The recognizable restaurant worker shares insights into the industry and recommendations for his day-off favorites.
Walking down Main Street in Park City, you’ll pass The Cabin right in the middle of the action. Inside you will find someone equally as iconic in this mountain town: Charles O’Brien. O’Brien has been in Park City for 27 years. His expertise, knowledge of the community and passion for food are evident in everything he does.
The long-time server prefers the day shift to the later nights. “I’ve been here at The Cabin for two and a half years now,” O’Brien says. “I’ve always been the daytime guy. I don’t mind getting people primed for their night.”
You’re a Utah native. What brought you to Park City, and why did you stay?
I was working in Salt Lake City and heard they needed help with a coffee shop that was formerly where Tupelo is now. It failed miserably after a month and a half, but I just fell in love with Park City.
I remember that first day when I got here, I was walking over to the coffee shop trying to decide if I made the right decision. I looked down and a shadow came over me, and when I look up it’s a hot air balloon, and I welled up, thinking this is probably the best decision I made.
How have you seen Park City change since you’ve been here?
It is definitely a lot bigger than when I started. I do kind of miss the mom-and-pop aspect of it, but at the end of the day, we’re still a mountain town. My life is a lot of people’s vacation, and I love that.
I really love all the hotels here, like the Montage, Stein Eriksen and St. Regis. The hotels remind me I’m in a small town, but I can still get a big-city feel when I crave it, which is unique to Park City.
Let’s focus on The Cabin. What’s your favorite drink on the menu and dish?
I’m so simple, so my choice is a Jim Beam with a pickleback shot and a PBR. My favorite food item is the pastrami on rye. It’s so good.
What’s your favorite memory at The Cabin?
The drag queen brunch, a Sunday tradition of our brunch menu with drag entertainment, which started two years ago. When my boss asked about different things to do, I said, “Well, I have one idea.” Everyone quickly fell in love, and now we do it weekly. The diversity is another great thing about Park City because it is so close to a city.
I have to ask, and no wrong answers, what are your favorite places to eat in town and why?
Shabu. I love Shabu. Those amazing Mojo Rising noodles and the hot rock [a hot dish with wagyu and ponzu butter] are my favorites.
Over in Prospector, I love Fuego, Sammy’s Bistro, Full House at [Kimball] Junction — oh, I love that place! I occasionally spoil myself at Glitretind at Stein or Burgers & Bourbon at the Montage. I also love the chicken piccata at Fuego. Park City has great food, and I love seeing more diversity come in as new places open.
What’s the most underrated thing about the Park City food scene?
It’s hard because I get spoiled. I don’t have bad experiences because everything here is so good. I think Sammy’s Bistro is amazing. It’s always the greatest food at any time of day. The chicken and rice bowl is heaven.
And the friendship pretzel at Boneyard — it’s a giant pretzel served with cheese and mustard. They call it the friendship pretzel because it’s so big the intent is to share it with others, and I love it.
What’s your favorite thing about living here?
The mountains. I love to wake up and see the mountains. And the people — we have amazing people here. I compare Park City to the land of misfit toys from Rudolph. The eclectic people in Park City reminds me of all the characters, and everyone makes it work.
I love my town, and I love the people within. I’m truly spoiled. It’s an amazing place to be.
