Zapata's is Cody's Mexican restaurant and a reliable local institution. The portions are generous, the margaritas are good, and the prices are noticeably cheaper than the tourist-oriented establishments on the main stretch of Sheridan Avenue. The menu covers the standard range — enchiladas, burritos, fajitas — executed without pretension and with ingredients that taste fresh.
The place fills up on weekend evenings and the wait can be real. It is cash only, so come prepared. If you have spent a day at the Buffalo Bill Center or driving the Wapiti Valley and want a straightforward, affordable dinner without the frontier mythology, Zapata's is the answer.