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Off the eaten path—seven of the best hidden culinary stops in Utah

There are so many Utah eateries to choose from, but in a state as large as Utah, you sometimes have to put in some serious mileage to find the restaurant gems that make the Beehive State so unique. However, I’ve done some of the legwork for you. You’re welcome.

by

Ted Scheffler

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Authentic eats on the road in Utah

Authentic eats on the road in Utah

There are so many authentic Utah eateries to choose from, but in a state as large as Utah, you sometimes have to put in some serious mileage to find the restaurant gems that make the Beehive State so unique. However, I’ve done some of the legwork for you. You’re welcome.

Here are seven of a few of my favorite, authentic Utah eateries that are worth a road trip. Just fill up the tank and get eatin’! 

Road Island DinerRoad Island Diner

It may seem strange to have to travel to Oakley in order to get a little taste of the East Coast. But that’s where Road Island Diner is located. There, sitting in what seems like the middle of nowhere, is an authentic, historic, made-in-1939 O’Mahony Co. diner that was transported across country to Utah in the spring of 2007. Kick off your Rhode Island Diner meal with pork cracklins before enjoying comfort foods like the house-made meatloaf, classic tuna melt, traditional pot roast, trout almondine, and other throwback cuisine that tastes as good today as it did in the 50s. 

Chick's Cafe

Chick’s Cafe

A little closer to Park City, in Heber, is another classic eating spot: Chick’s Cafe. The motto here is “Where people eat by choice, not by chance.” A mainstay on Main Street in Heber City for decades, Chick’s decor is as unpretentious as the food. But boy, oh, boy, is it great, although not for the faint of heart. There’s nothing subtle going on here, culinary wise. The chicken fried steak is the stuff of legend, and where else can you find a rib eye with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, soup or salad, and a scone for $16.75? Fresh Utah Rainbow Trout and calf’s liver with onions or bacon beckon those of us with old-timey tastes. 

Maddox Ranch House

Maddox Ranch House

Known as “Utah’s Original Steakhouse,” Maddox Ranch House is truly a blast from the past. Located in Perry near the mouth of Sardine Canyon, the Ranch House has been feeding hungry Utah families from scratch-fare since 1949. While Maddox Ranch House is known for their famous steaks served with Maddox well water, homemade rolls, and corn pones with their signature raspberry butter, veggies, spuds, and stuff. Other enticing menu options include chopped lamb with mint jelly from the local Selman Ranch, turkey steak with house tartar sauce, Maddox’s famous fried chicken, wild Pacific halibut, and house-made beverages such as Birch root beer, sarsaparilla, old-fashioned cream, and raspberry lemonade. 

Idle Isle Cafe

Idle Isle Cafe

Not far from Maddox, in Brigham City, is the Idle Isle Cafe, which was established in May of 1921. Much of the 1920s decor, such as handmade wooden booths, a marble and onyx soda fountain, and the iconic grandfather clock, still remain. This is the classic kind of place where you can still get an old-fashioned grilled ham & cheese sandwich, French dip, or entrees like pot roast, country fried steak or Malibu chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side, along with hot homemade rolls. And hey, where else would you still find buttermilk on a beverage menu? 

Crepes & Coffee

Crepes & Coffee

Further north—up at Bear Lake—is a delightful little spot to nosh called Crepes & Coffee. There are breakfast crepes, sweet crepes, and savory crepes on the menu; and folks with gluten issues will be pleased to know that Crepes and Coffee offers gluten-free buckwheat batter as an alternative to their standard crepes. In addition to a wide range of coffee drinks, Crepes & Coffee also has Italian sodas, smoothies, and even wine and beer. But an absolute must is the famous Bear Lake Raspberry Crepe—made of course with fresh Bear Lake raspberries. 

Mom's Cafe

Mom’s Cafe

Now let’s head south a bit—specifically to Salina, which was where Butch Cassidy was born and raised—and is also home to Mom’s Cafe. This venerable road joint has been serving stick-to-the-ribs fare since 1929, and it’s not unusual to see big motorbikes—hogs—parked outside, and their big, burley owners parked inside. The menu is chock full of classic comfort food and diner fare like liver and onions, chicken fried steak, biscuits & gravy, patty melts, fish & chips, and such. But be sure not to miss the scrumptious scones and homemade pies. 

Milt's Stop n'Eat

Milt’s Stop n’Eat

One of my favorite places on the planet is Moab, in southern Utah. And one of my favorite places in Moab is Milt’s Stop n’ Eat, which also happens to be Moab’s oldest restaurant, opened by Milt Galbraith in 1954. To call this walk-up burger joint a “restaurant” might be overdoing it, but whatever you call it, Milt’s serves up bodacious burgers featuring grass-fed, hormone-free beef and natural buffalo burgers, some of the best French fries you’ll ever taste, and the freshest handmade milkshakes you’ll ever come across. 

Time to hit the road to experience some of Utah’s most authentic eateries!

 

Are you a fan of Ted Scheffler? Utah Stories sure is. Click HERE for more Scheffler

 

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Ted Scheffler

Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine, and travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, music, and reading, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers. Ted is also the author of the Utah Bites newsletter, which is published in partnership with Utah Stories. Before moving to Utah, Ted lived in New York City, and numerous states in the US, as well as in various countries overseas, Spain, Japan, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. He earned a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the Graduate Faculty of The New School for Social Research.

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