Ruth's Diner

Address 4160 Emigration Canyon Road

Ruth's Diner, at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, is the second-oldest restaurant in continuous operation in Utah and a city institution. The original 1930 streetcar that Ruth Evans bought and converted into a diner in 1949 sits at the back of the current building, now used as extra seating in summer.

The menu is American diner classics with serious breakfast (the buttermilk biscuits are famous), a strong burger and sandwich roster at lunch, and full dinners in the evening. The big outdoor patio under the cottonwoods is the place to be on a warm evening. Cyclists climbing the canyon stop here for refuelling and locals come for the Sunday brunch. Open seven days; expect a wait on weekend mornings.

eating out restaurant
A story
The original diner was a 1930 streetcar that Ruth Evans bought in 1949 and parked at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Ruth ran it personally until 1979, taking no nonsense from customers and chain-smoking behind the counter. The original streetcar still sits at the back of the current restaurant, now used as additional seating.