Where to Eat in
Salt Lake City Before/After Your Tour
Your complete visitor's guide to iconic Salt Lake City restaurants. Experience the heritage, history, and unforgettable flavors that let you dine like a true local during your Utah visit.
Fuel Up Before Your Tour
Hungry before exploring? Three of Salt Lake City's most celebrated restaurants are conveniently located near our tour meeting point at the Radisson Downtown.
Crown Burgers
1 Block Walk
Your Game Plan: Show up 45 minutes before tour time. This legendary spot is merely one block from the hotel. Savor their famous Pastrami Burger with Fry Sauce, then stroll over to meet your guide.
Maxwell's East Coast Eatery
Accessible via TRAX
Your Game Plan: The TRAX light rail is just a half-block stroll from where tours depart. Take a short ride downtown to sample their iconic "Fat Kid" pizza creation.
Red Iguana
Accessible via TRAX
Your Game Plan: Head half a block to catch the TRAX Green Line heading west. You'll arrive steps away from this legendary spot and their world-famous Mole selections.
Four Legendary Destinations
Planning just a handful of meals in Salt Lake City? Start with these four. Consider this your insider's roadmap to the restaurants every visitor should experience.
The Red Iguana
Utah's most celebrated restaurant. Your complete guide to the Cardenas family tradition and their world-renowned Mole sauces.
⚡ Quick Intelligence
Want to know why Salt Lake City residents happily wait in frigid winter weather for nearly an hour to snag a table? It all traces back to the Cardenas family. Their journey started when Ramon and Maria Cardenas introduced genuine Mexican cooking to Salt Lake City in 1965. Two decades later, they launched the Red Iguana in 1985. The west side neighborhood was rough around the edges back then, but the cuisine spoke for itself.
Mole Negro (The Crown Jewel)
Their most celebrated sauce creation. Crafted from dried mulato and negro chilies, rich chocolate, peanuts, walnuts, bananas, and sweet raisins. The result is a deep, luxurious sauce that's both savory and subtly sweet.
Local's Tip
Overwhelmed by choices? Request the Mole Sampler from your server. They'll deliver a tasting plate featuring a small portion of each mole sauce available, helping you choose before committing to an entrée.
Crown Burgers
Home of the signature "Utah Burger." An unexpected fusion of Greek-American heritage, flame-grilled beef, and house-cured pastrami.
⚡ Quick Intelligence
The story of Utah's fast-food culture begins with Greek immigrant families and their "pastrami burger" innovation. When the Katzourakis family opened Crown Burgers in 1978, they sparked a regional movement. Nearly every family-owned burger restaurant in Salt Lake City today can trace its roots back to these Greek-American pioneers.
Featured on "Man v. Food"
When host Adam Richman dropped by the Downtown location to tackle the Crown Burger challenge, he was so impressed by the pairing of charbroiled beef with savory cured pastrami that he upgraded to a "Double"—featuring two patties, double cheese, and twice the pastrami.
Ruth's Diner
A vintage trolley car transformed into a canyon restaurant by a trailblazing woman famous for her towering biscuits.
⚡ Quick Intelligence
Ruth's Diner started life downtown in 1930. Two decades later in 1949, Ruth Evans purchased a decommissioned Salt Lake City trolley car, hauled it up into scenic Emigration Canyon, and constructed the restaurant around it. Ruth became legendary for waiting tables with a cigarette dangling from one hand while pouring coffee with the other. Today's guests can still dine inside that historic trolley or relax on the scenic mountain-view patio.
Maxwell's East Coast Eatery
Genuine New York thin-crust pizza, a massive 10-ounce meatball, and a story rooted in Utah's first steel-frame high-rise.
⚡ Quick Intelligence
Maxwell's heritage connects to the landmark Boston Building, which holds the distinction of being Utah's first true skyscraper. Though they've relocated a short distance to a new address, the food philosophy hasn't changed: authentic East Coast standards. That translates to thin, foldable pizza crusts with bright marinara sauce. Guy Fieri stopped by during Season 19 of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and couldn't stop raving about their 10oz Giant Meatball.
Four Must-Try Restaurants
Limited time in Salt Lake City? These four meals are non-negotiable. Consider this your shortcut to the restaurants that define our dining scene.
The Red Iguana
Est. 1985
Mole Negro & Epic Waits
"Puntas de Filete"
Crown Burgers
Est. 1978
Pastrami Burgers & Fry Sauce
"The Crown Burger"
Ruth's Diner
Est. 1930
Trolley Dining & Canyon Views
"Mile High Biscuits"
Maxwell's Eatery
Roots in 1908
NY Pizza & Massive Meatballs
"The Fat Kid Pizza"
The Red Iguana:
Worth Every Minute
Utah's most celebrated restaurant. Your complete guide to the Cardenas family tradition, the world-renowned Mole sauces, and navigating the choice between two legendary locations.
⚡ Quick Intelligence: The Red Iguana
The Family Legacy: Four Decades of Excellence
Why do Salt Lake City residents happily wait in freezing temperatures for nearly an hour to secure a table? The answer lies with the Cardenas family. Their story starts with Ramon and Maria Cardenas, who introduced genuine Mexican cuisine to Salt Lake City in 1965 through their original restaurant, Casa Grande.
By 1985, they launched the Red Iguana at 736 West North Temple. The west side neighborhood was rough, industrial, and overlooked by food critics at the time. Yet the quality of their food couldn't be ignored. Following Ramon Sr.'s passing in 2004, his children—Lucy, Bill, and Ramon Jr.—took over operations and elevated a neighborhood gem into a destination worthy of national attention.
"Our chips and salsa aren't just table fillers. We serve them because the salsa recipe comes from San Luis Potosí and has been passed down through generations of our family."
Mole Mastery: Decoding the Sauces
Among aficionados, Red Iguana is revered as the "House of Moles." Mole (pronounced mo-lay) represents a sophisticated, time-intensive sauce tradition often requiring more than 30 ingredients, combining chilies, nuts, aromatics, and chocolate.
Mole Negro (The Crown Jewel)
Their most celebrated creation. Crafted from dried mulato and negro chilies, rich chocolate, peanuts, walnuts, bananas, and sweet raisins. The result is a deep, luxurious texture that's simultaneously savory and subtly sweet.
Mole Amarillo
A fiery, golden preparation featuring yellow dried chilies, onions, garlic, cumin, and golden raisins. This version delivers notable heat and tanginess that distinguishes it from the Negro.
Mole Poblano
The "traditional" interpretation. An ideal harmony of chili warmth and chocolate richness. First-time mole eaters should begin their journey here.
Local's Tip
Overwhelmed by options? Request the Mole Sampler from your server. You'll receive a tasting plate featuring a small portion of each available mole sauce before committing to your entrée. It's complimentary and represents the quintessential Red Iguana experience.
Featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
Red Iguana appeared during Season 1 of the popular Food Network series. Guy Fieri made a personal visit and enthusiastically praised the intricate flavor profiles.
- "This goes way beyond typical Mexican food; it's like a flavor symphony. The history comes through in every single bite." — Guy Fieri
- The Highlighted Dish: Turkey prepared in Mole Negro. Fieri was amazed by how chocolate creates a savory rather than sweet flavor profile.
Location Showdown: Original vs. Red Iguana 2
Responding to overwhelming demand, the family opened a second restaurant just two blocks away at 866 W South Temple. The menus are identical. The kitchen teams rotate between both locations. The atmosphere, however, differs significantly.
| Feature | Red Iguana (The Original) | Red Iguana 2 (The Sequel) |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 736 W North Temple | 866 W South Temple (2 blocks away) |
| Atmosphere | Compact, lively, classic vibe, high energy. | Roomy, contemporary, expanded bar section. |
| Wait Time | Typically 45+ minutes. | Typically 15-20 minutes. |
| Best For | Traditionalists. Visitors seeking the authentic founding location who embrace the wait. | Bigger Parties. Diners wanting identical cuisine with minimal waiting time. |
Guest Testimonials
"I had serious doubts about waiting in line. I endured 40 minutes in snowy conditions. Next visit, I'd gladly wait four hours. The Puntas de Filete a la Norteña was absolutely transformative."
— Sarah J., TripAdvisor
"The strip mall exterior is deceiving. Inside you'll find world-class culinary artistry. Service moves quickly and the Mole Sampler concept is genius."
— Mark D., Google Reviews
"We chose Red Iguana 2 because the original had excessive wait times. Identical menu, equally incredible flavors, and we were seated within minutes. The second location definitely deserves attention!"
— Local Guide, Yelp
The Ideal Conclusion to Your Salt Lake City Adventure
Red Iguana sits just minutes from where our Ultimate Salt Lake City Bus Tour wraps up. You'll find no better way to cap off a day exploring Utah's heritage than by experiencing its most iconic culinary destination.
Book Your City Tour NowCrown Burgers
Where the legendary "Utah Burger" was born. An unlikely fusion of Greek-American tradition, flame-kissed beef, house-cured pastrami, and a sauce that inspires devotion bordering on worship.
⚡ Quick Intelligence
Understanding Utah's fast-food landscape requires grasping the "Greek Burger" cultural movement. When the Katzourakis family established Crown Burgers in 1978, they ignited a phenomenon that shaped the entire region—nearly every family-owned burger operation in Salt Lake City can trace its DNA back to Greek immigrant founders. Yet Crown remains the uncontested monarch of this culinary dynasty.
The Crown Burger
This is the creation that earned Utah its place in burger history. The foundation: a flame-grilled quarter-pound beef patty, smoky and rich. Then comes the revelation: a towering mound of steaming, succulent pastrami crowning the beef like edible architecture.
Utah "Fry Sauce"
Request plain ketchup in Utah and you'll receive puzzled stares. Locals baptize their fries in Fry Sauce. While Crown Burgers perfects one of the city's most celebrated versions, the origin story of this pink treasure extends back decades.
The Sacred Story of Utah's Fry Sauce
Your Salt Lake City culinary education remains incomplete without experiencing—literally tasting—the legendary fry sauce that commands local devotion. This isn't merely a condiment... it represents a fundamental piece of Utah's identity, one crispy fry at a time.
The Genesis Story (Arctic Circle, 1940s)
Picture the 1940s. Beneath the towering Wasatch Range, an unassuming drive-in named Arctic Circle experimented with blending ketchup and mayonnaise, creating a creamy pink innovation. The formula seemed almost too simple, yet it delivered pure alchemy for golden french fries. This "house sauce" spread across Utah like wildfire, appearing on burgers, hot dogs, and whatever else craved a tangy flavor boost.
Salt Lake City: The Fry Sauce Epicenter
While fry sauce exists throughout Utah, Salt Lake City has elevated it to essential visitor experience status. Residents engage in spirited debates over whose recipe reigns supreme—some establishments add BBQ undertones or mustard tang, others incorporate pickle brine or cracked pepper. Local legends like Crown Burgers and Apollo Burger guard their proprietary blends zealously, though virtually every drive-through window will provide cups upon request.
What Makes This Tradition Special?
Fry sauce transcends mere consumption; it serves as social currency. Order it at any Salt Lake City diner, burger establishment, or quick-service restaurant, and you've instantly signaled insider status to everyone watching. Tour operators emphasize this truth: sampling fry sauce officially credentials you as an authentic SLC visitor. Outsiders might dismiss it as "basically Thousand Island," but residents understand the distinction—this represents Utah's proud creation, treated with corresponding reverence.
Visitor Strategy
"Ask any local about their preferred fry sauce variation—you'll inevitably trigger passionate discussion, forge instant connections, and access the genuine heart of Salt Lake City's food culture!"
Featured on "Man v. Food"
When host Adam Richman arrived at the Downtown location to challenge the Crown Burger, he became so enamored with the marriage of charbroiled beef and savory cured pastrami that he escalated to a "Double"—featuring two patties, double cheese, and twice the pastrami stack.
Ruth's Diner:
Towering Biscuits & Attitude
Utah's second-oldest restaurant. A vintage trolley car hauled into a mountain canyon by a trailblazing woman who chain-smoked, swore like a longshoreman, and created the West's finest biscuits.
⚡ Quick Intelligence: Ruth's Diner
The Saga of Ruth Evans
Ruth's Diner didn't originate in the stunning canyon location it occupies today. Its story began in 1930 as "Ruth's Hamburgers" in downtown Salt Lake City. Ruth Evans defied every stereotype of Depression-era female business owners. She was a cabaret performer with an unapologetically rebellious spirit.
When her downtown property changed hands in 1949, she purchased a decommissioned Salt Lake Trolley car, hauled it up Emigration Canyon, and constructed the restaurant around this unlikely structure. For decades afterward, she made her home in the trolley's rear section alongside her cherished Chihuahuas, preparing meals for both residents and visitors.
Ruth's Character Study
"A fiery woman whose vocabulary could make hardened criminals wince."
Ruth became legendary for waiting tables with a cigarette perpetually dangling from one hand while wielding a coffee pot in the other. Though the smoking has vanished, the defiant, independent ethos still permeates the diner's atmosphere.
The "Mile-High" Phenomenon
The offerings embrace classic American comfort cuisine, yet certain dishes have achieved near-mythical recognition.
The Mile-High Biscuits
These transcend ordinary biscuits. They arrive as colossal, pillowy monuments of perfectly risen dough, served piping hot.
- Accompanies every meal
- Peak deliciousness with honey butter
- Showcased on Food Network
Grandma's Meatloaf
Pure nostalgic comfort. While Ruth's reputation centers on breakfast, their meatloaf commands dinner devotion.
Two Distinct Dining Experiences
Your seating choice at Ruth's fundamentally shapes your visit. Two dramatically different options await:
Inside The Trolley
Dine within the actual restored trolley car Ruth transported up the canyon in 1949. The space feels intimate, nostalgic, and remarkably similar to inhabiting a living history display.
The Mountain Patio
During warmer months, this becomes the premier seating location. You're enveloped by Emigration Canyon's soaring rock faces, majestic trees, and crisp alpine atmosphere.
Featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
Season 5, Episode 1 (2008): Guy Fieri piloted his signature red Camaro up Emigration Canyon to experience Ruth's firsthand. He enthusiastically devoured the biscuits and gravy, confirming what generations of locals already understood: the scenic journey delivers worthwhile rewards.
Guest Testimonials
"The 15-minute journey from downtown completely transports you. The setting evokes a secluded mountain escape, enhanced by superior biscuits."
— Local Guide, Google Maps
"We enjoyed breakfast at 2:00 PM on the outdoor deck. Something genuinely enchanting happens when you savor Mac and Cheese and Biscuits while surrounded by towering pines."
— Sarah P., TripAdvisor
"Weekend waits can stretch long, but order coffee and soak in the canyon scenery. The waiting becomes integral to the experience."
— SLC Foodie Blog
Maxwell's Eatery:
Where East Coast Pizza Lives
Genuine New York thin-crust perfection, a softball-sized 10-ounce meatball that defies physics, and a heritage rooted in Salt Lake City's pioneering steel-frame skyscraper.
⚡ Quick Intelligence: Maxwell's
Skyscraper Origins: The Boston Building Legacy
Maxwell's mythology connects inseparably to 9 Exchange Place. For years, this address housed their flagship downtown operation inside the landmark Boston Building.
Finished in 1908, the Boston Building (alongside its companion, the Newhouse Building) represented Utah's inaugural skyscrapers. Designed by architectural titan Henry Ives Cobb, the visionary who helped define Chicago's skyline.
The revolutionary steel-frame engineering was so unprecedented for Salt Lake City that the structure's aesthetic could have been transported directly from Manhattan's streets—establishing it as the ideal spiritual headquarters for an East Coast pizzeria.
Architectural Significance
- Style: Second Renaissance Revival
- Height: 11 Stories (Massive for 1908)
- Vibe: Straight out of NYC
Uncompromising East Coast Authenticity
The Maxwell family carries New Jersey roots deep in their DNA, and they refuse to dilute the "East Coast" designation. Expect thin, perfectly foldable crusts, vibrant marinara with natural sweetness, and serving sizes that challenge rational expectations.
The "Fat Kid" Pizza
Their flagship creation. An expansive New York-style foundation crowned with pepperoni, fresh spinach, and generous ricotta cheese dollops.
- Available by the slice (Lunch)
- Classic foldable NY crust
Mom Mom's Gravy
In Maxwell's lexicon, you'll never hear "sauce"—only "gravy." This time-honored red preparation blankets their celebrated Chicken Parmigiano, which arrives delicately breaded, sautéed (never deep-fried), and finished with melted mozzarella.
Featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"
Season 19, Episode 7 ("From Meatballs to Lollipops"): Guy Fieri made the pilgrimage to Maxwell's to experience their Italian-American masterpieces firsthand.
The Guy Fieri Moment: The 10oz Meatball
"It's the size of a grapefruit!"
Fieri expressed genuine amazement at the Giant Meatball, a beef-pork fusion weighing over half a pound. Available as an enhancement to any pasta selection, it's universally recognized as among Utah's finest meatball achievements.
Where to Experience Maxwell's Today
Maxwell's Little Bar (Downtown)
Now residing at 328 W 200 S (mere blocks from the historic Boston Building location). The atmosphere feels more compact and intimate, yet delivers identical legendary pizza and meatball quality.
Ideal for Quick Slices & Cocktails
Maxwell's Park City
The comprehensive dining experience awaits in Kimball Junction. Planning a mountain excursion? This becomes your essential après-ski destination.
Perfect for Complete Dinner Service