This region of the US is what may come to mind when you think of the Wild West. Historically, this is the land of Native American tribes, cowboys, outlaws, miners and anyone else who wanted to try to make their fortune out west. Rocky Mountain cuisine could be described best as hearty and rugged. Game meats such as bison, elk and trout are featured heavily, and traditional cowboy beef dishes, hearty stews and Native American foods are what most characterize this cuisine.