The Best Utah Restaurants ~ My Picks (Round 1)

I recently received an email requesting a post on some of my favorite places to visit in Utah, restaurants and things to do. I thought that was a great idea, because I have TONS of favorites…it might take multiple posts.But, for today we’ll start with some of my favorite places to eat. Keep in mind, I live about half hour north of Salt Lake, so at least most of my favorites tend to be in my area. Also, I’m not the frilly-type. You won’t find me raving about quinoa with butternut squash and pecans or seared halibut with honey glazed asparagus on a bed of froo-froo. My point, I’m a down-home, meat and potatoes kinda gal, which may or may not tickle your fancy.

Alright, let’s get started…

THE BEST UTAH RESTAURANTS (according to me!)

Holy Smoke BBQ
855 West Heritage Park, Layton, Utah

This is like ‘holy cow’ kinda BBQ, sooooo good. It’s one of those family owned, one-shop-in-the-world, order-at-the-counter, small places. I crave this place regularly. I typically get the pulled pork sandwich…the buns are SO soft and there is a ton of BBQ flavors to choose from. It’s fun to try them all! The best part of Holy Smoke is the sides. With every meal, you get to pick from the sides, and they are freakin awesome. Homemade macaroni, fried okra, hush puppies, homemade applesauce, baked beans…you know, good food. I’m always torn between which ones to choose, but I usually end up getting hush puppies to dip in my BBQ sauce. Okay, I am seriously hungry right now. Not a good time to be writing this. Their web site is pretty lame, but you can at least check out their menu. The owner is super sweet. He’ll wear boxer shorts over his jeans and almost always offer something to try for free. He’ll randomly bring around free cornbread or something new on their menu. Love it.

Image from Kneaders

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Various Utah Locations

Apparently Kneaders has busted out of the Utah borders now, into Arizona and Idaho, and soon to be in Oregon and Colorado. But, it’s Utah based, so it still works for my post. 🙂 This is the place I crave when I want soup, salad, and sandwiches….with a side of dessert (hello, fruit tarts.) It’s the perfect place to meet up with girlfriends and bring home plenty of goodies (homemade breads, rolls, yummies.) Me love carbs. I love the Turkey Bacon Avocado on Focaccia, any of the soups, and a fruit tart…that’s the usual. The sandwiches are huge, so plan on a to-go box.

ABC Mandarin

5260 S 1900 W Roy, Utah

I need Chinese food like I need air. Don’t give it to me and I get grumpy, which explains my constant grumpiness. Just kidding, I’m not always grumpy. But, gosh dang-it, I don’t get enough and it really stinks! Dan doesn’t like Chinese food, so that’s a real problem in our marriage. If you ever want to grab some with me, I’m all for it. To me, it’s hard to find good Chinese. But, ABC never disappoints. I especially love their hot and sour soup, tangerine beef, ABC chicken, and twice cooked pork. The manager, Jonathan, is the funniest little guy. He’ll play musical instruments for you while you eat. He’ll even pull a silk leaf off the fake tree, blow on it, and actually play songs. It’s so incredibly loud, but really neat. Every baby in the place will start crying. 🙂 Despite Dan not liking Chinese, it’s funny because ABC Mandarin is his family’s go-to restaurant for family events. So, I get him there at least once a year. If I’m looking for fancier Chinese food, I’ll head to The Mandarin in Bountiful (so delicious!) But, for no-frills good Chinese, it’s ABC.

Instagram – orsoshesays“25 Main Cupcakes”

25 Main

25 North Main, St. George, Utah

I’ve loved cupcakes, long before they were cool. Cake is my weakness. Leave cake in my house, and I will sneak pieces ever 5 minutes, then blame the kids. Cupcakes make justification easier, somehow. I can’t explain it. Needless to say, I have a favorite cupcake place. It’s called 25 Main and it’s no where near where I live, darn it…or, probably thank heavens is more like it. I would be a major fatty if I had instant access to their cupcakes. It takes me a good 5 hours to get them in my hands. The ‘favorite’ title means the cake is the perfect consistency and the frosting is actually good…not overly thick, Crisco-y, ickity-ick. Bonus, there are LOTS of flavors, and the prices are actually decent! I literally can’t believe the prices that are being charged for cupcakes these days. These are $1.95 for a cupcake, and after 7pm, they are only 1 dollar. So, when I take a trip to St. George, you will find me there, after 7, with a box full of donuts, telling myself that ‘I’m on vacation.’ Oh, my favorites?? Glad you asked. I would have to say Strawberry Cream, Coconut, and Orange Blossom. I should also mention, this is a full-on place to eat…pasta, sandwiches, pizza, salads, soups.

Patricia’s Mexican Restaurant
3303 Washington Blvd. Ogden, Utah

So, ABC Mandarin is Dan’s family’s choice and MY family meets up at Patricias. I swear, my Dad is so obsessed with Patricias that he will not go anywhere else. We all try to sway him with tempting descriptions of other restaurants, but he’s not budging. Luckily, it’s not the worst thing to be obsessed with, because we all quite like it too. It’s another small, family owned place with delicious authentic Mexican food, run by Patricia and her family. We literally have been there so much that all we have to say is ‘the usual.’ The usual, for me, is the three combination plate with two tacos and one enchilada, and an horchata to drink. If I’m feeling less hungry, I’ll get the rolled tacos (taquitos). But, the BEST part about going there is the salsa. It is hands-down my favorite salsa. My mom claims to have coerced her into giving out the recipe, but I haven’t attempted to make it myself yet. I’ll be sure to tell you when I do. Patricia’s really is nothing fancy or gourmet, but that’s how I like it.

Instagram – orsoshesays “Jeremiah’s Restaurant”

Jeremiah’s Restaurant

1307 W 1200 S Ogden, Utah

I’m such a breakfast girl. My stomach is rumbling at seven in the morning and I’m ready to double over if I haven’t eaten by ten. Besides, breakfast is just freakin good. So, put my breakfast love with the fact that I’m a biscuits and gravy connoisseur, and you can trust me that Jeremiah’s has the best biscuits and gravy around! If ever a restaurant claims to have biscuits and gravy, I’m so there. And, 90 percent of the time, they stink. But, Jerimiah’s….oh, Jeremiah’s. Love. But, say you don’t want b&g, don’t fret, they also have the best pancakes. Remember how I shared my favorite Buttermilk Pancake recipe? That recipe was long searched for, as I was trying to find something that resembled the pancakes at Jeremiah’s. Thick, with a little chewiness. Oh, and the scones are good, the breakfast wrap, and even dinner. We randomly make stops there for dinner. Dan loves the steak, and I usually get the open faced turkey sandwich with a side salad. Beware of Jeremiah’s on a Saturday morning, it’s PACKED. You might be waiting a good hour. But, any week day morning is usually a safe bet, or any time at night. (You can also get some breakfast at night.)

I have several more, but I’m thinking I’ll save them for round 2, giving you a chance to hit up the places listed here. I would love to hear some of your favorite places to eat in Utah! I’m always up for trying somewhere new. 🙂

Comments

Shannon Haymore says

April 8, 2015 at 11:02 pm

You need to go and try Sammy’s in park city. I live in south Jordan and that place is sooooo worth the drive
- Mariel says
  
  April 9, 2015 at 11:23 am
  
  I love going to Park City, but never know where to eat, so we always end up at… oh, what’s that place… that big restaurant that has the salad bar (not that good.) I’m so glad to have a recommendation now! I’ll try it, for sure. Thanks, Shannon!

The Best Utah Restaurants ~ My Picks (Round 1)

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