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• Cover illustration by Clint Burlap

• Courtesy photo
• A locally-sourced BLT sandwich from Hopkins Brewing Company

Best BLT
Hopkins Brewing Company
A BLT isn't just about the bacon, or the lettuce, or the tomato—or even just those three, for that matter. It's a great melding of all the ingredients, including the perfect bread for holding all that goodness together and a savory spread like Hopkins Brewing Company's garlic aioli. They even source their bread and bacon locally, making it even easier to enjoy that crunchy-salty-sweet trifecta.
hopkinsbrewingcompany.com
2. Publik Kitchen
3. Lucky 13

Best Bacon & Eggs
Eggs in the City
Breakfast is pretty hard to screw up, but it's nearly as hard to master. Don't tell that to the folks at this Millcreek eatery, where "the classic" allows you to enjoy two eggs any style prepared to perfection, with four strips of bacon crisped up to a delicious snap (none of that flabby medium-rare stuff here). You can add potatoes, pancakes, fruit and more, but the basics are still hard to beat.
eggsinthecityslc.com
2. Penny Ann's Café
3. The Park Café

Best Bagel
The Bagel Project
After moving from New Jersey to Salt Lake, the owners challenged the myth that New York City water is required for optimum bagel-crafting. Three months and 200 pounds of flour later, their bagels tasted like those they remembered from childhood. Bakers hand-shape the bagels, boil them and bake them on boards. Crunchy and flavorful on the outside, they're soft and fluffy inside. You can close your eyes and pretend you're in Brooklyn!
bagelproject.com
2. Rich's Bagels
3. Baby's Bagels

Best Banh Mi
Oh Mai Vietnamese Sandwich Kitchen
For more than 10 years, Oh Mai has been instrumental in helping Utahns fall in love with banh mi, so it makes sense that it's the best. The credit goes to the Oh Mai team's commitment to consistency and their ability to capture traditional Vietnamese flavors with every bite. With several locations along the Wasatch Front and an audience that gets bigger every day, Oh Mai will always be the one to beat.
ohmaisandwichkitchen.com
2. Little Saigon
3. The Pearl

Best BBQ Pulled Pork
Pat's Barbecue
When it comes to BBQ, ribs bring a lot of main-character energy. But everyone knows pulled pork is a pitmaster's true pride and joy. At Pat's, savor each sweet, smokey bite piled high on a brioche bun smothered in BBQ sauce with a side of tangy coleslaw. And if you've got a plant-based BBQ-lover in your party, there's a jackfruit option as well.
patsbbq.com
2. R&R BBQ
3. Salt City Barbecue

Best Bento Boxes
Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar - Tsunami On 9th
Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar is known for its fast and attentive service, and prepares truly delicious bento boxes. This is a great place for a business lunch or a romantic dinner, where you can choose from many options like Chicken Teriyaki or Tofu Tempura and any roll on the menu!
tsunamiutah.com/tsunami-9th
2. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant
3. Japan-Sage Market

Best Biryani
Mumbai House
This tasty rice platter is packed with flavor, so whether you go with the chicken, lamb or vegetable base, you're sure to enjoy a savory and spicy mix you won't soon forget. The biryani pairs well with Mumbai's top notch garlic naan and makes for killer leftovers, so be sure to grab a box.
mumbaihousecuisine.com
2. Saffron Valley
3. Bombay House

Best Biscuits and Gravy
Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade
Biscuits and gravy always taste good, so when Sweet Lake rises to the top of the heap for this dish, you know you're in for something special. The enormous, fluffy, from-scratch biscuits that make the foundation of this signature item are exceptional on their own, but that luxurious sausage gravy really sends things over the top. It's a perfect dish for those who can't be bothered to be hungry after breakfast.
sweetlakefresh.com
2. Ruth's Diner
3. Penny Ann's Cafe

Best Brats
Siegfried's Delicatessen
Salt Lake has plenty of heavy hitters in the Bavarian cuisine department, but there's something singular about the brats slung by Siegfried's. From the perfect snap of their casing to the balanced flavor of their seasoning, these little guys embody what all brats strive to be. There are few local entrees that can match a pair of their brats served with a bit of brown mustard and a heap of spaetzle.
siegfriedsdelicatessen.com
2. Ice Haus
3. Bohemian Brewery

Best Breakfast Burrito
Beto's Mexican Food
There are plenty of local breakfast burritos that like to throw their culinary weight around, but Beto's consistently proves that simplicity–in enormous quantities–is often the best approach to a dish. The Beto's menu has plenty of variety on this front—whether you like ham, bacon, chorizo or all three, they have something special for you. The fact that these are available at any time of day makes them that much more perfect.
betosmexicanfood.com
2. Skillets Food Truck
3. Alberto's

• Clint Burlap
• Ring of Fire burger at Lucky 13

Best Burger
Lucky 13
It is no surprise that Lucky 13 reigns supreme again this issue. The burgers here are more than just a meal; they are an experience crafted with the finest and freshest ingredients, like the house-smoked bacon; get it on everything. For those spicy folks, the Ring of Fire is calling.
lucky13slc.com
2. Proper Burger Company
3. Crown Burgers

Best Breakfast Sandwich
Central 9th Market
At their worst, breakfast sandwiches are a decent morning snack, but at their best, they can alter a day's entire trajectory. The breakfast sandwiches they're slinging at Central 9th Market go hard into the latter. Is it the freshly-made focaccia? The mortadella? Or is it simply breakfast sand-witchcraft? We may never truly know.
central9th.com
2. Egg Break
3. Frankie & Essl's

Best Breakfasts to Go
Apollo Burger
There's nothing quite like a warm and easy breakfast after an unfortunate night out or before an inconvenient day. So, if you're prone to be ravenous in the morning, a Mt. Apollo, with three perfectly cooked eggs, crispy hashbrowns, gooey cheese, and your meat of choice should suit your fancy. And, with prices so low that most would double-take in this economy, it's no wonder they're this year's champion.
apolloburger.com
2. Hruska's Kolaches
3. Egg Break

Best Brisket
Pat's Barbecue
Brisket is a delicate process that so few truly understand, and even fewer master. Pat's Barbecue is the clear exception, bustling in the best damn briskey you can find this side of the Mississippi. Equal parts sweetly smokey and tantalizingly tangy while always remaining melt-in-your-mouth tender, this brisket represents a business that prides itself in BBQ the old-fashioned, and right, way.
patsbbq.com
2. Salt City Barbecue
3. R&R BBQ

Best Cauliflower Dish
Batata Harra (Laziz Kitchen)
Of all the trends to come and go, who would've expected cauliflower to have such staying power? When you fry it and dress it up "Batata Harra" style with a cilantro and garlic pesto like Laziz does, it's no surprise this cruciferous veg is worthy of its own Best of Utah category. So, the next time we're craving cauliflower (again, who would've thought we'd be saying this?!), you'll find us at Laziz Kitchen.
lazizkitchen.com
2. Cauliflower And Avocado Taco (Facil Taqueria)
3. General Tso's Cauliflower (HSL)

Best Ceviche
La Cevicheria
For seafood lovers, La Cevicheria offers both shrimp or fish ceviche. It comes in a giant rectangular molcajete served with freshly sliced avocado and petite Mexican tostadas. It really is one of those dishes where every flavor tells a story. Look for the giant blue octopus tentacles splayed on the exterior and get your ceviche fix!
IG: @lacevicheriautah
2. Puro Peru Peruvian Grill
3. Felt Bar & Eatery

• Clint Burlap
• Clam chowder by Market Street Grill

Best Clam Chowder
Market Street Grill
Retaking the top nod in this issue, Market Street Grill dominates the clam chowder game. Since 1980, the precision of the recipe hasn't skipped a beat, and diners come far and wide to get a steaming bowl of it, no matter the season. It is creamy, it is hearty, and it is simply delicious.
marketstreetgrill.com
2. Freshies Lobster (Salt Lake)
3. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen

• Clint Burlap
• A loaded bowl of Cotton Bottom’s award-winning chili

Best Chili
Cotton Bottom Inn
Come for the garlic cheeseburger, stay for the chili. Or is it, come for the chili, stay for the garlic cheeseburger? Whatever gets you in the door, be sure to try Cotton Bottom's award-winning, après-ski bowl loaded with ground chuck, two types of beans, garlic, onions and spices, topped with shredded cheddar and onions. A Holladay institution for over 50 years, this tavern's revamped retro vibe also dishes up heaping spoonfuls of nostalgia.
thecottonbottom.com
2. Deer Valley Resort
3. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining

Best Charcuterie Board
The RUIN
Along with their well-crafted cocktails, The RUIN has a classy charcuterie board option with a wide selection of cheese and meats. It also includes fruit, pickles and bread to satisfy your whole palate. This dimly-lit bar is a great place for a romantic date, and the charcuterie board is the perfect option to share on the menu!
ruinslc.com
2. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
3. BTG Wine Bar

Best Cheesesteak Sandwich
Moochie's Meatballs & More
There are plenty of restaurants who put all their eggs in one basket to push their signature dishes to the top of this list. Moochie's, in contrast, doesn't even have cheesesteak sandwiches in its name, and yet it continues to dominate this category. It's possible that their cheesesteak sandwich isn't even the best offering it has on its vast menu of tantalizing offerings —but its legacy continues to endure.
moochiesmeatballs.com
2. The Philadelphian
3. DP Cheesesteaks

Best Chicken & Waffles
Hub & Spoke Diner
The sweet potato waffle is what makes Hub & Spoke's chicken and waffles ascend beyond the stratosphere of our taste buds and into the great beyond of our bellies. The earthy tones of the sweet potato are a great combo with the chile maple syrup, and reviewers said the texture is simply perfect. Moist waffle and crispy chicken ... *Homer Simpson gurgling noise*
hubandspokediner.com
2. Bruges Belgian Bistro
3. Mark of the Beastro

Best Chicken Sandwich
Pretty Bird (Downtown)
It wasn't until the fast food chicken sando battles of 2019 were in full swing that locals really understood the power of a Pretty Bird chicken sandwich. While Twitter was losing its shit over whether Chick-fil-A or Popeye's had the superior offering, we all sat back with our Pretty Bird sandwiches, overflowing with slaw and pickles, and happily let the battle rage on without us.
prettybirdchicken.com
2. Cluck Truck
3. Hopkins Brewing Company

Best Chicken Satay
Sawadee Thai Restaurant
The marinated grilled chicken that comes on these skewers is cooked to perfection. Dip them in the sweet peanut sauce they come with and you're looking at a delicious appetizer before you dive into some drunken noodles or curry. The light cucumber salad that accompanies them is a nice touch, as well.
sawadeethaiutah.com
2. Skewered Thai
3. Chanon Thai Café

Best Chicken Tikka Masala
Saffron Valley - Avenues
This dish has been fine-tuned to perfection over the years at Saffron Valley, with a creamy and flavorful sauce that provides just the right amount of heat. You're going to want to order extra clay oven-cooked naan to soak up all that sauce. A warm tikka masala is exactly what the soul needs on those chillier afternoons.
saffronvalley.com/saffron-colonial-downtown-slc-indian-restaurant-utah
2. Mumbai House
3. Himalayan Kitchen

Best Chile Relleno
Chile-Tepin
The queso fundido that fills this perfectly battered and cooked pepper will have you ready to call your abuelita to tell her that you love her. The texture is divine. Cut out a slice and throw it on a tortilla with some beans and rice, and you may never be the same again.
chile-tepin.com
2. Red Iguana
3. Blue Iguana (Salt Lake City)

• Clint Burlap
• Feldman’s classic side of coleslaw

Best Coleslaw
Feldman's Deli
You don't get bored with greatness, and that applies to a repeat category winner like Feldman's perfectly-executed deli side. It's hard to outshine their signature sandwiches, but this concoction makes a perfect accompaniment: creamy, tangy, crunchy and packed with plenty of black pepper for a distinctive zing to the cabbage-and-carrot classic. You'll be sure to leave an empty bowl on your empty plate.
feldmansdeli.com
2. Red Beard BBQ
3. Pretty Bird (Downtown Salt Lake City)

• Clint Burlap
• The Cubano sandwich by Beltex Meats

Best Cuban Sandwich
Beltex Meats
What gets us out of bed in the morning? If it's Saturday, it's the Cubano at Beltex Meats: smoked ham, mojo pork loin, swiss, horseradish mustard and house-made pickles, all pressed to perfection. It's so good it's worth waiting in line for (you'll probably have to). It's so good that it sells out (and probably will). And it's so good that when coworkers ask about your weekend, you'll tell them about the Cubano. Get them before Beltex closes at the end of this year!
beltexmeats.com
2. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown Salt Lake City)
3. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake Main)

Best Comfort Food Dish
OG Banana parfait (Parfé Diem Pudding Parfaits/Gourmet Pudding Dessert Catering)
Looking for a late-night DoorDash treat outside the typical cookie and ice cream options? Parfé Diem dishes up single-serve pudding parfaits with the perfect ratio of vanilla wafers, fluffy pudding and fruity mix-ins with a variety of regular and rotating flavors like cherry cheesecake, lemon blueberry and pistachio. The most popular? By far, the OG Banana. Make it a Cadillac OG with dulce de leche candied walnuts, if you're feeling fancy.
parfediem.com
2. Smoked Oxtail (Big South)
3. Bacon Egg & Cheese (Egg Break)

Best Deli Sandwich
Caputo's Market & Deli
All hail the sandwich king again! There is just something about that crusty bread stuffed with whatever you crave that day at Caputo's that will make you sing for your supper. From the deli meats to the selections of cheeses, the goodness and freshness is experienced in each bite. Consider getting a whole, no matter your appetite, so you can enjoy it again later.
caputos.com
2. Feldman's Deli
3. Grove Market and Deli

Best Dim Sum
Hong Kong Tea House
Dim sum might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a tea party, but why not? After all, it originated in Chinese tea houses. And what better way to enjoy a cup of jasmine or Dragon Well than with traditional bites like steamed pork buns, shrimp dumplings and crispy egg rolls at Hong Kong Tea House. Drop by before 3 p.m. for this authentic experience.
hongkongteahouse.yolasite.com
2. New Golden Dragon
3. Red Maple Chinese Restaurant

Best Dragon Roll
Sapa
What makes the Dragon Rolls at Sapa unique is that there are actually several options. The Black Dragon includes tempura shrimp, unagi, avocado, and cucumber; the Red Dragon is a spicy option with spicy tuna, crab, avocado, and cucumber. Or you can order Dragon Balls, which are fried rolls with spicy tuna, inari, spicy crab, onion, and masago. Talk about options!
sapabarandgrill.com
2. Takashi
3. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Best Dumpling/Gyoza
David's Kitchen
The potstickers at David's Kitchen are a staple and highly recommended by foodies. The table dipping sauce elevates them further, adding a sweet touch to the savory dough. One reviewer liked the potstickers so much that they said that they'd choose David's Kitchen as their last meal if they were on death row.
davidskitchenslc.com
2. Sapa
3. Tsunami Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Best Eggs Benedict
Finn's Cafe
We all love a good hollandaise sauce, but if you're looking for the best of the best then head over to Finn's Cafe. Their house-made hollandaise sauce is the cherry on top of an already stellar selection of benedict dishes. Enjoying this dish inside the cozy cafe or on the lush patio creates the perfect recipe for a great morning.
finnscafe.net
2. Roots Cafe
3. Hub & Spoke Diner

• Clint Burlap
• Falafel by Mazza

Best Falafel
Mazza
Crispy on the outside and warm in the middle, Mazza's falafel is an absolute must for Mediterranean food fans. The falafel sandwich is mind blowing, served in a fluffy pita pocket where the ground fava and garbanzo beans in the falafel can shine. Reviewers also noted that the falafel is particularly moist. Sorry if that word made you uncomfortable.
mazzacafe.com
2. Laziz Kitchen
3. O'Falafel Middle Eastern Cuisine

• Courtesy photo
• French onion soup by Desert Edge Brewery

Best French Onion Soup
Desert Edge Brewery
A warm crock overflows with melty cheese, dripping down the sides like an oversized comforter on a winter bed. Pressing your spoon to the surface, warm broth begins to peek through the provolone, as if from some underground spring. The savory aroma teases your olfactory system. Dipping further, caramelized crescents of slow-cooked onion swim beneath a baguette slice, soaking in a beef stock bath. Who knew onions could make you cry like this?
desertedgebrewery.com
2. Gracie's
3. Prohibition

Best Empanada
Arempa's
Nothing quite rejuvenates the mind, body and soul like a huge plate of fried empanadas, especially during a night on the town. From the basics like shredded beef and chicken to Arempa's next-level pabellon with its black beans and fried plantains, the empanadas at this Venezuelan establishment are enough to fuel any late-night endeavor.
arempas.com
2. Argentina's Best Empanadas
3. Empanadas 801

Best Fish & Chips
Little Taste Of Britain
Within the piscatorial portals of this Layton establishment resides not only a scrummy assortment of pies, bangers and sweets, but a smashing selection of battered seafood and chips (regular or Piccadilly style). Starting as a retail shop in 2007, Little Taste of Britain has since expanded to the art of cookery, and we thank cod that they did.
littletasteofbritain.net
2. Summerhays Halibut And Chips
3. Ty Fish & Chips

Best Fish Platter
Market Street Grill
Whether you're wanting to try the Shrimp Platter, Smoked Salmon Platter, or Shellfish Platter, Market Street Grill has many options. The open-air concept feels trendy and cool, and is located in the heart of downtown for those having a night out. The house-made cocktail sauce and lemon served with the Shrimp Platter is top-notch.
marketstreetgrill.com/downtown
2. Little Taste Of Britain
3. Red Rock Brewing (Park City)

Best French Dip Sandwich
Desert Edge Brewery
Bet you've never had a French dip like this one before! The Brewery gives its roast beef classic a spicy Mexican spin with pepper jack cheese, roasted chilis, chipotle mayo and an au jus that dials up the heat with every dip. Don't worry, you can cool yourself with a pint of house-brewed lager.
desertedgebrewery.com
2. Piper Down Pub
3. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown Salt Lake City)

Best French Fries
Lucky 13
Don't be fooled: it's not easy making the perfect french fry. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and salted to perfection: it's not just the luck of the draw that Lucky 13 reigns champion in this category. With mouthwatering seasoning blends including cajun and rosemary garlic for the more adventurous, this longtime favorite bar and grill takes an old standby pub food to new and exquisite heights, every time.
lucky13slc.com
2. Crown Burgers
3. Bruges Belgian Bistro

Best French Toast
Kneaders Bakery & Café
Kneaders' Chunky Cinnamon French toast is made with delicious thick cinnamon bread and a unique blend of eggs, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and butter. It's served with sweet whipped cream, fresh strawberries and homemade caramel syrup. Their French Toast is available on an all-you-can-eat basis from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Their French toast alone makes Kneaders a highly tempting place.
kneaders.com
2. The Park Café
3. Lucky's Iron Door Roadhouse

Best Fried Egg Rolls
The Pearl
This cozy establishment offers Vietnamese street food dishes, a place where local chef Tommy Nguyen incorporates some of his family recipes onto the menu, like the fried egg rolls that originated from his mother. The difference in these eggrolls is most certainly the touch of nostalgia and love. IG: @thepearlslc
2. Mi La-Cai Noodle House
3. Shanghai Café

Best Funeral Potatoes
Garage On Beck
The fire that shuttered Garage On Beck's doors in Oct. 2023 was not enough to extinguish the spirit that makes the place special. The kitchen staff has come back with a vengeance with spicy funeral potatoes that'll burn the house down (sorry). The bacon and scallions add a fun twist on this Utah classic, and the atmosphere is hard to beat.
garageonbeck.com
2. Hoof & Vine
3. Tradition

• Courtesy photo
• Vegetable coconut curry

Best Indian Curry
Himalayan Kitchen
The right curry can change lives, and Himalayan Kitchen's curry gives a lot of others a run for their money. Always creamy, savory and packed with oodles of flavor in every spoonful, each curry at Himalayan practically evokes paradise. With plenty of protein options and various spice blends (and levels, fear not!) available, this downtown standby is a no-brainer for anyone who needs their fix of high-end Indian cuisine, and fast.
himalayankitchen.com
2. Mumbai House
3. Saffron Valley

Best Fusion Tacos
Roctaco
Roctaco knows freestyle. What makes the tacos at this downtown SLC spot on Edison Street so special is that they are without a doubt the most unique. Listed as Cow, Bird, Hog, Sea & Earth on the Menu—everyone can have at it with the fresh and delicious choices. Go-to's for this taco enthusiast are the Parmesan & Manchego cheesy-crunchy Jimmy Churri and the flavorful Amy Hates Fish.
roctaco.com
2. Taqueria 27
3. Yoko Taco

Best Gyro
Greek Souvlaki
As far as affordable Mediterranean food goes, Greek Souvlaki is a beacon in the Salt Lake Valley. The lamb and beef mixture is tender and flavorful, the pita soft yet sturdy. There's a nice variety too; you can get your classic with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki or red sauce, or you can experiment with a Philly cheesesteak or vegetarian version.
greeksouvlaki.com
2. Yanni's Greek Express
3. Spitz (Downtown Salt Lake City)

Best Hawaiian Barbecue
Mo' Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food
Come and take your lunch break on island time with two fat scoops of sticky rice, macaroni salad that you'll weep for and an enormous serving of teriyaki steak, kalua pork or the unbeatable katsu chicken. It may very well be against the laws of nature to leave Mo Bettahs without unbuttoning at least a shirt button, and maybe your pants button too.
mobettahs.com
2. The Salty Pineapple
3. Hungry Hawaiian

Best Inexpensive Lunch
Buds
For more than a decade, Buds has been producing some of the best sandwiches in Salt Lake City. When bringing newcomers, it's easy to forget to mention that it's vegan because the food is so good; that it's so inexpensive is a bonus. Some of Buds' charm comes from its unique walk-up window ordering and street-side dining venue, which probably helps keep costs down. Whatever their secret, it's delicious.
budsslc.com
2. Santo Taco
3. Vessel Kitchen

Best Italian: Calzone
Italian Village
All local fans of Italian food know that before a calzone was called a calzone it was called a Pizza Bender and it came from Italian Village. This local spot has been around since 1968, and in that time it has truly honed its calzone craft. The Pizza Bender is an excellent specimen even at its most basic composition, but it really takes off when you get creative with their pizza toppings.
italianvillageslc.com
2. The Pie Pizzeria
3. Rusted Sun Pizzeria

• Courtesy photo
• Carlucci’s cannolis: sweetened ricotta with chocolate chips

Best Italian: Cannoli
Carlucci's Bakery
The first time you try a cannoli from Carlucci's is a memorable moment to rival your first kiss or high school graduation. Prior to showing up on Carlucci's doorstep, most people's experience with cannoli have made them think this precious dessert is a little more than a dry waffle cone full of flavorless goo. Once you get a taste of this perfect study in Italian dessert, it's hard to tolerate any other substitute. carluccisbakery.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Osteria Amore

Best Italian: Carbonara
Sicilia Mia
Francesco Mirenda commemorated Sicilia Mia's 2014 launch by creating a carbonara reminiscent of his native Sicilian cooking techniques. Today, chefs treat Sicilia Mia diners to a tableside carbonara presentation prepared inside a two-foot-wide Grana Padano cheese wheel. Mirenda explains that Sicilian cooking often incorporates more flavoring and spices than traditional Italian fare. Add the high-quality ingredients, consistent attention to detail and the most flavorful sauces anywhere, and you've got the Best Italian.
siciliamiautah.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Napoli's Italian Restaurant

Best Italian: Eggplant Parmesan
Fratelli Ristorante
It's all about the authentic, generational family recipe and the red marinara sauce made with many ingredients imported straight from Italy. "Fratelli" (meaning "Brothers") Pete Cannella and Dave Cannell have run this traditional Italian eatery together since 2007. Layers of freshness and flavor make this dish a standout.
fratelliutah.com
2. Napoli's Italian Restaurant
3. Matteo Ristorante Italiano

Best Italian: Ravioli
Valter's Osteria
It's easy to get distracted from the quality of the food at Valter's because the service is so spectacular, but the ravioli have a way of combining both of this restaurant's strengths. When the ravioli is carted out to you, plated tableside by a seasoned professional and finished with whatever lovely sauce you've ordered, it's hard to imagine a world in which Chef Boyardee has the audacity to exist.
valtersosteria.com
2. Fratelli Ristorante
3. Per Noi Trattoria

Best Katsu
JINYA Ramen Bar
A good katsu maintains a light, crispy texture that typically supplements whatever juicy protein it's hanging out with. The katsu at JINYA, however, isn't content with playing second fiddle to its protein—this is katsu that shows up and demands your attention. That's not to say that the chicken is any less flavorful, but you definitely get more of a textural contrast when you're eating katsu at JINYA.
jinyaramenbar.com
2. The Angry Korean
3. Tosh's Ramen

• Courtesy photo
• Hand-crafted meat pies courtesy of The Dough Miner

Best Meat Pie
The Dough Miner
While it's true that most culinary cultures have a variation on meat pies, The Dough Miner has worked hard to craft pies that feel authentically Utahn. Much of that comes from the restaurant's historical insights—silver miners in Park City would fill a pail with a few hand-held meat pies for lunch while they worked—but so much more comes from their attention to nuanced flavor combos and top-notch execution.
doughminer.com
2. Fillings & Emulsions (Salt Lake Main)
3. The Bruce Scottish Pub

Best Korean: Bibimbap
The Angry Korean
Utah's bibimbap game has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, and we owe a lot of that to the team at The Angry Korean. Even as more great Korean restaurants open their doors, this pioneering restaurant continues to impress locals with its take on a Korean classic. Whether it's the crispy rice, the smoky gochujang or that gorgeous fried egg, there is plenty to love about this restaurant's bibimbap.
theangrykorean.com
2. Stun Cube
3. Korea House BBQ

Best Korean: Bulgogi
The Angry Korean
The subtle art of Korean barbecue is hard to come by in our little state, which is why a place like The Angry Korean has become so important. James Beard Award-nominated chefs Young-Ho Kang and Peter Kim have done wonders to capture this Korean favorite in all its unassuming glory, and we couldn't be more grateful.
theangrykorean.com
2. Cupbop & Ramen 930
3. Bumblebee's KBBQ & Grill

Best Lamb Dish
Mazza
The lamb shank is "fit for royalty," as one reviewer has said. Whether you opt for the lamb skewer, the lamb and rice dola or the lamb and spinach, you're in for some perfectly marinated and cooked lamb that will send you home satisfied. You may not feel like royalty, but you'll certainly feel treated like one with this kind of bounty.
mazzacafe.com
2. Manoli's
3. Afghan Kitchen

Best Made-in-Utah Food Product
Salsa Queen
It's no secret that Salsa Queen's spicy concoctions have long been favored by Utahns. With no preservatives, no fillers and no compromise, look for their bright sugar skull logo in the refrigerator section of your local grocer. But what if you're looking for something with a longer shelf life? Cue their more recent renditions: freeze-dried salsas. Each stays fresh for up to three years. Just add water to rehydrate.
salsaqueen.com
2. Beehive Cheese (Beehive Cheese Company LLC)
3. Salsa Del Diablo

• Courtesy photo
• Messy but delicious: a meatball sandwich by Moochie’s

Best Meatball Sandwich
Moochie's Meatballs
and More
Grab yourself a Birch Beer and bite into the gooey handmade taste sensation of Moochie's meatball sub. Imagine if you will, darkened orbs that had been simmering all day, speckled with pepper and oregano and garlic on a roll, the snowy provolone melting into the loads of ruby red tomato sauce—unctuous and rich. Messy for sure (at least an eight-napkin minimum), Nonna would be all thumbs up.
moochiesmeatballs.com
2. Caputo's Market & Deli
3. Fratelli Ristorante

• Courtesy photo
• A sauce-rich enchilada from Blue Iguana

Best Mexican: Enchilada
Blue Iguana
The enchiladas suizas (enchiladas with extra cream) are a favorite for Utah foodies, but Blue Iguana's chile verde, chicken, entomatada and beef options are dang good, too. They do not skimp on the sauce here, so be ready to bathe your rice and beans in all that goodness.
blueiguanarestaurant.net
2. El Chihuahua Restaurant
3. Chile-Tepin

Best Meatloaf
Hell's Backbone Grill
Would you travelhours for meatloaf? If it's made by James Beard-nominated chefs Jen Castle and Blake Spalding, the answer is a resounding yes! Their Spicy Cowgal Chipotle Meatloaf combines local pastured beef and bison for the perfect slice that's not too fatty, not too lean, topped with spicy "Backbone" sauce and served with lemony mashed potatoes and vegetables from the Hell's Backbone Farm.
hellsbackbonegrill.com
2. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
3. Left Fork Grill

Best Mexican: Bakery
Cakes By Edith
Edith's pan dulce plus a hot cup of coffee is one of the greatest cures to sadness known to humanity. The conchas are expertly frosted so as not to be too sweet, which we love. Oh, and Cakes By Edith hosts cake and cookie decorating workshops so you can learn to decorate like Edith herself!
cakesbyedithbakery.com
2. Rancho Markets
3. Panadería Flores

Best Mexican: Birria Tacos
Los Tapatios Taco Grill
It was hard to stay on top of the game when Instagram was being flooded with images of birria tacos, but Los Tapatios managed to stay ahead of the competition. Perhaps it's due to the restaurant's experience with birria—since 2020 it made birria the focal point of its menu, and in that time the team has expanded our horizons as to what this Guadalajaran favorite can accomplish.
lostapatiostacogrill.com
2. Santo Taco
3. La Casa Del Tamal

Best Mexican: Burrito
Red Iguana
Sometimes, after a long day at work, all you need is a burrito the size of your thigh. Lucky for you, when you order a burrito here, it always comes with two! Smother that bad boy in their famous chile verde to really change the game, and let that soft tortilla take you away to a better place.
rediguana.com
2. Lone Star Taqueria
3. Beto's Mexican Food

Best Mexican: Chilaquiles
Lucky's Iron Door Roadhouse
Lucky's chilaquiles are the perfect way to spice up your next Sunday brunch, and they pair very well with a Bloody Mary (be sure to add bacon!). These corn tortillas are bathed in a delicious red salsa and are beautifully adorned with onions, cilantro and tomatoes. Makes you feel like you're at your suegra's house, but in a good way!
luckysirondoor.com
2. Azúcar Café
3. Red Iguana

Best Mexican: Huevos Rancheros
Oasis Cafe
The best cure after a night of one too many spicy margs? A spicy plate of huevos rancheros on the patio at Oasis Cafe! Their rendition delivers eggs any way you like 'em over black bean puree, Spanish rice and southwest vegetables topped with salsa verde and shredded jack cheese, plus a dollop of sour cream and guac, served with warm flour tortillas. For extra protein, try the salmon chorizo.
oasiscafeslc.com
2. Red Iguana
3. Eggs In The City

Best Mexican: Menudo
Julia's Mexican Restaurant
The menudo here at Julia's will transport you straight to lands of Mexico and back again in a single bite. Their spicy soup is a delicacy that is sure to warm you up in cold weather, and the cow stomach flavors are something you just have to try to fully understand.
orderjuliasmexicanrestaurant.com
2. La Puente Restaurant
3. El Paisa Grill

Best Mexican: Molcajete
El Paisa Grill
Who doesn't like a dish that can feed up to four people? The molcajete ranchero comes with steak, chicken, ribs, carnitas, grilled onions, cactus, plus a side of rice and beans. Not your style? Order the shrimp instead. Towering over the top of the stone bowl, this molcajete is sure to hit the spot for you and three of your friends.
elpaisagrill.com
2. La Casa Del Tamal
3. Chile-Tepin

• Courtesy photo
• Unique taco stylings by Facil Taqueria

Best Mexican: Tacos
Facil Taqueria
These aren't Mama's traditional taco flavors. We're talking Nashville hot chicken, squash and poblano and even smoked prime brisket. There are plenty of delicious options on the more traditional route, too, but this is an especially great spot for vegetarian and vegan foodies. Come give them a try!
faciltaqueria.com
2. Lone Star Taqueria
3. ROCTACO

Best Mexican: Pozole
Santo Taco
Santo Taco's pozole feels like a classic, and our favorite part of the Thursday All You Can Eat soup/stew—depending on how you look at it—is the fact that you can add garnish on top: lettuce, radish and the extra spicy chiles for heat, sweetness and a little bit of smokiness. Comfort for the soul and the stomach.
santotacos.com
2. La Casa Del Tamal
3. House Of Corn Mexican Cuisine

Best Mexican: Quesadilla
Lone Star Taqueria
There are few quesadillas around that satisfy an adult appetite, but Lone Star Taqueria has them dialed in. Sure, you can get just cheese, but why would you when you can stuff that 14" flour tortilla with carne asada or pollo asado? A nice heap of sour cream along with their cilantro-jalapeno mayo comes on the side, which is money.
lstaq.com
2. Bomb Dilla
3. Santo Taco

Best Mexican: Tacos al Pastor
Chunga's
You can tell the al pastor is going to be delicious by giving one glance to the trompo as you walk through the door. The healthy chunk of pineapple on top lets you know it's authentic stuff, and you'll find bits of it in your taco as well. The green and avocado salsas are a great compliment, so be sure to load that baby up!
chungasslc.com
2. Tacos Lopez (West Valley)
3. Tacos Don Rafa

Best Mexican: Tamales
La Casa del Tamal
This West Valley favorite has made a name for itself with several of its traditional Mexican dishes, but it's the tamales that keep people coming back for more. Fans have a tough time deciding among the verde, rojo or mole variations, but the best course of action is to simply buy them by the half dozen and enjoy.
lacasadeltamalutah.com
2. Victor's Tires
3. El Chihuahua Restaurant

• Courtesy photo
• Jalapeno Hamachi: an appetizer worth your time

Best Must Have Appetizer
Jalapeno Hamachi (Mint Tapas & Sushi 4–Sugar House)
This delicious sushi roll comes with yellowtail belly and is served with a jalapeno vinaigrette sauce that we recommend you save for the remainder of your meal. It's a unique pairing of flavors that are typically worlds apart, and they've clearly struck gold as the jalapeno hamachi has emerged as one of the best dishes you can find in Salt Lake City.
mintsushiut.com
2. Everything Brussels (Ivy & Varley)
3. Jalapeño Poppers (Zest Kitchen & Bar)

Best Mexican: Tres Leches
Cakes By Edith
Tres leches cake may be the closest thing that we as a society have come to the divine, and no one does it better than Cakes By Edith. It comes topped with yummy strawberries, grapes and blueberries, and is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next event.
cakesbyedithbakery.com
2. Facil Taqueria
3. La Casa Del Tamal

Best Momos
Cafe Shambala
Nearly everyone who eats at Cafe Shambala mentions how delicious the momos are, so the proof is in the pudding. These steamed or fried dumplings are traditional in both Tibet and Nepal, and Shambala offers beef, veg and mixed varieties. Be sure to dip them in the ginger sauce that accompanies them.
order.toasttab.com/online/cafe-shambala-382-4th-ave
2. Himalayan Kitchen
3. Kathmandu Grill

Best Nachos
Gracie's
Great nachos served late. Is there a better phrase in the English language? When your chip and queso craving hits, head to Gracie's, where you'll find nachos made with house-cut chips, house-made queso and a shredded cheese blend, topped with diced tomato, onion and jalepeño, plus white beans (trust us on this one) and a generous dollop of sour cream. Order as your app. Order as your main. Order 'em until 11 pm.
graciesslc.com
2. Porcupine Pub & Grille
3. Nacho Daddy

Best Oysters
Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar
The Rockefeller and West Coast oysters are highly recommended, and with half-price oysters every Monday and Tuesday, the Oyster Bar is a dream for seafood lovers. They are constantly rotating which varieties they have on hand, so it's definitely worth circling back to try what's new. The champagne mignonette is a lovely dipping sauce, too!
marketstreetgrill.com
2. Current Fish & Oyster
3. White Horse Spirits & Kitchen

Best Pad Thai
Sawadee Thai Restaurant
The pad thai at Sawadee is the stuff of legend in Salt Lake food culture, so it's no surprise that they retain the top spot this year. Served with your choice of chicken, shrimp or straight up noodles, this plate comes with a lovely array of bean sprouts, an egg and delicious pad thai sauce.
sawadeethaiutah.com
2. Tuk Tuk's
3. Chanon Thai Café

• Courtesy photo
• Create your own pizza at Bricks Corner

Best Pizza: Deep Dish
Bricks Corner
When Bricks Corner owner Josh Poticha rolled into town, most Utahns had never heard of Detroit-style deep dish. This high-walled, crisp-cornered slab of pizza slathered in fresh sauce and topped with all manner of lovely ingredients soon became a godsend for pizza fans. Not only does Bricks Corner deliver some of the best pizza around, but it provides a cool space in which to enjoy it. Mr. Poticha, Utah salutes you.
brickscornerslc.com
2. Via 313 Pizza
3. Villaggio Pizzeria

• Clint Burlap
• Heavenly hot cakes by Penny Ann’s

Best Pancakes
Penny Ann's Cafe
There's a reason Penny Ann's pancakes have earned the moniker "heavenly hot cakes," and that reason comes from an emphasis on the "cake." These sour cream pancakes have a gorgeous cloudy texture and a cake batter flavor that always delivers the goods. In local diners' eyes, a balanced breakfast is what you call two stacks of Penny Ann's heavenly hot cakes.
pennyannscafe.com
2. Lazy Day Cafe
3. Roots Cafe

Best Pho
Ph 33
As a self-proclaimed ph aficionado, this writer had yet to try their namesake Ph 33 bowl and made a special trip (for the sake of due diligence and whatnot). Needless to say, we can easily see why it won this year's award. Not only was it full of tender Oxtail and flavored with comforting hints of cinnamon and star anise, but the restaurant offers myriad customizations, including noodle and broth type.
pho33utah.com
2. Ph 777
3. All Chay

Best Pizza: Gluten-Free
The Pie Pizzeria (South Jordan)
The Pie takes gluten-free seriously and we love that! We also love that they have gluten-free ranch dressing for dipping. Let's be honest, there are plenty of Californians that have moved here and we need our side of ranch. They have a dedicated space and they will not put toppings on that are cross-contaminated. Thank you for caring and taking these extra precautions!
thepie.com
2. Via 313 Pizza
3. Zest Kitchen & Bar

Best Pizza: Margherita Pizza
Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
There's a score of delicious grubs served at Settebello, but we recommend you keep it simple and grab the superb margherita pizza. The crust is cooked to flaky perfection, as is the basil/tomato sauce/cheese ratio. Don't go asking for no ranch sauce on the side when you're eating pizza this good.
settebello.net
2. Level Crossing Brewing Co
3. Lucky Slice Pizza (Ogden)

Best Pizza: Specialty Pizza
Sweet Salty Pig (Bricks Corner)
Do you know that giddy feeling when you get the crusty corner first? Imagine an entire pizza of crusty, thick corners topped with your favorite stuff—that is Brick's Corner pizza. With the Sweet Salty Pig, that giddy feeling is topped with BBQ pork shoulder, bacon and firecracker ranch.
brickscornerslc.com
2. Green Goddess (Slackwater Pizza SLC)
3. Children of the Corn (Nomad East)

Best Poke
Hanaya Poke SLC
You can build your own sushi burrito or choose one of Hanaya's bowls from a yummy selection of raw, seared and cooked meat. Throw on whatever extra toppings you want, from avocado to chili mango to edamame and beyond. The service is fast, the food delicious and the staff is more than happy to point you in the right direction if you don't quite know what you want.
hanayapokeslc.com
2. LemonShark Poké
3. Vessel Kitchen

Best Poutine
Ice Haus
Pub food doesn't have to be ambitious to be great; it just has to hit that comfort-food spot prior to a brew and a bite. It helps, though, if pub food considers all dietary needs. Ice Haus' poutine is delicious in its most familiar form of fries, cheese curds and gravy, but you can also enjoy a vegan variation with a dairy-free substitute for the cheese curds. Everyone's taste buds are a winner.
icehausbar.com
2. Piper Down Pub
3. Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining

Best Pretzel
Bohemian Brewery
It's hard to picture a more beautiful prelude to a Bavarian feast than watching a giant pretzel dangling from a hook make its way to your table. The pretzels at Bohemian Brewery illustrate a perfect combination of textures—the outside is just crispy enough to crunch as you get to that warm, chewy interior dough. Ripping this thing apart and dipping it in homemade beer cheese is truly a delight.
bohemianbrewery.com
2. Ice Haus
3. Bewilder Brewing Co.

Best Ramen
JINYA Ramen Bar
One of the best things about JINYA is that it helped local diners understand how nuanced and vibrant ramen can be. Foundationally, ramen may just be the sum total of tasty noodles plus tasty broth, but there is so much creativity and fun that can be expressed with those basics. With both its standalone menu and its seasonal specials, JINYA continues to wow us with its ramen talents.
jinyaramenbar.com
2. Koyote
3. Yoko Ramen SLC

• Courtesy photo
• Tender ribs with a homemade rub from Salt City Barbecue

Best Ribs
Salt City Barbecue
A good story, like good food, has to be relatable. Rusty Monson's ribs started simply, in backyard competitions of who had the best meats. He won. He keeps winning and it's easy to see why. These delectable ribs have layers of flavor from a homemade rub, cooked slowly over white oak wood. The finishing touches of brown sugar, honey and butter means there is no sauce necessary for this tender treat.
saltcitybbq.co
2. Red Beard BBQ
3. Big South

Best Reuben Sandwich
Feldman's Deli
Thanks to Feldman's unrelenting passion to bring New York's legendary deli culture to Utah, we all get to experience the sheer joy of tackling a reuben that is roughly the size of a Tesla. The reuben at Feldman's is an engineering feat in and of itself, challenging the diner to comprehend its pastrami-stacked dimensions before diving in—and it's a challenge all of us are willing to take again and again.
feldmansdeli.com
2. Siegfried's Delicatessen
3. Ice Haus

Best Salads
Vessel Kitchen
It's no surprise that Vessel's many kitchens are skilled at creating salads, since it launched in 2016 with fresh produce at the core of its menu. In fact, the four signatures (Daisy Duke, Muay Thai, Adrelipe and The Nicky G) are all wildly-varied and could easily vie as a personal favorite. And yet, more's available, with custom salads that involve your call on greens, toppings, sides and a dressing. The choice is yours.
vesselkitchen.com
2. Red Rock Brewing (Downtown SLC)
3. The Dodo Restaurant

Best Sashimi
Takashi
Head down early and put your name on the waitlist. You might get lucky, but be prepared to wait. Embrace the wait! Head next door and grab a drink at Post Office Place. When you get a text from the Takashi host, take your seat at the sushi bar and order the Chef's Choice Sashimi, 10 pieces of their freshest cuts, and savor it with one of over 15 varieties of sake.
takashisushi.com
2. Sapa
3. Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

Best Seafood Cocktail
Tres Hombres Mexican Grill and Cantina
A Salt Lake staple since 1984, Tres Hombres consistently delivers on authentic Mexican food and dishes. This perennial winner in many Best of Utah categories finds patrons continuing to flock there for their delicious seafood cocktail. The dish is piled with Mexican Gulf Shrimp, avocado, cucumber, onion, cilantro, tomato and their house-made spicy cocktail sauce.
treshombrescantina.com
2. Current Fish & Oyster
3. Puerto Vallarta Mexican Grill and Cantina

• Courtesy photo
• Freshies’ signature lobster roll

Best Seafood Sandwich
Freshies Lobster (Salt Lake City)
Hearty New England cuisine meets Utah with Freshies Lobster. The back-to-back winner for Best Seafood Sandwich, Freshies is the crème de la crème when it comes to lobster rolls in this state. They deliver on their promise "shore to door in 24"—fresh Maine lobsters are caught, cooked, shelled and shipped to their storefronts all in a day's time.
freshieslobsterco.com
2. Colossal Lobster (HallPass)
3. Cousins Maine Lobster

Best Shawarma
Alhambra Shawarma
After achieving a successful following of mobile diners through a food truck operation, the good folks behind Alhambra Shawarma found a brick-and-mortar in Taylorsville and solid reviews are the rule. Their trademark slow-roasted flavors will delight you every time and their falafel shawarma will satisfy friends with a vegetarian lean.
facebook.com/Alhambraut
2. Curry Fried Chicken
3. Beirut Cafe

Best Sliders
Post Office Place
This James Beard Foundation semi-finalist for 2023 earns all the accolades that they have so richly received. You'll want to try it all on their excellent and diverse menu of sliders, featuring everything from Spam to jackfruit. Not only are they so damn cute, but they are just as delicious as they look.
popslc.com
2. Loki Coffee
3. Squatters Pub Brewery

Best Soup
Sugar House Soup Kitchen
Soups aren't the only thing on the menu at the Soup Kitchen, but it'd be a strange choice to opt for something different than a hearty bowl of the stuff here. Having operated for 40-plus years, this restaurant harkens back to a different day and age of Sugar House as well as American cuisine. Grab a chair and some crackers, order some chowder and do a li'l time-traveling.
facebook.com/SoupKitchenSugarHouse
2. The Other Place Restaurant
3. The Dodo

Best Souvlaki
Greek Souvlaki
Skewers of meat and veggies seem simple enough, but the magic that Greek Souvlaki is able to perform creates the perfect balance between tender, juicy chunks of pork or chicken and grilled onions with sliced zucchini. Search high and low, in red rock or the Rockies, and you will not find a better souvlaki than at this local gem.
greeksouvlaki.com
2. Yanni's Greek Express
3. The Med

Best Steakhouse Prime Rib
Grub Steak
Cooking the perfect prime rib is a dance you perfect over time, like 18 hours. Such are the talents of head chef Brian Moody, who is said to be the longest-tenured chef in Utah. Prime cuts of meat are the star of the show at Grub Steak, and the certified Angus prime rib is cooked to perfection when it arrives tableside.
grubsteakparkcity.com
2. Ruth's Chris Steak House
3. Goodwood Barbecue Company

• Courtesy photo
• Fleming’s prime ribeye is enhanced with over-the-top “companions” like the Diablo shrimp

Best Steakhouse Ribeye
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Gordon Ramsay says that a filet mignon is the Rolls-Royce of steak, but true steak-lovers will tell you that nothing beats a seared-to-perfection ribeye. Fleming's does it best with a bone-in and dry-aged ribeye, both certified USDA Prime. Pair your meal with a wine and signature side from their extensive list.
flemingssteakhouse.com/Locations/UT
2. Hoof & Vine
3. Maddox Ranch House

Best Sweet Potato Fries
Spitz (Downtown Salt Lake City)
While the thin fries are a super-satisfying addition to any sandwich coming out of the Spitz kitchen, the sweet potato fries add not only the textural splendor of the waffle fry but come dressed in a secret house blend of spices with a side of garlic aioli. If you're torn on which option to order, fret not, as you can grab a mixed fries combo platter.
spitz-restaurant.com
2. The Bayou
3. Cubby's

Best Tapas
Eva
The glory of "small plates" is that you can see a half-dozen amazing things on a menu and not have to pass on any of them. Still, a visit to Eva tests your ability to select from all the succulent options. Bring some friends, order a few plates, and try to live in the moment enough not to plan what you'll have next time.
evaslc.com
2. Mint Tapas & Sushi 4 (Sugar House)
3. Finca

Best Thai Curry
Chanon Thai Cafe
Chanon became a Utah darling early on in its lifecycle and has continued to garner loyalty amid the ever-increasing amount of really good Thai places along the Wasatch Front. Something about their curry continues to intrigue and delight diners, though it's a good bet whatever secret ingredients the Chanon team is using are carefully under wraps.
chanonthaislc.com
2. Sawadee Thai Restaurant
3. Chabaar Beyond Thai

Best Unique Menu Item
Ube Cornbread (Hog & Tradition–HallPass)
Proving beyond a doubt that American barbecue continues to be a work in progress, the team at Hog & Tradition inside HallPass continues to impress us. Whipping up some traditional Southern cornbread with the help of our favorite purple Japanese sweet potato is the kind of culinary innovation that really pays off—hence its presence at the top of this list.
hogntraditionbbq.com
2. Guava and Goat Cheese Tiramisu (Twisted Tiramisu)
3. Shiitake Escargot (Vertical Diner)

• Clint Burlap
• Down the hatch! A vegan burger from Mark of the Beastro

Best Vegan: Burger
Mark of the Beastro
Ever skilled with the puns, Mark of the Beastro, famously located at 666 S. State Street, presents a short but highly-tasty burger section on its menu dubbed "Burgatory." These animal-free offerings include four options: classic, guacamole, mushroom and BBQ variants, all served with fries or salad. With an in-house music venue, this spot offers both good meals and a great place to eavesdrop, with an occasional soundcheck thrown into the mix.
markofthebeastro.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. Vertical Diner

Best Vegan: Breakfast
Vertical Diner
The Blue Plate Special is one of six items available to breakfast-centric guests at Vertical Diner. It's simple, in a sense: tofu scramble, country potatoes, a slice of toast and jam. And yet, it's both the most-affordable and, arguably, the most-satisfying item on the menu. Vertical is known for a wide-ranging menu, including pastas, pizzas and more, but it's the breakfast menu that's always there, always ready, always tasty, always animal-kind.
verticaldiner.com
2. Sweet Hazel & Co. Bakeshop & Bistro
3. Old Cuss Cafe

Best Vegan: Specialty Dish
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (Buds)
Along with the veggie "chicken" and buffalo sauce, Buds' signature sandwich has relatively straightforward ingredients: shredded cabbage, herb aioli, tomato and red onion on a toasted sourdough hoagie. And yet from this simple recipe comes a sandwich so good that even cynics of veganism will reconsider their life choices after a few bites. That this culinary winner comes at a price point several bucks below a 10-spot is just another inducement to order.
budsslc.com
2. Chicken Fried Steak (Vertical Diner)
3. Oyster Mushroom Po' Boy (Mark Of The Beastro)

Best Vegan: Wings
Vertical Diner
Wings are a sacred shareable, only made better when they kick-ass and save animals and the planet writ large. Almost everybody in the Salt Lake Valley knows about the classic Vertical Diner, and it's easy to see why. Their wings boast a crunchy outside, are doused in buffalo sauce and don't skimp on portions. Pair with hand-cut fries and vegan ranch, or as we like to say: the gift that just keeps giving.
verticaldiner.com
2. Trolley Wing Co.
3. Scovilles

Best Wings
Trolley Wing Co.
Because of its numerous flavors, you'll never get bored with this place. Plus, they've got gluten-free and vegan options, so everyone can join the party. We're obsessed with their garlic parmesan, but hey, it's also fun to roll the dice and see what you get! And don't get us started on their vegan sauces—there's literally something for every kind of wing-lover. You get a wing, you get a wing, and YOU GET A WING!
trolleywingcompany.com
2. Scovilles
3. Red Beard BBQ

Best All-Day Breakfast Menu
Five Seeds
Breakfast is served all day at this gorgeous Park City eatery. That's the short of it. The long of it is that Five Seeds does not serve an average breakfast. Select from non-standards like pulled pork benedict, shakshuka, banana bread with espresso cream (our fave), a wide variety of bowls and smoothies (jalapeño syrup?!?) plus side dishes that include Halloumi cheese with hot honey. There are long lines here for a reason, folks.
five5eeds.com

Best BBQ Innovator
Blatch's Backyard BBQ
There aren't many culinary niches that generate the near-religious reverence that barbecue does. Pitmasters have always pushed each other to innovate in this field, but Chris Blatchford of Blatch's Backyard BBQ has taken that enterprising spirit to a whole new level. Blatchford's cozy barbecue joint is entirely plant-based, and it's turning out award-winning eats that have impressed even the most discerning barbecue enthusiasts.
blatchsbackyardbbq.com

Best Dessert for True Patriots
Brooker's Founding Flavors
When faced with a food challenge that features 13 scoops of ice cream—commemorating the 13 original American colonies, of course—served in a frosted Liberty Bell, a true patriot refuses to back down. The Liberty Bell Monumental Sundae at Brooker's Founding Flavors presents such a challenge, and only the bravest among us dare tackle it. Even if you don't scarf this down in the time limit, the mere attempt is enough to make history.
brookersicecream.com

Best Mystery Meat
Silverside Deli
It's no secret that Silverside Deli has taken Sugar House by storm with its arsenal of meticulously crafted sandwiches; it's the monthly mystery sandwich that truly sets this place apart. Every month, Silverside's sandwich wizards invent a mystery sandwich that gets a spot on their menu. The staff might drop hints about this sandwich, but its origins will be a secret until you order. It's perfect for those who enjoy dining dangerously.
silversidedeli.com

Best Plant Butcher
Vegan Daddy Meats
In an uncrowded field, it's not a stretch to be regarded as the best. That said, Vegan Daddy Meats is indeed the best provider of 100% vegan meats—faux ribs, chicken cutlets and steak strips and more—evidenced by the local merchants who serve Vegan Daddy products on their own menus. If you're eating faux meats around town, it's quite possible you're eating a product from this Marmalade District caterer, supplier and dine-in eatery.
vegandaddymeats.com

Best Ramen Raise
Ramen Ichizu
Ramen Ichizu is the Salt Lake City iteration of Mike Harrison's notable Hana Raman Bar in Park City. Harrison learned his ramen ways via Tokyo's Ranjuku Ramen School, thus bringing an insider's point of view to the local ramen scene. Plainly put, he's taken it up a notch. All of his preparations are produced in-house, resulting in one outcome: An excellent, soothing bowl of ramen like no other that you'd compare to any bowl, anywhere, anytime.
IG: @ramen_ichizu

Best Signature Burger
Utah Burger (Apollo Burger)
While it's hard to imagine a burger addition or topping that is missing from Utah burger menus, we seldom remember those creations by location and name. Apollo Burger proudly creates a battery of signature burgers, from the Greeky Athenian to the more homespun Hawaiian Teriyaki. Topping their list is the Utah Burger, a mixed marriage of pastrami, bacon, gyro meat and cheese atop a 1/4-pound burger with all the fixings and the cornbread-topped bun that's memorable—by name and location!
apolloburger.com

Best Turkish Coffee
Kahve Cafe
"A single cup of coffee is remembered for 40 years," goes a Turkish proverb. That's because Turkish coffee is made so as to not be confused with morning Styrofoam cup versions. Prepared in a copper utensil that sits within a bed of hot sand, Kahve's coffee boils uniformly throughout, resulting in a cup to be savored. The result? Another proverb: "The heart seeks neither coffee nor coffee house. The heart wants friendship, coffee is an excuse."
kahvecafeslc.com

Best Use of Fruit on Pizza
Basta Pasteria
Those who turn their nose up at the thought of fruit on pizza are missing out, and perhaps no local restaurant proves that more than Basta Pasteria. Their pistachio pizza leans into the rich nuttiness of the pistachio pesto and unctuous saltiness of the mortadella, but it's the thin slice of lemon that brings everything together. The citrus complements all that richness well enough to end the fruit-on-pizza debate once and for all.
bastapasteriaut.com
Best Vietnamese South of the Valley
QT Wrap and Roll
QT Wrap & Roll, located in the heart of West Jordan, offers a fresh twist on vegan options. Experience the taste sensation of a vibrant fusion of crisp ingredients wrapped in delicate rice paper. Each bite is a harmonious blend of crunchy vegetables, aromatic herbs and savory tofu or creamy avocado, complemented by a zesty dipping sauce. These rolls deliver classic Vietnamese flavors while remaining completely plant-based.
qtwrapnroll.com