Ruth’s Diner in Emigration Canyon remains open, despite flooding

SALT LAKE CITY — Ruth’s Diner located in Emigration Canyon has prepared sandbags for weeks in anticipation of current water levels in the creek. 

Patrick Mclver, general manager for the diner, said the creek is running four to five feet higher than normal. 

“The water is coming up on one side of the bridge and heading down to our lowest level patio, which is sandbagged all along,” Mclver told KSL NewsRadio.

Despite some flooding, Ruth’s Diner remains open to the public. And part of that has to do with early preparation. 

Many community members and staff came together a couple of weeks ago to begin preparing for flooding. 

“We’ve been sandbagging for a few weeks now, we’ve been very prepared,” Mclver said. 

About Ruth’s Diner

Ruth’s Diner is the second oldest restaurant in Utah and had its ninety-first anniversary back in 2021. 

According to its webpage, during the 50s and 60s, the restaurant was mainly home to fraternity members. Then, in 1977, a fraternity brother purchased the diner. 

Its current owners, Tracy and Erik Nelson, continue to carry the legacy of Ruth’s.

Related reading:

• Garden City in state of emergency due to flooding
• Parks are flooding but it is by design
• Utah flooding risk rising, right along with the temperatures
• What are the optimal temperatures in Utah to minimize flooding?

Waverly Golden contributed to this article.