Let It Snow
Touring America to write, produce, and film or photograph stories for KSCO radio and Foodie Booze Explorer, is not a bad retirement gig at all.
1983 was the last time I was in Utah. I was ending my Junior year in high school and taking, what would become, one of the most memorable road trips in my life during the Summer of 83. Back then a group of my buddies, all fellow boy scouts, were headed to the World Jamboree in Calgary, Canada. I was a newly anointed Eagle Scout that Summer and going into my Senior year at Watsonville High. We packed our bags for a 2 week trip that would cover all the Northern and Mid Western States, in a beat up, piece of crap vehicle, that had no business being on the roadway. One of the greatest times of my life.
Fast forward to 2021. I’m headed to Park City, Utah! I cross country ski and snow mobile. However, I did none of that! I drank and ate my way through town! This trip was all about food, booze, and a tiny bit of paranormal snooping for KSCO radio.
In the beginning Park City was a mining town. Today it’s a ski resort and home to the Sundance film festival. Anytime you have a start up mining town, it usually comes with shady characters and violence. Lots of brutal murders and accidental mining deaths. Park City sits about 6,800 feet above sea level, making it difficult to walk a flight of stairs without thinking you are going to die of a heart attack.
Park City is not a cheap place to live. Most homes start at 1 million dollars and the cost of living is similar to Santa Cruz County, California.
Despite all that, people love Park City for it’s quality snow and down hill skiing. A brisk 8 degrees most mornings with drifts of snow and wind, people couldn’t wipe that shitty grin off their snow ski faces as they speeded their way down the slopes.
No Name Saloon
It was a good thing Utah allowed in-door dining. It was a warm 16 degrees my first night in Park City.
This saloon has a roof top area, a main floor, and a loft. It’s a fairly large saloon with friendly staff.
Here is some Utah trivia for you: Utah has some funky alcohol laws. One is this: every hard drink is measured electronically. No exceptions and no favors. Meaning, bartenders never give a generous pour. I suppose if you are a local and regular and not in the tourist district, you might get a bit more out of the bartenders…I’m just guessing!
And you can’t order a shot and a beer at the same time. Especially if you say it that way. However, if you say “I would like to order a shot of Jameson”, followed by, “I would also like to order a beer”, depending on the establishment, you will either get both at the same time, or you will only get one until it’s gone before the second one shows up.
It doesn’t matter if you are 21 or 121 years old, you will always be carded when purchasing alcohol anywhere in Utah. If you resist or show a poor attitude about it, they will throw you out of the establishment!
It’s one of the few times that I will say I like California alcohol laws. And I will always say Nevada is the best place to drink!
The Bison burger is the main theme at No Name Saloon. In fact, they are famous for it. I ordered the “Saloon Burger” It’s 100% 1/2 pound Bison meat, grilled onions, shredded lettuce, tomato, cheese, and mayo. It’s a tasty simple made burger in a potato bun.
You can only buy hard liquor at a State operated store. You won’t find hard liquor in grocery stores. Wine and beer over 4% ABV: “alcohol by volume” can only be sold at a state store. Beer and wine under 4% can be bought at a grocery store.
You can’t buy on Sundays either. Sundays are dry days in Utah. State stores are only open 11am to 10pm, Monday through Saturday.
Flanagan's Irish Pub
Anytime I am on a road trip I always look for an Irish Pub! This trip was no exception. When I first walked into the pub you could tell it was once a huge party place to be in. Right now, that dirty 5 letter word “Covid” put the brakes on the party scene around here. Still, the drinks were cold and the food was good! It’s a great place to toss a few back!
I had the Irish potato leek soup. And when it’s snowing outside and a cool 20 degrees, this soup was the best. Piping hot, creamy soup. The potatoes were perfectly done. Not soggy or melting away when you bit into them.
High West Distillery & Saloon
Whiskey Distilleries are my favorites places to visit. High West is one of the best here! In the above photo, this restaurant, saloon, and tasting room is in the main tourist district. The actual distillery sits high in the Wasatch-Uinta mountains in Wanship, Utah, about 25 minutes outside of Park City.
High West Distillery was founded in 2006 by David Perkins and his wife, Jane. David, a former biochemist, wanted to open his own distillery after seeing the fermentation and distilling process and his own work in biochemistry during a trip to the Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky in 2004.
Information provided by High West Distillery’s website.
Tekila Mexican Grill & Cantina
There was one place that was disappointing. It might be because I am spoiled with great Mexican cuisine in California, or it’s just a Mid-Western thing out here! I don’t know.
I ordered beef enchiladas with red sauce, rice, and beans. The food was tolerable but no “wow” factor. The flavors ran flat especially with the rice and beans. The worst part of this experience was the enchilada red sauce. It reminded me of Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce…right out of the can!
What’s good about this place? Well, the staff was friendly. The drinks were good! If you come here to eat chips, salsa, and have a few drinks I recommend this place. Outside of that, not so much. A tourist trap that will bite you back in many ways…But you be the judge, if you choose to stop here, because it could just be me.
Tekila has a page on Facebook. No website.
Collie's Sports Bar & Grill
I’m a big fan of soup especially in cold weather. And Park City in Winter time is really cold! This is Creole Gumbo with andouille sausage, chicken, and rice. It was packed with a lot of flavor! Hot, spicy, savory, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Alpine Distilling & Pie Bar
On the Main St strip was a place called Alpine. It’s a restaurant and bar. But down a flight of stairs and into the underground, was a small speakeasy type place to drink. It had the feel and charm of a cozy cellar where you could sample the company’s distilled whiskey, privately, away from the clatter of dishes and hustle and bustle of the restaurant.
Grub Steak Restaurant
The best part of the trip for me happened at the very end of the trip. One of the many Uber drivers out here suggested Grub Steak. And, oh man, how thankful I was for the lead on this place.
Grub Steak is a Utah Mid-Western, done right, steak house! Premium steak, Elk, lobsters, and king crab! Almost 2 miles off the main tourist district, this is a family owned business for locals to dine in. It has been in business for over 40 years.
I ordered a 40oz, ribeye tomahawk steak, medium rare, with a loaded baked potato, and wild rice mushroom soup. It’s a sexy looking steak when the rib bone is attached!
Park City Museum and Old Jail
Learning the history of the town is another favorite thing of mine. I love diving into historical information. Park City museum was a great place to visit to learn how this town came to be Park City.
While I was there exploring, the museum sits on top of the original town jail. When I got down to the jail you could feel a change in the atmosphere. The tension was a bit thick for me. It felt like I was being followed. I activated my voice box from my phone app and began a session. I did not have my SB7 with me.
I asked if anyone was here with me and immediately I got a response! “Randy” came through. As I entered one of the jail cells I made the comment, out loud, that it was too noisy in the room, because a video was playing with loud audio narration. The voice box responded immediately with the word “agreed”. I said out loud, I need to leave this room because I can’t hear. The voice box immediately responded with “away”.
I had to cut my investigation short as another group of people were headed into the jail cell area. Due to Covid, I had to move on. I cut off the voice box and walked back upstairs.
Who the heck is Randy?? I don’t know yet, but this place was worthy of a full scale investigation. About 9 inmates died here over the course of time when the jail was in operation according to museum staff.
The Great Salt Lake, Utah
Heading home is always bitter sweet. I love to travel and explore new places, but it’s also nice to be home once in a while. In the above photo It’s one gigantic salt lick down there! I will be back in the warmer months Utah! Thanks for the good times.
Until next time on Foodie Booze Explorer.
Another Great Adventure!Thank you for your journey details!
Thanks Kevin!
Love Park City, Utah. They even ski in the summertime on water slopes into a pool.
I enjoyed the article. Are you now traveling to different city’s am
and towns? Safe travels
Thank you Don! Yes, I’m starting to travel more for KSCO radio. It depends on how each State is dealing with Covid safety.