Where Wood-Fired Steaks Meet Forest Magic: Inside Blind Rabbit Kitchen's Cowboy Butter Revolution in Sugar House

There's this moment at Blind Rabbit Kitchen—right when the server sets down your steak—where the jalapeño-spiked cowboy butter starts melting across the charred, broiled surface, and the whole table goes quiet. You're sitting in what feels like an enchanted forest tucked into the middle of Sugar House, surrounded by whimsical woodland decor that makes you forget you're at 2100 South. And in that split second, you understand why this steakhouse isn't like any other steakhouse in Salt Lake City.

This is the vision Jesus Galvez had been carrying around for over twenty years before he finally put pen to paper. The founder of the acclaimed Sol Agave restaurant group didn't set out to create just another steakhouse when he opened Blind Rabbit Kitchen in May 2024. He wanted something that felt like stepping into a story—specifically, the story of Whiskers the Blind Rabbit, a character his daughter Yezia named, who navigates a whimsical world with charm and curiosity.

"It all started with the logo; I fell in love with it, and the character Whiskers, as my daughter calls him," Jesus explained when the restaurant launched. That creative spirit, the same one that transformed Sol Agave from a 17-foot food truck in 2015 into six successful restaurant locations across California and Utah, is what makes Blind Rabbit Kitchen stand out in Salt Lake City's competitive steakhouse scene.

From Mexican Food Truck to Utah's Most Whimsical Steakhouse

Understanding Blind Rabbit Kitchen means understanding the journey that brought it here. Jesus Galvez, along with partners Oscar Perez and Edgar Estrada, started their restaurant dream over a decade ago, literally sketched on a napkin while sharing French fries and Pepsis after their shifts at Carmelita's Restaurant. They kept their minds clear and their vision focused—no tequila shots clouding their judgment, just pure determination to become restaurant owners.

Their Sol Agave concept took off first, earning them a reputation for elevating Mexican cuisine beyond stereotypes. "Sol Agave was born with the simple thought of bringing light to the stigma that Mexican food is greasy and bad. In reality it has layers of flavor and is uncharted territory," Jesus said. That same philosophy of defying expectations carries through to Blind Rabbit Kitchen, which challenges what people think a casual steakhouse should be.

The restaurant took over the former Pizza Volta space at 1080 E. 2100 South in the heart of Sugar House, transforming it into something that feels both rustic-chic and fantastical. Executive chef Oscar Perez, who honed his skills at Elephant Bar, Cheesecake Factory, and Nick's Hospitality, leads the culinary team alongside culinary manager Chef Abraham Sanchez. They bring decades of combined experience to a menu that marries traditional steakhouse fare with creative, Mexican-inspired touches that nod to the Sol Agave heritage.

Here's what you need to know about Blind Rabbit Kitchen—every single steak gets finished with their signature cowboy butter, a jalapeño-spiked compound butter that gives wood-fired beef that extra kick of flavor you won't forget. They broil their cuts over high heat, getting that perfect char on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy, then crown each one with that famous butter that melts into every crevice.

"Both steaks were nicely prepared, and the cowboy butter was tasty," noted one diner on TripAdvisor, and that assessment comes up again and again in customer reviews. The butter itself has become something of a calling card—a burst of jalapeño heat balanced with herbs and richness that elevates quality beef without overwhelming it.

The steak selection includes everything from daily fresh-cut ribeyes to filet mignon, New York strips, and even a 16-ounce prime rib that arrives with loaded baked potato, au jus sauce, grilled asparagus, and horseradish. Prices range from around $39 to $58 for entrees, positioning Blind Rabbit as an approachable, casual upscale option that doesn't require you to dress up or make reservations weeks in advance—though they do take reservations, and the underground parking is complimentary, which is basically gold in Sugar House.

What sets the place apart from downtown steakhouses like STK or The Capital Grille isn't just the neighborhood location or the more relaxed vibe. It's the creative menu items that show Sol Agave's Mexican influence creeping into traditional steakhouse territory in the best possible way.

If you only order one appetizer at Blind Rabbit Kitchen, make it the bone marrow tacos. I'm serious about this.

"The bone marrow tacos ($18) arrive on an irregularly-shaped wooden platter," wrote City Weekly reviewer Alex Springer. "This dish is complete with three sliced beef bones filled with a mixture of chopped ribeye and bone marrow. The protein is accompanied by some housemade blue corn tortillas—prepped street-taco style—along with three different salsas. Incorporating bone marrow into a ribeye will always be a good idea, and the tactile experience of scooping this meaty concoction onto your tortilla directly from the bone can't be beat."

Customer after customer echoes this sentiment. "We absolutely loved it! Food was incredible, especially the bone marrow ribeye tacos I may order these every single time!" wrote one enthusiastic OpenTable reviewer. Another simply declared: "If you're thinking about getting the bone marrow tacos, don't hesitate."

The visual presentation alone is worth it—those giant beef bones standing tall on oversized wooden platters that have become Blind Rabbit's signature serving style. But it's the combination of rich, buttery marrow mixed with chopped ribeye, those housemade blue corn tortillas still warm from the press, and three distinct salsas that turns this appetizer into a must-order.

Beyond the famous tacos, the menu shows impressive range. The Wasatch Prime Rib Dip features chef's slow-roasted, thinly sliced prime rib with mayo and au jus on a warm toasted brioche bun—comfort food elevated just enough to feel special. The grilled artichokes marinated in Blind Rabbit spices and served with lemon butter and tartar sauce regularly appear in glowing reviews. One first-time visitor called them "amazing" and said the lemon butter was "delicious," adding that they'd been searching for a good artichoke appetizer since Cheesecake Factory took theirs off the menu.

Then there's the ribeye chicharron—crispy ribeye served on fresh-made guacamole with salsa macha and blue corn tortillas. It's an appetizer that perfectly captures the restaurant's Mexican-meets-American-steakhouse identity, with traditional chicharron preparation applied to premium beef.

For those who want something beyond steak, the Branzino al Pastor offers crispy red snapper marinated in achiote-pineapple paste, served with charred broccolini. The roasted rack of New Zealand lamb comes with habanero hibiscus sauce and chimichurri. Even Mom's Fried Chicken has developed a following, arriving with fresh daily mashed potatoes, mom's country gravy, buttermilk biscuits, and roasted butter corn on the cob.

And if you somehow have room after all that meat, the butter cake dessert has achieved near-legendary status. "The butter cake stack dessert topped everything off perfectly," one anniversary-celebrating couple reported. Utah Grubs food bloggers declared: "The desserts were also to die for, and you absolutely HAVE to try their butter cake!"

The Forest-Like Atmosphere: Dining in a Whimsical Woodland

Walking into Blind Rabbit Kitchen feels like stumbling into a forest clearing where someone decided to set up the most charming steakhouse you've ever seen. The rustic-chic decor leans heavily into the Whiskers the Blind Rabbit concept, with woodland touches and whimsical details throughout the space that transport you out of the Sugar House business district and into something that feels more enchanted.

"Loved this so much!" wrote one OpenTable reviewer. "An even more elevated Sol Agave, if you want even more romantic vibes than what Sol Agave gives you—same owners, just fyi. The ambiance, OMG IT WAS ADORABLE! Absolutely adore the Rabbity, gnome concept. Unique and well done!!"

The atmosphere strikes a balance between cozy and sophisticated, casual enough for families—they have a solid kids' menu with mac and cheese, sliders, and even a kids' NY steak—but romantic enough for date nights and anniversaries. The restaurant spans what used to be the Pizza Volta space, which means it's got good bones to start with, but the Sol Agave team transformed it with their signature attention to atmospheric detail.

Live music happens Thursday and Saturday nights from 8 to 10 pm, adding another dimension to the experience that sets Blind Rabbit apart from typical Sugar House restaurants. It's not stuffy tableside entertainment; it's the kind of vibe that makes a regular Friday dinner feel like a special occasion without trying too hard.

The lighting creates that forest-like ambiance without being dark and cave-like. Giant plate ware and irregular serving pieces add visual interest when dishes arrive. And the full bar program means you can start with one of their signature craft cocktails or margaritas before diving into your steak—they offer both tequila and mezcal versions, plus mocktails at $11 for those who prefer non-alcoholic options, which is particularly thoughtful in Utah's dining scene.

Sugar House's Steakhouse Destination: Location, Live Music, and Local Connection

Finding Blind Rabbit Kitchen is easy once you know where to look. They're at 1080 E. 2100 South, right in the commercial heart of Sugar House, a neighborhood that has evolved into one of Salt Lake City's most walkable, vibrant dining and shopping districts. Yes, there's been construction along 2100 South that has complicated access—City Weekly's review noted it has been "its own special nightmare"—but the restaurant offers complimentary underground parking, which eliminates the usual Sugar House parking headaches.

The location puts you within easy walking distance of the Sugar House movie theater, shops along Wilmington Avenue, and the rest of the neighborhood's restaurant and bar scene. It's the kind of spot where you can catch a movie and grab dinner, or make it the destination for your evening out. Unlike downtown steakhouses that require navigating one-way streets and paying for parking, Blind Rabbit feels accessible and neighborhood-friendly.

Being from the Sol Agave family also means Blind Rabbit Kitchen has local credibility built in. Sol Agave won the prestigious Restaurant Concept of the Year award in the casual dining category at the 2024 Utah Restaurant Association's Awards Gala, and their American Fork location has been a Utah dining destination since they expanded from their California roots. When locals see "from the Sol Agave team," they know they're getting the same commitment to quality ingredients, creative menu development, and atmospheric dining that made those restaurants successful.

The Sugar House location also means you're dining in a genuinely neighborhood restaurant rather than a tourist trap. You'll see groups of friends celebrating birthdays at the table next to young couples on date nights next to families with kids who are genuinely excited about the food. That's the casual-upscale sweet spot Blind Rabbit nails—fancy enough to feel special, relaxed enough that you don't stress about your 8-year-old ordering chicken fingers.

Hours are Monday through Thursday noon to 9 pm, Friday noon to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 9 pm. The weekend brunch hours follow Sol Agave's lead in offering daytime dining options, and they run a social hour daily from noon to 5 pm that makes stopping by after work or for a late lunch an attractive option.

If you're planning to experience Blind Rabbit Kitchen's cowboy butter steaks and forest atmosphere, here's what you need to know. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend dinner service and Thursday or Saturday nights when live music adds to the draw. You can book through their website at blindrabbitkitchen.com or call (385) 743-8007.

Start with the bone marrow tacos—seriously, multiple customers have specifically said they'll order them every single time they visit. If your table is sharing, add the grilled artichokes or ribeye chicharron to round out the appetizer selection. For mains, you can't go wrong with any of their wood-fired steaks finished with that signature cowboy butter, but the Wasatch Prime Rib Dip has developed a loyal following for those who want something a bit more casual. And save room for the butter cake, which consistently appears in reviews as a meal highlight.

The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and offers delivery and takeout if you want to enjoy Blind Rabbit at home, though the forest-like ambiance is really part of the complete experience. They have a full bar with craft cocktails, wine, and beer, plus those thoughtful mocktail options. And that complimentary underground parking means one less thing to worry about when planning your visit.

Be aware that the wood-fired, open-flame cooking method can create some smoke in the dining area—a few reviewers mentioned this, with one OpenTable diner noting the smoke made their eyes hurt. It's the nature of cooking steaks at high heat over fire, and for most people, the trade-off for that wood-fired flavor is worth a bit of atmospheric smoke. If you're particularly sensitive, mention it when you book and they might be able to seat you in an area with better ventilation.

For current menu items, specials, and the latest updates, follow them on Instagram at @blindrabbitkitchen, where they post behind-the-scenes looks at dishes, announcements about live music nights, and the kind of food photography that will make you want to visit immediately.

In a steakhouse landscape dominated by either high-end downtown establishments or chain restaurants, Blind Rabbit Kitchen carves out something genuinely different for Salt Lake City. It's a restaurant that understands you can serve quality beef and creative cocktails without the stuffiness that often comes with traditional steakhouses, and you can create an immersive, themed environment without sacrificing substance for style.

The cowboy butter alone would make this place worth visiting—it's a signature touch that transforms good steaks into memorable ones, the kind of detail that makes you want to come back and brings friends next time. But combine that with the bone marrow tacos that have customers planning return visits before they've even left, the forest-like ambiance that feels like nowhere else in Utah, and the Sol Agave pedigree that ensures quality and creativity, and you've got a restaurant that's genuinely adding something new to the local dining scene.

"I'm confident that Blind Rabbit can remain the hip Sugar House night spot that it's destined to be," City Weekly's reviewer concluded, and seven months into their journey, that confidence seems well-placed. This is the kind of neighborhood steakhouse that becomes a regular rotation spot, the place you recommend when out-of-town visitors ask where to eat, the restaurant you book for celebrations because you know the experience will be special.

Jesus Galvez and his team spent two decades dreaming, planning, and building the skills to create something like this. From that napkin sketch over French fries to a successful restaurant group to this whimsical steakhouse in the heart of Sugar House, Blind Rabbit Kitchen represents what happens when creative vision meets culinary execution meets genuine hospitality.

"We hope you enjoy it, as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you," Jesus said at the opening, "holding space in your neighborhood for that special gathering, hop on over."

So hop on over to 1080 E. 2100 South, find that underground parking, and prepare to be transported to a forest where the steaks are broiled to perfection, the cowboy butter flows freely, and Whiskers the Blind Rabbit welcomes you to the most enchanting casual steakhouse experience in Salt Lake City.

Blind Rabbit Kitchen
1080 E. 2100 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (Sugar House)
(385) 743-8007
blindrabbitkitchen.com
Instagram: @blindrabbitkitchen

Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 12pm-9pm
Friday: 12pm-10pm
Saturday: 10am-10pm
Sunday: 10am-9pm
Social Hour: Daily 12pm-5pm
Live Music: Thursday & Saturday 8pm-10pm

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