Bohemian Brewery & Grill in Midvale

By Jake Trumbo
For Now Utah

In a lodge that would look more at home near a ski slope than one block east of State Street in Midvale, the Bohemian Brewery & Grill is busy serving some of the finest “comfort food” and pouring Utah’s only locally brewed lagers. Proprieters Joe and Helen Petras have infused their menu with the flavors of their native Czech Republic creating a dining experience that is far beyond your typical pub fare.

The atmosphere is cozy, and diners have the option of eating outdoors on a breezy garden patio, downstairs surrounding a large hearth in a remarkable Bavarian chalet setting, upstairs flanked by a collection of prized motorscooters, or one can simply belly-up to the authentic wooden bar for friendly, attentive service. Joe Petras insists that part of the reason for his success is his loyal patrons. “The best people in Utah come here,” boasts Petras, who estimates that he knows at least a third of his customers by name. By the way he greets the folks seated at tables and jokes with regulars at the bar, there is no reason to dispute his claim.

Petras is proud to point out that the Bohemian is not an upscale place or a national chain. Instead he offers Old World flavor and a place where “Oktoberfest is every day.” Guests can expect traditional favorites like bratwurst and sauerkraut, goulash, schnitzel, and pub steaks, but the Bohemian’s menu is surprisingly deep with an assortment of sandwiches and entrees, including seven specialty wood-fired pizzas or the option to create your own unique blend of toppings. A standout house special is the drunken chicken, a savory dish with beer-and-herb-soaked chicken seared to perfection on a bed of pasta and covered with a rich cream sauce. Petras insists that the home-style taste is no accident because all his dishes are “cooked like your grandma would.”

Of course, no meal at the Bohemian would be complete without the right beer, and the menu provides recommendations for each item to be accompanied by of one of its four selections brewed on the premesis in a carefully crafted process. “Old School Brew” is the restaurant’s motto, and brewer Bobby Jackson and his assistants work for nearly two months to create each batch of the Bohemian’s Czech Pilsener, Bavarian Weiss, Viennese Lager and Cherny Bock by hand, ensuring that the quality and taste of all these varieties are of the highest standard. It’s even possible to take home some Czech Pilsener to enjoy in a 12- or 24-pack.

The story of the Bohemian Brewery and Grill is one of determination and persistance, and it has paid off in an eating establishment that is as unique as the artwork on its walls, painted by Joe’s son, which feature “Good Soldier Svejk” a time-honored Czech cartoon about, as Petras puts it, “beer and talking politics.” You can enjoy both in equal measure at the Bohemian, or just catch the big game on one of the many TVs. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely business lunch, relaxing after a day on the slopes, or taking refuge after a busy work shift. No matter the reason for your visit, expect something friendly and familiar: Petras has accomplished his goal of cultivating a setting that “reminds people of some place they’ve been before.”