Rocky Mtn. Wingshak

Rocky Mtn. Wingshak

Here is another review out of Utah County, and this time we are talking wings.  I get excited about reviews for places like this because wings are great for take-out and usually involve a group of friends hanging out.  Isn’t that what food is all about, good food and good friends?  While I will be the first to admit that this restaurant doesn’t serve the best wings in the world it is some of the best in Utah County.  Located in American Fork this has become one of my favorite places to pick up food and catch a game with friends.  The restaurant has a few picnic style tables inside and a large menu visible as you walk in.  They serve wings, wings, and more wings.  If you want something else I guess you can order some of the other items on their menu, like the Chicken or Buffalo Tenders, or one of their sandwiches, they even have a couple items for the kids.  The wait isn’t too bad and they even take call-in orders.  So next time you are in American Fork and you have a hankerin’ for some wings, try the Rocky Mtn. Wingshak.

Rocky Mtn. Winkshak:

http://www.wingshak.com/

I Visited Rocky Mtn. Wingshak At:

465 East State Road

American Fork, UT 84003

801-756-2667

Virg’s

 

Welcome to Virg's

I am told that Virg’s was started out of Erda, Utah, but the first time I visited I went to the old Salt Lake City location on State St.  It was a small, hole-in-the-wall type of place and was decorated like a small bait shop you would find on far away beaches filled with old fishermen with stories to tell.  The place was ran by two guys, one frying everything you ordered and the other helping customers.  They had an old tip jar labeled “Virg’s 401K”, this restaurant had charm coming out the ears.  This is when I think it was at its best.  Since that first visit they have moved to a bigger location, they converted an old Winger’s and tried their hardest to give it a similar feel.  Try as they might, in my opinion the old location cannot be replicated.  They can support more customers but they have to use waitresses to do so.  In the current location you are eating lunch with 30-50 other people seated around you, the old location could sit 8-10 on a good day.

While I think it has lost some of its charm, the Fish & Chips have remained the same.  They have even added to their menu now that they have a bigger kitchen, it is an odd menu with anything from breakfast, to mexican food, to the Fish & Chips and everything in between.  The fish they serve are Cod, Halibut, Shrimp and even though it is not seafood they serve a Chicken & Chips, a nice substitute for those seafood haters out there.  The Fish & Chips are great but be warned this place is not for the weak, it is extremely greasy!  If you know true Fish & Chips you understand that is how it works, you deal with the grease, accept the grease, learn to love the grease.  I am a little surprised at the amount of people put off by the grease, please understand that it is fried and you will likely end up with a plate of food that is all the exact same color.  So eat, enjoy, and I hope you didn’t have any big plans requiring you to stay awake for the rest of the day because it is going to sit with you for a bit.

 

Virg’s:

No Website

 

I Visited Virg’s At:

5770 S. Redwood Rd.

Taylorsville, UT 84123

801-968-7180

Pat’s BBQ

 

Pat's BBQ

This is my second review of a BBQ joint and if you would have asked me 6 months ago I would have said that this was the best in Utah, while I don’t think that anymore I can truly say that Pat’s BBQ still serves a mean ‘Q.  Eating at Pat’s feels a little like a block party, picnic tables line the restaurant and rolls of paper towels stand on each table, never more than a BBQ sauce covered fingers reach away.  Depending on when you visit they have live Blue Grass music playing, the schedule doesn’t make sense to me so you are on your own with that one, you can find a schedule that constantly updates on their website.  It is not really my scene but some people really enjoy it, the music is usually pretty fun if not a little loud.  You might have seen Pat’s featured on the Utah edition of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, so you know this place is the real deal.

Couldn't stop eating to take a picture

The food is great, you can find Ribs, Beef Brisket, Chicken, and the house specialty Burnt Ends to name a few.  The Burnt Ends is a Friday Only Special, and most believe it is the best item on the menu.  One thing to keep in mind about the Burnt Ends, they are no secret, so if you want them you better get there early and order fast before they are gone.  They have daily specials that rarely disappoint and they have some great sides to choose from as well, the Jambalaya and the baked beans are probably the most popular and their corn bread, served with most meals, sure is tasty.  They serve sodas as well as alcoholic beverages, and they have a nice selection of deserts as well.  Pat’s will also cater your party, you can either party at Pat’s and sit in a private area or if you have over 100 people in your party you can have Pat cook at your party for you.  Pat’s BBQ is open Monday-Wednesday from 11am-8pm, Thursday-Friday from 11am-3pm and 4pm-9pm, Saturday from Noon-9pm, and closed on Sunday.

 

Pat’s BBQ:

http://www.patsbbq.com/

 

I Visited Pat’s BBQ At:

155 West Commonwealth Avenue (2125 South)

South Salt Lake, UT 84115

801-484-5963

Bear Paw Cafe

 

Bear Paw Cafe

The Bear Paw Cafe located in St. George, Utah is my favorite breakfast focused restaurant I have ever been to.  I am not a world traveller but I have been to enough places to feel comfortable in telling you that the Bear Paw Cafe is a place you need to visit.  With its rustic Native American theme and crowded dining area it radiates with a certain charm.  Pictures adorn the walls and seems to be scattered haphazardly to make sure every square inch has art hanging from it.  This cafe stands in stark contrast to the Denny’s and IHOP that litter the towns off of all the major highways of the western United States.  Due to the crowds this place can attract the waitresses will not have a lot of time to clown around with you but I have never felt like I wasn’t an appreciated customer.  The wait for a table can be a little rough at times so make sure you are not in a hurry and try to avoid busy times like Saturday mornings.

 

 

Blueberry Pancakes with Eggs, Bacon, and Home Fries

The food options here are amazing, they have toppings, fillings, and combos for almost everything on their menu.  My last trip into the Bear Paw I over-ordered, which I almost always do, and asked for an appetizer of their Granola Muesli, a granola type of cereal that the Bear Paw serves topped with yogurt and Fresh Fruit.  Muesli is something I started eating while living in Europe and this is the best I have had since moving back to the states.  As I was nearing the end of my Muesli my meal was served, pecan french toast with eggs, hash browns, and bacon.  Now, I make a lot of bacon and eggs myself but I think the Bear Paw sprinkles in some magic because it is always made to perfection.  I ate until I couldn’t possibly eat another bite and then waited for my check, to my surprise the bill was not bad, I usually spend more at IHOP.  The one thing I did not order this last trip that I usually do is the hot chocolate, they have wonderfully creamy and sweet hot chocolate, that tastes good no matter what you are eating.  I have made a few trips to St. George in the past 3 or 4 years and I make sure every trip down I visit the Bear Paw Cafe at least once.  The Bear Paw Cafe is open for Breakfast and Lunch 365 days a year from 7am-3pm.

 

 

Bear Paw Cafe:

http://bearpawcafe.com

 

I Visited Bear Paw Cafe at:

75 North Main St.
St. George, UT 84770
435-634-0126

Bombay House: Cuisine of India

 

Bombay House: Cuisine Of India

Ahh the Bombay House… one of my favorite things about it used to be its anonymity, sadly for me but good for them, this is no longer the case.  The first time I ate at the Bombay House was about 7 years ago and I was invited to meet a few of my friends for some curry and fun times.  I had tried Indian food before but never at a proper restaurant, it lived up to my expectations.  The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with beautiful art and decorations adorning the walls you can easily forget that just outside the busy world is continuing about its business.  The staff is friendly and cheerful, almost to a point of surprising you at times.  I remember asking one of the members of the staff where I could find their bathroom and for about 30 seconds he had me believing that I was going to have to go outside and walk around the back of the building and knock on a door to get to the bathroom.  Those kinds of experiences are fun for me, I want the people who work in the restaurants I visit to enjoy dealing with customers and to look happy that they are there.

Chicken Coconut Kurma

I am a huge fan of curries and one of my favorite Indian meals is a Chicken Coconut Kurma, a creamy coconut milk based curry with nuts and spices.  I have tried some of their other meals, the Chicken TikkaMasala, the Chicken Curry, the Lamb Boti Kabob Masala to name a few, but more often than not I am going with the Kurma.  I also like to order the Naan to eat with my meal, it is an Indian flat-break baked in a tandoor.  I usually just order water, which they continue to refill before I ever hit the bottom, but on some occasions I will order one of their Lassi’s, a drink that blends yogurt and fresh fruit.  While the Bombay House has become a crowded spot to dine, especially on the weekends, it never fails to impress.  They are opened Monday-Saturday for Dinner from 4pm-10pm.  I have never been to India but I can surely say that it is the best Indian food I have had in the state of Utah.
 

Bombay House:
http://www.bombayhouse.com

I Visited Bombay House At:
463 North University Ave.
Provo, UT 84601
801-373-6677

They also have two other locations in Salt Lake City

Osaka Japanese Restaurant

 

 

Osaka Japanese Restaurant

 

This post is very special to me because this restaurant is a place my family has frequented for 10+ years.  We have celebrated birthday’s, anniversaries, farewells, homecomings, work parties all from this little Japanese restaurant loving ran by its owners.  The peaceful surroundings from the small aquarium to the soft lighting set the stage for a beautiful meal and every thing seems to be a little quieter in this atmosphere.  It is child friendly, serving some kids meals in a small boat, and the staff is always patient and helpful.  The front of Osaka’s can be easily missed as it sits on the crowded Provo Center Street, but upon entering you will notice many seats and usually the wait to be seated is 5 minutes or less.  Most tables are in the main room but upon request you can be seating in one of two Japanese style rooms, with floor seating and Shoji Screens it makes you feel like you are the only people in the restaurant.

Teriyaki Chicken with Tempura Shrimp

The prices are more than fair at Osaka’s with most dinner meals priced between $8-$15.  I have tried a lot of different meals here with my favorites being the teriyaki chicken donburi, a Teriyaki chicken rice bowl with tempura carrots and onions.  As good as all the food is the best thing in this restaurant is the Gyoza appetizer, I am getting hungry just thinking about it.  Words cannot describe the gyoza, you have to taste for yourself because they are the best I have ever had and I try them almost every time I am at a restaurant that serves them.

Order of Gyoza

If you like Japanese food I suggest you give it a try, you will not be disappointed.  From the Beef to the Poultry to the Seafood, they have something for everybody.  Take your family, mingle with Nancy (the nicest woman you will ever meet), and tell them the Armstrong’s sent you.  When you eat at Osaka’s a little piece of your heart stays there, I think that is what keeps calling me back.  Who knows, maybe I will see some of you there someday.

 

 

Osaka Japanese Restaurant:
No Website

I Visited Osaka Japanese Restaurant At:
 46 West Center Street
Provo, UT 84601
801-373-1060

Parker’s Drive-In

 

Parker's Drive-In

Most of my blog posts have been centered around Salt Lake County, this post however comes from a burger “joint” out of Utah County.  Parkers Drive-In unfortunately sits in the old section of town, most of the businesses have moved to the opposite end of the city, but when burgers are this good you go out of your way for them.  This family run restaurant has been serving Utah county with some of the best burgers for 50+ years.  Their menu is simple but they have enough options for the average family to all find something to eat.  Besides Burgers they sell Corn Dogs, Grilled Cheese, Fish and Chips, as well of a few other options that you will find sound great when you imagine them being made fresh.  When I go to Parker’s I usually order the Range Burger, their specialty burger with two patties, lettuce, pickles, Cheese, and Ham Sauce (a Parker’s original), with Large Fries and extra Fry Sauce, the price is reasonable and it will fill your belly.  Parker’s also is known for their shakes and Ice Cream Cones, with a large selection of Shake flavors to choose from and the always tasty Brown Topper (Vanilla ice cream cone dipped in chocolate), you can make an argument to drop by this restaurant even if you are just looking for a snack.  One thing is for sure, you will not be disappointed when dining out at Parker’s.  They have a nice atmosphere, small local feel, and it has been a staple of the community as long as any other business in American Fork.

 

 

The Range Burger

Parkers is open Monday-Saturday and take call-ahead orders if you want to cut down on the amount of time you spend waiting for your food to be prepared.  There is very limited seating, so it is best if you are planning on picking it up and taking it somewhere else to eat.  There are few things that I enjoy more than picking up some Parker’s and heading for a TV to watch a Jazz game during basketball season.  The only thing you need to keep in mind is that these are not gourmet burgers, think more In ‘n Out and less Carl’s Jr. but without the major chain feel.  Step in and instantly feel like you have been transported back in time, to a place where customers matter and the food is served with love.

 

 

Parker’s Drive-In:
No Website

I Visited Parker’s Drive-In At:
496 East State Rd.
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-2181

Chanon Thai Cafe

 

Chanon Thai Cafe

With this restaurant I am torn, do I let my readers know how great this place is or do I greedily keep it to myself?  I guess it is only fair that I let you all in on the restaurant that has stole my heart.  This place hides on the middle of a block surrounded mostly by small businesses.  When you first walk in you notice that it is a little crammed and not at all like what you have seen at most Thai restaurants.  Scattered on the walls are pictures drawn by customers and kids, most poorly drawn and in crayon, it is endearing and adds to the charm.  Another quirk I love is that most silverware, plates, bowls, glasses, etc. will not match the others at your table, it makes me feel like I am apart of something non-traditional, something special.  The waiters and waitresses are quickly moving from table to table and most times the wait is not bad. 

 

Gang Ka Ree, Yellow Curry with Chicken

 

Once you are seated and handed the menu you will have a few minutes to look it over and make a decision, one thing is for sure, if it is your first time you will likely order the wrong spice level.  In my experience most first timers are at least one spice level too high.  The Spice scale runs from 0 (mild) to 5 (try at your own risk).  I am not exaggerating about the spice, you have not been to a thai restaurant that serves this kind of heat, every other place I have been to doesn’t even serve a level 1 in comparison to Chanon thai.  Pick your meal, Curry, Stir Fry, Noodles, etc. and then select the meat you would like in it as well as the spice level of your choosing.  My favorite is the Gang Ka Ree, a creamy yellow curry that incorporates potato, onion, green bell peppers, and carrots.  In the past I have seen times when they serve different vegetables and I really think it comes down to which vegetables are in season.  The food is cooked to order, they prep the curry paste but the rest is waiting for your to order.  Surprisingly even though the food is not pre-made it will not take long for your food to be ready.  Each lunch meal comes with a Soup or Salad as an appetizer, the soup is a soup of the day and the salad has a choice of 2 dressings, peanut sauce or house dressing.  The peanut sauce dressing is amazing, it has a slight spicy kick to it and the peanut flavor is not overpowering.  The price for the food is good, $7.50 for the entire meal and it will fill you up every time.  I have already reccomended this cafe to all my family and friends.  They are closed Saturdays but are open Monday-Friday for lunch from 11:30am-3pm and Sunday-Friday for Dinner from 5:30pm-10pm.  If you are a fan of Thai food your only problem will be that no other Thai restaurant will ever measure up to the great Chanon Thai Cafe.

 

Chanon Thai Cafe:

No Website but I know of a Facebook Group

 

I Visited Chanon Thai Cafe At:

278 East 900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

801-532-1177

Kaiser’s Barbecue

Kaiser's BBQ Signage

If you have looked around Salt Lake for a BBQ joint you have likely found Pat’s BBQ. Don’t get me wrong, Pat’s BBQ is good but I’ve found one that is better. Kaiser’s Bar B-Q brings real Texas BBQ to Utah, and does it in a wonderful atmosphere. Anybody that has been to Pat’s understands that they will likely have to yell to family and friends to be heard over the screaming bluegrass music, no problem here at Kaiser’s. While eating we were greeted by the owner and he even gave us a heads up that we could call in ahead of time for big groups to shorten the wait time. The smokers can be found outback and it is a site to see, BBQ aficionados fall in love at first site. The restaurant is also a general store and you can find art work everywhere. My favorite part about the scene is that they have two tables in a converted meat locker, nothing says BBQ better.

We were asked to make a plate

 

I ordered the 2-meat combo, selected the Brisket and Spare Ribs with Potato Salad and Pinto Beans on the side. One bite into the Brisket and you will be sold, it is as tender and flavorful as I have had in Utah, topped with just a bit of their BBQ Sauce it is mouth watering. As good as the Brisket is, I really think the secret is in the Ribs. These ribs are meaty and have just the right spice, not too spicy but just subtle enough to let you know it is there. The meat just falls into your mouth, none of that tugging and pulling that most Utah ribs require. I added BBQ sauce for the taste but it wasn’t even needed. These ribs are hands-down the best I have ever had! So for all you fans of Pat’s BBQ out there I urge you to try Kaiser’s, but be careful, you might have just had your last taste of Pat’s.

 

Kaiser’s Barbecue:
http://saltlakebbq.com/ 

Located at:
962 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
801-355-0499

Curious about a Restaurant?

 

What should I review?

I am taking requests.  If you want to ask about a restaurant, I will review it.  If you let me know in the comments I will either go try it or write a review for it if I have already been there.  As long as you keep it to Salt Lake and Utah Counties it shouldn’t be too difficult for me.  Out of state restaurant requests could prove more difficult