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Because the towns in eastern Utah are small, dining options are generally more casual and less innovative than in urban areas. The area has only two brewpubs: the refreshingly trendy Vernal Brewing Company, which opened just off Vernal’s Main Street in 2013, and Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Co., between Helper and Price; happily, both turn out good food and beer. Price has a mix of ethnic restaurants (with surprisingly low prices) that represents its immigrant railroad and mining history. Vernal, a farming and ranching town, has good steak houses and tasty diner eats. The best dining in this part of the state can be found in upscale lodges—Falcon's Ledge Lodge, between Duchesne and Roosevelt, and Red Canyon Lodge and Flaming Gorge Resort, both near Flaming Gorge—which pride themselves on having gourmet menus. Bear in mind that most locally owned restaurants are closed on Sunday, so plan ahead or you'll likely be stuck eating in motel restaurants or fast-food joints.
This friendly, no-frills diner has the look of a fast-food joint but brings in tons of locals and tourists alike for meals that will leave you full all day. While lunch is tasty here, too, this is the best spot in Vernal for breakfast.
In what used to be a Greek coffeehouse in the early 1900s, this low-key café is a reminder of Price's strong Greek heritage. The menu features traditional recipes from Crete, including gyros and dolmades. The baklava and other desserts are among the best Greek pastries in the state.
Open since the 1930s, this family-run soda fountain is delightfully old-timey, with a black-and-white checkerboard floor and sparkly red stools. Many people come for the ice-cream treats, and there's also a pretty long list of burgers, sandwiches, and other diner staples. While there, you can buy knickknacks, crafts, and house-made preserves—and make sure to ask about Marion, the woman who started it all.
This casual downtown gathering spot is a great place to get a sense of what's going on in Helper, plus a cup of coffee and a homebaked treat (the cinnamon rolls, in particular, sell out early). Marsha, one of the town's many colorful characters, also serves made-to-order breakfasts, burgers, soups, and sandwiches until 6 pm.
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