On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.
Loading...
BEST chili relleno in the entire universe!
Not to be missed!!
Yum yum yum yum yum
My fiancee and I stopped here twice while we were at Zion/Springdale based on Yelp reviews. Between the two of us we tried the carne asada tacos, chipotle chicken enchiladas and stuffed avocado salad and enjoyed them all.
It's easy to miss the place if you blink. The food isn't cheap but we would highly recommend it if you're in the area. Most of the seating is outdoors but that's a plus given the location.
Wowwowwow. An unexpected island of culinary bliss. Fish tacos are quite good- lots of tender fish and the grape salsa, while odd-sounding, works quite well.
Desserts, especially the creme brûlée and key lime tart, are sublime. If nothing else, come here for dessert.
The owner has a new flank steak dinner that is really great- perfectly seasoned, cooked, and presented.
Yum! I wish this restaurant was in Los Angeles, I would go at least once a week.
The best food in Springdale, bar none, at a decent price. Smiling, fast service - interesting stuff on the menu (the avocado salad was terrific; the spicy dressing was wonderful). Good local beers. I'll skip the other places next time, now that I know this spot is here.
After reading about this place on Yelp, we decided to give it a try after a day of hiking in the park. We arrived midweek, around 1pm. Only 2 other tables..service was relaxed and attentive. Great people watching from the outside patio.
I had the squash enchiladas with goat cheese. Very unique and light with a little kick of spice. Husband ordered a burger that was sooo good! It had green chili pepper, jalapenos, pepper-jack cheese (we ordered w/out guacamole) We've since replicated it ourselves at home!! I would definitely come back next time we're in the area.
Wow! This restaurant, though tiny, is as good as it gets in Springdale. I loved my original and healthy spaghetti squash enchiladas and my husband adored his succulent ribs. There were good microbrews and we loved watching the sun set over the red rock cliffs nearby.
I visited the Zion area and this restaurant was recommended to me by a local. I was SO glad because I would not have picked this restaurant if I was driving down the main thoroughfare in Springdale. It was apparent by looking at the building from the street that the restaurant occupies a space where it used to be a former gas/service station. There are quite a few covered outdoor seating and about 5 small tables indoors. The menu is not big, but it offers a large enough selection of dishes. I would classify it as casual, unique 'american' styled cuisine.
I wanted something light especially when this was shortly after after a full day of hiking and repelling off canyons. I ordered the special of the day (not on the printed menu)--a sesame crusted Ahi fillet placed on top of a tangy cucumber salad surrounded by a soy-ginger-citrus sauce with pickled ginger on the side as condiment. My friend ordered the 2 enchiladas dish (you may find these listed in the menu, but as 2 separate dishes). It was recommended by the waiter to custom-order it with 1 chipotle chicken & cheese enchilada and 1spagetti squash & goat cheese enchilada which both had melted cheese and roasted tomatillo sauce on them with rice and beans on the side. My friend does not eat ANY vegetables so he was quite hesitant in ordering the spagetti squash enchilida. Since we had decided to share each other's food, he reluctantly agreed to order it.
Since this was our first visit at this restaurant, we did not know what to expect. Were we pleasantly surprised when the food arrived... DE-LI-CIOUS!!! (BTW, I travel on business weekly and dine out almost every meal and definitely NOT fast-food typed food). I have to admit the sesame crusted ahi tuna steak (sashimi-styled) was one of the best I have ever tasted. Not only was it fresh (no fish taste or smell), but it was firm yet tender (no white chewy membranes that runs through the sashimi). The cucumber salad and the soy-ginger-citrus sauce compliments the sesame crusted ahi tuna perfectly.
I usually am very picky about Mexian-styled foods because I dislike 'mushy' fat laden greasy foods, but when I tasted these enchiladas, I was pleasantly surprised. I loved both the chicken and spagetti squash enchiladas. The chicken one was as expected--slightly spicy from being 'chipotle' but stuff with tasty white meat chicken. The squash one was absolutely tasty and unique--mild favored goat cheese which perfectly envelopes the spagetti squash. My friend who has an anti-vegetable diet raved how good the squash enchilada was.
For dessert, my friend ordered the chocolate ganache cake. I have had many bad chocolate ganache cakes which the ganache part is kind of waxy (shortening like consistently) and usually way too sweet for my taste; the cake part is either too dry (crummy) or too moist (mushy). Plus, I usually am not a huge chocolate lover and usually takes a couple of bites of any dessert (even the very good ones). But after taking a bite of this cake, I was in heaven! The chocolate ganache had the perfect consistency and the chocolate cake was moist and tasty. I had to literally restrain myself from eating the entire slice of cake and leave none for my friend.
If you are passing through Springdate to or from Zion, you should bypass the other "joints" and visit The Whiptail Grill so you may experience casual dining at it's best.
I think this is Tex-Mex style, everything was super spicy (the salad, the salsa) or super sweet (fish tacos, vegetable medley). Well-prepared, but the flavors didn't appeal to me. I had read the reviews that the fish tacos were awesome, but they were just OK, and oddly sweet with grapes in them. But being from San Diego, where there are fish tacos sold on every corner, perhaps I am more picky.
The one waitress did a super job of managing all the tables.
We walked here from our lodge and my first impressions was... we eating at an old gas station?!? Its got character!!
I tried the Avocado salad and it was better than average but nothing that wowed me... fresh greens, good portion, and the dressing had a pop to it. The wait for food was a lil longer than most... but when you have a tiny kitchen.. i can understand. Good thing the view was GORGEOUS... no matter where you sat you got a good eye full of beauty.
Oh... and they have this awesome jalpeno peanut butter creme crulee... sweatness with a kick!!! YUMMY :)
My family loved the Whiptail Grill. It's very casual dining outside on cheap outdoor furniture, but the food is worth the trip. The best way to describe it is taqueria meet Chez Panise. I ordered the Nachos because I wanted to see what a creative chef could do with a pretty boring snack dish. I won't ruin the surprises, but these nachos were a work of gastronomic art. Now that I'm back home, I long for a second helping. They serve cold local beers and wonderful lemonade. If you're in Zion, save one night for a meal here!
Just had dessert.
JALAPENO PEANUT BUTTER CREME BRULEE
5 stars. nuff said.
eat outside and enjoy zion
I absolutely loved the nouveau Mexican food, but I have no idea what they were thinking when it comes to the decor. They setup shop in an old gas station, and it totally looks like the sorta place you'd buy a taco plate for 2.99. Instead, a taco plate is $15. I don't think I've ever paid so much for a meal at such a shabby place before. To get a feeling for what I'm talking about, they've retained the locked bathroom that you have to go outside and around the side to get to, and to get in you need a key from the register.
I guess maybe what they were thinking is that they would take all the money they would have put into the decor, and just put it into high quality ingredients. The quality of the food is actually what you would expect for $15. The fish tacos with tilapia and grape salsa were unique and delicious, and the fiery carne asada tacos with beef tenderloin had me crying tears of joy, and pain.
I guess what I'm saying is, I wish the decor were better, but damn if I would let that stop me from eating here again if I were ever in town again.
The goat cheese spaghetti squash enchiladas were phenonmenal. I have a new dish to try to make at home! Fish tacos were tasty, but not hot enough, black beans delicious. Wish I had more time to try other dishes. Service excellent!
Fish tacos = out of this world. Salsa and guac were fresh and spicy. Kids burrito was a little too cheesy. Chicken enchiladas were the best ever. Pretty good Shiraz. Local beers. Biodegradable plastic water cups!
It is a little small so get there early if it is chilly. Otherwise you might have to sit outside on the "porch".
Décor? Well, rustic but I find charm in the old converted gas station. Seating is limited inside, little better outside. But damn! That guy can cook! With limited staff that require your patience, the Whiptail manages to deliver a meal that exceeds or matches chains like Javier's or El Torito Grill. The guacamole was buttery, the meat in the tacos was high quality and prepared perfectly, the chicken enchiladas were spicy yet flavorful. The service was overworked and thus received a generous tip.
Don't expect Mexican buried in cheese.
Awesome, fresh Mexican food! Everybody's food was great (I loved the nachos).
After hiking all day at Zion, this place hit the spot.
Unfortunately, many other people had the same idea and the wait for our food was LONG. However, the outdoor seating with a gorgeous view made the wait more pleasant.
This was the best food (hands down) in the area.
Fresh, spring mix salad came with every entree- after days of bad iceberg lettuce, this was refreshing! Everyone else ordered the chipotle salad dressing and raved about it. I ordered something like French dressing which was fine.
I was sick of Mexican- most of the options around the area- so, I ordered a very flavorful ginger soy tofu- delicious and the healthiest thing I had eaten in days. Totally hit the spot.
My group ordered a wide variety of items and there were no complaints.
Desert was okay- would skip- chocolate cake- dry and not too flavorful.
While the site is unusual, a old gas station with a great view, the food was terrific. They have a menu you would expect in a sophisticated city restaurant with lots of selection and even good vegetarian dishes.
I had the day's special - sesame crusted ahi tuna steak (sashimi-styled) - which was outstanding. My wife had stuffed avocado which was good except the spicy dressing overpowered the rest of the dish.
Located on the main street on your way to Zion Nat'l Park, this is a hard to find, but great place that serves wonderful varieties of quality lunch/dinner food. I had the green chile burger which was cooked perfectly with a huge chile trapped in between grilled jalapenos with melted pepperjack cheese keeping this burger flavorful and spicy. The gf had the lunch special....a beautiful 18oz flat-iron steak cooked medium that was paired with a jalapeno-bernaise sauce. After consuming my burger and finishing half of her steak, I enjoyed replenishing all the calories lost from the great emerald pools hike experienced earlier in the day. This place isn't a tourist trap like some of the others along the road; quite a few locals came in to say hey and enjoy lunch there. Service was excellent. Meals are priced $8-16. Whiptail Grill is another reason for me to come back to Zion!
Excellent food and service !
This former gas station is shared by the Whiptail and a gear shop. Don't be put off ! They have some excellent (and reasonably priced) food.
The outdoor seating in the warm summer eve provides an welcome end to a fun filled Zion day.
The only thing that could make it better would be draft beer instead of bottled.
We are staying at the Zion Lodge and were eager (desperate?) to get away from the Lodge for dinner. Saw this place on Yelp, and the Yelpers didn't let us down.
The place is as described: a former gas station. There are only three tables inside (where there is air conditioning), and a bunch more outside. Too hot for outside, so in we ate.
The food was fantastic! A real find. Started with chips and salsa and they were as you would expect. The had a goat cheese and corn Chile Relleno. Simply superb. I needed to spoon up the green tomatillo sauce that accompanied the dish.
All three of us had the fish tacos, and all three of us were smiling. These tacos had perfectly cooked pieces of tilapia in a flour tortilla with slaw and a really interesting grape salsa. The dish also came with a small green salad, and the chipotle dressing was an outstanding choice (the other being a roasted red pepper dressing).
The price was right, the food fresh, the service attentive, and the location perfect. What more can you ask for?
There are only a few indoor seats which is fine as almost everyone wants to sit outdoors. The views from outside are spectacular. The service was decent, and the food was pretty good. We started with guacamole and chips which weren't that exciting. We had a few beers, everything in UT is under 4%, so selection is pretty limited. I had a chicken wrap which was about the same size as something you get from Chipotle, and while it definitely wasn't Chipotle, it was better than expected for being in Springdale UT. My wife had shrimp tacos which she awarded a 3 out of 5.
This might eek out three stars back home, but I'm in BFE Utah so everything is relative. Plus it gets style points for being in an old gas station.
the place is cute. the owner is friendly and he is a photographer; the restaurant has some of his work. i really loved what i had; it was a sesame crusted tofu with their own sauce; it was one of the best meals i had on my 3 week road trip across america.
This is a great place for dinner if you're in the Zion area. It is casual and comfortable with outdoor seating which is good if you just came off a few hours of hiking. I had the southwestern chicken wrap which was really great - however, I also had the salad with spicy black bean sauce and it was way too hot for me. I'll blame it on the sore throat / cold that I was also suffering from but beware if you're not into really spicy salads (again, it was the dressing that seemed to have all the heat).
I did take out which is also a great option and recommend this place to anyone who likes tex-mex. Prices were middle of the road for this area (about $12-$15 per dish as I remember).
This review is for the yelper who is passing through Springdale, rather than a local. It is also written from the perspective of a San Diegan.
So you've just spent the day doing more physical activity in nature than you've done in a month of "normal life" and it's the end of the day in southern Utah. It's summer, and the 107 degree heat is cooling down and you are starving. You don't really feel like cooking, nor do you really want to sit in a snobby tourist restaurant with blah blah food. What you want is a meal at Whiptail! If you are coming out of Zion National Park it's on the left and it sort of looks like a gas station because it used to be. This place may lack fancy digs, but the food is top notch(can't say it's the best as I haven't tried enough restaurants here, but I have heard locals say that it is indeed the best in town). It's not cheap, but it's also not super pricey; most dishes came to around 12 bucks and these dishes could compete with any dish found in San Diego. The burrito was awesome (make sure you get it with the cheese and tomatillo sauce over it), and my brother was stoked on the squash and spaghetti dish (can't remember what they actually called it). It can get packed and with only one chef and a couple servers, the service might be a tad slower, but what are you in the rush for? Take a seat, enjoy the summer air and rest your sore legs and feet while you enjoy a beer and some chips and salsa. This place is highly recommended if your taste buds don't feel like "roughin it"!
Upscale mex food with innovative touches.
Somewhat long wait at peak times.
Friendly staff.
Right at end of town on way to NP entrance, last food before the park that's worth having.
Would go again.
Oh my god, they have the best fish tacos I've ever tasted in my life. And I know fish tacos. Chunks of grilled tuna with a cool yet spicy fruit salsa in big, slightly singed tortillas, spicy black beans and a basic salad with chipotle dressing (which didn't taste very chipotle-ey, but whatever). It'll make you gasp as you chew. Good local beers too, even if they are weak 4% alcohol beers (thanks for nothing, Utah). The tacos and a beer cost me $20, which is pricey, but totally worth it.
The place doesn't look like much -- it's a former gas station with a couple tables inside and a few more outside. Some current Zion-area guidebooks call it Roberto's, but the name has obviously changed. Nice menu ($8-$15 range) of creative, upscale taqueria fare (tacos, burritos, nachos) mixed with creative, upscale fare (Mexican pizza, wraps, burgers and even vegan whatever-it-is-vegans-eat). The crowd was mostly local, which is always a good sign, and I overheard raves about the enchiladas. I might have to go back for those.
In a town full of touristy, overpriced, mediocre food, the Whiptail's a hidden treasure.
Springdale, UT
Category: American (New)
