A popular spot among Park City locals and vacationers alike, Adolph’s provides an elegant yet comfortable dining experience year-round. During summer months, patrons relax on the patio, and during the winter season, diners enjoy the Swiss cheese fondue. Popular appetizers include escargot, Swiss onion soup and raclette Swiss cheese served with pearl onions, potato and pickles. The intimate setting is appropriate for dates, and several dinners are made for two including Châteaubriand prepared tableside with vegetables and Béarnaise sauce. House specialties include steak Diane, roast rack of lamb and roast duckling à l’orange. All desserts are made in-house, and the bananas flambé is served tableside. Reservations suggested. Full bar. Children’s portions available. Serving dinner nightly.

A pioneer among the growing number of bakeries in Salt Lake City, Avenues Bakery & Bistro sells a whole lot more than bread. Bread-making techniques used at Avenues come straight from France, requiring a longer-than-usual fermentation process, and well-traveled bread connoisseurs claim a baguette from Avenues tastes just like a baguette from Paris. Breakfast offers a sizable menu with dishes such as the Lindsay Gardens (two eggs and avocado on rosemary toast) and the Rose Park (huevos rancheros with black beans, tomato salsa, avocado and crème fraiche on a tortilla). Many diners come for the sandwiches available during lunch such as the Ultimate Grilled Cheese or the Pear Pesto Primo Melt with mushroom, provolone, fontina, asiago, basil pesto and roasted red pepper. Beer and wine available. Voted Best Bakery to Take Newcomers in the 2007 Salt Lake City Weekly's critics poll. Serving during breakfast, lunch and early dinner hours Mon–Fri, and during breakfast and lunch hours Sat–Sun.

The solemn stone Norse gods who guard this former Continental Bank building must be dying to peek inside at the lively atmosphere created by new chef Dave Jones and his staff at Bambara. With big, bright artwork, colorful plates and the exhibition kitchen filling the room with rich aromas of grilled meats, fresh seafood and house-baked breads, this busy dining room has become famous for creative food and exceptional hospitality. Salmon hash is offered at breakfast, while dinner may feature cedar plank wild salmon and locally raised Morgan Valley lamb, along with the three-course nightly specials. Voted Best New American, Best Power Lunch in the 2007 Salt Lake magazine critics poll and Best Downtown/Central Restaurant in 2007 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving breakfast and dinner daily, lunch Mon–Fri.

Co-founded in 1993 and owned by Indian native Daniel Shanthakumar, Bombay House delights diners with a mellow, slightly upscale dining experience and great Indian food. Formerly in a strip mall on Foothill Drive, Bombay House’s Salt Lake City location recently moved up the street to Parley's Way, and loyal patrons are thrilled with the additional seating and parking. Bombay House specializes in dishes from northern India, cooked in a clay tandoori oven and heated over coals. Most entrées are available with shrimp, chicken, lamb or vegetarian-style and include tikka masala, curry, vindaloo, saag and biryani served over basmati rice. Nearly all of the dishes can range from mild to very spicy, so let your server know your preferred degree of heat. Special vegetarian options include baygan bharta (roasted eggplant served with peas and onion), malai kofta (fried vegetable balls) and a lentil dish known as daal maharani. Reader's Choice Winner in the 2008 Salt Lake  magazine readers poll. Voted Best Indian Restaurant in 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Beer and wine available. Serving dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

Diners can visit Café Trang over and over again and still be considered adventurous epicureans. The menu is 11 pages long and has more than 200 items that hail from Vietnam, Thailand, India and other Asian cultures. The entire menu is available at four nearby locations: downtown, Draper, Park City and Holladay. Popular starters include pot stickers, lightly fried spring rolls served with peanut sauce, and cream cheese wantons. Meat dishes include clay pot catfish, mango tilapia with papaya and spicy chiles, pad thai, and lemongrass chicken. Vegetarians have several options including noodle or vermicelli dishes, tamarind soup, and skewered deep-fried bean curd with peanut sauce. Voted Best Vietnamese Restaurant in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Beer and wine available. Serving lunch Mon–Sat.

A popular attraction for locals and Park City skiers, Chimayo serves inventive, gourmet dishes with flavors inspired by culinary cultures ranging from southern Mexico to southern Utah. Known for its unique décor, the casual upscale restaurant is bedecked with star-shaped tin lanterns, strings of lights, terra cotta and Southwestern tile. Downstairs dining can be vibrant and noisy, while the upstairs evokes quiet and intimacy. For starters, try the stuffed avocado with pickled vegetables, honey and chili roasted duck enchiladas or a sugarcane skewer of elk marinated in a coffee glaze. Entrées include grilled buffalo flank steak, crispy corn encrusted scallops with salsa Verde, and Vera Cruz-style chicken with capers, garlic, olives and tomato. Dessert is practically a must-have at Chimayo, with choices such as milk chocolate cinnamon crème brûlée and the strawberry rhubarb and lemon bombe. Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving dinner nightly.

Replacing longtime landmark JB’s Big Boy on 700 East, E Jo Restaurant is a welcome respite from franchises and other chains in the area. While Utah natives may not be as familiar with E Jo's Korean barbecue fare, the presentation gives diners a full experience of Korean dishes. Tables are arranged in the dining area around grills, where food is cooked tableside. Grilled favorites include boneless marinated barbecued ribs, beef brisket, shrimp and thinly sliced pork marinated in a spicy red pepper sauce. Other options include cold noodle dishes, seasoned raw beef, and spicy monkfish served with bean sprouts and other vegetables. Korean restaurant newcomers should be aware that dishes can be very spicy, but servers will be happy to direct you to a milder dish. A small Japanese sushi bar is available as well, carrying basic sushi choices such as California rolls. Voted Best Korean BBQ in the 2008 City Weekly critics poll. Full bar. Kids menu. Serving lunch and dinner daily.

As much Italian grocery as delicatessen, Frank Granato Importing Company opened its original Salt Lake City location in 1948, and today, it is run by Sam Granato, the son of the founder. At the Holladay and Salt Lake City locations, workers hustle to fill orders from customers among the label-laden landscape as diners munch on oversized portions of deli favorites. Day-of-the-week specials for sandwiches and entrées include the prosciutto and roasted pepper sandwich, the panini club or Italian favorites such as cheese manicotti, lasagna and eggplant Parmesan. Sandwiches are served on a hard or soft roll and can include roast beef, the muffuletta and the Godfather — a selection of Italian meats, banana peppers, artichokes, provolone, lettuce, tomato and oregano. Granato’s also sells a wide variety of Italian meats, cheeses and other antipasti in addition to ready-made meals, desserts and jarred goods. A local favorite is the flaky cinnamon cannoli. When traveling, check out the location in the Salt Lake airport. No alcohol available. Generally serving during breakfast, lunch and early dinner hours Mon–Sat. Closed Sun. Hours vary by location.

Opened by the Greek-American Paulos family in 1972, Greek Souvlaki continues to be a popular quick-serve restaurant alternative for Salt Lake City locals. Spotlighted by blue-lighted signage, three locations serve Greek favorites in crowded, bustling environments. The menu starts with the staple of Greek grab-and-go food, the gyro. This pita-wrapped sandwich comes with marinated beef or lamb and tomato red sauce or yogurt cucumber sauce. Side items can include a Greek salad with feta cheese and kalamata olives, fries, and pilaf, or lemon rice. Portions are so substantial that locals know Greek Souvlaki will provide tomorrow’s leftovers. Other favored dishes include Greek spaghetti, vegetable stew-like fasolia and, unsurprisingly, souvlaki. Voted Best Quick Eats in 2008 Salt Lake magazine readers poll. Voted Best Gyros in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. No alcohol available. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

The Hires Big H original Salt Lake location remains surprisingly unchanged: Founder Don Hale, well into his 80s, still comes into work every day to greet a hungry population of students, who’ve been a major part of the clientele since this drive-in opened in 1959. But locals of all ages, as well as reporters from The Wall Street Journal and Gourmet magazine, love the classic offerings, available from several Hires restaurants across the city. Favorites include the famous Hires Big H hamburger, hot dogs, fries and onion rings, frosty mugs of Hires root beer (in five sizes), and root beer floats. Thick shakes are available in more than 15 flavors, including grasshopper, candy bar and marshmallow. No alcohol available. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

With its unlikely location — a converted Lutheran church — and just as unlikely sushi chef, co-owner Peggi Whiting from Utah, Ichiban sushi provides a unique and memorable Japanese dining experience. Ichiban’s walls are adorned with mirrors, pictures of sumo wrestlers and iconic, Christian stained glass windows to create an ambiance full of the positive energy of feng shui. Whiting, who studied under one of the top sushi chefs in Japan, crafts innovative rolls such as The Death Roll — very spicy soft-shell crab with radish sprouts — and the Green Eggs and Ham with spicy yellowtail and green onions inside, and wasabi-flavored flying fish eggs on the outside. Popular dishes include the seafood gyoza fried dumpling, calamari served with citrus sauce, tempura kabobs, and teriyaki or sukiyaki dishes. Full bar. Serving dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

Lamb’s Grill Cafe stakes claim as the state’s oldest restaurant, as Greek immigrant George P. Lamb founded the first incarnation in Logan, Utah, in 1919. Not much has changed since the restaurant moved downtown in 1939. Locals still enjoy three meals a day in surroundings familiar to previous generations. For breakfast, try the grilled trout or the traditional Scottish dish finnan haddie. Lunch favorites include soups, salads and sandwiches, while substantial dinner entrées feature the likes of beef stroganoff and red snapper. Top it all off with rice pudding or a big slice of chocolate cake. Full bar. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

While the restaurants at Little America primarily serve guests of the Little America Hotel, the Sunday brunch buffet (10 am–2 pm) in the Grand Ballroom brings in locals from all over the SLC area. Beef, pork and lamb cuts are available at carving stations, and made-to-order omelets, crêpes and Belgian waffles are offered as well. For dessert, tarts and cobblers are available as well as chocolate-dipped strawberries. Breakfast and lunch buffets and dinner (from the menu) are offered daily in the Little America Steakhouse. Dinner starters include sautéed scallops or shrimp chowder, while entrées such as steaks, seafood, lamb or pork chops, and rotisserie chicken round out the menu. Full bar. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

Lugano Restaurant’s chef/owner Greg Neville remains one of the busiest proprietors in Salt Lake City. Besides teaching cooking classes, he oversees the kitchen and constantly tweaks his snug little eatery’s selection of rustic northern Italian fare. Although the menu is rather simple, extravagant appetizers can include clay pot mussels or focaccia covered with grilled pears, caramelized onions, Gorgonzola and pine nuts. Linguine and clams or parsley chicken breast make fantastic dinner entrées. Voted Best Chef in 2008 Salt Lake City magazine readers poll. Voted Best Italian Restaurant in 2007 City Weekly readers poll. Beer, including on-tap microbrews, and Wine Spectator award-winning wine list available. Serving dinner nightly.

In 1978, Rosemary Cosby opened a small restaurant featuring family recipes from her home in the Carolinas.  Cosby has since passed away, but daughter Rosalind Cazares is still serving the same classic, Southern home-style dishes at Mama’s Plantation Restaurant. Locals frequent the restaurant, especially before or after a Salt Lake Bees baseball game at Franklin Covey Field. Inside the small house, flowery Southern décor and family photos remind diners of the land and culture where the recipes originated. Breakfast serves up heavy Southern favorites such as biscuits and gravy. Fried chicken or catfish and a daily special rule the lunch and dinner menu. Other items include beef brisket, barbecued pork ribs, ham and Cajun specialties such as jambalaya and shrimp with rice. Save room for peach cobbler and sweet potato pie for dessert. Voted Best Lovin' Restaurant in the 2008 City Weekly critics poll. No alcohol available. Cash or check only. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

Mandarin is anything but a traditional Chinese restaurant with the usual fare. Sleek and modern yet beautifully ornate décor sets the stage for meals with eclectic twists and attention to detail. Owned by the Greek-American Skedros family, the restaurant features an innovative Chinese menu that reflects some influence from its Mediterranean owners. Mandarin offers a remarkable number of entrées including pork and eggplant with garlic sauce, golden barbecue duck, and Mediterranean lamb sprinkled with feta cheese. Traditional dishes such as kung pao shrimp and broccoli chicken noodles can be ordered medium or hot. Innovative cocktails such as the Plum Wine Spritzer and the Gingerita Margarita — lemon-lime and natural ginger sodas and tequila — are available. Locals sometimes come to Mandarin just for the desserts, such as crispy fried bananas with chocolate sauce and macadamia nut ice cream, or apple and tart spring rolls served with cinnamon ice cream. Named one of the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in America by Chinese Restaurant News in 2007. Full bar. Serving dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

 

The locally acclaimed Market Street restaurants — including Market Street Oyster Bar, Market Street Grill and the fresh fish markets — serve a similar selection of fine seafood dishes with Gastronomy, Inc.’s signature reputation for excellent service. From clam chowder in a bread bowl and several different varieties of oysters on the half shell to halibut fish and chips and non-ocean options such as prime rib, the high quality remains constant. For brunch (not served at the University location), try the succulent steak and eggs Benedict. Voted Best Seafood in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sun brunch (call for hours).

The locally acclaimed Market Street restaurants — including Market Street Oyster Bar, Market Street Grill and the fresh fish markets — serve a similar selection of fine seafood dishes with Gastronomy, Inc.’s signature reputation for excellent service. From clam chowder in a bread bowl and several different varieties of oysters on the half shell to halibut fish and chips and non-ocean options such as prime rib, the high quality remains constant. For brunch (not served at the University location), try the succulent steak and eggs Benedict. Voted Best Seafood in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sun brunch (call for hours).

The locally acclaimed Market Street restaurants — including Market Street Oyster Bar, Market Street Grill and the fresh fish markets — serve a similar selection of fine seafood dishes with Gastronomy, Inc.’s signature reputation for excellent service. From clam chowder in a bread bowl and several different varieties of oysters on the half shell to halibut fish and chips and non-ocean options such as prime rib, the high quality remains constant. For brunch (not served at the University location), try the succulent steak and eggs Benedict. Voted Best Seafood in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sun brunch (call for hours).

The locally acclaimed Market Street restaurants — including Market Street Oyster Bar, Market Street Grill and the fresh fish markets — serve a similar selection of fine seafood dishes with Gastronomy, Inc.’s signature reputation for excellent service. From clam chowder in a bread bowl and several different varieties of oysters on the half shell to halibut fish and chips and non-ocean options such as prime rib, the high quality remains constant. For brunch (not served at the University location), try the succulent steak and eggs Benedict. Voted Best Seafood in 2007 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sun brunch (call for hours).

Locals fell in love with Mazza when this popular Middle Eastern restaurant was serving paper plates of carry-out hummus and falafel. Today, dining at refurbished Mazza is a little more indulgent: Beef and okra stew, kabob platters and the signature chicken and potatoes mutabbak (with onion slices and tamarind sauce) arrive with real flatware accompanied by a selection of Lebanese, Armenian, Turkish and Moroccan beers and wines. Although it now caters to the sit-down crowd, the restaurant still serves a great deal of quick meals and takeout. Beer and wine available. Voted into the Hall of Fame in the 2008 Salt Lake magazine readers poll. Voted Best Middle Eastern Restaurant and Best First Date Restaurant in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar at 9th and 9th location. Serving lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

Though The New Yorker (another smash hit from Gastronomy, Inc.) is technically a private club due to local liquor laws, non-members hankering for a quality steak can pay a temporary fee to experience some of Salt Lake City’s best cuts of beef. Housed in the historic New York Building, with its stained glass windows and plush booths, the Dining Room serves top-notch filets, rib eyes, game and seafood. The separate café is a popular after-work spot for drinks or casual fare, from Maryland crab cakes to lobster shepherd’s pie. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Mon–Sat. Closed Sun.

Started by Steve Nielsen in 1981 in Salt Lake City, Nielsen’s Frozen Custard is now more than just a Utah institution. It’s become popular in neighboring states Nevada and Arizona, and franchises are opening as far away as Virginia. The formula for success is simple: Nielsen’s is a no-frills place to get quality frozen custard. Frst popularized on New York's Coney Island in the 1920s, frozen custard contains less butterfat and less air than ice cream, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture. Chocolate and vanilla are available every day alongside seasonal flavors such as lemon chiffon, pumpkin, blueberry cheesecake, and pralines and cream. Patrons can choose to mix in fresh fruits such as raspberries or strawberries to make a treat called a concrete — like a thick ice cream shake, it has to be eaten with a spoon. The original location in Holladay serves only custard, but the Bountiful location also serves burgers, and the Layton shop features hoagies. No alcohol available. Cash only. Generally serving during lunch and dinner hours Mon–Sat. Closed Sun. Hours change seasonally.

Highly touted among Utah's vegetarian social circles, Oasis Cafe boasts a menu that extends far beyond salads and veggie entrées to include seafood, lamb and chicken dishes with an international flair. A beautiful outdoor courtyard connects the café to its sister shop, the progressive Golden Braid bookstore. Here, patrons can enjoy a cup of dark, French-pressed coffee or herbal tea while gazing at local art or listening to live music. Breakfast and brunch offers pancakes, French toast and eggs Benedict served with salmon and seasoned potatoes. Lunch favorites cater to diverse tastes and include a roasted vegetable muffuletta, the grilled Brie sandwich on cranberry-pecan bread, or pumpkin and goat cheese stuffed ravioli. Dinner entrées exhibit global variation with dishes such as curry vindaloo, spaghetti puttanesca, and ancho-chili crab quesadillas. Beer and wine available. Kids menu. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner daily.

This Emerson Heights hot spot not only derives its name from now-closed historic local department store The Paris, but also houses many of its antiques and collectables, creating an engaging atmosphere that is ideal for sampling veteran chef/owner Eric DeBonis’ French- and Mediterranean-inspired bistro fare. His passion for locally available and seasonal ingredients is evident on his highly praised menu. Anything, from oven-roasted beet salad to steak tartare, is excellent, especially when topped off with a dazzling dessert such as lemongrass crème brûlée or crêpes Suzette. Voted Best French Restaurant in 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving dinner nightly.

One of the most popular University of Utah hangouts, The Pie Pizzeria is located down a flight of stairs in the basement below the University Pharmacy. Dark lighting, low ceilings and decades-old graffiti on every available surface adorn the place, and orders are called out over the speaker system. Here, pizzas are greasy and oversized — the smallest is 12 inches, the largest a whopping 23 inches. Diners can build their own pizzas or choose from specialty pizzas such as the Xtreme Veggie or The Greek, with yogurt sauce, gyro meat, feta, tomatoes and onions. In addition to whole pizzas, The Pie serves subs, pasta dishes and calzone-like creations known as Zappis. The Cheese Pull-a-Part — a pizza-sized collection of garlic and cheese bread sticks bedecked with a pi sign — is one of the most popular items. Although there are other sit-down and takeout-only Pie Pizzerias around Salt Lake City, locals insist that the character of the place is captured best at the university location. Voted Best Pizza and Best Calzone in the 2007 Salt Lake City Weekly readers poll. Delivery and takeout available. Beer available. Generally serving lunch and dinner daily. University location serving late-night nightly.
          

Located in Foothill Village mall, Red Butte Cafe is a popular complement to a day of shopping. Soft colors and Southwestern décor provide a relaxing backdrop for the zesty dishes and tempting desserts. Red Butte features a rotating menu dominated by daily specials and desserts. Dinner favorites include grilled portobello mushrooms with mozzarella and caramelized onions, or polenta and sirloin coated with a Filipino-style sauce. A variety of cookies, pastries and tarts can be found in the bakery case in addition to white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, orange chocolate mousse cake and chocolate Aztec torte with a walnut graham crust. Beer and wine available. Kids menu. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Sun brunch 11 am–3 pm.

For more than 20 years, fun and festive Red Iguana Mexican restaurant has been a favorite destination when traveling to and from the Salt Lake City airport, for locals and visitors alike. Even at off-peak times, Red Iguana's loyal patrons line up outside the colorful little roadside café waiting for a table. The menu is extensive, but the restaurant is particularly known for its dishes using mole sauce — a dark, rich chili sauce containing Mexican chocolate. Popular dishes include the spicy Mole Amarillo over chicken and vegetables, and classic mole poblano with walnuts, peanuts and almonds and served over turkey. Other dishes include fish tacos, Steak a la Ranchera and shredded pork with achiote sauce. Voted into the Hall of Fame in the 2008 Salt Lake magazine readers poll. Voted Best Mexican Restaurant in the 2008 City Weekly readers polls. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily.

Brewpubs have been popular in Utah for some time, and Salt Lake City's Red Rock Brewing Company, which opened in 1994, now dominates regional awards competitions. Recent honors include being named the 2007 Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The availability of specialty beers rotates, but Red Rock offers four beers that always stay on tap: the honey wheat, the oatmeal stout, the hefeweizen and the amber ale, its most popular brew. Root beer, cream soda and orange soda are also brewed in-house and available all the time. Entrées include almond-crusted trout, vegetarian pizza (topped with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella and romano), polenta casserole and halibut. Brunch is served Saturday and Sundays (11 am–3pm), with traditional offerings such as omelets, French toast, pancakes, eggs Benedict and the not-so-traditional Eggs in Purgatory — two fried eggs on Tuscan bread covered in spicy tomato sauce. Voted Best Brewpub in 2008 Salt Lake magazine readers poll. Full bar. Kids menu. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Late-night Sat–Sun.

In 1930, the feisty Ruth Evans opened Ruth’s Hamburgers downtown and immediately began attracting a wealth of loyal customers (many of whom knew her from her days as a cabaret singer). Despite the restaurant’s move to a converted trolley car in nearby scenic Emigration Canyon in 1949, Ruth’s Diner remains a popular Salt Lake fixture for belly-warming, down-home eats. Whether chicken-fried steak and eggs for breakfast, meat loaf and Swiss cheese burgers for lunch, or spicy Jamaican chicken for dinner, the menu reflects its founder’s classic yet undeniably saucy personality. Voted Best Breakfast in 2008 Salt Lake magazine readers poll. Full bar. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

The fine folks at The Salt Lake Roasting Company are serious about their coffee: their beans (roasted onsite daily), blends and flavors from around the world total more than 50 varieties. The coffeehouse itself is also impressive, with two stories adorned with old-fashioned scales, burlap sacks and maps of coffee-growing countries. The Salt Lake Roasting Company also serves pastries and desserts such as fruitcake, pies and flan. A well-rounded meal can even be ordered, with menu items such as veggie tacos, curry rice, soups and deli sandwiches. Black, green and herbal loose-leaf teas are also available. A second location, housed inside the Salt Lake City downtown library, serves coffee and pastries. Local musicians are sometimes found gracing a stage at the original location, which serves during breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night hours Mon–Sat. Closed Sun. Library location serving during breakfast, lunch and early dinner hours Mon–Sat, and from 1 pm–5 pm Sun.

With almost 80 televisions in several dining rooms — and even in the men’s room — SkyBox Sports Grille is a popular pre- and post-game hangout near the Delta Center. Casual and family-friendly, SkyBox also features an arcade known as the “arena” filled with sports-themed video games, a bar area designated as a private club, and an outdoor seasonal patio. Service is friendly and quick, accommodating express lunch patrons, fans watching three-hour baseball games and everyone in between. For starters, try coconut shrimp served with mango salsa, jalapeño poppers or classic cheese fries topped with chili. Entrées include the Thai chicken pizza and Simon’s Chili Verde Burrito stuffed with pork loin, black beans and cheese. The Triple Crown Burger is topped with black pepper pastrami and Swiss cheese. Live music on the patio during the summer. Full bar. Kids menu. Serving lunch and dinner daily.

The SugarHouse Barbeque Company is known around Salt Lake City as a barbecue joint that is more upscale than most — if you can call sports television and eating off of paper plates upscale. Locals come to SugarHouse to roll up their sleeves and enjoy the house-made-sauce covered Memphis-style ribs. SugarHouse also serves marinated and smoked chicken, Caribbean jerk chicken, dry-rubbed baby back ribs, beef brisket, and jambalaya. Sides include cornbread that’s crumbly and slightly sweet, coleslaw, barbecued beans and smoked wings. Combination platters are available for the undecided or the very hungry. Voted Best Barbecue in the 2008 City Weekly readers poll. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily.

Big taste comes in little packages at Thai Siam, a tiny, elegant spot in Downtown Salt Lake City. According to the website, “Dining at Thai Siam is a carefully choreographed experience,” and indeed it might take some fancy footwork to beat the lunch crowd and avoid bumping into fellow diners once inside. Despite the proliferation of Thai restaurants in SLC as of recent years, Thai Siam still serves up the most popular plate of pad thai in town in addition to the vast array of noodle dishes, curries, reasonably priced lunch combinations and wok-fried delights. Start with a curry puff pastry, and move on to entrées such as the pad woon sen (glass noodles with a variety of vegetables in oyster sauce), honey ginger duck and pineapple curry, a perfect example of the melding of sweet-hot flavors integral to Thai cuisine. Voted Best Pad Thai by Salt Lake City Weekly in 2008. Beer and Wine available. Serving lunch and dinner daily.