Bring back the diners!

I feel like every restaurant has got a cookie cutter feel to it these days. None of the major chains go for style or independence these days. The only respite from the monotony is the places that this blog is created for, the local mom and pop type places that have all the heart that is left in the restaurant business.

If I had the money that some of these restaurant chains do, I would make it so my brand was recognizable with unique, different styles of buildings and formats. And people will enjoy the originality that we put into each restaurant.

One of the best spots in Salt Lake for Brunch

If you are up on the East side of Salt Lake and you are hungering for some great brunch, do I have the spot for you. Eggs in the City on the corner of 13th South and 17 East, is just the spot I would go to. This locals' favorite spot has a lot of character to it and their food is just fantastic.

In my opinion, their best food is the house potatoes that are served with most meals. But to make this meal even better, add an "Mama's Burrito" to your place and you will in food heaven. So if you want to break from the usual IHOP and have a breakfast you might actually enjoy, I would try "Eggs in the City"

Go back to the 1950's for dinner

Here is a family restaurant that has gotten national exposure but started in Salt lake Utah.

Hires Big H is one of the big burgers and fries joints that I am aware. It ranks up there in my opinion with Mel's Dinner in LA and any other tasty place around the world.

There are famous for their root beer and their trademark hamburger "the Big H". I remember going there as a kid with my grandfather and so it has special place in my heart. But I was surprised that when I was working in NYC and people would find out that I lived in Utah and asked about this restaurant. It happened several times.

An Italian Deli that is worth it

If you want great Italian deli food, this is definitely the place you want to go in Salt Lake City. The owner Tony Caputo, has become somewhat of a local celebrity in the city and an successful business man. He has recently bought some of the block around his store and added a fish market, a cheese market and is soon to add a Italian restaurant.

His signature sandwich, "The Caputo" has been featured in magazines such as FHM as one of the best sandwich in the country. I have personally eaten it myself and heartily agree with that assessment. So stop on by and try it out for yourself.

http://www.caputosdeli.com/

Come to Salt Lake and Eat at Moochies

This is not the restaurant that you want to go to if you are not planning to feed your face and won't want to get a little messy. The sandwiches here are near heaven in my book. Between their authentic Philly cheese steak and their delicious Meatball subs, I have found the ambrosia of the Gods.

Also, there prices are really reasonable for the amount of food you are getting. Also try their bread pudding for a little treat after your meal. I didn't realize how much I loved their food until I started writing this post. If it is having this much of an effect on me, imagine what it will do to you.

A cooking break after Thanksgiving

Well, it’s that time of year again, time for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the two busiest days of my life. One day I spent cooking and eating the greatest food on Earth, then I have a midday nap and I get ready to stand out in the cold so that I can get amazing shopping deals. Now, if you are like me, you won’t want to cook for about a week after this blessed holiday. I don’t blame you at all; in fact I have a plan. My master plan this year is to get gift certificates that at a discount on sites like citydeals or others and then use them for restaurants the rest of the week. If I am not going to be making dinner for a little while, as I recoup I don’t want to pay full price. And the great thing that I have found about these sites, they seem to have a lot of local joints instead of just the big chains.

Where everybody knows your name!!!

I am not trying to steal from the Cheers theme, but there definitely that feel when you step a quality family restaurant. I don't know what it is but have a family owned and operated restaurant has a special feel to it and that what I like taking my family to.

There is a little Italian place in my hometown of Cleveland Ohio and that has known 3 generations of my family that would welcome us over to Christmas dinner if we ever took them up on their offer. These are genuine good people and this is how you retain clients. My family and friends do not go anywhere else for Italian even though there are quite a few restaurants that have moved into the neighborhood.

Does anyone else have this kind of restaurant in your neighborhood or have we found the diamond in the rough? I am curious because I would more the happy share the love with our places and cuisines, I just are unaware of their existence. Please let me know.