One of the best things about summer is the chance to eat outside. Salt Lake City is a great place to do this because the summer weather is fairly consistent. The city also has many places to eat with great views of the mountains. The cool evenings are just perfect for gathering with a group of friends to enjoy the golden landscape of a desert sunset.
The five restaurants highlighted in this article are near campus, have large, outdoor areas for dining and have established loyal clienteles in the valley. They are all informal with affordable menus so that someone on a budget wouldn’t feel uncomfortable ordering.
More famous for its breakfasts, Ruth’s Diner is actually a popular supper spot, too. With the cooler air in the canyon, it is a good choice for early dinners. Although it sounds far away, you can get from campus to Ruth’s in 15 minutes.
Ruth’s retained its diner menu and atmosphere, even after being acquired by its neighbor, Santa Fe Restaurant. It is one of the few places in town that still serves liver—which is actually quite good.
The patio area is larger than the indoor dining area, and there is live entertainment Thursday through Sunday.
Tucci’s Cucina Italiano has become a very popular Italian restaurant in the valley, with three locations to prove it. All the servers know how to write their names upside-down on the paper tablecloth, which the customers love to scribble on.
The affordable menu and friendly atmosphere have attracted a lot of young people—as well as restaurant-goers of all other ages.
Tucci’s has corporate consistency while remaining tasteful in its food and service. There are a wide range of pasta dishes, including the popular farfalle and gamberetti, as well as pizza, salads and meat dishes. The veal is tender and delicious.
Although its patio doesn’t offer much of a view, the food and beer at Squatter’s Pub Brewery make up for that deficiency. Besides, some people prefer the homey, backyard feel. Squatter’s has a typical pub brewery menu, but does most of the dishes very well. The several daily specials are usually the best choices.
Squatter’s serves brunch on the weekends, but the menu is shortened. For dining after 10 p.m., it also has a late-night menu, which excludes the regular specialties and daily specials. After the ski and NBA seasons, summers at Squatter’s are usually less crowded, but you can call ahead and reserve a table, just to be sure.
If you want to avoid the crowds, Mr. Z’s Eatery may be a good alternative. It is refreshing to go to a restaurant that has a bit of an urban feel to it—Mr. Z’s is right in middle of downtown, and the servers seem to be part of that city bohemian crowd.
The prices are reasonable and the food is very good, yet there is never a waiting list at Mr. Z’s. If there is, you can always eat at the counter and watch the chefs cook up close.
Like the rest of the Gastronomy chain of restaurants that include the Market Street Grill, Café Pierpont has a menu that is a bit pricey. But if you crave Mexican food, it’s one of the few restaurants that offers a patio.
The better dishes, such as the seafood plates, are at the higher end of the price list. You’ll have to settle for their combination specials if you’re on a budget.
Of course, there is also one more alternative to these restaurants—your own patio. All these establishments offer take out.
