With restaurants closed for in-house dining all over our state in an attempt to help curb COVID-19, I’ve been impressed … no, AMAZED at how rapidly so many restaurants have re-engineered their operations to provide meals for delivery and/or curbside pickup. That’s no easy task, but especially difficult for fine dining establishments. For restaurants such as Tupelo, La Caille, Log Haven, Stoneground, Oquirrh, Caffe Molise, and many others, it just doesn’t make sense to try to produce food to go. I hope that you’ll consider purchasing gift cards or certificates from restaurants such as these who are trying to survive temporary closure with zero income with which to pay employees aside from gift card revenues. Most restaurants, although temporarily closed, are booking parties, weddings, meetings and such for future occasions. 

Meanwhile, many restaurants are doing the best they can to stay afloat making meals to go. There are far too many restaurants to include all of them here, but these are just a few examples of delicious dishes you can find curbside some of our favorite restaurants. 

At Avenues Proper, curbside pickup options include salads, pastas, soups (like creamy tomato), sandwiches and entrees such as Chicken & Waffles, Kung Pao Cauliflower, Pork Belly Tacos, Steak Frites, Fish & Chips, Beef Stroganoff, and more, including a kids menu. Of course, it’s pretty hard to top the perfect Proper Burger. 

Feldman’s Deli has implemented online ordering and curbside pick up for lovers of their unsurpassed Jewish deli fare. Most of the regular menu is available to go, including hot and cold sandwiches like the Corned Beef Rachel, Pastrami Reuben, East Side Sloppy Joe, Tuna Salad, Jewish Salami, Egg Salad, and many others. You can also pick up Janet’s marvelous Matzo Ball Soup, Corned Beef Hash, Kielbasa Biala Sausage Patties, Biscuits & Gravy, New York Cheesecake and even Dr. Brown’s sodas to enjoy at home. It’s like having mom cooking for you. 

If you’re looking for modern, eclectic fare, think about ordering from the curbside pick up menu at SLC Eatery. Available dishes to go range from coconut fried chicken, crab chowder, and tomato-ginger bisque, to lamb pastrami wrap, kimchi rice bowl, masa fritters with cotija cheese, and even house-made gelato. For my money, you can’t beat SLC Eatery’s Utah Scone with cheddar rillette. 

Cucina Wine Bar has gone to a curbside pickup and delivery model – minus the wine, of course. Tried and true customer favorites like the famous Curried Chicken Salad is available to go, as are the excellent Italian Combo Sandwich, Thai Beef Salad, Tortellini & Salmon Salad, Oriental Noodles with Chicken, Tuscan Tuna & Bean Deli Salad, and many more. My favorite Cucina to go item? The Meatloaf Sandwich gets my vote: homemade meatloaf on a kaiser roll with mozzarella, tomatoes, greens and ketchup. 

For many years, I’ve enjoyed popping into the Nisar family’s Curry in a Hurry for their halal Pakistani and Indian food, especially the deliciously creamy Chicken Curry. Well, I can still do that, but for now I’ll have to get it to go. That’s only a bummer because I don’t get to chat with Mona Nisar and her friendly family. In addition to awesome Chicken Curry, Curry in a Hurry offers Lamb Korma Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Veggie Curry, Basmati Rice, Papadom, Samosa, Wraps, Curry Cups, and more, including combo meals. You can also indulge in Hot Indian Chai, Rooh-Afza, Lussi drinks and even Mango Juice. 

One of my favorite restaurants at The Gateway is MidiCi Neapolitan Pizza Company, which also happens to be one of my favorite pizza joints. Currently, MidiCi is using Uber Eats, Grubhub, Postmates, Doordash, Slice and customer pick-up to get their pizzas and other good things to you. Appetizers include the magnificent Housemade Meatballs, Burrata Caprese, House Meat Board and more. The excellent Purple Kale & Ricotta Salad is just one of the tempting salad offerings, and pizzas range from Shrimp Scampi, Margherita, and Truffle-Prosciutto Pizza, to Chicken Pesto, Egg & Bacon Pizza, and my absolute favorite: The Devil’s Pizza. It’s a sensationally spicy pizza with housemade spicy sausage, spicy Italian salami and spicy red chilies. Get the idea? SPICY. Other Gateway eateries currently offering food for pickup and/or delivery include Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Momi Donuts, HallPass, Panda Express and Chedda Burger. Also, The Store, offering fine foods and groceries, is open regular hours. 

At the Table X “Parking Lot Pop-Up,” their Family Meals to go have been wildly popular, with most selling out. So be sure to get your order in early for items such as Kimchi Caesar Salad, Crispy Chickpea & Veggie “Steak,” Braised Morgan Valley Lamb, Tiramisu, and other tempting dishes. Table X is also offering their rustic home-baked breads to go, including House Sourdough, SLC Loaf, Whole Wheat Sourdough, French Baguette, and even their housemade butter.

Another great SLC restaurant, HSL, is offering curbside takeout dishes starting at 3 p.m. They include such temptations as Mushroom Bolognese, Blistered Shishito Peppers, General Tso’s Cauliflower, Baby Kale Salad, Pulled Pork Sandwich, Fish & Chips, Fried Chicken with White Bean & Pork Ragout, and even sweets like Whiskey Caramel Pudding and Lemon Ricotta Mousse.  

At last look there were more than one hundred independent restaurants offering curbside pickup and/or delivery service in our area. So please support these folks by ordering a meal to enjoy at home once or twice a week. Check restaurants’ websites and social media pages for the latest news and menus. 

Another way to help local restaurant and bar workers who are currently struggling and without work is a new fundraiser called Tip Your Server. It was created by local TV star Ty Burrell who kicked off the campaign with a $100,000 donation from him and his wife. You can view the video here. Here is what he had to say: 

Last week, there were 15,000 people working in Salt Lake City restaurants and bars–neighborhood joints, fast food, fine dining–all gathering places in our community. This week, thousands of them don’t have an income and don’t know when they can go back to work.

They are on the front lines of the economic crisis caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The earthquake in Salt Lake City on March 18 was yet another blow. Some establishments don’t know when they can reopen due to structural damage in their buildings.

Thank you for making a gift below. Every dollar donated will go directly to SLC hospitality workers.

To make a donation, click here. 

Culinary quote of the week: 

“I never eat in a restaurant that’s over a hundred feet off the ground and won’t stand still.” — Calvin Trillin

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Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine & travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers.

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