Every year I attend Park City, Utah’s spectacular Sundance Film Festival. And every year, my week is comprised of three major components: moviegoing, snowboarding, and bison hunting. Well not literally hunting, but I do hunt the town’s menus for the best bison offerings in the area. By now you know, I am quite carnivorous, but bison is hooves down my chop of choice. Bison is an excellent source of iron, zinc, B12 & niacin and is leaner than beef. Another advantage of bison is that they are all grass-fed, and are free of growth hormones (it’s illegal to use them in bison). Furthermore, use of antibiotics in bison is also quite rare, making it a cleaner, safer selection…which brings me to the importance of my pilgrimage each January. Also to note, this year, I brought my sister, Dana, along for the (bull) ride.

STOP 1 on my Bison tour is always the No Name Saloon which has been a Park City staple since 1903. With its 90s rock soundtrack and its amazing mismatched artifact decor, this locals’ lair is perhaps my favorite bar in the country. In fact, if I could be a bar, I’d want to be the No Name Saloon. Ok let’s get to the meat here. The No Name burgers are made with 100% buffalo meat. Other places offer blends, but only the No Name offers the real deal.  In addition to the amazing burger itself, they make their own signature buffalo chips which are my favorite. Ever. Thoroughly thick and crispy, they are the perfect partner to this precious patty. I always make this my first and last stop on my bison tour. It is that good….plus there’s just something great about eating a burger while Nirvana is blasting.

STOP 2 is Butcher’s Chop House. I love Butcher’s because it is a no nonsense, straight-forward, just bring-me-my-meat kind of place. I order the 14-ounce bison steak and am in bliss.

STOP 3 is Purple Sage. Once I heard they had bison short rib on the menu, I was sold. But once I heard they had both butterscotch and bread pudding on the menu, I was a goner.

STOP 4‘s High West Distillery boasts bison brilliance with its Bison Pastrami Reuben. High West is certainly a high point of your Sundance experience. It is Utah’s first distillery since the 1870′s, and is the world’s only ski-in distillery and gastro-saloon. Also, make sure you finish your feast by experiencing their whiskey and chocolate pairing. Yep. This. Place. Is Awesome.

STOP 5 is Riverhorse who offers a triple treat of magnificent meats. I’m always game to try uh, different types of game, but I still prefer my bison best.

OK! I’ve officially had all of the bison meat Main Street has to offer. I suddenly have a hankering for a head of iceberg lettuce and a kale juice. Somebody please roll me back to LA…where I’ll continue to dream of my home where the buffalo roam until I Sundance again next year.