Let me get this out of the way first: I haven’t eaten here yet; this is a scouting report built from the restaurant’s own materials, published press and what diners say. The Metropolitan Downtown, which most people seem to call “The Met,” sits on a corner in downtown Cheyenne, and it keeps coming up whenever I ask about a nicer dinner in the capital city. So before I drive down from Casper and put my own money on the table, I did my homework. Here’s what I found, warts and all.
Why Cheyenne, and why this place
When we moved to Casper in 2022 from outside St. Louis, I figured Wyoming dining would be steakhouses, diners and not a whole lot in between. I was half right, which is about my average. Cheyenne in particular has surprised me. I’ve already written about The Albany, which has been feeding Cheyenne since 1942, and I’ve put together guides for the Wyoming Brewers Festival in Cheyenne and the Cheyenne Frontier Days food guide. What I hadn’t covered yet was the “dress up a little, order a filet, maybe split dessert” side of town.
The Met looks like it was built for exactly that. The menu online leans toward steaks, seafood and pasta, with some Asian and Latin touches mixed in, which matches how the restaurant was described when it was being planned. For a family that occasionally needs a date night (Kimi and I are both veterans, so yes, it goes on the calendar like a mission) or a spot to take visiting relatives, that’s worth a closer look.
The building and the story
The best background I found comes from a March 29, 2019 article in the Wyoming Tribune Eagle by Chrissy Suttles. That piece described The Metropolitan Downtown as a project from Cheyenne native and businessman Sam Galeotos, through his company, OMI Group.
According to that 2019 reporting:
- It was a 12,000-square-foot hospitality project at 1701 Carey Ave.
- It brought together four downtown addresses that had been vacant or underused.
- The plan included a restaurant, an event space called The Gallery at The Met (a private area for up to 260 people) and Provisions Wine & Spirits, which was already operating at the time.
- The owners planned to hire about 60 people.
- The concept was described as “New American”: steaks and seafood with international flair, including Asian and Latin flavors.
- OMI’s marketing director said prices would be in line with other downtown eateries.
The article also named the opening chef at the time, Juan Coronado, a Johnson & Wales graduate who had worked with Panzano and the TAG restaurant group in Denver. I want to be careful here: that was 2019, and the article said the restaurant was “set to open this spring.” I haven’t confirmed the exact opening date, and I haven’t confirmed who is running the kitchen today. Restaurants change chefs, and seven years is a long time. If you know the current story, I’d love to hear it.
What I like about the backstory is the idea of taking a tired corner of downtown and turning it into a place people actually go. Coming from the St. Louis area, I’ve watched plenty of downtown blocks sit empty for years. A local guy putting money into his hometown’s core is the kind of thing I root for, even before I’ve tasted anything.
The menu (as listed online in October 2026)
The Met has a live online-ordering menu on Toast, and I spent more time scrolling it than I’d like to admit. Menus and prices change, so treat this as a snapshot and check the current menu before you go. Here’s a sampling of what was listed when I looked in October 2026.
Starters
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Thai chili vinaigrette and crushed peanuts ($11)
- Ahi Tuna with yuzu slaw ($16)
- Salt & Pepper Shrimp ($12)
- Cowboy Onion Rings ($10)
- Truffle Fries ($13)
That Brussels sprouts dish and the ahi tuna are where you can see the “international flair” from the 2019 description still showing up on paper. Onion rings with “cowboy” in the name are the Wyoming tax, and honestly, I’d pay it.
Pastas and entrees
- Bison & Beef Bolognese ($27)
- Lemon Pepper Shrimp Pasta ($25)
- Beef Tenderloin Filet ($39), listed with whipped potatoes, seasonal vegetables and a red wine balsamic fig reduction
- New York Strip ($39) with compound butter
- Branzino ($36)
- Steak Frites ($28), a New York striploin au poivre
- Herb Grilled Chicken ($25)
The bison and beef Bolognese is the one that caught my eye. Bison is one of those things I didn’t eat much of before Wyoming, and I’m curious to see it in a pasta instead of a burger. The steak frites at $28 also looks like a way to get your steak fix without going all the way to the $39 cuts.
Sandwiches and lighter options
If you’re there for lunch, the listing includes a Prime Rib Sandwich ($21), The Met Burger ($18), a Reuben ($16) and a Grilled Cheese & Tomato Bisque combo ($14). There are also salads and soups, like a Mediterranean Wedge ($14) and a Power Bowl ($13).
Dessert
The dessert list includes Met Beignets with caramel sauce ($8), a Chocolate Mousse Napoleon ($11) and something called Cloud Cheesecake ($10). There’s also a dessert-drinks list with options like port and an espresso martini. Coffee and dessert in one glass sounds like a promotion to me.
For the kids
This matters a lot in our house. Our son is 5, and his culinary range is currently “chicken fingers, sometimes noodles.” The Met lists a kids’ menu called the “Young Metropolitan,” with $10 items including a burger, cheeseburger, chicken fingers and mac and cheese. That doesn’t tell me what the vibe is like for little ones at 7 p.m. on a Friday, but it does tell me they’ve thought about families.
What diners say
Here’s where I have to be straight with you, because a scouting report that only quotes the good stuff isn’t worth much.
When I checked Tripadvisor this month, The Met had a 3.6 out of 5 rating from 72 reviews, ranked #38 of 171 restaurants in Cheyenne. An older aggregator list I came across, based on Yelp reviews, also put it around 3.6 out of 5, from roughly 149 reviews. So the numbers line up: solidly middle of the pack.
Reading through the reviews, the word I’d use is divisive. Some people clearly love it. Older review titles include praise like “great apps,” “the place to be for happy hour” and “Excellent meal and a great vibe!” Others walked away unhappy, with titles like “Very Average,” “Flavorless and tasteless” and “Nice vibe…horrible kitchen staff/food.”
One thing I noticed: even the “Nice vibe…horrible kitchen staff/food” review gives the atmosphere credit, while the food is where opinions seem to split. More recent reviews, including one from June 2026 titled simply “Pricey.,” focus on cost. With the steaks at $39 on the current online menu, I can see why some folks feel that way, especially in a state where you can get a very good steak at a lot of places.
I don’t think mixed reviews are a reason to skip a place. They’re useful information. They tell me to go in with reasonable expectations, maybe try it at happy hour or lunch first, and order the things people specifically mention liking (one review title praises the appetizers, and another calls it the place to be for happy hour). Online reviews are also a snapshot in time, and kitchens change. I’d rather find out for myself than let a star rating decide for me.
Who it might suit, and planning tips
Based on everything I’ve read, here’s who I think The Met might be a good fit for:
- Date night or a celebration. The menu reads like a “nicer dinner downtown” spot, and several reviewers mention the vibe in a good way.
- Happy hour and appetizers. If you want a lower-risk introduction, starters and drinks seem to be where a lot of the praise lands.
- Families who want something a step up. The kids’ menu means you don’t have to choose between a real meal and a fed child.
- Groups and events. The 2019 article described a private event space for up to 260. One local roundup also says the restaurant itself has roughly 200 seats. If you’re planning something, call and ask what’s available now.
A few practical things to keep in mind:
- It’s closed Mondays, according to its online listing. Don’t be the guy who drives down from Casper on a Monday. That’s a long drive to find a locked door.
- Sunday hours are short. The listing shows 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Sundays, so it’s more of a late-morning, brunch-type window than a Sunday dinner spot.
- Reservations: I haven’t confirmed whether they take them, so call ahead and ask, especially for weekends or larger groups.
- Budget accordingly. The sandwiches and pastas are a gentler way in than the steaks if price is a concern.
- Combine it with a trip. If you’re in town for Frontier Days or a festival, it’s a downtown option to keep in your back pocket.
And one honorable mention for the at-home crowd: if a good steak dinner out like the filet or strip on that menu has you wanting a steak night at home, a decent set of steak knives is worth having. One option is the Victorinox Swiss Classic steak knife set, a six-piece steak knife set with wavy-edge blades. Anything beats sawing through a strip steak with a butter knife. (Affiliate link; I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.)
Visiting info
- Name: The Metropolitan Downtown (“The Met”)
- Address: 1701 Carey Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001 (corner of 17th Street & Carey Avenue, downtown)
- Phone: (307) 432-0022
- Hours (per the restaurant’s Toast listing):
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 AM-8:30 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM-9:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:30 AM-9:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:30 AM-1:30 PM
- Kitchen note: The listing’s own description says the kitchen is open until 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan to order before then.
- Online ordering: Available through the restaurant’s Toast page.
Hours change, especially around holidays, so please call or check the listing before you go.
Tell me what to order
That’s my scouting report. I’m still the new guy figuring out Wyoming food, and I’d much rather walk in with advice from people who’ve actually eaten at The Met than from a menu and a pile of reviews. If you’ve been, what should I order? Is the Bolognese worth it? Are the beignets the move? Is happy hour the best way in? And if you had a rough experience, I want to hear that too.
Leave a comment, tag @wyofood on Instagram, or find Wyo Food on Facebook and tell me. When I finally make it down there, I’ll report back with the real thing.
— Sean