Finding Fabulous Flavors on Utah’s Main Streets

For me, thinking about America’s Main Streets conjures up nostalgic visions of Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee and Opie having a heart-to-heart on the porch of a serene and bucolic spot like Mayberry. But here in the real world, not every Main Street is quite so rustic or pastoral. That said, there are a lot of marvelous meals to be had on Utah’s Main Streets. Here are a few favorites. 

I never visit or pass through Logan without stopping in at Jack’s Wood-Fired Oven. Pizzas and other baked items like lasagna are cooked in Jack’s imported Italian Valoriani oven, which is fueled by maple wood. This is the Rolls Royce of pizza ovens, and with temperatures that can reach 1200 degrees F., pizzas cook rapidly and arrive slightly charred and smoky with a crisp texture that is hard to come by at most American pizzerias. A favorite pie of mine at Jack’s is The Sunnyside, a breakfast-style pizza made with creamy Alfredo sauce and topped with bacon, smoked Cheddar cheese, potato, prosciutto, and two fried eggs with real maple syrup on the side. 256 N. Main, Logan

Don’t be fooled by the diminutive profile of The French Spot in Cedar City. This tiny Main Street window-serve cafe packs a punch. The family-owned French spot sports a menu that defies the eatery’s food truck size ranging from breakfast items to French onion soup, filet mignon au poivre, ratatouille, and vegan risotto. But they really excel in the sweets department with items such as créme brûlée, truffles, chou puff pastry, chocolate mousse, crêpes, tarts, macarons, and much more. 5 N. Main, Cedar City

There is no shortage of dazzling restaurants on Park City’s Main Street, but none is a better dining destination than restaurateur Bill Whites flagship establishment: Grappa Italian Restaurant. Nestled in a historic house at the top of Main Street, Grappa feels like dining in a rustic Italian country farmhouse, with terrazzo tiles, grapevines, rough hewn wooden beams, and a beautiful multi-level deck for dining in warm weather. Enjoy anti pasti like tuna crudo or calamari fritti before indulging in timeless entrees such as osso bucco, scallops risotto, or roasted branzino. 151 Main, Park City 

At Bountiful’s Royal India restaurant, chef/owner Emmanuel Shanthakumar and his family and staff provide warm and friendly service in a very appealing atmosphere. There’s an array of killer curries to be enjoyed at Royal India, including coconut kurma, tikka masala, boti masala and others. My favorite curry is Goan-style vindaloo, which Royal India does very well. Royal India also makes excellent traditional Indian breads that are cooked in their tandoor oven. Variations include garlic naan, butter naan, batura, aloo paratha, roti, Peshwari naan, poori, onion naan, traditional naan and more. Of course there are also curries galore, plenty of vegetarian options and oodles of bold, vibrant flavors here. 55 N. Main, Bountiful

In Heber City, another classic Main Street eating spot is 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 well under 20 bucks? Fresh Utah rainbow trout and calf’s liver with onions or bacon beckon those of us with old-timey tastes. 154 S. Main, Heber

Those looking to eat healthy should head for St. George’s Main Street. That’s where you’ll find Twisted Noodle Cafe, with a menu that caters to vegans, vegetarians, gluten free guests, and others with a good range of low carb items and loads of fresh veggies. Salads, wraps, pastas and power bowls are the mainstays here, although folks looking for a burger can get those, too. The Enchilada Bowl will satisfy Southwest cravings with its quinoa & brown rice mix, chicken, carrots, corn salsa, cheddar cheese, lime, and cilantro in a green chili sauce topped with guacamole and tortilla strips. 20 N. Main, St. George

For many loyal customers, including me and my wife, Weller’s Bistro isn’t Layton’s best Main Street eatery, it’s Layton’s best restaurant period. At Jan Weller’s eatery, authentic German dishes like frikadellen, schnitzel, beef rouladen, spätzle, hühnerfrikassee, and the like are a big draw, but so are the artisan pizzas and menu items such as chili-glazed mahi-mahi, creamy steak fettuccine, artichoke dip, the best Reuben in Davis County, and many others. Add to that a super friendly staff and inviting ambiance and you’ve got a Main Street winner. 197 N. Main, Layton 

Since opening in 2009, Eva on Main Street in downtown SLC has been one of my favorite dining destinations. Named for owner/chef Charlie Perry’s great grandmother, Eva specializes in small plates that are perfect for family-style sharing. The sauteed Brussels sprouts with toasted hazelnuts and cider vinegar has been a favorite Eva’s dish of mine since it first appeared on the menu. But there is so much good food here, from togarashi fried chicken and crispy trout with pickled Fresno chiles, to the fig & pig pizza, harissa carrots, lobster ravioli, and of course, Eva’s house-baked bread. An intimate atmosphere and superb staff makes eating at Eva’s a Main Street no-brainer. 317 S. Main, Salt Lake City

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