Ruth's Diner

Once upon a time a handsome young lady (or so it is written) created Utah's second oldest restaurant. She didn't live to see that anniversary, but if you take the beautiful drive up Emmigration Canyon, on the right, you will find this little gem.

It has recently been remodeled but still holds its niche. It is an old trolley car that Ruth had transported up the canyon after her first restaurant was sold and demolished. This is a super small place, especially in the winter. Fitting maybe 70 guests. In the summer a patio and sidewalk seating is available.

Being my first time, I have had the opportunity to try the brunch but as soon as the leaves are on the trees I will be back. I was excited to see there was steamed artichoke on the menu. The garlic lemon aioli that it came with was fabulous and refreshing. I had a hard time deciding between the Caprese sandwich and the baked Mac and Cheese... but really, who can resist baked mac and cheese?

My mother had the Reuben which was served with fresh french fries and a large pickle. My Mac and cheese tasted fresh and cheesy. It was served with steamed veggies (sorry I didn't eat those). The portions are definitely a great size and even leave a little to take home. Oh!!! I almost forgot. The bread. Oh, the bread that is served before you really get going. Fresh, I don't think I have ever tasted such fresh bread at a restaurant before.

If you are looking for a historical place, a quaint place, a friendly place, and of course a place that has fresh food, Ruth's is really just up the road!

Btw. . . on a funny note, I can't help but mention the people that sat behind us that mistook the flamingos on the wall for penguins.

http://www.ruthsdiner.com/index.htm

Sweet is the life!!

Hello Utah foodies! Yes, I aplogize its been a few months since my last update. Happy New Year!! I'm back though-and boy do I have a treat to make a come back with!!

On a little corner surrounded by Victorian homes in the Avenues (downtown Salt Lake for those not familiar with the area) is a little shop called Hatch Family Chocolates. I've driven around this area before and I don't know how I missed this little gem!

Ok, I will admit it, I am female and I am not a huge chocolate fan so thank heavens I had to get some for a friend.When I walked in this shop I was immediately excited because of the ambiance and the jazz music that was playing throughout the store. Simplicity is the game: a little ice cream cabinet and three chocolate cabinets. It's easy to make a decision because you aren't overwhelmed by chaos and too many items. Every piece of chocolate is beautiful. Steve and Kate, the owners, hand dip the chocolates so each one has a little bit of love and passion in them, and you can taste it!! Hatch Family Chocolates is a business that has been in the family for generations with recipes passed down.

I bought the dark chocolate dipped worms in dirt, chocolate dipped strawberries that were the largest I have ever seen, dipped oreos, and a box of 6 chocolates. My tummy lept with joy when I saw the dark chocolate dipped marzipan!! Halelujah! Someone finally got a piece of chocolate right. (I am a little biased on flavors though). If you would like to stick to more "healthy" items they do have chocolate dipped fruit!!!

Behind the counter is a large drink menu. I didn't get a chance to try the hot chocolate but I have heard it is worth every calorie and sip. I will definitely be back for that and some more marzipan. One of my favorite parts of this store is that you can see Kate and staff making the chocolate in the back. It makes you feel excited because you know it didn't come from somewhere else and that they are just trying to pull it off like a chinese food dinner put in nice serving dishes!! (ok I hope you all got that analogy)

This is the real deal people!!

If you need a date night, a moment with yourself, or a treat for a loved one - I wouldn't suggest going anywhere else!!

HATCH FAMILY CHOCOLATES HAS MOVED!! VISIT THEIR BEAUTIFUL NEW LOCATION:

376 8th Avenue Salt Lake City.

The Philadelphian.

On 7th East and 9800 southish is a littel hole in the wall called the Philadelphian. Don't be deterred by the dirty floor, or the cook with the tattoos. I love to give holes in the walls the benefit of the doubt because amazing food comes out of them quite often. If you are looking for just a basic philly sandwich this could be your place. I ordered a basic Philadelphian which was suppose to have cheese, onions, and mushrooms. It was lacking the onions and had little cheese. . . The peppers however were very flavorful.

I would like to say the only part of this restaurant that really stuck out for me was their onion rings. I watched the cook hand dip every onion ring in a home made batter. They were definitely worth going back for. Also the price for your sandwich is worth going there for as well.

But the sandwich was lacking, dry, and a true philly still has cheese wiz on it.

If you are looking for quantity this is your place, if you are looking for quality... I may suggest going to 106th and redwood for the Downtown Philly.

What kind of waffle would you be??

I AM SAD TO REPORT THAT RED ROOSTER WAFFLE CO. IS NOW CLOSED.

Hidden at the back of Jordan Landing on 7800 south and bangerter (well a little bit more west) is a Utah original and it couldn't have come soon enough!! Bert/Burt (sorry i don't know how to spell his name) is the owner and creator of this gem. When you walk in the door you see a sign that says "enter as strangers, leave as friends." There is a large menu board boasting all its goodies. From sweet to savory, breakfast and dinner. The owner left an amazing impression on me. He was delivering food to the tables (even with a bandaged hand) and talking to the guests. I even had a chance to ask him how he decided for a waffle concept. Just a super friendly guy.



The breakfast menu for the sweet tooth contained things like Monkey business (oatmeal waffle with bananas and caramel sauce), Johnny Appleseed (oatmeal waffle with maple apple cobbler), the savory's were eggs benedict (no english muffins needed here!!), the florentine (eggs benedict but with spinach, tomatos and avocados). The benedict sauce was rich and you could tasty each of the flavors. I really enjoyed the flavor of the oatmeal waffle, and for bacon lovers they carry the smoked applewood bacon!



Besides being a local restaurant and new to the community, Red Rooster offers something that you cannot get anywhere else in Utah... CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!! Yes, I can see the look on your face, but don't knock it til you try it. If you go to the Los Angeles area you will find a little hole in the wall company called Roscoes Chicken and Waffles made famous by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire. If you like sweet and savory, this is the meal for you. Fried chicken and a fresh hot waffle. I was so excited when I found out the Red Rooster had this item.


Another great thing about this place is their coffee! Wow and yum! They also make other non coffee drinks like steamers, chai, hot chocolate, juices, and sodas. When I walked out of the Red Rooster I couldn't wait for my next time to visit to try another flavor!! On a side note.. they have to have the coolest bathroom sign EVER!




http://www.redroosterwaffleco.com/splash.php
**sorry there are no food pictures in this blog. I was too busy eating and forgot to take pictures.

We're not Good because we're old...

We're not good because we're old, We're old because we're good. This is what is written on the back of the shirts at a quaint little place on Main street in Park City called The Eating Establishment. Walking up and down main street and searching for something on an empty stomach is not easy. After reading numerous menu's we decided to stop into this place.


The awning was inviting, kind of like Cheers, and reading through the menu was easy and affordable so we decided to step on in. The Eating Establishment has been featured on Rachel Ray on the Food Network, and it has been around since 1972 and holds the record for oldest continuously operating restaurant in Park City. On the specials board was something called Rancho Benedict (it may be backwards). I decided to try it. Eggs Benedict with bacon, tomatos, mushrooms, and onions. The hollandaise sauce was smooth and light. I also ordered to drink a hot apple cider which came in a little fancy glass. It was also tasty.



There were so many items on the menu to choose from, and I believe that I just had the breakfast and lunch menu. Everything from lox, corn beef, chicken fried steak, and omeletes. The best part about this place for me was the seat by the window.

My friend had french fries which she couldn't put down, and a veggie sandwich. I didn't have a bite, but she finished every last piece.




If you are up that way, whether for a hike in the summer or a ski trip in the winter I suggest stopping in for the fresh fare.

http://www.theeatingestablishment.net/

Sweet Sweet Afton's

Tucked away in a tiny part of West Jordan is a little village. Gardner Village contains the outlines of the once bustling early Utah mill industry and history. It is now a bunch of little retail shops in the remaining historical buildings.

At the back of Gardner Village is one of the best down home candy stores you can ever possibly visit. Sweet Afton's is always bustling with big and little kids. The building is an old train station. As you walk in you are immediately swept up by the many flavors of home made fudge. We aren't talking your chocolate and penuche (which they do have for simpletons). Think: pistachio, pumpkin chocolate chip, caramel corn, jalapeno, chewy praline, rocky road, orange cremesicle, banana nut, candy corn, I could really go on and on, but their flavors do change often and sell out quickly.




It is hard not to take a stroll around the store to see what is new and what is old. When I say old, I mean you had it when you were a kid and it has finally made its way back into your life! I noticed today they even had candies that looked like peas and carrots. Now, those are peas I could eat! One wall is taffy made by Taffy Town a local company. You want pumpkin pie? They got it. How about caramel apple? That too! Buttered popcorn that won't stick kernels in your teeth?? They have that too! Now, don't get too grossed out, but one of my most favorite items at this store is the chocolate covered sunflower seeds. Yes, you've all seen them at the convenience store check out, highly over priced. Sweet Afton's is where I come to get many different colors at a fair price. **They are highly addictive.

You can find jelly bellys, and licorice, and gum, and don't worry there is even some sugar free fudge and candy variety!! I also suggest trying the home made sucker's that they carry.


During fall you can be lucky enough to get a freshly dipped caramel apple, which they kindly slice for you to enjoy as you walk around the shops.

Ps. they do offer only one sample of fudge- So choose wisely!!


http://www.sweetaftons.com/index.php?ID=148&XID=148:0:0:0:0

More Moochies Please!!

This blog has been a long time coming. I was quite hesitant to try Moochies as Downtown Philly has been a favorite for the past year, and I still love them- but now I love them both!! Being a Utah staple and featured on Diners, Drive-In's and Dives on the food network, I figured I better get on the ball and try me some Philly Cheesesteak from Moochies! I had the opportunity to meet the owner at the Utah State Fair a couple weeks ago and what a lovely lady to run such a cute little place.

Moochies is a very quaint small location on 232 E and 800 S in downtown Salt Lake City, it's yellow-you cannot miss it (unless you blink). The walls are covered in awards and pictures of celebrities that have visited. Rumour has it, if you aren't there at the right time you can wait in a line for quite a while because they ARE so popular. First you are greeted with a sign that tells you how to order your sandwich. I am sure the people behind the counter are grateful for this. Their two feature items are Phillys and Meatball sandwiches. Can you order something else?? You bet! They have salad's and other sandwiches as well. I definitely be back to try the Feta and Tomato sandwich. Yum!!

Let's get down to business. Moochies Philly is so savory. It is a rib eye steak cut Philly style, you get onions, American cheese, and if you pay extra you can add things like mushrooms and peppers and extra cheese. I just went basic but of course had to have mushrooms! The bread is soft and fresh and I am not sure what kind of juice or oil they use to cook the meat but the smell follows you for hours. (and not in a "I just ate blue cheese" kind of follow) I love the onions on this sandwich because they have a juicy sauteed flavor and don't overwhelm you. The only issue I have with the authentication of the Moochies Philly is the lack of cheese whiz. But, that is a minor detail. Price wise, for a Philly that is 6" you pay about 5.99 for a basic one and 9 bucks for a 12". The 6" is very filling. You are paying for quality here though.

You can also find other tasty items in Moochies such as: Baklava!! (yay!!), two of my most favorite Sarsparilla brands (for those of you that don't know what that is, its like a rootbeer with a kick), a couple of variety's of tasty cakes, and a homemade jumpin jalapeno sauce. There is no label on this sauce for ingredients, but good news is, if you get it you can bring the bottle back and they will refill it for half the price!! If you like spicy this is a great sauce for everything! Chips, eggs, sandwiches, whatever you like a kick to! They also offer lasagna, pasta salad, and other tasty bits and pieces.

http://www.moochiesmeatballs.com/moochies.htm