Word of Mouth: March 19 

In light of Ted Scheffler’s 15th anniversary as City Weekly’s restaurant critic, he asked staffers to reflect on some of their favorite eateries over the past fifteen years.

Bryan Bale: In 1994, I worked at a sign shop in West Valley. A co-worker of mine introduced me to Scott’s drive-in. Their fish and chips were some of the best I had ever had!

Ben Rosch: Man, 15 years ago I was spending much of my time trying out all the new drinks that were introduced to me. Along with those new drinks I was introduced to a new style of food for a young college student: grease. Anything that helped reduce a hangover was needed. And to me, there was only one place back then that worked every time: a little mom & pop restaurant called Bill & Nada’s. I have missed that place since the day it closed and have yet to find its equal.

John Saltas: Here are a few places I enjoyed back then, but miss today: Room at the Top in the Hilton Hotel, Le Parisien on 400 South, Bubba’s on 900 East, Lupo’s on 33rd, Robert’s Deli at 9th & 9th, Santa fe in Emigration Canyon and Lazy Moon Pub on Exchange Place. Ted gave all these guys good reviews, too. I wonder if there’s a corollary.

Julie Erickson: “O’Boises are O-Boisterous!” Damn I miss those chips. O’Boises were a product of the ’80s made by Keebler. You may remember the commercial with the dancing fool, singing the jingle. I guess he loved them just as much as I did. Bring them back, little elves!

Mark Cooley: I was just reminiscing the other day about Spudnuts. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a good ol’ Spudnut!

Lara Grant: I do dearly miss Ogden’s Good Time Spaghetti company, which closed its doors in 2003. It was pretty much a copycat of the Old Spaghetti Factory here, in an old warehouse filled with unique vintage decorations and ghosts! But their food was so amazing I had withdrawals when they closed (I worked there, so was able to work up quite a habit). They made their own garlic butter and salad dressing (which was the best I’ve ever had to this day) and their salmon fettuccini was legendary. Man, now I’m all wistful for the Good Time Spaghetti Co.

Brookelle Gaztambide: This is going back farther than 15 years but ... I remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor in Fashion Place Mall. For a kid, that place was great. Huge, I mean enormous boats of ice cream. Every kid’s dream!

Lia Pretorius: I worked and ate wonderfully at Max Mercier’s Le Parisien. It was really a staple of Salt Lake City for many years. I learned how to flame a Chateaubriand without flaming myself or the patrons and the difference between a red and white wine glass. Their escargot and manicotti were probably one-fourth of my diet. It’s not right! The lemon-rice soup at Grecian Gardens was good. Nino’s escargot in puff pastry was yummy. Remember Hot Rod Hundley’s place? The food wasn’t memorable, but eating while watching Hot Rod ogle a belly dancer hired to “entertain” him on his birthday was.

Ted Scheffler: So many dead restaurants; so little time. … Some of my favorite “gone but not forgottens” include Elvis Nixon’s Chili Parlor, Le Parisien, Campagna, Santa Fe, Fuggles, Piña, Mercato Mediterraneo Di Nonna Maria and the Olive Barrel in Park City, Little Italy, L’avenue, Au Bon Appetit, Tacos Piedras Negras, Baci Trattoria, Café Bacchus and Heber’s Tenderfoot Bistro just to name a few … And it wasn’t fine dining, but I sure miss Pete’s Pool too.