Bucket List of Top Meals in Utah Valley

Bucket List of Top Meals in Utah Valley!
rev. 14 Oct 2016 IN PROGRESS, still building it BELOW - 

CHECK BACK 31 August 2018

Note 1: For the full ratings of food items at these restaurants in Utah Valley - plus others throughout the state - please see our site, "Best Restaurants in Utah."

Note 2: Where the numbering of items skip (such as, from "a" to "g" at the first restaurant below, we deleted items "b" through "h" and those after "g," in order to only show you items that rated a "B+" or higher.

A
APG's (A. Beuford Gifford's) Bar and Grill, Provo
a. ABG Classic Double with bacon (bun A, charbroiled angus B+, bacon A-. American cheese. CUSTOM ORDER IT WITH MAYO, avocado, and red onion, lettuce, tomato) B+
 wings:

g. cranberry bourbon B++

honchipotle B+

A & W - no great items.

Amber, Spanish Fork
b. biscuit with gravy B+

Appleby's, national chain
c. fries (B+A-) (among best in state)

d. spinach avocado cheese dip (possibly spinach artichoke dip) with chips. Among best we've found. Even the chips are great. A
v. mash alone: B+
w. mash with gravy A-
bb. onion blossom B+/A- 

Apple Spice Junction, multiple locations 

b. egg salad sandwich (egg salad alone A-) with avocado and lettuce 
on sourdough bread B+
f. baja chicken tortilla soup B+

Arbys, multiple locations

a. 2014: chicken salad sandwich (Note: we've tested over 2 dozen chicken salad sandwiches: this is among the best. (See our site, "Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches in Utah" A-/A (if it were served on a croissant, it would be an A)
e. 2014: brisket sandwich (meat B, bun B+, sauce B/B+, and onion strings below the top bun and mayo above the bottom bun) total B+
f. 2016: same brisket sandwich B-/B

g. 2016: smoked turkey sandwich, with cheddar, onion rings, mayo: bun B; turkey alone B/B+; total B+

Art City Trolly Cafe, Springville
e. garlic rosemary fries (greasy but the fresh herbs are wonderful) A-
g. corn fritter (hushpuppies with corn kernals inside, and bits of green and red veges) B+

B
BYU Legends Grill, Provo
(old menu till 22 April 2014, before they remodeled and planned to upgrade their menu; perhaps what is listed below still applies, unless they revamped their recipes)
a. oatmeal B+
m. mash B/B+
n. with loaded items A-
t. brisket, wet end, portions range in grade, because of varying degress of tenderness, from B- to B+
w. pulled pork, external meat A-

BYU Museum of Art Cafe, Provo
a. Chicken Club sandwich (focacia bread, mayo on top slice, tom, lettuce, bacon B+, grilled chicken with pepper C, dried tomato sauce on bottom B)  Total A-
d. chocolate mousse cake B+/A-
e. choc mousse part alone B++
c. pablano fresca (contains the following ingredients, from the bottom to the top: ciabatta bread, orange colored sauce, lettuce, turkey slices, tomato, poblano strips, avocado strips, orange sauce, ciabatta) B+

BYU Scoreboard (WSC, BYU campus), Provo
a. belgian waffle alone B+
b. ditto w.ith liquidy beries, unsweet B
c. belgian waffle with berries and cream A
d. belgian waffle with whipped cream only A-
i. chricken craisin croissant (chicken salad) A- -

BYU Skyroom Buffet

b. flourless choc cake B+/A-
d. 7 layer brownie A
e. turkey breast B+/A-

Bajio Grill, national chain
2016:
b. cheese enchilada, with flour tortilla and mild green sauce and melted cheese atop) (red sauce is hot) A-
MEXICAN PIZZAS:
Note: Mexican pizzas are best if they have refried beans, perhaps onions, no rice or perhaps a LITTLE Mexican rice, no corn. Option on pico and sour cream - doesn't change the grades below for these two options:
m. asada Mexican pizza A-
n. shredded beef Mexican pizza B+
2015:
a. shrimp taco (sauteed, taco shell too thin, with mango sauce) B+
2009:
d. corn A

Bam Bams BBQ, Orem
c. slaw B+

e. wet brisket, first trip A, second trip (April 2014) C+ to B+ depending on tenderness of each portion, third trip 2015: B+

Bangkok Grill, Orem

Note: Duck here is roasted, then deep fried.
a. duck leg with ginger sauce (a much runnier, less sweet honey ginger sauce than the Bangkok Thai in Park City, yet is good. (Unfortunately you have to get a half duck). B+ 

Baskin Robbins, national chain
a. #2 chocolate shake (after Smashburger's Haagen Das) B+
b. #1 butter pecan ice cream in U.S. A

Betos/Ranchito (same chain), multiple locations in Utah
SEE BELOW UNDER RANCHITO FOR THE RATINGS. 

ok to here

Big Island Sam's, Lindon
a. fried rice, little scallion, little portuguese sausage and other sausage C-/C
b. banana macadamia nut pancake alone (fruit and nuts are inside the batter): B
c. banana macadamia nut pancake with added whipped cream, bananas on top, butter B+

Black Bear Diner, Provo and regional chain

a. California bacon benedict (English muffin not a good brand so the muffin is a grade D, eggs small, needs big slice of fresh tomato; ingredients: bacon, avocad, spinach, grilled tomato slices) overall: B
b. shasta scramble (needs bigger quantity of veges; good vege combo: avocado, red and green peppers, onions, spinach, tomato, jack cheese) B+/A-
c. hashbrowns D+/C-
d. kitchen potatoes B
e. baby back ribs, with sauce C-
f.  rib sauce B-
g. meatloaf alone B-/B
h. meatloaf with gravy B/B+
i. dark gravy alone B-
j. mash B-
k. mash with dark gravy (the synergy of the two make it better) B+
l. country gravy C
m. mash with country gravy C
l. onion rings C
m. green beans C
n. cornbread C+
o. chicken noodle soup (cheap, cubed chicken) C-
p. banana cream pie C-
q. apple cinnamon cream pie D
r. bacon A-
s. sausage link A-
t. scrambled eggs B-
u. french toast C
v. bear claw french toast, with blackberry filling B
w. fish and chips (pre-battered, never as good as when they batter it themselves. We have tested nearly every place in Utah that batters their own fish for fish and chips. See our site, "Best Fish and Chips in Utah") C-
x. brocolli cream soup C+
y. corn bread muffin d+
z. marinara sauce b-
aa. spaghetti noddles c+
 bb. combo of spag and marinara sauce: c+
cc.ribeye steak c+
dd. garlic bread D
ee. potato salad c+
ff. slaw b 
gg. bacon A-
hh. sausage links A-
ii. trout alone C-
jj. trout with tomato and herbs - frozen with crust probably C
kk. vege topping for trout (olive oil, tomato, onion, cut olives, capers) B/B+
ll. combo of trout with veges C+
mm. corn cob D+
mm. potato and white gravy C
nn. corned beef hash B- ?
oo. bear claw french toast B
pp. thick cut french toast C-
qq. Fiesta burger (brioche bun B+, with Mama Burn bacon ranch dressing, burger meat B+, black bean and corn mix, pepper jack cheese, red onion, lettuce, crunchy tortilla strips, guac) B+

* Black Sheep, Provo

Note: they have new menu - these items are from old:
a-c. Navaho taco trio:
 1) regular navaho taco A
 2) red chile beef taco (olives make it better) B
 3) green chile pork taco A+
d. southwestern street corn #1 corn in the state (seasoned corn on the cob). A
e. spicy shrimp in polenta (amazing - their version of shrimp and grits) A+
f. ribeye steak with chimichuri butter (#1 best steak in Utah under $30; unfortunately  served only occasionally) A-
g. "sheep wings" A- (see our site, Best Wings in Utah; this place is in Top 3)
h. Nanniskadii A
i. Posole, too spicy C+
j. green chile stew B
k. pork chop sandwich (grades an A except for the pork, which is C++ as the pork is too thick and white, but at least it's charbroiled; consists also of pasilla chile, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, adobo mayo, in nanniskadi bread) B+
BURGERS:
a. burger - custom order it with same dressing as the pork chop sandwich. Amazing. grade A
b. black sheep burger (with fire-roasted pasilia chile, cheddar, red onion, tomato, lettuce, abodo mayo, wrapped in nanniskadii, hand-pressed ground beef). A+
c. bleu burger (bleu, carmamelized onion,s bacon, cabernet sauvignon reduction, mayo, wrapped in nanniskadi bread) A
d. goat burger (goat cheese, roasted garlic, portobello mushroom slices, fire roasted red bell peppers, arugula, adobo mayo, nanniskadi bread) A
e. custom burger - ask to have it made like pork chop sandwich, but with a burger A
DESSERTS
a. chocolate mousse (formerly A+ but chef moved who made it; now it's B)
b. cactus pear mousse (formerly A)
c. white chocolate mousse (formerly B/B+)
d. #1 carrot cake in state (not served anymore as of winter 2015)
e. honey-butter frybread A+

* Blue Boar Inn, Midway
a. Fish and Chips B+
b. house salad B+
c. prawns and creamy polenta with breaded, soft boiled egg B+
d. pork cheek risotto, with herbs. The chef makes it different ways - this is his original way: grade B. (he now does a citrus version)

* Blue Plate Diner, Sugarhouse
Note: We have tested nearly everything on the menu. These are most of our favorites; we are still compiling our notes.
a. eggs florentine benedict (still on menu?) A
b. pulled pork sandwich (smoked in-house) A
c. cheese and tomato sandwich (it used to come with it, now the tomato is optional; we like it better than adding avocado, which we have here, both alone and with tomato) A
d. meat loaf B -
e. meatloaf sandwich B -
f. chicken fried steak B+
g. omelette: mushroom, avocado, spinach B
h. benedict: avocado, mushroom, spinach A
i. baked potato B
j. mash (mashed potatoes) C-
k. fries, unseasoned (unusual shape!) B+
l. fries, seasoned B-
m. reuben sandwich (local corned beef, smoked in-house here). This sandwich would be an A if they did 2 things: provided option of cole slaw instead of sour kraut, like some of the best deli's in the eastern U.S. do, and grilled the rye with butter, and changed the rye from marbled rye). Note that the kraut here is very good. B+


Bohemian, SLC
a. chocolate cake C++
b. slaw B+
c. fish and chips B

Bona Vita, Lehi
a.spaghetti popotte (spag. with meatballs) B/B+
b. pasta with marinara sauce B
c. meatballs B/B+ (our fave in the state, but it's very subjective!)
d. al lsalmone B-/B
e. salmon alone B-/B
f. served with salmon, not counting the salmon: fettucini with brocoli, capes, and garlic in light cream sauce B/B+
g. mazzo pizza (their signature pizza: olive oil, fresh tomato, garlic, red onions, basil, aged buffalo mozzarella, balsamic glaze) B++


Boudreaux's Bistro, Salem (was in Payson)
Note: some of the items below are no longer served, since moving to Payson. The ones we graded again in 2016 are below:
a. red beans with smoked sausage (meat B+) total A
b. shrimp creole B-/B
c. crawfish Etouffee (stew with onions, bell pepper, and celery over rice - great sauce) A
d. shrimp po boy (with battered fried shrimp C+/B-) total B-
e. crinkle fries B/B+
f. hushpuppies (best in Utah) A-
g. NO LONGER SERVED: fried alligator C, smothered B-
h. creole sauce A-
i. sticky white rice B
j.  burger (thin tomato C++, red onion B+, charred seseme bun B-, American cheese C, lettuce C, bacon B, pickle B. They add other meats in addition to beef and great seasonings, making it a great burger) total A-
k. seafood pasta (shrimp C++, bread C) total B
l. beignets (pastries dusted with sugar) C-
m. #3 best red beans and rice (after Chubby's and Pat's BBQ) (B+)
o. smothered catfish A-
p. shrimp etouffee B+/A-
q. french bread with fake butter spread C

Brassa Grill, Provo
Note: we tested many items there - all were good, none a B+ except:
b. lengua burrito B+
c. steak taco B/B+?
d. steak burrito with chipotle mayo B+
e. whole rotisserie chicken B


Bruges Waffles, Sugarhouse (SLC) and Provo
Note: for any waffle, we recommend the one used for sandwiches, rather than the leige waffle. In any case, even the leige is better than the two waffles at Waffle Love. The fresh cream here blows away the whipped Darigold cream at Waffle Love as well, and certainly beats out the canned whipped cream served at all the local ice cream places.
2016:
a. leige waffle alone B+
b. leige with fresh cream A-/A
c. leige with only sliced strawberries B+/A-
d. lege with fresh cream and strawberries A
e. sandwich waffle alone A
f. sandwich waffle with fresh cream A+
g. sandwich waffle with sliced fresh strawberries alone B+
h. sandwich waffle with strawberries and cream A+
i. fresh cream A+
j. Freakendel sandwich B+
k. Freakendel dog alone B+/A-
l. bagette alone B-
m. frites (fries, double-cooked). B+
Note their fryer may be the only Belgian made frite maker in the U.S., at the Provo location. White real frites rate high, it's hard to beat good ole McDonalds and Sizzler fries. See our site, "Best fries in Utah."
n. andalouse sauce B+
o. fry sauce B+


Note they have over a dozen sauces for their frites.
2014:
a. leige waffle B+
b. NO LONGER SERVED: gluten free square waffle (lite) B
c. sandwich waffle alone A-
d. lamb dog C
e. tan sauce A-
f. Freakendel with any of 3 sauces A (We revised our grade in 2016)
g. Freakendel alone A- (We revised our grade in 2016)
h. salmon sandwich B
i. turkey avocado waffle sandwich A-
j. (turkey alone: C)

k. Tuna lime-curry sandwich B

Bucket O'Crawfish, West Valley
a. #1 best catfish in state. (Order a side of garlic sauce! We've tried all the sauces and this one is best.) A-
b. catfish, plain B++
c. catfish with tartar B
d. catfish with lemon pepper B
e. catfish with mild cajun C+
f. catfish with jalepeno C
g. wings, plain B
h. wings, with tartar sauce C
i. wings, with garlic butter B+
j. wings, lemon pepper B
k. wings, mild cajun C+
l. seasoned fries B

Buffalo Wild Wings, national chain

WINGS:
We've tested all their wings side by side, several times. Best, in order:

a. lemon pepper dry rub B+/A-
b. salted caramel BBQ sauce (new, experimental) B+/A-
c. salt and vinegar dry rub B/B+
d. desert heat dry rub B/B+
e. buffalo dry rub B
f. chipotle cherry dry rub B
THE REST OF THESE ARE SAUCE-BASED, as is the second best one - "b" above:
THESE NEXT 4 ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO SWITCH AMONG THEMSELVES:
g.  Azian Zing sauce B/B+
h. mild buffalo (one of two best traditional buffalo wings we've found, along with the medium buffalo at Wing Shak in A.F.) B/B+
i. Parmasian Garlic: B/B+
j. Thai Curry wings B/B+
k.  cherry chipotle (experimental) sauce B
l. Jammin' Jala : B-
m. jerk B-/B- -
n. Honey BBQ: B - -  
o. Caribbean Jerk: B - - - 
p. Medium buffalo: B - - - - 
q. Teriyaki: C+
r. Sweet BBQ: C
s. Spicy Garlic: C-
NON-WINGS:
u. bleu burger A-
v. burger with ranch dressing B+
w. burger with southwest ranch C+
x. choc cake B
y. choc cake with ganache B+

Burger King
Note: we've tested most things here over the years; below is just a few:
a. Whopper B
b. hot dogs (even though they are all beef) D+/C-
c. fish sandwiches C or D
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES - some may no longer be served:
d. croissant with egg, cheese and bacon (croissant is better than most B,  bacon is thin and microwaved D, egg is 2 patties, from a mix and scrambled C+) total B-
e. croissant with sausage (sausage alone C+) C+
f. croissant with ham, egg, and cheese B-
g. omelette sandwich (long sesame bun, bacon, sausage, and 2 patties of egg) C-

C

CJ's, SLC
We plan to test more items here. Most of these were winners, especially for the price.
a. pork chop, charbroiled A
b. CJ scramble A
c. prime rib (for the price) A
d. mash and country gravy 2012 B-
e. chicken fried steak 2012 C
f. hashbrowns A
g. catfish, lightly breaded and egg wash 2015 C
h. garlic bread C
i. alfredo fettucini with salmon, overcooked fish C--
j. salmon C-
k. fries C
l. fish and chips, pollack, breaded with egg wash and grilled C-
m. hash browns  2012 A
n. minestrone soup (bacon and veges) 2015 B
o. salad 2015 C+
p. mixed veges, frozen 2015 C-
q. baked potato 2015 C
TRY:
roast pork and stuffing
spaghetti and sauce
fish and chips sr. (if they batter it)
french toast combo
omelette with avoc, mush, and cheese
omelette with avoc, tomao, mush, green peppers
italian omelette with Ital saus, tom, parm, asiago
roast prok
marinated pork and eggs
half roasted chicken with stuffing
philly cheese burger
pirates hash
ribeye
porterhouse
grilled 3 cheese sandwich
prime rib philly
pot roast
chile verde and eggs skillet
1/2 chicken
french toast combo with sausage 
Philly cheeseburger

Cafe Rio, regional chain
(in parenthesis are grades at Costa Vida for you to compare the same items)
October 2016, comparing all Mexican places in Provo-Orem. These are the grades here::
a. cheese enchilada with medium green chile sauce C/C+
b. cheese enchilada with red smoky sauce C+/B-
c. chile relleno alone B-
d. chile relleno with smoky red sauce B-/B
e. lime rice C-
f. pinto beans C+/B-
(no refried beans there)
August 2016:
a. key lime pie B (compares to Costa Vida A)
b. chile relleno with beef B-/B
c. cheese enchilada B
d. black beans D+/C-
e. pinto beans C-
f. rice D+/C-
g. pico salad C-
h. tortillas C
EARLIER:
b. cheese enchilada: plain C/C+, with medium green chile sauce C+/B-, with red smoky sauce C+ (compares to Costa Vida plain: B-, with medium green chile sauce B/B+, with raspberry sauce B/B+)  
c. black beans B- (Costa Vida B)
d. lime rice C-  (Costa Vida C) 
e. pork relleno with green sauce C+/B-
f. chocolate flan B, plus cream only B, plus strawberries only B, plus both strawberries and cream A-
g. coconut flan B+/A-
h. tres leches B (compared to Costa Vida C+), plus strawberries and cream A- (compared to Costa Vida's tres leches with strawberries and cream B)
i. pinto beans B-

* Cafe 300, Provo
a. French Toast (great) A
b. #1 (tie) best Fish and Chips in state (only on Fridays after 5 PM) B+
c. Top 5 best Fried Chicken in state (only occasionally served) A
d. #1 (tie) St. Louis Ribs in state (only occasionally served). Great rub but not very tender. A-
e. #1 best omelette in state - avocado, mushroom, and cheese blend omelette (a custom omelette you have to request) A
f. top 3 Boston clam chowder in state (behind  Lionhouse Pantry and Eating Establishment) A
g. #1 (tie) best mashed potato and gravy, turkey gravy ONLY (must request turkey gravy) A
h. #2 (tie) best potato salad in state (behind Five Star, tied with Pat's) B +
i-j. #1 best "Play Misty for Me" (not on menu - you have to request and describe it:) - sausage gravy over bacon over eggs-over-easy, over whole wheat toast A
k. onion rings. B+
l. asparagus. A-
m. potato au gratin. A-
n-p. biscuit, first visit B; gravy A+, combined B+, second visit (Dec 2013) combined B+
r. pancakes. A
s. BBQ pulled pork sandwich. WITH NO SAUCE: A. 
T. BBQ pulled pork sandwich: WITH SAUCE: C+
u. custom item: "Play Misty For Me" A (WE WILL ADD RECIPE HERE.) 
v. German choc cake A-
w. berry cheesecake B-/B
x. plain cheesecake B-
y. omelette: tomato, onion, green pepper, mushroom, and cheese blend (slightly sauteed veges) total B
z. vege-cheese omelette (this may be the same one as above) B
aa. omelette: tomato, spinach, and cheese blend "the works": C+/B-
bb. custom made omelette: red pepper, green pepper, onion, mushroom, spinach, tomato - sautee all 6 veges to be soft except tomato - it should have very slight crunch; request their cheese blend) A
cc. cheeseburger (meat B) total B
dd. bleu cheese burger (no sauce, but request tomato, lettuce, bleu cheese, and mayo with the bleu!) B+
ee. pork chops C
ff. roll B
gg. custom made chicken salad sandwich on goagie with blue berries and cream cheese: A
hh. lasagna B-
ii. salad B-
jj. garlic french bread A
kk. canoli (pastry too thick for our tastes) C-
ll. fries B (team of 4 average: B-/B)
mm. beans, like chili B-
nn. tomato-spinach-cheddar omellete A
oo. BBQ tri tip sandwich (sauce D) total B-
pp. roasted turkey, cheese and avocado sandwich B
qq. club sandwich B-
rr. fries B-
ss. custom grilled chicken salad sandwich: grilled breast, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, mixed baby green, and blueberry cream cheese on bread A
tt. choc cake B-
uu. corned beef hash and eggs A
vv. chicken salad sandwich (rarely served, not on menu) with craisens, pecans and special sauce A+
ww. chicken salad sandwich on menu: C

Callie's Cafe, Orem
a. Killer Hash Browns A- 
b. The pancakes get a B+ IF YOU ADD BUTTER. Otherwise, a B-
c. sausage links D+
d. Hash browns alone B-
e. biscuit D+/C-
f. with gravy combined C-
g. pancakes: alone B-, 
h. pancakes with butter A-
i.. pancakes with banana B/B+
j. pancakes with syrup B
k. tomato bean corn soup C-
l. mac and beef and tomato soup B-
m. pork chop: dark meat by bone C/B+, white C-
n. bacon cheeseburger (beef B, bacon C, bun C/B-, thick tomato and mayo help), total: B/B+
o. french toast C
p. with syrup C-/C
q. chicken fried steak (batter B), too thin: B-
r. with white gravy B-
s. white gravy alone: C+
t. brown gravy alone D+
u. pork chop C-
v. tomato beef mac soup C-

Cancun Cafe, SLC (Mexican)
Note: Overall this is a very nice place with great service, friendly staff, good food.
a. cheese enchilada B-/B
b. rice (with tomato pieces) B+
c. beans (fluid texture A, flavor C) total B-
d. salsa A
e. relleno B- - 

Caputo's, SLC
Note: This is the best place in Salt Lake Valley for chocolate bars, a huge variety of gourmet chocolates, and great deli items; also the best place for several up-scale European butters and the best olive oils in the state, among numerous other things.
a. cheeselover sandwich (swiss, smoked gouda, provolone, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, olive oil, balsamic vinegar - heated C+
b. salmon sandwich (poached salmon, lettuce, tomato, olive oil, balsamic vinegar) B

Carrabba's Italian Restaurant
a. top 3 pork chops in state after Copper Onion (by far the best at an A) in SLC, and Romano's, national chain. At Carrabba's: chop 1: B+, chop 2 (drier, white meat) C+; another visit: chop 1, drier B-, chop 2, moist A-
a-1. pork chop marsala?, second visit: A-/A
b. chicken dumpling soup (best chicken and dumplings in the state; they label it soup, but it's traditional chicken and dumblings). A
c-d. wings. These are good, but check out our site: "Best Wings in Utah" - Wingnutz and Wing Shak lead the way by far, and some decent dry rubbed wings (and only one good sauced wing) at Buffalo Wild Wings. Here, it is: B/B+
NOTE ON TILAPIA: Only a few places in the state (mostly Italian, along with Chiles) serve very good tilapia, as it has an earthy flavor, but good sauces and seasonings mask it at good places. Here:
e. tilapia with red pepper, olives, and green basil lentils B+
f. tilapia (later, another visit, with different recipe): hazelnut, herb-crusted with red pepper slices and basil leaves, with cream topping B+
g. hazelnut, herb-crusted tilapia with cream sauce alone, at this later visit B/B+
h. hazelnut, herb-crusted tilapia, alone B
i. spinach B
j. green beans B+
k. crab cakes C?
l. tenderloin, brushuto wrapped A-
ITEMS TO COMPARE TO OTHER ITALIAN PLACES:
a. marinara sauce (see "Best Italian Restaurants in Utah" for a comparison of this and other food items to other places) B
b. pomodora sauce (cheesy) B-
c. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) B++
d. salsa rosa (red and white) sauce ("Five cheese in marinara") C
e. pic pac (tested separately than these sauces) B+
f. spicy tomato and parm B
e. SANDWICH: steak (mushroom sauce A-, bread B-/B, sirloin C++) total C+/B-
f. SANDWICH: capresse, first test B+, second visit C+/B-
g. spagatti noodles B
h. SOUP: minestrone soup B
i. soup - Italian sausage-lentil, first visit B+, second visit B-
j. soup - chicken-pasta-vege A-
DESSERTS:
a. mousse cake: one item with two parts: choc mousse C- -, choc cake B = total rating C
BREAD:
a. wheat bread B

Carl's Jr., national chain
Note: We've tested most items here over the years; none of their burgers rate above a C except the one noted below:
a. WHEN THEY HAVE IT: best fast food fish sandwich in state - charbroiled cod (the very best 3 are at Sammy's Bistro, Park city, the salmon sandwich at the Harvest at Thanksgiving Point and Gloria's Little Itah, Provo) A-
b jalapeno burger d+
c. The Natural (tied as best fast food burger in Utah) B+
d. fried fish sandwich: C or D
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES; some may no longer be served:
e. sunrise croissant (egg B, sausage D+, croissant is microwaved and bunlike but OK grade C, cheese is cheap American: D) total C. Another visit: D
f. sourdough breakfast sandwich (sourdough texas toast, microwaved which ruins it make the bread a D, bacon is pre-cooked, microwaved, thin grade D, egg B, cheese is cheap strong American grade D-) total D
g. breakfast burger: beef and scrambled egg with hash browns in it. The fake-smoke taste of burger dropped it to a C. total: C-

Casa Peru - West Valley
a. roasted chicken B+
b. green rice B/B+
c. fried rice (best in Utah, Chinese style): Kikoman soy sauce, red pepper, green pepper, green onion, msg, chicken cooked with 1/4 tsp of garlic and 1/4 tsp ginger, egg) A+
d. chicha morada drink (too strong clove flavor) B+/A- 
e. yellow sauce over potatoes B/B+

* Charlie Boy's BBQ Truck (for Catering). Book at 801-427-0600
a. best chicken and ribs in state - all from a catering company - very mild flavor A

Charlie's Grilled Subs, nationwide
a. hot club sandwich B/B+ (compared to Kneaders B-, and Zubs B+/A-)
b. hot vege sandwich A (compared to Kneaders, with avocado, B/B+, and Zubs B, and DP Cheesesteak's hot vege B+)

Cheesecake Factory 
Note: We have tried most of their 30+ cheesecakes, including all their chocolate ones, and all their non-cheesecake cakes. These are their only 3 notable desserts. 
a. key lime pie (A-) - also sold at Red Lobster. (BUT NUMERO UNO IS AT COSTA VIDA)
REGULAR CHOC CAKES
a. raspberry chocolate cake B
b. tower truffle B+ (cake alone C)
c. Linda's Fudge Cake B - - (cake alone C)
d. Black out cake B - -
e. choc tuxedo cream B
f.  8 layer choc cake, yellow, nut topping B-/B
g. choc chip topping, 8 layer: B-/B
h. another cake with chocolate chip topping and mousse or choc frosting between layers: B++
i. 50th anniversary (German Chocolate with coconut) B
j. Chris's (2 white layers of 1/2 inch and 2 chocolate layers of 1/2 inch) C+/B-
CHEESECAKES
a. Godiva Cheesecake B+
b. plain B
c. Chocolate mousse cheesecake (upper 1/3 is darker; shavngs on top) B+
d. pineapple upside down cheesecake C-, with cream B-/B
e. Hershey's with almonds (top half regular choc cake, lower half Hershey's choc cheesecake) B
f. mango key lime cheesecake C- 

* Chef's Table, Orem
a. BAC burger (no sauce, meat A, sesame seed store bun, bacon A-) total A-
b. Bufalo Bleu burger (wing sauce, melted gorgonzola), without lettuce and tomato B, with lettuce and tomato A-
c. Chocolate flourless cake, served only occasionally A-
d. creme brulee (B+)
e. duck breast, Asian sauce A
f. roasted halibut alone (overcooked, with B- crust on top) overall C+
g. ditto with butter sauce B++
h. buttery sauce alone A
i. pork belly (best in state) A
j. Asian sauce for pork belly A
k. breadless crab cakes C+
l. ditto with sauce B
m, sauce alone for crabcakes B
n. plain herb rolls C++
o. beef fondue breakdown:
1. beef alone B-/B
2. beef with gruyere cheese and greens B-
3. beef with fondue only B
4. fondue cheese alone B-, total with sourdough bread B+
p. dirty rice B-/B
q. asparagus bernaise (sauce alone: cream, egg yolk, lemon juice B/B+) total B/B+
r. crab cakes alone B-, with creamy, herbed pico sauce A
s. truffle parm fries A-
t. short rib sheppard's pie B+
u. butternut squash bisque B+?
v. chicken salad "Eloise" B+++

Chen's Noodle, Orem
a. lo mein D-
b. fried rice C
c. foo young D-

Chicken Express, Salt Lake City
a. ric B
b. chicken (smoky flavor): leg B, thigh B+
c. pork rib C-
d. beef rib (best are at Goodwood BBQ) B-
e. bread B-/B

Chick Fillet, national chain
a. chicken tenders (better than Zaxbys) B-/B
BREAKFAST ITEMS:
b. multi-grain bagel with chicken, egg, and cheese B/B+
c. same with no chicken C+/B-
d. same with no egg B?
e. folded egg alone B-
f. scrambled egg alone (in the platter below) B-/B
g. multi-grain bagel alone B-
h. sausage-egg-cheese bisquit B+
i. sausage alone B-
j. bisquit alone B-
l. Platter:
  1. scrambled eggs - graded above
  2. sausage - graded above
  3. sausage with gravy B+
  4. bisquit alone - graded above
  5. bisquit with margarine B/B+
  6. gravy alone B-/B (better than KFC)
  7. bisquit with gravy B
  8. eggs with gravy B
  
Chick's Cafe, Heber
a. bean and ham soup B-
b. pork chop B+, and A- with applesauce
c. chicken fried steak C- 
d. mash B
e. gravy (brown, packet type) C+/B-
f. scone B/B+
g. cheese burger (meat B). total: B
h. roast beef D+/C-, with gravy B
i. fried chicken (but hard crust) B-
j. bean and macoroni soup C+

Chiles, national chain
The only high-rated things there (we haven't tested the salads), all in 2014: 
a. mashed potatoes B+/A-
b. mash with black pepper gravy (gravy alone B, mash alone B+/A-) total B+
c. California turkey club toasted sandwich (sub out the mayo for cilantro mayo) B+
d. loaded baked potato soup B+
e. skillet chocolate chip cookie B+
f. tilapia, parmasan crusted. B++
g. tilapia, mango salsa B+
h. black beans with peppers B - -
i. tilapia, grilled, for mano plate, fish alone: B++
j. rice B
k. baked tilapia alone C++
l. baked tilapia with cheese B
m. baked tilapia with orange color garlic sauce B++
n. short beef rib enchilada B-
o. short beef rib enchilada with ancho chile sauce B/B+
p. cheese enchiladas C
q. rice with corn B-
r. black beans with pico atop B-
s. bacon avocado chicken sandwich with cilantro pesto mayo on pretzel roll. (bacon B, mayo B+, pretzel roll C+) total C
t. California turkey club toasted sandwich with cilantro mayo (on wheat with much thin deli turkey) B+
June 2010 BBQ items there (likely unchanged since then, though they have introduced other flavors of ribs that have come and gone):
a. original ribs C+
b. dry rub ribs C-
c. Texas whiskey ribs B
d. slaw C

(The) Chocolate, Orem 
a. choc cake with milk chocolate frosting A-
b. "Brooklyn Blackout," with dark chocolate ganache frosting A-
c. "Cherib" - milk chocolate cake milk with chocolate frosting B
d. Husband - yellow cake with chocolate frosting B+ 
Note: several other cakes we've tried there - peanut butter, etc. All rated B or lower. 

Christopher's, SLC
a. lobster corn dogs (tempura batter and frozen lobster meat) grade B
b. Delmonico steak (theirs was like choice grade sirloin but with much grizzle and not at all tender, cooked stove top) B-
c. creamy mashed potato (garlic-y, as perhaps half are, but most others aren't in the same league as this one - excellent) A
d. creamed corn B

China Cafe, Springville
a. vege egg foo young C+
b. lemon chicken C+
c. vege fried rice B-

Chinatown, Provo
a. eggplant (#1 in state) A
b. fried rice C
c. egg foo young A

Chubby's, Pleasant Grove
(Not to be confused with Cubby's of Orem, below)
a. Custom order: Pepper jack Mushroom Bacon (ORDER THE SWISS MUSHROOM BACON BURGER AND REPLACE Swiss with Pepper Jack!). (ALSO ADD their own onion sauce! (B) Under $7.00 burger only) (beef C+, bun B+, with butter inside it: A, cheap iceberg lettuce) total B
a-1. regular cheeseburger (meat C-). total: B
b. shrimp po boy sandwich A
c. decent hushpuppies (soul food). B
d.red beans and rice A-

e. fries B-
f. slaw A
g. fish and chips C/C+
h. ribs (3 days old; if newer they're probably better) B, with sauce A
i. pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce C++
j. Carolina pork sandwich with sauce A-
k. ditto with no sauce B
l. shrimp po boy sandwich A
j. pulled pork alone C
k. pulled pork with sauce C++

Chuck-a-rama, chain (only 3 items we grade high)
a. rolls A-
b. bread pudding B+
c. cinnemon bun A
d. mac and chees D+/C-
e. mash D+
f. ribs (flavor B-, tough) D
g. bbq chicken leg B
h. spaghetti with meat sauce B
i. pot roast (on Chuck Wagon Wednesdays) (meat C, veges plus liquid B), overall B- -
j. baked beans B
k. au gratin potato (cuped potato, onions, and ham) B
l. squash B-
m. squash B-
n. green beans C+/B-
o. corn D+
p. sticky bun B
q. lemon herb roasted chicken C-
r. polish sausage C-
s. oriental salad C-
t. broc salad B/B+
u. oriental lo mein with snap paas, carrots, and ham B-/B
v. fried ric with carrot and green bits B-/B
w. onion ring C+
x. dressing C+
y. potato salad D/D+
z. chicken soup (tough chicken) D
aa. vege chowder (bits of carrot and broc) B-
bb. sliced carrots B
cc. bbq wings C+/B-
dd. fries B+
ee. scone B-/B
ff. fried chicken B++
gg. white roll B+
hh. wheat roll B
DESSERTS:
ii. fudge brownie (too sweet) C++
jj. choc cake C
kk. white cake with strawberry filling C+/B-
ll. choc pudding cake cake G-
mm. carrot cake B-
nn. bread pudding B-
oo. lemon yellow cake with strawberry frosting C-
pp. oatmeal cookie C

Cinnabon, national chain
a. regular cinnabon rolls (too sweet, but very nice cinnamon spice) B-

Claim Jumper, Heber City
2014:
a. baked potato B
b. best Delmonico steak (in Utah it is defined as prime rib finished off on the grill); (tender parts A, tough parts B+) total A-
c. ribeye, boneless C+ to A- (portions near bone rate A-) to C+/B- (tough inner parts), to grade B (outer portion) 
d. baked potato B
e. fish and chips C+
f. bacon burger, no sauce C+
g. burger with mushrooms B
h. burger bun alone B/B+
i. bacon for burger B-/B
j. burger meat B-

Colosimo Sausage, SLC
a. carrot cake D-
b. apple pie E
SANDWICHES AND SAUSAGES ALONE:
c. n/a
d. polish C-
e. chorizo C+, second time D+
f. Garlic brats A
g. Mild Italian A
h. hot Italian B+
i. reg. bratworst C- -, second time C
j. Polish C

Copper bar (old Plum Alley), Salt Lake City
a. braised pork belly sandwich (on steamed bun) A

* Copper Onion - we plan to test other items here 
ALL TESTS: 2014
a. best pork chops in state A
b. tied for best chocolate pudding in state (along with Ruth's Diner) A
c. bones with marrow B+
d. roast wagyu bone marrow, from pleasant creek ranch B+
e. cured pork fat, alone C
f. cured pork with crusty bread B- -
g. cured pork with crusty bread and clover honey A-
h. valrhona chocolate pudding A

Corner Bakery Cafe (Utah chain)
a. turkey harvest sandwich C
b. mac and 3 cheese A- (second fave in Utah, after Red Robbin)
b-1. roasted potatoes C
.BREAKFAST SANDWICHES WITH SCRAMBLED EGGS:
c. Anaheim panini, on strong sourdough grilled bread (B-/B). But with salsa that comes on the side, sandwich dipped in it: B+/A-
d. smoked bacon and cheddar panini B. But with salsa that comes on the side B/B+
e.commuter croissant A-. With avocado A-. With salsa that comes on the side A-/A
f. avocado and spinach power flat (has strong wheat wrap,  and cheddar and swiss) C+. but if dipped in salsa: B-
g. eggs alone that come in each of these sandwiches: B+
h.  bacon that comes in these sandwiches: B+
i. buttermilk pancakes C+
PASTAS:
1. chicken carbonara (with bacon, crumbs, peas, cream sauce) (chicken alone C, bacon alone C. Total: C-
2. linguine and meatballs. meatballs alone C, linguini and marinara B-. total: B- 
PASTRIES:
1. twisted lemon hand pie C+/B-
2. blueberry hand pie B
3. vanilla whoppie pie B-?
4. cinnemon roll B
5. chocolate muffin B
6. cinnamon creme cake B-/B
7. apricot walnut ragalach C
8. fudge brownie A-
9. chocolate bundt cake C+
10. cinnamon roll B
LUNCH SANDWICHES:
1. D.C. Chicken salad (sliced almond, cranberry, celery, green apple, raisans. A- (first time B/B+)
2. ham and swiss with mustard on pretsel sandwich (ham C-, pretsel C-) C
3. turkey  sandwich B-/B
4. caprese sanwich B+
5. philly steak sandwich A-
BREAD
garlic butter bread C+
SOUPS:
Cream of broccoli B-
chicken tortilla B+
chicken noodle C+/B-
roasted tomato basil B/B+
sriracha black bean A
Big Al's Chile B-
loaded potato soup A-

Costa Vida, regional chain
(in parenthesis is comparison to Cafe Rio)
2016:
a. best key lime pie in state (see the list under our site "Best Pies in Utah") (grades  higher than Cafe Rio's grade B). A
b. cheese enchilada with green sauce: plain B-, with medium green chile sauce B/B+, with raspberry sauce B/B+ (Cafe Rio is plain C/C+, with medium green chile sauce C+/B-, with red smoky sauce  C+)
c. black beans B (Cafe Rio B-)
d. rice C (Cafe Rio lime rice C-)
e. refried beans C+/B- 
2014:
e. tres leches C+ (compared to Cafe Rio B), plus strawberries and cream B (compared to Cafe Rio's tres leches with strawberries and cream A-)
f. mango shrimp taco A/B+ (best in state we've found)
g. shrimp enchilada A-/A

Cracker Barrel, multiple locations
a. catfish has nice breading, but not fresh like Bucket O'Crawfish. Order it with eggs as a breakfast); don't get the Friday special version. (Best at Sea Bears in Ogden, Bucket O'Crawfish in West Valley, and Station 22 in Provo, and place on main street, Park City) B/B+
b. whole corn A
c. chicken BLT C
d. biscuit B+
e. steak fries B-
f. mash B, with white gravy B+
g. mash with dumpling gravy A-
h. country ham (salty and tough) C+
i. meatloaf C++
j. chicken and dumplings (chicken C, dumplings B+) total B
k. slaw B
l. turnip greens C 
m. french toast C, but adding their syrup B+

Crown Burger, SLC locations
a. burger (meat taste B, quality C-) total burger package B+
b. fries B
c. choc shake C+

Croshaw's Pies, St. George
(Same pies as at Wild Mustang, Orem, who have the rights to make Croshaw's Pies. See Wild Mustang for the list of pies.)

Cubby's, Provo (similar spelling to Chubby's above, but different restaurant)
Note: We tested most of their menu - these were our 3 favorites:
a. trip tip sandwich, if you order medium rare B+
b. "Dragonslayer" burger with blue cheese (buffalo sauce, spring mix, remove carmalized onions, add tomato, mild bleu cheese inside meat, smoky meat B+) total A- 
c. another version of Dragonslayer, turned into reg. burger: lettuce, tomato, raw onion, no cheese, no bacon B
d. Houdini burger (customized with no cheese, no bacon, but with its regular mushrooms (deli like bread is not best for a bun; the ground steak lacks flavor, perhaps not enough fat) B

c. "three cheese sandwich" (really a BLT with cheese on cranberry bread; we recommend you delete the carmelized onion) B/B+

Culver's, multiple locations in Utah, out of WI
Note: We tested most of the items on their menu.
a. good fish sandwich, using house-battered cod B
b. cod fish and chips: B- - - 
c. fried chicken C
d. cheeseburger C+
e. pot roast sandwich C
f. burger (good bun: B, meat B-) total: B

Curry Fried Chicken, SLC

a. curry fried chicken. First time was B- - and cooked in old oil perhaps, or for too long, resulting in the batter being too dark and the spices too strong. Second time it was lighter colored and had much milder spices): 2nd time: B-/B. 3rd time Feb 2014 B+. 4th time: Jan 2016: B
b. lintel and rice B+
c. salad with green sauce B/B+
d. samose (potato turnover) C
e. swarma dormer wrap (chicken in it C-/C white meat only) total: B+
f. fish kabob wrap (fish only C-/C, cilantro sauce A) total: B
g. tandoora chcken C-/C
h. Podedoms? - lentil wafer crisps C

D
* D.P. Cheeesesteaks, multiple locations
Note: We tested all combinations of their sandwiches. These were our faves:
a. philly cheesesteak A (with cream cheese)
b. garlic cheesesteak A- (sometimes too much garlic sauce)
c. cheesesteak with mild red peppers, onions, cheese whiz or melted provolone A-
d. hot vege sandwich B+
Note: our favorite peppers in order here are:
1. sweet red bell pepper. banana pepper (but vinegary) 
IF THEY HAD IT: 3. Green bell peppers
4. cherry pepper
5. jalapeno pepper (note that jalapeno peppers can rate above banana peppers above, depending on the source. 
Note 2: mushrooms generally subdue the flavor of red bell peppers and onions on cheesesteaks, but it's subjective.

Dairy Queen, chain
a. chili dog A- (best in Utah)
b. burger (it used to be better when chargrilled) B 

Dalton's, Payson
a. country fried steak with gravy B+/A- (second best in state after Texas Roadhouse). The gravy is weak - a C+. country fried steak alone B/B+  
b. fish and chips (cod) - top 5 in Utah Valley: B/B+
c. onion rings B+/A-
d. chocolate chip cookie B+
e. oatmeal choc chip cookie B+
f. ribs, oven cooked C+
g. ribs with sauce B-
h. sauce alone B/B+
i. slaw C-
j. ribeye steak C-
k. chicken noodle soup C+/B-
l. garlic mashed potatoes with gravy B+/A-
m. roll C-
n. choc cake D+
o. all pies C-
p. fries B
q. coconut cream pie C-
r. banana cream pie C-
s. green pepper beef soup B
t. baked potato B

de la Rosa, Provo
opened 2016:
a. grilled chicken (best in state!) A
b. corn tortillas (best in state) B+/A-
c. rice A-
d. pinto beans (best in state) B+
e. sauces
dark red, fairly hot B+
red C+
green B-
f. pork (needs seasoning and chargrilling) C-
g. Alambre con Queso (bulb onion, tomato, green pepper, bacon, cheese, pork (or steak or chicken - your choice) B-

Del Taco
a. breakfast burrito A-
b. #3 best strawberry shake (after fresh June shakes at Taco Amigo, Orem, and Smashburger's Haagen Daz shakes) A-
c. double cheeseburger B/B+
d. fries, if cooked to order B+
(Note: order fries with no salt to get them cooked up fresh - in fact do that at all places that often do not serve them up freshly cooked)

Denny's, national chain
Note: We've tested most items on their menu. This list includes our favorites and a few others.
a. Vege-cheese omellete A
b. apple pie French Toast (seasonal) B+/A-
c. avocado BLT B
d. brown sauced burger (tom, mush, o, sweet brown sauce, cheddar, bacon, burger B- -) total B+
e. avocado, bacon, egg burrito B+
f. vege omellete B+/A-
g. french toast B, adding their apple syrup B+/A-
h. fish and chips C-
i. grits  although instant grits, they are good. They used to serve them with butter, but now they have only margarine - a big reason to no longer get them there.) B+
j. hashbrowns - better than most B
k. scrambled eggs with cheese, or with veges and cheese B+
l. banana nut bread french toast with walnuts (in the same league as this same dish as Ruth's Diner in SLC) A
m. shri jalapeno burger (meat b-) b/b+
n. new buttermilk pancakes from scratch b+
o. red potatoes b+
p. Philly omelette (sauteed muschrooms, onions, peppers, and prime rib pieces) A-
q. Apple pie French Toast (seasonal). It's really an apple crisp. It goes from a B to a B+/A- with fruit toppings.  
r. Their standard French Toast rates a B, It is pulled up to a B+/A- 
s. Grand Slamwich: mayo, maple spice spread, American cheese, shavedham, bacon, sausage, scrambled egg, potato, bread. C-
t. Moons Over My Hammy sandwich: ham, scrambled eggs, swiss and American cheese, grilled sourdough. B+

Der Wiernerschintzel, national chain. 
a. Only the new Chicago Big City angus all beef dog garners a B+ there. 
b. The other two Big City Dogs get decent grades: L.A. with bacon gets a B/B+ 
c. N.Y. with chile B-
d. reg. chile dog C
e. Polish sandwich B/B+
f. regular hot dog D
g. beef hot dog B-/B
h.Polish sausage B
i. chile alone C-

Devil's Daughter, SLC
Note: some of these items may have been discontinued. 
a. pulled pork B-
b. BBQ ribs B++
c. slaw C+
d. beans B-/B
e. pork sandwich B+
f. fries C

Dickie's Pit BBQ, national chain
a. n/a
b. roll B/B+
c. ribs, first visit (March 2011) C-, second visit (2014) D
d. wet brisket (served only chopped) B-
e. mac and cheese C+/B-, with sauce C-, 2nd visit (2014) B++
f. sauce alone for mac and cheese C
g. green beans (with bacon, onion, garlic), first visit March 2011 B/B+, second visit 2014 A, third visit  (Apri 2014) B/B+, 4th visit (2014) A-/A
h. Dickie's BBQ sauce C
i. cheddar sausage D-
j. polish sausage D
k. hot links D
SAUCES:
k. original B
l. hot B
m. sweet B+
n. potato baked casserole B-
o. fried okra B-
p. slaw B
q. baked beans (canned tasting) B- -
r. potato salad (whipped) B/B+
s. brisket (butter end) (2014) C++
t. pulled pork (2014) B, with sauce B, 2nd visit (aolso 2014) C/C+
u. pecan pie D, 2nd visit (2014) C

Dona and Mary's Mexican, Orem
2016:
a. chile relleno, anaheim pepper B/B+
b. cheese enchiladas:
with green sauce C+
with red sauce B-/B
c. rice B/B+
d. refried beans B
2014:
a. beans (nice flavor and runny) A-
b. rice A-
c. cheese enchilada D+
d. pork ribs D-
e. sausage breakfast burrito C-
f. sauce C

Don Pedros, Heber
a. chips, years earlier it was D, in 2013: when warm A
b. relleno B (if not strong cheese on top: B++; so ask them to replace the cheese)
c. rice B+/A-
d. beans A- - (if not chunks of beans in the very nice runny beans, it would be A)
e. cheese enchilada (years earlier tested it was C+, in 2013: A - -
f. salsa C+
g. seafood enchilada C-
h. seafood chimi B
i. chicken chimi B-
j. horchata C+

Dunkin Donuts, SLC
a. glaced (better than most) B-/B
b. apple frittger (very soft) B-/B

E
Egg and I

a. Seasonal Benedict A+ Jan 2016, consisting of:

1. sauteed spinach

2. sauteed onion pieces

3. sauteed spinach

4. bacon pieces on top

5. cooked canned green chile

6. sliced fresh avocado

7. jalapeno cornbread (thin sliced)

8. hollandaise sauce

9. poached eggs

b. turkey cranberry sandwich C

c. bisquit B

d. gravy B+

e. biscuit and gravy combo A-

f. sausage C-

g. grilled potatoes A

h. grits C+

i. chicken apple walnut sandiwch: chicken, apples, walnuts, celegry, green onion, mayo, lettuce, tgomatto, grilled raisen bread B- 

j. above sandwich filling (no bread) B/B+

k. tomato herb sandwich B-
l. french toast (similar to Joe's Cafe, Orem) C/C+
m.bacon  B-
n.Parisian benedict (shredded swiss, ham, tiny sliced pieces of portabella mushroom, croissant (too think), poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, green onion, Total: B
o. potato soup C++

Einstein Bagels, multiple locations
Note: some items may no longer be served:
a. sausage sandwich D+ (sausage alone D+)b. chicken salad sandwich (lettuce, tomato, red onion, tiny amount of sliced almond, little amount dried apricot, too much celery, tough dry chicken, white dressing, multi-grain bread) B+
c. choc chip cookie B
d. n/a
e. potato salad B-
f. peanut butter and jelly bagel C+
g. ditto with cream cheese B+
2016:
(First, the Notes:
1. they only have scrambled eggs from a carton: B-/B if in the morning when it's fresher; in the afternoon it's a C-. 
2. Their egg white patty is B-/B.
3. Their bacon, while applewood, is pre-cooked and rates only a B-, but better than most fast food places.
4. wheat thin bagel B-
5. white thin bagel B-/B
Grades for 2016 food items:
h. egg bacon cheddar plain bagel sandwich C
i. eggs florentine bagel sandwich (spinach on top, baked in bagel), bacon, eggs cheese) B/B+
j. french toast bagel sandwich (french toast bagel, eggs, bacon, maple schmear - too sweet) B
k. french toast bagel sandwich if most of maple schmear taken off (since it's too sweet) B+
l. asparagus and mushroom egg white sandwich (with asparagus and roasted tomato spread and honey wheat thin-tastic bagel (bagel alone: B/B+). Total: A-/A
m. cheesy bacon egg sandwich (cheesy bagel alone C+). total: B
n. Santa Fe (hot spicy) with eggs, turkey sausage, Asiago bagel (rates a B, like overcooked cheese). Total: B
o. Southwest Egg White (with cream cheese) on white thin bagel. B+
p. Bacon and avocado egg white: if hot: B-. If room temp: B
q. hot dog on asiago bagel B+, with pickle B++
r. Hebrew national hot dog the way they cook it (better than most places) B/B+
r. asiago bagel alone B/B+
s. potato salad B/B+
t. green chile club (bagel sandwich) (turkey slices B). total: B++
u. green chile bagel alone: A-
v. bacon, egg, cheddar, tomato panini: B+
Possibly no longer served:
w. challah with cheddar and ham and eggs (challah B, cheddar A-, ham B-, eggs) total B+ 
x. 9 grain bread with cheddar and ham B
y. 9 grain bread with swiss and ham C
z. vegi and egg panini (tomatos, mushcrooms, spinach, cheese, requested no spicy tomato spread) B+
aa. egg bacon cheddar bagel: with cheese asiago C+
bb. ditto: with bacon (thin) C
cc. ditto, with egg alone C+
dd. spinach and egg and tomato panini B-
ee. egg and spinach panini C+
ff. bacon panini C 


El Azteca, Orem 
We've had most items on their menu over the decades, but these are our most recent grades:
2016
a. chille relleno - at the old restaurant the relleno was an A. Here it's a B/B+ but has similar taste. 
b. relleno sauce (same great sauce as the old restaurant). Note that El Tapatio in Payson has a similar sauce, but is hotter. A
c. cheese enchilada B
d. enchilada sauce B
e. refried beans B-
f. rice C

El Chihuahua, SLC
(old test from 1996)
a. rice C
b. beans B-
c. cheese enchilada C+
d. chile relleno C+
e. chips B-
f. salsa B-

El Gallo Giro, Provo
2016:
relleno C/C+
cheese enchilada, small B++
rice B-
refried beans B+/A-
chips B
salsa A
2015
a. shrimp taco B/B+
b. grilled chicken: leg: B-, thigh B-, breast B-

El Mercadito, Payson
a. pork skin B
b. pork skin with sauce C-
c. pap. with beans only B
d. pap. with beans and cheese A-
e. relleno, poblano (cheese unmelted) B
f. rice B/B+
g. beans (nice and runny) A--

h.scrambled eggs with onion, jalapeno, tomato B+

El Mexicano, Orem
Note: very rarely serves enchiladas
2016:
baked chicken, unseasoned, cooked with broc and potatoes C+/B- WEDNESDAYS ONLY
rotisserie chicken, marinated and seasoned B-/B DAILY
rice B-
refried beans A-
potatoes with choriso and peppers and cactus and tomato and crumbly white cheese B OCCCASIONALLY SERVED
relleno with sauce of potato,onion, carrot, celery B++ TUESDAYS - get when freshly made 10:30 A.M.
meatballs, containing rice, same same sauce as spaghetti below B- SERVED NO SPECIFIC DAYS.
spaghetti (flat noodles but they call it spaghetti) with cheese and very little tomato sauce and thin ham pieces B-/B VARIOUS TUESDAYS OR WEDNESDAYS
pork B+ DAILY
2015:
a. refried beans (nice, runny) A-
b. tortas B
c. cabesa (cow's face) B+

d. mole chicken (best mole in Utah) A-
e. pipian chicken C
f. beans B
g. rice B
h.  carnitas (pork) and buche (stomach lining) tacos (not on menu) B
i. buche - pig stomach - better at some other places C; second time B
j. papoose (cheese and pig skin in thick tortilla, with slaw and red sauce served) A
k. goat in red sauce (tough) D, second time D+ (to to El Tropical for great goat)
l. lamb (too many tough portions) C+
l-1 lamb in red sauce B
m. beef in red sauce B+
n. grilled chicken, grilled and served with yellow peppers, green peppers, and onion slices B
o. rib pieces in green sauce C-
p. rotiserie chicken B-
q. ribs C-
r. ribs in brown sauce C
s. brown sauce alone B-
t. red sauce alone A-
u. oxtail with green sauce B

El Mexsal, Provo
Note: This is part of the Mi Ranchito "chain," with similar menu and recipes. See our note at "Mi Ranchito" for more details on the chain.
2016
a. rice B+/A-
b. refried beans B+/A-
c. relleno B++
d. cheese enchilada B+/A-
e. chips B/B+
f. salsa A-

El Pollo Loco, national chain
2015
a. thigh B-
b. leg B+
c. breast C+
d. shrimp taco C
e. shrimp enchilada C
f. mashed potatoes and gravy (best fast-food mash and gravy in Utah, along with Popeyes) B+
g. shrimp enchilada, includes inside it corn, green sauce; first time C, second time B-
h. guac cream B+
i. rice C
j. shrimp taco (inside it is slaw, corn, mango), first time C, second time B/B+
k. shrimp alone B
l. black beans B-/B
m. mash alone B/B+
n. gravy alone A-
o. mash and gravy combined (best fast-food mashed potatoes we've found) B+

El Salvador, Provo
2016:
a. chicken in red sauce with onion, dark meat B+/A-
b. refried beans D+
c. rice C/C+
d. huevos rancheros with salsa B+
e. fried plantain A
BEFORE 2014:
a. beans C+
b. rice B+
c. NO LONGER SERVED: cheese enchilada B-
d. chips D+
e. salsa B
f. NO LONGER SERVED: chile relleno B+
g. fried fish C
h. shrimp enchilada B

El Tropical (Dominican), Provo (wonderful place!)
Alex the owner is a first rate chef, a former sous chef at a top restaurant.
a. Die Dreaming drink (order it like a milkshake - not with ice!) mango drink.A
b-1. goat, in thick broth (A - - ) EVERY OTHER SATURDAY, SO CALL FIRST
b-2. fish and chips B+ (tied for number 1 in state with Cafe 300. SERVED EVERY DAY
c. pigs feet and tripe stew - every other Saturday - light years better than the Mexican version, posole - found at numerous Mexican cafes in the state. A- stew, A as just pigs' feet. SERVED EVERY OTHER SATURDAY, SO CALL FIRST
d. ox tails - the stew it comes with eaten with rice makes this dish sing; grades: stew alone (with rice): B+. SATURDAYS ONLY
e. ox tails alone (not much meat in ox tails, but the stew gives it a much better flavor than most places that serve it - this is only place in Utah we've seen it). B. SATURDAYS ONLY
f. pollo a la brasa - best in Utah, competing with the several Peruvian places in the state that make it - we've had them all several times. Not as spicy as some but very very good and very tender. When he marinated it only overnight, a C+/B-; if 3 days: A-
f. Sopa de pollo (stewed pollo) - dark meat is especially good. Kinda like boiled chicken but seasoned. Grade: ?. SERVED MONDAY-SATURDAY
g. yellow rice with Dominican peas A-. SATURDAYS ONLY
h. garlic fish (when it was cheap sea bass, now he uses better swai): total: B-/B
i. garlic sauce for fish: B/B+
j. cheap sea bass, bony C-
k. coconut fish (when it was cheap sea bass, now he uses better swai): total: B/B+
l. coconut sauce for fish: B++
m. pinto beans B-/B
n. rice with seafood B-
o. fried plantains C (order them ripe!) B
p. fried chicken C-/C
q. pollo  guisado (chicken in red sauce - great herb combo, marinated!) A. SERVED MONDAY-SATURDAY
r. "die dreaming" (morir sonando) citrus drink - order without ice to make it more like a shake, but is usually too thin to be like a shake). A. SERVED MONDAY-SATURDAY
s. Jacques' Plaintains (fully mature, ripe) A. SERVED MONDAY-SATURDAY
t. regular plantains (as at all places, not ripe enough) C+. SERVED MONDAY-SATURDAY
u. fried pork chop C+

v. TRY: Red Snapper marinated with oregano, olive oil, galic, and pepper.

Emanuel's Mexican, Provo

2016:
a. chicken chimi (top 2 in state with Milagro's as #1 and Mama Chu's as #3, both in Orem) A-
b. rice B-/B
c. beans C+/B- (dryish)
d. cheese enchilada B/B+ but the sauce (C--) brings it down or it could be a B++ overall.

Enliten, Provo
a. raspberry mousse C-
b. mango mousse C
c. chocolate mousse C
d. fruit cheesecake C+
e. chocolate cake C++
f. panna cotta, alone D, with fruit C+/B-
g. fruit tart (cream filling A) A
h. caprese grilled cheese (provolone, mozz and tomato with pesto spread on focaccia) C+
i. grilled cheese please (cheddar, provolone and mozz on white bread) C-
j. turkey and avocadeo BLT (pulled turkey A, herb focaccia bread C-, little guac, weak, thin tomato) total C++
k. chicken salad sandwich (chicken, grapes, celery, apple, almonds in "a creamy dressing on a bed of mixed greens" but nothing glues the ingredients together. Cream sauce OK. Herbed focaccia bread alone C- -.  Has whole grapes - should be sliced, the chunky chicken and apple chunks are too big, too much celery) total B- 

Ernie's Sports Grill, Orem

a. breakfast sandwich with bacon, sausage, ham, and eggs A

F
Falafel, Sugarhouse (SLC)
a. beef B
b. black-eyed peas and spinach B
c. game hen C+
d. rice C
e. hot sauce (good flavor, too hot for most) C

Famous Daves, national chain
a. roast chicken, first visit (Dec 2007) B+, second visit (May 2010) C+, third visit (2011) B+
b. BBQ chicken, first visit (Dec  2007) A-, second visit (May 2010) B, third visit (2011) A-
c. mac and cheese (with jalapeno, 4 cheeses, and corn!) B++ 
d. #4 baked beans, first visit (2010 B+, second visit (2011) A -
e. #5 best wings "80 Proof" A - -
f. corn, creamed (2207 and 2011) B+
g. green beans, first visit (2007) B-, second visit (2011) A  -
h. #1 best cornbread B+
i. #10 best mashed potatoes (garlic mashed) B+
j. N/A
k. "80 proof" ribs (candied glaze but tough), first visit (2010) B-, second visit (2011) C+
l. regular ribs, first visit (2007) (flavor C-, tender pieces B-, tough pieces D) total C, second visit (2010) tough B-, third visit (2011) B
m. big fries A-
BBQ SAUCES (also at stores):
n. Sweet and Zesty B+
o. Sweet and Sassy B
p. Devil's Pit C++
q. Texas Pit D+
r. cream sauce for fish B+
s. marmalade sauce for catfish A-
2007 TEST:
t. onion rings B+
u. catfish C+
v. buffalo wings B-
w. chicken tenders B-
x. muffin B-
y. green beans B-
z. slaw A-
2011 test:
aa. Georgia chopped pork C-, with sauce C
bb. brisket, first visit (2007) C+, second visit (2011) (C+ tenderness, B+ flavor) total B
cc. rib tips B-
dd. BBQ wings (with 80 proof) A- -
ee. hot link sausage C
ff. garlic red skin mashed potatoes B+ 


Feldman's Deli, Salt Lake City
a. meatloaf b-/b
b. meatloaf with gravy b
c. gravy alone b/b+
d. mash b/b+
e. mash and gravy b+
f. meatloaf with mash b/b+
g. chicken salad sandwich (too much chicken, but we're not fans of white meat) (filling alone b). Adding tomato, pickle and red onion and rye make it: b+
h. Rachel sandwich (house recipe grilled rye bread with pastrami and slaw and housemade thousand island dressing and swiss) A
i. rachel with ungrilled bread A-/A
j. Jewish salami sandwich, comes with mustard on rye: B (but if you customize it and take out 3/4 of the meat and add slaw it's an A-)
k. salami alone B-/B
l. fries B+
m. potato salad B+
n. rye bread (made to their specifications) A+
o. marinated beef tongue B+
p. ham A-
q. Hemmingway sandwich (rye ungrilled, slaw, thousand island, white cheese, ham, beef tongue) A+
r. rachel combo (pastrami and corned beef, slaw, thousand island, white cheese, grilled rye) (we believe the corned beef lowers the grade) B+
s. slaw B+/A-
t. pastrami (best we ever had!) B+/A-
u. corned beef B-
v. plumb cake B
w. cheesecake (from Carnegei Deli, NYC) B-
x. carrot cake (ditto) B

Firehouse BBQ, Sugarhouse (SLC)

a. pulled pork (super tender, no smoke flavor) B-
b. brisket (flavor C-, tender texture A-) total B-
c. ribs B-
d. baked beans C-
e. Asian cajun slaw A

Five Star BBQ, Orem

Dec 2013 test with 2015 additions noted:
a. mashed potatoes (herbed) A-/A
b. #1 best potato salad (strong pickle flavor), first visit (March 2011) B+, second visit (Dec 2013) A -
c. #1 best French bread A-
d. boneless, skinless chicken thigh B++ (in March 2011 it was whole pieces, graded at B+)
e. St. Louis ribs, first visit (2011) B-, second visit (Dec 2013) (similar flavor to Joe Morley's St. Louis ribs) B; (2015) ham-like, glazed B-
f. pulled pork, plain (2011 and 2013 same grades): (tender, but no smoke flavor to it) B, with sauce B-, with white sauce B-; 2015: A-
h. brisket, wet end, first visit (March 2011) B-/B, second visit (Dec 2013) A; third visit (2015) 1/2 dry B/B+; 1/2 wet end A-
i. brunswick stew C/C+
j. smoked beans B+
k. slaw (too strong mayo), first visit (2011) C, second visit (Dec 2013) C+/B-
l. mac and cheese C+/B-; 2015 B
j.chicken thighs, now boneless A
k. Texas toast C+
l. beans A-
SAUCES:
m. sweet C++
n. house C++
o. white (tested in 2011) C-
Note about white sauce: Many places try to copy the original, Big Bob Gibson's Alabama white sauce. This site's editor was raised where Gibson made white sauce famous at his own BBQ joint, and his is the only one I've had that is made right, but kudos to Five Star for trying to make it. And it's not bad.) C-

Franck's, Holliday,
a. fried chicken, very herbed B
b. meatloaf B
c. maple soup A+
d. salad B
e. beef tartar A
f. butterscotch creme bruele A
g. tartar sauce A
h. cherry tomato soup A-
i. fish and chips with local steelhead trout and hefeweizen beeer batter A
j. Mexican salad tortilla A

Freddy's, Midvale (national chain, but only one in Utah)
a. Freddy's Steakburger, chain, only one in Utah: Midvale. Great buttered bun, great pickle, with cheddar-mont cheese as best cheese there, Meat, thin but nicely seasoned: B+, butter toasted bun B+. Total: B+/A-
b. fish and chips (best fast food fish in Utah, but Red Robbins has best national chain fish and chips; see our site, "Best Fish and Chips in Utah") B-/B
c. fish sandwich B
d. fries (very thin) C+/B-
e. fries with their seasoning B-/B
f. hot dog alone (non-beef): B-/B
g. newer Vienna brand beef dog B-
h. hot dog bun alone B++
i. Hatch's green chile A-
j. hot dog with Hatch's green  chile B+
k. older regular chile alone B-
l. bun A
m  chile dog B-/B
n. hot dog with bun B
o. mint shake (not one of their 3 frozen custard "concrete" flavors) B - -

G
Gandolphos, chain and Roccos (Downtown Provo)
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES:
a. Breakfast sandwich on Kaiser bun: pastrami, eggs, and American cheese (as much as we dislike American cheese) A- -
b. Breakfast sandwich on Kaiser bun: bacon, egg, American cheese, and sausage B+
c. bacon, cheese and egg only: B-
d. sausage, egg and cheese only B. Another time: B+ (sausage alone B-)
e. Pastrami and american cheese and egg A- -
f. loco: chili pepper, egg, sausage, no cheese, pico de gallo B
g. Crew - egg, bacon, sausage sub, no cheese B-/B
h. egg and sausage on sub B
i. egg and bacon only on sub B-/B
j. bacon, egg, cheddar, tomato pannini B+
LUNCH SUBS:
Note: We've tried several others - the bottom two are our faves:
a. Italian ham, egg, marinara, no cheese C+/B-
b. Brooklyn Bridge (Turkey, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mayo) B+
c. Hampton (Turkey, swiss, avocado, lettuce, tomato, may) B+
HOT DOGS: 
(See our site, "Best Hot Dogs in Utah")

They use the best meat - Nathans - but their buns need upgrading and they use too many condiments. Check out Mooya Burger for the right amount of condiments served. Rating on their 4 dogs:

a. Second City (a Chicago-style dog) B/B+

b. Traffic Jam (condiments plus cream cheese) B

c. Pastrami C

d. Coney Island (kraut) C-

* (The) Garden Restaurant, downtown Salt Lake City
Note: coupled with interior decor, it has the best view in the state (yet is casual!). #2 is Blue Boar Inn, Midway (if sitting outside)
a. One of top meatloafs in state (B+), with demiglaze A (only one better is Ruth's Diner)
b. meatloaf sandwich B/B+
c. caprese panini (pesto too strong) C
d. American burger (meat B, brioche roll B-). total: B
e. chicken salad croissant (filling B). Needs more fruit in the filling. total: B+/A-
THE croissant DOWNSTAIRS AT NAUVOO CAFE IS BETTER AS IT HAS MORE FRUIT; OTHERWISE IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME. Both are among the top places for Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches IN THE STATE. SEE OUR SITE FOR ALL THE BEST ONES: "Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches in Utah" 
f. apple pie grilled cheese B-
g. classic chocolate cake C+/B-
h. peach cobbler C+/B-
i. molten choc cake B
j. caramel creme brulee A+
k. sweet baby pork chop A-
l. artichoke chicken with cheese B
m. roast beef B-
n. salmon B- -
o. herbed chicken B-
p. corn C-
q. chocolate cake with white layer B
r. mash B/B+?


Gloria's Little Italy, Provo
a. gnocciono (4 cheeses in potato rolls, fried) C
b. burro and salvia sauce (sage and melted butter) A-
c. arrabbiata sauce (spices in tomato sauce - spicy marinara) B/B+
d. aglio olio & peperoncino sauce ( blend of garlic, olive oil and spicy pepper flakes) A-
e. margherita pizza D+/C-
ITEMS TO COMPARE WITH OTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANTS:
a. marinara sauce B (3rd best B)
b. pomodora sauce C+/B-
c. ragu alla bolognese meat sauce B-
d. salsa rosa (red and white sauce) A- -
e. spaghetti noodles B
f. sliced baked bread soaked in olive oil A
g. side salad A
h. Donatello cheese panini (first year they were opened - they may still serve this) C+
i. michelangelo snadwich (prosciutto, tomato, lettuce, artichoke, mozz, parm) B+
j. Dante sandwich (meatballs B, pomarola sauce, mozz, parm) B/B+
k. Dante sandwich minus the meat but with extra sauce A
l. Verdi (Caprese style) (tomatoes, mozz, basil, oregano, olive oil) A
m. Nerone (pancetta, bell peppes, sundried tomatoes, spinach, fontina chese, olives, red pepper flakes, olive oil) C-
n. Tito (sausage, spicy tomato sauce, onions, garlic, mushrooms) B-/B
o. Domiziano (salmon B, garlic, rosemary, lemon pepper, butter, mayo, arugula) A- - 
p. tomato basil soup (too cheesy) C+, another time D+/C-
q. zuppa di lenticchie (soup with lentils and orzo pasta: too salty; even if not too salty, it's just fair) C-
r. butternut squash soup A-
s. minestrone soup C+/B-
t. pollo alla parmigiana (chicken parmesian) B+
u. margharita pizza D+/C-
v. tomato basil soup (best in state; they use heavy whipping cream) A+

DESSERTS: 
They offer 4 chocolate cakes (we tested them all) of their many cake varieties; their best is "Duomo Cioccolato: A- and "Turtle," also an A-
Note: 7 of Gloria's Little Italy Cakes are good (of their 11 that we tried). (note that #1 and #5 below are in the chocolate cake category above): 1) Turtle [a chocolate cake with some mousse, moist but needs more choco flavor] A-, 2) Strawberry white cake with Italian cream and chocolate covered strawberries on top B++, 3) Lemon-raspberry white cake 4) Fragosa chocolate cake with raspberry filling and Italian cream 5) Duromo Cioccolato (moist, but needs stronger chocolate flavor) A-, 6) tarfuto C+ but if warmed: B+, 7) tiramisu B+/A-
8. dulche de leche (white cake plus raspberry inside) B/B+
9. Vulcano (dry, no cocoa flavor) C-
10. Fiochi (2/3 white cake and 1/3 choc cake with nutella) A
11. lemon raspberry cake B+/A-
12. blackberry cake  (thin layers of white cake, thin cream layer) B-/B
13. Frago (choc cake with no choc flavor C, plus raspberry filling and italian cream) total B+

Golden Corral, national chain
Note: We've tested nearly every item multiple times. These are the only A's we've found.
a. mac and cheese with bacon (B+, one of only a few great ones in state we've found)
b. Saturday mornings only: scrambled eggs A
c. Saturday mornings only - bacon candy A
d. Saturday mornings only - deep fried bacon A
e. mashed potatoes (no gravy in rating) B+
f. n/a
g. mandarin orange chicken (flavor B+ but too spicy hot) B
h. squash B-/B
i. fried rice B
j. turnip greens B
k. green beans B-/B
l. pinto beans in sauce B+
m. Chinese chicken thigh with spices B+
n. jalapeno cornbread C+
o. cheese enchilada C+B-
p. Mex rice B+
q. Mex beans C
r. baked beans B+
s. corn cake - is really cornbread, moist, with corn inside A
t. cornbread, dry B
u. smoked sausage B/B+
v. augratin potatoese C
w. rice pllaf B-
x. baked tilapia C+/B-
y. n/a
z. kettle beans B/B+
aa. baked beans B-/B
bb. fried chicken:
thigh B/B+
leg B
cc. fish and chips C
dd. Mexican rice C+
ee. Chinese rice C+/B-

s. SEASONAL RIBS
1. hickory and brown sugar KC Masterpiece sauce glazed onto baby back ribs B+
2. chipotle KC Masterpiece ribs B-/B
3. original KC Masterpiece C+/B-
4. normal bbq sauce ribs D+
5. ribs with Kikkomon "Teriyaki baste and glaze with honey and pineapple" sauce: in late summer  2015: B+; in spring 2016 with lower quality rib meat: C-
t. SEASONAL SEAFOOD SPECIAL, SPRING 2015:
1. popcorn shrimp C-
2. fried shrimp B-/B
3. salmon fillet with glaze B
4. fried catfish B+
5. baked fish B++, seasoned, plus spinach

Goodwood BBQ, Utah chain
a. best beef ribs in state, first test: dry to fattier bites range form B- to B/B+, average B; second test (Apr 2014) A. (cooks over applewood with Shriver's spice rub for 90 min, no set temperature, till bone sticks out of meat. Their sauce is secret but includes apple vinegar and black pepper)
b. mashed potatoes with cream gravy B++ (mash alone, Apr 2014, B-)
c. gravy alone C
d. #1 (tie) best sweet potatoes B/B+ and 2 other visits: A -
e. 2nd best Delmonico steak (in Utah it is prime rib finished off on the grill; other regions of the country define Delmonico differently. #1 is at Claimjumper, Heber) At Goodwood: A- (tender parts) to C+ (tougher part) (made as prime rib, then finished off on the grill for 20 seconds by broiling with sauce on it)
f. ribeye steak B/B+ (tender part) to B- - (tough part)
g. baked beans B/B+
h. rice pilaf, first visit B, second visit C+, third visit B/B+
i. burger (meat flavor B+, meat texture B-, meat total B; bun B-/B; bacon, chewy C+/B-) total B/B+
j. chicken fried steak (grizzly flank steak C-) total C+
k. ditto with gravy and mash B-
l. garlic mash with cream gravy B
m. mash alone B
n. dark meat smoked chicken, first test (June 2010) B, second test 2014 B/B+, third test (Apr 2014) B+
o. brisket (tough) C+
p. slaw B-
q. potato salad B
r. mac and cheese (american cheese) B-/B
s. Texas toast C+
t. pulled pork (not Carolina pulled pork, which is supposed to be better), (June 2010) B++
u. apple turkey C++/B-
v. BBQ sauce C++/B-
w. baby back ribs, first visit (2010) C-, second visit (2014) B, third visit (Apr 2014) B/B+
x. St. Louis ribs B
y. salmon D
z. lemon cream sauce for salmon (mostly herbs) C-/C
aa. salmon with lemon cream sauce combined D+
bb. cornbread B+
cc. chile (a little brisket, no beans, smoky; with corn, tomato, green pepper, red onion, basil, and perhaps chile powder) B+
dd. Mike's chicken tortilla soup B+

Great China, Orem
a. lemon chicken (#1 in state) A
b. egg plant C+
c. lo mein B+
d. vege fried rice B-
e. vege egg foo young A-
f.  orange beef B-

Great Harvest Bread Co., national chain 
Note: sandwiches tested at Provo location; all or some locations may serve them.
SANDWICHES 
(Note: best served on their very good whole wheat, as their cracked wheat is fairly tasteless)
a. chicken salad sandwich (needs smaller chicken chunks for higher grade) B+
b. cheese sandwich (on cracked wheat) C+, dipped in tomato soup B/B+
c. classic turkey sandwich (too much mustard) B-
d. cranberry turkey sandwich B+
e. turkey sandwich B+
SOUPS
a. tomato basil soup B-
b. chicken noodle C/C+
SPECIALTY BREADS
a. frosted coconut bread C+
b. lemon poppy seed bread B+
c. cinnemon bread C+
d. cinnamon roll C+
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES
a. sausage, egg, and cheese B/B+
b. bacon, egg, and cheese C+
c. ham, egg, and cheese B-B 
d. all 3 meats combined B

Great Steak Sandwich Co., Provo
a. clam chowder B+
b. chicken fried steak, first visit B+/A -, second visit (Dec 2013) alone A, sausage gavy A-, total A
c. mash (B+, gravy, black peppery A+) total A
d. Philly cheesesteak sandwich. C+

* Gurus, Provo
a-1. Philly French Toast (#3 best in state, after Cafe 300 and IHOP's brioche bananas foster and brioche cinnemon) B++
a-2. French toast: almond and cornflake coated, cream cheese, wholegrain B+
a-3. same french toast with blueberry jam A-
a-4. traditional French toast B-/B
a-5. traditional French toast with butter and strawberry jam B/B+
b-1. Cowboy Benny, with biscuits, per the menu, C. But sub out the bisquits for toasted whole wheat bread, get runny egg yolk in the eggs, and have them add more than their usual portion of sausage for: A
b-2. Cowboy Benny, as served on menu (with bisquit and hard eggs) B
b-3. biscuit alone C+/B-
c. Breakfast burrito (eggs, chees, small chorizo sausage, rice, a few black beans - needs more, ranchero sauce, lettuce, pico sauce and sour cream. A-
d. pan-seared salmon rice bowl (B+/A-)
e. Three Cheese Tortilini A
f.  Chicken corn tortilla soup (B+)
g. Blue cakes (blueberry pancakes), alone B+, with blueberry jam and butter A-
h. Breakfast quesidilla (if no feta cheese: B/B+). with feta cheese: B/B+
i. Omelette wrap: if no bacon, it's B+
j. Omelette wrap, per menu, with bacon B-/B
k. customized omelette: cheddar, tomato, spinach, mushrooms B+ if much cheese (B - - if low amount of cheese)
l. soup, dark  red beans B+
m. soup, yellow, with chicken B- Note: This is one of 2 best pancake places in Utah, along with Original Pancake House (SLC). These 2 places have unusually tasty, moist pancakes, unlike other places.
m.. Bananas Foster pancakes - it comes with a great, very mild foster sauce - not strong like most are. (A-)
n. grilled salmon C-
o. thai peanut pasta bowl (I, the editor, was one of 4 to grade it high): B+

p. spicy szechwan rice bowl C+
q. marco polo pasta B
r. mulligatawny B-
s. coconut squash soup C-/C
t. Joe's breakfast scramble B/B+
u. croissant egg sandwich (overcooked scramble, with small  bacon pieces, cheese, no tomato) C+
v. sausage, egg, cheese croissant (with veggie patty sausage; sausage alone C): B- -
w. ditto with no sausage B-
x. ditto with real link sausage B (sausage alone C+)
y. croissant breakfast sandwich C. Note this is a weird sandwich, as the items alone rate higher: crossant B+, scrambled eggs A-, bacon B+, and cheddar jack).

H
(The) Habit, at Sugarhouse, The District in South Jordan, and Farmington.
a. burger with cheese - tied for best burger under $6 (in 2016) along with Mooya (Provo) and Freddy's (Midvale), all 3 national chains. A-

* Harvest, at Thanksgiving Point
a. #2 best fish sandwich in the state (after Sammy's Bistro, Park City): fresh Salmon sandwich A
b. Bison burger (remove bleu cheese - too strong for some as it is medium-strong; but keep everything else with it! As is, it's a B for some, an A for others who love stronger bleu cheese. Also has melted gruiere cheese - really a nice touch. High quality A grade meat: Best bison burger we've had in the state, followed by Snake Creek Grill in Heber City and Slate Restaurant in Provo). (Grades: bison A, bacon A, grilled bun A, leaf lettuce, good, grilled mushrooms, tomato, gruiere cheese, but it has no special house sauce.)  A
c. chicken pot pie A+
d. pork chop (boneless, texture/toughness average; Italian sauce) C+
e. loaf of wheat bread A
f. meat loaf (third best after Ruth's Diner and The Garden Restaurant) A-
g. lemon herb roasted chicken:
leg and thigh (skin alone A-, meat texture/toughness B-) total B+
breast alone (skin alone A-/A, breast with no skin C-) total B+
h. crispy buttermilk fried chicken, white available only (tenderness A, crust B+, gravy coveirng it A-) total B+
i. honey wheat bread A
j. mash A-
k. baby potato with skin (needs butter on the side) B
ROASTED VEGES:
l. squash B+/A
m. green beans B+
n. broccoli B-
o. mushroom A
p. red pepper A
q. onion B-
DESSERTS: All B's, with some variations:
r. carrot cake
s. cheese cake
t. chocolate cake
u. chocolate pecan pie
v. creme bruele

Holiday Lanes, Heber
a. cheese burger C
b. hot dog C
c. chile dog B-
d. chile B+

Homestead Resort, Midway
SEE STEVENS RESTAURANT AT THE HOMESTEAD, below

Honey Baked Ham shop, national chain
a. chicken salad sandwich B+

(filling alone B/B+)
b. ham and turkey sandwich B+
c. ham alone B/B+

Hruskie's Kolaches, Provo (9 best are bold faced)

a. chicken cilantro omellete in kolache A- -
b. sliced ham, cheese, egg, and jalapeno kolache B+/A-
c. strawberry kolache B+/A- 
d. carnitas (peppers and fried pork) A- -
e. mushroom-avocadeo-dried tomato B-
f. bacon msuhrom B
g. spinach and sausage B/B+
h. ball park (peppers and home made sausage B/B+
i.  pulled pork C+
j. (chunky) ham and egg B+
k. sliced ham and cheese and egg and jalepeno B+/A-
l. n/a 
j. brisket C+
cream cheese B-
cream cheese and black berry B
cream cheese and cinnamon B/B+
cherry B/ B+
strawberry cream cheese B+
Argentine empanada (ground beef, cheese, peppers,onion) C+/B-
sausage and gravy B
bacon and egg B+
ranchero (egg and peppers - red, green, yellow) A
bacon egg jalapeno A
sausage, egg B/B+
cheese, sausage, egg, jalapeno B
strawberry pecan B
blueberry B-
blueberry cream cheese B+
poppy seed B-
maple pecan (too little maple flavor) B+/A-
peach C+/B-
orange cream cinnamon B+/A-
raspberry C+
raspberry cream cheese B
Texan (hot) B+

Huarche Sabrason, Provo
Note: The differences in the years is due to the fact that in 2016 a test was made of all the Mexican cafes in Provo and Orem in a two week period, sometimes several per day, so a valid comparison could be made to each other.
2016:
a. chile relleno B/B+
b. cheese enchilada (no cheese inside, just on top, green sauce only) B
c. rice (pink) B/B+
d. refried beans (not runny enough) C+ 
2015:
chile relleno B
cheese enchilada (green sauce only) B
rice B/B+

beans (needs to be runny; too dry) C+ 

The Hub, Heber
a. banana cream pie (like pudding) C+
b. coconut cream pie B
c. apple pie C

Iggy's Sports Grill, 5 locations (down from 9)
a. margharita pizza (they call "Napoleano pizza" - not wood fired but brick oven cooked, great texture crust, and high quality cheese) B+
b. vege pizza B+
c. NO LONGER AVAILABLE: cheese enchiladas (canned sauce but great texture, etc) B+
d. chile C+/B- -
e. enchilada soup A-/A
f. prime rib sandwich (select grade beef but thick B-, toasted buttered sourdough A, cheese, mushrooms, carmelized onion A) B++
g. mash (mashed potato) B-
h. fries B+
i. meat loaf, first trip (March 2013) B, second trip C+ 
j. n/a
k. tartar B
l. black and bleu burger (sesame bun, glazed teriyaki sauce, bleu cream cheese, blackened burger - meat C, lettuce, tomato) total B+
j. bistro burger (no seseme bun, olives have strong bad taste, tepenade mix of bleu cheese and parm over lettuce and onions with garlic aioli and strong balsamic, plus tomato on french bun, meat C) total C-
k. hot wings C+
l. ribs C
m. veges A
n. halibut fish and chips, fish, first trip, small and overcooked C++, second trip (Mar 2013) 
o. Texas ribeye steak B-
p. country fried steak D+
q. Old Chicago (supreme) pizza C+
r. prime rib B-
s. fish sandwich: Big Kahuna: halibut filet, grilled on toasted bagette with tartar sauce, onion straws and lettuce B
t. banana cream pie C-
u. jumbo hot wings C+
v. ribs C
w. n/a
x. Old Chicago pizza (deep dish with marinara, two layers cheese, sausage, pepperoni, onions, peppers, and mushrooms) C+
y. prime rib B-

IHOP 
a. Brioche French Toast (with one each with all 3 fruit toppings). Plain C+/B-; but with any of the 3 fruit toppings: B+/A-
b. garden stuffed crepes (swiss, scrambled eggs, fresh spinach, mushrooms, onions, topped with hollandaise sauce and tomatos) A; second time A-
c. cream cheese pancake B+
d. plain french toast C+/B-
e. brioche french toast, 3 different toppings, each one with the french toast grades out at A 

f. senior omelette (made with some buttermilk in the egg batter "for extra fluffiness," with cheese and two ingredients; eggs are a C-) total C. second visit: chedar, tomato, mushroom, onions, pepper, all inside except the tomato and mushrooms) B-
g. cherry hot choc (Swiss Miss brand) C-
h. pumpkin spice waffle (add caramel sauce to make it better) A-
i. florentine eggs crepes (leave out the chicken to make it better; not the right spices for eggs) B-
j. waffle B-
k. Garden Crepes with scrambled eggs and veges inside and hollandaise on top 
m. Ham and scrambled eggs, Swiss cheese is too strong and Denny's eggs are better. B-
n. omelette: spinach, swiss, onions, mushrooms, tomato on top  a thin omelette with many Arby's like layers (we prefer thicker and fluffy) and holandaise sauce. A-

It's About Thyme, Provo
a. braised beef short ribs, A flavor, C texture (it's rare to find short ribs truly tender), total: B
b. citrus chicken thigh. A flavor, C texture, total B
c. mac and chese B/B+
DESSERTS:
1. choc chip cookie B
2. choc nutella cookies B/B+
3. pecan bar (buttery and too rich) B/B+
4. peach cobbler square B/B+
5. chocoloate cake C

J
J Dawgs, Utah valley and Salt Lake Valley

See our site, "Best Hot Dogs in Utah" for the run-down. Note that their meat is not good, but their buns and sauce are great!

a. dog with sauce in bun A-, plus raw onions A-/A

b. dog with sauce and kraut B+

c. polish dog with sauce in bun B-

JCW's 
a. JCW BLT (has lots of bacon) B
b. halibut fish sandwich (cheddar, no tomato) B
c. turkey avocado swiss B/B+
d. ribeye steak sandwich B
e. fish C
f. grilled cheese sandwich, with American cheese C+
g. chicken verde sandwich (breast, fajita sauce [D+], American cheese, sour cream, mild green chile) C+

Jalisco's, American Fork

a. refried beans (good flavor and runny) A-
b. chile relleno B-
c. house sauces A

Jamba Juice, national chain
Note: some of these are not on menu but once were and can still be made to order:
a. Jamba powerboost - OJ, strawberreis, raspberries, banana, sorbet, ice. B-
b. Kiwi berry burger - kiwi juice, strawberries, peaches, nonfat frozen yogurt, sorbet, ice. C
c. Coldbuster [ vict. C, enchinacea, oj, peaches, banana, orange sherbet, ice. A
d. Protein  erry pizazz - 25 g protein, soymilk, strawberries, banana, agave nectar, ice. C
e. Strawberries wild - apple-strawberry juice blend, strawberries, banana, nonfat frozen yogurt, ice. B-
f. banana berry - apple-strawberry juice blend, blueberries, banana, raspberry sherber, nonfat frozen yogurt, ice. B-
g. Razzmatazz - raspberry juice blend, strawberries, banana, orange sherbet, ice. A-
h. Cranberry craze - cranberry juice blend, strawberries, blueberries, nonfat plain yogurt, raspberry sherbet, ice. C+
i. Citrus squeeze - oj, pineapple juice, banana, strawberies, orane sherbet, ice. A
j. Peach pleasure - peach juice blend, peaches, banana, orange sherbet, ice. A-
k. Orange-A-Peel - oj, strawberries, banana, nonfat frozen yogurt, ice. A
l. Orange berry blitz - oj, blueberries, strawberries,  pineapple sherbet, ice. B+
j. Orchard Oasis - peach juice blend, strawberries, banana, blueberries, pineapple sherbet, ice. B-
k. Caribbean Passion - passionfruit-mango juice blend, strawberries, peaches, orane sherbet, ice. A-
l. Mnago-a-go-go - passionfruit-mango juice blend, mangos, pineapple sherbet, ice. B
m. Aloha pineapple - pineapple juice, stawberries, banana, pineapple sherbet, nonfat plain yogurt, ice. A
n. Peenya Kowlada - pineapple juice, coconujt, banana, pineapple sherbet, nonfat frozen yogurt, ice. B+
o. Chocolate Moo'd. C-
p. Peanut butter moo'd. C+ (but if only 1 squirt peanut butter it's a B!)
q. chicken noodle soup C+

Jason's Deli, Murray and SLC
a. chicken salad sandwich (with pineapple and red onion) B
b. chicken noodle soup (soup B, noodles D) total C+
c. cranberry walnut oatmeal cookie A
d. chocolate (somewhat soft) A
e. peanut brittle cookie B+
f. fudge nut brownie B
g. chili C+
h. tomato basil soup A
i. southwest chicken chili B+
j. fireroased tortilla (hot) B-
k. clam chowder C++
l. chicken salad with almonds A
m. cranberry ciabata (order reg. turkey instead of smoked turkey that comes with it, and order wheat bread instead of ciabatta bread that comess with it) B
n. smokey jack panini (smoked turkey breast, bacon, jalapeno pepper jack, tomatoes, russian dressing, house guac A, with olive oil basted french bread) B
p. veggaletta B- -
q. vege soup D+

Joe Morley's Smokehouse, Midvale
a. Baby back ribs: "Sugar Back Ribs" (not the other 2, "regular," ribs here). B++; second visit 2015: B, with sauce: B/B+
b. #5 best potato salad (B) (Few places have good potato salad, so we listed it, even though it's only a B.)
c. smoked whole chicken C++
d. hot sausage C- -
e. n/a
f. brisket, lean C+, 2015
f-1. brisket, wet end 2015: B/B+
g. slaw B
h. baked beans with pork and onion, first visit 2010: B+; second visit 2014: C++; third visit 2014: B+; fourth visit 2015: A-
i. spare ribs first visit C+, second visit B-, third visit B- -, fourth visit B+, fifth visit  2015: B+
j.  spare ribs with sauce, fourth visit B/B+
k. pulled pork with sauce C-/C, 2015: C+
l. cooked onion C+
m. roll C+

 n. mash B 

Joe's Cafe, Orem
This is a place that serves breakfast all the way to 4 PM, open Tue-Sat. Super friendly staff.
a. French toast B-, 2nd time: A-, 3rd time: B-
b. pancakes A-
c. Belgian waffle A- (order the blueberry one with berries and whipped cream only)
d. not the blueberry pie filling type sauce, which rates it a B
e. Belgian waffle with berries A
f. scrambled egg B+
d. hashbrowns B+/A-
e. vege Omelette (the sauteed veges really help it) A
f. grits (too sugary to be perfect) B+; 2nd time: C
g. pork chop C++
h. biscuits B-/B
i. turkey gravy (they add to bisquits) B/B+
j. combined biscuits and gravy B/B+
k. hash browns (Needs more butter flavor) B+
l. muffin D
m. hashbrowns (perfect textgure) B-/B
n. pecan and sweet potato pie C+

Joe's Crab Shack, Sandy
a. crab cake B-/B
b. stuffed shrimp B-
c. stuffed shrimp with sandwich B-/B
d. pollack fish and chips (fish only) B/B+
e. fries B-/B
f. crab stuffed mushroom B/B+
g. dirty rice D
h. steamed broccoli B-
i. red fish alone (like swordfish/snapper - dense - but overcooked, frozen) D
j. Poncharlrain mushroom B/B+
k. cream sauce with above two fish dishes C
l. breaded fried tilapia B-
m. fried shrimp B
n. baked shrimp stuffed with crab cake B+
o. crab cake C++
p. wahoo sandwich (mahi-like dense fish alone, overcooked, dry D+), blackened B
q. dirty rice (spicy hot, with bacon) B- -
r. cheesy mash B-
s. key lime pie A-
t. redfish, mushroom stuffed fish with cream mushroom: fish alone D, sauce B, total C
u. king crab legs A-?

Joe Vera's Mexican Restaurant, Provo
Over the years we've tested other items there as well; this is the most recent test:
2016
a. chips B+
b. salsa A-
c. beans B/B-
d. riceC-
e. chile relleno (canned anaheim chile) C
f. cheese enchilada C-

Johnny Rocket's, SLC
a. only item tested: dark chocolate Ghiradelli shake C+

Juanita Rodrigues, Orem
Note: no relleno, enchilada, or rice
a. refried beans, only if requested B-/B
PASTRIES (they get from bakery)
b. pina empanada  if fresh C+/B- (stale ones D)
c. flan (rather old as it tastes like the store) C-
d. baked custard C+B-
e. chicken tamale C+
f. pork tamale B+
g. cheese tamale B/B+
h. buche taco B+
i. lengua taco B
j. cabeza taco B


K
KFC, multiple locations
(see our site, "Best Fried Chicken in Utah")

a. crispy fried chicken B+

b. original fried chicken B+ 

c. grilled chicken: leg B-, thigh B+
d. slaw C
e. chicken fried steak B
f. bisquit B/B+

Kaiser's BBQ, Salt Lake City
(go there on Thurs, when they do their smoking; or Fri for their prime rib sandwich)
a. praline pecan cookie B
b. baby back ribs - if freshly out of smoker and tender A-
c. best lean brisket in state (we prefer wet brisket at places - they don't serve it) (flavor A+). Total, including texture: B+
d. prime rib (on Fridays) C+
e. pork steak B++
f. St. Louis ribs, with sauce, if several days old, sometimes a C+. If you buy when they make it on Thursdays, it will often be a B- texture and A- flavor: Total average: B+  
St. Louis ribs, with sauce.But on Thursdays, when they made it. Usually B+
g. dry end brisket (all they have); C+ at driest bites, B+ with fat in each bite
h. pulled pork, alone B-, with sauce B-, with skin B+
i. chopped beef with much sauce D
j. sausage D
k. BBQ sauce C
l. slaw C-
m. pinto beans C
n. potato salad C
o. mac and cheese B-/B
p. peach cobbler B+
q. prime rib sandwich B+
r. beef ribs (buy when made fresh on Thursdays) B

Kneader's, multiple locations

a. turkey bacon avocado with their own sauce on FRENCH COUNTRY (not the default focacia!) A-
b. Club Sandwich on French Country B+
c. #5 best potato salad B
d. turkey cranberry sandwich on ciabatta (ciabatta bun B+, cranberries b+, spring mix, smoked turkey C/C+, munster, cucumber slices, honey mustard) A-
e.turkey cranberry with croissant (less ingredients: croissant B++, lettuce, cranberry A, non-smoked? turkey B+). total: B/B+
f. turkey cranberry croissant , pulled turkey B++, pastry A) total B+/A (compares to Shirley's french bread version B-)
g. cold club sandwich B- (compared to Zubs A-)
h. hot vege sandwich, with avocado B/B+ (compared with Zubs B and Charlie's Grilled Subs grade A, and DP Cheesesteak's hot vege B+)
i. "Kneader's Turkey" standard on (thick) focacia C+
j.  "Kneader's Turkey" CUSTOM REQUEST IT on French country bread A-
k. cinnamon, thick french toast B
l. breakfast croissants - egg and bacon or sausage B
m. egg cheese croissant A
n. sausage egg cheese croissant (sausage alone B-) A-
o. breakfast panini (country French bread C+, cheap microwaved thin bacon D+, overcooked eggs D+, tomato C+). total: C
p. breakfast croissant (croissant alone A, egg alone C-, bacon alone D+) total A
q. ditto with Kneaders sauce on it. A
r. vege avocado sandwich A-
s. banana cream pie C
Note: we've had most desserts - no A's in the bunch.

Krispy Kreme

a. glazed donuts (our favorite for glazed) A
b. all assorted (are among the worst in state, however) C-

L

La Casita, Springville
Note: Their signature method of serving is with tons of melted cheddar cheese over items - very good.
a. Huevos Rancheros A-
b. #4 best chile relleno (B+) (after El Azteca (Provo/Orem) and Mama Chus (Orem) and Tarahumara (Midway)
c. cheese enchilada B+
d. rice B+
e. refried beans B+

La Costa, American Fork
a. chicken chimi B+
b. cream sauce with chimi (request extra) (A-)
c. Mexican pizza (if with meat it's a C) with no meat: B+
d. salsa A-
e. rice B
f. beans B/B+
g. bean dip B++

La Dolce Vita, Provo
a. breaded orange roughy. A
b. breaded halibut (number one halibut in state). A-
ITEMS TO COMPARE WITH OTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANTS:
a. marinara sauce (second best of the B's) B
b. pomodora sauce N/A
c. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) (ragu) B/B+
d. arrabiata NA
e. salsa rosa sauce (red and white) B+
f. alfredo sauce B- -
g. bread C+/B-
h. minestrone soup (best in state) B+
i. spaghetti noodles A-
DESSERTS:
a. choc mousse cake (mousse C-) total B-
b. canoli B/B+

La Fountain (Mexican, Utah chain)
a. chile relleno (interesting orange colored sauce and similar taste and veges in sauce to El Azteca's relleno sauce, but better at Azteca) first visit B/B+, second visit 2013 C
b. relleno sauce (not the relleno) 2013 A-
b. cheese enchilada (low-grade cheddar cheese) first visit D, second visit 2013 B
c. beans (first and second visits) B
d. beans with salsa B+
e. rice first visit B/B+, second visit 2013 B- - 
f. chile verde burrito, smothered with cheese and onion; pork is dry D, total B+
g. pork tamale, pork is B- -, total B+
h. ribs, baby back, non-smoked, in sauce C+
i. chicken chimi, chicken is B-, total B

* La Jolla Groves, Provo, the Gateway in SLC
1. Tenderloin sandwich on potato roll: B. But if you add the mixed greens side salad with pomegranite balsamic dressing A-.
1a. Beef  tenderloin alone B
2. Chicken marsala sandwich C+. But with side salad inside the sandwich: B+
(The marsala chicken is decent (C+) but some of us are not white meat chicken fans.)
3. asparagus, sauteed A
4. fries A-
5. tenderloin pork, white meat, and apple sauce C+
6. tenderloin pork, dark meat, with apple sauce B+
7. small steak sandwich with mushrooms (steak alone B+, small buttered bun alone B+) total A-
8. large steak sandwich (steak alone B++, bun B+, plus lettuce, tomato, dijon aioli [light orange color]) total A
9. wheat roll alone C+
10. wheat roll with butter B+
11. white roll alone B/B+
12. white roll with butter A
13. scalloped potato (cheese strong, not tender) B-
14. carrots (tough) B-/B
15. shrimp pasta with tomato and spinach B+
16. tandgerine crme brule B-
17. triple choc mousse cake B?
18. choc bundt cake B?

La Puente, SLC
a. rice A-
b. beans A-/A
c. chile relleno (too much tomato sauce) C+/B-
d. ribs B/B+
e. cheese enchilada B+

* Le Caille, SLC
(Our favorite restaurant for ambience in Utah.)
a. tenderloin beef B 
b. Chilean sea bass (only sauteed in olive oil, needs honey and or herbs) B
c. roasted rosemary chicken breast and wing (best in Utah) A
d. braised short rib (best in Utah) B+
e. blackberry lemonade A
f. scallops (2nd best ever - first is at G&M in Lithium, MD) B+/A-
g. mussels (best ever) B+, peppers alone that came with mussels A-
h. asparagus A
i. shredded butternut squash, seasoned C+/B-
j. scallion mashed potatoes A-
k. yellow polenta A
l. bananas foster (too strong rum flavor, but best show we've seen put on with lighting it up with powdered cinnemon and then a flame around it!) C+/B- 
m. chocolate marscopone (flavor A, texture B-) B/B+
n. lobster bisque B+
o. french onion soup B+
p. multi-grain bread (moist, thick) B+
q. soft butter in dish B/B+
r. foie gras (duck liver) (only 2 of us liked it of 7 who tested it; those 2 produced the grade of A- . If all 7 tester's grade were counted, it would grade at a D. One has to have a taste for it.)  

s. raspberry sorbet (needs stronger flavor) A-

t. mushroom risoto B+/A-

La Costa, American Fork
a. chips A
b. salsa A-
c. verde enchilada C-
d. relleno C
e. cheese enchilada B- -
f. chimi B+
g. cream sauce (request extra) A-
h. Mexican pizza, regular with meat C; customize it; replace meat with beans B+
i. rice B
j. beans B/B+
k. bean dip B++

Laura's Kitchen, Provo
a. tamale B+
b. bean, rice cheese burrito C+
c. tortilla A-
d. cheese enchilada (non-meltable cheese sprinkles) but good B-/B
e. rice B/B+
f. beans C+/B-
g. flan C-

Leslie's Family Tree, Santaquin
a. scones A+
Note: we have tested and are looking for our notes on other items we've had there several times: roast beef, soup, mashed potatoes, and more.

* Lionhouse Pantry, downtown SLC
(We've tested most things on their menu, including desserts. Listed below are the only A's. The rest are mostly Cs, of which only a few are listed.) 
2016:
a. dinner rolls A
b. salmon, has nice glaze but characteristic strong salmon flavor and the texture make it obvious it was frozen. The glaze brings it up from a C to a B
c. squash B-
d. almond with raspberry layer pie B-/B
2013:
b. great Boston clam chowder A
c. #1 best stuffing (served with Lionhouse Chicken, but the chicken is a C)
c-1. Lionhouse chicken: chicken alone C, stuffing alone A, total B+
c-2, ditto with yam gravy A
c-3 yams alone B
c-4 yam gravy alone A
c-5 yam and gravy together B+
d. #1 best pork loin (coca-cola pork loin) A
e. #2 best pork loin (pineapple pork loin) A
f. best turkey pot pie A
g.tomato bisque C-
h. beans and pork B+
i. Pork with pineapple dish:
pork alone B+
pork with pineapple: A-
rice C-/C
zukini B++
j. beef C-/C
k. beef with onion honey glaze A--
k. lion house chicken (stuffing A, chicken alone C, yam sauce A) 
m. pork pot pie (pork alone in it D) A
n. sourdough bread bowl C
o. prime rib au jus D (another test C-)
p. chocolate cake with white icing layers B-
q. beef with gravy C
r. turkey with gravy C
s. sweet baby pork chops C
t. artichoke chicken C
u. salmon C
v. tap water (they need to replace water tank) D-; current water with lemon B+
w. crab stuff with mushrooms (B/B+
x. herb crusted chicken brast C-/C
y. with gravy B-/B
z. rolls A

Little Caesars Pizza, national chain
a. cheese pizza C+?
b. pepperoni pizza B-?
WINGS:

c. bacon honey mustard A- -

d. oven roasted B++

e. parm B/B+

f. teriyaki B/B+

g. lemon pepper B+

h. bbq B-/B

i. spicy bbq C+/B-

j. buffalo hot B

Little Taste of Britain, Layton

a. large fish B+
b. regular fish B
c. battered sausage B-/B
d. sausage roll A-
e. pineapple fritter A-

Los Hermanos, Provo/Lindon
a. rice B+
b. refried beans C+
c. chile relleno (canned anneheim chile) C - -
d. cheese enchilada (similar flavor to Utah chain Iggy's before they changed their menu) B-/B

Los Hermanos Taqueria, Heber City
Note: This place is not connected to the Los Hermanos in Provo and Pleasant Grove.
a. best cheese enchiladas in Heber Valley and in top 2 in the state along with Mama Chu's, Orem. A

Lotus Garden, Provo
a. crispy duck D+
b. walnut shrimp A-

M
MacCool's Pub, SLC, Bountiful, Layton
1. fish and chips C
2. buffalo sheppard's pie B+
3. meatloaf B+
5. red trout B+
6. lamb shank B
7. meat loaf B/B+

Machu Pichu Peruvian Restaurant, Salt Lake City
a. rice (green onions, orange-colored bell peppers, bacon strip, chicken, egg, soy) B+
b. pollo la brassa: leg C+, thigh (moist): B-/B

Maddox, Layton (as C.B. Maddox) and Brigham City
a. fried chicken:
leg: A-
thigh B+
b. fresh peach pie. A
c. burgers (great red sauce: like thousand island dressing but mustard instead of mayo). bun: B-/B. meat: B- (it needs more fat and seasoning); minus red sauce (with just ketchup and mustard) it scores B/B+; with "red sauce" it scores B++
d. mash potatoes B-
e. gravy B-
f. combo mash and gravy B
g. roll: C+
h. cornpone B
i. cornpone with raspberry sauce B+
j. cornpone with honey butter B/B+
PIES:
k. banana B
l. coconut C
m. chocolate B+
n. raspberry B-/B
o. fresh peach (little crust on end) B

Madera BBQ, Springville
a. wet end brisket (tied for best in state) B+/A-
b. ribs C
c. pulled pork C
d. lean brisket (better than most) B-
e. baked beans B
f. slaw B+
g. chocolate turtle brownie (made in-house) B
IN-HOUSE SAUCES:
h. house A
i. blackberry B+
j. fuego B
k. Carolina Gold (mustard) B
l. Austin B

Magleby's, Springville, Provo
a. chicken fried steak (meat, tough, C+; batter and seasoning A, onion gravy B) total B/B+
b. mash, creamy herbed B
c. herbed squash zuchinni, A-
d. creme brule B+
e. choc cake (cake alone C-, frosting A-) B-, plus raspberry sauce B+
f. buttermilk pie B,with cream B+, with raspberry sauce B+
BREAKFASTS:
a. sausage gravy A
b. biscuit B+, plus sausage gravy A-
c. breakfast potatoes B-
d. scrambled eggs C
e. raspberry lemonade B/B+
f. fresh OJ B+A-
g. banana french toast B-/B, with banana B/B+, plus white syrup B/B+
h. reg. french toast B-/B 
i. reg. french toast with cream B+
j. reg. french toast with only white syrup sauce C++
k. pancakes C
l. white omelette (asiago cheese is strong; also has tomatoes and spinach) C

Malawi's Pizza, Provo
a. pepperoni sausage mushroom B+
b. margarita (our fave and standard to test most places that have it) B
(individual items:)
c. sausage C+
d. pepperoni B
e. tomato sauce B+
f. mixed berries and cream dessert pizza (sweetened mixed berries with mint, mascarpone cream, and pizzetta crust) A

* Mama Chu's, Orem (The best of all the Mi Ranchito places that use the same recipes, but this is the only one that does them right, with the original chef. Note that many do not use the same Mi Ranchito name, but branched out with the same food, such as Maria Bonita, Orem, Ernesto's in St. George (if still there), and numerous others.)
a. chille relleno (#1 in state, tied with El Azteca, Provo) A
b. cheese enchilada A
c. chicken chimichanga (A-) (only ones better are at Milagros, Orem)
c. rice A
d. beans A

Mama's Southern Plantation, Sandy
a. #1 best yams A+
b. #1 best sweet potato pie A
c. cole slaw B+
d. #2 best hushpuppies A-
e. #2 best greens - collard greens (B+)
f. fried catfish B-/B
g. fried whiting B
h. baked beans C++
i. potato salad C-
j. fried chicken B/B+
k. BBQ chicken B/B+
l. hoppin johns B++
m. cornbread (sweet, thick, and cake-like) A-
n. collard greens B+
o. mac and cheese  C
p. mashed potatoes B-
q. homemade yellow gravy B

Marble Slab Ice Cream
Note: We've tried most of their flavors; these are our favorites. There are similarities to Maggie Moo's, owned by the same corporate head, but MM's is slowly being phased out and no longer has a franchise in Utah, while Marble Slab is growing, per the company's emphasis.
a. black raspberry ice cream (#1 in state) A
b. strawberry ice cream (# 1 in state, and when Maggie Moos was in business, this was second best, but now is best) A
c. peanut butter ice cream (#1 in state) A
d. caramel ice cream (#2 in state after Cia Bella's Caramel with Brown Sugar ice cream, available by special order at Whole Foods Market) A

Maria Bonita, Orem
Note: This is part of the Mi Ranchito "chain," with similar menu and recipes. See our note at "Mi Ranchito" for more details on the chain.
Note: We have tested other items here as well, but those below are the most recent:
2016:
a. rice (B+ flavor, but weak texture) B-
b. refried beans B+/A-
c. chile relleno B
d. cheese enchilada C

Mariscos, Provo and Orem
a. mixed tostada C+
b. garlic motarra (tilapia) C+
c. rice C
d. beans (ask them to leave off the strong cheese); first visit (Provo) A- ; second visit (Orem) B-
e. rice with lobster sauce C+
f. lobster (overcooked) D
g. mushroom sauce C-
h. chips C-
i. salsas red and green B
j. cheese enchilada B-
k. chips C
l. bass fish taco B
m. marlin taco (fish too highly seasoned) C+

Market Street Grill, 3 Salt Lake Valley locations
a. western burger (the beef is a C+/B-, bacon B-/B, cheddar C, grilled bun B++, also had tomato and Mexican green pepper) B-/B
b. fish and chips. the fish (cod): C+
c. fries: B
c. key lime pie B/B+
d. clam chowder B
e. seafood salad sandwich (too little bread - too thin) B-
f. slaw B
g. key lime pie B (7th best in Utah; see our site, "Best Pies in Utah" and the Key Lime Pie Section)

Marley's Gourmet Sliders, Lindon and Provo  
a. Cinnemon bun (BEST IN THE STATE, with fortunately less sugar than Cinnabon's. (BYU Creamery is #2, Cinnabon #3.) A+
b. Classic slider B+ (best of their 12 lunch-dinner sliders; we tried them all: the others are a B- down to a D)
c. Breakfast pastrami slider (with cheese and egg) B/B+
d. Breakfast burrito (eggs, fried pot, veges, bacon) B+
e. Sausage, egg, cheese slider (sausage alone B) total B+
f. Pancakes and blueberry pancakes B/B+
g. bacon, egg, and cheese (bacon alone C+/B-, scrambled egg B-) total B-
h. vege omellete (mushroom, tomato, red onion) C+/B-
i. Spanish hot salsa for the omelette C+
j. hot sauce D+
k. fried breakfast potato and cheese C+/B-
l. ditto with gravy C+
m. gravy alone C+
n. white buttery pancake syrup B+
o. plain pancake B/B+
p. plain pancake with white syrup B+
q. blueberry pancake B/B+
r. pecan pancake B
s. pecan with blueberry B
t. french toast C+
u. ditto with white syrup C-
ALL SLIDERS:
v. FAJ (steak alone C+) B-
w. ricks B-
x. classic (meat alone: charbroiled flavor B+ but C quality; bun C) total: B/B+
y. rob B-/B
z. MK D+/C-
aa, sal (fish alone D) D+
bb. lex (chicken alone C, bacon alone C-) total C
cc. filet B-/B
dd. BC (tasted is B but too thin), C+

Maxwells, SLC

a. chicken parmisan B/B+
b. spaghetti - with "mom's original marinara" B+
c. meatball - B/B+
d. philly cheesesteak (top 2 in state with DP. Bread A-, meat A-/A, provolone A-, mushrooms, onion, green pepper, mild red pepper) A-
e. salmon BLT wrap (fish C+) total B+
f. canoli, sweet A
g. focacia bread B+/A-
h. potato bacon soup A-

McCools, SLC
a.fish and chips (the fish alo
b. meatloaf (among best in Utah) B/B+ne is B-, batter is a B-/B, tartar is C+, cottage fries: C). total:  B-
c. buffalo shepard's pie (with buffalo, venison, and andoulle sausage, plus mash, corn, etc.) B+

McDonalds (2014 menu)
Note: some of these burgers may no longer be served:
a. bacon clubhouse burger - too much sauce - beef alone: B, bun: B-, bacon: C-/C, total: C
b. Deluxe burger C+ (with bun quality C+
c. bacon cheddar burger, with leaf lettuce, tomato (bun: B, bacon C-, beef B-, total: B/B+
d. queso burger (strong S.W. flavor) B-
e. quarter pounder blt (bacon B+, beef B-) B-/B
f. big mac C
g. sausage egg McMuffin: best sausage around; poached egg good, muffin is barely OK. total A-
h. McGriddle - fake scrambled egg, muffin too sweet, and fake maple flavor is awful. total: D-

McGrath's Fish House, Sandy, regional chain
a. halibut davini: linguini C+, fish B
b. marlin D
c. garlic trout A-
d. grilled catfish B-
e. wood fired salmon, topped with garlid basil butter C-
f. ribeye C+
g. baby back ribs C-
h. fried oysters (best in state); recipe changed, made worse, about 2010, but they could custom-make it the old way, with Japanese panco crumbs, etc, to make it an A
i. lemon caper sole (fish only C-) total B+
j. red snapper B-
k. southern fried catfish C
l. alderplank salmon B+
m. reg. wood fired salmon B+
n. citrus honey salmon B
o. teriyaki candy glaze salmon C
p. BBQ salmon D+
q. fish and chips B-?

Mediterranean Deli, Salt Lake City
a. marinara sauce, in-house B
b. BLT: wheat bread, parm cheese, lettuce, tomato, thin regular bacon B-
c. chicken noodle soup B/B+
d. garlic bread C+/B-
e. lasagna: best in state (call and ask when they serve it): B+
TO TEST: clam chowder, every other Friday

Meltyway (cheese sandwiches only, Utah chain)
We tried them all: only one got an A, but it's worth getting!
a. NO LONGER OFFERED: turkey cran havarti + cream cheese (bread, whipped cream cheese, turkey, whole cranberry dressing, cheese) A
b. three cheese - cheddar, havarti, pepper jack B?
c. the italian - mozzarella, tom, basil pesto, salt and pepper B
d. bacon and tomato (bacon D) total B-
e. tomato basil soup B-

Mercado 5 de Mayo, Provo
a. Mexican scrambled eggs B-/B
b. rice B-/B
c. beans (runny is good) B-/B

Mexiquense, American Fork

a. grilled chicken B+
b. chile relleno B/B+
c. cheese enchilada B
d. refried beans B
e. rice B-, (needs cheese!) second visit B+ 
f. chips B
g. salsa B
h. relleno B
i. cheese enchilada B+
j. refried beans (has cheese) B+
k. grilled chicken leg B-
l. chicken thigh B/B+
m. red enchilada sauce with beans B+

Mex Italia Pizza, Provo
Note: They sell very inexpensively by the slice or whole pizzas 4 Mexican style pizzas and many Italian style. Testing the Mexican style only, in order of favorites:
a. Chicken fajita pizza, with green veges, BBQ sauce B+
b. enchilada pizza, with green sauce and chicken B
c. chorizo pizza, with chorizo and potato and green sauce B-
d. carne asada pizza, with green sauce and onion B-

Mi Lindo Guadalahara, Provo
a. chile relleno, poblano A-
b.cheese enchilada, unmelted white cheese inside and on top with no sauce A-
c. refried beans C+/B-
d. chorizo and beans mix C+
e. rice C

Mi Pueblo, Ogden
a. El Pasta B++ (summer Friday nights in back, ask for large slices unchopped)

Mi Ranchito, Utah chain
Note 1: Not to be confused with the "Ranchito" chain in Utah, rated further below.
The Mi Ranchito chain has some restaurants with the Mi Ranchito name, while other restaurants in the chain don't use the name. However, they all have a similar menu and recipe, such as Maria Bonita's and Mama Chu's in Orem, MexSal in Provo, and Ernesto's in St. George, plus others in the state. We feel that Mama Chu's is the best of the bunch for the items tested below. We also feel that the Orem Mi Ranchito and others using that name are the second best, and that Maria Bonitas is the weakest, at least for the menu items listed below. (Maria Bonitas in Orem does however have our favorite ambience in the chain, followed by the original Mi Ranchito, also in Orem.) The difference among the places is due to the fact they all have different owners - relatives and friends of the owner of the original restaurant started in 1982 in Orem, just north of the Scera Theater. While the menus and taste of the food items are to some extent different, the tell-tale sign that a restaurant is part of this "chain" is the combinations" section on the menus. For example, at all the restaurants in this chain, our favorite combo, "chile relleno and cheese enchilada" is #38 at every location. 

Note 2: We have tested most items on the menu. The ones below are the ones most recently tested, and are from the original Orem location:

2016:
a. rice, if not fresh cooked: B-/B; if fresh A
b. refried beans C+/B-
c. chile relleno A-
d. cheese enchilada B/B+
e. chips B
f. salsa B+
2014:
g. chimichangas (our third fave chimi in the state, after Milagros in Orem and Emmanuels in Provo) B+

Milagros, Orem
2016:
a. cheese enchiladas, with flour tortillas, green sauce B-/B
b. spicy (Spanish) rice C+
c. sweet rice C
c. refried beans A-
d. borracho beans C

2014:
a. best chicken chimichanga A
b. best pork chimichanga A
c. best beef chimichanga B+
d. good non-smoked baby back ribs (great citrus, candy-like glaze) B
e. vege enchilada A- -, 2015 (veges tough): total A
f. horchata drink A
g. pinto beans B-
h. black beans (among best in state) 2015: B+
i. refried beans 2016: B+
i-1. borracho beans B++
j. spicy rice B+
k honey onion B++
i. cheese enchilada B-/B
m. red enchilada sauce B
n. green enchilada sauce C-
o. sweet white rice C+, first test (2013) second test (2011) C-, third test (2015) B
o-1.spicy rice B/B+
p. chile relleno (poblano) B-
q. chips A
r. red salsa B-
s. green salsa B
t. sweet onion enchilada B/B+
u. baby back ribs (non-smoked but citrus marinated) 2015: C+

Millie's Burgers, Sugarhouse (SLC)
a. cheeseburger B

* Mimi's Cafe, national chain, multiple locations
a. baked brie with apricot chutney and tart apples (2nd best brie in the state after 412 Bisto, Park City). A
b. French toast - orange pain perdu French toast (3rd best in the state - Cafe 300, and El Azteca Provo are the best). This has been renamed something like Orange/cream cheese french toast: A- 
c. regular french toast C+
d. brioche french toast (possibly renamed to cinnamon french toast - it is actually a cinnemon roll dipped in egg batter) B+
e. chicken salad croissant (4th best chicken salad sandwich in state after Cafe 300, Lion House, and Arby's). A
f. petite chocolate mousse (best in state now). B+
g. clam chowder (#4 best in state, after Eating Establishment in Park City, Cafe 300 in Provo, and Lion House in SLC). A-
h. Le California Avocado BLT Omelette (jack, avocade slices; omelette with spinach alone C , plus avocado B-/B, or plus tomato only B-/B, avocade PLUS tomato B-B; above plus bacon B+
i.strawberry waffle perdu A-
j. sole meuniere (lemon sauce with capers B+/A-, sole fish alone B/B+, provencal potatoes B++, sauteed garlic spinach A-) total B+/A-
k. BBlt (lettuce, tomato, mayo, and bacon on brioche - which is egg white bread). B+
l. banana strawberry smoothie. A-
m. Five cheese sandwich with parm crust (similar to Station 22 crust ("Old School" version) but not as good.) (cheddar, jack, swiss, mozzarella on grilled garlic parm sourdough)  B
n. corn chowder B-
o. tomato basil B-
p. white roll B-/B
q. mixed berry french toast, with strawberries and blueberries B
r. pomegranite berry smoothie (discontinued) A
s. ciabatta breakfast sandwich, without ham C, with ham D
t. strawberry smoothie B-
u.  roasted tomato soup, alone C+, with cheese crust on top B+
v. carrot cake B/B+
w. petite seafood crepe (shrimp, scallops, spinach in creamy lobster sauce, which is bad as a sauce) C
x. meatloaf (meatloaf alone D, sauce alone C-) total C-
y. mash, with same sauce as meatloaf C-
z. poulet a l'Orange crepes B/B+
aa. pot pie nouveau (peas, carrots, onions, in creamy sauce with herbes de Provence in buttery puff pastry crust) B/B+
bb. le burger de madame (meat C, bun A) total B/B+
cc. nouveau (croissant with cream cheese, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, and mixed greens, and Kalamata olives and pepperoncinis) C-. CUSTOMIZE IT BY DELETING the Kalamata olives and pepperonicinis: B+
dd. le french quarter (garlic parm sourdough with avocado, swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomates, onions, pickles, thousand island dressing) B-
ee. warm turkey, brie and aple on crossant B/B+
ff. turkey pesto ciabatta (grade lowered by too strong of basil-pesto mayo; also has turkey, bacon, mozzarella, tomatoes, balsamic mixed greens, avocado on ciabatta roll) B-
gg. grilled salmon and rench lentils (lentil mix C+B-, salmon alone overcooked and frozen tasting D) total C+/B-
hh. bacon apple waffle (waffle alone B, sauce C+/B-) total B
ii. croque madame waffle (ham and swiss on two herbe waffles, with mornay sauce D+,  toped with fried eggs.) total B/B+, with sauce C
jj. classic waffle C+
kk. leGrande breakfast: bacon C+, pork C+/B-, bayonne-style corned beef hash B+, scrambled egg C
ll. original french toast B-/B
mm. strawberry waffle perdu (filling of cream cheese and orange marmalade on waffles - combined at B++; wafle alone B, waffle and filling on top A-, plus strawberry sauce B+, strawberry sauce alone C+)
mm. cinnamon brioche french toast B/B+
nn. crepes florentine (crepes filled with scrambled eggs, spinach, onions, tomatos, topped with franch mornay sauce (sauce B+), total B+
oo. croissant sandwich (fried eggs, tomatoes, cheddar, bacon, side of dijon mustard) B/B+ alone, with mustard B/B+
pp. pomme lyonnaise benedict (hash potato on bottom rather than English muffin) bacon,, sauteed spinach, tomatoes, poached egg, hollandaise; it's better with English muffin!) B

Molly's, Provo
Note: Our 2 favorite dishes there are no longer served: deep pocket beef ribs (oven cooked, glaze very good) B+. (Also not served: reg. beef ribs (bbq) C++). Other great item n o longer served is the best mash and gravy in the state on Tuesdays when they made turkey.
a. baby back ribs, first time B-, second time (Dec  2013) (inside bites tender but flavorless B-/B; bites with glaze B++) total B
b. sweet potatoes, first visit (June 2010) flavor boiled away with skins off B+, second visit (either our criteria had changed or perhaps they had added more seasoning that the carrots had absorbed) A
c. BBQ smoked chicken, first time (June 2010) both dark pieces B+, second time A-, third time (Dec 2013) leg B-, thigh B++
d. braised pork D
e. stewed veges with the pork, but not including the pork for this grade A
f. Carolina pulled pork B+
g. 23 hour TX brisket first time (tender but little flavor) B , second time (tough but flavor B) total C+
h. braised beef B-
i. baked beans B+
j. brisket, wet end B+?
k. mash, first visit (June 2010) B+, second visit A
l. mushroom gravy A- -
j. green beans C+
k. tomato-basil pie, no eggs B/B+
l. bacon soup B+
m. pulled pork C
n. chicken enchilada A- - 
o. baked beans (whole) B
p. carrot cake B
q. #1 best carrots, first visit (June 2010 A+, second visit A
r. tomato basil soup B+
s. French chicken in wine sauce, first time B+, second time (Dec 2013) (tough chicken C, gravy B+/A-, carrots A) total B-
t. wine sauce for French chicken B+
u. carrots A
v. mash A
w. white gravy C+
x. pot roast gravy B/B+
y. mac and cheese B
z. corn chowder B, with shrimp B+
aa. chocolate cake/cheesecake marble (little cheesecake) B-/B

Moochies, several Utah locations
a. cheesesteak sandwich (get with NO mushrooms - it was bad when we had it with mushrooms) B/B+
b. meatballs C+/B-
c. meatball sandwich B+
d. marinara sauce C+
e. spaghetti and marinara C+

Mooya Burgers, international chain with one Utah location:Provo
a. burger - seasoned and fresh, also with fresh baked buns, similar to Smashburger B+ (bun B+, chedar A-, bacon B-, sauce B+, avocado A, white onion C+). Total: B+
b. chocolate shake #3 best in Utah after Smashburger and Baskin Robbins - best fast-food style shake, using soft serve ice cream (has higher butterfat than any other soft serve we've seen) B
c. fries C
d. hot dog. They now serve Nathans, so the beef dog alone jumped from a B- to higher. The in-house, fresh baked bun (our favorite around) and condiments that we always get make it sing: sauteed mushrooms, fresh onions, tomato, a little lettuce, their Mooya (fry) sauce, and sometimes, optionally, cheddar - that's it. (Without cheese is better for most of us.) They split the dog in half lengthwise and spread it open to make it like a sandwich, which works best so theirs is not too much meat in the bite, unlike most places that are too meaty with a jumbo dog. A

Mountain West Burrito, Provo
a. chicken chimi C-
b. steak chimi A-
c. carrots and lentils B/B+
d. cheese quesadilla A
e. bean and cheese buritto B-
f. medium sauce C
g. hot sauce A-
h. steak burrito A-
i. chips A+
j. salsa C
k.rice C-
l. pinto beans C+

N
NYPD Pizza, Draper, SLC
a. Margharita pizza gets an A-. 
b. While you're there, check out the amazing Wedding Soup (couscous, basil, meatballs) grade A. 
c. mariano pie (no sauce) C++
d. pasta bolognese B-
e. baked ziti C+/B-
f. eggplant parmigiana B-
g. pasta aglio e olia pop's favorite dish B+
h. chicken parmigiana B-
i. shrimp penne C

j. penn station cheese steak (bun A, meat D+) total: B-
k. garlic butter sauce wings B
l. BBQ sauce wings C++
m. ministrone C+

Nauvoo Cafe, downtown Salt Lake City
a. turkey pot pie (strong rosemary herb flavor; because of that, some will not like - one of us did not) A
b. chicken salad sandwich. Cucumber helps it. Avocado and tomato are also very helpful. (See our "Best Chicken Salad Sandwiches list for the best.) A-

Nicolitalia, Provo
a. a great Margharita Pizza A-
b. supreme pizza C+

Noodles and Co., national chain
a. pad thai B
b. Alfredo MonAmore B+/A-
c. Bangkok Curry B/B+
d. Indonesian Peanut Saute C/C+
e. Thai Curry Soup B/B+
f. tomato basil bisque (basil too strong) B-
g. Chinese chicken chop salad C
h. Wisconsin Cheesesteak C+
i. Margherita Flatbread C
j. Asian salad C+
k. noodles C+
l. meatballs A-
m. flat bread C
n. spaghetti and meatballs B+
o. spaghetti and sauce alone C
p. mac and cheese B-/B
q. mac and cheese with meatballs B+
r. chicken noodle soup B
s. BBQ pork sandwich (pork alone C-, sauce D, slaw A, bun B+) total: C

0
O'Hanna's Grill, Springville (Polynesian - not Irish!)
a. mango otai drink. A
b. fish katsu and numerous dishes: B
c. kalua pork B/B+
d. cabbage B/B+
e. fried rice with spam and egg B
f. povi masima (steamed, salted wet brisket) C+
g. kalbi ribs B+  (half were tough)
h. masubi (seaweed and spam) C+
i. fried buttermilk garlic chicken B/B+
j. macaroni B
k. corned beef has B-
l. spam fried rice B
m. banana nut pancake with coconut milk sauce A
n. french toast B
o. teriyaki beef B
p. portuguese sausage B-/B
q. sticky rice B-

(The) Old Spaghetti Factory, multiple locations
ITEMS TO COMPARE TO OTHER ITALIAN PLACES:
2013 test:
a. marinara sauce C-
b. pomodora sauce A-
c. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) B++++
d. salsa rosa (red and white: marinara and alfredo mixed) A
e. bread C+/B- sour loaf. + butter = B+
f. spaghetti noodles C-
g. soup C-/C
DESSERTS 
h. choc mousse B+, and choc cake B+ = B+
2008 test:
i. marsala B-
j. lasagna B
k. chicken parmesan B
l. bread D
m. salad C-
n. salad dressing D
o. ministrone soup C-
p. clam sauce C+/B-
q.  alfredo sauce C+
r. mushroom sauce C-

Olive Garden, national chain
a.  breaded tilapia. B/B+ (best breaded tilapia with Italian seasoning is Archibalds, South Jordan)
ITEMS TO COMPARE TO OTHER ITALIAN PLACES:
a. marinara sauce B++
b. #2 Pomodora spaghetti in state (after Romano Grill) A- -
c. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) B+++
d. arrabiata (spicy pomodora sauce) (garlicy and spicy) B++
e. salsa rosa (red and white sauce) (Five cheese") (3rd best behind Terra Mia, Orem and Old Spaghetti Factory, national chain) A-
f. bread (sticks) B-
g. minestrone soup C-
h. spaghetti noodles D+
DESSERTS:
a. choc cake B-/B, + choc mousse A- -, = total A-
b. choc cheesecake B+, + white mousse B+, = total B+/A-
c. chocolate mousse alone (A - ) 
(See "Best Desserts in Utah" for full list.)
MEALS:
a. Italian-seasoned tilapia B/B+

One Man Band, several locations
a. breakfast sandwich with sausage D-
b. breakfast sandwich with bacon C+
c. breakfast sandwich with ham C-
f. liver and onions C+
g. sausage D
h. french toast D
i. bacon C-
j. ham D+

Oregano Italian Restaurant, Provo
a. lasagna B
b. meatballs C+
c. marinara sauce and spaghetti C

Original Pancake House, Sugarhouse in SLC
AUGUST 2013 TEST:
a. pecan pancakes A
b. California Club Benedict (current bacon quality A-). (Formerly it was served with much more tomato, in small cubes, piled on, plus avocado, but now it only has a few slivers of tomatos. So ask the server for more tomatoes like it used to be. In 2008 when it was an A+). Now: B+
c. blueberry pancakes D
d. scrambled eggs (not fresh/real) D
e. nutella waffle B
f. belgian waffle B-
g. ditto with fruit B
h. french toast C
i. Greek omelette D
Nov 2008 test:
j. crepes D+
k. fruit topping: fresh banana, peaches, strawberries A+
l. thick pacon A+
m. basted egg (served cold on our test and too thick of cooked egg white) B-
AUGUST 2010 TEST:
a. swedish pancake B+
b. silver dollar buttermilk pancakes B--
c. blueberry pancakes A+
d. Belgian waffle C++
e. Sourdough pancakes B++
f. "Joe" (scramble with sausage, onion, spinach; REQUEST TOMATO on the side to add to it!) A-
g. Dutch treat with fruit variety B
h. hash browns "breakfast potatoes" A- -
i. banana foster french toast B
j. sausage links B+/A
k. buttermilk pancakes with fruit topping B+


Otero, Lindon - upscale Mexican
Note: this is the follow-up restaurant to the now defunct Tortilla Bar in Orem; another one, Masa, closed as well.
a. beef taco with hanging beef tenders, sliced jalapeno (leave out unless you love the heat), shredded green apple, little sauce B+
b. beef alone, from flank steak possibly but made as tender and flavorful as fillet mignon A
c. pipil slow cooked seasoned pork taco with sliced red vege B+/A-
d. pork alone, shredded B+

e. platano macho: seared plantain, topped with feta cheese, cream, marzipan paste B+

Ottavio's, Orem mall food court
a. supreme pizza (best supreme in state!) B+/A-
b. margharita pizza C+/B-
c. pepperoni pizza C+
d. meatballs (top 5 in state) B/B+
e. marinara sauce C

Outback, national chain
a-1. #1 crabcake in Utah. crabcake alone B/B+
a-2. hollandaise-like sauce with it: B+
a-3. crabcake with sauce B+
b. tenderloin steak (B+)
c. soup - chicken tortilla (too much black pepper, too spicy) B-
d. soup - potato cheese B
e. seasoned rice B-
f. mashed potatoes with garlic C
g. baby back ribs (slightly dry inside) B+
h. grilled chicken breast C-
i. garlic mash B-, another time: B/B+
j bone-in ribeye (beside bone A-, outer part with fat B+, lean part C) overall B/B+
k. Delmonico steak (strongly herbed, a drawback) B/B+
l. baked potato C
m. sweet potato A-
n-1. tilapia B
n-2. tilapia with Pure Lump Crab Meat B-
o. "fillet focacia sandwich" (fish?) (herbed focacia bread with provolone cheese and several chunks of meat and garlic aioli; might be higher grade of A- if the bread were not herbed) B+
p. stuffed mushrooms C?
q. steak sandwich C+?
r. potato cheese soup B-
s. pork porterhouse:
1. tenderloin part B/B+
2. NY strip part B-
t. mustard maple pork chop (no mustard or maple flavor) B+
m. cheeseburger (bun too think, rating a C; meat good quality, rating B+ but B flavor as it's not seasoned enough): B 
n. marsala sirloin B
o. onion potato soup B/B+
p. citrus cooler  drink (orange, lemon, lime, cucumber) A
q. citrus cooler  drink made with cherry added to above: A-
r. rice D
s. bread (dark brown small loaf) B
t. lime drink B+
u. strawberry lime drink B++
v. fries A-
w. 7 layer chocolate cake B-
x. 7 layer chocolate cake with raspberry sauce B-/B
y. potato onion sould with chesse and bacon C+

P
 * Pago, Salt Lake City
(In March 2015 chosen on MSN as best restaurant in Utah, among "Best Restaurants in 50 States") TESTED SPRING 2014:
a. sable fish (A-)
b.fried polenta (A-: the best fried polenta in state)
c. veges with the stable fish A
d. veges with the pork tenderloin (but don't order the pork itself - only a C+/B-, even though they cook using the preferred "sous vide" method). Veges A
e. risoto with the pork tenderloin (best in state tied with The Slate, in Provo) A

f. fish and chips (crisply, soda batter is OK, but fish is FRESH, one of only two places that are - the other is State Street Grill, American Fork) B
g. beet cake dessert A
h. chocolate panna cotta A

Panda Express, national chain
a. rice C-
b. lo mein noodles C
c. walnut shrimp B-
d. orange chicken B-
e. Chinese spare ribs B-/B
f. mushroom chicken B

* Pantrucas, Provo

a. chicken, avocado, tomato sandwich on their own bread. (We prefer ungrilled, especailly  for this sandwich.) They also add herbs to it, including cilantro, onions
b. steak, avocado, tomato sandwich (grilled and ungrilled bread both work great. Note this is  not an expensive steak sandwich like at LaJolla Groves, as here they use sirloin steak to  keep the cost down. But the combo of other items gives this the high grade) A-

c. fresh peach drink (A - - )
d. rotisserie chicken, first visit (Sep 2013) B+, second visit (Oct 2013) B
e. spring rice. 2nd best rice after Pura Peru's seafood fried rice in Sandy, UT. A
f. Italiano Completo, one of top 5 hot dogs in the state (along with hot dogs at Joes Restaurant, Sportzdogs Food Truck, Coney's [buttered bun only with dog], and enezuelan-Chilean cafe north of DI in Provo - all on this list, above)
g. fried fish (tilapia) B-/B
h. completo Italiano (hot dog, guac, mixed onion, red pepper, parsely) A
i. cheese empanada B/B+
j. steak and cheese sandwich (steak C-, with mozzarala and herbs) C+
k. custom made: fish sandwich (with herbs + mozzarela cheese D+/C-), no cheese, with herbs B- 
l. beef sandwich (beef C+, green beans B/B+) with avocado (note this may be the same as steak/avocado/tomato sandwich above; if so, this item needs to be merged with "b" above) A-

Papa Johns Pizza, national chain
a. cheese pizza C
b. pepperoni pizza B
WINGS:
c. honey chipotle B
d. bbq C+++/B-
e. roasted B-
f. buffalo C

Paradise Bakery, multiple locations
Note: We tested many sandwiches and items here, including all breakfast items. This was our only one rating at least a B+. The rest were C's and B's.
a. chicken salad sandwich. Needs more fruit. too much mayo. (croissant A-); the flavor is good but has too few fruits. B+

Pat's BBQ, Salt Lake City
2015 TEST:
a.  ribs B
b. pulled pork C
c. brisket, lean only B
2013 TEST:
a. beef ribs DISCONTINUED ITEM in 2011: it was #1 best beef ribs, rated A+ in April 2010) (if they bring it back - perhaps it may be on Fridays like it used to be). Now, #1 is Goodwood BBQ at various Utah locations
b. baked beans, first visit (2006) B-, second visit (2013) A - (among highest of over 40 tested)
c. mashed potatoes and meat gravy (don't get regular gravy!) A-
d. #2 (tie) best potato salad (behind Five Star, tied with Cafe 300) (B +)
e. #1 best greens - mustard  greens (B+)
f. #2 best red beans and rice (B+)
g. #1 best Creole black beans and rice (B+)
h. #1 best jambalaya (B+)
i. #2 best. BBQ Sauce with meats (#1 for tasting alone) ("Sweet Heat" - not their others) A -
2011 TEST:
j. cornbread, first visit (Sep 2006) C-, second visit (Feb 2010) C+, third visit (Dec 2011) B
k. wet end brisket ("burnt ends") B+ 
l. dry brisket (2006) D
m. slaw, first visit (2006) C, second visit (Feb 2010) A-, third visit (Dec 2011) B+
n-o n/a
p. mustard greens B+
q. red beans and rice, first visit (April 2010) A-, second visit (Dec 2011) B+ (best)
r. meaty gravy and rice, first visit (April 2010) A-, second visit (Nov 2011) B
s. mashed potato and "meaty" gravy A
t. mashed potato and "regular" gravy for it: B+, but C++ without gravy,
u. gravy alone (canned) (April 2010) C-
v. jambalaya B+ 
w. rib tips B+ (hard crusty parts C)
x. creole black beans and rice B+ 
z. RIBS:
first visit (2006) alone B
second visit (Feb 2010, tested with various specific sauces:
alone B+
with sweet heat B++
with mild B++
with Big Powder? Brown Sugar C
with mustard sauce C+
with Big Powder? Sweet Vinegar C-
third visit (Nov 2011) C, with sauces B+
fourth visit (Dec 2011) B+, with sauces B++
fifth visit (May 2015) B-/B
aa. SMOKED CHICKEN:
thigh (2010 and 2011) C-, with sauce C+
leg (2010 and 2011) C+
breast C+, with sauce B+
bb. pulled pork, first visit (2006) C, second visit (Nov 2011) C+, with sauce C-, third visit (May 2015) C
cc. sweet potato pie B-
dd. pecan pie A (best in Utah, but no longer made?)
BBQ SAUCES (2010):
ee. mild A-
ff. mustard, first test (April. 2010) C, second test (Decd 2011) B-

gg. red, first test (April 2010) B-, second test (Feb 2011) A-, third test (Dec 2011) B

P. F. Chang, national chain
a. orange peel shrimp A
b. chocolate decadance cake. A (second best in Utah after Zoom in Park City) A

c. duck roll C-/D+
d. fried rice C+/B-
e. lo mein B
f. crab fried rice B/B+
g. lo mein B/B+
h. chilean sea bass (worst in Utah) B/B+
i. hot fish (cod, battered, and too spicy-hot) B/B+

Paulino's Contigo Peruvian Restaurant, Salt Lake City
a. fried rice B/B+
b. fried swai (Asian catfish) (best is at El Tropical, Provo) C-/C
c. pollo la brasa (our fave in the state after El Tropical, and Casa de Peru, Provo. (El Tropical is best WHEN they marinate it 3 days.) Specifically here: leg: B-/B, thigh B+. overall: B/B+

Payson mexican market (find the name)
a. relleno B
b. cheese and bean papoosa B
c. ditto with sauce B
d. porkrind and cheese papoosa plain D
e. ditto with sauce A-
f. choriso quesadilla C-
g. beans A- -
h. rice B

Pita Pit, Provo, national chain
a. turkey pita B/B+
b. ham pita B+
c. prime rib pita C+
d. cheese steak pita C-
e. steak pita C-
f. plain white pita bread A

* Pizzaria 712, Orem
(Note: See our site, "Best Pizza in Utah")
a. #1 tie: Margharita Pizza, wood-fired A 
b. Panna cotta, buttermilk, lemon curd A
c. pastrami sandwich A-?
d. caprese/pesto sandwich A
e. ham and cheese sandwich (focacia too thick and cheese too strong) D+
f. braised beef B-
g. biscuit and rhubarb compote B/B+
h. bread pudding (chamomile creme anglaise, high west bourbon caramel) A
Note on bread puddings: this one and the bread puddings at the regional BBQ chain in the East, "Mission," are the only two A grade bread puddings we have discovered in the U.S.

PANINI SANDWICHES:
a. pastrami, souerkraut, rockhill gouda, russian dressing A-
b. braised beef, sweet onios, mushroom, provolone: meat B-, with cheese added they are B+, but all combined: B/B+
c. hand-pulled mozzarella, pesto, sun dried tomatoes A-
d. gran biscotto ham, white cheddar C+
e. summer: corn on the cob A
f. spring: pulled beef B-
g. mac and cheese (similar to Communal, same owner) B+ 

Pho Plus Noodles, Provo
a. Ban Hi sandwich - rates an A (honey pork alone C, bun B+, brown sauce A, which pulls up the whole grade. Also has carrots, cilantro, and lettuce). total: A.
b. 7 spiced pork sandwich (7 spiced pork alone B-/B). total: B+/A-
c. katsu sandwich B-
d. orange chicken B/B+

* Popeye's, Thanksgiving Point and Hill Air Force Base, 
Ogden
a.  spicy fried chicken (very good but better at Maddox, Communal, and Cafe 300) B+
b. mild, regular fried chicken, almost as good as the spicy B+
c.  red beans and rice (B/B+)
d. mac and cheese C-/C
e. fried fish C
f. mash and gravy (best fast-food mash and gravy in Utah alone with El Pollo Loco) B+

Puro Peru, Sandy
a. #1 yellow rice, Peruvian style (you have to get it with mixed seafood). B+
b. green rice with chicken (chicken arroz con pollo (chicken B/B+, great green rice A) total A

c. anticucho tradicional ( skewered grill cow heart squaues) B

d. arroz chaufa mixto (fried rice with chicken C-/C) and beef (C-/B) - Chinese style fried rice. total grade C+
e. Peruvian seafood rice B+
f. pescado frito (breaded fish - tilapia) C
g. beef stew with white canary bean (includes tough pieces of beef, tender pieces beef A, running white beans A- -) total B/B+

Q
 Quisnos, only in Salt Lake Valley now for Utah
a. lobster sandwich (seasonal) (if no dressing C+, if no oil herbs and lettuce and tomato B-). grade B+ 
Note: Be certain to use white bread only, add butter, tomato, and lettuce on it, plus make certain they add their herbed seasoning - 5 things! (Without the butter, for example, it's a C+). We tested this same sandwich in all different combinations over a 3 day period. (We also earlier tested all sandwiches on their menu, and, as with numerous other places on this list, we found only one item with a high grade - the one listed here.)
b. prime rib philly B
c. turky bacon guac sandwich C+
d. harvest chicken salad sandwich wrap on wheat wrap (joney-dijon, apples, grapes, dried cranberries, cucumbers, tomatos, pumpkin seeds, acai vinaigrette) B- -

R

Ranchero Market, Provo
a. rice C+
b. refried beans (too salty but nice runny texture; if less salty it would be a B+) B/B+
c.cheese enchilada (with white crumbly cheese on top; spicy hot) B+
d. chile relleno C-

Ranchito / Betos (same chain), multiple locations:
Note 1: This is different than "Mi Ranchito," another Utah chain.
Note 2: We've tried almost everything there, many several times; below in bold are the only 5 items rating above C+:
a. Texano Burrito A- (best item there)
b. taquitos B+
c. relleno B/B+
d. relleno sauce A
e. cheese enchilada C-
f. cheese enchilada sauce B-/B
f. beans B+

g. rice A-

Red Butte Cafe, SLC
a. many dessert items - we will update this. Start with chocolate raspberry 3 layer cake and the chocolate decadent cake and the orange chocolate mousse cake - all A-'s! 
b. blackened catfish sandwich (blackened catfish alone A-, but it needs more fish or less sauteed veges - spinach, poblaino, celery, red pepper - and orange colored sauce, as you can't tasted the fish) B
c. chille relleno (the most unusual relleno we've tested - adding corn, squash, and carrot inside the poblano pepper with cheese) B/B+
d. hominy and corn B
e. black beans and creme (spicy hot), flavor B+, runny texture A) total B+
f. pasta with raw spinach D

DESSERTS:
a. lemon merinage tart B/B+
b. three layer chocolate cake with raspberries if in season or jelly if not, plus shipped choc ganache icing A
c. carrot cake (strong spice flavor) B/B+
d. bourbon pecan pie B+
e. chocolate decadence (flourless) cake A - see "Best Desserts in Utah" for this category. Red Butte ranks near the very top!
f. seasonal fruit (we had strawberry) poppy seed cake A-

g. orange chocolate mousse cake A

Red Lobster, national chain
Oct 2002 test, updated since several times, same scores:
a. key lie pie A- 
(See our site, "Best Pies in Utah" for the list of best key lime pies.)
b. crunchy fried fish C
c. fried shrimp C
d. tartar sauce A+
e. shrimp sauce A+
f. cheesy rolls C
g. clam chowder C-
h. fish and chips (sometimes updated or taken off menu) B, second time Haddock with C- - overcooked fish and C batter; total C
i. New England seafood sampler (lobster, crab, and seafood stuffed mushrooms, lightly breaded clam strips, skewer of wood grilled bacon-wrapped sea scallops) C+
j. lobster pizza (crisp thin crust pizza with langostino lobster meat, melted mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil) D, second time B+
k. New England Lobster rolls (Main lobster meat lightly tossed with creamy mayo,l celery and onion on two buttery toasted rolls) D+
l. hand battered fish and chips (haddock fillet) C+
j. catfish B++
k. fries C+/B-
l. pumpkin cup B-
m. mashed potatoes B+
n. cheese burger: meat flavor B+, but meat overall C+; with added lettuce and tomato B+
o. chocolate cake B- -


Red Robin, multiple locations
a. #2 mac and cheese (after Ruth's Diner), alone B+/A-, served with rib pieces A-, second visit A-/A 
b. riblets alone B/B+
c. fair fish and chips, #1 national chain for fish and chips - see our site for Best Fish and Chips in Utah. (fish alone: B), batter A-/A) overall: B/B+
d. rib tips B-
e. slaw C+?

Red Rock Grill, SLC
a. creme brule (inner portion, below burnt top C++), total, with burnt top: A
b. fried polenta B/B+
c. polenta with mushroom B-
d. polenta with tomato soup B+
e. all 3 combined: polenta, mushroom, tomato soup B/B+
f. soup: Italian sausage, cabbage, potato (spicy) B/B+
g. grilled flat bread (garlic,parsley, gorgonsola) C-/C
h. wild mushroom pizza (too much carmelized onion) C
i. caprese sandwich C
j. sweet potato fries B
k. french onion/ New York steak sandwich (meat C, grilled bread with melted mozorella atop slice with french onion inside only, with parsely sprinkled on both sides of bread B++; the french onion B), total: B
l. french onion dip C+
m. fried green tomato C-
n. shrimp sauce A
o. cod fish and chips (fish alone C-, bater B-/B) total: B-
p. tomato basil soup (strong black pepper) B+
q. slaw (too vinegary) D
r. chicken (microwave texture but tender) C
s. fresh long green beans (with sauteed red peppper pieces B+/A-). total B-
t. fried portabello and cheese A- hot, B warm
u. fries B-/B
v. tartar sauce (too sweet) B-
w. stuffed portabella mushroom (with herbed cream cheese and mozzarella, lightly breaded, deep fired and served with house made crushed San Marzano tomato sauce that is very black peppery)  B+
total if hot, no sauce A-
total if warm with sauce B+
total if hot with sauce A
total if warm, no sauce: B
x. peach cobbler B/B+
y. fried calamari (good batter, not tender) B/B+


Rice King, Provo

a. fried rice B-

Rincon Peruvian, Orem

a. swai fish in broth B/B+
b. chicha morada drink. A
c. rotisserie chicken (one of best rotisserie chicken in Utah; however, the very best is pollo ala brasa at The Tropical, Provo and Paulino's Contigo in Salt Lake City) Here it is: B/B+
d. tropical fruit drinks (in spring 2014 - we still must test them under new owner). A
e. escabeche de pescado (breaded fish) - they use swai. B
f. ado en escabechel cubapolitano, stew - they use swai. B
g. fries: B

Roccos (downtown Provo) (many same recipes as Gandolphos New York Deli above)
(At our grading of Gandolphos above, are the same grades as here:)
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES:
a. Breakfast sandwich on Kaiser bun: pastrami, eggs, and American cheese (as much as we dislike American cheese) A- -
b. Breakfast sandwich on Kaiser bun: bacon, egg, American cheese, and sausage B+
c. bacon, cheese and egg only: B-
d. sausage, egg and cheese only B
e. Pastrami and american cheese and egg A- -
f. loco: chili pepper, egg, sausage, no cheese, pico de gallo B
g. Crew - egg, bacon, sausage sub, no cheese B-/B
h. egg and sausage on sub B
i. egg and bacon only on sub B-/B
LUNCH SUBS:
Note: We've tried several others - the bottom two are our faves:
a. Italian ham, egg, marinara, no cheese C+/B-
b. Brooklyn Bridge (Turkey, bacon, provolone, lettuce, tomato, mayo) B+
c. Hampton (Turkey, swiss, avocado, lettuce, tomato, may) B+
HOT DOGS

Their top dog rates this place #4 best dog joint in Utah, of the top 15 (see our site, "Best Hot Dogs in Utah," but only 3 of the 7 dogs we tried here are B+ or higher. The dogs are now served on hoagi rolls - at least the night we tried them - rather than standard buns, and it works that way OK. Their "secret sauce" on several of their dogs is similar to J Dawgs.

a. Snoop Dog (tomato, pickle, onion, secret sauce) A-

b. Hound Dog (American cheese, secret sauce, eggs, bacon - although they served up ham, perhaps out of bacon or too lazy to cook it up) B+/A-

c. Deputy Dawg (slaw, secret sauce) B+

d. Chicago Dog (relish, onion, tomato, pickle, peppers, salt, mustard; this could be better with fry sauce or only a hint of mustard, not as much as they or most places add) B+

e. The Mookie Dawg (kraut, onion, secret sauce) B-/B

f. Provo Bulldog (bacon - but the night we went it was ham, which is not as good - cheddar, onion, secret sauce) C+

g. Lucky Dog (pastrami, kraut, onions, mustard) C

Note: They also have a chili dog and a giant breakfast dog, not tried yet

Rockwell Creamery, Provo
a. milk chocolate ice cream B+
b. dark chocolate ice cream (part of Rockwell Road) B-/B
c. mint chocolate ice cream (real mint leaves!) A
PASTRIES:
1. hummingbird B
2. koek sisters B/B+
3. mini cheesecake B/B+
4. black forest bomb B/B+
5. peanut butter doey goey B/B+
6. carmelita B/B+
7. sticky toffee B+
8. milk tort B/B+
9. brownie B-/B

Rodizio Grill, multiple locations
a. #1 creme brulee, fruit overtones A-
b. Brazilian Raspberry Creme with vanilla ice cream (ADD A SIDE CUP OF CHOCOLATE SYRUP TO MAKE IT BETTER!). (B++ with vanilla ice cream). It was better with chocolate ice cream in 2010, rating an A)
c. Brazillian Strawberry Creme (with frozen strawberries) (ADD A SIDE CUP OF CHOCOLATE SYRUP TO MAKE IT BETTER) B++
d. Brazillian limeade (much better than Tucano's Brazillian lemonade)
e. passion fruit mousse B/B+
WE TESTED THESE AND ARE GATHERING NOTES; they range from B's to A's
F. lime mousse
g. mango brazillian creme
h. passion fruit brazillian creme
i. coconut brazilian creme B-
j. guava brazillian creme
k. pina colada (ice, ice cream, pinapple, coconut)
2010 test:
a. caramel flan B- -
b. lime pie B-
c. creme brule B+
d. chocolate cake B-
(don't get cake with banana ice cream - it's the same weak cake)
e. raspberry chocolae brazillian creme (custom request chocolate ice cream, not vanilla that comes with it) A+
f. strawberry lemonade A+
No longer available: banana Brazillian creme B-

* Romano's Macaroni Grill, national chain
a. Veal chops, with mushrooms and cheese on top (A-)
b. Pork shank A
c. Chianti pork chops (grape flavor). B+ (second best in Utah after Copper Onion in SLC)
d. parmasan crusted sole, with lemon butter, capers (has heavy crust). B/B+
e. Mediterranean Branzino (cheap sea bass - NOT Chilean sea bass, which is our favorite fish! - but this is not it), with lemon chardonnay sauce B
f. olive oil C-
g. sausa batina? B+
COMPARE THESE ITEMS TO OTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANTS:
a. macaroni and cheese (no sauce, sparse cheese) B-
b. marinara sauce B
c. Pomodora sauce (big cherry spaghetti chunks), #1 in state, first test B+, second test A-
d. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) C+
e. arrabiata (spicy pomodora) B
f. pic pac sauce B- -
g. bread (herbed, salty) C- -
h. caprese B-
i. cheddar broccoli soup C-/C
j. spaghetti noodles C
k. angel hair pasta B
l. caprese panini B-
DESSERTS:
a. panna cotta (see our site "Best Desserts in Utah" for a section on panna cotta, and much better ones than this) C+/B-
b. homemade chocolate cake, with ganache, chocolate toffee, whpped cream (cake alone C+, white and chocolate syrup alone A), combo syrups with cake B+

Roula's Restaurant - SLC
a. lemon herb chicken (it might be better fresh; we got it 5 hours old) B-
b. herb potato wedges with sauce C+/B-
c. roll C
d. corn C

Rubio's Grill, national chain
2016:
a. battered fish, pollack (inside taco) B-
b. original fish taco with lime cabbage and green sauce B
c. sea bass alone (flavor alone B) C-
d. sea bass taco B/B+
e.cheese enchilada, plain (has too little, cheap cheese) C-/C
f. ditto with fire-roasted sauce C-/C
g. fire roasted sauce alone C
h. shrimp enchilada B
i. shrimp alone B
j. green sauce alone B-/B
k. Mexican rice B-
l. white lime rice B-/B
m. black beans C+
2014:
Note: as with other restaurants tested different years, a couple items below have a different grade than a different year (above); this is due to our tastes changing/improving for testing and in some cases recipes changing.
a. gourmet shrimp taco. A
b. shrimp enchilada, with red or verde sauce. A
c. chicken enchilada. B/B+
d. black beans. B+/A-
e. white rice. B+
f. cheese quesadilla. A-
g. pico de gallo. A-
h. guacamole. A
i. verde sauce. B+
j. original fish taco B/B+
k. fish taco special (with cheese and guac) B
l.  verde taco A-
m. mango mahi taco C (but if with no fish and only with corn, slaw, and taco: B+)
n. tilapia taco with slaw B-
o. salmon taco C
p. mahi taco C
p. chocolate pop cake B
q. "limon" square C+
r. chicken tortilla soup B/B+

Ruby River Steakhouse, Utah chain
a. ribeye (great seasoning, one of best steaks under $30), grades: with fat B+, lean B- - , with au jus B, outside A-
(No bone-in option is presented at Ruby River.)
b. cheesy mashed potatoes, first visit (June 2010) A-, second visit (2014) B+++
c. among best affordable prime rib in state (under $30): B+
d. bacon cheese burger (bun B, meat B-/B, american cheese C, bacon that is chewy but with good flavor B-, tomato, leaf lettuce, Ruby sauce - yellow orange mayo B+) total: B-/B
e. onion strips B+
f. roast 1/2 chicken with bbq sauce B-
g. baked potato B+
h. sweet potato B
i. parmesean tomato D
j. pork tenderloin (alone B, with bacon B/B+, plus with mash B++)
k. baby back ribs (served with much sauce, slightly tough meat) D+
l. fish and chips C (See our site, "Best Fish and Chips in Utah" for a complete listing)

Rumbi Grill, national chain
a. luau pork sandwich. A-. With no sauce: B+, pork alone: B/B+,
the Asian slaw and mayo pull its grade up); kahuku bbq sauce B/B+
b. dark choc cake. B+ (only dessert that deserved at least a B)
c. key lime pie C-
d. fries B/B+
e. beach burger C+ 
(bun: B++, meat: C with strong black pepper spice taste)
f. luau pork sandich B/B+ (pork: B)
g. volcano-blackened fish C
h. salmon alone: C
i. rumbi rice, coconut and red beans with mango passion pioli) A-
j. side caesar salad A- with sauce. alone: B/B+
k. cold mac salad B+
l. side salad with sauce. A-
m. upside down cake B-/B (with whipped cream: B/B+)
n. choc lava cake B-/B

Ruth's Diner, SLC
a. chocolate malt pudding (3rd best after Copper Onion as #1 in Utah and one in Park City. This one is made with semi-sweet choc, barley malt syrup, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla) A
b. #1 meatloaf we've found in the U.S., chargrilled. A -
c-1. meatloaf with brown gravy (baked with glaze of BBQ sauce, and inside the loaf are mushroom, onion and celery (and bread or crackers or egg?), pork and beef, sliced and finished off on the gas grill for great flavor!) A+
c-2 meatloaf with country (white) gravy A
c-3 meatloaf burger B/B+
d. brown gravy alone B/B+
e. Mac and cheese B-/B
f. mac and cheese with brown gravy (on side): better 
g. veges first time: B/B+ (later: winter 2016: red pepper, zuchini, onion, little cauliflouer) B+
h. rice pilaf B/B+
i. grilled salmon, overcooked, frozen C
j. salmon with red papper sauce B+
salmon sauce alone: B+/A-
k. n/a
l. pulled pork benedict (pork alone B/B+, with sauce B+, holldandase sauce alone B+, also added is green chile cheese cornbread in place of English muffin, soft poach egg B++). If with only egg, cornbread, and sauce: B-. If everything: A if hot. B if only warm.
m. ditto minus the pulled pork B++
n. ditto minus the hollandase sauce B++
o. asparagus omelette (1/4 inch pieces asparagus and 1/2 inch thick diced tomato, gouda cheese, all inside the omelette) A
p. cinnamon bun: outer part B-/B, outer part with syrup B/B+, center part with syrup A-,  center alone B+.
q. french toast (thick Texas toast, slight cinnamon flavor) B
r. banana walnut french toast (1/2 inch thick banana bread in egg wash). french toast alone: B-. With banana and walnut: B/B+. with syrup B+ (with syrup and no banana: B)
s. custom order: banana bread alone: A
t. hash browns (house seasoning of paprika, thyme, black pepper, and garlic) B++
u. pinto beans B
v. n/a
w. n/a
x. chicken fried steak B/B+
y. mile high bisquits and gravy B
z. halibut and chips B-
aa. stuffed pork chop (thick, good sear, but needs bone-in and dark pork meat) total B/B+
bb. stuffing for pork chop B+
cc. crab cakes C-?
dd. buffalo wings B-?
ee. potato soup C+
ff. cold pasta salad, A for those who like it; for those who don't: C+
gg. salmon BLT sandwich (ciabatta bun too chewy, als has pesto sauce, lettuce, tomato, bacon, salmon) B
hh. salmon alone (served with BLT) (too thin) A-
ii. vege sandwich (ciabatta roll B+; chipotle mayo too hot for kids) total B+
jj. vege enchiladas B-
kk. spanish rice D+/C-
ll. pinto beans and cheese C+/B-
mm. grilled asparagus B
nn. mash (mashed potatoes) B/B+
oo. raspberry creme brulee A-/A

S
Sabrosa, Orem
a. chips A-
b. salsa A
c. cheese enchilada (unmelted cheese inside, which needs to be fixed) B-
d. enchilada sauce B-
e. sopes ahogados (sope's density and thickness universally are not to our tastes and is definitely not good with eggs for this breakfast dish. Also, the flavor of this particular red enchilada sauce (B-) holds it back. 
f. shredded beef (atop above sope) B
g. chile relleno, one of two best in state using poblano pepper, along with Tarahumara in Midway. A-
h. chicken enchilada B/B+
i. rice B+/A-
j. carne asada (B+ flavor, but toughness brings it down, as most asada dishes are) C+
j. refried beans B/B+

Salt Bistro, SLC
a. turkey, cranberry, sprouts, tomato, and havarti sandwich (deli turkey B-, aioli B+/A-) A-
b. PB and J The Leo Way C+
c. ultimate grilled cheese (too much pesto) B-
d. mini mac and cheese (with cru

Sammy's, Provo (for Sammy's Bistro, see our list, "Best Restaurants in Park City")
Note: We tested all their burgers and several shakes. 
a. Budah Burger C as is. (To make it a B, customize it thus: keep swiss cheese, spam, grilled pineapple, lettuce, tomato, mayo; delete the grilled onions, bacon, and teriyaki sauce, as they compete with the other main flavors that are good by themselves. meat C), but total with changes: B
b. Hyrum's Awesome Aussie. B- as is. (To make it B+, customized it thus: keep egg, cheddar, grilled pineapple, lettuce. Delete ham and onions. Add tomato, mayo, spam. The beet is ok but optional). The grade of beef here is especially cheap or this re-worked Hyrum's Aussie would get an A- or higher. Total with changes: B+ 
c. pie shakes C's and B'sd. fries C+?

Scaddies, SLC
a. burger (bun B, meat C+/B-) total: B/B+
b. fish and chips, battered Halibut, overall: C+. The batter rates a B- - but the fish is overcooked and chewy and gets a C- - .

Sea Bears, Ogden
a. clam chowder (needs white wine added to it for better flavor) B/B+
b. tartar sauce B
c. slaw B/B+
d. krab croissant B-/B
e. steak fries B
f. hushpuppies C
g. tilapia fish and chips (best tilapia in state) A-
h. #1: catfish as fish and chips (best catfish in state; tied for best fish and chips in state - catfish) A+
i. cod fish and chips (dry, like halibut) B-
j. halibut B
k. fried oyster (must eat when freshly served, super hot) A-
l. shepard's pie (lamb and beef) B-
m. burger (great onion sauce; fresh beef but needs 80-20 for higher fat and flavor, plus needs Smashburger approach with more seasoning) B/B+

Sean's Smokehouse, Saratoga Springs
a. fries A-
b. bleu cheese burger (mild cheese, bun B-, meat B, bacon C+/B-) total: B++
c. beef brisket, lean only C+/B-
c-2 beef brisket with sauce C+
c-3 beef brisket, bites with fat B+
d. beef brisket sandwich (bun alone: B) Total: C
e. pulled pork B
f. bone-in chicken 
leg B-/B
thigh B+
g. turkey B+
h. baked beans B-/B, first time 2011 B++
i. cowboy beans (chile like) C+, first time 2011 B
j. potato  salad C-/C, first time 2011 B- -
k. slaw B/B+, first time 2011 A-
l. garlic toast D
m. baby back ribs with glaze (2011 ribs with sauce C-, new recipe in 2014: B+ 
m-1. ribs with no glaze B-
m-2. ribs with glaze and black and blue sauce (best for ribs here) B++
SAUCES:
n. black and blue (best for ribs and pork) B+
o.Tennessee holler'n sauce (tastes like KC; second best for ribs and pork) B
q. Texas smoke sauce B
r. mustard sauce B-
p. peach cobler C-; second time (2014): soft part A, crystalized crust part C-, overall B
s. lime pie cup cake 2011: lime pie center: heavy cup cake B++, lime filling A-. overall A-
t. mustard sauce 2011: B-
u. red sauce with turkey 2011 A
v. white sauce with turkey A
w. 2011: chicken with red sauce A-
x. 2011 chicken with mustard sauce B
y. 2011: chicken alone B+
z. rattle snake bits, breaded jalapeno, too salty B-
PROBABLY TESTED AT SEANS:
a. fried corn A-
INCLUDING:
WINGS:
b. spicy buffalo C+
c. buffalo B-
d. ranch A- -
e. teriyaki C+
f. sweet (fruity) sauce A
g. Angus cheeseburger: meat B- -. total B+

Se Llama Peru, Provo
a. fried seafood platter B
(consisting of:
fried shrimp B +
fried tilapia B
calamari D
fried oysters D+
assorted, undefinable urchins Cs and Bs
b. pollo a la brasa B/B+
c. chicha morada drink. A

* Settebello Pizzaria, Salt Lake City
a. #1 tie: Margharita Pizza, wood-fired A
b. GELATOS - TESTED AUG 2010:
1. pistachio A-
2. chocolate B+
3. raspberry gelato B++
4. sweet cream A
5. risoto with balsamic C+
6. banana C++
7. coconut C-
8. mint C+
9. strawberry B
10. lemon B -
11. choc chip C+
12. tiramisu C
13. hazelnut C-
14. nuttella C
15. blackberry C+
16. cinnamon C
17. toffee choc crunch B
18. ammoretto C-
19. yogurt with berries B-
c. SORBETTOS:
20. blood orange B+
21. pineapple B+
22. mixed berry B+
23. raspberry C+
24. lemon C-
25. cantelope C-

Shirley's Bakery and Cafe, Provo
a. turkey cranberry sandwich (french bread alone B+, pulled turkey B+ - slightly behind Kneaders, dressing alone B+ but it competes with other ingredients in our opinion) total B-

Shoots (Chinese), Provo
a. eggplant A
b. lo mein B-
c. fried rice B
d. egg foo young D
e. walnut shrimp (shrimp in creamy sauce with walnuts) B+

Sidetrack Cafe, Heber
a. burger C
b. ham (not clam) chowder B+
c. chile verde stew B+

Siegfried's Deli, Salt Lake City
See our site, "Best Desserts in Utah" for a more complete list of the best places for desserts.
CAKES: Their best cakes in order:
1. black forest cake B++
2. German chocolate cake B+
3. chocolate raspberry cake B+
4. raspberry yoghurt cake B
5. chocolate haslenut cake B- -
FOODS:
a. pork leg (order in advance and get it fresh) B/B+
b. hot dog A
c. bratworst B+

Sizzler, national chain

a. ONLY GOOD ENTREE: Cedar Plank Salmon, soy glazed B+
b. baked potato - best in the state (be sure to sub out the margarine that automatically comes with it and instead get REAL butter plus sour cream) A

c. steak fries - outstanding A
d. fish and chips (chewy, frozen fish is D+, batter is B++). Overall: B-
e. chips and dip A
f. St. Louis (spare) ribs B
g. flat iron steak C-
h. baked potato B-
i. parm toast B- -
j. burger (beef B/B+, bacon B but undercooked, bun B, no sauce, red o., tom. chopped lettuce) total B/B+
k. beef ribs (seasonally) B
l. chicken fried steak (cube steak but unlike most cube steak, this is somewhat tender; batter C+, gravy B-) total B
k. mash C+
l. veges D+/C-
m. chicken fried steak C-

Slab Pizza, Provo
Note: in early 2014 we re-visited here, and re-graded the B and A pizzas somewhat lower, likely due to our changing tastes. It's still a much better place than the chain pizza places.
a. New Mexico with red sauce (sausage, pepperoni, anaheim pepper, onions)  B+
b. chile verde B++
c. "real Hawaiian" (spam, jalepenios, onion, BBQ sauce) A-
d. sausage,pepperoni, 3 veges B
e. fennel sausage and chevre (goat cheese) B- -
f. rosemary potato and bacon B
g. thai chicken B+
h. white (sausage, pepperoni, white sauce) B+
i. Philly B+
j. BBQ B+
k. buffalo C
l. vege B+
m. margharita (with parm sprinkled B-) no parm sprinkled: B
n. thai B+
MEATS:
o. their own sausage B+
p. bacon B- -
q. pepperonl D+
r. ham B

Slate Restaurant, Provo

a. mushroom risotto A
b. smoked bacon cheddar dip A
c. #1 scones (and honey butter) in Utah (#2 is Black Sheep in Provo; #3 is Family Tree, Santaquin) A
d. brioche French Toast. alone B+. with banana foster (bananas and walnuts) B/B+
e. crunhy French Toast. Alone C+, with fruit C+, with syrup B-
f. broken yolk sandwich B/B+
g. Farmer's Omelette (bacon C+) B/B+
h. housemade corned beef B-/B
i. stuffed tomato (scrambled eggs, feta, thyme, s and p, italian sausage, spinacy, tomato with no seeds, baked) A
j. hashbrowns and black pepper. BEST IN STATE A-
k. free range bison burger (bacon C+, the sauce makes it, as a light coat on lower bun) A-
l. roasted turkey blt (turkey B+) B/B+
m. angus burger (meat B, bacon C+, bun B, no sauce) B/B+
n. "really great pasta" (spinach, tomato, sausage, parm) B+/A-
o. country style apple BBQ ribs (not smoked) B+
p. cedar plank trout, C+, with skin B/B+
q. smoked trout salad (with avocado, mixed greens, orange, cirus vinegrette) B/B+
r. citrus vinegrette with salad A-
s. scones alone A-
t. scones with jam A- -
u. scones with honey butter A
v. scones with both A-
w. lalimari B+
x. crispy buffalo shrimp B/B+
y. beer battered onion rings. A
z. crispy calamari A-
aa. honey lime slaw B+/A-
bb. fresh potato chips (served with dip) A- 
cc. stewed apple A-
dd. mushroom risoto A

Smashburger, multiple locations
a. Haagen Daz chocolate shake A 
b. strawberry shake (2nd best is at Del Taco) A
c. burger B/B+ (with customized Smashburger sauce: (mustard mayo). (Grades: smash sauce is mustard-mayo and grades at B, the meat is B/B+, egg bun is B) total: B/B+

Smokehouse BBQ, Orem

a. Smokehouse burger (bacon, egg, cheese, buttered bun B, raw spinach, tomato, bacon A-, sunny egg, american cheese, beef B [flavor C, texture A]) B
2010 ratings at Provo location, now in Orem:
b. St. Louis style ribs B-, later in 2012: C- -
c  brisket (great flavor, tough) dry C+, wet (2012) B- -
d. smoked sausage (With red onion and green pepper, this is our fave of all smoked sausages, while the competitors don't grade higher than C's and D's) B-
e. baked beans C+
f. apple sauce (homemade, too cinnemony, but the best we've had) A-
g. slaw A-
h. mash B
i. mac and cheese B-; later in 2012 B- -
j. potato salad D++, later in 2012 B-
WHEN IN PROVO, in 2010:
k. homemade potato chips C-
REPEATS OF 5 ITEMS ABOVE, DIFFERENT GRADES in 2010:
l. mash C-
m. baked beans B- -, later in 2012 C+
n. slaw C
o. apple sauce B
p. mac and cheese B- (later in 2012 B- -)

Smokin' Apple BBQ, Lindon
a. pulled pork, first visit (March 2010) A, with sauce B; second visit (2010) alone B- -, with sauce B+, third visit (Dec 2013 C) fourth visit (2014) alone A -, with sauce B+
b. top 3 creamed corn (B+) 
c. mac and cheese, first visit (Dec 2013) B+/A-, second visit (2014) B+ 
d. smoked cajun sausage (hot spicy), first visit (Dec 2013) B, second visit (2014) B - -
e. brisket, first visit (2010) B, with sauce C-; second visit (2011, before the wet and dry were mixed together and chopped up) C+, but freshly smoked wet end B+, all with sauce: A-; third visit (2014) wet and dry all chopped together: first visit (Dec 2013) B-, second visit (2014) C
f. garlic mash B
g. beans C++
h. baby back ribs, first visit (2010) alone B++, with sauce B+; second visit (Dec 2013) plain or glazed with sauce - same grade B/B+, third visit (2014) plain or glazed B/B+ 
March 2010:
i. chicken, grilled and chopped with added sauce, first visit (Dec 2013) C, second visit (2014) C-/D+
j. smoked cajun sausage C-
k. Eric's cheese steak sandwich B+
l. garlic smashed taters B-
m. dinner roll B-
n. sweet butter corn B+
o. baked beans, first visit (Dec 2013) B+/A-, too smoky second visit (2014) C+/B-
p. sweet corn bread B-
q. slaw B- -
r. reg. corn B

Smokin Bones,Bountiful
a. Pulled pork B-/B
b. pulled pork with sauce B+/A-
c. lean brisket (no wet end here) C/C+
d. pulled chicken in sauce B/B+
e. baby back ribs B+/B++
f. baby back ribs with sauce B+
g. steak burger with pulled pork (used Starr ground French twist bun in  2013, perhaps a different bun when we visited there in 2016) A,  and with sauce B++
h. baked "bbq beans" C++/B-
i. cornbread, with real honey butter B+
j. slaw C+

Snake Creek Grill, Heber City
a. best tenderloin pork we have found in Utah, but for our tastes, we preferred the pork shank at Romano's Macaroni Grill, and the pork chops at Copper Onion in Salt Lake City. A
b. bison burger (A-), best bison burger in the state and among best overall burgers
c. flourless chocolate cake B+?
d. creme brule B- (like pudding, not creamy enough)

Sonic Drive-in, national chain
Note: We've tested many things here over the years; some are OK. We're only including a breakfast sandwich here for now:
a. breakfast sandwich on a bun (egg D+, bacon C-) C-
b. sandwich with  bacon, egg, and cheese on Texas Toast (toast is microwaved, C-, egg is D+, bacon is C-). total: C+
c. croissant with sausage and egg (egg is D+, croissant is a microwaved D, sausage is C) total: C-

Spin Cafe, Heber City
a. best Gelato in Utah. They make theirs from scratch. We have tested every flavor at every gelateria in the state - including at all Italian restaurants we have found that have a gelato bar, as well
GELATOS:
1. espresso gelato B+
2. peanut butter B
3. pistachio B-/B
4. vanilla B-/B
5. chocolate C+/B-
6. berry sorbet B/B+
7. pumpkin C+/B-
8. strawberry cheesecake gelato B-
9. peanut butter cup gelato (best in Utah) B++
10. stracciatella (best Italian chocolate chip gelato in state) A
11. ginger bread gelato (with real ginger) B+
12. vanilla bean B-/B
13. baci (best in state) A
14. double chocolate C+
15. creme brulee B/B+
16. mono loco (banana choc pecans, caramel) A
17. tamo as (coconut choc caramel) A
18. mixed berry sorbet (best in state) A
19. lemon sorbet (tart and artificial tasting) C-
20 mint choc chip A
FOODS: 
b. fries with seasoning A
c. white soup B 
d. spin burger (bun: A-; beef quality: B++ quality but with a certain dominant herb, flavor of meat is only a B-) total B-
e. baked beans B+
f. garlic mashed potatoes B+
g. seaside panini: : shrimp, cheese, veges, romesco sauce. sauce alone: B
h. bison burger B?
i.  salmon with maple butter B?
j. pulled pork lettuce wrap B?
k. garlic potatoes B+

Sportz Dogs Food Truck (CALL THEM FOR THEIR LOCATION EACH WEEK: 
a. Hot dog. Call them at 801-764-0463 to learn their schedule - usually at events and farmers markets and lunch weekdays outside companies like Vivent. Now serving Nathans. They make a killer BBQ/teriyaki sauce (similar to J Dawgs, not as sweet, and better to some, plus a mustard garlic ranch sauce (we prefer the BBQ/teriyaki but it's worth trying both). They wrap their all beef dogs in a fresh scone! We recommend raw onions only at one end, and coleslaw at the other half, for the two best options. (We have found that for places not having tomato/onion/pickle/mushroom (like Mooya Burgers), just onions or just coleslaw make the best dogs, with either fry sauce - like Mooya's - consisting of half ketchup and half mayo - or brown sweet sauce like this place, J Dawgs, and Rocco's uses.  HINT: Have them slice the dog in half length-wise and spread the two halves apart, per the "Hint" above, so each bite does not have so much hotdog meat.  A

Squatters Pub and Grill, downtown SLC

a. garlic fries.- among the best fries ever A
b. root beer, house-made A
(same owner at Wasatch Brew Pub in Park City but different Fish and Chips recipe - don't get here.)
c.fish and chips (uses standard Hefevizen but too strong ale taste and batter soft and thick) grade C+
d. chocolate peanut butter pie (peanut butter with choc syrup) with whipped cream B/B+.  pie alone B-
e. bread pudding (spongy). alone C+, with walnuts B-, with bourbon sauce B-
f. molten lava cake, in-house B-/B

State Street Grill, American Fork
a. fish and chips. The only fresh cod fish and chips at a fast food place in Utah. The batter was too hard and the fish with batter in Feb 2014 tested B-/B. But they improved it to the following: fish: B++/A-, batter: B/B+, taste: B+. Overall: B+
b. mushroom and onion burger (meat B-) total B+
c. bleu cheese burger (strong cheese) D

* Station 22, Provo
BURGERS:
a. Honest Abe (butter and mao sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar, buttered bun) total A-
b. Chubby Checker with their mustard mayo sauce (we prefer to remove the battered and fried onions) A
(Note: we experimented with same same burger, replacing at home their sauce with cherry pie filling B, orange marmalade B-, dreamland BBQ sauce B, Central BBQ (in Memphis) mild sauce B-; clearly their sauce is what makes it an A.
c. Golden State (sweet roasted red pepper and pesto mayo sauce, mozz cheese, insert the additionally served items of avocado, tomato, and spring mix) total A-
d. Jack Kerouac (melted brie, bacon, bourbon sauce) B
e. Adventist veggie burger (patty C) total B

SANDWICHES: 
a. Club Station 22 (roasted turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, avocado, roasted garlic mayo on focaccia) A+
b. Cheese sandwich on TX Toast (order cheese sandwich "old school" - with cheese crusts on BOTH slices, not just one slice, which they have done sometimes over the years. AND add 3 slices cheese, not their other way of just one) ALSO: they have more recently added pesto mayo sauce, making it even better. BUT TELL THEM TO CUT THE AVOCADO AND ADD EXTRA TOMATO! TOTAL SCORE in 2016, same as before, if you ask for it customized: A-   
c. n/a
d. pig n cheese sandwich, first test: pork B-, texas toast B-, green apple slices B+, cheddar cheese) total: B/B+; second test (Feb 2013) pork alone C, sandwich A-
e. chicken salad sandwich (filling too dry, focacia bread too dry also; if filling creamier, grade would be higher) B
f. Breakfast sandwich B-
g. "freedom dip" beef sandwich B+?
h. chicken sandwich with spice glaze B
i. memphis chicken sandwich (chicken B, bun and dressing A) total B+
j. the Ratatouille (vegges and spinach) on ciabatta roll C-
k. Ratatouille (veges and spinach) on focacia A
l. catfish burrito (catfish, some tomato, spring mix, peach chipotle sauce) B+
m. catfish sandwich: A
n. catfish alone (order outside of sandwich): A (now tied for best catfish in Utah, with fish and chips place, "Sea Bass" on Washington Blvd in Ogden and Boudreau's Bistro, Salem.

SOUPS:
a. Manhatten Clam Chowder (no longer available - the cook who made this left) A
b. tomato basil soup A-
c. tomato soup A-
d. potato bacon chowder C+
e. red pepper bisque (spicy hot) B-
f. mushroom cream soup A

ENTREES:
a. salmon fish and chips B
b. shrimp and grits B (best are at Black Sheep, around the corner)
c. mini corn dogs with maple pork sausage (corn in the butter - good idea) B
d. chicken and waffles (chicken B-, waffle D, sage A, topping B) total B
e. whiskey chicken with mushroom whiskey gravy (chicken alone C+/B-, cheese grits C+/B-) total C++
f. blackened mahi (nice seasoning but the fish is one we don't care for - too dense) C++
g. pot roast (gravy best part) with short rib (tough, typical) C+
h. gravy for pot roast B

SIDES:
a. #1 (tie) best sweet potatoes wedges (with Goodwood BBQ) (#1 best sweet potato fries) A
b. #1 (tie) cole slaw (when available) (A -)
c. #2 best carrot (copper penny is the name) (best is Molly's) A
d. onion rinngs B/B+
e. grilled squash (spicy) B/B+
e-1. breaded squash C
f. fries C+, second time C
g. pouline (friies with rootbeer gravy and cheese curds) C+
h. "grown up mac and cheese" C
i. battered squash C
j. succotash D
k. sauted spinach B
l. ranch beans C
m. okra A
n. collard greens B-
o. mash potatoes C-

* Steven's Restaurant (Homestead), Midway
a. fried chicken (among the best - see our site for Best Fried Chicken in Utah) B+
b. chicken fried steak B+ (3rd best after Texas Roadhouse and Dalton's). The braised cubed beef was a nice touch, making it the most tender of all steak cuts we've had for chicken fried steak.)
c. mashed potatoes with gravy A-
d. chicken noodle soup B+?

Subway, national chain
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES:
a. Ham, salami, egg on flat bread B, with mayo B/B+. 2nd test: A-
b. Ham, salami, egg on Italian sub plain: B/B+, plus mayo B+
c. Cheese and egg on flat bread B-/B, plus mayo B-/B. 2nd test: B/B+
d. Cheese and egg on Italian sub B, plus mayo B/B+
e. Turkey, ham, bacon, egg on flat bread B-, plus mayo B-
f. Turkey, ham, bacon, egg on Italian sub B, plus mayo B/B+
g. Ham and egg on flat C. 2nd test: B
h. Ham and egg on Italian sub B, plus mayo B-
2nd test only:
i. Bacon and egg on flatbread C+
j. Steak and egg on flatbread C+/B-
k. Ham egg and cheese on Italian sub B+/A-

Sugarhouse BBQ, Sugarhouse (SLC)
a. wet end brisket B+
2010 TEST:
a. rib ends C
b. smoked wings B
c. Memphis ribs, cold C, freshly hot B+ 
d. chicken, whole pieces, first visit (9 March 1010) B, second visit (18 March  2010) B+
e. jumbalaya B-
f. BBQ sauce B
g. Greek oven roasted potatos C
h. mashed potatoes and gravy A
i. slaw A-
j. baked beans B
k. cornbread B
l. Carolina pulled pork sandwich C+, withsauce B
k. Texas beef brisket sandwich C, with sauce B-
Turkey breast sandwich:
l. cornbread stffing for turkey C
m. cranberry sauce for turkey C+
n. Alabama white sauce with turkey B
o. turkey only B+
p. whitesauce only B++
q. Carribbeean jerked chicken sandwich C, with white sauce B+, with only tomato, lettuce, and cucumber B, with only cranberry C+

Summerhays Halibut and Chips, SLC
a. halibut fish and chips, first test (2011) B, second test (2014) C+
b. swai A- DISCONTINUED BY LAST VISIT IN 2014
c. grilled halibut B-
d. grilled lemon pepper halibut, when overcooked C-, when not C+
e. grilled herb crushed halibut (crust is dull and thick) C-
f. griled halibut parmesan B
g. crab cake D
h. lemon pepper swai B+ DISCONTINUED BY LAST VISIT IN 2014
i. sweet potato (needs seasoning) B-
j. sweet potato fries A-
k. clam chowder B+
l. haddock fish and chips (in 2014) C+
m. burger (in 2014) (meat C-) total C
n. reg. fries (in 2014) C-

* Sundance, Foundry Grill, Provo
a. Joe's Scramble - breakfast (spinach, large egg pieces, whiteonion chopped, mushroom, tomato - small few cubes B/B+; add Italian sausage: A- -
b. Trout Benedict - breakfast - dried salt trout C-, hollandase sauce A, fried potato B) total A-
c. chicken salad sandwich (need more fruit but has nice B grade filling, yet 1 grape only, has tomato, lettuce, celery) B
d. caprese sandwhich (very nice mile basil and pesto, uses sourdough then panini, alone   B+++
e. ditto, add turkey, fresh sliced, for one of best turkey sandwiches in the the state, if not the best B++
f. beef burger (meat, cooked stove top B, no sauce, chargrilled bun on inside B+) total B/B+
(Note: this was rated in May 2013; a new chef since may have changed this burger, as new chefs come and go there and usually change the food)
g. almond french toast, alone B-/B; with syrup, maple B/B+
h. margharita pizza, with sundried tomato C+, without it B
i. vanilla bean creme brulle B?
j. house made apple pie with caramel gelato C
k. pecan tarte B?
AT THE DELI
a. sausage, egg and cheddar breakfast sandwich D
NOTE: new chef their deleted the following item as of Oct 2013. Top Two chocolate cake in state: Decadent Chocolate Flourless Cake (from prevous pastry chef, Jessica S). Now the best is at Zoom in Park City, owned by Sundance, with Calli as the pastry chef.
Also gone: #2 creme brulee A - (vanilla), sweet potato cheesecake A -

T

Taco Amigo, Orem, Pleasant Grove
2016:
a. fresh strawberry shakes, June only A
b. fresh peach shakes, late August-September only A
c. cheese enchilada B
d. enchilda sauce B+
d. burgers, very good for the price B
e. beans alone B
f. beans with sauce and cheese B+

Taco Bell, national chain
NOTE: Some items may no longer be served:
a. Mexican Pizza (substitute beans for the cheap meat!), customized substitution: A
BREAKFAST ITEMS:
(Note that their eggs rate B-/B, and like all fast food chains, their menu items change almost yearly.)
a. waffle taco - breakfast - only A breakfast item

b. bacon egg burrito C+/B-
c. steak burrito (great sauce, and the only item with sauce) A-
d. sausage burrito, no sauce, sausage pellets) B+ 
e. hash browns A-
f. brown? griller C++
g. sausage quesadilla (too little sausage and eggs inside) C+
h. crunchwrap with sausage, hasbbrown pay, and egg B/B+
6. Taco Bell, national chain - 3 items only:(we tried them all)
a.waffle taco sausage
b. waffle taco bacon (A-)
c. A.M. Bacon Taco (B+)
(Some repitition possibly to above):
1. Waffle taco with sausage A
2. Waffle taco with bacon A-
3. A.M Bacon taco B+
At Taco Bell, the items go downhill from here:
4. Crunch Wrap Bacon. Voters grades ranged from C+ to B+
5. Sausage Melt. Voters' grades ranged from C- to B-
6. Egg sausage burrito. Voters grades ranged from C to B-
7. cinnebon. B-
8. egg sausage burrito. Voters grades ranged from C to B-
9. egg bacon burrito. Voters grades ranged from C to C++
10. egg steak burriot. Voters grades ranged from C to C+

11. caramel apple empanada (lunch item) C

Taco-Burrito Restaurant, Orem - moved to Spanish Fork
a. chip sauce: red A-, chile verde A-, mild green sauce A
b. #1 best cheese quesadilla in state A
c. cilantro salsa for chips, etc. (request cilantro added to red chips sauce) A
d. sopapilla A-/A
e. fried ice credam C+/B-
f. chimi-cheesecake C
g. marinated pork burrito (pork A-) B-
h. relleno B/B+
i.  ground beef chimi B+
j.  chicken chimi (meat C+) A-
k. chicken tamale C++
l.  rice B+
m. beans B

Tapatia, Payson
a. chile relleno: #1 in Utah!
b. cheese enchilada B+/A
c. rice A
d. beans B+/A-
e. salsa A
f. chips C
f. quesadilla A

Taqueria Los Hermanos, Heber 
Note: this is not part of the Los Hermanos places of Provo, Pleasant Grove
a. no rellenos there
b. cheese enchilada with green sauce A (among best in state)
c. cheese enchilada with chile verde sauce (too sweet, also is spicy, with the sauce alone rating a C-): C+/B-
d. cheese enchilada with red sauce A- - (although sauce is only fair)
e. rice C-
f. beans (nice and runny) C+/B- 

Tarahumara, Midway
BAKERY PORTION:

a. margharita cheesecake A-/A
b. tres leches cake B-
c. pecan pie B-
d. Mexican choc cake (with cinammon) B/B+
e. toffee bar B-/B
f. choc chip walnut oatmeal giant cookies B+
g. ditto pecan cookies B
h. white wedding cookie (with pecans inside) B/B+
i. giant oreo cookie C+/B-
j. brownie C+/B-
k. raspberry filled square cookie C/C+ 
CAFE PORTION:
l. best chile relleno in Heber Valley and in top 3 in the state (along with El Azteca Provo and Mama Chu's, Orem. Only great relleno we've had that uses pobano pepper instead of annaheim pepper. A-
m. choriso egg burrito B+A-
n. chicken (charbroiled) chimi B/B+
o. chicken tamale B?
p. pork loin and green salsa burrito B-
q. rice B-/B
r. beans C
s. vanilla flan C
t. braised lamb burrito B-/B
u. cheese enchilada C-
v. chicken tamale D+
w. charbroiled pork ribs (meat C-, red sauce B+) total: B-
x. green beans with onions B+
y. chips B 

Tenny's Pizza, Provo, Saratoga Springs, other Utah locations
a. supreme pizza B+
b. BBQ wings B/B+
c. sweet chile sauce wings B/B+
d. omelet with marinara sauce C

Terra Mia, Orem
ITEMS TO COMPARE WITH OTHER ITALIAN RESTAURANTS:
a. marinara sauce B+ (2nd best after Olive Garden)
b. pomodora N/A
c. ragu alla bolognese (meat sauce) B- - -
d. arrabiata sauce N/A
e. #1 best salsa rosa sayce (red and white) A+
f. bread B
g.SANDWICH: Broscutto "napoli" thin ham B-
h. SANDWICH: ham "roma" A 
i. #1 best spaghetti noodles A
j. angel hair pasta B
DESSERTS:
a. creme brule (see our list "Best Desserts in Utah" for a section on Best Creme Brule) B
b. canoli C+/B- - 
GELATO (Zsa Zsa's) TESTED AUG 2010:
a. melaguq B
b. mango B
c. pineapple A-
d. mint A
e. lemon C+
f. pistachio B
g. coconut A+
h. almond A-
i. chocolate B-
j. hazlenut C-
k. raspberry B+
l. white choc C-
j. watermelon A-

Texas Roadhouse, national chain
2016:
1. green beans with bacon A
2. chicken fried steak B-
3. white gravy alone B-
4. brown gravy alone B-
5. mash with white gravy B-
6. mash with brown gravy B+
7. mashed potatoes alone B+
8. rolls B-
9. rolls with their plain (non cinnamon) whipped butter B/B+
10. plain whipped "butter" C-
11. cinnamon butter D
12. peach virgin daqueri C/+B-
13. BBQ roast chicken (seemed hours old or day-old): dark C, white B
14. roast chicken: dark C+, white C+/B-
Note: The roast chicken in 2014 below graded an A-, perhaps because it was freshly cooked then or possibly our testing has improved since we have tested much more chicken since then, or perhaps their recipe or source of chicken meat has changed.)

2014 (except in 2010 where noted below):
1. roast chicken (revised above in 2016); A-
2. BBQ roast chicken C-
3. sirloin steak C
4. steak kabob C
5. ribs (in 2010) C+, second visit (2014) B
6. pork chop (first visit in 2010: flavor C+, tough texture D) total C-, second visit (2014) C+ 
7. grilled chicken C
8. corn kernals C
9. green beans, first visit (2010), too salty D+, second visit (2014) C-
10. seasoned rice B
11. burger: bacon and cheese B-/B
12. smokehouse burger (with BBQ sauce, bacon, and cheese) B/B+
13. country fried sirloin B
14. white gravy (but better gravy is found at Cafe 300 and Great Steak, both in Provo) C
14a. brown gravy C
15. prime rib (smoky) B
16. catfish (fish too thick, breading is OK) C+/B- -
17. green beans (best in Utah, with pork and bacon seasoning) A
18. peach virgin daqurie drink B-/B
19. bone-in ribeye: meat by the bone B+, lean inside B-, edges with fat C/B+
here 
20. regular ribeye (2010) (texture C-, flavor B+) total B-
21. mash (mashed potatoes), first visit (2010) B-, with gravy C, second visit (2010) C++, third visit (2015) B
22. rice (2010) D
23. baked beans C+
24. steak fries A-
25. burger:
bacon B++
bun B-
beef B/B+
total: with no sauce, but with cheese: B-
26. roll 2015 B/B+

27. cinnamon butter D

Tin Roof, Sandy
a. fried cheese polenta B+/A-
b. Asian slaw (too much ginger) C+
c. asparagus (not tender, but good) B+
d. meatball (dry, soft of tasteless) B-
e. marinara B/B-
f. combined meatball and marinara B/B+
g. crab cake B-
h. fried crab cake, alone B
i. fried crab cake IMPORTANT: with jalapeno cream sauce B+
j. jalapeno cream sauce, alone A-
k. Asian ribs (mostly tough with some tender parts). overall B/B+
l. pulled pork sandwich C+
m. house bun for this sandwich (thick and dense) B-
n. pulled pork alone C
o. steak fries C

Tiburon, Sandy
a. salad A+
b. rolls B-
c. herb butter B+
d. chocolate almond mousse B+/A-
e. crabcakes C
f. cc salad D
g. chilean sea bass B+
h. whiskey creme brule B
i. cheesecake C+/B-
j. cinnamon ice cream C+

Tony's Taco, Heber
a. beans A- (sometimes it's an A) (tied for best refried beans in Utah!)
b. rice C-
c. relleno (typically tough pablano) (first time: B-, second time: B/B+)
d. cheese enchilada C+/B-
e. chps B-
f. salsa (chunky-ish) B
g. pork tamale B-
h. chicken chimi C-/D+
i. flan B+
j. flan with cherry droppings B+/A-

Tucanos, multiple locations
a. Amazon Smoothie (best in the state); only A item on their menu. (Note this is really a shake - and the best one we have found.)



V
Villa Magnolia Catering, West Jordan (great catered food for meetings, weddings)
a. cilantro chicken A
b. spicy chipotle sauce over chicken breast B+/A-
c. spaghetti A-
d. potatoes ala creme A-
e. top sirloin with bacon wrap C-

Village Inn, multiple locations
PIES 
a. lemon merangue C
b. pecan B-/B
c.banana cream (pudding like texture - a drawback) B/B+
d. coconut cream (pudding-like) C++/B- 
e. chocolate peanut butter (too sweet) C-
f. peach B-
g. chocolate cream (too sweet) B
h. caramel chocolate pecan (somewhat like german chocolate) B/B+
i. cherry B-/B
j.apple C+/B-

FOODS
a. garden egg crepe (probably with following: grilled green peppers, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, hollandaise sauce on top, scrambled egg inside) not available late 2015) A
b. Late fall only: sour cream apple pie (one year only - 2011, apparently) A
c. BLT with egg (B+)
d. egg burrito (not available 2015: probably same ingredients as garden egg crepe above; as of 2015 they only have Santa Fe Breakfast burrito with meats, potatoes, beans, chile, etc., which we have not tested unless this is same as egg burrito f 2011) A
e. vanilla french toast (they upgraded it considerably; it used to be a C, but now they have a far better vanilla battered version) B/B+
f. multi-grain pancakes with strawberries and bananas on top (the multi-grain tastes more like a bad pumpkin pancake) C-
g. sausage benedict: poached eggs, English muffins, grilled green and red cubed bell peppers, grilled onion, pepper jack queso. A
h. CUSTOMIZED: scrambled egg fajita crepes (sub out the chicken for bacon.) It comes with grilled red and green bell peppers, grilled onions, pepper jack cheese inside, and pepper jack queso sauce on top of the crepes. A
i. sausage hash crepes (with scrambled egg and sausage hash inside, the crepe is topped  with country sausage white gravy) C
j. fish and chips (their own battered Friday night version, which is different than the daily menu version pre-battered from their distributor) C-
k. fries C+
l. tartar sauce D+
m. slaw C

Virg's, Utah chain, 4 Utah locations
Their fish, depending on the day and location, can range frm C to B/B+. Averages we've  noted:
a. cod fish and chips (battered cod) B- -, 2013 visit B
b. haddock fish battered B- - -, 2013 visit B-/B
c. halibut fish battered C-, 2013 visit C++
d. burger A-
e. tartar sauce B/B+
f. tots B+
g. slaw B++
h. fries B; but if hot B++

W

Waffle Love, Provo
2016:
a. leige waffle, plain B/B+
b. leige with Darigold cream B/B+
c. leige with sliced fresh strawberries B/B+
d. leige with cream and strawberries B+
e. waffant waffle (croissant waffle): buttery flavor but strong baking soda aftertaste. At first it's a B+ but overall, with aftertaste, is a B-
f. waffant with cream and strawberries B/B+
2015: The plain waffle below rated higher until we tested it side by side with Bruges Waffles, a better waffle.
a. "Red Wonder" - a leige waffle with raspberries, strawberries, whipped cream, and Lotus brand biscoff spread (from San Francisco) A
b. Plain leige waffle B++ (updated in 2016 to a B/B+)
c. leige waffle with cherries, whip cream, and caramel sauce A - -

d. leige waffle with strawberries and cream A-

Wallaby's BBQ, Orem

BABY BACK RIBS 

GRADES ACCORDING TO SAUCE THEY GLAZE ON THEM:
a. sweet honey (best one to get) B+
b. raspberry B
c. chipotle B-
d. original B-
e. peach B-
f. zesty B-

g. dry rub (slightly above Smokin' Appple) B/B+

NON-RIBS
a. mash B++

b. larger spare ribs B- -

c. slaw B- - -

d. baked beans, first visit: C-, second visit B- - -, third and fourth visits (Dec 2013 and April 2015) B-/B

e. wet end brisket. Top 3 in state (along with Five Star, Orem; and Bam Bams, Provo). A-

f. #1 best house-made soft drink: Pomegranite Limeade A

g. dry end brisket C-

h. pulled pork, first test B-; second test (Dec 2013) C+/B

i. pulled pork with sauce that comes with it B-

j. smoked sausage C+
k. shredded chipotle chicken (tough with OK sauce) C/C+

Wasatch Grill & Deli, Heber
Note: After testing several items there, this was the best:

a. cheese burger B+
b. halibut fish and chips (distributor pre-battered) C+ 
c. chile dog (dog C, chile B) total: B-/B
d. mac and cheese B-/B

Wendy's, national chain
a. club flatbread (asiago ranch and honey mustard) B-/B
b. bacon burger (bacon B-, beef B) total B-/B

* Wildfire Smokehaus, Midway
(pie recipes originate from Croshaw's Pies, St. George; bbq originated at Wild Mustang, Orem)
PIES - (similar to Wild Mustang, some different)
at Wildfire, MIDWAY:
Key Lime Pie B+ similar to the pie at Joe's Crabs, Miami Beach
Lemon Cream B+
German Chocolate C

FOODS at Wildfire (similar to Wild Mustang, some better):
a. Baby back ribs B+ (top 3 in state)
b. pulled pork B+
c. wet end brisket B
d. dry end brisket C
e. bbq chicken C+ (B+ flavor, D+ texture)
f. ranch beans C
g. shredded potatoes C+
h. slaw B+/A-
i. warmed BBQ sauce B
j. potato salad D

For comparison purposes, these were the grades at the former Wild Mustang - they are missing some of these at Wildfire, Midway.
PIES
a. Coconut Cream pie. A- 
b. Coconut merange B+
c. Banana Cream pie. B
d. German Chocolate cream pie. A
e. Strawberry pie - seasonal. A- JUNE IS UTAH'S STRAWBERRY MONTH
f. Sour  cream apple. A-
g. lemon merange (fake strong lemon) first test (Feb 2013) C-, second test (2014) D
h. peach B
i. chocolate cream, first test (Feb 2013) C, second test (2014) B++
j. cherry B/B+
k. pecan (needs molasses and bourbon) C
l. very berry B+

FOODS:
a. Wild Mustang burger (great secret yellow sauce - fry sauce with a little BBQ sauce in it A, bun B+, smoked Angus A-, however meat is B- if no chargrilled flavor) total A-
b. trout with cream sauce B+
c. parmasean cod  total B+
d. stuffed salmon with sauce (these following 4 items go with either the salmon or the above cod: spinach, artichoke, cheese, panko crumbs combo A+, fish B) total B+
e. ribeye steak, medium rare (B+/A-) (A- when freshly served)
f. trout with cream sauce B+
g. best green sauce cheese enchiladas (ask them to make certain the cheese is melted - they're inconsistent). DO NOT get it with red sauce. A-
h. best steak enchilada - get with green sauce or no sauce to taste the good grilled sirloin B+
i. best smoked pork enchilada - get with green sauce or no sauce to taste the smoked pork A-
j. best sweet pork enchilada - get with green sauce B+
k. best mango salsa chicken enchilada (with roasted chicken) - get with green sauce
l. pulled pork  B/B+
m. with sauce: B-
n. fish and chips: (cod: C++, batter B+, combined: B-/B
o. tartar sauce B-
p. turkey cranberry sandwich (turkey slices C+, croissant C+/B, plus mayo and cran sauce pulls grade up to B) total B
q. rolls (among best in state) B+
r. rice D
s. green beans B+
t. philly steak sandwich C
EARLIER VISIT: FEB 2013:
u. brisket C+
v. slaw B+/A-
w. BBQ sauce (better when glazed on ribs) C
x. green beans B+, yankee style A
y. ranch beans C-
z. clam chowder B-
aa. tortilla soup C
bb. ribs B+ (customized with basil leaves added in sauce B++)
cc. roasted chicken B+
dd. BBQ chicken B
ee. chicken salad sandwich  (needs more grapes, apples, sauce for moisture, lighter  croissant like Kneader's or more buttery like Paradise's) B+
ff. cheesesteak (sandwich): steak and everything C

Wing Coop, SLC
South Redwood Road, SLC.  We tried them all a couple times.  Flavors in order:

1: Honey Habanero: B+.

2: Tatanka BBQ: B

3. Confucious: B

4. Buffalo Classic B

5. spicy garlic B

6. beginner B-

7. Intermediate B-

8. chipotle canonero B- -

9. black diamond C++

10. santa tabasco C+

11. teriyaki C+

12. golden mostaza C

13. out of bounds C

14. loco lime C

15. Kansas City BBQ C-

Wiseguyz Pizzeria, Utah chain
a. marinara sauce B/B+
b. garli knots warm B- -, hot B++
c. cheese bread stix A-
d. philly steak and cheese B+/A- -
e. steak and everything A-
f. margharita pizza (thick crust, much fresh garlic) B++
g. WINGS:
plain, flat B/B+
buffalo, drum B
bbq, drum C+, flat B+

Whole Foods Market, SLC
UN-PREPARED FOODS:
a. uncooked salmon: (best in state we've found so far - buy to make at home): best in order: Norwegian with skin A, Atlantic with skin A, Coho with skin, King with skin; Sockeye with skin; those without skin are last) B's to A's
b. black forest bacon and Niman applewood smoked bacon A
PREPARED FOODS:
a. Rubicon chocolate cake A-
b. triple chocolate mousse cake B+/A-
c. chocolate mousse part: A-/A)
d. eruption cake: total: C (chocolate cakecenter: B-/B)
e. best ever chocolate explosion slice C+/B-
f. cheesecake part C+/B-
g. choc mousse C+/B-
h. choc cake B-
i. best chocolate milks in state, 3 brands A
j. orange glazed cheesecake A-
k. cheesecake alone C-
l. berry, apricot tart with almond cream B
Note: Rotisserie chickens seem to be different; we will check it out. Before 2016:
j. rotisserie chicken, smokey BBQ C+
k. rotisserie chicken, chimchuri C+
End of Rotisserie chickens note.
l. Rubicon brand cinnemon bread (best brand, no longer there, is Greenlee) B+
m. "Best Ever" cheesecake (tied for best in state) A- 
n. house-made Key Lime Pie (nice strong flavor but texture is too dense) B/B+
o. "Pie in the Sky" brand key Lime Pie (second best in state after Costa Vida of Provo - not the other Costa Vida cafes, which are OK but not great) B++

* Wing Nutz, multiple locations
a. Not on menu: you have to ask for it: combo of Mango Pom Chipotle AND Jalepeno Honey BBQ: A+

b. Mango Pom Chipotle A

c. Not on menu: you have to ask for it: combo of Chili Garlic AND Jamaican Jerk: A

d. Jalpeno Honey BBQ A-

e. Jamaican Jerk: A-.  

f. Southern Lemon Hotties: B+. 

g. Chili Garlic: B+

DOWN THE LIST FROM THERE ARE ALL THEIR OTHER OFFERINGS, IN THIS ORDER:

h. zesty orange B
i. Southern Honey BBQ (different than one with no BBQ; but kids rate this A-) adult total B-
j. Southern hotties B-
k. raspberry chipotle B-
l. traditional B-
m. lemon hotties B- -
n. Southern Honey: (kids A) adults C+
o. chipotle BBQ C+
p. chipotle lime C+
q. Carolina mustard C
r. parmesan curry C-
s. teriyaki C-
t. apricot teriyaki D+
u. southern lemon hotties D+

Wingers, multiple locations
Note for all burgers: Burger meat B+, flavor, not grilled B-:
a. fries C+, steak fries (this is either an earlier test with different fries, or the same test with a different style - the steak fry) B
b. Veggie scramble (has big mushroom slice, much red pepper, white onion, jack and cheddar and hollandaise sauce, but needs more tomato to bring grade up) B+/A-
c. Winger's Trash Hash (smashed hash potatoes, bacon bits, sausage, onion, peppers, red and green, jack and cheddar, 3 eggs over easy, hollandaise and coutnry gravy). With hllandaise sauce A+. With hollandaise plus white gravy A. Wth white gravy only A-
d. No longer served: "double-basted" chicken with BBQ and Original sauces combined (not smoked) B++
e. No longer served: "double-basted" chicken with teriyaki sauce B/B+ 
f. pancakes B
g. pecan banana pancake (fyi: items on top, not inside) B+
h. belgian waffle C+
i. biscuit B
j. sausage B-/B
k. chicken fried steak C+/B-
l. gravy alone: C- -
m. scrambled eggs B-
n. chicken and waffles (fried chicken breast strips C+, waffle C), total: C
o-s N/A
t. slaw B-
u. roasted veges B+
v. baked beans B
w.chicken and waffles: chicken C, waffles C (but in 2013 they used a different source of waffles and it rated A+ then).
x. ribs (tough but nice flavor) C? in 2014, but in 2013: B
y. melba's meatloaf (spicy) B/B+
z. plain pancakes B
aa. plain hashbrowns B
BURGERS:
(We tried them all. These burgers all have the following grade: Bun B+. Great charbroiled meat A-/A)
     a. Roadhouse Burger: B+
     b. Ranch Burger (you can substitute ranch dressing for the mayo to create their old Ranch Burger) B+

     b. Don't get Teriyaki (is glazed with teriyaki sauce on the grill on the meat, and "island teriyaki" on the bun) B/B+)), Double sauced with amazing sauce on one bun and bootleg bbq sauce on the other bun(B-) or Wingers Sauce burger (C/C+),


* Wing Shak, American Fork
Note: We tried all their wings a couple times in 2010. Wings are jumbo and fried.  The top 4 flavors listed are amazing.
a. Pineapple BBQ. A-
b. BBQ. A -
c. Teriyaki. B+
d. Medium heat Traditional buffalo. B+ (the best traditional buffalo we've found)

e. Garlic Pepper: B
f. mild buffalo C+
g. hot parmesan C

Y

Yaki Yama, see at our site, "Park City Restaurants in Detail"

Z

Zaxby's, southern chain plus Utah
a. banana pudding shake A-
b. chocolate cake shake B/B+
c. chicken salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato (filling alone C), total: B
d. chicken tenders, fresh: B-/B; cold C-
e. chicken tenders, fresh with Zax sauce (mustard-like) B-/B
f. fried cheese bites B
g. fried cheese bites with marinara sauce, if eaten hot B+
h. Texas toast C
WINGS:
i. sweet and spicy (sauce alone: C+) B
j. BBQ B+ (see note at "g")
k. seasonal spicy honey BBQ (it's possible this one and he straight BBQ sauce were mis-labeled and mixed up) B
l. teriyaki (sauce too strong) B/B+
m. buffalo (mildest version) C/C+

Zubs (Springville and Provo)
a. wings (best wings at a pizza place) B+
b. cheesesteak sandwich B-
c. supreme pizza C
d. cold club sandwich (one of best in state) A- (compared with Kneaders B-)
e. hot club sandwich B+/A- (compared with Charlie's Grilled Subs B/B+)
f. hot vege sandwich B (compared with Kneader's with avocado B/B+ and Charlie's Grilled Subs A and DP Cheesesteak's hot vege B+)
g. cold vege sandwich (provolone too strong, customize it with jack cheese instead) and saute the mushrooms and onions B+ 

Zupas, Provo
a. Wisconsin Cheddar soup A
b. Swiss onion soup A
c. New England clam chowder (texture A, weird herb gives dominant flavor) B-
d. turkey cranberry sandwich C
e. crab avocado melt sandwich C-
f. chicken enchilada chile C-




Food Trucks
Montana BBQ Co. 
July 2015 test:
a. pulled pork A
b. macroni, nachochees, bbq sauce A-
c.st. louis ribs - toostrong fmoke flavor aftertaste. B+

SALT LAKE VALLEY
Andinita (Columbian/Venezuelan), SLC 
a. hot dog (with mild green picante, coleslaw and cilantro): A
a-1. hot dog alone (they should switch to Nathans or Oscar Mayer beef) B
b. pork chop, regular C+
c. pork chop smoked B+ 
d. fruit drinks A-, with sweetened condensed milk (we believe it is): A
e. fried plantain C+/B- -
f. salted white rice B-
g. potato salad and chicken B/B+
h. ribs (some parts dry) B
i. ribs with avocado sauce B+
j. beef soup C+
k. beef in the soup tender parts B+, dry parts C-
l. reyna pepiada: chicken salad sandwich with avocado (exotic potato and much avocado, carrots, cilantro, mayo, a little shredded chicken) B+
m. ham and cheese sandwich, fried scone like bread B
n. ham and cheese sandwich with handmade corn pancake B+, with avocado sauce B+/A-
o. passion juice drink with milk A
p. mango juice drink with milk A

Archibalds, South Jordan

Note: We've tested many items here - these are the best ones.
a. #2 carrot cake (behind Black Sheep, which is not currently served) A- 
b. #1 best fried green tomatoes A
c. best and only fried breaded avocado A+
d. fish and chips - cod B/B+, halibut C 
[See our site on best fish and chips in Utah (and Vegas, and L.A.).]

e. breaded tilapia. best tilapia in state. B+
f. potato salad B+
g. slaw (too mayo-y) B/B+
h. blackened salmon B
i. flat iron steak C
j. parm crusted halibut C+
k. rice pilaf C+
l. mash C-
j. sour dough bread B-
k. veges C+
l. country fried steak B
m. dip with chips C+
n. pot roast, with potato, carrots; gravy alone B+, total (best in state) B+
o. prime rib (meat quality B-) total C
p. beef stroganoff C+/B-
q. almond chicken croissant B

Atlantis Burger, Woods Cross and Magna 
a. cheeseburger - best low priced burger B+

Belgian Waffle and Omelette Inn, Sandy
Note: We've tried numerous items there - none rating higher than a C+.
a. a top 2 omelette in the state - avocado, mushroom, and cheese blend omelette A-

Best Ribs and Chicken, Salt Lake City
a. Mediterranean rice A

c. bread B+/A-

Beyond Glazed, Sugarhouse
Note: We've tried most donuts there; this is the one rating B+ or above:
a. maple bacon donut - best "assorted" donut we have had anywhere. A+

Big Al's, Draper (moved from Provo)
2015:
b. sausage (best BBQ sausage in state) B+
d. wet end brisket B+
k. herbed cream corn A
m. roll B+
BEFORE 2015:
a. Garlic Texas toast (butter-margarine blend [normally we hate margarine], best Texas toast in the state!) A
h. smoked sausage (among best in Utah) B+, with hot sauce A-
j. grandma's mac and cheese A- (2nd visit: 2014: B-/B)
k. creamy corn B++
l. cheesy potato B+
m. Aunt Doris' dill potato salad A-
n. poppyseed coleslaw A- -
p. onion strips, if served hot A
r. SAUCES: Dec 2011-Jan 2012
tangy, first visit (Dec 2011) A-, second visit (Jan 2012) B+
sweet B++
hot B++
t. BBQ burger with bacon and pulled pork, alone C-, adding onion, lettuce, tomato B+





OTHERS COUNTIES IN UTAH
A Little Taste of Britain - Layton
a. fish and chips B+