Step into the Desert Edge Brewery in Salt Lake City’s historic Trolley Square and you’ll find more than just a great microbrew. You’ll find a place steeped in local character, relaxed charm and a legacy that stretches back over half a century.
I know. I’m definitely dating myself but who cares. I’m not young. But I’ve been going to this restaurant … and bar before that … since just after it opened. Back when it was known as “The Pub” and Trolley Square was just an amazing place to walk through.
This isn’t just a restaurant. It is a gathering spot even now. A social hub. Thankfully for me and my wife, it is still alive as we have so many memories of this place. Of nights out together relaxing and then walking through the surrounding shops afterwards.
The Desert Edge Brewery is more than a little piece of Salt Lake history. As far back as I can remember, the beer was cold, the food was fresh and the vibe was always just right no matter what decade it was.
Whether you call it the Desert Edge Brewery, the Desert Edge Pub, or just “The Pub” like I still do, one thing is certain. This place has stood the test of time. And, judging from our recent visit, it continues to for the most part.
Long before the microbrew scene was even a thing, there was the Desert Edge Brewery. Well, long before that back in 1972, it opened its doors simply as The Pub.
It was a straightforward name for a small bar serving beer and drinks to students, shoppers and downtown regulars at Trolley Square.
There were simply a few booths, a bar downstairs and a few tables upstairs. There was no craft beer revolution yet. It didn’t exist. At least in Salt Lake City.
Just a solid neighborhood watering hole. Well, the neighborhood was the U (U of Utah) and anyone who came downtown.
It was a watering hole for college kids. For University of Utah students and, to a lesser extent, Westminster college students. I have to admit. Being a college kid in the 1970’s was something that I don’t even try to describe to today’s students.
They came here for the pitchers of beer. And for some good food. The prices back then were at a level we can’t even fathom now. Even poor college kids could afford a couple pitchers and a sandwich back then.
Over time, the place evolved. Expanding, remodeling and eventually rebranding as Desert Edge Brewery. But it never lost that laid-back, welcoming feel that made it a favorite in the first place.
Today, Desert Edge Brewery is the oldest continually operating business in all of Trolley Square. Even older than the Spaghetti Factory which opened in 1973. That’s something to hang your hat on.
Desert Edge Brewery has that classic brewpub feel but with an unusual twist. High ceilings, lots of natural light and a design that opens right into the heart of Trolley Square. The building does happen to be the home of the old Salt Lake City trolley system and still retains that unique charm.
There is no need to hide in the back corner at the Desert Edge Brewery (although that’s possible). This is the kind of place where you can enjoy a casual lunch with a friend, grab dinner before a show or kick back with a handcrafted beer before or after walking through the shops.
The vibe? Easygoing. Inviting. Unpretentious. There is always a mix of locals, students (although to a lesser extent in these times), visitors and professionals grabbing lunch or an early dinner.
Ute football fans still meet here before a home game. Friends still catch up over a pint or even a pitcher. But the place doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t have to.
Being located inside historic Trolley Square adds an extra layer of charm. You are eating and drinking in a place that once housed streetcars. Those tracks are still visible in the brickwork under your feet. It is nostalgic, sure. But the Desert Edge is not stuck in the past.
The Desert Edge Brewery menu is exactly what you’d hope to find in a place like this. Familiar, satisfying food. But done right. Fresh ingredients. Big flavors. Seasonal touches. A few house favorites that have been around for years.
You’ll find everything from beer-battered fish tacos and pasta specials to creative salads, house-made soups and their familiar sandwiches. Their avocado enchiladas have a loyal following and don’t sleep on the steak sandwich. It is a local favorite for a reason.
Now, I’m here to stay that I am not a cheerleader for the Desert Edge Brewery. My wife and I have been there twice in the last couple months after not having visited in a long time.
Of course, it is memorable and nostalgic. It has always been one of our favorite “date nights.” Eat at The Pub and walk around Trolley Square.
We actually were so regular at The Pub that we knew the waitresses by name (there were few men doing it then). They would stop to carry on a conversation with us as we were such frequent customers. We would talk about family, kids, etc. Imagine that. At a restaurant.
OK. Here’s something I can actually back up because I was there. Desert Edge Brewery was crafting local beer before it was cool. They began brewing their own beer in 1995.
By 1996, their Happy Valley Hefeweizen won 1st place at The Great American Beer Festival. They won because of their philosophy … “always more aggressive and flavorful than widely distributed brands.” And it was.
Their small-batch brews are still made in-house and rotate regularly. You will usually find a few reliable mainstays (hello Happy Valley Hefeweizen and Pub Pils) along with seasonal releases and one-offs.
These aren’t mass-market beers. They are brewed for this space. For this menu. For the folks who walk through the door. They want to provide you a crisp golden ale to pair with your grilled fish or a malty amber that hits just right with your burger.
Now, since I’ve been going there since just after they opened the doors, what is not so good now. Well, their Chef Salad used to be amazing. Not so much now. I ordered it about a year ago and I won’t go into the details. I haven’t ordered it since. Let’s just say it is now a Vegan Salad. The meat is obviously optional.
Their Reuben used to be unreal. Piled several inches thick with pastrami, it was almost too thick to get into your mouth. Now? Still OK but more bread than meat. My wife makes much better Reubens.
The beer? I ordered a Pub Pils (I’m Canadian, I like Pilsner) the other night. The glass came back not filled. It was almost an inch below the top. Thanks guys. Way to skim off the top.
Well, the good things are that it is still standing, still local, and still “The Pub.”
Desert Edge Brewery has changed over the years. New brews, updated menus, remodeled seating but at its core, it is still The Pub.
Still a place where locals come back to again and again. Still a place which out-of-towners stumble upon and leave wondering why more places can’t be like this.
It doesn’t try to be trendy. It is not part of a corporate chain. It is a true Salt Lake original. The kind of place you wish you had in your own neighborhood.
Even with some of the negative changes we’ve observed, the atmosphere and memories are still a magnet for us.
When you visit, you’re tapping into a little piece of Utah’s living history. It is something that has been a part of Trolley Square for more than 50 years.
Planning to walk around historic Trolley Square? I would recommend you try the Desert Edge Brewery. Whether you’re shopping, sightseeing or just looking for a relaxing spot to wind down, this is the perfect place to take a break.
The atmosphere is vibrant but not loud. The food is hearty or light depending on your tastes. The beer? Always cold and crafted on-site (at least that’s what they say). Not flashy. Not overdone. It is still just really good.
Hours
Monday: Wednesday: 11:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Thursday: Saturday: 11:30 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
Sunday: 10:30 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Desert Edge Brewery
300 Trolley Square
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
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