Located in the heart of Park City’s historic downtown, 501 On Main is the best way to experience the area's sights, liveliness, and robust flavor.
We arrived at 501 On Main for lunch, which was the perfect time to eat at the casual, family-friendly spot. Best for brunch or a weekday bite, the restaurant has two levels and an outdoor patio. There’s plenty of room for kids and a menu designed for them that isn’t simply an afterthought. In fact, the menu is as vast as the restaurant’s booths, offering numerous gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
And what you get at 501 On Main is quite respectable, considering its casual digs. After being greeted by a friendly server, we were pleasantly surprised to see dishes like lobster bisque, ceviche, and vegan carpaccio on the menu. And as we decided what to eat, we noticed the open kitchen and watched on, admiring the cooks in action.
But to start, we needed a glass of wine. We worked with our waiter to find something perfect for the meal ahead from a good selection of bubbly, reds, and whites, including organic, low-sulfite, and sustainably-sourced wines. After settling on a lightly chilled bottle of Erath Pinot Noir, it was time to decide what to eat.
Unable to stem our curiosity about the roasted beet carpaccio, we started by digging into the acidic and fresh slices of beetroot, complemented by pepitas and creamy goat cheese, complete with a kick of rice and chili oil. The massive portion was a little big for a starter for two people, but the wine helped our appetites as we moved on to the main course.
Even though the signature pot roast and succulent chicken Milanese were tempting, we decided the burgers sounded far too delicious to pass on. The 501 Angus cheeseburger was a welcome gluten-free option, and the ciabatta bread roll complemented the juicy and tender meat, local cheddar cheese, and finger-licking good house garlic mayo. Thanks to its generous size, we ended up sharing the cheeseburger, as the Bison burger was lagging. However, when it did arrive, it was a little dry and overcooked. The crispy fries made up for this small setback, although after such a long wait, it was hard to shift the disappointment completely.
In addition to some dry bison, parking is one of the main drawbacks of dining at 501. Because of its location, there’s very little space in the immediate vicinity. To temporarily delay the long walk back to our car, after our entrée we decided to sample the dessert menu.
After some debate, we settled on the berry pie with ice cream as we finished up our last drops of Pinot Noir. The pie was served piping hot, and the ice cream melting into the flaky crust made for a deliciously tart delight to end our afternoon.
With a vast and varied menu, 501 On Main is the perfect place to bring just about anyone, and it’s clear why people keep coming back. Its humble digs, superb service, and affordable offerings make finding an easy meal in Deer Valley a breeze.
