Like any other couple who have been together long enough to drop our camouflage shields and start showing our true, obnoxious selves, The Girlfriend and I tend to disagree pretty frequently on what constitutes good television. My picks tend toward PBS documentary series like Nova and The American Experience, old TV shows, and movies. Anne, on the other hand, is into all the do-it-yourself, makeover, and “slice of life” reality shows that clog up the basic cable channels. Which means that about nine times out of ten, when I show up at her apartment, the tube is set on TLC or The Food Network, and it’s all I can do to keep from groaning out loud. (To be fair, she has much the same reaction when I run across an old Godzilla flick and settle in for a blissful evening of daikaiju silliness…)
Anyway, there is one basic-cable show that manages to cross party lines, appealing to both of us more or less equally with its mixture of travel, nostalgia, and greasy-spoon cuisine and culture, a Food Network program called Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The set-up is that the host — a boisterous Gen-Xer like ourselves called Guy Fieri — drives around the country in a classic Camaro, stopping into, well, diners, drive-ins, and dives to sample regional food favorites and give a little history about the featured establishments. It’s a fun show; a half-hour episode typically covers three quirky, mom-n-pop-style locations, and the eps are often themed in some way, like all family-owned diners, or places that are open 24/7.
The show’s website includes a feature called “Tell Guy Where To Go,” and not too long ago, The GF and I had some fun coming up with a list of our favorite Salt Lake-area places we thought the show ought to visit. We never got around to submitting our list, but it turns out we didn’t have to: Guy was here last week, filming segments for the new season, and as it turns out, the places he visited match our list almost exactly:
- The Blue Plate Diner, a “neo-diner” with deliberately retro decor that’s only been open a few years but gets all the old-fashioned touches just right. One thing I especially appreciate: the counter is a relic of an old cafe in southern Utah, rescued and relocated after the place closed and faced the wrecking ball.
- Ruth’s Diner, a favorite breakfast spot located midway up Emigration Canyon, still going strong after 79 years. Don’t miss the great old photos of the infamous Ruth herself in the entryway. I wish I’d known her; she must’ve been quite the character.
- Moochie’s Meatballs, a fairly recent addition to the valley, but already legendary… home of the best damn cheesesteak sandwich you’re going to find west of Philadelphia!
- The Red Iguana, a stand-out Mexican place in a city that seems to have Mexican places on every other corner. I’m told it’s the most authentic Mexican food in the valley, short of going over to a recent immigrant’s place for dinner. I quite like their entomatadas, and of course the enchiladas a la Lago Salado.
- Pat’s Barbecue, where you’ll find the most savory meat and blues music you’ve ever experienced in a wonderfully unassuming location (it’s in an industrial area and looks like a tire shop or something from the outside).
- And finally, a place I’ve never been, the Burger Bar in Roy, Utah (that’s north of Salt Lake, up near Ogden).
Of course, that’s only scratching the surface… in terms of burgers alone, the Wasatch Front boasts a lot of nifty, locally owned places: the Crown/Astro/Apollo Burger chains (three separate local chains that all have similar — and wonderful — food), the Dairy Keen in Heber City, the Purple Turtle in Pleasant Grove, and, if you widen your scope to include bars and taverns, the Cotton Bottom Inn with its infamous garlic burger and the Shooting Star Saloon in Huntsville, where you don’t have to decide if you want a burger or a hot dog, because the Star Burger includes both! (Technically, it’s a knackwurst tucked between two generously sized all-beef patties, guaranteed to give you a big, satisfied grin as you suffer your first coronary.)
Then there’s Lamb’s Grill, where time has stood so still that you feel like you ought to be wearing a double-breasted and a fedora as you tuck into your breaded veal, and of course Eggs In the City, and Big Ed’s, and The Pie, and…
Well, I’m beginning to wander off-topic here (not to mention starting to salivate). The bottom line is that I think it’s pretty cool to have a national show highlighting some of the holes-in-the-wall that I really love. If you have The Food Network, keep your eyes open in coming months to see some of the places that have contributed to my oh-so-manly physique! And if you’ve got a cool local place wherever you may live, drop in more often and help keep them in business! Screw the big corporate chains!
[UPDATE: I’ve found another article about Guy’s visit that gives a little more detail about him, the show, and how filming went down at the Blue Plate. Oh, and it mentions another Salt Lake place he visited, the Lone Star Taqueria. I’m not familiar with that one, either…]
I’ve been to the Blue Plate Diner once before, and it was fantastic!
I also really enjoy Guy’s show… When we visit my parents, we get to see it. 🙂 (No cable here.) I’m glad Utah’s getting some exposure on it. 🙂
I love the Blue Plate — wonderful corned beef hash!
If Anne and I get the word far enough ahead when the Utah segments are going to air, we’ll try to tape them for you…
Great piece, Jas. Having no cable myself, it’s great to have this update.
BTW, Lone Star Taqueria is located on 23rd E. 7200 S. – Best fish tacos I’ve ever had. Very Florida Keys feeling.
Interesting… how long has it been there? I rarely get that far east anymore. I’ll have to go exploring…
It’s been there for a couple of years that I know of (how long I’ve been eating there…)
Too bad they didn’t know about Este pizza – that could be been a real treat to see on television.
Pizza places are sort of outside the show’s scope… it really focuses on the greasy-spoon type of places, or the real quirky eateries like Moochie’s.
You’ll have to find some other show to highlight Este. 🙂
The BF and I watch his show regularly, would like to plan an entire vacation around his stops in the west. We are Idahoans, so SLC is a familiar stop. can’t wait to try your suggestions. please keep sending him ideas!
Hey, Barb, I think your vacation idea sounds brilliant! I’ll keep scouring the area for good places…
It’s a bit of a far drive for you if you’re coming from Idaho, but Mom’s down in Salina, Utah, is awesome…
You have a great list of places to try. I thought I would add some Cache Valley greats in the Logan area (Utah State University area too).
The Factory, and Italian pizzeria in the basement of an Italian Restaurant called Gia. Awesome deep dish pizzas and try the Hot Roast Beef sandwiches. It’s got a sports TV going on with peanuts on the ground and names carved in the table. It’s a must!
Cafe Sabor is a new comer (5+ years) Latin(Mexican) fusion cafe located inside the old train station. Try the Burrito Supreme (to be tame) or any of their dishes which are culinary pleasures. It’s like Mexican but rather of fusion of all great Latin dishes.
Also Big J’s in Richmond which was the one in the Napoleon Dynamite it makes great Fresh Strawberry Shakes a Monte Carlo Sandwich worth the 20 minute drive north of Logan and excellent fries.
The Mandarin Garden has won awards for best Northern Utah Chinese food, and the Tiny Spicy Chicken is legendary… The beauty is the quality has been the same over all these years. A must!
Lastly there is the Blue Bird which has been around since the early 1900’s ish. They have great quality dishes serving American Favorites. Try the Chicken or Steak Oscar with Crab, Shrimp, Avocado and hollandaise sauce.
There is Calaway’s in Smithfield which is a nice Italian restaurant with specialty pizzas.
I might add we have good ice cream shops with Carlie’s and on Campus Aggie I cream has won many awards if I recall correctly.
Breakfast… our local diner is called Angie’s.
Anyway if could only spend a day I’d visit the Factory (you’ll remember it as a true joint) and try the local legend of Tiny Spicy Chicken at the Mandarin Garden.
Hey, Tyler, thanks for all the great suggestions. As it happens, my girlfriend attended USU, so I know about Aggie Ice Cream, and of course the Blue Bird is a legend. We usually make it up that way once a summer (for the big Cache Valley Cruise-In car show), so we’ll bring your list along the next time we’re town!
I grew up in slc, and live in boston now. The places I miss most are Ichiban Sushi (x96 off menu roll), Cafe Rio (barbacoa salad w tomatillo ranch dressing), Over The Counter for a greasy-spoon breakfast, El Chihuahua, and Rodizio Grill for artery clogging endless brazilian meats, The Pie or Stoneground for pizza, Trio for desserts.
I am salivating just thinking of them! Hope you get to try it all!
i am originally from utah but have lived in south mississippi for the last ten years. I am a paramedic and work full time on the ambulance so my partner and I have alot of time to talk about food and triple d is one of our favorite shows. I am coming back to slc to visit and my partner told me about some of the places guy has visited up there that I have never heard of. I cannot wait to get up there and head to the blue plate for breakfast! any suggestions on what to get??
I think triple d is a great show, and it is fantastic to see my home town being broadcast around the world for some of the local food…now if they would just visit some of the local micro breweries & showcase some of the fantastic brew that is offered….
Hey, trauma junkie, welcome to the site. The Blue Plate makes a terrific corned beef hash, and I also enjoy a feta cheese and tomato omelette (it’s not on the menu, but they have a “make your own omelette” option).