So You Wanna Open a Restaurant in SLC?
It seems like every day in Salt Lake, one restaurant opens and another closes — or transforms from a dive bar into a cocktail lounge overnight (looking at you, Junior’s). So, what does it take to survive in Salt Lake’s food scene? Maxwell Christen, owner of Big Mouth Marketing, joins host Ali Vallarta to explore how important identity and adaptability are in a restaurant’s longevity.
Resources and references:
- Go Eat At These Restaurants Now [City Cast Salt Lake]
- Why Utah Restaurants Aren’t Getting Michelin Stars [City Cast Salt Lake]
Consider becoming a founding member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It’s the best way to support our work and help make sure we’re around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm.
Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this episode:
- Embodied Patience posture and movement
- The Governor’s startup.utah.gov toolkit
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay connected to City Cast Salt Lake and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Why Utah Got an 'F,' Bears Ears Battle, World Cup Hot Wings
A new ranking gives Utah an F for quality of life. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake contributor...

What’s Good Sex Ed in Utah?
The Sexuality Information and Education Council just gave Utah’s sex ed syllabus an F. Host Ali Vallarta asks Ocean Candler, a Colorado-b...

Risky Wildfire Rule, Salt Lake's Rebrand, RIP Rio Grande Plan
A new federal policy may be putting Utah wildland firefighters' lives at risk. Host Ali Vallarta, producer Ivana Martinez, and City Cast...

The One Thing SLC’s New Council Member Wants From Gov. Cox
Salt Lake City's new council member, Jennifer Napier-Pearce, got her seat due to a coin toss. Host Ali Vallarta asks her about the challe...

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Salt Lake City Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Salt Lake
There’s lots to love about Salt Lake City, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its l...

Charlie Kirk Hearing Takeaways, Utah Liquor Trends, 801 Day Is Back!
It’s been nearly a week of hearings in the Charlie Kirk case. Host Ali Vallarta, executive producer Emily Means, and City Cast Salt Lake...

How To Survive This Week's Heatwave
Salt Lake temps are hitting triple digits this weekend. Host Ali Vallarta and newsletter editor Terina Ria discuss ways to stay cool and...

Are the Squirrels Good for the City?
We know fox squirrels are taunting Salt Lake dogs, but are they taking over our city? Natural History Museum of Utah Citizen Science Mana...

Mysterious Peacock Death, Bebe Whale Sculpture, Perfect Corndog
Poplar Grove’s neighborhood peacocks are turning up dead. Host Ali Vallarta and producer Ivana Martinez talk about a distressing local si...

Charlie Kirk Hearing Starts Today, and Salt Lake Astrology
A weeklong court hearing in the killing of Charlie Kirk starts today in Provo. Host Ali Vallarta and Salt Lake Tribune politics reporter...


