Nourish & Flourish

Hippocrates was certainly on to something in 400 BCE when he said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” While the Greek “Father of Medicine” wasn’t fueling up for laps on the tram or a day chasing backcountry powder, his message resonates with how many in Jackson Hole choose to approach what’s on their plate.

As of last summer, locals and visitors alike have a new vibrant downtown eatery to enjoy food that’s thoughtfully crafted around exceptional locally-sourced ingredients. Teton Lunch Counter, operated by founder Tori Parker, serves up nourishing breakfast and lunch dishes that are delicious as they are healthful. 

“We’re getting folks fueled for skiing, whether it’s a nordic lap or a downhill day,” says Tori. “It’s giving people the chance to eat food that helps make them feel energized, not bogged down as they’re out doing their sports.” 

Tori points to Teton Lunch Counter’s grain bowls as a perfect example of this kind of superfood. “They’re made with dynamic, healthy components with lots of flavors and textures. We’ve got options like roasted chicken or smoked trout, and for vegetarians there’s baked falafel. It’s truly the epitome of healthy food.” 

No matter your dietary restrictions, Tori’s confident that there’s plenty on the menu that will tantalize. “We have dishes with meat, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. Everything’s made in house. There are plenty of gluten-free and dairy-free choices, too,” she says. “Really something for everyone’s diet.”

In addition to filling and energizing fare, Teton Lunch Counter features gourmet coffee. “We partnered with Margo at the Nomadic Bean Coffee Company,” Tori says. “All of the coffee we brew at the cafe was micro-roasted less than a week ago. It’s super fresh, and it’s all sourced from farmer-friendly farms.” 

How Tori has sourced her coffee is just one example of how her values show up through Teton Lunch Counter: she loves collaborating with local businesses and growers — especially women-owned operations — and maximizing sustainability in order to minimize environmental impact. Wellness, she believes, is just as much about the community as it is about the individual. 

Grab And Go Gourmet

Teton Lunch Counter started a handful of years ago, born of Tori’s determination to offer guests on guided trips a healthier, tastier and less wasteful mealtime experience. Her husband was a fishing guide at the time, and she recalls that the quality of food on offer to clients — even when they were on a high-end excursion — was mediocre at best. Moreover, the waste that the lunches generated was shocking. Single use containers and cutlery, lots of plastics and uneaten food; Tori knew there had to be a better option.

Born of her determination to provide better food that was locally sourced, and packaged in a way that was reusable, Tori started working with guiding companies to improve the situation. It was an immediate hit. 

Soon, locals were clamoring for a taste. While it wasn’t immediately clear how the logistics would work on a larger community scale, Tori was undaunted. 

On July 11, 2024, Teton Lunch Counter opened its doors in the heart of downtown Jackson. “It’s been a really great steady flow of people,” Tori says. “The area is just a perfect mix of local businesses. It’s near the Center for the Arts, physical therapy places, nestled between a variety of hotels. We’ve enjoyed a consistent flow of traffic Monday through Saturday.”

Diners who sit down at one of the cozy cafe’s tables are served with plates, cups and cutlery that are reusable — not paper or plastic. “All grab and go orders are sold in glass jars,” Tori says, highlighting a solution that minimizes waste. “Takeaway items are served in the highest quality compostable containers on the market. But we still do our charcuteries and cakes on reusable boards.” 

The cafe — like the earliest iteration of Teton Lunch Counter — also composts as much as possible. Through a partnership with a local farm, all compostable waste is returned to the local growing system.

It’s the same cycle that puts the food on the plates, too. 

Nourishing Bodies and Community

Tori strives to use culinary elements that are as local and seasonal as possible. “90% of our ingredients are locally sourced. Things we can’t get right here, we get regionally. For example, our grains for bowls are from an organic, old varietal farm in Montana,” she says.

She also partners with growers like the Wilson-based Huidekoper Ranch, a small-scale bio-intensive farm that cultivates organic produce locally. It’s connections like this, Tori says, that keep superb food on her plates as well as nourish a thriving community that cares deeply about reducing waste and caring for the ecosystem. 

Tori also understands food as a key piece to how people connect and enjoy one another’s company. That’s where Teton Lunch Counter’s pre-made dinners and catering options come into play. 

“This year, we have special holiday meal orders showcasing all local meats and foods. People can come pick it up at the cafe, and then have an easy, beautiful meal on the table. You can spend time with family and friends, not spend time cooking,” she says. 

Alternatively, Tori says, her team is delighted to bring healthy and mouthwatering dinners into your home — whether you’re a local or visiting from elsewhere. If you prefer, the team can assemble your meal and deliver it, or they can bring all the elements and chefs can cook on site. 

“It’s really a great way to feel nourished and support local businesses,” Tori says. “I love that this is an offering that we can continue to extend to people.”