My wife and I essentially never eat out...

[RockyBalboa]

I just looked it up. Koko Kitchen. Check it out. It is pretty nice little mom and pop shop.

702 S 300 E
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 364-4888

Will do. Thanks for the tip.

[MarkGrace]

Most restaurants are a far cry from 'good'

Reading the list of places where you eat, I could see why you would think that.

[statman]

Ruth's Chris Steak House will return to SLC. In the former Chase bank building. Remodelling starts next month and the restaurant will open probably in March.

That's good news! If only we had Mortons...

[statman]

Reading the list of places where you eat, I could see why you would think that.

The problem is we moved here from Chicago. Fine dining there was driving downtown, selecting any given block on Wacker or Rush or Dearborn Streets adn just picking one. Or going over to chinatown and just picking one. Or going to the area around Wrigley Field and just picking one (less fine dining & more fun dining there). Or driving through anyone of the dozens of little aggregations of good restaurants in the suburbs (Shaumburg, Naperville, Deerfield, etc) and just picking one.

In greater Salt Lake, when you just 'pick-one' you usually end-up disappointed. Saltgrass Steakhouse or Texas Land & Cattle could build a restaurant in Lehi, and instantly become the best restaurant within 20 miles. That's a sad state of affairs.

In my mind Utah is known for it's entrepreneurial (sp?) spirit. But int he food business, it always seems to be focused on chains and franchises. Why don't any of these enterprising foodies actually open a decent restaurant?

I know there must be a few around. I just haven't found many. There's one pretty good Thai place on main street in AF (right near the subaru dealership). And there are a few good places over in Heber (we had very good food once at The Claim Jumper - the second time we went it wasn't nearly as good.). And Park City has some very nice places - quite a few of them actually. But Park City is a long drive, and half the year it's not worth even attempting because of crowds &/or weather.

I'm resolved to the fact that if I choose to eat out, it's going to have to be DDD's food tourism type of eating - drive somewhere far away to get good food. But even then, there aren't a huge number of great places. And (for the most part) in Utah County, you can just forget about it...

[Green Lantern]

The problem is we moved here from Chicago. Fine dining there was driving downtown, selecting any given block on Wacker or Rush or Dearborn Streets adn just picking one. Or going over to chinatown and just picking one. Or going to the area around Wrigley Field and just picking one (less fine dining & more fun dining there). Or driving through anyone of the dozens of little aggregations of good restaurants in the suburbs (Shaumburg, Naperville, Deerfield, etc) and just picking one.

In greater Salt Lake, when you just 'pick-one' you usually end-up disappointed. Saltgrass Steakhouse or Texas Land & Cattle could build a restaurant in Lehi, and instantly become the best restaurant within 20 miles. That's a sad state of affairs.

In my mind Utah is known for it's entrepreneurial (sp?) spirit. But int he food business, it always seems to be focused on chains and franchises. Why don't any of these enterprising foodies actually open a decent restaurant?

I know there must be a few around. I just haven't found many. There's one pretty good Thai place on main street in AF (right near the subaru dealership). And there are a few good places over in Heber (we had very good food once at The Claim Jumper - the second time we went it wasn't nearly as good.). And Park City has some very nice places - quite a few of them actually. But Park City is a long drive, and half the year it's not worth even attempting because of crowds &/or weather.

I'm resolved to the fact that if I choose to eat out, it's going to have to be DDD's food tourism type of eating - drive somewhere far away to get good food. But even then, there aren't a huge number of great places. And (for the most part) in Utah County, you can just forget about it...

I do grant that finding a great restaurant in Utah County is more challenging, but there are plenty in Salt Lake and you don't even have to look too hard. That other thread about 15 essential eateries along the Wasatch Front had some good places to start.

[ewth8tr]

Little World rocks!

You are one wise Daytonian

Agreed, it's owned by the grandparents of a little boy in my sons scout pack and they refered me over there. That's the only place I ever get chinese from now.

[MarkGrace]

Why don't any of these enterprising foodies actually open a decent restaurant?

Alcohol, that's why. Chain's can pull off Utah because they have much better margins than self-start places. My grandpa used to own a restaurant in Hawai'i and he always mentioned that it must be nearly impossible to own your own place in Utah.

Fortunately for you Stat, I have an answer: move back to Chicago!

[TripletDaddy]

Alcohol, that's why. Chain's can pull off Utah because they have much better margins than self-start places. My grandpa used to own a restaurant in Hawai'i and he always mentioned that it must be nearly impossible to own your own place in Utah.

Fortunately for you Stat, I have an answer: move back to Chicago!

I have noticed that the chains seem to be able to skirt the alc laws and sell spirits and beer without charging that membership fee. how are they able to do that? can mom and pops do the same?

[Portland Ute]

I have noticed that the chains seem to be able to skirt the alc laws and sell spirits and beer without charging that membership fee. how are they able to do that? can mom and pops do the same?

Well, I guess if we want better food choices, we're going to have to suck it up and start drinking alcohol.

[TripletDaddy]

Well, I guess if we want better food choices, we're going to have to suck it up and start drinking alcohol.

that is actually more correct than you may intend. the best restaurants are almost invariably linked to a well-stocked wine cellar and an excellent patisserie.

[Fiyero]

I have noticed that the chains seem to be able to skirt the alc laws and sell spirits and beer without charging that membership fee. how are they able to do that? can mom and pops do the same?

Governor Huntsman got rid of the membership fee on July 1. Or more accurately, got rid of the mandatory "privacy" of bars, pubs and restaurants. Some still charge a fee in order to maintain a factor of exclusivity, but most venues are free to enter now.

[TripletDaddy]

Governor Huntsman got rid of the membership fee on July 1. Or more accurately, got rid of the mandatory "privacy" of bars, pubs and restaurants. Some still charge a fee in order to maintain a factor of exclusivity, but most venues are free to enter now.

really? that is good news. how does this affect the ave restaurant's ability to sell alcohol? do they still need that crazy "wall" between the serving area and the tables? Based on what you are saying, I would assume that the walls are tumbling down?

[Fiyero]

I haven't heard much about the wall idea; I think it was just a proposal by some foot-tapping lobbyist that never went to light. (I could be wrong, it was before I moved here). Meanwhile liquor sales in bars are down 10% this year, which is probably more recession-related than anything.

[MartyFunkhouser]

If you consider the Thai place on Main Street in AF to be decent than I cannot trust your opinion on food. Now there is a Thai place on Main Street in Lehi that is actually quite good.

There is a lot more good food in Utah than you are giving it credit for.

[Portland Ute]

If you consider the Thai place on Main Street in AF to be decent than I cannot trust your opinion on food. Now there is a Thai place on Main Street in Lehi that is actually quite good.

There is a lot more good food in Utah than you are giving it credit for.

I worry what you think about my taste in food after I dragged you that one day out to Hillsboro for Indian.

The saving grace was that the place had changed ownership and was NOT the same.

I wouldn't have gone back there again, myself.