Ruth’s Diner

Ruth’s Diner opened in 1930 in downtown Salt Lake City as Ruth’s Hamburgers, in the Meredith Building at 120 East Second South. After that building sold and came down, Ruth bought a Salt Lake trolley car, moved it up Emigration Canyon, and reopened in 1949. The trolley car still anchors the dining room, and the apartment she built onto the back of it became the lower dining area and kitchen.

The diner sits on Emigration Canyon Road east of downtown Salt Lake City, a short drive up the canyon from Sunnyside Avenue, where Utah’s Hogle Zoo and This Is The Place Heritage Park sit at the canyon mouth. Parking is available on site. The entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating are all listed as wheelchair accessible. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area rather than inside.

As of August 2026, breakfast is served from 8 AM to 4 PM, lunch is available all day, and the evening menu starts at 4 PM and runs to close. Separate day, evening, and dessert menus are posted on the diner’s own site, and the bar pours beer, wine, and cocktails. Vegetarian and vegan options are on the menu, and high chairs and a kids’ menu are available. Listed plates generally fall in the $10 to $30 range, and takeout is available.

As of August 2026, hours are 8 AM to 9 PM Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, and 8 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday. The diner is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. In warm weather the patio hosts live music, and the diner’s Google Business Profile shows a 4.6 rating across 5,982 reviews. Check the diner’s own site for schedule changes before visiting.