These 12 Amazing Utah Restaurants are Loaded with Local History
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Good food is pretty easy to find in Utah, as are historic places. Want to combine the two into one delicious, history-filled experience? These historic restaurants in Utah are long-time favorites with tasty food, fascinating stories, and generations of happy customers.
The Bluebird Restaurant, 19 Main St, Logan, UT 84321, USA
The Bluebird opened in 1923. The Bluebird Restaurant has several different dining areas. The rooms have wildly different feels, ranging from the classic diner to white-tablecloth dining. No matter what kind of experience you're looking for, you'll find it here... you can still enjoy your meal at the original lunch counter.
Please note that, as of spring 2023, The Bluebird was temporarily closed for renovations.
Please note that, as of spring 2023, The Bluebird was temporarily closed for renovations.
Hires Big H, 425 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
Don Hales founded Big H in 1959. Visit today and you’ll find photos of the company’s early days posted in the dining room. Find it at: 425 S. 700 E., Salt Lake City
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3900 S 900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84117, USA
George Lamar Sorenson built the original Iceberg Drive Inn location in Millcreek in 1959. It was an immediate hit, with 5-cent ice cream cones and sodas. There are several drive-inn locations in the Southwest, but only one *original* Original, which you'll find at: 3906 S. 900 E., Salt Lake City.
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Idle Isle Café, 24 S Main St, Brigham City, UT 84302, USA
The Idle Isle Café is one of the oldest operating restaurants in all of Utah. Tucked away in the charming little town of Brigham City, this 100-year-old diner is nestled between the magnificent Wellsville Mountains and the beautiful Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. While it may not have all the glitz and glamour of some of the fancier restaurants in Utah’s bigger cities, Idle Isle Café does offer some of the state’s best home cooking, with a side of rich local history. After enjoying some of Utah’s best comfort food, visitors can take a walk down Brigham City’s Main Street, take in the gorgeous natural scenery, and visit its many historic buildings, like the courthouse and the Capitol Theater.
Lamb's Grill, 169 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Lamb’s is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the state. It’s been in business since 1919, and in its current location on Main Street since 1939. Visit the official website for Lamb's Grill to learn more!
Thunderbird Restaurant, 4530 State St, Mt Carmel, UT 84755, USA
Utah has no shortage of quaint, small-town diners. None of them, however, feature ‘ho-made pies’ like Thunderbird Restaurant. Opened in 1940 and part of the Thunderbird Resort that includes a Best Western hotel, golf course, and RV park, Thunderbird Restaurant oozes mid-20th century charm and has been a favorite stop for travelers to Zion National Park – only 15 minutes to the west – for decades.
The restaurant’s history starts with Jack and Fern Morrison driving down Highway 89 in their Model T. Stopping near where a new road would connect Zion National Park with the highway, they thought the land at the intersection would be valuable. They purchased 160 acres and built a small cabin and a gas station. Soon enough, Fern was baking pies and serving tourists and passing truck drivers. They opened the Thunderbird Restaurant in 1940 to expand the pie operation.
Curious to learn more about this historic restaurant in Utah? Check out this amazing video:
The restaurant’s history starts with Jack and Fern Morrison driving down Highway 89 in their Model T. Stopping near where a new road would connect Zion National Park with the highway, they thought the land at the intersection would be valuable. They purchased 160 acres and built a small cabin and a gas station. Soon enough, Fern was baking pies and serving tourists and passing truck drivers. They opened the Thunderbird Restaurant in 1940 to expand the pie operation.
Curious to learn more about this historic restaurant in Utah? Check out this amazing video:
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Little Wonder Cafe, 101 N Main St, Richfield, UT 84701, USA
Open since 1929, Richfield’s Little Wonder Cafe is full of local history. This delicious small-town restaurant in Utah is located right on Main Street and serves some of the best old-fashioned, homestyle food in the area for nearly 100 years. From pancakes to eggs and even steak, you won’t be disappointed when visiting this Utah restaurant.
Mom's Cafe, 10 E Main St, Salina, UT 84654, USA
Mom’s Cafe has been open for 76 years, and it still has its old-fashioned lunch counter.
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The Pie Pizzeria - Underground, 1320 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
You’ll find the original Pie Pizzeria right across the street from the University of Utah campus. Its history is written on the walls in the form of graffiti and messages left by former customers! Find it located at: 1320 E. 200 S., Salt Lake City
Ruth's Diner, 4160 Emigration Canyon Rd, Emigration Canyon, UT 84108, USA
Every state has that one restaurant that everyone has heard about and everyone loves. According to a list by MSN, Ruth’s Diner in Salt Lake City is that one restaurant in the Beehive State. In fact, it was named the most famous restaurant in Utah. Not only has this restaurant been around for more than 90 years, but it also serves really good food. Ruth’s Diner is one Utah restaurant that deserves to be on everyone’s bucket list.
Ray's Tavern, 25 S Broadway, Green River, UT 84525, USA
Ray's Tavern is a well-loved spot in Green River that's been serving up delicious burgers and steaks since 1943. While Ray's is often full of locals, don't hesitate to stop in. The slogan here is "A place for everyone," and they live up to it!
Shooting Star Saloon, 7350 E 200 S, Huntsville, UT 84317, USA
Utah’s oldest operating bar, Shooting Star Saloon also makes delicious burgers. It's also rumored to be haunted!
We know that many other small towns in Utah have diners and cafes that have long histories. What are your favorite historic restaurants in Utah? Please share them in the comments below!
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More to Explore
Historic Restaurants in Utah
What are some historic places in Utah I should visit?
After you've fueled up at one of the above historic restaurants in Utah, why not explore one of these legendary and historic places, like:
- Kanab, Utah. With a population of approximately 5,000 residents, Kanab is located in the southern part of Utah and near the Arizona border. In addition to being one of the most charming towns in the southern part of the state, Kanab is an area that’s rich in history, too. In town you'll discover all sorts of amazing places rife with Utah history, such as The Rider-Pugh House, Moqui Cave, and Jackson Flatt Reservoir.
- Brigham Young's Winter Home. Brigham Young was a religious leader for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the second president of the church from 1847 until 1877. He is responsible for leading members of the church from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley.
- Eureka, Utah. Located right along Highway 6 in Juab County is one small town where you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Eureka is a historic town west of Santaquin where approximately 700 people live. So, what makes this town unique? Why is it worth a visit? Well, the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places! This area became one of Utah’s most important mining centers. There were four large mines nearby — Centennial Eureka, Gemini, Eureka Hill, and Bullion Beck and Champion — and thousands of people came to work in the mines. In the early 1900s, Eureka was home to approximately 5,000 people. Eureka continued to thrive until the late 1950s when water began flooding the mines, declining production and causing many workers to leave town. To help preserve Eureka and its history, in 1979, the entire town was officially placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Capitol Reef National Park is one of the most under-appreciated national parks in Utah -- and a place with immense historic significance. This park is home to incredible hiking, beautiful landscapes, and of course, Fruita. Fruita is a small settlement nestled in the heart of Capitol Reef National Park. This area was home to Fremont Indians as early as the 700s and was settled by pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1880.