Ramblin Roads Family Restaurant: All Roads Lead Downtown

169 S. Main St., Salt Lake City
Sunday-Tuesday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
(801) 410-8972 | ramblinroadsrestaurant.com

If you’ve been in the Salt Lake area long enough to have frequented Lamb’s Grill before it closed, then you will remember the comforting feeling of having a hearty meal in a not-very-well-lit booth on historic Main Street. The dark, old-world vibe was real. Located in the Herald Building, Lamb’s was as famous for its classic diner fare as it was for its longevity. As far as restaurants went, it felt untouchable. But a liquor licensing complication led to its abrupt closure and the resulting vacancy has remained a blemish on downtown’s otherwise vibrant restaurant scene. The hope has long been that another restaurant would fill the void, and this has finally happened with Ramblin Roads Family Restaurant.

Ramblin Roads may be new to Salt Lake, but the local chain has operated an expanding number of locations across the Wasatch Front since the early 1990s. The two newest spots are only a few blocks apart in the heart of downtown. In addition to the one in the old Lamb’s site on Main Street, there is a second SLC location attached to the Holiday Inn Express across from the Salt Palace Convention Center. With this substantial investment in our dining scene, it felt like the right time to pay them a visit.

First off, the specter of Lamb’s Grill is still very much there — including the long lunch counter and the plush booths that line the narrow pathway back to an open dining area and a separate conference-style room. They were even able to preserve the bar area behind the counter — a space from which the diner serves a selection of wine, mixed drinks and draft beer. In reimagining the space, they brightened up the interior and rebuilt areas that had been gutted. It feels both completely new and comfortably familiar.  

Over several visits, I was able to sample numerous popular items. For breakfast, you simply cannot go wrong with the California Benedict ($14.99). This West Coast spin on the traditional eggs benedict crowns a pair of English muffins with bacon, tomato, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and avocado slices. The smooth, house-made hollandaise is the perfect blend of lemony tartness and buttery richness, and it ties the whole plate together. Another popular item is the Smothered Breakfast Burrito ($14.99), made with scrambled eggs, red peppers, onions, bacon, ham and potatoes, rolled in a large flour tortilla and smothered with chile verde and cheese. This sumptuous morning staple is great for breakfast or any time of the day.

There are also solid lunch offerings. One standout is the Hot Pastrami ($14.99). For this one, a hoagie roll is filled with sliced pastrami, Swiss cheese, pickles and a blend of mustard and mayo. The pastrami is the star of the sandwich, with its bold, smoky and slightly sweet flavor. Like many of their lunch options, it comes with a choice of fries, tots or potato salad. Onion rings are available for an extra $1.99.

If hot sandwiches are your thing, don’t sleep on the Philly Cheese Steak ($14.99). Their kitchen loads up a grilled roll with shaved beef, Swiss cheese, red peppers, onions, cream cheese and mushrooms. You might need a fork and knife for this one. Take it a step further and add a side of au jus for dipping.

Another popular sandwich is the Monte Cristo ($14.99), a pile of ham, turkey and Swiss, dipped in egg batter, grilled and then dusted with powdered sugar. Having seen one of these on a neighboring table, I’m kicking myself for having not yet given it a try. 

There is so much joy in eating at a diner. I have nothing but respect for a local restaurant that aims to reinvigorate a historically significant space. With these two downtown spots, and with five other locations stretching from Ogden to Midvale, Ramblin Roads is the perfect place to gather with family and friends.

Read more reviews of classic Salt Lake City restaurants:
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