourself. Double check.
Sarah and I walked in and were greeted warmly by three beautiful, smiling, generations of women: Morgan Helzer (chef and back of house) her adorable daughter Rosy, Melanie Cameron (mixologist and front of house) and their Mom Brenda Helzer.
The sisters that own Wyoming 310 are known by many as the “M Sisters”, we met with Morgan and Melanie. Their family is extremely close. Mom and Dad Helzer recently retired from a lifetime of owning their own restaurant which the girls grew up working in. You could definitely say that serving others is a family tradition and running a successful restaurant is in their blood. Speaking with Morgan in her element in the kitchen, she could not say enough great things about her local customers and the Lovell/Deaver community. “During the initial Covid lockdown we were so surprised at the outpouring of concern and support we received. We are so appreciative of our community. They are like family and we couldn’t have made it through and continued our success without them.”
Sarah and I took a brief tour of the warm and inviting family friendly place, then got down to business-THE FOOD AND DRINKS.
Raspberry Habanero Margarita
First things being first, the drinks. Melanie is the mastermind behind their unique, and fresh drink specials such as the Raspberry Habanero Margarita. Our wonderful, smiley server Tammy told us it was her favorite and it is now ours as well. Upon first sip you could tell that there was not a bottled mix used. Melanie makes the raspberry habanero simple syrup and uses fresh lime juice. This cocktail is garnished with fresh raspberries and blackberries. We are pretty well versed in margaritas and this one shines, on the rocks with salt.
The Food
FOOD. Our server Tammy was friendly and super helpful in pointing out signature items. We really wanted to order most of the menu offering but finally narrowed down our order to the appetizer of house made chips and bacon ranch dip which definitely, while humble, lived up to it’s hype. The chips a freshly golden fried, light and flaky, well-seasoned flour tortilla chips and the dip is homemade ranch with crispy thick bacon bits in it-need I say more? To quote my friend Sarah, “I would eat this every day”. Next we ordered their signature 310 Ground Chuck Burger made from local Wyoming beef from Evan’s Beef in Cowley. That is where we were introduced to the M sisters’ luscious 310 sauce. Sarah and I both agree that you should definitely order extra sauce to dip the burger in (even though it already has it on there) as well as to dip your fries or amazing onion rings. We also ordered their signature 310 house breaded shrimp. These shrimp are huge and you will be thankful because you will not be able to get enough of them paired with the raspberry habanero sauce (another great sauce to put on just about everything). Oooh, I almost forgot that we also ordered the Vineyard Mushrooms that are listed under apps. We died and went to heaven. When possible the mushrooms are from local vendor Shoshone Mushrooms, then simmered in a super savory wine cream sauce. After Sarah and I finished the last mushroom, we dreamt of the ways we could have more…on a steak, a burger, on grilled bread. Serious YUM.
At this point we were so full that as much as we wanted to try more, we just couldn’t. We will definitely be back again and again and suggest you do the same. For those of you that do not want to dine in they have a super convenient drive thru so indulge yourself at home…and don’t forget to order extra 310 sauce!
Mustang Mountain Vineyards
THEN, I (being a wine lover, was researching vineyards and tasting rooms in Wyoming) had the pleasure of talking to one of the owners, Nicolle Blair at Mustang Mountain Vineyard and she recommended visiting Wyoming 310, who is one of only a few places serving their wine outside their tasting room and private sale, as well.
Mustang Mountain Vineyard is definitely a hidden gem in Lovell. Look for future stories and blogs about the Blairs and their beautiful vineyard-what a fun WYld getaway!
More things to do in Lovell and Deaver, Wyoming
Now I am thinking about fun, even a romantic WYld getaway. Hmmm, what could add to an amazing meal, a wine tasting? Yep, you got it, a hike to be outdoors and seeing some waterfalls! There are three, fairly easy trails, all with gorgeous and instaworthy falls that I recommend:
Porcupine Falls Trail
Porcupine Falls Trail is a 0.8 mile fairly easy hike located outside Lovell in in Big Horn National Forest that also allows dogs but they must be on leash.
Whaley Creek Falls
Whaley Creek Falls in Big Horn National Forest is a beautiful 2.2 mile, lightly trafficked out and back trail that has great scenery and is appropriate for all skill levels. Dog are allowed.
Five Springs Falls in Lovell, Wyoming
Five Springs Falls is a 0.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail good for all skill levels-even furry family (dogs) are allowed on this trail.
Hyart Movie Theater
If you would like to relax after your hike and catch a family friendly movie, you must check out the iconic and retro- turquoise, Bischoff family owned, located right in downtown Lovell.