See our site, "Best Restaurants in Utah" for places STILL IN BUSINESS. (We also have 57 categories of food ratings, such as best fish and chips in Utah, also best fish and chips in L.A. and in Vegas, and best Mexican food, BBQ, and ice cream in Utah.)
The list below is the least significant list, since they are out of business, but may be nostalgic for Utah diners:
Good Utah Restaurants OUT OF BUSINESS - most closed their doors 2011-2018
- approx. 70 total
(not in alphabetical order)
- revised 27 June 2018
See our site for current restaurants and their grades at "Best Restaurants in Utah"
El Azteca, Provo [different menu than Orem store] was one of best Mexican Cafes in Utah
a. Horchata French Toast A (or B/B+, depending on day)
b. chille relleno (#1 tie in state) A (or B+ depending on day)
c. salmon quesarito A-/A
d-1. cuchi cuchi quesadilla (spinach, mushrooms, cilantro, apple pico, bacon, cheese; apple pico consists of sliced apple, cranberry, onion, scallion etc.) A+
d-2 cuchi cuchi quesadilla, has spinach, applie pico, cheese. We made custom request with scrambled eggs (and with that they serve very little apple pico): A-
e. cheese enchilada B+
f. rice and beans burrito C+ (get the kid's version - less beans makes it better)
g. baja shrimp taco B/B+
h. tropical shrimp taco with mango A- -
i. tropical coconut taco, with shrimp A-
j. coconut baja taco, with shrimp B+
k. relleno burrito B+
l. Acapulco enchilada (grilled cilantro-lime shrimp, onions, peppers, mushrooms. Plus rice, topped with chile verde sauce, cheese, and sour cream) B+
m. Tijuana Tamale (no longer on menu but available; it's a version of "Inside-out Tamale" on the menu; Tijuana includes:fried egg, choriso sausage, black beans, corn, cilantro, tomato) B+/A-
n. guadalajara chicken (marinated and grilled; tested in Jan 2014): tough texture B- but flavor A-
o. salmon taco (Jan 2013) WITH WHAT SAUCE? BAJA??? B+
p. mole cheese enchilada (Jan 2013) B
q. ham torta (sandwich) (Jan 2014) A-
r. grilled relleno A
s. inside out tamale B-
t. tropical shrimp quesadilla (onions, peppers, pineapple, shrimp) A-/A
u. quesarito, with eggs inside as the meat (eggs, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) A-
v. quesarito, with bacon and eggs inside as the meat (bacon, eggs, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) C+/B-
w. baja-rito (grilled salmon, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) A-
x. tropical fajita burrito, with shrimp (shrimp, onion, pepper, rice, black beans, guac, crema, cheese, pico, sweetened with pineaple and mango) B/B+
y. bean and cheese burrito, adult size C+/B-
z. kids' bean and cheese burrito (fewer beans makes it much better) C+/B-- (BUT CUSTOM ORDER IT TO 1/2 CHEESE, 1/2 BEANS; THUS, INCREASE THE CHEESE)
aa. buenos dias burrito, standard with eggs (eggs, potato, beans, cheese, pico) B/B+
bb. buenos dias burrito, custom with bacon and eggs (bacon, eggs, potato, beans, cheese, pico) A-
cc. San Diego burrito, custom with eggs as the meat (eggs, fries, queso [nacho sauce], crema) C+
dd. San Diego burrito, custom with bacon and eggs as the meat (bacon, eggs, fries, queso, crema) B+
ee. huevos ranchero (we chose flour tortilla, and it comes with feta cheese, green onion, tomato, pinto beans, guac, egg, white onion, and we ordered bacon) A
ff. chilequeles (nacho chips, fried eggs, black beans, too much red sauce that grades only a C) total B
gg. enchiladas veracruz (salmon enchiladas) B-
hh. egg taco (refritos, fried egg, cheese, bacon) B+/A-
ii. egg taco, custom order with scrambled egg (refritos, scrambled egg, cheese, bacon) B+/A-; if scrambled egg B/B+
jj. tropical salmon taco (salmon alone B) B/B+
kk. tropical tilapia taco (tilapia alone B++, plus chipotle mayo, jicama slaw, mango pico) B+
ll. tropical fish taco, with cod B+
mm. machaca taco (refritos, shredded beef, scrambled eggs, cheese, pico) B-/B
nn. catfish taco (a Friday special, not on menu) (fried caftish alone overcooked, with cornmeal breading C+, cilantro, limo mayo, greens, corn pico) B-
oo. rice B-
pp. pinto beans A-
qq. black beans C+
Borderline Mexican, Park City (2004)
a. relleno (top 3 in state in 2004) A-
b. cheese enchilada C-
c. rice B-
d. beans C-
e. chips D
f. burrito D
Neil's Seafood, Draper (out 2014)
(Note: This was first place to introduce swai fish to Utah that we know of.)
a. swai fish and chps B-
b. halibut B-
c. burger (meat B) total B+
Tommy's Texas BBQ, Heber, Provo (out 2014)
Nothing rated above B/B+
ribs, brisket, por, chicken, baked beans, slaw, etc.- we had most if not all things on menu.
Agave Mexican Cuisine, Sandy, Orem (Mexican) (out 2015)
(items tested: nothing B+ or higher)
a. relleno
b. cheese enchilada
c. rice
d. beans
Curbside Chile Dogs, Provo
a. #1 chile dogs in state A
b. #1 chile. (this one is really subjective, but this chile sings to us, and is very mild)
c. chile with corn chips
d. kraut dog with best kraut ever (homemade, very mild) A -, plus Tapatia sauce A-
e. best chile in state A (perfect with fritos corn chips)
f. chile and cheese A
g. chicago dog B-
Nick's Cafe, SLC
The exact grades have been discarded, but from memorty, these are the grades:
a. vege omelette B+
b. blueberry pancakes B+
c. sweet roll french toast A
d. cheese burger B
e. battered tilapia B-
f. chicken fried steak with eggs B
Las Glorias, Orem (Mexican)
a. huevos rancheros A
b. ham A
c. chile verde A-
d. rice B+
e. pinto beans A- -
f. relleno B+
g. cheese enchilada C
h. Entotomada, chicken C+
i. pork tamale with chile verde B- -
j. tamale with cheese and onion B+
Blue Pablano, Provo (Mexican)
a. carnitas taco. A
b. steak taco (A-)
c. rice (like dirty rice) (B++)
d. three cheese quesadilla (best quesadilla in state). A
e. pinto beans and cheese B+
g. carnita Taco A
h. steak taco A-/A
i. Al Pastor taco B+
j. chicken taco with green salsa B-
k. kids' bean burrito B+
Angel's, Provo (cheesesteaks)
a. 5 cheesesteaks in order - all grade A
1. with onion and sweet pepper
2. with onion alone
3. with onion and sweet pepper and mushrooms
4. with sweet peppers alone
5. with mushrooms alone
6. with sweet peppers and mushrooms
China Bowl, Orem (Chinese)
a. numerous items we tested there over the years - none rated above B/B+
The Fortune, Provo (Chinese)
a. numerous items we tested there over the years - none rated above B/B+
Emperial, on south Springville Rd., Provo (Chinese)
a. fried rice D
b. lo mein D
Mamacita's, Provo (Mexican)
a. vege quesadilla (mushrooms, fire roastd green chiles, red onion, oaxacan queso, topped wtih guac, pico, and cilantro lime crema. A-
b. chilqueles - best in Utah. (chips, salsa roja, pulled chicken, black beans, red onion, queso fresco, tomatoes, cilantro, fried egg) B+/A-
c. Mamacita's nachos. (chips, blend of oaxacan queso and habanero oil for unusual sauce; roasted corn, slice serrano peppers, tomatoes, red onion, black beans, cilantro) B/B+
d. chicken tortilla soup, with strips, garnished with avocado and lime sour cream. A- (soup alone: B)
e. avocado cheesecake. A-
f-1. pulled pork tacos. B/B+ (pork alone: C-)
f-2. tamarind glazed pork tenderloin. B/B+
g. acorn squash puree. B+
h. chicken enchiladas, with poblanos, pulled chicken, traditional enchilada sauce, in corn tortillas with melted oaxacan queso) Best in Utah. A
i. flourless chocolate cake B+
4 hot and 3 cold chocolates are best
a. raspberrry chocolate A
b. mocha (chocolate only) A+
c. white mocha (choc latte with Guittard chocolate, sweeter than mocha) A-
d. cold caramel leche A
e. cold crio caramel leche A/A+
f. cold coco loco A
g. ice white mocha
h. PM? B/B+
i. pork sandwich B+
Maggie Moo's, Sugarhouse, SLC (now get these best flavors at Marble Slab, West Jordan)
a. carmel ice cream
b. strawberry ice cream
* Dave and Cranky's, Provo
a. meatloaf with their red sauce (A-) (meatloaf alone: C+)
b. meatloaf sandwich, bacon topped (A- -)
c. ribeye steak (best steak in Utah under $20)
d. cheese burger (ask for drippings, sauteed onions, and corn poured over it!) Lettuce optional. Don't add cheese sauce or red sauce, etc., it competes with the better drippings.)
e. Pilgraim Sandwich (chicken A, dressing B/B+) total B/B+
DESSERTS
1. marble cake
2. lava cake
3. #1 Peanut Butter Pie (occasionally offered)
e. pilgrim sandwich, seasonal foul - we had chicken, rates alone at A, stuffing B/B+, cranberry chutney, yam C+, mayo on slice of white bread at bottom). Total: B/B+
f. glazed pork A-/A
g. ditto with pumpkin rice - the rice is B+
h. ditto with thye baked applesand onions - that portion is B+
i. cheesecake B+
j. whipped cream only, they likely make A
k. giant chocolate chip cookie: Pizzooka (A-)
** Tortilla Bar, Orem
Not a Mexican cafe, this is a first rate restaurant, with Sam the owner planning in 2014 sometime taking his crew to L.A., Austin, France, and Salt Lake for further training on techniques and recipes, after exchanging his own wit them. He may settle back in Utah Valley on a mobile restaurant. Sam worked under celebrity chefs. They change the menu weekly and the breakfast menu daily depending upon what is available at the farmers' markets. They pickle their veges which they add to their over-night cooked meats. $15 for two meat tortillas, $7 for vege ones.
a. carna tortilla- butcher's cut beef plus Mexican Kimchi and pabalo
b. pork tortilla
c. avocado taco (A-)
d. hot cocoa - amazing with Amano cocoa nibs and herbs
e. Motulena - eggs, ham, veges, beans
f. carnitas - grass fed pork, orange pickled veges
g. #2 best hot chocolate in the state: Amano's nibs plus 2 herbs
h. breakfast dish: almond butter atop cactus, atop sweetened coconut cream left off - after station 22.
The list below is the least significant list, since they are out of business, but may be nostalgic for Utah diners:
Good Utah Restaurants OUT OF BUSINESS - most closed their doors 2011-2018
- approx. 70 total
(not in alphabetical order)
- revised 27 June 2018
See our site for current restaurants and their grades at "Best Restaurants in Utah"
El Azteca, Provo [different menu than Orem store] was one of best Mexican Cafes in Utah
a. Horchata French Toast A (or B/B+, depending on day)
b. chille relleno (#1 tie in state) A (or B+ depending on day)
c. salmon quesarito A-/A
d-1. cuchi cuchi quesadilla (spinach, mushrooms, cilantro, apple pico, bacon, cheese; apple pico consists of sliced apple, cranberry, onion, scallion etc.) A+
d-2 cuchi cuchi quesadilla, has spinach, applie pico, cheese. We made custom request with scrambled eggs (and with that they serve very little apple pico): A-
e. cheese enchilada B+
f. rice and beans burrito C+ (get the kid's version - less beans makes it better)
g. baja shrimp taco B/B+
h. tropical shrimp taco with mango A- -
i. tropical coconut taco, with shrimp A-
j. coconut baja taco, with shrimp B+
k. relleno burrito B+
l. Acapulco enchilada (grilled cilantro-lime shrimp, onions, peppers, mushrooms. Plus rice, topped with chile verde sauce, cheese, and sour cream) B+
m. Tijuana Tamale (no longer on menu but available; it's a version of "Inside-out Tamale" on the menu; Tijuana includes:fried egg, choriso sausage, black beans, corn, cilantro, tomato) B+/A-
n. guadalajara chicken (marinated and grilled; tested in Jan 2014): tough texture B- but flavor A-
o. salmon taco (Jan 2013) WITH WHAT SAUCE? BAJA??? B+
p. mole cheese enchilada (Jan 2013) B
q. ham torta (sandwich) (Jan 2014) A-
r. grilled relleno A
s. inside out tamale B-
t. tropical shrimp quesadilla (onions, peppers, pineapple, shrimp) A-/A
u. quesarito, with eggs inside as the meat (eggs, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) A-
v. quesarito, with bacon and eggs inside as the meat (bacon, eggs, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) C+/B-
w. baja-rito (grilled salmon, melted cheese, lettuce, guac, crema, tomato) A-
x. tropical fajita burrito, with shrimp (shrimp, onion, pepper, rice, black beans, guac, crema, cheese, pico, sweetened with pineaple and mango) B/B+
y. bean and cheese burrito, adult size C+/B-
z. kids' bean and cheese burrito (fewer beans makes it much better) C+/B-- (BUT CUSTOM ORDER IT TO 1/2 CHEESE, 1/2 BEANS; THUS, INCREASE THE CHEESE)
aa. buenos dias burrito, standard with eggs (eggs, potato, beans, cheese, pico) B/B+
bb. buenos dias burrito, custom with bacon and eggs (bacon, eggs, potato, beans, cheese, pico) A-
cc. San Diego burrito, custom with eggs as the meat (eggs, fries, queso [nacho sauce], crema) C+
dd. San Diego burrito, custom with bacon and eggs as the meat (bacon, eggs, fries, queso, crema) B+
ee. huevos ranchero (we chose flour tortilla, and it comes with feta cheese, green onion, tomato, pinto beans, guac, egg, white onion, and we ordered bacon) A
ff. chilequeles (nacho chips, fried eggs, black beans, too much red sauce that grades only a C) total B
gg. enchiladas veracruz (salmon enchiladas) B-
hh. egg taco (refritos, fried egg, cheese, bacon) B+/A-
ii. egg taco, custom order with scrambled egg (refritos, scrambled egg, cheese, bacon) B+/A-; if scrambled egg B/B+
jj. tropical salmon taco (salmon alone B) B/B+
kk. tropical tilapia taco (tilapia alone B++, plus chipotle mayo, jicama slaw, mango pico) B+
ll. tropical fish taco, with cod B+
mm. machaca taco (refritos, shredded beef, scrambled eggs, cheese, pico) B-/B
nn. catfish taco (a Friday special, not on menu) (fried caftish alone overcooked, with cornmeal breading C+, cilantro, limo mayo, greens, corn pico) B-
oo. rice B-
pp. pinto beans A-
qq. black beans C+
a. relleno (top 3 in state in 2004) A-
b. cheese enchilada C-
c. rice B-
d. beans C-
e. chips D
f. burrito D
Neil's Seafood, Draper (out 2014)
(Note: This was first place to introduce swai fish to Utah that we know of.)
a. swai fish and chps B-
b. halibut B-
c. burger (meat B) total B+
Tommy's Texas BBQ, Heber, Provo (out 2014)
Nothing rated above B/B+
ribs, brisket, por, chicken, baked beans, slaw, etc.- we had most if not all things on menu.
Agave Mexican Cuisine, Sandy, Orem (Mexican) (out 2015)
(items tested: nothing B+ or higher)
a. relleno
b. cheese enchilada
c. rice
d. beans
Curbside Chile Dogs, Provo
a. #1 chile dogs in state A
b. #1 chile. (this one is really subjective, but this chile sings to us, and is very mild)
c. chile with corn chips
d. kraut dog with best kraut ever (homemade, very mild) A -, plus Tapatia sauce A-
e. best chile in state A (perfect with fritos corn chips)
f. chile and cheese A
g. chicago dog B-
Nick's Cafe, SLC
The exact grades have been discarded, but from memorty, these are the grades:
a. vege omelette B+
b. blueberry pancakes B+
c. sweet roll french toast A
d. cheese burger B
e. battered tilapia B-
f. chicken fried steak with eggs B
Las Glorias, Orem (Mexican)
a. huevos rancheros A
b. ham A
c. chile verde A-
d. rice B+
e. pinto beans A- -
f. relleno B+
g. cheese enchilada C
h. Entotomada, chicken C+
i. pork tamale with chile verde B- -
j. tamale with cheese and onion B+
Blue Pablano, Provo (Mexican)
a. carnitas taco. A
b. steak taco (A-)
c. rice (like dirty rice) (B++)
d. three cheese quesadilla (best quesadilla in state). A
e. pinto beans and cheese B+
g. carnita Taco A
h. steak taco A-/A
i. Al Pastor taco B+
j. chicken taco with green salsa B-
k. kids' bean burrito B+
Angel's, Provo (cheesesteaks)
a. 5 cheesesteaks in order - all grade A
1. with onion and sweet pepper
2. with onion alone
3. with onion and sweet pepper and mushrooms
4. with sweet peppers alone
5. with mushrooms alone
6. with sweet peppers and mushrooms
China Bowl, Orem (Chinese)
a. numerous items we tested there over the years - none rated above B/B+
The Fortune, Provo (Chinese)
a. numerous items we tested there over the years - none rated above B/B+
Emperial, on south Springville Rd., Provo (Chinese)
a. fried rice D
b. lo mein D
Mamacita's, Provo (Mexican)
a. vege quesadilla (mushrooms, fire roastd green chiles, red onion, oaxacan queso, topped wtih guac, pico, and cilantro lime crema. A-
b. chilqueles - best in Utah. (chips, salsa roja, pulled chicken, black beans, red onion, queso fresco, tomatoes, cilantro, fried egg) B+/A-
c. Mamacita's nachos. (chips, blend of oaxacan queso and habanero oil for unusual sauce; roasted corn, slice serrano peppers, tomatoes, red onion, black beans, cilantro) B/B+
d. chicken tortilla soup, with strips, garnished with avocado and lime sour cream. A- (soup alone: B)
e. avocado cheesecake. A-
f-1. pulled pork tacos. B/B+ (pork alone: C-)
f-2. tamarind glazed pork tenderloin. B/B+
g. acorn squash puree. B+
h. chicken enchiladas, with poblanos, pulled chicken, traditional enchilada sauce, in corn tortillas with melted oaxacan queso) Best in Utah. A
i. flourless chocolate cake B+
j. vege burrito (enchilada style, with rice, beans, cheese, pico, avoc, green sauce, crema) B
k. three cheese quesadilla A
l. house made guac B
j. pork belly tacos C
k. grilled salmon, alone (frozen, overcooked) C, with salsa B
Mexican (grill) beside current Wal-Mart, Provo (2 places, same location, early-mid 2000s)
a. mild red salsa B+
b.egg cheese burrito with orange colored sauce C+, with mild sauce B+
Decadence, Orem and then Lindonk. three cheese quesadilla A
l. house made guac B
j. pork belly tacos C
k. grilled salmon, alone (frozen, overcooked) C, with salsa B
Mexican (grill) beside current Wal-Mart, Provo (2 places, same location, early-mid 2000s)
a. mild red salsa B+
b.egg cheese burrito with orange colored sauce C+, with mild sauce B+
4 hot and 3 cold chocolates are best
a. raspberrry chocolate A
b. mocha (chocolate only) A+
c. white mocha (choc latte with Guittard chocolate, sweeter than mocha) A-
d. cold caramel leche A
e. cold crio caramel leche A/A+
f. cold coco loco A
g. ice white mocha
h. PM? B/B+
i. pork sandwich B+
Maggie Moo's, Sugarhouse, SLC (now get these best flavors at Marble Slab, West Jordan)
a. carmel ice cream
b. strawberry ice cream
* Dave and Cranky's, Provo
a. meatloaf with their red sauce (A-) (meatloaf alone: C+)
b. meatloaf sandwich, bacon topped (A- -)
c. ribeye steak (best steak in Utah under $20)
d. cheese burger (ask for drippings, sauteed onions, and corn poured over it!) Lettuce optional. Don't add cheese sauce or red sauce, etc., it competes with the better drippings.)
e. Pilgraim Sandwich (chicken A, dressing B/B+) total B/B+
DESSERTS
1. marble cake
2. lava cake
3. #1 Peanut Butter Pie (occasionally offered)
e. pilgrim sandwich, seasonal foul - we had chicken, rates alone at A, stuffing B/B+, cranberry chutney, yam C+, mayo on slice of white bread at bottom). Total: B/B+
f. glazed pork A-/A
g. ditto with pumpkin rice - the rice is B+
h. ditto with thye baked applesand onions - that portion is B+
i. cheesecake B+
j. whipped cream only, they likely make A
k. giant chocolate chip cookie: Pizzooka (A-)
Not a Mexican cafe, this is a first rate restaurant, with Sam the owner planning in 2014 sometime taking his crew to L.A., Austin, France, and Salt Lake for further training on techniques and recipes, after exchanging his own wit them. He may settle back in Utah Valley on a mobile restaurant. Sam worked under celebrity chefs. They change the menu weekly and the breakfast menu daily depending upon what is available at the farmers' markets. They pickle their veges which they add to their over-night cooked meats. $15 for two meat tortillas, $7 for vege ones.
a. carna tortilla- butcher's cut beef plus Mexican Kimchi and pabalo
b. pork tortilla
c. avocado taco (A-)
d. hot cocoa - amazing with Amano cocoa nibs and herbs
e. Motulena - eggs, ham, veges, beans
f. carnitas - grass fed pork, orange pickled veges
g. #2 best hot chocolate in the state: Amano's nibs plus 2 herbs
h. breakfast dish: almond butter atop cactus, atop sweetened coconut cream left off - after station 22.
i. queso fundido (mozzarela, beets in tortilla) B++
j. carne tortilla with Mexican Kimchi and pickled vege A
k. carnitas tortillas (pork and pickled veges) A
l. motuleno (egg, criminelli ham, fall veges, black beans) A
m. cazador with canned tomatoes, olives, and red wine, alone B, with chicken B/B+
n. avocado taco (with avocadeo, bets, goats cheese) A-
o. hot chocolate (amano nibs, star anise, ginger) A
Amka Miskey, Puruvian, Orem (replaced in part by Rincon Peruvian, same location)
a. sauteed swai fish
b. fried swai fish
Kranky Franks Dogs, Springville
a. using Nathan's hot dogs
Paesan Café. 60 So. State, Orem –
a. kobe steak wrap, with great sauce – the whole package is A.
b. pizza (mushroom C, pepperoni B+, sausage C+, too little cheese and marinara sauce) total B
Plum Alley, SLC
a. pork belly: meat alone A+, in soft bun and sauce A+
b. duck alone C
c. duck, 5 spice, preserved oragne slice. With orange A
d. spicy oragne sauce alone A-
e. beef alone (best braised in UT) A (beef in bun, no sauce B+)
f. beef sauce C+
g. brussel sprouts and squash B+
h. green beans, 2nd best after TX Roadhouse. B+
i. chicken wings, 12 hr. brine, palm sugar, chili glace, toasted sesame sdds, 4 big wings B/B+
j. crab buns, with aoli, crab, ared onion, green pepper rings: B
(better with cilantry, thin radishes: A)
k. pad see ew C-, pork (C-) and chicken with broad flat noodles and greens (A-) and scrambled eggs or tofu with greens and noodles also (A-). If without the pork: A-
l. pad see ew, with greens and noodle, with pork B-, with no pork A-
m. duck stir fry B-/B (duck alone: C-)
n. curriede fries B++
o. coconut fudge ice cream B+
p. nandan ice cream C- (vanilla with herbs)\
Joe's Restaurant, Provo (separate from Joe's Cafe, Orem)
a. Joe's Dog (hot dog with bacon, cheese, caramel apple mustard sauce A
b. Joe's burger (bun B-/B, beef B-), old world cheese, no bacon, cheddar, tomato, grilled onion, dark orange sauce B- with dark mustard B-) total B-/B
j. carne tortilla with Mexican Kimchi and pickled vege A
k. carnitas tortillas (pork and pickled veges) A
l. motuleno (egg, criminelli ham, fall veges, black beans) A
m. cazador with canned tomatoes, olives, and red wine, alone B, with chicken B/B+
n. avocado taco (with avocadeo, bets, goats cheese) A-
o. hot chocolate (amano nibs, star anise, ginger) A
Amka Miskey, Puruvian, Orem (replaced in part by Rincon Peruvian, same location)
a. sauteed swai fish
b. fried swai fish
Kranky Franks Dogs, Springville
a. using Nathan's hot dogs
Paesan Café. 60 So. State, Orem –
a. kobe steak wrap, with great sauce – the whole package is A.
b. pizza (mushroom C, pepperoni B+, sausage C+, too little cheese and marinara sauce) total B
Plum Alley, SLC
a. pork belly: meat alone A+, in soft bun and sauce A+
b. duck alone C
c. duck, 5 spice, preserved oragne slice. With orange A
d. spicy oragne sauce alone A-
e. beef alone (best braised in UT) A (beef in bun, no sauce B+)
f. beef sauce C+
g. brussel sprouts and squash B+
h. green beans, 2nd best after TX Roadhouse. B+
i. chicken wings, 12 hr. brine, palm sugar, chili glace, toasted sesame sdds, 4 big wings B/B+
j. crab buns, with aoli, crab, ared onion, green pepper rings: B
(better with cilantry, thin radishes: A)
k. pad see ew C-, pork (C-) and chicken with broad flat noodles and greens (A-) and scrambled eggs or tofu with greens and noodles also (A-). If without the pork: A-
l. pad see ew, with greens and noodle, with pork B-, with no pork A-
m. duck stir fry B-/B (duck alone: C-)
n. curriede fries B++
o. coconut fudge ice cream B+
p. nandan ice cream C- (vanilla with herbs)\
Joe's Restaurant, Provo (separate from Joe's Cafe, Orem)
a. Joe's Dog (hot dog with bacon, cheese, caramel apple mustard sauce A
b. Joe's burger (bun B-/B, beef B-), old world cheese, no bacon, cheddar, tomato, grilled onion, dark orange sauce B- with dark mustard B-) total B-/B
c. Stoneman Burger with their own sauce, sweet bacon, mustard, guac,B
d. strawberry shake B+
e. Hawaii Dog (cheese, onion, guac, sweet pepper sauce C+/B-
Jamacan Jerk Shack, Orem
a. searching for notes to this place - a couple great drinks
Guzzles, Orem
a. frozen hot chocolate C+
special sodas:
b. mango-raspberry with mountain dew A
c. coconut with dr. pepper B+
d. milky way hot cocoa C+
Old Town Grill, Provo
a. squash soup B
b. burger B-
c. bbq wings B/B+
d. buffalo wings B-/B
e. spicy grilled cheese sandwich C+/B-
f. fish and chips (thick batter) B+
g. mac and cheese B/B+
h. buffalo wings B?
i. house ranch dressing C-
j. house bleu cheese dressing C-
Spark, Provo
a. Americana (chedar, tomato, red onion, spring mix, molasses-beer sauce A) total A+
b. BLT (bacon, swiss, spring mix, tomato, sundried tomato aioli) A+
c. southwestern (pepper-jack, guac, chipotle aioli, spring mix, red tortilla chips) total: B- with red tortilla chips, B+ with no red tortilla chips
d. mango chicken in mango glaze with mango jasmine rice B+
e. grilled white cheddar cheese sandwich C, when dipped in tomato soup A
f. pear lemonade A
g. herb fries B+
h. fried pork lolipops C+, 2 sauces A
i. pear lemonade (best of all the lemonades, which we tried) A+
j. pan roasted filet mignon B-
k. cajun shrimp risotto C+
l. manchego mac and cheese A+
m. pablano soup B
n. hazlenut ice cream B
o. butternut squash puree A
p. tomato parm soup A
q. choc mousse B+
r. vanilla mousse B++
s.panna cotta with passion fruit pearls B++
t. cheesecake B
u. molten choc cake C/B
v. creme brule cheesecake A
w. choc brownie float C
x. tomato basil tortellini cream sauce and parm cheese A-
y. grilled chicken salad C
Rosa's, Provo (early 2000s, but most of the others in this section we tested 2010-2015, before they went out of business)
a. great pulled pork A
b. relleno B or C
c. cheese enchilada B or C
Wabi Sabi, South Jordan, 2011
Of 4 visits, these were all the items grading at least B+:
a. "J" (tempura of albacoe, crab, cream cheese, chili sauce, with creamy spicy unagi sauce)
b. lemon butter cream cake A
c. the Don (tempura shrmp, crab, salmon, tuna) A- -
d. combo platter - 9 pieces fish A
e. flourless chocolate cake A
Apple Table (Mexican), Springville
a. rice C+
b. beans C-
c. cheese enchilada C
d. fried chicken B
Villa, Provo
a. rice A-
b. beans A-
c. chili relleno B
d. cheese enchlada A
e. beef enchilada A-
f. tamale A-
g. tilapia fish C-
h. chimi? C+
Matiki Island BBQ
a. beef short ribs C+
b. all other Polynesian items on themenu C
Ricardo's, Orem
a. cheese enchilada C+
b. relleno C+
c. beans B
d. rice C+
Taco Tiendo, S. University Ave., Provo
a. rice C
b. beans B+/A-
c. chicken chimi B
d. cow's head B+
e. fried tripe B+
f. lengua (tongue) B
g. chicherone - sauced B+
h. horchata B+/A-
T's Diner, Provo
a. bacon B+
b. breakfast burrito A
c. green chili A
d. huevos rancheros with pork green chile A
e. house omelet A-
f. smothered omel. A-
g. egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on croissant A
h. french toast A+
i. high pancake B
j. cheese burger B+
k. bacon cheese burger B+=
l. beef hot dog B-
m. red sauce B
n. green sauce A
o. steak sandwich C+
p. BLT, too much bread, not enough lettuce B
q. smothered bean burrito with cheese C-, with chile B-
r. ultimate burrito deluce D+
s. beef alone in burrito C- -
t. carne asada dinner C
u. chese enchilada A-
v. frice C+
w. beans C+
x. Jerry's homemade toro pot (beef and potato smothered in green chili and cheese A
y. bowl of red chile con carnet, denver stuyle B
z. grilled cheese sandwich B
aa. fries B
10 BBQ PLACES WE TESTED NOW OUT OF BUSINESS (Other BBQ places we tested are gone as well, for which we no longer have notes.)
Big Bones BBQ, Spanish Fork
a. beef brisket (wet end especially), first test (B- alone, B with sauce), second test A-, third test (May 2012) B+
b. Top 2 for St. Louis ribs B+
c. #1 chicken, whole pieces (when available - lately not available)
d. #1 pulled pork with sauce (if they have time to make it their best way; otherwise it's still good), A with sauce A
e. #4 best mac and cheese B+ (among over 45 tested)
f. #1 fries. Get the sweet and salty, special double-cooked fries with sugar seasoning
g. #3 best baked beans (A -) (among 40 + tested) (after Rib City and Pat's BBQ)
h. #1 best creamed corn (seasonal)
i. #1 best BBQ sauce ((it cooks up with meats better than anybody's but if eaten alone it was not our fav. That is true of the best BBQ sauces elsewhere, as well.)
j. great cheeseburger (from the top: bun, mayo, lettuce, bacon, cheese, black-peppered beef - cooked in it (beef B+), on mayo-mustared bottom bun) A-
k. very good chicken fried steak B+
l. fried chicken: wings B+, other pieces C+/B-
m. #1 best brisket sandwich - in fact #2 best sandwich in state period!
n. green beans with pork C+
o. potato salad B- -
p. ranch beans B++
q fries - best in state (double fried, with seasoning) A
r. bacon burger A-
s. BBQ sauce A
t. smoked sausage C++
u. rib ends, tough ones C-, tender ones B+, overall C+
v. hot link C-, with sauce B-
w. slaw C-
x. baked beans, canned C
r. baked beans C
s. slaw B-
t. dry end brisket C
u. creamed corn A+
v. hoagie roll with sandwiches A
w. burger buns C-
b. st. louis ribs, when only warm C; but among best in state when freshly smoked A-
c. rice (a bit too lemony) B++
Munchies, Provo, 2011
a. whole pieces chicken A- -
b. pulled pork, alone C, in sauce A
c. mac and chese A+
d. baked beans B+, second visit B
e. ribs (good flavor but tough) B
f. meatballs C
g. spaghetti C++
h. brisket B
i. baked beans, first visit (Jan 2011) B+, second visit (June 2011) B
Sonny Bryans, SLC locations, 2013
a. St. Louis ribs, first visit (Jan 2012) B, second visit (Dec 2013) A-
b. dinner rolls, first visit (Jan 2012) A, second visit (Dec 2013) B
c. apple cobbler B+
d. all sides and peach pastry: Bs and Cs
e. peach cobbler, first visit (Dec 2012) A-, second visit (Dec 2013) B/B+, third visit (2014) C+
f. cherry cobbler B/B+
g. brisket (wet end sliced) B+
h. squash medly (strong herbs) B/B+
i. slaw, first visit (Jan 2012) (vinegary) B, another visit (2014) B+/A-
j. pulled beef (wet end brisket) A-
k. sliced wet end beef A-
l. lean brisket C-
m. sausage B
n. "pork sauce" D
o. baked beans (tough but flavor B+) total C-
p. green beans (soggy) C+/B-
q. mash and white gravy B+
WINGS:
a. tangy C+/B-
b. buffalo B/B+
c. plain C++
d. BBQ B-
e. BBQ sauce B+
Rocky's Rib Shack, Pleasant Grove 2013
a. green beans A
b. wet end brisket A-, second visit B
c. sausage B+, second visit B
d. slaw B++
Buffalo Joes, SLC
a. ribs B++
b. mashed potatoes A-
c. texas cheese fries B+
d. blackberry smoothie B++
e. thick fries B+
Q4U, SLC, 2010
a. baby back ribs alone B, with sauce B+
b. catfish sandwich (bun B+), second visit (Feb 2010) (needs tomato and lettuce) A, second visit (April 2010) B++, third visit (also April 2010) A-
c. St. Louis ribs (slightly better than baby backs there), first visit (Feb 2010) B, with red mild sauce B+, second visit (April 2010) B++
d. tartar sauce A-
e. seasoned rice B+
f. yams B+
g. chicken gumbo (best in state) A-
h. peach fruit pies A-
i. cheesecake B+
j. catfish alone, first time (2006) C+, second time (Feb 2010) A-, third time (April 2010) B+
k. hushpuppies A-
l. slaw A-
m. applie fruit pie B+
Soul and Bones, Ogden, 2012
a. crab cakes B+, dish A
b. catfish po boy: fish alone A+, sanwich A/A+
c. rumalaude sauce A, with catfish A-, with hushpuppies A
d. key lime pie B, but if not chuncky cream cheese filling, the flavor would pull it up to
a B++
e. hush puppies, first visit (March 2010), second visit (Feb 2012) B+
f. mac and cheese A-
g. brisket (tough parts C, tdner B+) total B
h. crawfish head pudding B+
i. trout, pan fried, beaded A, red sauce A+
j. spinach for the trout dish A
k. pulled pork, with tomato sauce pulling up flavor to B+
l. smoked chicken B+, with tomato sauce B+
m. St. Louis ribs B+
n. baby back ribs B+
o. collard greens A-
p. peanut butter cream pie A
Poor Boys BBQ and Dawgs, Spanish Fork
a. 2 cobblers C+
b. rib tips D
c. wet end brisket B
d. pulled pork D
Wild Mustang, Orem (now essentially Wildfire Smokehaus, Midway, but with a scaled down menu and only a few pies)
(pie recipes originated from Croshaw's Pies, St. George):
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
* Rhonda's Pies, American Fork
a. Fresh Strawberry A
b. Cherry cream cheese A-/A (compared to Wild Mustang's cherry B/B+ and Village Inn's cherry B-/B)
c. Chocolate pecan A-
d. Banana cream (artificial flavor but still great) A- (compared to Wild Mustang's natural but weak flavor: B and Village Inn's pudding-like texture but nice flavor B/B+)
e. coconut cream. B+
f. strawberry cream. A
g. sour cream blueberry. A
h. pecan B/B+
i. key lime D+ (in 2013, next time C+/B-, and perhaps has improved since) (compared to Wild Mustang's lemon merange D and Village Inn's lemon merange C-)
j. banana (artificial flavor in 2013) B
k. coconut cream C+/B- (another time B+) (compared to Wild Mustang's coconut cream A-, Wild Mustang's coconut merange B+, and Viillage Inn's coconut cream with puddling-like texture C++/B-)
l. peanut butter B/B+ (compared to Village Inn's too-sweet chocolate peanut butter C-)
m. apple B+
n. pumpkin B/B+
o. peach, first C, then later B+ (compared to Wild Mustang's B, and Village Inn's B-, and Maddox's A)
p. chocolate C+/B- (compared to Wild Mustang's B++ and Village Inn's B- that is too sweet)
q. german chocolate cream with coconut B+ (compared to Wild Mustang's A, and Village Inn's similar caramel chocolate pecan that is too sweet B/B+)
r. cookies and cream B/B+
s. s'mores C+/B-
t. raspberry cheesecake C+
u. pecan B/B+ (compared to Village Inn's B-/B)
v. lemon cream C+
w. cherry B+
x. pear ("paradise pie") C
y. caramel apple C-/C
z. mixed berry B+
aa. sour cream lemon B+
c. brownie plus ice cream B-/B
d. prime rib open sandwich B+
e. vege quesadilla C
f. margarita pizza B
f. cae3swar salad pizza B+
Savory and Sweet, Orem
a. desert crepe with strawberries, ice cream, and chocolate sauce drizzle (REQUEST IT, NO LONGER ON MENU) A
b. Three cheese tortalini B+
c. Bananas foster A
d. beef bourguignon C+
e. tomato soup A
f. chicken salad crepe C+
g. creme brulee, if still offered, A
h. cheesecake (mostly dry, slightly creamy) A-
i. berry chocolate bomb A
j. bread A
k. crepe A
l. gluten free crepe C-
m. breakfast special:
scrambled eggs, fake, C
roasted potatoes B-
hard waffle B- -
sausage links A
ham, dry and average flavor C
n. pasta pomodoro A
o.fettuccini alfredo B-
p. ginger beef B-/B
q. thai coconut pasta (with chicken breast) B+
r. southwest pasta B+
s. chicken salad crepe C
t. strawberry ice B/B+
u. 3 cheese tortolini B+
Baked, Provo
a. grilled cheese (3 cheeses plus mild pesto, 3 slices multi grain): B
b. chocolate dipped cheesecake B-
c. cheesecake alone: C
d. key lime tart C+/B-
e. fruit tart A
f. oreo brownie C+
g. carrot cake (strong nutmeg) C
h. hazlenut cake B
i. chocolate macaroon B-/B
j. lemon cake A-
k. german choc brownie C
l. turkey cranberry on multi grain bread (they are a rare place that bakes the turkey - not using deli slices! Also they use a great cranberry sauce). Panini style is not our fave however. B+
m. french toast breakfast sandwich B+
n. "best breakfast sandwich" (bacon B/B+, sausage B-/B, ham C+) total: B/B+
o. sourdough pancakes C+
p. sourdough pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries or just whipped cream grade B+
q. house made whipped cream A
r. buttery syrup A
s. pancakes with buttery syrup B+
t. cranberry turkey sandwich on white sourdough B/B+
Mexitalia, Orem
(now a pizza place in Provo with same name)
a. beans B+
b. tortas B
c. rice B?
d. strawberry shake B+
e. Hawaii Dog (cheese, onion, guac, sweet pepper sauce C+/B-
Jamacan Jerk Shack, Orem
a. searching for notes to this place - a couple great drinks
Guzzles, Orem
a. frozen hot chocolate C+
special sodas:
b. mango-raspberry with mountain dew A
c. coconut with dr. pepper B+
d. milky way hot cocoa C+
Old Town Grill, Provo
a. squash soup B
b. burger B-
c. bbq wings B/B+
d. buffalo wings B-/B
e. spicy grilled cheese sandwich C+/B-
f. fish and chips (thick batter) B+
g. mac and cheese B/B+
h. buffalo wings B?
i. house ranch dressing C-
j. house bleu cheese dressing C-
Spark, Provo
a. Americana (chedar, tomato, red onion, spring mix, molasses-beer sauce A) total A+
b. BLT (bacon, swiss, spring mix, tomato, sundried tomato aioli) A+
c. southwestern (pepper-jack, guac, chipotle aioli, spring mix, red tortilla chips) total: B- with red tortilla chips, B+ with no red tortilla chips
d. mango chicken in mango glaze with mango jasmine rice B+
e. grilled white cheddar cheese sandwich C, when dipped in tomato soup A
f. pear lemonade A
g. herb fries B+
h. fried pork lolipops C+, 2 sauces A
i. pear lemonade (best of all the lemonades, which we tried) A+
j. pan roasted filet mignon B-
k. cajun shrimp risotto C+
l. manchego mac and cheese A+
m. pablano soup B
n. hazlenut ice cream B
o. butternut squash puree A
p. tomato parm soup A
q. choc mousse B+
r. vanilla mousse B++
s.panna cotta with passion fruit pearls B++
t. cheesecake B
u. molten choc cake C/B
v. creme brule cheesecake A
w. choc brownie float C
x. tomato basil tortellini cream sauce and parm cheese A-
y. grilled chicken salad C
Rosa's, Provo (early 2000s, but most of the others in this section we tested 2010-2015, before they went out of business)
a. great pulled pork A
b. relleno B or C
c. cheese enchilada B or C
Wabi Sabi, South Jordan, 2011
Of 4 visits, these were all the items grading at least B+:
a. "J" (tempura of albacoe, crab, cream cheese, chili sauce, with creamy spicy unagi sauce)
b. lemon butter cream cake A
c. the Don (tempura shrmp, crab, salmon, tuna) A- -
d. combo platter - 9 pieces fish A
e. flourless chocolate cake A
Apple Table (Mexican), Springville
a. rice C+
b. beans C-
c. cheese enchilada C
d. fried chicken B
Villa, Provo
a. rice A-
b. beans A-
c. chili relleno B
d. cheese enchlada A
e. beef enchilada A-
f. tamale A-
g. tilapia fish C-
h. chimi? C+
Matiki Island BBQ
a. beef short ribs C+
b. all other Polynesian items on themenu C
Ricardo's, Orem
a. cheese enchilada C+
b. relleno C+
c. beans B
d. rice C+
Taco Tiendo, S. University Ave., Provo
a. rice C
b. beans B+/A-
c. chicken chimi B
d. cow's head B+
e. fried tripe B+
f. lengua (tongue) B
g. chicherone - sauced B+
h. horchata B+/A-
T's Diner, Provo
a. bacon B+
b. breakfast burrito A
c. green chili A
d. huevos rancheros with pork green chile A
e. house omelet A-
f. smothered omel. A-
g. egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on croissant A
h. french toast A+
i. high pancake B
j. cheese burger B+
k. bacon cheese burger B+=
l. beef hot dog B-
m. red sauce B
n. green sauce A
o. steak sandwich C+
p. BLT, too much bread, not enough lettuce B
q. smothered bean burrito with cheese C-, with chile B-
r. ultimate burrito deluce D+
s. beef alone in burrito C- -
t. carne asada dinner C
u. chese enchilada A-
v. frice C+
w. beans C+
x. Jerry's homemade toro pot (beef and potato smothered in green chili and cheese A
y. bowl of red chile con carnet, denver stuyle B
z. grilled cheese sandwich B
aa. fries B
10 BBQ PLACES WE TESTED NOW OUT OF BUSINESS (Other BBQ places we tested are gone as well, for which we no longer have notes.)
Big Bones BBQ, Spanish Fork
a. beef brisket (wet end especially), first test (B- alone, B with sauce), second test A-, third test (May 2012) B+
b. Top 2 for St. Louis ribs B+
c. #1 chicken, whole pieces (when available - lately not available)
d. #1 pulled pork with sauce (if they have time to make it their best way; otherwise it's still good), A with sauce A
e. #4 best mac and cheese B+ (among over 45 tested)
f. #1 fries. Get the sweet and salty, special double-cooked fries with sugar seasoning
g. #3 best baked beans (A -) (among 40 + tested) (after Rib City and Pat's BBQ)
h. #1 best creamed corn (seasonal)
i. #1 best BBQ sauce ((it cooks up with meats better than anybody's but if eaten alone it was not our fav. That is true of the best BBQ sauces elsewhere, as well.)
j. great cheeseburger (from the top: bun, mayo, lettuce, bacon, cheese, black-peppered beef - cooked in it (beef B+), on mayo-mustared bottom bun) A-
k. very good chicken fried steak B+
l. fried chicken: wings B+, other pieces C+/B-
m. #1 best brisket sandwich - in fact #2 best sandwich in state period!
n. green beans with pork C+
o. potato salad B- -
p. ranch beans B++
q fries - best in state (double fried, with seasoning) A
r. bacon burger A-
s. BBQ sauce A
t. smoked sausage C++
u. rib ends, tough ones C-, tender ones B+, overall C+
v. hot link C-, with sauce B-
w. slaw C-
x. baked beans, canned C
r. baked beans C
s. slaw B-
t. dry end brisket C
u. creamed corn A+
v. hoagie roll with sandwiches A
w. burger buns C-
D Boys, Orem 2012
a. wet end brisket, if hot Ab. st. louis ribs, when only warm C; but among best in state when freshly smoked A-
c. rice (a bit too lemony) B++
d. potato salad, when not fresh C, when fresh A
e. Carolina slider (bun C) C+/B-
f. Greek salad (too vinegary) C
g. soulaki (lamb, beef, veges) B
h. shooter sandwich (chopped brisket, too much weak sauce) B
i. Carolina style sandwich C
j. pulled smoked pork C, with sauce B
k. whole pieces of chicken: leg D, th igh C-
l. smoked turkey B
m. spicy sausage B-
n. D dog (meat C) total B
o. fire grilled burger with bacon and cheese (meat C-) total B
p. house made lemonade C
q. Texas toast A
Lon's Cooking Shack, Provo, then Spanish Fork
(only one of the defunct BBQ places with no great food items, but good baked beans)
a. sausage C-
b. baby back ribs C-
c. whole chicken pieces C+
d. baked beans B-
e. slaw (mayo-y) C+
f. brisket, warm D-, hot C
g. pulled pork D
h. BBQ sauce C-
e. Carolina slider (bun C) C+/B-
f. Greek salad (too vinegary) C
g. soulaki (lamb, beef, veges) B
h. shooter sandwich (chopped brisket, too much weak sauce) B
i. Carolina style sandwich C
j. pulled smoked pork C, with sauce B
k. whole pieces of chicken: leg D, th igh C-
l. smoked turkey B
m. spicy sausage B-
n. D dog (meat C) total B
o. fire grilled burger with bacon and cheese (meat C-) total B
p. house made lemonade C
q. Texas toast A
Lon's Cooking Shack, Provo, then Spanish Fork
(only one of the defunct BBQ places with no great food items, but good baked beans)
a. sausage C-
b. baby back ribs C-
c. whole chicken pieces C+
d. baked beans B-
e. slaw (mayo-y) C+
f. brisket, warm D-, hot C
g. pulled pork D
h. BBQ sauce C-
Munchies, Provo, 2011
a. whole pieces chicken A- -
b. pulled pork, alone C, in sauce A
c. mac and chese A+
d. baked beans B+, second visit B
e. ribs (good flavor but tough) B
f. meatballs C
g. spaghetti C++
h. brisket B
i. baked beans, first visit (Jan 2011) B+, second visit (June 2011) B
Sonny Bryans, SLC locations, 2013
a. St. Louis ribs, first visit (Jan 2012) B, second visit (Dec 2013) A-
b. dinner rolls, first visit (Jan 2012) A, second visit (Dec 2013) B
c. apple cobbler B+
d. all sides and peach pastry: Bs and Cs
e. peach cobbler, first visit (Dec 2012) A-, second visit (Dec 2013) B/B+, third visit (2014) C+
f. cherry cobbler B/B+
g. brisket (wet end sliced) B+
h. squash medly (strong herbs) B/B+
i. slaw, first visit (Jan 2012) (vinegary) B, another visit (2014) B+/A-
j. pulled beef (wet end brisket) A-
k. sliced wet end beef A-
l. lean brisket C-
m. sausage B
n. "pork sauce" D
o. baked beans (tough but flavor B+) total C-
p. green beans (soggy) C+/B-
q. mash and white gravy B+
WINGS:
a. tangy C+/B-
b. buffalo B/B+
c. plain C++
d. BBQ B-
e. BBQ sauce B+
THE REST OF THESE ON THE LIST are shown here only with the items that graded B+ and higher, and the dates we last tested there. Most of them went out of business that same year or the following years, since we visit most BBQ places almost yearly. We have a file of all the items on their menus that we tested:
a. green beans A
b. wet end brisket A-, second visit B
c. sausage B+, second visit B
d. slaw B++
Buffalo Joes, SLC
a. ribs B++
b. mashed potatoes A-
c. texas cheese fries B+
d. blackberry smoothie B++
e. thick fries B+
Q4U, SLC, 2010
a. baby back ribs alone B, with sauce B+
b. catfish sandwich (bun B+), second visit (Feb 2010) (needs tomato and lettuce) A, second visit (April 2010) B++, third visit (also April 2010) A-
c. St. Louis ribs (slightly better than baby backs there), first visit (Feb 2010) B, with red mild sauce B+, second visit (April 2010) B++
d. tartar sauce A-
e. seasoned rice B+
f. yams B+
g. chicken gumbo (best in state) A-
h. peach fruit pies A-
i. cheesecake B+
j. catfish alone, first time (2006) C+, second time (Feb 2010) A-, third time (April 2010) B+
k. hushpuppies A-
l. slaw A-
m. applie fruit pie B+
Soul and Bones, Ogden, 2012
a. crab cakes B+, dish A
b. catfish po boy: fish alone A+, sanwich A/A+
c. rumalaude sauce A, with catfish A-, with hushpuppies A
d. key lime pie B, but if not chuncky cream cheese filling, the flavor would pull it up to
a B++
e. hush puppies, first visit (March 2010), second visit (Feb 2012) B+
f. mac and cheese A-
g. brisket (tough parts C, tdner B+) total B
h. crawfish head pudding B+
i. trout, pan fried, beaded A, red sauce A+
j. spinach for the trout dish A
k. pulled pork, with tomato sauce pulling up flavor to B+
l. smoked chicken B+, with tomato sauce B+
m. St. Louis ribs B+
n. baby back ribs B+
o. collard greens A-
p. peanut butter cream pie A
Poor Boys BBQ and Dawgs, Spanish Fork
a. 2 cobblers C+
b. rib tips D
c. wet end brisket B
d. pulled pork D
Wild Mustang, Orem (now essentially Wildfire Smokehaus, Midway, but with a scaled down menu and only a few pies)
(pie recipes originated from Croshaw's Pies, St. George):
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
* Rhonda's Pies, American Fork
a. Fresh Strawberry A
b. Cherry cream cheese A-/A (compared to Wild Mustang's cherry B/B+ and Village Inn's cherry B-/B)
c. Chocolate pecan A-
d. Banana cream (artificial flavor but still great) A- (compared to Wild Mustang's natural but weak flavor: B and Village Inn's pudding-like texture but nice flavor B/B+)
e. coconut cream. B+
f. strawberry cream. A
g. sour cream blueberry. A
h. pecan B/B+
i. key lime D+ (in 2013, next time C+/B-, and perhaps has improved since) (compared to Wild Mustang's lemon merange D and Village Inn's lemon merange C-)
j. banana (artificial flavor in 2013) B
k. coconut cream C+/B- (another time B+) (compared to Wild Mustang's coconut cream A-, Wild Mustang's coconut merange B+, and Viillage Inn's coconut cream with puddling-like texture C++/B-)
l. peanut butter B/B+ (compared to Village Inn's too-sweet chocolate peanut butter C-)
m. apple B+
n. pumpkin B/B+
o. peach, first C, then later B+ (compared to Wild Mustang's B, and Village Inn's B-, and Maddox's A)
p. chocolate C+/B- (compared to Wild Mustang's B++ and Village Inn's B- that is too sweet)
q. german chocolate cream with coconut B+ (compared to Wild Mustang's A, and Village Inn's similar caramel chocolate pecan that is too sweet B/B+)
r. cookies and cream B/B+
s. s'mores C+/B-
t. raspberry cheesecake C+
u. pecan B/B+ (compared to Village Inn's B-/B)
v. lemon cream C+
w. cherry B+
x. pear ("paradise pie") C
y. caramel apple C-/C
z. mixed berry B+
aa. sour cream lemon B+
Matty's Bistro, Midway
a. Fish and Chips B/B+ (B+ second time)
b. smores in a cup (pudding) A-c. brownie plus ice cream B-/B
d. prime rib open sandwich B+
e. vege quesadilla C
f. margarita pizza B
f. cae3swar salad pizza B+
Rib City, American Fork
a. #1 baby back ribs, first visit (2010) B++, later visits (2011-2013) A
b. #1 pulled pork A
c. baked beans, first visit (2010) B++, later visits (2011-2013) A-
d. slaw, first visit (2010) B, later visits (2011-2013). On last visit (March 2013) it needed more poppyseeds to become an A as it had been) B+
e. St. Louis ribs, first visit (2010) (texture, tough, C, flavor A-) total B+, second visit (2013) C+
f. brisket, thin slices B-
g. chicken, whole pieces: thigh (moist) B/B+, leg (dry, overcooked) C-
h. okra D+
i. beef, eye of round (would be A if more tender) B+
j. pork collar (would work great for ham sandwiches, and if more tender, would be an A) B+
b. #1 pulled pork A
c. baked beans, first visit (2010) B++, later visits (2011-2013) A-
d. slaw, first visit (2010) B, later visits (2011-2013). On last visit (March 2013) it needed more poppyseeds to become an A as it had been) B+
e. St. Louis ribs, first visit (2010) (texture, tough, C, flavor A-) total B+, second visit (2013) C+
f. brisket, thin slices B-
g. chicken, whole pieces: thigh (moist) B/B+, leg (dry, overcooked) C-
h. okra D+
i. beef, eye of round (would be A if more tender) B+
j. pork collar (would work great for ham sandwiches, and if more tender, would be an A) B+
Savory and Sweet, Orem
a. desert crepe with strawberries, ice cream, and chocolate sauce drizzle (REQUEST IT, NO LONGER ON MENU) A
b. Three cheese tortalini B+
c. Bananas foster A
d. beef bourguignon C+
e. tomato soup A
f. chicken salad crepe C+
g. creme brulee, if still offered, A
h. cheesecake (mostly dry, slightly creamy) A-
i. berry chocolate bomb A
j. bread A
k. crepe A
l. gluten free crepe C-
m. breakfast special:
scrambled eggs, fake, C
roasted potatoes B-
hard waffle B- -
sausage links A
ham, dry and average flavor C
n. pasta pomodoro A
o.fettuccini alfredo B-
p. ginger beef B-/B
q. thai coconut pasta (with chicken breast) B+
r. southwest pasta B+
s. chicken salad crepe C
t. strawberry ice B/B+
u. 3 cheese tortolini B+
Baked, Provo
a. grilled cheese (3 cheeses plus mild pesto, 3 slices multi grain): B
b. chocolate dipped cheesecake B-
c. cheesecake alone: C
d. key lime tart C+/B-
e. fruit tart A
f. oreo brownie C+
g. carrot cake (strong nutmeg) C
h. hazlenut cake B
i. chocolate macaroon B-/B
j. lemon cake A-
k. german choc brownie C
l. turkey cranberry on multi grain bread (they are a rare place that bakes the turkey - not using deli slices! Also they use a great cranberry sauce). Panini style is not our fave however. B+
m. french toast breakfast sandwich B+
n. "best breakfast sandwich" (bacon B/B+, sausage B-/B, ham C+) total: B/B+
o. sourdough pancakes C+
p. sourdough pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries or just whipped cream grade B+
q. house made whipped cream A
r. buttery syrup A
s. pancakes with buttery syrup B+
t. cranberry turkey sandwich on white sourdough B/B+
Mexitalia, Orem
(now a pizza place in Provo with same name)
a. beans B+
b. tortas B
c. rice B?
Madison Gastropub, Provo
(there is a new restaurant in same location; haven't tested food there yet)
a. fish and chips (B++) tied for number one in Utah, many will like it best
b. mashed potatoes A
c. apple pie - one of best in state. B+
d. pork chop with cream sauce only: B+, plus with roasted apple and carmelized onion: B++
e. pork chop alone (B/B+)
f. chicken roulet (lightly fried marinated breast with mushroom sauce) A
g. salmon sandwich (our 2nd favorite sandwich in state, after Sammy Bistro's Park City mahi sandwich). It has cajun grilled salmon with roumalade sauce (it's spicy). A
h. tuna sandwich, best tuna sandwich in state. B+
i. salmon, chargrilled. A
j. salmon, blackened, baked B/B+
k. squash (salty) B/B+
l. ribeye alone: C, with sauce: B
m. fries B
n. fries with sauce B++
o. sweet potato fries B/B+
p. apple pie B+
q. coffee caramel creme brulee B-/B (but A texture)
r. pork chop sandwich (sauce only B+/A-, slaw B-/B, bun B, pork - mostly tough C+) total sandwich: B
Coney's, Orem and American Fork
a. Hot dog on buttered bun. But you gotta read this:
Their secret greatness used to be they toasted the bun using real butter! But since early 2015 they switched to canola oil, which is one of the three most tasteless cooking oils. THEY WILL CUSTOMIZE IT IF YOU ASK THEM - BY GRILLING THE BUNS IN MAYO, rather than butter, which some chefs prefer over butter as you get a flavor that's good and a higher smoking point than butter (however real butter still tastes better). Nevertheless, grilled buns with mayo tastes much better than grilled buns with canola oil. Add a little ketchup or tiny amount of mustard to make it better. They now use Nathan's dogs - the best! However, if the dogs were reg. size instead of their current jumbo dogs, they would be better, in our opinion, as there is too much meat per amount of bun. HINT: have them cut their jumbo dog length-wise in half, and open it up butterflied style, like Mooya Burgers does their dogs. That way you get the right amount of meat per bite, along with the bun. Seems the dogs used to be smaller and, with the real butter they used, the overall ranking was higher. Now, it's a B. If customized per these suggestions, it's an A-
b. shakes (their own frozen custard) B+
c. burgers B
Las Glorias / Taco Burrito, Orem
Next to Five Guys and movie theatres northeast of University Mall in Orem. Two amazing items only: Mexicana breakfast (no longer on breakfast - ask th em to make it - scrambled eggs with veges, and the best salsa we ever had - but it's not what they serve unless you ask for it: it's the "cilantro salsa." Pour a cup over the food.
a. huevos rancheros A
b. ham A
c. chile verde A-
d. rice B+
e. pinto beans A- -
f. relleno B+
g. cheese enchilada C
h. Entotomada, chicken C+
i. pork tamale with chile verde B- -
j. tamale with cheese and onion B+
k. Mexicana breakfast A
l. cilantro salsa A
Wiseguyz Pizza, several locations
a. cheesesteaks B+
b. pizzas B+
47 places we tested NOW OUT OF BUSINESS (10 of them BBQ) - the vast majority since 2011, since the above list began mostly after 2011.
The detailed grading at each restaurant below is in our separate site, "Good Utah Restaurants out of business."
Neil's Seafood, Draper (out 2014)
Matty's Bistro, Midway (out 2015)
El Azteca, Provo (out 2015)
Tommy's Texas BBQ, Heber, Provo (out 2014)
Agave Mexican Cuisine, Sandy, Orem (Mexican) (out 2015)
Boudreaux's Bistro, Payson (out 2014)
Curbside Chile Dogs, Provo
Nick's Cafe, SLC
Las Glorias, Orem (Mexican)
Blue Pablano, Provo (Mexican)
Angel's, Provo (cheesesteaks)
China Bowl, Orem (Chinese)
The Fortune, Provo (Chinese)
Emperial, on south Springville Rd., Provo (Chinese)
Mamacita's, Provo (Mexican)
Mexican (grill) beside current Wal-Mart, Provo (2 places, same location in early-mid 2000s)
Decadence, Orem and then Lindon
Maggie Moo's, Sugarhouse, SLC (now get these best flavors at Marble Slab, West Jordan)
Dave and Cranky's, Provo
Tortilla Bar, Orem
Amka Miskey, Puruvian, Orem (replaced in part by Rincon Peruvian, same location)
Amka Miskey, Puruvian, Orem (replaced in part by Rincon Peruvian, same location)
Kranky Franks Dogs, Springville
Paesan Café. 60 So. State, Orem –
Plum Alley, SLC
Joe's Restaurant, Provo (separate from Joe's Cafe, Orem)Paesan Café. 60 So. State, Orem –
Plum Alley, SLC
Jamacan Jerk Shack, Orem
Guzzles, Orem
Old Town Grill, Provo
Spark, Provo
Rosa's, Provo (early 2000s)
Wabi Sabi, South Jordan, 2011
Apple Table (Mexican), Springville
Villa, Provo
Matiki Island BBQ
Ricardo's, Orem
Taco Tiendo, S. University Ave., Provo
T's Diner, Provo
Big Bones BBQ, Spanish Fork
D Boys, Orem 2012
Lon's Cooking Shack, Provo, then Spanish Fork
Rocky's Rib Shack, Pleasant Grove 2013
Buffalo Joes, SLC
Q4U, SLC, 2010
Soul and Bones, Ogden, 2012
Poor Boys BBQ and Dawgs, Spanish Fork 2013Old Town Grill, Provo
Spark, Provo
Rosa's, Provo (early 2000s)
Wabi Sabi, South Jordan, 2011
Apple Table (Mexican), Springville
Villa, Provo
Matiki Island BBQ
Ricardo's, Orem
Taco Tiendo, S. University Ave., Provo
T's Diner, Provo
Big Bones BBQ, Spanish Fork
D Boys, Orem 2012
Lon's Cooking Shack, Provo, then Spanish Fork
Munchies, Provo, 2011
Sonny Bryans, SLC locations, 2013Rocky's Rib Shack, Pleasant Grove 2013
Buffalo Joes, SLC
Q4U, SLC, 2010
Soul and Bones, Ogden, 2012
Rhonda's Pies, American Fork 2014
Wild Mustang, Orem 2015
also OUT OF BUSINESS: 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/B+
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, when peaches in season (A - - )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-
d. rotisserie chicken, first visit (Sep 2013) B+, second visit (Oct 2013) B
e. spring rice. cilantro and tomato rice B+
f. Italiano Completo, one of top hot dogs in the state (along with hot dogs at Sportzdogs Food Truck, etc. - see our site, "Best Hot Dogs in Utah."): hot dog, in 2013: guac, mixed onion, red pepper, parsely) A; in 2017: mayo, guac, tomato: B+ (needs all beef dog; dog alone C-, bun B+)
g. fried fish (2013: tilapia) B-/B; maloosa 2017: B
h. n/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. NO LONGER OFFERED: beef sandwich (beef C+, green beans B/B+, and avocado) total: avocado A-
CLOSED:
Amber, Spanish Fork
a.bisquit B-/B
b. biscuit with gravy B+
c. gravy alone B
d. country fried steak - distributor battered with mash and gravy B,
e. with only gravy B-
f. c. fried steak alone C
g. chicken fried steak (grilled, with their own egg batter) B/B+
h. with gravy B/B+
i. with mash potato B
j. carrots B-B
k. mash C+/B-
l. with gravy B
m. french toast, thick: B/B+
n. rice pilaf C-/C
o fries C
p. pork chop C
q. hashbrowns C+
r. tomato vege soup C
s. cream of chicken soup C
OUT OF BUSINESS:
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+
d. pulehu ribs B+
OUT OF BUSINESS: 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
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 pork
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
OUT OF BUSINESS: Chef's Table, Provo
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+++
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
GONE: El Azteca, Orem
AFTER 55 YEARS: GONE 1 JAN 2018, sadly!
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
GONE (possibly still in business as a food truck:) Emanuel's Mexican, Provo
In 2017 they went out of business
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.
CLOSED: Bubba's Firehouse BBQ, Sugarhouse (SLC)
(new owner at same location, but food will be different than below:)
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.
CLOSED: Bubba's Firehouse BBQ, Sugarhouse (SLC)
(new owner at same location, but food will be different than below:)
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
OUT OF BUSINESS in 2017: 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+
Laura's Kitchen, Provo
2016:
a. cheese enchiladas, with unmelted cheese inside but very nice overall flavor B/B+
b. rice D+
c. refried beans (with flavor of cinnamon and other spices) C+/B-
about 2014:
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-
2011, July:
beans B
rice C
fish battered relleno style C
GONE: 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
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
GONE: 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
NOW CLOSED: Mercado 5 de Mayo, Provo
389 S 600th E
a. Mexican scrambled eggs B-/B
b. rice B-/B
c. beans (runny is good) B-/B
OUT OF BUSINESS: NYPD Pizza, Draper, SLC
(replaced at same location, with some of same recipes, by New York Pizza Patrol; farther below).
a. Margharita pizza gets an A-.
b. 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+
OUT OF BUSINESS: Ottavio's, Orem mall food court and former iconic downtown Provo restaurant
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
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
b. brisket (flavor C-, tender texture A-) total B-
c. ribs B-
d. baked beans C-
e. Asian cajun slaw A
OUT OF BUSINESS in 2017: 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+
Laura's Kitchen, Provo
2016:
a. cheese enchiladas, with unmelted cheese inside but very nice overall flavor B/B+
b. rice D+
c. refried beans (with flavor of cinnamon and other spices) C+/B-
about 2014:
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-
2011, July:
beans B
rice C
fish battered relleno style C
GONE: 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
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
GONE: 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
NOW CLOSED: Mercado 5 de Mayo, Provo
389 S 600th E
a. Mexican scrambled eggs B-/B
b. rice B-/B
c. beans (runny is good) B-/B
OUT OF BUSINESS: NYPD Pizza, Draper, SLC
(replaced at same location, with some of same recipes, by New York Pizza Patrol; farther below).
a. Margharita pizza gets an A-.
b. 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+
OUT OF BUSINESS: Ottavio's, Orem mall food court and former iconic downtown Provo restaurant
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
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
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+?
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-
OUT OF BUSINESS: 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 sandwich A-
f. margharita pizza (thick crust, much fresh garlic) B++
g. WINGS:
plain, flat B/B+
buffalo, drum B
bbq, drum C+, flat B+
Alas: out of business as of June 2014:
1.Decadence, Lindon - Of the 18 or so we've tried there, 3 are amazing:
a. Raspberry Chocolate
b. Crio Caramel Leche (cold)
c. White mocha (A-)
2. Tortilla Bar, Orem - Amano chocolate nibs in which the cafe adds 2 herbs. This is a first rate cafe, not a taco bar!
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