This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
March Madness can really fire up an appetite.
Fortunately, fans attending the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament in Salt Lake City have a full roster of casual and fine dining options within a few blocks of the Vivint Smart Home Arena.
Here's a list of nine place to score a good meal before and after the games or in between sessions:
Chile-Tepin • Fresh Mexican served in generous portions at affordable prices. Try the two- or three-item combination plate ($8.99-$9.99) with lightly fried chile relleno stuffed with cheese and a steamed pork, chicken or cheese tamale. Wash it down with a Sauza Plata margarita. 307 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City; 801-883-9255. Open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wine, beer and spirits.
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Copper Canyon Grill House and Tavern • This casual restaurant inside the Radisson Hotel serves a breakfast buffet for $18.95 that includes baked breads, fruits, smoked bacon and sausage, eggs and omelette's cooked to order and a waffle station. The lunch and dinner menu is a mix of salads, soups, hamburgers and entrees like Kobe beef sliders and al pastor (pork) tacos. Prices from $7-$24. 215 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City; (801) 521-7800. Open daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. Wine, beer and spirits.
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Crown Burger • This Greek-owned restaurant is burger royalty in Utah and the king of the menu is the signature "Crown Burger," piled high with pastrami. The mushroom swiss burger, bacon burger and junior burger are worthy heirs to the throne. 118 N. 300 West, Salt Lake City; 801-532-5300 or crown-burgers.com. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
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Finca • Open daily for lunch and dinner, this Spanish-inspired restaurant has a changing lineup of small plates tied to seasonal ingredients. Favorites include the lamb and pork meatballs in tomato sauce and stuffed piquillo peppers. Small plates $6 to $15. Entrees $26-$37. 327 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City; 801-487-0699 or fincaslc.com. Wine, beer and spirits.
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Gateway Mall • Basketball fans will find several sit-down eateries at the south end of Gateway — located just west of the arena. Options include 'Bout Time Pub, California Pizza Kitchen, Happy Sumo Sushi, Fleming's Prime Steak House and Tucanos Brazilian. There also are several smaller quick-serve restaurants. The food court is closed for remodeling. Food trucks park at the mall's center fountain Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. . 400 West between South Temple and 200 South; shopthegateway.com
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Pallet • This hip, west downtown restaurant, located in a restored brick building, offers a fine-dining atmosphere with reclaimed wood and commissioned artworks. Sip one of the inspired cocktails while enjoying Gloria's meatball appetizer, a recipe from the chef's mother. For dinner, try a chicken, fish or pasta entree. Prices, $19-$32. 237 S. 400 West., Salt Lake City; 801-935-4431 or eatpallet.com. Open Monday-Saturday at 5 p.m. Wine, beer and spirits.
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Poplar Street Pub • This larger-than-usual pub has plenty of seats to enjoy above-average bar food, including hand-tossed pizzas, tacos, salads and "championship" burgers like the Epic — two (7-ounce) patties with mushrooms, jalapeños, cheddar and barbecue sauce made with Utah's Epic Brewing Co. beer. Sunday all-you-can eat brunch for $10 also is legendary. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and has omelets, French toast, sausage and bacon, biscuits and gravy and fresh fruit and granola. 242 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City; 801-532-2715 or poplarstreetpub.com. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For 21 and older.
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The Rose Establishment • Enjoy a well-brewed cup of coffee, espresso or chai — along with a healthy brunch or lunch — at this urban coffee shop. Breakfast includes quiche, avocado toast and brunch bowls with lentils, vegetables and an egg. Lunch is a mix of soups, salads and sandwiches. Many items are vegetarian and vegan. Everything is under $10. 235 S. 400 West. Salt Lake City; 801-990-6270 or theroseestb.com
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Red Rock Brewing • One of Salt Lake City's first modern-day breweries offers something for everyone, from salads, sandwiches and hamburgers to pasta, wood-fired pizza or fish and chips. Beer that is 4 percent alcohol by volume is available on tap but higher-alcohol brews can be purchased in the bottle. 254 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City: 801-521-7446 Open Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight.