Fresh seafood flies into Utah by airplane, so your dinner plate can hold fish from waters far beyond the desert. I love that someone looked at a landlocked state and decided great chowder still needed to happen.
The founders started arranging daily fish flights back when the idea sounded a little wild. Today the menu stretches from freshly shucked oysters to prime rib, with a busy raw bar doing serious work.
The chowder comes from a long-standing family recipe, and it carries a huge reputation across the state. The strawberry shortcake grew so much that it has been called about double the size of an earlier version.
I can’t imagine a better reason to loosen a belt notch on a quiet weeknight in the suburbs. So where exactly is this ocean-loving spot sitting, and how hungry should you be?
Your Fish Probably Caught A Flight Before You Did
Back in 1980, three restaurant founders had a bold plan for a state with no coastline. John Williams, Tom Sieg, and Tom Guinney arranged for fresh fish to be flown into Utah daily.
That idea grew into Market Street Grill – South Jordan, one of several locations carrying the same seafood mission. The South Jordan spot opened around 2007, so it has been feeding the south valley for years.
The brand started under Gastronomy Inc., a local restaurant group with deep roots. Later, that group joined Mountain West Brands, which runs the restaurants today.
Why does the flying fish story matter so much? Because daily fresh seafood is still the heart of the menu here.
Seasonal fresh fish selections change based on what is available. That means the best move is asking your server what landed most recently.
I like how the whole place still feels connected to that original gamble. Plenty of restaurants serve fish, but few built their entire identity around beating geography.
Think of it as a beach dinner with a really long commute. The fish did the traveling, so all you have to handle is the parking lot.
Order The Chowder Or Prepare For Serious Regret
A family recipe sits behind the most famous bowl at Market Street Grill. The New England Clam Chowder has been called legendary, and it often lands on lists of the best in Utah.
Creamy chowder in a mountain state might sound like a stretch. Yet this recipe has stuck around long enough to become a true dining tradition.
You can order it as a starter or pair it with an entree. Some dinners even let you choose chowder instead of a salad, which feels like an easy decision.
Here’s a smart tip for first-timers. Order a cup early, so you still have room for the bigger plates that follow.
The chowder also shows up at the on-site fresh fish market. That means you can take some home for a cold winter evening in Utah.
I believe every great restaurant needs one dish people plan their visit around. This bowl fills that job without breaking a sweat.
It works for lunch, dinner, or a lazy weekend brunch. Honestly, skipping it here feels like visiting a bakery and ignoring the bread.
Shucked Oysters Are Waiting At The Raw Bar
Oysters in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains still sound a little surprising. At this restaurant, they come freshly shucked from a dedicated raw bar.
The raw bar is a big part of the restaurant’s personality. It gives the dining room a true coastal fish house feel, even far from any ocean.
Oysters make a great shared starter for the table. They let everyone sample something fresh before the heavier plates arrive.
Not an oyster person yet? The raw bar menu leans into other cold, bright options too.
Ceviche is on the menu, offering a zesty, chilled bite of seafood. A Gulf Shrimp Platter also brings plenty of shrimp for anyone who likes to share.
My advice is to ask which oysters are available that day. Selections can shift, and your server can help match them to your taste.
Squeeze some lemon, grab a small fork, and take your time. Good oysters reward patience, and this is not a dish to rush between errands.
Big Seafood Plates That Mean Business
Generous is the official word used for the Seafood Platter here. That alone should tell you to skip a big snack before dinner.
Platters are the move when you can’t pick just one favorite. You get a little of several seafood styles without making a tough choice.
Appetizers also go big on variety. Crab cakes, crispy calamari, fried coconut shrimp, and mussels all show up on the menu.
Then comes the Crab Elote Dip, a creative twist that mixes crab with sweet corn flavors. It sounds made for passing around a crowded table.
Craving something bolder? The Blackened Ahi Tuna brings a spiced crust to a classic fish.
Market Street Grill also offers daily seasonal fish, so the main course lineup changes over time. That keeps repeat visits from feeling like reruns.
Here’s a practical tip for groups. Order a couple of starters to share, then split a platter if appetites run modest.
Leftovers are a real possibility with these plates. Consider that a bonus lunch for tomorrow rather than a problem.
Steak Lovers Get Their Own Happy Ending
Not everyone at the table wants fish, and that is totally fine here. The menu covers Angus beef steaks and prime rib alongside all that seafood.
That balance makes group dinners much easier to plan. Your shellfish fan and your steak loyalist can finally eat in peace.
Surf and turf is a natural choice if you want both worlds. A steak paired with seafood turns an ordinary dinner into a small celebration.
Chicken dishes and several pasta options round out the menu. Picky eaters have more choices than you might expect at a fish house.
Kids are covered too, thanks to a dedicated kids menu. That helps families bring the whole crew without stress.
I like that the restaurant doesn’t treat land dishes as an afterthought. They sit right next to the seafood as real menu options.
A smart trick is pairing a steak with a cup of chowder. You still get a taste of the restaurant’s signature dish without giving up your favorite cut.
Everyone leaves happy, and nobody has to fake a love for shrimp.
Save Room, Because That Shortcake Got Bigger
Desserts get the star treatment at this restaurant, and they come from the group’s own bakery. That homemade touch shows in the lineup.
The Strawberry Shortcake has been described as a larger than life production. It is reportedly about double the size of an earlier version, which is a wild upgrade.
Chocolate fans have the Midnight Chocolate Cake to consider. It sounds like the kind of slice best shared with at least one friend.
Zagat has recognized Market Street Grill for best desserts. That is quite a nod for a place mostly known for its seafood.
My strategy is simple and slightly sneaky. Decide on dessert before ordering your entree, then pace yourself.
Another tip is to order one dessert for the table with extra forks. Huge portions make sharing feel generous instead of stingy.
The fresh fish market also sells desserts to take home. So if you are too full tonight, tomorrow can still end on a sweet note.
Either way, skipping dessert here takes a level of willpower few people have.
A Little Cape Cod Landed In The Suburbs
Nautical decor gives the dining room a Cape Cod look and feel. It is a charming trick for a restaurant hundreds of miles from any coastline.
The style lands somewhere called casual elegant. You can dress up for a date night or keep things relaxed for lunch.
The space is roomy, yet it still manages to feel cozy. A mix of booths and tables lets you pick your comfort level.
Lighting shifts with the clock, which changes the whole mood. Lunch feels bright and lively, while dinner gets dimmer and more intimate.
That makes the same restaurant work for very different outings. A business lunch and an anniversary dinner can both feel right at home.
A bar and lounge area adds another seating option. It suits a quick bite when you don’t need a full dining room experience.
Booths are great for families or chatty friend groups. Ask for one when you book if privacy matters to you.
Honestly, the whole look makes me want to buy a striped sweater. Utah has mountains, but this room borrows the ocean beautifully.
Weekend Brunch Deserves A Spot On Your Calendar
Saturday and Sunday mornings bring brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That gives late sleepers plenty of time to roll in hungry.
Weekend dinner starts at 4 p.m., which is earlier than weekdays. Early eaters will love that extra hour.
Weekday lunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner then picks back up at 5 p.m., so plan around that afternoon break.
Dinner wraps up at 9 p.m. most nights. On Fridays and Saturdays, it stretches to 9:30 p.m.
Reservations are suggested, especially for weekend dinners or special occasions. Booking ahead takes the guesswork out of a busy evening.
Brunch is a smart way to try this Utah favorite in a relaxed setting. The bright daytime mood suits families and lazy catch-ups with friends.
Lunch works well for a midday treat that feels fancier than a sandwich. You get the same seafood focus without the dinner crowd energy.
My vote goes to brunch for first-timers. It is easy, cheerful, and still includes a shot at that famous chowder.
Grab Fresh Fish To Go On Your Way Out
Leaving with dinner for tomorrow is totally allowed here. An on-site fresh fish market sells seafood, chowder, gourmet sauces, desserts, and premium cuts of beef.
That turns a meal out into a smart grocery stop too. Home cooks in Utah rarely get fresh seafood this convenient.
You’ll find Market Street Grill at 10702 South River Front Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84095. The spot sits along River Front Parkway in the southern Salt Lake Valley.
Free parking makes arrival easy, and there is even room for buses and RVs. Road trippers can stop without circling the lot nervously.
Take-out and curbside pickup are available for nights on the couch. Chowder in pajamas is a perfectly respectable plan.
Planning a party or work event? Private dining and event spaces can handle bigger gatherings.
Wireless internet is also available, which helps during a working lunch. Just maybe close the laptop when the platter arrives.
I like how this place covers dinner, celebrations, and groceries in one stop. Few restaurants make it this easy to keep the seafood going at home.