Safe Picks, Fair Prices, No Surprises
Downtown · Salt Lake City · American Comfort Food · Visit Website ↗
Updated October 2026
Reviewed March 31, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Carson Kitchen’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Carson Kitchen reads like a greatest hits of recognizable names — nothing that's going to make a wine nerd stop scrolling, but nothing that's going to embarrass anyone at the table either. Prices are honest, topping out around $60 for a bottle, which in today's restaurant landscape deserves actual credit. This is a list built for accessibility, not exploration.
The range spans California, Washington, Argentina, France, Italy, New Zealand, and even a sparkling from Lower Austria — so at least someone glanced at a map of the world before printing this thing. That said, the producers skew heavily commercial: 14 Hands, Estancia, Castle Rock, Crane Lake. These aren't bad wines, they're just the kind of bottles you've probably already met at a grocery store. The Caparzo Sangiovese and Banshee Mordecai Red Blend are the most interesting entries, but the list never fully commits to anything beyond approachable crowd-pleasers. No single-vineyard moments, no grower Champagne, no real curveballs.
Twelve options by the glass is a respectable count, running $11 to $17 — and that ceiling is refreshingly low. The spread covers sparkling, white, rosé, and red, which means most tables will find something that works. The problem is rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here; what you see is likely what you'll always see.
Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon — $17/glass
Canoe Ridge is a legit Columbia Valley producer with real terroir behind it. Getting a proper Washington Cab by the glass at $17 is a fair deal — this isn't a bulk-fruit, jammy filler. It's the most credible red on the list and worth the top-of-glass price.
Stift Klosterneuburg Sparkling
Most people at this table will walk right past the Austrian sparkling to grab a familiar name. That would be a mistake. Stift Klosterneuburg is one of Austria's oldest wine estates — a monastic winery with serious pedigree. A sparkling from them on a Salt Lake City comfort food menu is the most unexpected thing on this list, and it earns its spot.
Crane Lake Riesling
Crane Lake is a high-volume California label that exists almost entirely to fill a price tier. This isn't the kind of Riesling that makes you rethink Riesling — it's just sweet, flat, and forgettable. Grab the Stift Klosterneuburg sparkling instead and spend your pour wisely.
Caparzo Sangiovese + Crispy Chicken Thighs
Sangiovese's natural acidity and savory cherry character cuts through rich roasted poultry without stomping on it. If Carson Kitchen is doing reimagined comfort food, a Tuscan red that's built for exactly this kind of food-friendly situation is the move. Don't overthink it.
The Bottom Line
Carson Kitchen isn't going to be anyone's wine destination, but it's also not trying to rip you off — and in Salt Lake City, that's worth something. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink fine, not great.
Unknown · Salt Lake City · Contemporary American
A bottle-only list that runs from $57 to $1,988, with no by-the-glass section posted. Start with the 2020 CVNE Crianza at $57/bottle or the 2013 López de Heredia at $145/bottle, and confirm today's list because it carries no print date. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Central City · Salt Lake City · Greek
A short, Greek-focused list (with one bottle from Cyprus) that is easy to scan from light to full. Start with the Skouras Moschofilero or the St. George Agiorgitiko at $15 a glass, then ask about the rotating glass; if you bring your own bottle, the list posts a $15 corkage fee that is waived when you buy a bottle in house. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Japanese and Sushi
A small wine list tucked behind a bigger sake list: 14 wines, most posted at $12 to $16 for the first number, with Veuve Clicquot at $130 on top. Start with the Simonet Blanc de Blancs or the Redhawk Riesling alongside nigiri, and ask which of the two numbers is the glass price. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Main Street Historic District · Salt Lake City · Contemporary American
A California-leaning list with glass pours from $17 to $55 and bottles that run from $60 to a $900 Opus One. Start with the $60 André Brunel Côtes du Rhône white, or go for the $185 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir, and confirm prices because the restaurant says vintages, pricing and availability change. This unrated guide covers the posted drink list, not service, storage or markups.
The Avenues · Salt Lake City · New American and Italian-influenced wine bar and bistro
A long list organized by style and region, with two-number prices running from 8 | 40 to 19 | 97 and a $17 flight of any three by-the-glass wines on Sunday through Thursday. Start with the 8 | 40 Aichenberg Grüner Veltliner or the 11 | 53 Giraudon Aligoté, and ask which number is the glass price before you order. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Italian
A bin-numbered list with Italian reds up front and a 20-pour glass page behind it, judged only on what is posted. Start with the $15 Cascina Vèngore Arneis by the glass, or the $58 Simčič Pinot Grigio if you want a bottle, and confirm prices because the wine menu is linked as 9-16-26. This unrated guide covers the posted wine menu, not service, storage or markups.
Central McAllen / Expressway 83 · McAllen · American Comfort Food
Cheddar's is a solid spot for a Monte Cristo and a cold beer — but the wine program is a corporate afterthought dressed up as a list. Order a cocktail, tip your server well, and save the wine for somewhere that earned it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Aksarben Village · Omaha · American Comfort Food
Beacon Hills is a genuinely warm neighborhood spot with food worth coming back for — the wine list, unfortunately, is an afterthought dressed up as a choice. Come on a Monday when bottles are half price, order the Claret, and enjoy the pot roast.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp