Best Laramie Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants – Our Top 5

Located in West Laramie, on West University Avenue, Chelo's almost blends in with the surrounding houses. Of the 24 reviewers of Chelo's on Urbanspoon, 79% of them liked the restaurant. One reviewer on Yelp said,"This homely little joint boasts the best stuffed sopaipillas I've ever seen. In fact, they have the only stuffed sopaipillas I've ever seen...Chelo's injects that flat bread with your choice of filling (chicken, beef, pork, cheese, etc) before frying it like a normal sopaipilla. The result is a delicious, piping-hot, crispy, and savory main course that is one of the better inventions in food." Venture into West Laramie tonight and enjoy what one reviewer on Trip Advisor called a "Delightful little hole-in-the-wall."

As Laramie gives way to open plains on north 3rd street, one little restaurant, complete with peeling paint and a dinged up sign, invites drivers in for ice cream before they depart town. And although the sight of Cherries may make Laramie residents wish that we would get a Dairy Queen, loyal customers swear by its ice cream. “Cherries has the best ice-cream ever!” mentioned a local Laramie resident, who raved about how Cherries served real ice cream instead of the crushed-ice and sugar soft serve found in restaurants like McDonald’s. While the ice cream has received positive reviews, the food has only been rated by reviewers on Urbanspoon as average, making Cherries more of a dessert destination than a dinner one. Next time you’re coasting through north third street and need a sweet treat, pull off and stop at Cherries.

It is generally not a good sign when a restaurant is attached to a motel that dates from the early 60’s. Such is the case with the Sushi Boat. Located in the shade of I-80 on Boswell Drive, the Sushi Boat offers affordable sushi options for those willing to try something other than Mitzu Sushi. Depending on what you order, prices can range from $8.50 for a six piece Spider Roll (fried soft shell crab) to $11.50 for an eight piece Red Dragon Roll (shrimp, crab, and cucumber with avocado and eel topping). Of all the hole-in-the-wall restaurants reviewed on Urbanspoon, the Sushi Boat has the most reviewers (57), who gave it the highest satisfaction rating, 92%. The Sushi Boat also offers free miso soup prior to an order—a favorite of many fans. One reviewer on Urbanspoon said, “I have been in Wyoming for 10 years and have not visited a restaurant with comparable quality since living in Los Angeles.” Next time an ethic craving consumes you, head south on third street and turn off just before the I-80 exit. You won’t be disappointed.

Bernie’s is often brushed over as a legitimate restaurant because its sign looks more like it is advertising for auto-body repair than a Mexican restaurant. The first building on the right side after crossing the Clark Street bridge into West Laramie, Bernie’s is often ignored by interstate-bound drivers. Like the other hole-in-the-wall restaurants, Bernie’s does not have a website, but it still has extensive reviews online. One reviewer on Google commented, “The roasted green chili is awesome, sopapillas fresh like my mom makes! Well worth your time.” Of the 25 people who voted on Urbanspoon, 84% like the restaurant, citing it as having good food at affordable prices. If you go to Bernie’s, pay close attention to your server, he might be the cook and owner himself, Bernie.

Tucked into the little strip mall by Safeway, initially, Little Ceasers might not strike viewers as a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. But Little Ceaser’s has two sides. The front facade, where most Laramie residents choose to pick up their pizza, is quintessentlly normal. However, the back of Little Ceaser's is arguably the most hole-in-the-wall restaurant in town. When late night munchies overtake broke college students, Little Ceaser’s is the place to head. At closing time, if you wait in the back by the dumpsters, the Little Ceaser’s employees will give you the leftover pizza for free. There is nothing like munching on pizza while staring at a dumpster.