After a long day on the trails around Arches and Canyonlands, Moab adventurers know exactly where to refuel, and that spot is Trailhead Public House & Eatery. 🍔
Housed inside one of Moab’s oldest buildings, this locally owned burger spot has become the town’s go-to destination for hand-pressed Wagyu and bison burgers.
From hikers craving a hearty post-trail meal to locals settling in for craft beer and comfort food, this Main Street institution has built a devoted following fast.
How Trailhead Public House & Eatery won Moab’s hearts
Trailhead Public House & Eatery opened its doors in November 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, a bold move from co-owners Tim Miller and Teresa Petitti.
The pair had been searching for the right opportunity to open a restaurant in Moab for years, and when a historic building became available, they finally took the leap.
That building carries a colorful history of its own. 🏚️
Constructed in 1886 from the same adobe bricks used to build Star Hall, the structure has served as a mercantile store, a car dealership, and even hosted touring bands like ZZ Top back when it operated as the Poplar Place before a fire gutted it in 1989.
Miller and Petitti rebuilt the space into a European pub-inspired eatery, bringing what they call “good, wholesome American food” to the heart of downtown Moab.
The restaurant’s dedication to hand-forming every patty daily, rather than relying on pre-made options, has become a point of local pride, alongside a menu offering seventeen different burger varieties.
Recognition has followed too, with the restaurant earning a spotlight on America’s Best Restaurants Road Show and a mention in Sunset Magazine.
Add a dog-friendly patio, house-made vegan options, and a rotating bread pudding menu that locals genuinely plan dessert around, and it becomes clear why this Moab burger spot has earned such devoted local loyalty. 🐾
Food Highlights
- Whiskey Tango Burger: A hand-formed Wagyu patty topped with sharp cheddar, bacon, and signature Whiskey Tango BBQ sauce, served with lettuce, tomato, and onion.
- Bacon a Burger: A bison patty topped with American cheese, thick-cut bacon, grilled tomato, and a fried egg, served in toasted brioche with lettuce. 🍳
- Mushroom Swiss Burger: Wagyu beef with Swiss cheese, fresh grilled mushrooms, garlic, and onions on a garlic compote toasted bun.
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Hot Trails & Bacon Burger: Wagyu beef topped with ghost pepper jack cheese, spicy grilled jalapeños, and thick bacon on a toasted brioche bun. 🌶️
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Bacon Bruschetta Burger: Wagyu beef topped with provolone cheese, garlic tomato bruschetta, lettuce, and thick-cut bacon on a garlic mayonnaise toasted bun.
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Whiskey Bleus Burger: A Wagyu patty paired with signature Whiskey Tango BBQ sauce and rich bleu cheese crumbles on a brioche bun. 🧀
- Polygamy Burger: Two Wagyu beef patties with double American cheese, double pickles, lettuce, tomato, and onion on a toasted brioche bun. 🍔
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Bison Burger: A seasoned Midwest bison patty with lettuce, onion, tomato, and crisp pickles served on a brioche bun.
Atmosphere
Trailhead Public House & Eatery blends European pub charm with the rugged, outdoorsy energy of downtown Moab, all inside a beautifully restored 1886 building. 🏔️
The two-story space feels lively and welcoming, with attentive service that keeps up even during busy tourist season.
Its dog-friendly patio makes it an easy stop for adventurers traveling with four-legged companions after a day on the trails. 🐕
The overall vibe strikes a balance between cozy tavern and post-hike hangout spot.
Bottom Line
Visit for the hand-pressed Wagyu and bison burgers, standout picks like the Polygamy and Whiskey Tango, a historic downtown Moab setting, a dog-friendly patio, and rotating homemade bread pudding worth saving room for. ✅
Address:
11 E 100 North, Moab, UT 84532
📞 (435) 355-1782
🕔 Open Mon-Sat 11 AM–9 PM, Sun 4–9 PM