Utah's Old Trolley Car Diner Is One Of The Most Unique Places To Eat
By Catherine Armstrong|Published August 06, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
You have plenty of great options when it comes to dining in the Salt Lake Valley, but there’s only one diner that’s situated in a beautiful mountain setting, offers delicious food, and has a dining room that’s a converted trolley car. Do you know which restaurant we’re talking about? If you’ve lived in Utah very long, you’ll immediately recognize Ruth’s Diner.
For one of the best dining experiences in the Beehive State, head to Emigration Canyon. Just a mile or so up the canyon you'll find Ruth's Diner - a Salt Lake City icon since 1930.
Address: 4160 Emigration Canyon Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Ruth opened her original restaurant, "Ruth's Hamburgers" in downtown Salt Lake City in 1930. When the building was demolished in the 1940s, she bought an abandoned Salt Lake City trolley car and moved it to Emigration Canyon.
Ruth passed away at age 94, and the area that once served as her apartment is now a dining room and kitchen.
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If you arrive on a weekend, it's going to be busy. Very busy. Luckily, you can grab a City Weekly and take a seat at one of the tables in front while you wait. Remind yourself that it's worth the wait, because it really is.
It's fun to sit in the trolley car portion of the restaurant, but during the summer the back patio is the best seat in the house. There's often live music, and the leafy trees overhead provide plenty of shade.
The best part of the meal arrives first - the Mile High Biscuits! These light, fluffy biscuits are served with butter and homemade raspberry jam, and they're downright addictive.
Everything on Ruth's menu is wonderful, from breakfast to dinner. If you're dining for breakfast or brunch, try the egg Benedicts. Choose from original egg Benedict, salmon Benedict, pulled pork Benedict, and chicken fried steak Benedict.
Other favorites include the banana walnut or cinnamon roll French toast, the breakfast burrito, or the Mile High biscuits and gravy.
Lunch and dinner options include an array of fresh salads, savory soups and sandwiches, and comfort food entrees like meat loaf, pot roast, and baked mac 'n cheese.
Have you enjoyed Ruth’s Diner’s patio dining this summer? Tell our readers about your experiences here in the comments, and tag the friends you want to meet you there for a meal!
Visit the Ruth’s Diner website to learn more about this charming restaurant, and make sure to follow its Facebook page to see the latest.
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