One thing I’ve learned in my second year covering the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah is that you have to allot time for food. While Main Street is reportedly filled with restaurants to dine at, there’s the small issue of seeing films all day and still finding time to sit and eat. What that ends up meaning is you’ll likely spend the majority of time waiting for food, taking it with you, and finding a spot to crash and scarf before going to the next movie.
This year I was absolutely determined to stay away from the awful restaurant located in the Yarrow Hotel, the base of operations for industry and press screenings. I didn’t step foot in that place, so I won’t comment on the food this time around. Rest assured that colleagues of mine did, and the report back is that the food takes just as long and is just as uninspiring.
So then, what is good to eat in Park City for the moviegoer? If pinched for time you can always rely on a quick fast food meal at the Burger King on Park Ave, or a morning cup of joe right next door at the Starbucks. But these are places we’re all familiar with.
There are two places within Park City that are absolutely worth your time and money. The first is located on Kearns Blvd in a little shopping center. Flippin’ Burgers is a little burger joint that serves flat pieces of meat on burgers with your choice of free and paid toppings. The burgers are passable. At least they won’t make you sick or be revolted. You don’t get to order how you want it cooked; each flat patty is made to about a medium doneness. The star of the restaurant is the beer battered onion rings. Served with a jalapeno ranch sauce they are the best cheap way to get some delicious in town. Over three days I had four orders of the onion rings, they were that good.
You’re down on Main Street and have no idea where to stop? I recommend Main Street Pizza & Noodle. The restaurant is a casual affair with pizza and pasta dishes made to order. You simply walk in, get your table, and then order at the counter. Waiters buzz around carrying dishes looking for the number on your table. The pasta is cooked and sautéed up fresh for each order, and the result is a satisfying meal.
The spinach fettuccini with prosciutto, feta cheese, and mushrooms is a real highlight. Large chunks of mushrooms are surprising when you expect thin slices, and the feta provides a great mouth feel as it melts around everything as you eat. Large portions and fast service make this a fantastic spot to stop on your way to the next screening.
With celebrities and high profile producers running around Park City during the week of Sundance you’d think there’d be more food available. The problem is that for the cost conscious among us we have to avoid the high profile locales. I was unfortunately unable to attend the Bon Appétit sponsored dinners due to my inability to access my email prior to the Friday night dinner. I really wish I’d gotten the chance to sit and enjoy some food prepared by Scott Conant or John Besh. But for the rest of us there’s still a great place to pick up pasta or a few killer onion rings.
