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Mount Carmel Junction is a tiny community about 12 miles east of Zion National Park in Utah. There’s no reason to visit the town, but if you’re passing through you can’t help but notice the colorful sign for the Thunderbird Restaurant.
Thunderbird Restaurant
This diner, attached to the Best Western East Zion Thunderbird Lodge, is your typical greasy spoon diner. They have the kind of food you’d expect from such a place. What sets it apart is their huge neon sign with a busty waitress advertising “ho-made pies”.
There’s nothing special about the food and service is as sassy as you’d expect from this kinds of place. The pies, however, are actually pretty good! How can you possible pass up trying one of their specialties that’s so brilliantly advertised on the sign?
What Else?
Other than the Thunderbird, there’s not much to Mount Carmel. It was permanently settled in 1871 by Mormons. You’ll most likely pass through the area on your way between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. The Zion-Mount Carmel Highway starts at Mount Carmel Junction, and the Thunderbird Restaurant is right at the corner.
