Electric Peaks Bites and Bowls

Buckle up—the culinary scene in Yellowstone National Park is cruising into the future with a sense of adventure and wild innovation. Opening its first season in the summer of 2024, Electric Peak Bites and Bowls became Yellowstone National Park Lodges’ first food truck, located just north of Gardiner, MT. It is parked outside Yellowstone’s boundaries yet has an incredible view into the park and towards the awe-inspiring Electric Peak, the truck’s namesake.

An idea born from the need to find innovative and expansive ways to feed the increasing number of visitors in Yellowstone, bringing food trucks into the park was built into Yellowstone National Park Lodge’s contract with the National Park Service. Often, a food truck concept appears to be a minimalist or more straightforward way to serve food vs. a brick-and-mortar operation when, in fact, there are still challenges to tackle, particularly when operating within a national park. There is no shortage of considerations, from compliance to infrastructure to support the trucks (power, water, waste disposal, storage).

Dialing in the Menu

Lu Harlow, Director of Food and Beverage, did her homework scouting the current landscape to dial in with what was already offered. Lu sought to develop a menu that stood out.

“I had already quizzed Gardiner business folks on what trucks were coming to town and then decided on Asian since that was the one thing Gardiner was lacking. There are plenty of hot dogs, barbecue, burritos, and brats, but nothing Asian.” ~ Lu Harlow,

A simple but savory menu for carnivores or herbivores, popular items include ginger noodles, pork belly on basmati, and chicken skewers.

Brendon and Cameron, team members manning the truck, agree that “it’s all about the sauces.” Their personal faves are the spicy peanut and gochujang. They also noted a frequently asked question – the difference between spring vs summer rolls – one is fried and the other fresh (respectively). Another insider tip they shared was that while the noodles are often served cold, hot is certainly an option worth trying. And don’t underestimate the edamame!

The truck also has ample seating with shade to offer customers.

Vice-President/General Manager Mike Keller shares that the food truck trend will become a fixture among Yellowstone’s food offerings.

“Ideally, we would like to use more food trucks around Yellowstone in areas where there is high demand but limited or no visitor services are available. We would also like to deploy more of them in high-volume developed areas like Old Faithful, Canyon, and Mammoth, where dining options are limited and demand is highest. The food truck outside Gardiner is an awesome opportunity to get our feet wet, work out the kinks, and have a trial run before launching in the park’s busier setting.”

The Mobile Munchies Revolution

With food trucks more commonly seen dotting the landscape across the country now, especially in metropolitan areas, we can all relate to the joy of spotting one, dishing out everything from gourmet tacos to artisanal ice cream. Bringing that excitement to Yellowstone, a much more remote area is exciting.

While Yellowstone seeks to embrace modern food trends and technology, it never loses sight of its roots. You can order your meal at a modern food truck and then enjoy your feast in a rustic setting that harks back to simpler times. It’s a perfect blend of then and now, creating a nostalgic and forward-thinking experience.

Keep on truckin’ and enjoy every bite!