One of my favorite books is Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. The book is a memoir about a trip Steinbeck took through rural America in 1962, purposely missing big cities and freeways. Marion’s Variety is a perfect throwback to the America that Steinbeck was writing about.
Marion’s is a tight little variety store packed with candy and throwback toys. Just walking in and looking around is well worth your time. In the back of the store, there are a few tables and a long bar with stools lined up. Chad is the owner and cook, and there are always a few regulars dining at Marion’s. The food was cooked right in front of us, and was just what you expect at a grill such as this.
We ordered hamburgers, hotdogs, and a BLT. All of them were cooked just like Mom used to make. In fact, Chad’s cooking was exactly like homecooking. There are no fries, so you get chips instead, and portions are not huge. That’s okay, though, because the best thing at Marian’s Variety is dessert.
They had four kinds of homemade pie when we stopped by, and the forest berry, featuring strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apple slices, and rhubarb was amazing. The boys got shakes, and they were different than any shakes we’d ever had. They weren’t made with soft ice cream, so they were extra milky, and the chocolate was rich. This is a great place to stop for dessert.
Amazingly, all five of us got fed, including shared desserts for only $28. The prices were some of the best we’ve seen. Stop by Marion’s Variety if you like home cooked food and supporting local businesses. After all, Chad said this throwback restaurant has been in his family since 1933!
Directions
Marion’s Variety is located in Roosevelt at 29 N Main Street.
Hours: Monday-Friday open 10-8, Saturday 11-6, closed Sunday.
For other great restaurants, visit our Best Restaurant in Every County in Utah post.
