Great restaurant with an incredible view. I'd love to go back when it's warmer and eat outdoors.
Bit And Spur
Restaurant
1212 Zion Park Boulevard
Springdale, UT (just outside Zion’s national park)
4 out of 5 stars
Last weekend I broke away from Salt Lake and cruised down to Southern Utah for two things :
1 – Zion’s National Park… or more importantly for the Angel’s Landing hike…
2 – Hunting for ghost towns
I wasn’t particularly searching out great food down there but I did come across recommendations for a place which serves inventive, if not authentic, Mexican food. This place is called the Bit and Spur. I learned that not only did this place have a reputation for good food, it has a long musical tradition as well. Taco enthousiast Jon Bray tells me that many bands have been known to play the Bit & Spur as they travel through Utah. With a history of over 20 years, there have been many musical acts which have played there including Jon’s band which played there in 1991. I looked around and found that several artists I knew and loved had played there. Check out the picture below and see if you recognize the gentlemen.
Yup, that's Jon Avila from Oingo Boingo and frequent visitor Nels Cline of Wilco fame. Just playing some playing some music at the Bit & Spur. How is it that I have never heard Nels Cline play while eating a taco? Who is to blame here?
I was pleased to find that this place was located right across the street from my hotel so I was able to stroll across Highway 9 to have a little bite to eat. The interior is great, but most impressive is the lighting of the place. It’s fairly dark inside which I like but each table has some fantastic lighting over each place setting. This provided perfect lighting for a taco journalist like myself who did not bring a flash. I hunkered down and after looking over the menu, I decided to check out the Bit and Spur tamales.
A happy little sweet potato and pork tamale. Waiting to get eated.
Let me paste down the description of these delicious (and filling) tamales :
Bit and Spur Tamales
Two sweet potato tamales with pork carnitas or sauteed mushrooms, roasted tomatillo salsa, queso fresco, black beans, and salad
Again, this is not an authentic Mexican joint but I love inventive recipes like this one and I was not disappointed. The queso fresco was lightly browned over the entire tamal and the pork was savory so it was a welcome match against the sweet potatoes underneath. Each bite was a little bit of greatness. It was a bit like being a king. A tamale king. Plus, with the lighting being low, no one could see me stuffing my tamale-hole.
While I was full from these tamales and the polenta appetizer, I could not resist the dessert which was about to destroy me…
This is a cheesecake cream between crispy wafers. Topped with blueberries. Befriended by the god of fertility in powdered chocolate dust.
Needless to say, this meal resulted in a serious food coma. It’s a good thing I did the Angel’s Landing hike before all of this or else I would have never made it beyond Mile 1.
This place is great. It’s not worth a trip of its own but if you’re around Zion’s I think it’s worth a little trip. And check the event calendar. You never know who might be making a musical appearance at this place.
Finally I leave you with a picture of why I love Utah. I cannot help but be overwhelmed by vistas like this one. Fingers crossed that I can enjoy more of it this summer. Arriba Utah!
Scenic views around Springdale, UT. Near Zion's National Park.
SLC Tacos 