Porcupine Pub and Grille

He said:

We found the Porcupine Pub and Grille right near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, and even the entrance is not well marked (it’s at the Southwest corner of the building). The inside similarly lacked much décor, but it nonetheless gave off a pleasant vibe. Perhaps the specials, written in colorful chalk on slate boards, contributed to the cheerful atmosphere. More likely, it was the buzz of merry patrons.

As we walked to the reception kiosk, we passed the bar area, where I noticed two dozen beer taps. I saw intriguing names like “Coconut Stout,” “Hard Peach Seltzer,” and something involving apricot. Not for the first time—indeed, not for the hundredth time, either—I wondered why we can’t get so many great non-alcoholic beverage choices.

Our hostess took us to a table without any wait at all, which always helps put us in a favorable mood. We had to take the stairs to the upper level, but our table sat in front of a wall of windows looking out at the mountains and Big Cottonwood Canyon. What a great view!

We began our dinner by noshing on a plate of Nachos. They brought a generous portion, with melted cheese layered not only on top, but throughout the entire dish. I enjoyed the seasoned chips so much that I probably ate more than I should have.

For my entrée, I ordered the ribs with fries and house slaw. They also brought me a cup of Chicken Noodle soup, which was thick, creamy, and savory. Though the menu listed Baby Back Ribs, I think they were actually spareribs. I don’t mind that, especially since there was a lot of meat on these ribs, cooked so that it fell easily off the bones. A thick, mild barbecue sauce complemented the ribs without drowning them.

I also enjoyed the interesting slaw that accompanied the ribs. It had a mild vinegar-based dressing, rather than one made from mayonnaise, and it had some surprising—but delicious—ingredients. Mixed with the expected cabbage and carrots, the kernels of sweet corn were obvious, but I also detected small bits of sweet red pepper and cilantro. The combination was inspired.

All the portions were large, so I had plenty of food to take home and no room for dessert. Of course, that didn’t stop Kathy from ordering a Salted Caramel Cheesecake to take home. I think I may have rolled my eyes, but I knew I would probably sneak a bite or two. I mean, Salted Caramel: that’s one of my favorite things!

She said:

Resembling an A-Frame mountain lodge, the Porcupine Pub and Grille sits at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon, strategically nestled between the Marriott Courtyard hotel and other amenities. As Brian said, it’s pretty nondescript on the exterior of the building. Once inside, however, it feels as though the place is giving you a big bear hug. The honey-colored wood that envelops the restaurant evokes a sense of warmth and welcome. From the scuffed-up golden-hued floors to the flaxen wood slats on the ceilings, it feels like soaking in the sun. Speaking of which, on the second floor where we sat, some of the booths had skylights overhead, which let sunbeams bounce off the walls. It brightened everything up, as did the large triangular array of paned windows at the end of the dining room. The view of the foothills to the canyon was lovely: blue sky, green trees, etc.

Anyway, the warmth didn’t end with the ambiance itself. The waitstaff doled out smiles and friendliness as generous as the servings on our plates. Thes is a place where they don’t merely pay lip service to being happy that you’re there. They actually go out of their way to make you feel at home. Our waiter was so outgoing, attentive, and nice that I could have almost fallen in love with him—except he told me he had a girlfriend. Oh, and there’s that pesky detail about my already being married. 😜

As Brian said, the nachos were hearty and delicious with layers upon layers of gooey cheese. It was a good appetizer choice.

Anyway, my entrée was the Cherry BBQ Salmon. It was served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. The fish and spuds were pretty tasty, but the broccoli and zucchini were too mushy for my liking. The interesting thing about the salmon was the aioli drizzled across the top. It seemed like an odd pairing with the BBQ sauce that the filet rested atop, but it kind of worked. (I’d like to add that this Coho salmon is a bit denser and more robust than Atlantic salmon, so expect it to taste different from the delicate notes of the latter).

As for the cheesecake that I saved for a treat at home: Yum! 😊 It hit that craving for sweet, creamy decadence.

Conclusion:

Skipping many of the common frills, the Porcupine Pub and Grille delivers generous portions of great food.