The Top Thing to Eat: Salt Lake City

Savoring Salt Lake City: A Foodie’s Guide to the Best Bite in the City
Introduction
Salt Lake City is known for its beautiful mountain views and outdoor activities, but it’s also a food lover’s dream. There are a lot of different restaurants, cafes, and food trucks in the city, so there is always something new to try.
One of the best things about the food scene in Salt Lake City is how varied it is. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional American food or want to try food from around the world, there are many options here.
There are places to eat for everyone, from small mom-and-pop shops to fancy restaurants. If you like big burgers and fries, go to Crown Burger for their famous pastrami burger, which is a favourite among locals.
Or maybe you’re in the mood for something spicy and tasty? Try the delicious Indian food at Saffron Valley or the real Vietnamese pho at Pho Tay Ho.
But Salt Lake City isn’t all about well-known restaurants. There are also some hidden gems with unique flavours that are sure to please your taste buds. For example, Ombu Grill is a great place to find Korean barbecue dishes with a modern twist, while Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market serves authentic Ethiopian food that will take your taste buds straight to Africa.
Salt Lake City has everything you could want when it comes to food and dining experiences. So don’t wait, get hungry, and go out on a food adventure in this lively city!
Dishes You Must Try
The Pastrami Burger at Crown Burger is well-known.
Crown Burger is the place to go if you want to eat food that is typical of Utah. Since 1978, this local chain has been serving up tasty burgers and fries. The pastrami burger is their most well-known dish. This masterpiece is made up of layers of salty, flavorful pastrami, melted cheese, lettuce, and tomato on top of a juicy beef patty.
All of this is between two soft buns that have Thousand Island dressing spread on them. Once you try this famous burger, you’ll see why Salt Lake City residents have loved it for decades.
The combination of smoky pastrami and juicy beef is unbeatable, and the special sauce adds just the right amount of tang to cut through the richness. Be warned: this burger is messy, but it’s so worth it.
Pretty Bird has tasty fried chicken.
Go to Pretty Bird in downtown Salt Lake City for something a little more modern but just as tasty. This popular restaurant serves hot chicken in the Nashville style that will blow your taste buds away. The fried chicken here is crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with just the right amount of heat to make your mouth tingle.
You can choose how spicy your chicken is based on how much you can handle (or how brave you are), but even if you choose “mild,” you’ll be surprised by how tasty it is. As sides, you can get creamy macaroni salad or buttery biscuits that are great for soaking up all that spicy goodness.
Arctic Circle has a unique and tasty fry sauce.
If you don’t live in Utah, you might not get why fry sauce is such a big deal there. But trust us when we say you’ll be hooked once you try it. And Arctic Circle, a local fast food chain that has been around since the 1950s, is the best place to try it.
Their fry sauce is a magical mix of ketchup, mayonnaise, and spices that turns even plain French fries into something special. It’s creamy, sour, and just a little bit sweet, making it the perfect match for salty, crunchy fries.
But you don’t have to stop there. You can also dip your burger or chicken sandwich in it for a flavour boost. We’re sure that once you’ve tried Arctic Circle’s fry sauce, you’ll be telling all your friends back home about it.
Diverse Foods
At Red Iguana, you can get real Mexican food.
When you think of Utah, Mexican food might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Red Iguana wants to change that. This family-run restaurant has been serving real Mexican food for more than 30 years, and it has become a favourite among locals. Red Iguana’s menu is full of tasty options, from classics like enchiladas and tacos to more unusual dishes like chile verde con queso.
The mole sauce is a dish you have to try at Red Iguana. It takes hours to make this rich sauce with more than 20 different ingredients, but it’s well worth it.
You can put it on chicken, enchiladas, or anything else, and every bite is full of flavour. Be ready to wait, though, because this place can get busy.
The Vietnamese pho at Pho Tay Ho is tasty.
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that has become more and more popular in recent years. Some of the best Pho in Salt Lake City can be found at Pho Tay Ho. The spices and herbs are simmered in the broth for a long time, which gives it a deep, rich taste. You can get protein from different kinds of meat or tofu, and you can add fresh herbs like basil or cilantro for an extra burst of flavour.
Pho Tay Ho also serves tasty Vietnamese dishes like banh mi sandwiches and vermicelli bowls in addition to pho. And don’t forget their bubble tea—the it’s perfect way to end a meal on a sweet note.
The Indian food at Saffron Valley is spicy.
Indian food at Saffron Valley is the place to go if you want some spice in your meal. Saffron Valley has everything, from naan bread with butter to spicy vindaloo.
You have to try their tandoori chicken. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices and then cooked in a clay oven, which makes the meat tender and full of flavour. Make sure to also try some of the vegetarian options at Saffron Valley, like the chana masala or the baingan bharta. You won’t even miss the meat!
And for dessert, try gulab jamun or rasmalai, two traditional Indian sweets. Your taste buds will be glad you did it.
Delicious treats
The chocolate cake at Gourmandise Bakery is rich and tasty.
Gourmandise Bakery is the best place to go if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth. This local bakery is known for its beautiful cakes, cookies, and pastries that are perfect for any occasion. But if you want something really special, you must try their rich chocolate cake.
At Gourmandise, the chocolate cake is dense, moist, and full of chocolate flavour. It is made with high-quality ingredients by the talented pastry chefs at the bakery.
The cake has layers of smooth chocolate ganache and a thick layer of smooth chocolate frosting on top. Every bite is a delicious treat that will make you want more.
Normal Ice Cream has homemade ice cream flavours.
Normal Ice Cream has some of the best ice cream in Salt Lake City. If you want to cool off on a hot summer day (or any day, really), head over there. What makes this ice cream shop different from all the others? The taste of their homemade ice cream!
Normal Ice Cream is proud that all of its ice cream is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. They have unique flavours like lavender honeycomb, brown butter almond brittle, and hibiscus sorbet, to name a few.
But if you can’t decide (and who could blame you? ), they also have flights so you can try a bunch of different flavours at once. We’re sure that once you’ve had Normal Ice Cream, you won’t want anything else.
RubySnap’s Warm and Gooey Cookies
RubySnap has what you need when all you want is a warm, gooey cookie right out of the oven. This cute cookie shop has a wide selection of creative, tasty cookies, each with its own funny name (like “Cherry Bomb” and “The Audrey Hepburn”).
But no matter which cookie you choose, it will be made with high-quality ingredients and baked to perfection. RubySnap has a cookie for everyone, no matter if you like your cookies soft or crunchy, chocolatey or fruity.
And what if you can’t decide which one to try first? We love the “Fresh Prince,” which is a peanut butter cookie topped with a whole mini Reese’s cup.
Local Favorites Caputo’s Market & Deli: Caputo’s Market & Deli is the place to go if you want a delicious sandwich. This popular place in the area has been making fresh, tasty sandwiches for more than 50 years.
Their meats and cheeses are the best, and they make their bread fresh every day. On their menu, you can find both traditional deli sandwiches like pastrami on rye and more unique dishes like turkey pesto panini.
The Italian sub, which has salami, prosciutto, mortadella, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing, is a great choice. No matter what you choose, everything at Caputo’s tastes great.
Ruth’s Diner: Go to Ruth’s Diner for a hearty breakfast that will give you energy for a day of exploring Salt Lake City.
Since 1930, this cozy place has been serving breakfast foods that remind people of home. Their most famous dish is the Mile High Biscuits and Gravy, which are soft biscuits covered in rich gravy that will make your taste buds sing.
The corned beef hash skillet and the Belgian waffles with whipped cream and fresh berries on top are also popular. At Ruth’s Diner, it feels like you’re going to someone’s house for breakfast because of how warm and friendly the atmosphere is.
Bar X: If you want trendy drinks and small plates with a creative twist, Bar X is the place to go.
This swanky place feels like a speakeasy because the lighting is low and the chairs are soft. It’s like going back in time to the time of Prohibition. Their cocktail menu has unique drinks like The Great Gatsby (made with gin, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, and champagne) and The Bee’s Knees (gin-based with lemon juice and honey syrup).
The small plates menu is just as good, with dishes like tuna poke bowls, charcuterie boards, and truffle fries. If you want to go out for a fun night with good drinks and food, Bar X won’t let you down.
Hidden Gems
Ombu Grill’s Korean barbecue dishes will make your mouth water.
Ombu Grill is the place to go if you want a meal that will stay with you forever. This cozy Korean restaurant has a lot of tasty dishes, but their barbecue is what makes them stand out.
The meats are cooked right at your table on a grill that is built into the middle of each table. This makes for a really fun and interactive meal. The beef short ribs and pork belly are especially good, but don’t be afraid to try something new. You won’t be disappointed.
Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market serves real Ethiopian food.
Mahider Ethiopian Restaurant & Market is the place to go if you want to try something very different. Their real Ethiopian food is different from anything else in Salt Lake City. On the menu, there are options for both meat eaters and vegetarians. All of the dishes come with injera bread, which is great for getting every last bit of sauce and flavour.
Try the spiced ground beef (kitfo) and the doro wot (chicken cooked in spicy berbere sauce). And if you want to try something new, try the tej, which is a sweet and refreshing honey wine from Ethiopia.
The burgers at Lucky 13 Bar & Grill are messy but taste great.
Sometimes all you want is a good old-fashioned burger, but not just any burger will do. Lucky 13 Bar & Grill is known for its big, juicy burgers that are piled high with things like bacon, blue cheese, fried eggs, and even peanut butter (!). But don’t be fooled by all the toppings—these burgers are made with high-quality meat that is perfectly seasoned.
And if you’re feeling brave (or just really hungry), you can try the “Big Benny,” which is a double-patty burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, and all the fixings. Just bring a lot of napkins because these burgers are messy but so worth the mess.
Conclusion
Salt Lake City is a great place for people who love to eat because there is something there for every taste. From traditional American food to food from around the world, this city has it all.
Whether you live there or are just passing through, make sure to check out some of these best places to eat. And don’t forget that the city is always getting new restaurants and hidden gems, so keep looking around and trying new things!