My Utah Food Guide

What to eat in Utah and why!!

Utah is having a moment. From Ballerina Farm to the Utah Runner Girls (“Mile 19! 8:05 pace!”), the Beehive State has made a name for itself on social media. But as a college graduate returned to Utah pre-making-it-in-the-big-city, I was reminded of an underrated aspect of my home state – the food. I decided to document my favorites.

Over the Counter | Pancake Short Stack

These are the best pancakes in the world – I’m serious. They’re fluffy yet chewy and not too sweet, soaking up syrup and butter to make a well-balanced confection. I got these pancakes every week with my dad before I went to ski team on Sundays, and the chefs would make me Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes. The whole pancake experience is elevated by OTC’s diner vibe – the leather booths, the counter seats overlooking the kitchen, and the warmth of the staff.

Price: $6.69 for a short stack (2 pancakes)

Iceberg Drive Inn | Mini Grasshopper Shake

The “mini” at Iceberg is the misnomer to end all misnomers. It’s the Sweetum’s child-sized cup from Parks and Recreation – not mini as in small, mini as in the size of a miniature human. It’s so big, there’s a cup inside of the cup to maintain stability. The shake itself has a creamy yet substantial consistency, and the mint flavor is addictive. The drive inn itself, founded in 1960, is striped with red and white. People sit at concrete tables outside in the summer, but the 50s diner-esque interior is inviting on cooler nights.

Price: $4.29

3 Cups | Iced Matcha Latte

I’m love matcha but I am not a matcha snob. I like strong matcha, weak matcha, authentic matcha, Starbucks matcha, and everything in between. 3 Cups matcha leans on the milkier side, but in a way that makes you want to savor every sip — it’s not grassy. The 3 Cups environment really sells it, with its slate-colored booths and a wooden family table, accentuated by bright lighting.

Price: $5 (12 oz)

Pizzeria Limone | Pera Pizza

Forget pineapple on pizza, pear on pizza is what we should be talking about. I remember coming home from a middle school basketball game and being astounded that I ate four slices of Pizzeria Limone pizza. Those were rookie numbers. The Pera Pizza is a personal pizza. I am a Neapolitan pizza person, so I am partial to the doughy, wood-fired crust. The pie has the ideal balance between sweet and salty and olive oil-y, and it’s topped with crushed pistachios.

Price: $11.95

The Cotton Bottom | Garlic Burger

Let the record show, I do not typically eat red meat. I make exceptions for Korean barbeque, hot dogs at baseball games and other appropriate venues, and this burger. It’s garlicky, obviously, but it’s also served on a slab of French bread instead of a bun. The decadent burger pairs well with the tart pepperoncini and pickles it’s served with. The Cotton Bottom has patio seating nestled amongst trees and twinkling lights, making for a cozy dining experience.

Price: $14 (+$4.25 for fries)

Cafe Rio | Chicken Enchiladas

Cafe Rio is a Utah staple. It sells “Fresh Modern Mexican” — I’m not sure what that means, but I think Cafe Rio deserves its own food subdivision because it’s unlike anything I’ve had elsewhere. The cheesy and tangy enchiladas with the rice and beans, along with the fresh pico de gallo and lettuce, make for an addictive meal. It must also be noted that the sweet pork here is another Utah specialty and so good. When you’re craving Cafe Rio, nothing but the real thing will satisfy it.

Price: $10.99 (2 enchilada meal)

Oh Mai | Honey Glazed Pork Banh Mi

Guy Fieri came here on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. I trust that man! But also, I’ve been going here for ages. The baguette offers a crisp shell around the harmony of sweet pork, pickled radish ,and carrot. The cilantro makes the sandwich fresh and bright. Paired with a crisp Diet Coke, this is a great easy lunch.

Price: $13.68

Hires Big H | Big H Fry Combo

Okay okay, I know, another red meat option. I never claimed to be perfect! This burger is a standout for its soft bun and randomly square patty that pairs well with the hot, salty, potato-y (for lack of a better adjective) fries and a vanilla Coke. Hires is also known for their homemade root beer as well. They have a car hop service, so you can order and receive your food in the comfort of your vehicle.

Price: $16.65 (comes with a burger, fries, and a medium drink)

Woody’s Drive-In | Vanilla Shake with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Another shake, but this one is important for different reasons. You’ll notice that my order is different here from Iceberg. When it has the right ratio of large chunks of peanut butter cups to the vanilla ice cream, it’s unmatched. Another car service place that feels very retro!

Price: $3.79-4.79

Cubby’s | Wild Rice and Kale Salad

This salad has my ideal ratio of toppings to greens — it has way more toppings than kale — and all the components are about the same size, making it more like a bowl than a salad. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures, from the goat cheese to the almonds to the balsamic lemon cilantro vinaigrette. It is complemented well by their sweet potato fries.

Price: $15.49 (+$4.29 for small sweet potato fries)

Nielsen’s Frozen Custard | Regular Vanilla Concrete with Sprinkles

I usually go for the chocolate-cookie-dough-brownie-explosion type of ice cream, but Nielsen’s is good at keeping it simple. Something about the rainbow sprinkles mixed into the thick concrete (which is what they call their ice cream) speaks to me.

Price: $6.99 (regular size, first mix-in free)