7 Salt Lake City Dishes I Miss Most

It’s been 8 months  7 years (!) since I moved from Salt Lake City to Chicago and let me tell you: the food in Chicago is outstanding. There are so many restaurants that it’s hard to repeat my favorites because hundreds are waiting for me to try. But we’re not here to talk about Chicago.

Chicago may be a food-lover’s mecca, but I find myself constantly craving the best dishes in Salt Lake City that I haven’t quite found a Midwestern equivalent for yet. (Trust me, I’m trying!) Luckily I return to Sale Lake City often enough to indulge in my favorite Utah restaurants.

Curious what dishes I miss most?

7 Salt Lake City Dishes I Miss Most

1. Mole Amarillo at Red Iguana

This spicy mole is tingly hot but so tasty that I’ll risk the burn just to keep eating it. Available served with shredded chicken, with pork carnitas and topped with poached eggs and bacon (Huevos Motulenos is an excellent choice for brunch) or, my favorite, smothering pork enchiladas. Red Iguana is famous for their moles and all seven of them are outstanding.

And the same goes for the remainder of the menu. Dubbed “Killer Mexican Food,” it’s the best Mexican I’ve ever had and thanks to two locations near Salt Lake International Airport, it’s usually the first place I go when I land in SLC or the last place I eat before I leave.

Runner Up: Tacos Don Ramon (pork chorizo tacos with queso cotija)

2. Wagyu Beef Stroganoff at Copper Onion

If you haven’t had Copper Onion’s Wagyu Beef Stroganoff, you’re probably thinking Seriously?! You miss beef stroganoff? But if you have tried it, you’re probably nodding in agreement right now. Made with juicy chunks of beef embedded in house-made pappardelle pasta in a sauce of creme fraiche, mushrooms and chives, this piece of heaven will have you reminiscing about mom’s home cooking while making you realize that somehow beef stroganoff has a lot more potential than you ever thought possible.

If stroganoff’s not your thing, the rest of Copper Onion’s New American menu is full of classic favorites done in not-so-classic ways. And I don’t mean in a molecular gastronomy unrecognizable way, I mean in a simply amazing way, letting the classic characters of the dishes shine through. (Case in point: I’m not a huge mushroom fan, yet both of my Copper Onion picks contain them!)

Runner Up: Sauteed Mushrooms (served over potato sticks topped with a fried egg)

3. Stinky Bacon Cheese Burger at Lucky 13

Yes, I live within walking distance of the best burger in the country. But before trying it, I was doubtful it could beat any burger at Lucky 13. And even still, I find myself dreaming about Lucky 13’s Stinky Bacon Cheese burger and the way its salty peppered bacon contrasts with the rich blue cheese paired perfectly with the oh-so-lovely garlic fries and it seriously makes my mouth water. Like right now. Damn it.

Runner Up: The Breath Enhancer Burger (garlic, rosemary and cheddar, plus bacon)

4. Eggplant Stir Fry at Chabaar Beyond Thai

Thai food is a cuisine of contrasts, with dangerously spicy elements intertwined with delicate sweetness in dishes that are a medley of flavors, textures and tastes. Chabaar Beyond Thai is a hole-in-the-wall restaurant outside of Salt Lake City (in Midvale) serving up Thai perfection. Though technically not on the menu, the eggplant stirfry is always available. It’s a wonderful mix of crunchy chicken, sliced eggplant and vegetables in a savory sauce. It may sound weird, but it works. Even the eggplant-weary will love this dish.

Runner Up: Yellow Curry, with potatoes, onions, coconut milk and yellow curry paste

5. Koung Aman at Les Madeleines

This incredible French pastry is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and full of buttery flavors. Yet somehow it’s made with only five ingredients: butter, water, flour, sugar and salt. If that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what is! Chef Romina Rasmussen’s koung aman at Les Madeleines has been mentioned in Martha Stewart, GQ, and The Best Thing I Ever Ate and there’s a reason for it: these one-of-a-kind beauties are hard to beat.

Runner Up: Monkey Bread

6. The Hot Pastrami Sandwich at Caputo’s

I find myself thinking about Caputo’s quite often. Sometimes it’s me wishing the adorable cheese shop with the knowledgeable staff is down the street, other times I want to attend one of their awesome classes. (Seriously, check out their classes on cheese, chocolate, wine, and everything in between!) But lately I’ve been thinking about the Hot Pastrami Sandwich. What should be a simple sandwich of pastrami, mustard, and cheese, is somehow mind-blowingly good. Annnnd now I’m drooling!

Runner Up: The Caputo Sandwich, with prosciutto, mortadella, salami, and provolone

7. Anything with Lamb at Mazza

No matter how good my memories are of Mazza, every time I eat there, I’m pleasantly surprised. The adorable restaurant on 15th & 15th is not only welcoming and relaxing, but serving consistently fantastic Middle Eastern food. It’s hard to pick a favorite here, since everything on the menu is delicious. I’d recommend picking a dish with lamb, especially the Lamb & Spinach or Lamb Shwarma.

If someone can point me to a Middle Eastern restaurant in Chicago on par with Mazza, I’d be a happy camper! I mean Chicagoan. :)

Runner Up: Chicken & Potatoes Mutabbak

Honorable Mentions

Even though Chicago is packed with more Italian restaurants than I can count, the Lasagna at Caffe Molise (not to mention their unbelievable chocolate cake) crosses my mind a lot. So does General Tso’s Cauliflower at HSL that might be better than the chicken version.

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In my opinion, these are easily the best dishes in Salt Lake City. I’m gearing up for another trip home for the holidays and the tough part is picking which of these places I’m going to go while I’m in town. There’s got to be a way to fit them all in in one weekend, right?

Related :: Where to Eat Breakfast in SLC, Restaurants to Try in 2017 and Where to Eat in Salt Lake City

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published December 9, 2015, mentioning skordalia at Aristo’s and the omakase at Naked Fish, which are both closed. It’s been updated to reflect current restaurants.