Underground Restaurant Provo: How The Social Transformed Historic Tunnels Into Utah's Most Innovative Food Hall

Step down the unmarked staircase at 65 N University Avenue in Provo Town Square, and you'll discover something that shouldn't exist—a thriving underground restaurant that feels like a prohibition-era speakeasy had a baby with a modern food incubator. "Perfect place for a college town. Where was this when I was in school? It's the perfect place for group studies, friend hangouts, or a simple highly out." Welcome to The Social, where the exposed brick walls tell century-old stories while local food entrepreneurs write new ones every single day.

This isn't just another underground restaurant in Provo—it's a revolutionary concept that's quietly changing how we think about dining, community, and supporting local businesses. The dim lighting isn't just atmospheric; it's illuminating the future of Utah's food scene, one startup at a time.

From Food Storage Tunnels to Culinary Dreams: The Social's Underground Revolution

Beneath the bustling streets of downtown Provo runs a maze of tunnels built between 1883 and 1904, originally designed to store meat and perishables before refrigeration existed. "Blocks of ice from Utah Lake were kept with the food in the tunnels to keep it cold for as long as possible." It's almost poetic that these same tunnels now nurture fresh culinary dreams.

Co-owner Trey Valdez and his team didn't stumble into this underground restaurant concept by accident. Opening in November 2022, The Social emerged from a simple observation: "Provo was lacking one of those spots where everyone could come in, congregate and have a cool hang out spot, but also have really good original food that you wouldn't get anywhere else."

But Valdez's vision went deeper than creating another hangout. He saw an opportunity to solve a problem that plagues food entrepreneurs everywhere—the crushing startup costs. "The initial costs can be super expensive. So our goal is to give young entrepreneurs a place where they can bring their food concepts or their restaurant ideas and really help them grow."

This food hall model operates like a culinary incubator. Local food startups pay a small base rent, then "the profits go straight back to them." It's business mentorship disguised as an underground restaurant, and it's working brilliantly. "Students are really motivated to grow and kind of build their own business... we're passionate about helping people achieve their goals and their dreams."

Walking into The Social feels like discovering a secret. "The dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and comfortable seating make you feel right at home from the moment you step inside." But the real magic happens when you realize you're not just at one restaurant—you're at ten.

The collaborative menu features over ten local food businesses sharing kitchen space, creating what might be Utah's most diverse dining experience under one roof. "There are a number of great local food trucks sharing the same kitchen so there is a wide selection of great food!"

Customer favorites consistently include the Peruvian chicken, which one reviewer called "amazing (Peruvian chicken) the chicken was flavorful and tender" and praised it as having "tender and brimming with flavor." The Betsy Bowl has earned raves for its "fresh made pasta sauce" that one customer declared "one of the best I've had in utah."

Don't miss the Autumn Flatbread or the Beef Bulgogi, both consistent winners according to recent reviews. "My favorites were the The Autumn Flatbread and the Beef Bulgogi." For dessert, the almond cranberry tart appears to be legendary—"The cranberry almond tart was the absolute best!"

And here's something you won't find at your typical underground restaurant: "I had a panini sandwich, sweet potato fries and a Kung fu taco. It was all on point." The variety is genuinely staggering, from Mediterranean dishes to Korean flavors to creative flatbreads, all crafted by passionate local entrepreneurs.

The Social isn't just pioneering the underground restaurant scene in Provo—they're revolutionizing the social drinking experience. Chrystal Beebe, owner of The Vibe Mocktails and The Social's bartender, brings something unique to Utah Valley's nightlife. "I want to create a place in Provo where people can go alone and feel like they can talk to the bartender before they meet other people and meet friends, meet someone, and we don't have that yet."

Her mocktail program surprises even skeptics. "The Texan whisky drink shocked me that It was alcohol free." These aren't your average virgin cocktails—they're "mocktails that surprise with their depth and creativity."

The community aspect extends far beyond the bar. "The Social features a pool table, board games, study nooks, a mocktail bar, a flatscreen TV equipped with gaming and streaming features." BYU student Payton Prince captures the appeal perfectly: "I can just come in here and spend like six hours and then leave and the sun's down and I just have been here for so long. I love this place."

The space accommodates everything from "impressively extensive party game collection" to "pool table, lounge couches, big family style dinner tables, modern picnic tables, some intimate seating areas." It's designed for real social interaction in an age of digital isolation.

The BYU Connection: Study Space Meets Underground Cool

This underground restaurant perfectly serves Provo's unique college town culture. "My friends and I love coming here! The hangout vibes are some of the best in Provo. The food is always delicious and the variety of options makes it a great place for everyone."

The Social operates as both restaurant and study space, filling a genuine gap in BYU-area hangouts. "If you're coming here, you're coming for the vibes. I loved the idea of the place and as an under-drinking age adult, it was a very nice place." Students can study during lunch hours (Monday-Saturday 12pm-3pm) then transition to socializing during dinner service (Monday-Saturday 5pm-12am, extended hours Thursday-Saturday).

Event coordinator Lilly Moore ensures there's always something happening. "We have mocktails and we have good DJs. We're mixing up the themes every time." Live music, stand-up comedy, karaoke, and movie nights transform this underground restaurant into Provo's most versatile entertainment venue.

Address: 65 N University Ave, Downstairs Suite 2, Provo, UT 84601 (Historic Provo Town Square)

Hours:

Lunch: Monday-Saturday 12pm-3pm
Dinner: Monday-Saturday 5pm-10pm (Thursday-Saturday until midnight)

Best Times to Visit: Based on customer feedback, Friday nights offer live music, while weekday afternoons provide the perfect study atmosphere. "If you like live music, Friday night is a good time for that."

What to Order: Start with the Peruvian chicken or Beef Bulgogi, try a creative mocktail, and save room for the cranberry almond tart. "Everything tasted really high quality and fresh."

Parking: Located in Provo Town Square with accessible parking, though the underground entrance adds to the speakeasy atmosphere.

Instagram: @thesocialprovo for the latest events and food features

The Social proves that the best underground restaurant experiences happen when community, creativity, and exceptional food converge in unexpected places. "The owners are so welcoming and personable!" In a world of franchise restaurants and predictable dining, The Social offers something genuinely different—a place where local food dreams take flight beneath the historic streets of Provo, creating Utah's most innovative dining destination one entrepreneur at a time.

Whether you're a BYU student looking for the perfect study spot, a food lover seeking authentic flavors, or someone who simply appreciates spaces with soul, The Social represents everything an underground restaurant should be: unexpected, welcoming, and absolutely unforgettable.

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