No need for a store for the best BBQ!

This is a one of a kind blog. Summer is a great time for food that you don't normally get to eat because it's only offered at fairs and festivals. Walking up and down the aisles you have many choices from navajo tacos, scones, ethnic food, and of couse BBQ.

What makes good BBQ?? The flavor, the sauce, the way it is cooked?

Here is a special shout out to Oak Pit BBQ Co. My favorite pollack Sean and his brother in law Pablo owns this company and in a year or so have totally made a name for themselves and hopefully I can help spread the word a little! Right now he does festivals, fairs, bars, and catering. What does he have to offer? Heaven!! *yes i know I use that word a lot* Pablo runs the California part, and Sean is in charge of good ol Utah.

Tri -tip Sandwiches, Beef Ribs, chicken... He uses the best wood, hand made his own bbq pit, and created his own spice mixture! Heart and soul makes this BBQ taste the best. The ribs are juicy and flavorful and you don't even need the sauce with them, but when you use the sauce it makes it that much better! These ribs aren't dripping sauce like others you may get, and once you try them, you will know why! The tri-tip I noticed is very popular, but I think it's cause its easy to eat and walk. The meat is so juicy and tender and served on a grilled bun. It's everything you could hope for in a sandwich like that.

Next time you are in the area... follow your nose to the great smoke smell and try some. I promise you won't regret it. Tell em Jess sent you!

Also, Check them out on Facebook!!

http://www.oakpitbbqco.com/

Millies in Sugarhouse

I am aware that I have done several posts on small burger joints (parkers, paces', and purple turtle). Today I need to add another to the list! I have probably passed by this quaint little place dozens of times, if you blink you will miss it. Millies is located on 21st south and 1000 East. It is a family owned and run business and has been around for quite some time. I asked the manager (i am pretty sure that is who she was) what her favorite was and she said " EVERYTHING! I have worked here for 25 years and I still eat here 5 days a week." To me, that says a lot about a restaurant.

I went into this place waiting to compare it to the others. I have to say this place really set the standard high. For freshness it stands out hands down. You may be saying "but Jess, a burger is a burger!" and I will say back " oh but you are soooo wrong!" But nicely of course. There is a lot to chose from on the menu from a regular hamburger for .99 or a halibut sandwich for 7 bucks! I ordered a Double Millies Cheeseburger, a small order of onion rings, and a banana walnut shake. Wow, I was in for a surprise when I took my first bite!

The burger patties were a great size, not flat or pressed (like a place I ate in cedar city this past weekend). It had a great sauce on it that wasn't too overwhelming, lettuce, tomato, cheese and pickles. It tasted so fresh and right off the grill in your back yard. I don't eat a lot of fried food, but today I made an exception. These onion rings didn't crumble when you bit them, the onions were so juicy and not dry like some places you get. There wasn't tons of breading on the outside. Pretty close to the perfect onion ring. And finally, but certainly not least is the shake. Ok, so I LOVE shakes. I have tried all different kinds up and down the valley when I am in the mood. Today I was so pleased with the one from Millies. Normally when you get a shake you aren't concerned with the ice cream because well... you can't taste it! I could taste the banana, the walnuts, and still taste that it was made from vanilla soft serve.

I know I have given this place a little bit of a more descriptive review than most. I just wanted you all to see if your mouths would water this time. If you are in the Sugarhouse area I do suggest stopping by and even just getting one of their Glaciers which is a flavored slush that has ice cream in it (and this reminds me of a place in New Jersey called Rita's YUM!!)

Update!!

FYI.. The Downtown Philly now has a location in American Fork just in front of the Costco! CHECK IT OUT!!

Pizza.. its hard to come by

Alright, sure you have your Domino's and Pizza Hut and Papa John's down the street. . . let's leave it at that.

After living on the east coast where pizza is touted as one of the staple items (also popular in Chicago too) it is hard to find a great pizza here in Utah. I don't normally write negative things but if this is a review I guess I better be honest!

Recently I took my first visit to The Pie. For those of you that go or have been to the U of U, you know its a staple to the community. I was excited to see what all the buzz was about. I really, really was disappointed. I like to give everyone a fair chance. The tap rootbeer was flat, and I had once slice of my chicken pizza. too much grease. I left feeling like I had wasted my money.

I got to thinking where in the world can a foodie go to get a good slice in this town! I came across a quaint little place in Centerville, which has been there since I was in high school. (yes i am aware that was 10 years ago) It is on the corner of Pages lane and Main Street. Zeponies is by far, from the local places I have been to, the tastiest! I can't believe it took me so long to visit.

When you walk in the place isn't so big, but for me it has THE best decor. Years of the owners collecting record albums. FAN-TAST-IC. I would like to inherit them. If you want to see it, its probably there. Everything from soundtracks to your favorite Styx album.

I ordered the personal Chicken Alfredo with mushrooms. I am not a big fan of red sauce so I try to stay away from it. This pizza was Heaven. I know I use that word to describe food often, but it takes a lot for me to say that. The crust was cooked just perfect, no burned spots, nothing soggy. The flavor was just right, that it left me wanting it again. My brothers ordered the pepperoni pizza, which if you love pepperoni, this is a perfect one for you. If you are feeling extra hungry may I suggest the breadsticks also! They come with either ranch or marinara dipping sauce. This is one of those places when you walk in it just smells great. Nothing too overwhelming and it makes your mouth water.

The staff is awesome and suggested a calzone the next time I come in because "they are the best"

http://www.zeponiepizza.com/Zeponie/Welcome%20to%20Zeponie%20Pizza.html

Feeling like Something on the Healthier side??

First of all, back to the whole concept of my blog.. You must be original to Utah... There are only 5 of these and fortunately for all of us they are here in Utah.



I had never heard of it until I transfered to my current location in Draper. I was enthralled when I went inside. Tons of options and mostly healthy (unless you eat the Wisconsin Cauliflower too often). I prefer the combo because you get tons of food and its worth every penny. You can choose soup and sandwich or soup and salad. You can make your own salad and add toppings to your soups. My personal faves are the Chicken Enchilada Chili and the Thai Chicken Salad... Then theres the Wild Mushroom Bisque, and the turkey cranberry sandwich, and ooooooh lest I forget the awesome Hawaiian BBQ chicken Sandwich!!! Yum!! I am hungry just thinkin about it. For some the best part may be the tasty slice of bread you get with your meal and the chocolate dipped strawberry. For me I LOVE they have diet coke lime on tap! (yea its the simple things really) If you are in the mood for dessert they also offer cheesecake, brownies, and fondue!




I have only been to the new American Fork location which is stunning. It makes you feel like you are in your own kitchen, and then of course the Draper location. You can also find them in South Jordan off 106th south, Provo, and Cottonwood.



http://www.zupas.com/index.php

a little twist of heaven...

UPDATE: FROGURT IS NOW USWIRL. STILL GREAT YOGURT!!

If you are looking for something a little bit healthier than the Cold Stone Creamery down the street from you, well look no further. I have found a little gem of a place in Draper. Frogurt is located on 123rd south just behind the new Apollo Burgers. This concept may not be new to those of you who have seen something similar in California, but I am telling you this one beats any you will have in good ol Cali!!

When you walk in there are two cups: small and large. The small looks like it should be large though. There are too many "best parts" about this place to pinpoint one, so lets start from the beginning. First of all its all frozen yogurt. Yum #1. There are about 12 flavors (could be more) and they change them around. Yum#2. After picking and tasting all the flavors you want in your cup then comes the toppings!!! We are talking everything from ... are you ready.... fruity pebbles, cap'n crunch, teeny pieces of the best cookie dough, cheesecake pieces, chocolate sprinkles, sour patch kids, nerds, cookies, candy bar pieces, fresh fruit, and for those of you that know what it is, and to my surprise they have mochi! Yum#3 Then the cherry on top of it all is that you are paying by the ounce!!! It's .35 cents.

The owner is super nice and that for me makes a restaurants atmosphere so important!! If you are in the neighborhood, make it there, don't walk... run!!! (and I promise you will look back again and again!)

A family Affair

It was hard to name this one because this is the place that I went to in high school, and the past two were where my parents hung out. In Bountiful on 500 west is a little gem called Pace's Dairy Ann. I was fortunate enough to talk to the current owners nephew on the history of the place. The original owners had a Dairy Queen and bought the current location and changed the name and it has been serving since the mid 50's.

Pace's are known for their rainbows. My memories of this place are the awesome astro bars. Peach is the best!! Whether it is after marching in a parade or a treat for a church project, they are super tasty. Their onion rings and burgers also rank up there as being some of the freshest and most tasty in the area for the money!

My hopes is that Pace's will continue to be passed down through generations and stay in that spot forever!