BEST PLACE TO GET SAUCED
tttRock Canyon Dipping Grill
ttIt happens all the time: You’ve got your eye on the restaurant’s grilled chicken, but it only comes with a cilantro pesto that you loathe. No problemo, just head north to Rock Canyon Dipping Grill in Clearfield where you can mix and match your food with any of 20-or-so unique dipping sauces: maple-cranberry, jalapeno-mustard, spicy orange, red pepper & cheese, teriyaki, peanut, barbecue, and many more. The Rock Canyon chicken skewers are dee-lish with honey-mustard sauce and the New York strip steak rocks with the berry-chipotle sauce. Got your eye on the green-chili burger? Then you’ll want it lathered in Canyon ranch sauce, of course.1266 Legend Hills Dr., Clearfield, 779-1110, RockCanyonGrill.com
BEST TAYLORSVILLE LUAU
tttMoki’s Hawaiian Grill
ttLet’s face it: On a cloudy day when winter’s inversion has set in, you need to hear a warm “Aloha.” The casual family dining of Moki’s, with its authentic Hawaii cuisine such as mainland paniolo (New York strip with gravy), the outrigger (seared fish with yams and rice), Katsu chicken (breaded breast of chicken) and Kalua burger (slow roasted pork) is the perfect pick-me-up for dreary gray days. The freshly made macaroni salad is another surprising island favorite. Located in a strip mall, the impeccably clean island-themed interior and Hawaiian music make you feel as though you’ve just gone on a mini-vacation for the price of meal.4820 S. Redwood Road, 965-6654, Mokis.com
BEST VEGETARIAN Readers’ Choice
tttSage’s Café
ttThere are a precious handful of thoroughly vegetarian restaurants in Salt Lake City, and Sage’s has rightfully and duly grown its way to the top of the organic heap. With a faux Philly cheesesteak sandwich as savory as Sage’s, and vegetable ingredients so fresh you can practically taste the day they were picked, who can possibly doubt it? The recent return of pizza night, extended hours of operation, and the ever-popular breakfast menu keep the bounty coming. 473 E. Broadway, 322-3790, SagesCafé.com
t2. Oasis
t3. Evergreen
BEST CYBER COFFEESHOP
tttEspresso Connection & Cyber Café
ttThis sunny café across from Salt Lake Community College has much to recommend: It’s LavAzza Italian coffee (No. 1 in Europe), made-from-scratch soups and sandwiches, moist home-style carrot cake, patio tables with umbrellas, free wireless hub and stationary computers to rent ($3 per hour). A best-kept secret is its conference room that seats 16, which can be reserved at no cost when you purchase food and drink. A private reading room with comfy chairs even allows a book exchange. The vibes are especially good here for gamers and college students needing to cram. Everyone else can eat, sip and be merry.4465 S. Redwood Road, 268-1944, EspressoConnectionCafé.com
BEST FRENCH Readers’ Choice
tttParis Bistro
ttFrench cuisine is sometimes as difficult to navigate and decipher as the French themselves'at least where the Anglo mind’s concerned. It’s often infuriatingly rich, complex in execution and gets nowhere near the publicity of Italian and Mexican offerings. Thank God, then, that one local restaurant knows how to deliver the true spirit of the food with fresh ingredients and style to spare. Paris Bistro’s offerings are hearty enough to make an impression, yet light enough to hit scores of bright notes on the palate. One sample of this bistro’s mussels, and you’ll know you’re in expert hands. One of the indisputable anchors of Salt Lake City dining, and rightly so.1500 S. 1500 East, 486-5585, TheParis.net
t2. La Caille
t3. Franck’s
BEST HOT CIDER
tttSalt Lake Roasting Company
ttCider, for some, is simply apple juice with a kick'nice, but nothing to write home about. And, while we all know coffee is what the Roasting Company is known for, its apple cider is a particular standout. The coffeehouse treats its seasonal beverage as nectar of the gods, or at least a very fine wine. Nutmeg and cinnamon tango with sweet, fruity accents warmed just this side of scalding under a soft cloud of foam. One sip of this cider, and you’ll be saying, “Cocoa schmocoa!”320 E. 400 South, 363-7572, Roasting.com
BEST BBQ & RIBS Readers’ Choice
tttSugarHouse Barbecue Co.
ttAccording to our BOU BBQ archives, SugarHouse Barbecue Co. (then Redbones) was the first restaurant to bring real Memphis-style barbecue (i.e., rubbed and cherry-wood smoked) to Salt Lake City back in 1996'it was easy to find, because SugarHouse has been winning this one sauce-splattered hands-down every year since. And please note that the sauce is always served on the side. “Best Ribs” is likewise always inseparable from “BBQ,” so excuse us for consolidating a bit of space here'they’re good, trust history.2207 S. 700 East, 463-4800, SugarHouseBBQ.com
t2. Q4U
t3. Pat’s BBQ
BEST BODACIOUS BUNS
tttSensuous Sandwiches
ttTucked away on Provo’s leafy Center Street is this sandwich-bar gem. Sensuous has been around since 1980. Current owner and manager Almond Bethers took over from her father, Bill Cox. Sandwiches are sold by the inch and go with such pornographically promising names as the Tantalizer (pastrami, roast beef, turkey with jack cheese) and the Super Saucy (roast beef smothered in barbecue sauce). Almond says she has the coolest customers ever. Locals return the compliment, calling her “the sensuous girl,” a title guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s lips.163 W. Center, Provo, 801-377-9244; Northeast corner of Burlington Coat Factory, Orem, 801-225-9475, SensuousSandwich.com
BEST COMEBACK
tttFinn’s
ttAs they say at Finn’s, “It’s been 10 years. Some of you must be really, really hungry.” It’s been 10 years since the historic restaurant at the top of Parley’s Way closed its doors. And now the Finn Gurholt family has re-created the magic in Sugar House with the new Finn’s Café. Naturally, the reincarnated eatery sports the Swedish and Norwegian faves of Finn’s v1.0, like Norwegian waffles, pyttipanna, Scandinavian breakfasts, roast turkey with lingonberries and Finn’s superb Wiener schnitzel. But, at the old Finn’s, you couldn’t get a macchiato; now you can. No wine or beer, though (there’s a church across the way).1624 S. 1100 E., 467-4000, FinnsCafé.net
BEST BREAKFAST Readers’ Choice
tttBlue Plate Diner
ttNot far from SugarHouse Park, this scruffy little diner is the real deal. Its wait staff is anything but cloying and the atmosphere, while retro, is decidedly amped. They recommend the all-you-can-eat cornmeal pancakes or huevos rancheros with a black bean crust and poached eggs covered in melted cheese and salsa. For vegans, the tofu scramble will appease not only your conscience but also your appetite.2041 S. 2100 East, 463-1151
t2. Eggs in the City
t3. The Bagelry
BEST CARNECERIA
tttAcapulco Market
ttThat means “Mexican butcher shop,” gabacho, and it’s just the thing for anybody who sadly yearns for a more carnivore-friendly time'it’s a meat-lover’s paradise. Acapulco doesn’t just sell meat; it sells meat-related products and even things that don’t look all that meaty. (But meat could be in there somewhere!) The inexpensive and delicious pork tamales alone, kept in a pot near the cash register, are worth a special trip.1430 Indiana Ave., 359-8944
BEST SUSHI Readers’ Choice
tttTakashi
ttWe already knew Takashi serves this town’s most delectable sushi. Unlike a hipster hiding his favorite band from mainstream audiences, however, we’re thrilled the public is equally hooked on shining slivers of sashimi, Spanish mackerel and torched sablefish nigiri, brilliant rolls including the T&T, Buddha and Alta (with chunks of heavenly, real crab) and ceviche cocktail served in a martini glass with avocado. Besides the obvious culinary delights, the often-packed downtown eatery keeps people coming back with friendly, professional servers and pristine digs that somehow evoke both warmth and ultra-coolness. Once you’ve accepted Takashi as your personal sushi savior, saddle up to the bar and let the chef’s imagination run wild. You won’t be disappointed.18 W. Market St., 519-9595
t2. Happy Sumo
t3. Tsunami
BEST INTERNATIONAL BAGELS
tttRich’s Bagels
ttRich’s Bagels are so popular that they ship worldwide. The signature bagel, the light and airy Asiago cheese, is delectable with a variety of toppings ranging from honey and butter to light veggie cream cheese, gouda, turkey, capers and sprouts. With a new chicken pistachio salad and a bagel of the day that ranges from blueberry, cinnamon-sugar to poppy seed and an “everything” bagel, this is a bagel-lover’s paradise. The banana bread, homemade cookies, and hot breakfast egg sandwiches round out the taste-tempting menu.6191 Highland Drive, Holladay, 277-3137; 8691 Highland Drive, Sandy, 947-0890
BEST ARGENTINE PIZZA
tttThe Argentine Corner
ttArgentina’s international culinary reputation rests on the quality of its meat. But spend time in Buenos Aires and street-corner pizzerias soon catch your eye. In Clearfield, Argentine expatriot Jose Luis Palacios is a master pizza maker. The secret he says is in the 3/4-inch dough. His wife has watched him, he says, and under her hands, it still doesn’t come out the same. “The hand of the pizza maker is exclusive,” he says in Spanish. He offers 10 different pizzas. Gringos go for the Napolitano, which has garlic, black olives, tomatoes and mozzarella. But, if you fancy something different, try la de espinacha, with tomato sauce, spinach, white sauce and parmesan.442 N. Main, Clearfield, 801-773-9909
BEST APPETIZERS Readers’ Choice
tttThe Bayou
ttThe Bayou is known and loved for its wide-ranging beer selection. It only stands to reason that the private club’s appetizers would be equal in stature. Great exotic beers demand killer munchies, such as the Bayou’s alligator cheesecake and Cajun-spiced Buffalo wings. Other tempting starter fare includes chicken quesadilla, chipotle hummus, fried ravioli, artichoke-cheese dip and the ever-popular sweet potato fries served with a garlic-chipotle fry sauce. True comfort food with a Cajun twist'just the way we like it in Utah.645 S. State, 961-8400, UtahBayou.com
t2. Caffé Molise
t3. Panache
BEST FRIED SNOW
tttLa Taqueria Lolita
ttNext door to strip club Trails, Lolita is the best kind of hole-in-the-wall. The salsa’s picante, the chimichanga lightly fried, the salad fresh, the tacos crispy. But, while many other hole-in-the-wall establishments abandon dessert as unworthy of attention, Lolita proves the sweet is as important as the salty. Lolita’s traditional nieve frita'fried snow'features ice cream rolled in sultanas and sugary rice cereal, sitting on a base of fried dough with liquid chocolate drizzled over the top. Whether it’s Trails’ influence or just the cook’s enthusiasm for sinful treats, this is one dessert not to be missed.909 S. 300 West, 364-4123
BEST RIO BRILLO
tttBraza Grill
ttBraza Grill’s greatest coup is not the high quality of its grilled tenderloin or the pork and pineapple that waiters bring to the table on sword sticks. Nor is it the abundant salad bar. Rather, its greatest asset is what its clientele provide'the constant, at times raucous, rumble of Portuguese and Spanish. The voices swoon and ripple like the distilled essence of samba and bossa nova. Braza Grill’s pleasure lies in the intimacy it affords'and the illusion that you’re dining just off the Copacabana rather than exhaust-plugged State Street.5927 S. State, Murray, 506-7788
BEST CALZONES Readers’ Choice
tttThe Pie
ttActually, the menu calls it a “Zappi,” but whatever'in most folks’ eyes, it’s still a pizza folded in on itself. Thankfully, The Pie doesn’t consider the calzone in such simple terms, loading its meat, cheese or vegetarian Zappis with the tastiest of ingredients you’ll be snacking for days (if you can finish a Zappi in a single sitting, hats and belts off to you).1320 E. 200 South, 582-0193, ThePie.com
t2. Este Pizza
t3. Big Apple Pizza
BEST THAI MAGIC
tttMonsoon Thai Bistro
ttWith its roaring fireplace, ornate ceiling and plush, elegant décor, the initial impression of Monsoon Thai is more a banquet hall than a bistro. Once you’ve chosen from the extensive wine list and enjoyed some superlative starters, notably the Thai calamari or the lobster-mango spring roll, it’s as if the lights start to dim around your table. The mellow, gothic atmosphere somehow adds to the subtle flavors of dishes like the Thai basil salmon with pasta or the honey-ginger duck. By the time you get up from your table and the bistro’s silken shadows give way to the harsh valley lights below Foothill, it’s hard not to marvel at how seamless the Monsoon experience is. 1615 Foothill Drive, 583-5339
BEST STEAKS Readers’ Choice
tttRuth’s Chris Steak House
ttIf you want a proper piece of beef, then this national franchise is for you. Order up the Midwestern corn-fed specialty 12-ounce filet if you want beef. Or try the crab legs. While the menu items have a New Orleans flare, this is not food of the Cajun persuasion'just plain steaks, thank you, mama.134 W. Pierpont Ave., 366-4000, RuthsChris.com
t2. Spencer’s for Steak & Chops
t3. Fleming’s Prime Steak house
BEST BAKED BEANS
tttMama’s Southern Plantation
ttTrying to extract from cook Lily or one of Mama’s owners the secret behind the astonishing baked beans is a fruitless exercise. Lily defers to the owners and they smile beatifically at Mama’s large portrait. Nevertheless, the taste buds don’t lie. Whatever Mama’s recipe contains, it delivers the goods: sweet, tomato-based spicy sauce and tender beans that linger on the palate long after lunch is over.1394 S. West Temple, 485-6715
BEST UPMARKET PROVO EATERY
tttChef’s Table
ttChef and owner Kent Andersen’s 6-year-old Provo eatery continues to rule the roost when it comes to fine dining in Provo. His combination of applying French cooking methods to American seasonal produce results in a menu that changes five times a year and continues to draw a solid base of culinary fans. Entrees range, depending on the time of year, from halibut encrusted with macadamia nuts to osso bucco to classic tenderloin dishes. With decor that includes original oil paintings, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out on the valley, Chef’s Table manages to combine class with comfort. Andersen appreciates Provo’s small-town flavor and, it seems, would rather concentrate on the details that keep folks coming from Salt Lake Valley than on opening up another restaurant.2005 S. State, Orem, 235-9111, ChefsTable.com
BEST SOUP Readers’ Choice
tttSoup Kitchen
ttThe best part of Soup Kitchen'aside from the best soup in town, of course, and sandwiches like Mom used to make'is the no-fuss atmosphere. Particularly at the Sugar House location, decorated with vintage posters from ’60s rock shows, Soup Kitchen feels more like a commune than a restaurant. You are asked to leave some bread sticks for the next guy, but in sort of an each-according-to-his-hunger sort of way. Then you can fill your paper cup at the water fountain and find a seat in the cafeteria-like space. Unlike the commune, you do have to pay'but not very much.2012 S. 1100 East, 467-0908; 15 W. 3300 South, 486-0341
t2. Big City Soup
t3. Paradise Café
BEST PAD THAI Readers’ Choice
Thai Siam
nLongtime favorite Thai Siam is best known for its killer lunch special'choice of two entrees plus steamed rice and a deep fried spring roll'but frequent diners are perfectly willing to eat at night if it means another serving of Pad Thai. The traditional dish of rice noodles served with meat or tofu, green onion, bean sprouts, egg and Pad Thai sauce and topped with crushed peanuts, is the perfect comfort food for anyone who craves their sweet with a little spice. 1435 S. State, 474-3322, ThaiSiam.net
2. Sawadee
3. Chanon Thai Café
