Food Reviews
Food Review: Vertical Diner – January 2011
Set in the Meat Packing District a mile or so south of downtown, the Vertical Diner is a recycled space with a comfortable retro-post-punk vibe and uncompromising vegan diner-style food. A large part of the success of this place, for me, is that it doesn’t feel preachy about its do-gooder agenda. Being vegan requires a strict set of principles, but Vertical Diner doesn’t radiate any angry or groovy moral attitude. It’s like an artsy diner from the ‘80s in a big city like Kansas City or San Francisco. … read more
Grove Market & Deli: Tasty Two Pound Sandwich
Given the glut of superstores and convenience markets that litter the landscape these days, it is easy to forget that American towns were once built on the backs of family-run food markets. As family businesses have focused on adapting their enterprises to the needs of their clientele, some have managed to stay relevant and keep a solid customer base. One of these success stories is Grove Market & Deli. … read more
No, honey, it’s good for you. City Dogs
City Dogs is Salt Lake’s premier vegetarian/vegan hot dog cart. Could there be anything niftier than a bike ride downtown on a sunny afternoon made complete with some delicious and healthy lunch eaten while sitting on some grass? Why eat a veggie dog or vegan taco? Well, as my veggie girlfriend says, “We already have the bun, we might as well use it.” … read more
Saigon Subs Invade Redwood Road
Bánh mí (or Saigon subs as they are called in America) are a kind of submarine sandwich, that might also be a rite of passage for a secret society. If you haven’t had one, you don’t know what I’m talking about, and if you have, you probably have buddies with whom you share your passion for this amazing dinner-sized, snack-priced foodie favorite. They are cheap, delicious and like no other sandwich. … read more
Food Review: Bruges
Over a year ago, Belgian restaurateur Pierre Vandamme took the success of his Downtown Farmer’s Market waffle cart and parlayed it into a permanent brick-and-mortar food destination just south of the Gateway Mall. The shop’s attention to detail, use of quality ingredients and kitschy Bruggelingen décor coalesce into a uniquely Belgian eating experience. … read more
Food Review: Meditrina
Meditrina is the ambitious love child of local foodie entrepreneurs and married couple Jennifer Gilroy and Amy Britt. Britt and Gilroy opened the “small plates and wine bar” in November 2008 in the same space where Southern Plantation fried up catfish in the ‘90s. The menu at Meditrina is tapas (small plates) with a thoughtful wine selection and a beer menu that includes some of the new Uinta beers. … read more
10 Years of Stoneground
At this point, the location of Stoneground really shouldn’t be a secret. But since it’s tucked away downtown on the second floor of an older building, one that overlooks the Salt Lake Library and a Trax station, it is easy to drive straight by without ever seeing the large rust-colored sign. In June, Stoneground celebrated its tenth anniversary. And while this is an incredible feat for any restaurant, it is even more impressive when you consider the eatery’s humble beginnings and the adversity it has faced over the past decade. … read more
Bohemian Brewery: The Road Less Traveled
Bohemian Brewery is a homegrown business reimagined from Czechoslovakia to Utah. An alpine feeling brewpub making traditional Czech beers and homey food, Bohemian Brewery makes some of my favorite comfort meals. I go there when I need fried fish or a killer bratwurst. My friends from Vienna and from Romania heartily approve of the food as authentic central European fare. All the food is made fresh on the premises every day, as is the beer. … read more
Food Review: Chow Truck – May 2010
Speaking of stalking, I’ve been stalking the Chow Truck for the past few months. The Chow Truck is a little bit like a bright yellow, wheeled version of the island on the show LOST—it’s considered sacred by some, and it has the ability to move around at will. I started seeing the massive catering truck long before I had the courage to approach it and prior to understanding that there was a website detailing where it would be and when it would be there. … read more
Food Review: Red Iguana – April 2010
When locals want to take their out-of-town guests to a great Salt Lake restaurant, the place where they very often end up is the Red Iguana. One of the most famous and best-loved restaurants in town, the Iguana has, over the years, developed a local cult following and a national reputation. When the City Weekly and Salt Lake Tribune recently did their yearly list of the best restaurants and both omitted the Red Iguana, the outpouring of protest mail was immense and heartfelt. Obviously, this legendary place has personality. … read more