Sports Grills in Northern Utah -

People enjoy meeting and mingling at Wingnutz, as well as watching games on the big screen.

Sports grills are gaining popularity, making “dinner and a game” almost as common as the “dinner and a movie” tradition. That’s what I learned last week when I did a story for the Standard-Examiner. Interestingly, when I’ve eaten at a few of these “sports grills,” such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Iggy’s, it was never to watch a game. We just stopped in to get something to eat. But, I learned quite a bit from owners and managers of local places. Iggy’s and Wingnutz, are two Utah-grown companies that have expanded to multiple locations within the past decade. John Stein at Steiny’s on the north end of Ogden said he’s expanding to another location near Weber State. Tailgaters is another sports grill located in The Junction area of downtown Ogden (along with Wingnutz and Iggy’s).

Here are some of the things I learned:

1. The high cost of attending a game in person is one factor fueling the sports grill trend. Some people would rather avoid high ticket prices, traffic, and parking costs, but still feel some team spirit with other fans. Iggy’s Ogden manager, Steve Trujillo, pointed out that your whole family could eat dinner and watch a game on the big screen, for the cost of one person going to see the Jazz. I’m assuming he was talking about lower-bowl tickets, because you can get seats in the nosebleed section for pretty cheap. But a lower-bowl seat are can set you back $75-200. And of course, any NFL game would mean a plane ticket or a lot of driving.

Personally speaking, my husband and I went to a Dodgers game when we were in California last summer, and I think we spent $80 with tickets, parking, and dinner and a soft drink at the stadium. To me, it was worth it for a rare “touristy” event. But we couldn’t do that on a regular basis.

2. Another factor: The number of televised athletic events has increased, but so has the cost of cable and satellite TV. Often, people can’t watch the game at home because they (or their friends) don’t have access to a particular sports package. And sometimes people want to get together to watch a game, but don’t necessarily want to host it.

More people are heading to sports grills where they can enjoy the game on a big screen for the cost of their dinner and drinks. Photo courtesy of Iggy's. — More people are heading to sports grills where they can enjoy the game on a big screen for the cost of their dinner and drinks. Photo courtesy of Iggy’s.

3. Another factor: The food and atmosphere have improved, at least in the places that call themselves a “sports grill” instead of a “sports bar.”

“In the past with sports bars, it’s never been the greatest of food or the greatest of atmospheres,” said Will Miller, who founded Wingnutz in 2008 and now has 11 locations in Utah and Idaho. “You couldn’t really take your family, and even if the food was decent, it was usually greasy and unhealthy.”

Wingnutz specializes in its baked chicken wings, which are lower in fat and calories than the usual fried version served as sports bars. — Wingnutz specializes in its baked chicken wings, which aren’t as greasy than the usual fried version served in sports bars.

4. Wingnutz’ baked chicken wings are its signature item, and they are touted for being less greasy than the usual fried wings.

The Tin Lid appetizer platter at Iggy's, served on the lid of a garbage can. — The Tin Lid appetizer platter at Iggy’s, served on the lid of a garbage can.

5. Iggy’s menu varies from Blackened Salmon Salad, Cajun Pasta, sizzling Chicken Fajitas, Classic Lasagna and Stadium-Grill Steak in addition to the usual pizza, burgers and wings. They have an appetizer sampler called “The Tin Lid” served on a garbage can lid.

Ed Shoell and Liz Wilder, managers at the Ogden Iggy's Sports Grill, with the Tin Lid (a garbage can lid filled with an array of appetizers). — Ed Shoell and Liz Wilder, managers at the Ogden Iggy’s Sports Grill, with the Tin Lid (a garbage can lid filled with an array of appetizers).

6. Steiny’s prides itself on a cooked-to-order menu, and John Stein said it’s called a “family sports grill,” because it’s a place where families can be comfortable — not “too rowdy.”

7. The big-screens of course, are the big draw, and you can call ahead and find out what games are being shown. You can also put in a request to watch tennis or golf, or even yacht races at Steiny’s.

SPorts memorabilia is a hallmark of sports grills. This display pays tribute to the old Ogden Reds team, founded before World War II.

8. People also enjoy the sports-themed atmosphere and camaraderie. The Iggy’s in Ogden has a wall display honoring the Ogden Reds, a baseball team from 1939 to the 1950s. My friend Linda Hamilton had a display at an Iggy’s honoring her for being the first female sports reporter in Utah. Pretty cool!

9. Steiny’s got its name from John Stein’s nickname his sports career, from high school to professional baseball.

“Whenever you play sports and you get in a huddle, everybody has a nickname. You’re never just John or Stein, you’re Steiny or Jonesy. So I went with it. I never made it to the major leagues, but I trampled around the minor leagues five years of my life, and I wouldn’t give away a single day of it,” said Stein.

10. What about Buffalo Wild Wings? The national mega-chain has made a huge splash in Utah in the past few years. I called a local manager and was told that any interviews and information had to come from corporate. (This is common with chain restaurants.) It took awhile to get in touch with the correct person at the corporate level (also common with chain restaurants), and I had to turn in my story before I was able to hear from them. But, I hope to catch them next time I’m working on a story.

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