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Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Printable Version

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Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - 61_Shasta - 10-08-2013

Since Stanford fans haven't had the chance to visit Salt Lake City for a game I thought I would share a few suggestions for your time here in what we fondly refer to as the "Behave" state.

If you want to rent a car there are all of the major chains available at the airport.  Alternatively Utah Transit Authority's Trax light rail is an efficient way to get around.  The Green Line runs from the airport to downtown and $5.50 (IIRC) gives you all day access to all three light rail lines.  Salt Lake City has a pretty efficient rail system for its size with the Red, Blue and Green lines plus the FrontRunner heavy rail.  You can get full maps and schedules at www.rideuta.com. 

If you're renting a car you can consider an airport hotel but if you do, bear in mind that you're about 10 miles out of downtown and will have to park, etc., plus the mileage every time you run into and out of downtown.  To my mind you're much better off staying downtown.  My favorite downtown hotel is the Monaco.  Grand America is a bonafide five star hotel and if you're into older railroad style hotels, try the Peery. 

Salt Lake City has a surprising to some selection for food.  Here's how I would plan out meals were I a visitor.  Friday night, Mexican at the Red Iguana as featured on Triple-D.  The original on North Temple is small, it's always crowded and they don't take reservations so plan accordingly.  Personally I hit Red Iguana 2 which is an identical menu but has more room than the original plus there's a bit of romance to eating outside with an occasional frieght train crawling by.  Take the Green Line toward the Airport and get off at Jackson/Euclid station.  Either RI or RI2 is about a block and a half walk.  For drinks downtown my favorites are Gracie's, The Green Pig and Lumpy's Downtown.  If you're in the mood to hit a little dive beer bar, Cheers To You is your place.  All are walkable.  Lumpy's is the flagship Utah bar and if you're in Stanford gear you'll likely get at least one drink bought for you.

Saturday breakfast, Lambs Grill.  It's the oldest restaurant in SLC, probably around 100 years or so.  If you want to stay downtown for lunch, either Tony Caputo's deli or Siegfried's.  You can't go wrong with either.  Alternately grab a cab or bus to Moochie's on 3rd East and 8th South, grab a sandwich and wander a couple of blocks east to Liberty Park.  If you're driving, head up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner, another DDD favorite.  Go a little early and take Emigration to East Canyon to the 80 and back down Parley's.  It should be spectacular.  For food after the game hit any of the bars downtown, Squatters and Red Rock are brewpubs with good bar food.  The aforementioned bars from Friday also have good bar food.  Christopher's on Pierpont is a nice steakhouse and Bambara in the Monaco is one of Salt Lake City's finest.  Sunday breakfast at The Royal Eatery on 4th South and Main.  An old-school, no frills, Greek diner that's just a kick.  Basic menu, lots of fun.  If you're up for brunch, Grand America's is the high end but our personal favorite is back to Gracie's.  Pretty much everything is under $10 and mimosas and bloody mary's are $3.

As for transportation on gameday, even if you rent a car, don't think of driving to the game.  Basically all but two or three very small lots are reserved for designated parking or tailgating.  Trust me when I say that you'll be looking at at least a mile walk.  The upside is that your game ticket is also your fare on any UTA train or bus all day Saturday.  The Red Line runs right to the stadium and it is seriously the only way to get to the game if you don't have reserved parking.  It's also an easy way to see the valley free if you're in the mood to do some sightseeing.  If you're up early enough on Saturday morning and want a bit of an adventure, take the Blue Line light rail to SL Central and take FrontRunner to Ogden.  There are some fun restaurants on 25th Street.  Have lunch and cruise FrontRunner back to SLC.  It's about an hour ride either way and skirts some of the wetlands of the Great Salt Lake. 

I'm not sure what you guys are doing as far as an official tailgate.  If your alumni association is doing a tailgate it will likely be on the west side of Guardsman way near the new football facility.  Definitely come across the street to the Guardsman tailgate lot.  While there are many others, this is the main lot for Utah tailgating.  Our tailgate always has extra beer on ice or dogs ready for visitors.  Boardmail me if you'd like to join us.

Also, feel free to boardmail me with any questions you have on things to do and see or any questions you have about your trip.  If you want to join us online the main Utah board other than Rivals and Scout is www.utefans.net.  It's free to join and a pretty fun place to talk football or run some friendly smack.  Looking forward (although not necessarily optimistically) to seeing a great Stanford team and fans on Saturday!

Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE tell me you're bringing the band!

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Extra Point - 10-08-2013

Thank you 61_Shasta. The world needs more fans like you.

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - PrinceLightfoot - 10-08-2013

You're the best, 61_Shasta! Thanks for the guidance and suggestions. :)

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Trevmiesterj - 10-08-2013

Thanks so much 61_Shasta.  I haven't been on this board very long but I think you may have set a record for most respect points in the shortest amount of time.  BRAVO!

Do you do this for every Utes game on other forums?





Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - CowboyIndian - 10-08-2013

In case anyone was wondering if Shasta 61 was my neighbor up here, he told me a while ago that "Shasta" is the brand of trailer in his avatar. I guess '61 is the vintage but I don't know that.
Bienvenidos, S61!

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - CrazedZooChimp - 10-08-2013

Thanks a ton for the info Shasta!  I'm getting in Friday afternoon with a few friends, always great to get more advice.  We're staying with friends who live in SLC, so I'm sure they have ideas too, but the more the better!  I know Ted Miller certainly loves Red Iguana.

Any Stanford folks know if there are any Stanford gatherings Friday or Saturday night?

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - fullmetal - 10-08-2013

Great writeup :)  This makes me want to go see SLC (and the game)! 

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - oman - 10-08-2013

So it's no Temecula, but close?

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - terry - 10-08-2013

Thanks, Shasta. I'm leaving for Utah tomorrow. I printed your post.

Stanford usually doesn't take the Band to games like this one. I think the Band makes only a couple road trips a year. Sorry about that!

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - SUBuddha - 10-08-2013

(10-08-2013, 06:55 PM)terry link Wrote:Thanks, Shasta. I'm leaving for Utah tomorrow. I printed your post.

Stanford usually doesn't take the Band to games like this one. I think the Band makes only a couple road trips a year. Sorry about that!

Ahhhh but think of how ripe the Utah landscape would be for jokes about 3.2% beer and Mormons for the band? To paraphrase Boondock saints "We could offend everyone!" "I am strangely comfortable with that."

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - 82 Card - 10-08-2013

At today's presser, Shaw started his response to a question about playing at altitude with: "Hydration is brobdingnagian." Folks going to Salt Lake City for the game should pay attention. On business trips to Utah and Colorado, I have experienced some painful consequences from not guzzling enough water.

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - 61_Shasta - 10-08-2013

@Trevmiesterj:  I try to post something similar to every visiting opponent's boards.  The seed for the thought started in 2006 when we went to the Rose Bowl to play UCLA.  We had a Bruin fan, bruinpatti, that came to uf.n and did something similar to my visit here.  She made sure we were taken care of at the golf course tailgate.  I remember thinking that this is how big time tailgating and hospitality happens.  I didn't do much past that until we joined the PAC-12.  At that point I remembered bruinpatti and figured that if Utah is going to be PAC-12 caliber, we as fans need to be like bruinpatti and welcome or even host our opponents.  As I mentioned before, there is always a beer and food available at the Shasta.  Don't be offended if we ask you for ID.  A few tailgates have been found to provide alcohol to minors and the cops are cracking down, including being undercover in visiting team gear.

@CowboyIndian:  You are correct.  The trailer is a Shasta make.  Its trademark was the aluminum wings.  You are also correct that it is a 1961.  In fact the plate on it reads SIXT1 as the college plates only have 5 characters. 

@Crazed:  I'm not sure who Ted Miller is but I do know that we were fortunate enough to sit near Ted Allen from Food Network's Chopped and his partner.  Maybe the nicest TV person ever.  Mentioned to the manager that Guy Fieri recommended it, never looked bothered by a picture or autograph request even though he was eating.  Could you enlighten me on Ted Miller?

@Terry:  Sorry to hear the band isn't coming.  Their routine in Provo a few years back had me hoping they might make this roadie. Your band sets a standard for irreverence that will never be equaled.  And still bothers BYU fans to this day.  Which makes we Utah fans chuckle.

Thanks to everyone that has interacted.  This and ASU's cactusranch.com have been the most interactive of  any PAC-12 board I've found so far.

Couple of additions.  To 82 Card, do remember that you are about 4,500 feet in the valley and the stadium is just under 4,700.  Hydrate, especially before you drink any alcohol.  I've had altitude sickness in Vail, CO.  It is not fun.  To Buddah, I was looking forward to the band having their way.  Maybe next year in Palo Alto.




Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - 76lsjumb - 10-08-2013

(10-08-2013, 08:19 PM)82 Card link Wrote:At today's presser, Shaw started his response to a question about playing at altitude with: "Hydration is brobdingnagian." Folks going to Salt Lake City for the game should pay attention. On business trips to Utah and Colorado, I have experienced some painful consequences from not guzzling enough water.

Last year, of course, that would have have been: "Hydration is of extremely large proportions."  Indeed, given it was Shaw, I'm a little surprised he didn't say "Hydration is phenomenal..."

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - BrevinsBest - 10-08-2013

I highly recommend Moochie's Meatballs. Big, fat, meatball and cheesesteak sandwiches a few minutes from downtown. Copper Onion is pretty good too. Plum Alley is a decent attempt at Asian fusion as well.

Shasta's tips are spot on. I've spent numerous nights in SLC for work and while the dining options aren't quite what they are in the Bay Area, there are a number of good restaurants in the downtown and surrounding area.

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - terry - 10-08-2013

(10-08-2013, 08:31 PM)61_Shasta link Wrote:@Terry:  Sorry to hear the band isn't coming.  Their routine in Provo a few years back had me hoping they might make this roadie. Your band sets a standard for irreverence that will never be equaled.  And still bothers BYU fans to this day.  Which makes we Utah fans chuckle.

Did the Band really go to Provo in 2003? I remember a big controversy over the Band's show at Stanford when BYU played here in 2004. The Band did a "Tribute to Marriage" show, which strangely didn't go over that well with the BYU crowd ("marriage is a union between a man and a woman . . . and a woman . . . and a woman. . . "). I don't recall the Band's making the trip to Provo the previous year. But I wasn't there . . .

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Kathy - 10-09-2013

Shasta:
Ted Miller covers the Pac-12 for ESPN.com. His blog can be found at http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12.


Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - CrazedZooChimp - 10-09-2013

(10-08-2013, 10:13 PM)terry link Wrote:[quote author=61_Shasta link=topic=8569.msg70709#msg70709 date=1381289497]
@Terry:  Sorry to hear the band isn't coming.  Their routine in Provo a few years back had me hoping they might make this roadie. Your band sets a standard for irreverence that will never be equaled.  And still bothers BYU fans to this day.  Which makes we Utah fans chuckle.

Did the Band really go to Provo in 2003? I remember a big controversy over the Band's show at Stanford when BYU played here in 2004. The Band did a "Tribute to Marriage" show, which strangely didn't go over that well with the BYU crowd ("marriage is a union between a man and a woman . . . and a woman . . . and a woman. . . "). I don't recall the Band's making the trip to Provo the previous year. But I wasn't there . . .
[/quote]

Yep, the band didn't go to Provo, but got in big trouble for it's show when BYU was here.  It was actually a one-liner throw away joke in the middle of the show, which was completely unrelated.  Mitt Romney also stole the joke a few years later, I believe.  He did not get banned from BYU.

Sadly, the AD typically only funds one band road trip each year.  It's almost always to the LA school, unless there's a schedule problem with that, in which case it's usually to Oregon.  Occasionally the band will raise it's own funds to send a small group to another game, but that's pretty rare and usually too small a band for a field show (it's usually preseason).

As Kathy said, Ted Miller is the ESPN Pac-12 blogger, and one of my favorite sports writers.  Since this seems like a good place for it, here's a link to his post from when Utah first joined about places to eat/drink when in SLC: http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/20396/top-restaurants-and-bars-in-pac-12-utah


Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Extra Point - 10-09-2013

(10-08-2013, 08:31 PM)61_Shasta link Wrote:Your band sets a standard for irreverence that will never be equaled.  And still bothers BYU fans to this day.  Which makes we Utah fans chuckle.

You are a good fit with Stanford fans. I hope will you continue to post here after the game.

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - Leftcoast - 10-09-2013

Signal to noise ratio high ... It's a fit!

Re: Welcome to Salt Lake City! Sorry it's kinda long... - utah1977 - 10-09-2013

A couple of other places I would add for the younger crowds. 

Personally i like Bar X http://www.barxsaltlake.com/, it looks like a dump from the outside but it's a great place to get a drink.  It's one of the older bars in Salt Lake, down side is they don't serve food but there is Pizza http://www.estepizzaco.com/2.html or Lebanese food located right across the street.

Another is Piperdown Irish Pub http://www.piperdownpub.com/ they usually have a live band most weekends

For food i'd try Squatter's Pub or Red Rock Brewer.  Both are located downtown and have great food.

If you decide to hit the bars after the game there are a lot of food trucks downtown, but i like going to Bruges Waffles and Frites http://www.brugeswaffles.com

Like Shasta said enjoy Salt Lake and visiting the Utah campus.  We have our share of dicks, but so does every fan base.  I tailgate near Shasta, we always welcome visitors!