Our 2021 Holiday gift guide is here! Discover unique and special gifts as well as solutions for your holiday gathering from Salt Lake magazine’s experts in finding that perfect gift for everyone on your list.
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2212 S. West Temple, Unit #14, SLC 801-726-0403
Get ready for the holidays with Salt Lake. Learn how to support local organizations fighting hunger and find neighborhood light displays.
Keep sweet is a familiar mantra among the members of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter-day Saints (FLDS, a sect that broke off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and still continues to practice polygamy) in Short Creek. The community straddles the Utah-Arizona border, encompassing Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Arizona. At first, “keep sweet” appears innocuous—a simple reminder to be kind to everyone. The credo, however, was also used as a tool for keeping members compliant under the will and whim of FLDS leader Warren Jeffs. Now, KEEP SWEET is the title of a new documentary about the FLDS now streaming on Discovery+.
The Short Creek landscape; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
“As we met these FLDS families, we started getting a lot of incredible art pieces from these kids,” says the film’s executive producer Glenn Meehan. “And almost every piece of art said ‘keep sweet. Don and Glenn, keep sweet.’ That phrase kept coming up. We saw it everywhere.”
“‘Keep sweet’ is baked into the fabric of the town, in a way. It’s about behavior. It’s about being a good person. It still has resonance there, but now, as the title of the film, like the town itself, it can now mean something other than what it used to,” says director Don Argott about the choice of the film’s title. He’s best known for directing the documentary Believer, which followed Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds as he learned about the LDS Church’s treatment of LGBTQ+ members.
KEEP SWEET takes a different approach with a wider scope than previous documentaries about the FLDS. It presents community conflicts and religious and political divisions in a fashion that allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. That will certainly make for interesting and spirited conversations around the table this Thanksgiving.
“Pray and obey” on the fireplace outside of a house in Short Creek; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
On its face, KEEP SWEET is a primer to the FLDS community—catching up the viewer on the 1953 raid by Arizona officials that still shapes the members’ views toward outsiders, the reign of Warren Jeffs, how he divided families and exiled anyone who could possibly challenge his influence and, primarily, how the community has changed since Jeffs’ arrest, child rape conviction and prison sentence.
However, KEEP SWEET strives to be more than that, as that sort of documentary has been done many times. (Just for starters, if you’re looking for deep analysis and painstaking research into the FLDS, polygamy, and the rise of Warren Jeffs or thoughtful explorations into how he further isolated and radicalized a community and destroyed lives, there’s the Unfinished Short Creek podcast, the book Prophet’s Prey by Sam Brower and subsequent documentary, the book Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, the documentary Sons Of Perdition, and so many more.)
“We sat with the documentary for a while, trying to figure out what we were going to do with it,” says Meehan. “Then Don comes along. He sees this new angle to this documentary. We already had the side that was kicked out. But Don, as director, wanted to show both sides without giving our opinions.”
Short Creek house with Zion sign hanging on an archway; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
“People have told the Warren Jeffs story before,” says Argott, “But there is something that’s happening in this town that is not being talked about. There’s a pressure cooker there, as all these different people are existing side-by-side. And it’s a story that hadn’t really been told before.”
Rather than retread the same ground, KEEP SWEET hopes to compare the current situation in Short Creek to the American political and cultural climate at large. Specifically, the documentary portrays the divisiveness that emerges when facts are dismissed in favor of beliefs/bias and people stubbornly adhere to their own “truths.”
Before Jeffs went to jail, a documentary crew may have been run out of Short Creek by the so-called “god squad” (Jeffs’ pick-up-driving private security forces.) Now, many of the walls have come down (literal walls Jeffs had constructed around the community). “I never thought we’d be allowed to say ‘hello’ to them [FLDS members], let alone have dinner in their houses and their families,” says Meehan, who first visited Short Creek about a decade ago. “I’ve really grown to like these people so much. And really that’s what the documentary is all about. Everybody has their own truth. Everyone has their own story. And here it is. We’ll give you all of the cards and you decide where your heart is.”
A point of contention that remains in Short Creek, the United Effort Plan (UEP), a land trust, which includes hundreds of homes formerly controlled by the FLDS, is now under the purview of a nonreligious board. Under the board, some former FLDS members—who were exiled, left or escaped Jeffs’ church—have returned to their homes. Some homes have been sold to “outsiders.” And some FLDS members, still faithful to Jeffs, have been evicted for refusing to cooperate with the board’s criteria to keep their homes as they do not recognize the board’s authority.
Two FLDS girls watching the bulldozers take down buildings in Short Creek; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
Those faithful FLDS that still live in Short Creek claim they’ve been persecuted against by the former FLDS who now hold positions of power within the town—such as the UEP board members and Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop. They seem to fail to grasp the irony of being ousted from a community by refusing to cooperate with the people who were once exiled themselves. And therein lies the rub. Former FLDS and new residents are trying to bring democracy, capitalism and modernism to Short Creek and rebuild the lives they had before Jeffs stripped them of everything. In doing so, the FLDS feel they have been stripped of everything. Because, despite all of the evidence proving Jeffs’ crimes, they believe Jeffs to be a prophet, maligned by outsiders and authorities unsanctioned by god, comparing Jeffs to the Mormon prophet and church founder Joseph Smith. (Smith was arrested and imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois after ordering the destruction of a printing press when the newspaper revealed Joseph Smith’s practice of polygamy. Both of which he was guilty of, so, in that way, he was like Jeffs.)
Unlike Smith, Jeffs is still alive in prison, but we see Jeffs’ ghost continue to haunt the town with his influence, dividing Short Creek into faithful and “other.” And never the twain shall meet. In that way, it seems as insurmountable as the political, religious and cultural divides we all face within our own communities and families.
“When we were making this film, it was the height of the Trump administration,” says Argott. “And seeing how the country was being ripped apart, and frankly, still is, I realized [the town] is America five years from now. This is where we are headed. We are headed to this place where everyone has their own truths. Everyone has their own views of the world. But, guess what? I’m going to have to live next to this person and I’m going to have to figure it out.”
Norma Richter and one of her daughters; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
Meehan recounted an experience he had while driving with one of the faithful FLDS, a woman named Norma. They passed a man on the street and Norma told Meehan that man was her brother. “I asked ‘Why didn’t you wave to him?’ And she says, ‘Oh, he left the church. We don’t speak.’ And here they are living in this small town, everyone knows each other, they pass siblings every day and they don’t talk.”
In that vein, Argott compares Jeffs to someone other than Joseph Smith. “No matter what side you’re on, whether you support Trump or don’t support Trump, people have lost family members over it. And that’s something I would say is a new phenomenon living in this country. We’ve always been able to have different ideologies, but there’s something about this guy who came in, much like Warren, and really polarized everybody.”
The documentary lets both sides of the divide share “their truths” with little commentary from the documentarians. So, allow me to provide some here. Both camps in Short Creek subscribe to non-reality at times. We see the FLDS refuse to acknowledge Jeffs’ crimes. Meanwhile, some former FLDS members cling to nostalgia, painting an idyllic picture of their lives in Short Creek before Warren Jeffs. Jeffs’ predecessor, his father Rulon (a.k.a. Uncle Rulon) might not have committed horrors on the same level as his son nor restricted the freedoms of the members to the same degree, but Under the Banner of Heaven uncovered that Uncle Rulon had underage wives all the same. Some were as young as 14 and forced to marry Rulon in his 70s and 80s. Life was hardly idyllic for those girls, before or after Warren Jeffs.
Producer Glenn Meehan with some of the FLDS children; Photo by 44 Blue Productions, courtesy Discovery+
Does the image in the documentary of a divided community trying to heal itself bode well or provide hope for the future of a divided America? The filmmakers seem to think so.
Argott describes a scene in the film between one of the faithful FLDS members and a relative that had left the church. An outsider who had moved into town, Christine, in her attempt to help reunite families, had arranged for them to get together. “Lamont Barlow ends up giving Esther a hug,” says Argott. “And I feel like that’s the kind of healing that can happen, and hopefully continues to happen.” However, with his work on Believer, and now with KEEP SWEET, Argott has observed a trend when it comes to extending olive branches over religious divides. “You have to be the one to meet the religious people where they are. That’s a frustrating thing to have to deal with in general. People are going to be stubborn.”
“I have a lot of hope for the children, in some ways,” says Meehan. “They didn’t ask to be a part of this religion. They were born into it. Now, these kids have access to the internet. They have an awareness that wasn’t there before. Things are going to change. Maybe they’ll see the world a little differently than their parents.”
Here’s the official synopsis for KEEP SWEET:
Warren Jeffs was the Prophet of the FLDS, an offshoot of Mormonism. Jeffs’ demanded absolute loyalty, and instituted complete adherence to the religion, requiring strict dress codes, banishing community celebrations and casting out followers who didn’t fall in line.His controversial reign ended with a conviction for sexual assault with underage girls, landing him in jail for life. Jeffs’ downfall sent shock waves throughout the community, with some continuing to pledge their loyalty to him, while others turned their backs on Jeff’s and the FLDS religion altogether.10 years after his arrest, those left behind attempt to rebuild their community. KEEP SWEET is an allegory for the unsettling reality we are living through in America. Can we learn how to live with one another despite our different ideologies, or are we destined to live apart?
KEEP SWEET is directed by Don Argott (Believer, The Art of the Steal) and executive produced by Rasha Drachkovitch, Stephanie Noonan Drachkovitch, Glenn Meehan and David Hale for 44 Blue Productions and Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce for 9.14 Pictures. Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 43 minutes. Watch the trailer for the documentary here. Now streaming on Discovery+.
There’s a familiar grating sound ski and snowboard edges make as they cut into early season snow. The surface—typically a mixture of manmade flakes and what’s charitably referred to as “frozen granular”—may not be the Greatest Snow on Earth splashed across the pages of magazines expounding on the virtues of Utah skiing, but there’s an undeniable joy to those first few days on the mountain, when clicking into your bindings feels like the unlikely realization of some distant shoulder season fantasy.
To put it more directly, everyone knows a mediocre day skiing is better than a great day at work. The conditions won’t always be epic, but the early days of the season are a great opportunity to experience a different side of mountain culture. The lift lines are nonexistent, the hotel ski-and-stay deals are radically antithetical to skyrocketing costs, and the pace of everything is just a bit more leisurely. It’s the perfect time for a ski road trip through the Utah mountains that doesn’t involve obsessively researching weather models or selling a prized internal organ. Load up the car and get ready to shred.
Stop #1: Ski Brighton, Stay at Silver Fork Lodge
Brighton is the first resort to open in Utah each year—both Brighton and Solitudewelcome skiers on Nov. 23—so, naturally, it’s the perfect place to kick off an early season ski trip. While many other mountains play the waiting game ramping up to the lucrative holiday season, Brighton cranks the snow guns to 11 and gets the lifts spinning as soon as possible.
New for this winter, Brighton is offering the Early Pass for maximum shreddage during those early days. For just $249, pass holders get unlimited skiing and riding from opening day through Dec. 23. That’s about the same cost as two individual day tickets, a pretty unbeatable bargain, with the option to upgrade and apply the cost to any other season pass—midweek, night or full.
Spend the night in Big Cottonwood Canyon just down the road from Brighton at Silver ForkLodge. It has a charmingly rustic character, a fantastic restaurant and affordable rates outside of peak season.
Courtesy Snowbird
Pit Stop 1: Hog Wallow Pub
It’ll only take about 40 minutes to drive down S.R. 190 and up S.R. 210 to get to the top of adjacent Little Cottonwood Canyon, but it’s worth a quick stop at the Hog Wallow Pub for some smoked wings and a brisket sandwich with a pint to wash it down. The seminal après joint has a great atmosphere and hosts live music most evenings.
Stop #2: Ski at Snowbird, Stay at the Cliff Lodge
After scratching the early season itch at Brighton, seek out gnarly turns by day and luxurious digs by night. Snowbird is renowned for its steep terrain and copious snowfall, and it’s frequently home to an early-season powder bounty that leaves other resorts envious. The Aerial Tram whisks riders up to 11,000 feet where the temps are cooler and the snowpack is deeper than at lower elevations.
Skip the pre- and post-ski canyon rush with Early Bird Stay and Ski specials, packaging lodging with lift tickets at affordable rates you won’t find during the rest of the season. Each booking includes one lift ticket per adult for each night of the stay and children under 12 ski for free. Myriad accommodation options can be booked online, including the Lodge, The Inn, or my personal favorite, The Cliff. The iconic Cliff Lodge is a mere ski boot’s throw from the Tram and has a pretty delightful spa and pool for some decadent après.
Pit Stop 2: Centro Woodfired Pizzeria
Up next is a nearly four-hour drive down I-15 to Brian Head, but head past your turn in Parowan for just a few miles for a bite at Centro Woodfired Pizzeria in Cedar City. The pies are in the running for the best in the Beehive State—I’m partial to the Dolce Diavola with whipped ricotta and a honey drizzle—making the extra minutes in the car well worth the effort.
Stop #3: Ski Brian Head, Stay at Best Western Brian Head Resort and Spa
It seems like just yesterday people were heading towards the desert for shoulder season shenanigans, and now it’s time to point the compass south again in search of snow. Topping out at 10,920 feet, Brian Head has high alpine terrain that’s heaven for anxious powder hounds. The resort makes an effort to open before Thanksgiving each year—they are currently anticipating a Nov. 24 opening—providing a surreal early-season setting to arc turns down groomers and dive into cold smoke while overlooking the red rock landscape of Cedar Breaks.
New for the winter, the resort is managing the Best Western Premier Brian Head Resort and Spa just a half mile from the Navajo Lodge base area. It’s the first lodge the resort has overseen and has really easy access to uncrowded slopes. Early season lift ticket specials are available on the Brian Head website. The earlier you buy the better the deal you’ll find, so plan your trip early.
Oh, how I wish there weren’t a need for this article. Alas, as the ski industry rapidly adopts the airline model of “always monetize everything, always,” the simple act of getting to the mountains around Salt Lake City has become the most challenging part of any day. I don’t know if the Cottonwood Canyons are shrinking or if there’s been enormous population growth along the Wasatch Front coupled with a renewed enthusiasm for outdoor sports in the wake of a pandemic—it’s probably the latter isn’t it?—but whatever the cause, ski traffic and parking are increasingly problematic.
Proposals to alleviate the issue are being bandied about, from gondolas to buses (just definitely not trains), and in the meantime parking restrictions are all that’s keeping the levees from breaking as the powderhounds flow in. While opening dates have been pushed back throughout Utah, here’s a little breakdown of the parking situation at resorts near Salt Lake City so you can be ready when the snow starts falling. We’re going to focus on the ones in the Cottonwood Canyons (and touch on Park City), since that’s generally where the issues are focused. No matter where you’re headed, leave early, be patient and pray for snow.
Free lunch at Alta is over. The resort is implementing a weekend and holiday paid parking reservation system. They say it will keep them from having to turn cars away, but also I think the resort likes to make money. The $25 per-day fee will apply not only to those who park in the resort area base lots to ride the lifts, but also to backcountry skiers and snowboarders who park at the Grizzly and Flagstaff lots. That’s a bummer for people trying to access public lands.
About 40 days of the season are subject to parking restrictions. The remaining days will be just like the free-for-all they’ve always been. What about passholders? There’s a special reservation system for Alta passholders to hold two reservation days at any time, though there is a $25 no-show fee and I’ve heard anecdotal evidence of it being a bit difficult to use. Reservations and paid parking for public land access aren’t fun, but it appears the demand has far outstripped the supply. Carpool and take the UTA ski bus if you can.
The Bird is ditching mandatory parking reservations after last season’s ParkWhiz powered system left something to be desired for many, especially late arrivals who ski after work. Free parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at Entry 1 (the Upper Gad Valley Lot and Wilbere Hill), the Main Lot, Chickadee Hill, the Superior Lot and the Bypass Road excluding the preferred parking area.
Carpooling will be encouraged, and those with four-plus people in a car will have access to carpool-only parking areas and discounted preferred parking in Gad Valley (both as available). Paid parking with reservations is available for $25 per day, as the $699 preferred parking season pass is sold out. The Bird is the word, but unless you show up early, off hours or with a car full of your friends you may have to pay to play.
Paid parking is back at Solitude this season. Thankfully, it’s tiered by vehicle occupancy, so if you like to ski or ride with friends it won’t be too burdensome. For four or more occupants, the cost is just $5 per day, $10 for three occupants, $15 for two and $25 for one. As of this publishing, season parking passes are still available for $275 ($150 for a midweek-only pass) which makes sense if you’re a frequent visitor. Some of the namesake Solitude is vanishing as evidenced by the scores of cars stashed along the roadway to skirt the parking charge, but at least it encourages people to carpool.
Brighton doesn’t charge for parking, but they will turn you around if you get up there at 10 a.m. on a Saturday powder day expecting a primo spot. There’s no way to ensure a spot at Brighton, so the resort recommends showing up early or late (before 8 a.m. or after 1 p.m.) to get a spot. Let’s be honest, if you’re arriving after 8 a.m. on a weekend, you’re not going to make it up the canyon anyway. Carpool with friends and adhere to the off-hour shuffle to avoid maddening traffic and the dreaded turnaround.
Park City Resorts
There is wonderful and woefully underutilized public transportation from Kimball Junction and Ecker Hill to both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley. The best option, especially when it’s crowded, is to leave your car at the park and ride and enjoy relaxing, regular bus service to whatever mountain it is you’re trying to ski. If you simply must burn your own gas, here’s where to go.
There are base areas with parking at Park City Mountain, one at the Canyons on 224 and one in town. Both are free (for now) and offer paid, preferred parking options. The base area in town fills up super early, so if you aren’t on the strict a.m. program, start at Canyons base area. Even if you want to start skiing or riding at the Park City base area, you can hop a bus from Canyons to PC. Afternoons tend to open up a bit in town for later arrivals. Carpooling is key as traffic from I-80 and U.S. 40 can be rough, especially on powder days.
There’s a huge free parking area at Deer Valley’s Snow Park base area, though it can fill up on snowy weekends and holidays. There is also a paid parking garage with very limited space at Silver Lake. Driving all the way through town can be anxiety-inducing, even if there is ample parking, so don’t be afraid to take the bus.
In the middle of this week’s episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, I texted another fan of the show and declared it was one of the best episodes of television I’d seen. That was maybe (definitely) a touch hyperbolic, but this really is a new peak for RHOSLC. Behind the ridiculous drama and ethical queasiness of watching most reality TV, this tense, surprising episode proves why this series can be so compelling.
This episode begins right where we left off last week. Jen said that Sharrieff had internal bleeding (a lie), left in a hurry and then a swarm of federal agents showed up to arrest her. Lisa, Jennie, Heather and Whitney are parked at Beauty Lab, stunned. Unlike most installments, which follow a loose formula with several subplots, this episode is set entirely over the course of a single day. Transitions mark the exact time and location of the cast, and the whole thing is paced like a thriller. The tone is a hybrid between a mid-reputable true crime documentary and a normal episode of the show, which makes for an odd but compelling juxtaposition. One minute you have Meredith, in a hot pink blazer, no pants and with go-go boots, enjoying an infomercial about a luxury vacation rental in Vail, the next you have grainy footage, seemingly from a doorbell security camera, of Jen’s kids walking out of the house with their hands up.
Beyond the unusually high stakes of the ripped-from-the-headlines drama, this episode succeeds because each cast member shows a new side of themselves. Even though RHOSLC is only in its second season, (the OG series, TheReal Housewives of Orange County, has a staggering 268 episodes) the cast has already started to calcify into types. Even with an ever-evolving web of alliances and rivalries, you can generally predict how most of the women will behave—Mary will throw the most unhinged party on God’s green earth, Jen will have an outburst of rage and Meredith will disengage. The cast, always aware that cameras are rolling, perform the parts. But the events of this episode are shocking and destabilizing enough to inspire some raw, surprising reactions.
Whitney, for example, is savvier than we might expect. She seems to be the first to connect that the NYPD was involved because Jen’s business was based in New York, and she somehow knows quite a lot about (legal) digital marketing. She is much more clearheaded than her cousin. Heather, who is surprisingly naive. She suggests to the group that the police were “trying to protect” Jen, because surely a full SWAT team got their handcuffs out for just a casual check-in. She keeps asking if Jen will text her back. (I don’t think so, babe!) Before learning exactly what Jen is charged with, she hopes the whole thing is a misunderstanding about “paperwork.” True, watching a police department’s worth of federal agents come looking for your friend would be disorienting, but Heather certainly is lacking in the street smarts department.
Lisa is in a tough situation because, unwisely, she decided to be Jen’s #1 defender and friend ever since the end of last season. In one of the most unbelievable moments in an episode full of them, Whitney finds out the specific allegations against Jen from reality TV blogs and gossip sites as the group drives through the middle of nowhere. (I *hope* Reality Blurb wins a Pultizer for Breaking News Reporting TBH.) In real time, they learn that Jen is charged with fraud, Stuart is implicated too and that she could face up to 30 years in prison. Lisa and Heather burst into tears and join Whitney for a group hug, while Jennie calmly sips her drink. Jennie is too new to have deep connections with anyone besides Lisa, and she is hilariously not going to pretend otherwise. Before the bus even leaves the parking lot, Jennie raids Jen’s snacks, correctly guessing that Jen won’t be coming back for her Mint Milanos and Life Savers. Mostly, she seems mildly irked that her new friend’s massive fraud scheme has spoiled a perfectly good girls’ trip.
The two other Housewives going to Vail, Mary and Meredith, wisely skipped out on the party bus and get to travel in relative peace. Meredith, in particular, is having a great time drinking champagne alone in the stupidly big ski mansion. She’s having so much fun, in fact, that she hasn’t been reading any headlines or texts about Jen. Lisa FaceTimes her, and when she learns the news, she says, stone-faced, “Honestly, I’m not surprised by this.” She feels validated that her longtime suspicions about Jen were correct, and openly gloats before basically saying “I told you so.” “The good news is, while everything else is falling apart around us we do have a beautiful house here,” Meredith says before blowing a kiss. How’s that for the magic of positive thinking?
The demise of her longtime enemy gives Meredith a real chance to shine, and she milks the opportunity. Sometimes in Season 1, Meredith was too reserved (and emotionally mature) to stand out, but this episode, she decides to put on a show. When Mary arrives, Meredith greets her while luxuriating in a bubble bath. She and Mary gossip in the bathroom, and Meredith continues to emphasize that she is not surprised by the arrest. (Mary, for her part, mostly says she’s sad for Jen, except for the times when she says that Jen had it coming.) “The FBI doesn’t get involved unless there’s facts,” observes Mary Cosby, Esq. “Unless there was, like, an insider who gave them the information,” says Meredith, before quietly looking away.
I won’t speculate if Meredith did, in fact, tip off the federal agents. The show, and maybe even Meredith herself, is certainly leaving plenty of breadcrumbs to suggest this possibility. What I do know is that Meredith is really leaning into her performance. She clearly chose to film the conversation with Mary in the bubble bath (I am hoping…PRAYING…that the camera crew doesn’t have bathroom privileges without permission,) because she wants to prove just how relaxed and unbothered she is by Jen’s downfall. She stays in the tub until the rest of the cast arrives, her hands getting pruney for the sake of the bit. This woman is looking camp right in the eye!
The gravity of Jen’s arrest (almost) unites everyone, mostly because they are distracted from the petty bullshit that would have animated a more normal trip. Still, the Housewives find time to eye each other suspiciously and wonder aloud if anyone knows more than they’re letting on. Jennie finds it strange that Whitney is a sudden expert on the legality of direct marketing. Whitney questions why Lisa calls literally all six of the attorneys on her payroll. And, most suspiciously, Lisa stage whispers, “I think Meredith might know something” in a phone call to John. In the last two episodes, several Housewives revealed that they quietly knew rumors about Mary’s church, and once again, it’s clear that anyone paying attention to Jen’s lifestyle knew there was something fishy going on. Heather says that even after an hour of conversation, she didn’t understand Jen’s job and concluded that her business was at least “unsavory.” Whitney questioned how Jen made so much money, and a damning montage shows Jen’s lavish spending. Mary claims she “never saw nothing good” in Jen. (K.)
In the episode’s final scene, the women gather over a fancy dinner made by a private chef—Heather says “Today has been insane. So stressful. But it surprisingly hasn’t cut my appetite at all.” When everyone debriefs together, the allegations start to fly. Meredith says she has security footage of Jen’s employee stealing something from her jewelry store. She also brings up a rumor that Jen is “red-flagged” at Louis Vuitton for always paying in cash. (“Being red-flagged at Louis Vuitton would be far worse than the feds knocking at my door,” Lisa says.) Then, Heather remembers that Jen took an Uber from her house late at night, but mysteriously exited the car at an intersection half a mile away. This leads Lisa to suggest that Jen is meeting up with another guy. (How does Lisa know this?) Soon, every detail of Jen’s life starts to feel suspicious. Whatever is going on, Whitney observes, “If we do not share what we know, we are in danger.”
If you haven’t noticed, the missing piece from this episode is Jen herself. Besides brief footage of her leaving the U.S. District Court, she is entirely absent, but for the rest of the season, she is still contractually obligated to have cameras follow her most personal moments as she tries to defend herself against very serious allegations of fraud. It’s her lawyers’ worst nightmare, and voyueristic fans’ dream come true.
Random observations:
Every episode, Heather cements her status as the most funny-on-purpose cast member
There is a medically alarming amount of candy and Cheetos on the party bus, which I both fear and respect.
Mary is awfully sanctimonious about Jen’s morality considering the allegations against her church. There is a 100% chance her incoherent monologue about reaping and sowing will be used against her before the season is over.
If the skull and crossbones weren’t ominous enough, the all caps “YOU CAN DIE” was meant to be. The warning—printed on the orange gate separating avalanche-controlled terrain within Park City Mountain boundaries from uncontrolled backcountry terrain on adjacent forest service land—is a blunt statement about the hazards of skiing and snowboarding in the backcountry, especially for those without the requisite knowledge and equipment. The appeal of untracked powder leads many, heedless of caution, to head out anyway, and, after two fatal avalanches just weeks apart in January 2021, Park City indefinitely closed backcountry access gates at the resort. The popular gate atop the Ninety-Nine 90 Express chairlift remains permanently closed, though the gate atop the Peak 5 chair will reopen.
The move irked some backcountry skiers and riders who had long used the resort’s chairs to chase untracked powder just beyond the ropes. Others felt the move was warranted, as throngs of unprepared people having easy access to avalanche terrain—in full view of and just steps from the chairlift—seemed a recipe for disaster.
“We have made the decision to reopen the resort exit on Peak 5 for backcountry access, and to permanently close the exit at the top of Ninety-Nine 90. While both exits access the same area, the Peak 5 exit requires more hike-to effort, preparation and intention to reach the terrain,” Park City Mountain COO Mike Goar said in a prepared statement released in August.
The issue came to a head during a particularly tragic avalanche season in Utah that saw six skiers and snowboarders killed, including two along the Park City ridgeline after exiting the Ninety-Nine 90 gate. The snowpack’s persistent instability was cited as a cause, but, even in years without compounding stability issues, accidents happen. There have been nine fatalities along the Park City ridgeline since 2000, and ease of access is almost certainly a contributing factor. Significant avalanche paths are mere steps away from the top of the Ninety-Nine 90 chair. Many lead directly back into the resort, doubling down on the convenience. From Peak 5, accessing the ridgeline requires using specialized climbing skins, or a superhuman appetite for nightmarish postholing up hundreds of vertical feet of snow.
“The Peak 5 gate encourages more responsible use both because of the increased effort it requires and the lack of a visual from the gate itself to the terrain it accesses,” says Chris Tolli, a longtime backcountry skier who frequents the Park City ridgeline. The change isn’t a panacea, however. “There’s still a lot of avalanche terrain people can get themselves into quickly,” warns a Park City ski patroller who spoke about the topic on condition of anonymity. “Often all it takes is seeing someone go through the gate and people will get excited to follow.”
Backcountry skiing and riding carry inherent risk, and eliminating every accident is impossible. But if moving the gate could mitigate some accidents while enabling people to access national forest land like they have for decades, it’s worth a try.
2 lbs. potatoes 1 tsp. salt 1 cup milk or half-and-half 6 Tbsp. butter 1 egg salt and pepper
Peel and quarter potatoes. Put them in a large pot with enough cold water to cover them. Add salt and bring water to a boil. Lower heat to medium and simmer potatoes until they are tender when pierced with a fork (15-20 minutes). Drain the potatoes, add the butter and mash with a ricer or electric mixer. Add the egg and beat it into the potatoes with a wooden spoon. Add milk or cream and continue to mash until fluffy.
Roasted Tomato Potatoes
Fold 3 oven-roasted tomatoes, coarsely chopped, into hot mashed potatoes.
Blue Potatoes
Fold ½ cup crumbled blue cheese into hot potatoes. Top each serving with bacon bits.
Pakora Potatoes
Fold 1 tsp. Turmeric, ½ tsp. curry and 1 cup of frozen peas into hot mashed potatoes.
Pesto Potatoes
Fold ½ cup basil pesto into hot mashed potatoes. Garnish with toasted pine nuts.
Get out of the cold and discover art and design in the Sonoran Desert
Scottsdale, Arizona is Phoenix’s posh neighbor, dotted with gated communities, resorts, spas and fancy hotels. While Arizona, in general, remains best known for retirees, snowbirds and a particular brand of “Don’t Tread on Me” conservatism, a new generation is taking up residence in the area, drawn there not for golfing but for art, architecture and design. These design nerds are taking note because of the legacy of two giants of architecture—Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Soleri. The two rivals represent a yin and yang of design philosophies. Their apprentice compounds—Wright’s fastidious Taliesin West and Soleri’s chaotic Cosanti—are magnets for a revival in interest in the area’s older homes and buildings, especially mid-century projects from the 1940s to ‘60s. Scottsdale’s stuffy reputation is giving way to a second look from a younger generation and winter is the perfect time to explore the new scene. Because Arizona in the summer? No, thank you.
Frank Lloyd Wright came to Arizona in the 1930s to create a space where he could work in peace and train his apprentices. He built Taliesin West(named in concert with his Wisconsin workshop Taliesin East) in what was then the middle of nowhere 26 miles from Phoenix. Wright and his students built everything at Taliesin West by hand, using materials that could be harvested from the surrounding desert. He invented methods to work with, instead of against, the terrain. “There were simple characteristic silhouettes to go by, tremendous drifts and heaps of sunburned desert rocks were nearby to be used,” Wright said. “We got it all together with the landscape.”
Today Taliesin West still inspires architecture students to discover Wright’s methods, which, in a tradition dating back to its earliest days, once required acolytes to live in a tent in the desert and design and build their own desert shelters to live in. Wright was a madman for order and this National Historic Landmark is a marvel of thoughtful design and building. Not a blade of grass is out of place. The site offers tours daily. 12621 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd., Scottsdale
Wright’s Rival
If Frank Lloyd Wright was a madman for order, Paolo Soleri was just plainly a madman. Although his reputation has recently been tarnished by posthumous allegations of sexual abuse, Soleri’s work remains an important part of design history. The Italian architecture student came to Taliesin West in 1946, to study among Wright’s apprentices. But he did not mesh with the monastic environment. He was also challenging Wright on the national stage, winning exhibitions in New York and making the cover of the Rolling Stone of architecture, Architectural Digest. Claire Carter, the curator at The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art(7374 E. Second Street, Scottsdale, 480-874-4666), believes the Italian’s splashy success in New York was a threat to Wright’s near-domination of the American architectural scene. “Soleri was brash, cocky and his work was getting notice in important circles,” she says. “I suspect that wasn’t to Mr. Wright’s liking.” Whatever the reason, Soleri left Taliesin for Italy in 1950, where he would design one of his most important buildings, Ceramica Artistica Solimene, a large ceramics factory on the Almafi Coast.
Soleri could not, however, just let things lie. He returned to Arizona in 1956 to establish his own rival school and workshop, which he called Cosanti(6433 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., Paradise Valley, 480-948-6145). There, apprentices fire Soleri’s Cosanti Bells, elaborate bronze or ceramic wind chimes, to help fund Soleri’s masterwork Arcosanti.
70 miles north of Phoenix, Arcosanti was an ongoing endeavor to build one of Paolo Soleri’s fantastic cities of the future. Soleri thought big and drafted plans for hundreds of cities, published in his book Arcology— a portmanteau of “architecture” and “ecology,” a term he invented. He began construction in 1970 to demonstrate how urban conditions could be improved while minimizing modern sprawl’s destructive impact on the planet. Acolytes still journey to Arcosanti to join intensive five-week-long workshops where they study Soleri’s work, techniques and continue the city’s construction. Tours daily.
Play
Now that you understand the underpinnings of Scottsdale’s art world, it’s time to enjoy the desert, specifically the Salt River. Yes. A river. The Salt River flows past the cities of Mesa, Tempe and Scottsdale, then south of downtown Phoenix. Birds, river otters and herds of wild horses find their way to the flowing water. Kayak the Salt River with a guided tour from Arizona Outback Adventures(866-455-1601). Or spend a day hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve(18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, 480-312-7013). For more culture, take a walking or bike tour of the Scottsdale Public Art Program, a diverse collection of artwork from traditional bronzes such as George-Ann Tognoni’s trio of galloping horses to experiential installations like James Turrell’s SkySpace.
Hike Camelback Mountain
No trip to Phoenix is complete without a hike up Camelback Mountain. The 2,706-foot peak looms above the city like a giant kneeling camel, hence the name. It’s pretty tough to keep staring at that peak each day without feeling some primal urge to climb to the top.
There are two hiking trails ascending nearly 1,300 feet to the summit, the 1.4-mile Cholla Trail and the steeper and shorter 1.14-mile Echo Canyon Trail. No matter which you choose, be ready for a steep and scrambly climb to the top. The vertically inclined can enjoy some rock climbing on the Praying Monk, a rounded sandstone formation on Camelback’s northern slope that rises about 100 feet and features several bolted routes and belay anchors.
It typically takes between two and three hours to hike to the top of Camelback Mountain, but don’t let the relatively paltry distance convince you it isn’t a serious undertaking. Unassuming tourists regularly find themselves in peril on the mountain’s rocky flanks, so come prepared.
Dine
Postino restaurant; Photo by Flash Parker/ Arizona Office of Tourism
Scottsdale’s dining scene has mirrored the town’s artistic revival. Take, for example, FnB(7125 E. 5th Ave. #31, 480-284-4777) a haven of local food and growing local wine industry. Helmed by James Beard Award finalist Chef Charleen Badman, known for her collaborations with local farmers, FnB highlights a different Arizona growing region every four weeks. Plus wine. For a marriage of food and architecture (and more wine) try Postino (4821 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 602-428-4444). Postino’s owners find mid-century modern commercial buildings (think banks, post offices) and turn them into restaurants. Also, their happy hour is bananas—$5 glasses of wine and pitchers of beer before 5 p.m. and $20 for bruschetta and a bottle of wine after 8 p.m. For a taste of Old Arizona, visit the margarita heaven The Mission (3815 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, 480-636-5005) in Old Town Scottsdale. Try the Malbec-braised short rib and chorizo porchetta. For a truly exciting dining adventure in the Sonoran Desert, Cloth and Flame (480-428-6028) specializes in hot-air balloon rides that deposit you at a fully appointed table amid the Saguaro cacti, in time for a spectacular desert sunset.
Stay
At the foot of Camelback Mountain lies Mountain Shadows(5445 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, 480-624-5400). Once the resort to the stars (think Bob Hope and Lucille Ball), the resort fell into disrepair, but its new heyday has arrived, fastidiously renovated in the now-retro decor. For more throwback, visit the Hermosa Inn(5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley, 602-955-8614). Hand-built in the 1930s by cowboy artist Lon Megargee as his residence and studio, this hacienda has 34 guest casitas. If boutique-on-top-of-boutique style is more your bag, consider the Bespoke Inn(3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, 844-861-6715). Bespoke Inn shares a courtyard with Virtù(480-946-3477), a James Beard-nominated restaurant, and with Bespoke Cycles, which specializes in handmade British city bikes.
ROAD TRIP 1: Cliffs, Caves & Grand Canyons
Start: Peach Springs / End: Kayenta
Postcard-worthy vistas aren’t uncommon in Arizona, but these off-the-beaten-path hidden gems let you explore and enjoy all the grandeur of the landscape without the crowds.
Grand Canyon Caverns; Photo courtesy Arizona Office of Tourism
1. Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs
Explore the subterranean realm at Grand Canyon Caverns. A variety of tours are available, both guided and unguided, from short and scenic to deeply claustrophobia-inducing to quite possibly haunted ghost tours. Afterward, dine 200 feet underground at the Grotto Café and ask about sleeping beneath the surface in the master suite.
2. Rock Art Ranch in Winslow
An unassuming working cattle ranch near Winslow is a little off the beaten path but holds a trove of historic art. Tour scores of well-preserved petroglyphs, ancient ruins and a quaint museum of American Indian and pioneer and artifacts.
3. Apache Death Cave on route 66 between Flagstaff and Winslow
In 1878 amid a series of bloody skirmishes between Apache Indians and Navajo, Apache warriors hid with their horses in this cavern to avoid detection. Once discovered, 42 Apache warriors were killed in the cave as retribution for raids on surrounding Navajo camps. The area is considered cursed.
White Pocket in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument; Adobe Stock
4. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Marble Canyon
The Wave—the famed sweeping, smooth sandstone formation—is undoubtedly blowing up your social media feed, but with 280,000 acres in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument there’s plenty more to see that doesn’t require permits or a lottery system. Stunning red rocks, California condors and plenty of solitude are waiting.
Shash Dine Eco Retreat; Courtesy Shash Dine Eco Retreat
5. Shash Dine Eco Retreat in Page
Billed as a “Five Billion Star Hotel” because of the unobscured views of the night sky, the Shash Dine Eco Retreat is glamping at its finest. Luxurious outdoor accommodations mean you won’t be roughing it, and easy access to Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend is the cherry on top.
6. Arizona Hot Spring Trail in Willow Beach
With a five-mile round trip hike, the Arizona Hot Spring Trail typically isn’t very crowded or particularly arduous. Hike up a rocky arroyo near Lake Mead to the banks of the Colorado where a large natural hot spring awaits.
7. Dome Stargazing House in Williams
A clear top tented dome in the desert is a truly unique place to experience dark skies and uninterrupted star gazing. Heated sheets, warm showers and fire pits will keep you warm on chilly desert nights so you can enjoy nature’s light show each evening.
8. Mystery Valley near Kayenta
Mystery Valley is a stunning yet seldom-visited place on Navajo land. To access the magnificent landscape, you’ll need to hire a Diné guide, who will show you the area and teach you about its history, from the nearby Monument Valley Visitor Center.
9. North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Though it’s closed right now—at over 8,000 feet elevation, there’s frequently snow during the winter months—the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is remarkable and worth the visit. Hike the North Kaibab Trail and stay and in the historic Grand Canyon Lodge or at a campsite with the best view imaginable.
ROAD TRIP 2: Old West, Wilderness & Wine
Start: Benson / End: Willcox
Travel through Cochise County to experience the history of the cinematic American West. Explore natural wonders, visit historic sites like Tombstone and even throw in a bit of wine tasting.
1. Benson
Visit the “living cave” of the Kartchner Caverns State Park where water has carved caverns through the limestone. The Throne Room contains one of the world’s largest stalactites, a 58-foot-tall column called Kubla Kahn. The spectacular speleotherms throughout the formation are still growing. Cabins and camping are available to enjoy the dark skies at night.
Entrance to The Royale in Bisbee; Photo courtesy Arizona Office of Tourism
2. Bisbee
An 1880s mining camp was transformed into an artist community in Bisbee. Board a tram to see the inner workings of the 1,500-foot-deep Queen Mine before visiting the Sam Poe Gallery or getting a craft beer from myriad artisans along “Brewery Gulch.”
3. Sierra Vista
Known as the hummingbird capital of the United States, Sierra Vista is home to the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. Along with a wealth of hummingbirds, more than 300 other species are common to the area. After birding, head north to the Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains. Apache Chief Cochise once used the rugged terrain as a natural fortress, and now it’s a paradise for rock climbers.
Allen Street in the town of Tombstone; Adobe Stock
4. Tombstone
Visit the famed town of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, including the site of the infamous gun battle at the OK Corral to “walk where they fell.”. Movie and American history rarely meet in such proximity.
5. Willcox
Welcome to Arizona’s wine capital. 75% of the grapes in the state are grown in the vineyards surrounding Willcox. The annual Arizona Wine Festival graces the area, but, even outside festival dates, there are plenty of tasting rooms like the one at Aridus Wine Company.
6. Fairbank and Gleeson
Journey back in time with a visit to a couple of old West Ghost Towns. Fairbank was the transport hub and supply depot for Tombstone, where the old schoolhouse has been reimagined into a visitor center and bookstore. Just 25 miles to the east is Gleeson, where little more than a restored jailhouse and deteriorating relics remain.
ROAD TRIP 3: Route 66 Recon
Start: Lake Havasu / End: Flagstaff
Travel the original mother road. Route 66 is the iconic pathway of American lore where freedom, history and the open road unfold ahead of you.
Lake Havasu City Channel; Adobe Stock
1. Lake Havasu and London Bridge
Start your Route 66 journey in a boat, not a car. A sunset charter up the Topock Gorge aboard the “Serenity Now” with Lake Havasu Boat Tours will provide unforgettable views. While visiting, check out the Lake Havasu Museum and a recreation of the London Bridge.
2. Oatman
From Lake Havasu, head to the former gold-mining town of Oatman. Experience the past with authentic staged old-west gunfights, and keep an eye out for the wild burrows roaming through the area. Stay at the historic Oatman Hotel.
3. Peach Springs to Raft the Grand Canyon
Hop into the water by joining the Hualapai River Runners for a day of whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. American Indian guides will take the helm, sharing insight and the history of the people who call the Grand Canyon Home.
4. Seligman for a stop at Delgadillo’s Snow Cap
Enjoy a hefty dose of nostalgia with your burger and malt from Delgadillo’s Snow Cap. The drive-in diner is straight out of a sentimental road trip fever dream. Head just a few doors down to the museum owned by Angel Delgadillo, the “Guardian Angel of Route 66,” to see the preserved artifacts of the mother road’s history.
A hiker in the Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim; Adobe Stock
5. South Rim of the Grand Canyon by Train
You’ve seen it by raft, now see it by rail. Take in the views from the legendary Grand Canyon Railway before staying at the famous El Tovar Hotel in the national park.
6. Flagstaff
Point the car to Flagstaff, where the main drag is Route 66. Learn the history of the areaat the museum of Northern Arizona before touring the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered in 1930. Stay for the night to enjoy the dark skies before turning in at the Weatherford Hotel, famed for hosting presidents, gunslingers and everyone in between.
ROAD TRIP 4: Art Halls, Golf Balls & Cacti Tall
Start: Phoenix / End: Saguaro National Park
From avant-garde artistic culture to iconic natural wonders to impossibly lush golf courses amid an arid landscape, you’ll find a little bit of everything on this tour of Arizona’s center and south.
1. See Art in Phoenix
Start your tour of Phoenix’s art scene with a visit to the Phoenix Art Museum. Then enjoy a new kind of immersive experience at the Van Gogh Exhibition, where massive moving projections of the artist’s most iconic works from “Starry Night” to “Sun Flowers” captivate audiences.
2. Golf in Scottsdale
The unceremoniously named Waste Management Phoenix Open is a fan favorite with notoriously raucous and fun crowds. You can play the very same course at TPC Scottsdale where legends of the game have walked the fairways or any of the area’s 200 some other public courses.
Pima Air and Space Museum; Photo courtesy Arizona Office of Tourism
3. Visit the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson
The Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson is one of the largest non-government-funded museums in the world with more than 300 aircraft spread over 80 acres. See World War II relics like the B-29 Superfortress “Sentimental Journey” and modern marvels like the world’s fastest manned aircraft, a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The museum is adjacent to the Davis Monthan Air Force Base, which is home to the famed “graveyard of planes.”
4. Colossal Cave Mountain Park in Vail
Just south of Tucson in the town of Vail (no relation to Colorado) is an expansive cave system. The caverns of Colossal Cave Mountain Park were used as homes by Native Americans as early as 900 A.D. and more recently served as hideouts for old west train robbers. These days, they’re a tourist attraction where you can take guided or unguided tours through the caves. Stay and camp among the mesquite trees in Posta Quemada Canyon.
Kitt Peak National Observatory; Adobe Stock
5. Kitt Peak National Observatory west in Tucson
During daytime visits to Kitt Peak Observatory, you can tour the massive optical telescopes and hike to panoramic mountaintops. In the evening you can enjoy incredible stargazing with the naked eye or sign up for telescope viewing programs to see the celestial bodies in space like never before.
6. Saguaro National Park
The giant saguaro cactus is pretty much the most universal symbol of the American West despite only growing in a few select locations. The largest cacti in the country are plentiful along the 165 miles of hiking trails. The park is refreshingly less developed than many others. Wilderness camping is available in the Rincon Mountain district for more adventurous visitors.
Nine days (nine days!) after the Latter-day Saint pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley—which, if you’re counting, was August 2, 1847—the Saints had a street system mapped out. The streets-to-be would measure 132 feet in width (apocryphal tales suggest Brigham Young wanted room for a team of oxen to flip a U-turn). They ran north-south, east-west and intersected at right angles. The eastern edge of the Future Home of Temple Square was given the role of longitude, and its southern border was to play latitude’s part. And thus, the nexus of Utah’s street universe is the corner of Main (East Temple in those days) and South Temple.
And if you don’t know that, you are really lost.
Salt Lake is not alone in its grid system. Many of your finer cities have one—Paris, Manhattan, Washington, D.C. But few do it with such stricture, such enthusiastic adherence. Paris muddles its grid with willy-nilly diagonals, and D.C. also has diagonals dicing a perfectly good grid into pie pieces—courtesy of, yes, a Frenchman. Then there’s Manhattan. Now there’s a grid system. You drop a born-and-bred Utah boy in Battery Park, make sure he knows how to pronounce “Houston,” and he’ll fight his way to Central Park. It won’t be pretty, but he’ll make it.
Once you realize all roads lead to Temple Square, it’s easy
And as in Manhattan, hemmed by its rivers, comprehension of the grid system here along the Wasatch Front is aided by an understanding of the landscape. To the east are the Giant Mountains, and to the west are the flat places on the way to Wendover. It’s easy to talk in terms of compass points because of these omnipresent landmarks. Still, the system was stubbornly applied across the state and persists in locales as bereft of topography as Delta and as Martian as St. George.
For newcomers, the confusion comes down to the numbers. In city-states like Las Vegas, where to know where you are is to know the progression from Tropicana to Sahara, folks are used to a more touchy-feely street system. In Utah, the hard, cold grid is like grade-school math. “I live at 241 S. 500 East” is the equivalent of, “Two trains, at equal distance from Temple Square, are traveling at 60 mph and 70 mph; which one will arrive first?” But once you get it figured, it’s easy to appreciate a good grid system, and we have one of the best.
It’s a low-tech precursor to the modern world, where all ye need know is just a Google away. A Promethean and prophetic GPS, courtesy of Brother Brigham.
Plenty of us have romantic, Norman Rockwell-esque visions of cooking the perfect Thanksgiving feast for a big family gathering. But for many home cooks, the reality is much different—the turkey is dry, the rolls are burnt and someone forgot to bring the Jell-O salad your ancestors have been making since 1847. If you’re looking to leave it to the pros and take the guesswork out of the holiday this year, many of Utah’s best chefs are serving both Turkey Day classics and nontraditional twists for both dine-in and takeout. Here are 25 Utah restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner this Nov. 25.
(This post was originally published in 2021, for a list of restaurants serving dinner and take-home feasts this year, click here.)
Arlo’s carry-out Thanksgiving dinners feed four to six people for $200. The menu includes sides like chicory salad, Brussels sprouts, turkey gravy and apple pie. Turkey not included. Food comes cold with reheating instructions. Read the full menu and place your order here.
Bambara will be open from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on Thanksgiving day serving their regular menu along with Turkey Day favorites. Visit their site to make reservations.
202 S. Main St. (Inside Hotel Monaco), SLC 801-363-5454
Continuing their take-home Thanksgiving dinner tradition, SLC Eatery is serving up delicious options for your own home enjoyment. Select a traditional package serving up to four people for $150. They also offer individual meals like the prime rib dinner, the salmon dinner, and the turkey dinner. Add on appetizers like smoked french onion dip with nori potato chips to be the most popular person at the family table. View the entire menu here.
Franck’s is offering their annual Thanksgiving dinner with an impressive pre-set four course menu starting at $60 per person. Menu highlights include four-day brined young turkey steak, brown butter pomme puree and pecan apple butter pie. Read the full menu and make reservations here.
Hub & Spoke is serving a Thanksgiving brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the 25th. Their menu includes Hub and Spoke favorites as well as traditional Turkey Day items. Prices start at $34.99 for adults and $17.49 for kids. Menu highlights include chicken and waffle, turkey hash, butternut squash bisque and classic Thanksgiving sides like homemade stuffing. Click here for the full menu.
Fleming’s is serving Thanksgiving dinner all day with a three course menu. Highlights include prime bone-in ribeye, lobster bisque and cinnamon-orange infused cranberry sauce. Prices start at $49.99; click here for the full menu.
Harmons has done the work for you to make a delicious Thanksgiving meal at your home. Their ready-to-roast dinner serves six to eight people and costs $175. Items include 12 pound seasoned turkey, 2 quartz of fresh herb stuffing, ½ pint of fresh-made cranberry sauce, 1 quart of fresh-roasted caramelized yams, and a 9-inch Harmons pie of your choice. Visit their site for more information.
This year, Vessel is once again offering delicious, fully prepared Thanksgiving meals. Select either a regular or large bundle which includes mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, baked mac and cheese and more. Individual sides are also available. Turkey is not included. For more information on ordering, click here.
Cuisine Unlimited is offering two packages to fit your feasting needs. The “just the sides package” costs $190 and includes 10-12 servings. Menu items include herbed mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables and chutney. Their all inclusive package is priced at $410 and includes a charcuterie board, turkey, various sides and dessert. All items are also available a la carte. View the full menu here.
Provisions is serving a three course meals on Nov. 28. The menu includes Thanksgiving classics along with deliciously prepared seafood and vegetables. Prices start at $60 for adults. Call for more details.
Pago is offering two Thanksgiving meal kits this year. The omnivore package feeds up to four and includes honey and sage roasted turkey breast, roasted baby carrots, sourdough stuffing and apple crisp. The vegetarian package serves two and includes stuffed acorn squash, whipped potatoes with mushroom gravy and salad. Visit their site for more information on ordering and pick-up.
Hearth is offering their turkey feast to-go again this year with menu items including slow cooked oven roasted turkey, whipped Yukon potatoes, cranberry chutney and roasted sweet potatoes. Each feast serves up to six with options to purchase multiple packages.You can also add on your choice of dessert.
La Caille is serving a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner starting at $130 for adults. The three course meal includes roasted butternut squash soup, rose apple salad and your choice of entree. Side dishes include bacon brussel sprouts, root vegetable sausage stuffing, herb gravy and rosemary aus jus. Call for reservations and view their whole menu here.
Pre-order a fully-cooked traditional Thanksgiving feast from Archibald’s by Nov.20 for menu items like slow-roasted turkey, sweet potato casserole, apple sage stuffing and Archibald’s famous pumpkin pie cake. The dinner serves up to eight and costs $180. For pick-up times and the full menu, click here.
Brio’s Thanksgiving feast is available for pick-up and delivery. Priced at $78.99, the small package serves three. For bigger gatherings, the large option feeds six and costs $148. Menu items include classic turkey, broccolini, stuffing and pumpkin spiced bread pudding. To-go feast can either be prepared cold and ready to heat or hot and ready for enjoyment. Download the menu PDF and place your order here.
Tuscany is serving a three course meal from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Menu highlights include glazed Duroc ham, garlic whipped potato and eggplant pomodoro. Prices start at $68 for adults. Call to make reservations.
Aerie’s Thanksgiving day buffet is available from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and offers delectable items like parmesan and garlic crusted halibut, chili-braised pork and, of course, tender turkey dinners. Click here to view the full menu and make reservations.
Log Haven is serving a four course plated luncheon from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Thanksgiving day starting at $75 for adults. Menu items include herb brined turkey served with buttermilk mashed potatoes and fresh cranberry sauce. Read the full menu here.
Serving an elevated twist on Thanksgiving Day favorites, Powder is offering a buffet from 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $125 for adults, Buffet items include a full-service carving station, roasted vegetables, maple glazed Brussels sprouts and pumpkin cheesecake. Call for dine-in options and view the whole menu here.
Hearth and Hill is offering take-home Turkey dinners that serve eight for $295. Packages include a 12 pound organic turkey, mashed potatoes, glazed yams and Brussels sprouts with bacon & cranberry, with options to add truffle mac & cheese, refuel salad and cheddar biscuits. Curbside pick-up available 11a.m.-3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Call to reserve order at 435-200-8840 and view the entire menu here.
Offering several carry-out items, Riverhorse’s menu items include sage stuffing, candied yams, wild game meatballs and butternut squash soup. Items are available à la carte and serve up to four guests. Some menu items come with reheating instructions for pick up. Learn more here.
Butcher’s is serving Thanksgiving Dinner from 2 p.m -10 p.m. starting at $55 for adults. Their menu includes turkey, garlic green beans and candied yams as well as regular menu items. You can also book an exclusive experience in their private Aspenglobes. Tickets start at $125 and include a two course menu. For more information and to book a reservation, click here.
Luna’s is offering a variety of Thanksgiving platters and sides for pickup only on Wednesday, Nov.24 from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. All items come with reheating instructions. Menu highlights include old-fashioned gravy, chef curated cheese and charcuterie platter, sage and apple stuffing, and boursin roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Click here for the full menu and ordering details.
Grub Steakhouse is serving a Thanksgiving meal starting at $40.75 for adults. Menu highlights include roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Take-out also available. Visit their site for more details.
2093 Sidewinder Dr., Park City 435-649-8060
This post was originally published in 2021, for a list of restaurants serving dinner and take-home feasts this year, click here.
