1
Current Fish & Oyster
2014–2024Downtown
The Story
A seafood restaurant in the middle of the Intermountain West shouldn't have worked—but Current made it work for a decade. They flew fish in daily, actually daily, and the raw bar rivaled anything on either coast. The cocktail program was equally serious, the space was sleek without being cold, and reservations were genuinely hard to get.
Why It's Missed
Current proved Salt Lake could support destination dining at a national level. The oysters were legendary.
2
The Zephyr Club
1983–2003Downtown
The Story
At its peak in the late '80s and early '90s, The Zephyr was the epicenter of Salt Lake's live music scene—a 400-capacity room with art deco details, a gleaming metal door framed by glass blocks, and acoustics that made every seat feel close to the stage. Warren Zevon played here. Robert Palmer. Countless local blues and rock acts that defined a generation.
Why It's Missed
Nothing has filled the void left by The Zephyr. It was where Salt Lake's music scene happened.
3
The Training Table
1977–2016Various
The Story
For 39 years, The Training Table was Utah's burger institution—not because the burgers were fancy, but because the experience was perfect. You'd slide into a booth, pick up the telephone mounted on your table, and call in your order. The cheese fries with dipping sauce were legendary.
Why It's Missed
Those cheese fries. That dipping sauce. Utahns who moved away still dream about them.
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4
ZCMI Center & Crossroads Plaza
1975–2007Downtown
The Story
Before City Creek Center, downtown Salt Lake had two malls facing each other across Main Street. ZCMI was Utah's first department store, founded in 1868. Crossroads opened in 1978, anchored by Nordstrom. Together, they were downtown—where generations bought school clothes and saw Santa.
Why It's Missed
The democratic chaos of a real mall, replaced by curated retail that feels more like a temple than a town square.
5
Saltair Resort
1893–1970Great Salt Lake
The Story
They called it the "Coney Island of the West"—a Moorish fantasy palace rising from the Great Salt Lake, built in 1893. At its peak in the 1920s, Saltair drew half a million visitors a year. The Beach Boys immortalized it in their 1965 song "Salt Lake City."
Why It's Missed
It burned twice and never came back. Today only wooden pilings remain, stretching into the lake like a skeleton.
6
Cedars of Lebanon
1981–2019Downtown
The Story
For 38 years, Cedars of Lebanon was Utah's first and best introduction to Eastern Mediterranean cuisine—Armenian, Lebanese, Greek, Moroccan, all under one roof at a time when Salt Lake's idea of ethnic food was Taco Bell. The mezze platters were legendary.
Why It's Missed
For immigrants from the Middle East, Cedars was a taste of home. For everyone else, it was an education.
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