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BEAVER CO.
Timberline Inn
Just off the I-15 exit in Beaver, this family-run diner makes most food from scratch, from the mashed potatoes and gravy to the pies and cakes, says Joe Williams, a culinary school graduate who runs the restaurant with wife Andrea. Joe’s father, Danny, built the restaurant in 1982 and still works almost every day. There’s a prime rib special on Friday and it’s one of the few places that still serves liver and onions. 1542 S. 450 West, Beaver; 435-438-2474.
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BOX ELDER CO.
Maddox Ranch Hous
This legendary steakhouse has been a favorite of senators, Mormon presidents and Utah residents for more than 65 years. Original owner, Irvin Maddox, raised cattle for the restaurant behind the building. Today, the top-quality beef and bison steaks — purchased locally — are still popular as are the turkey steaks. Best bet is the skinless fried chicken, served with a warm dinner roll and raspberry butter. 1950 US-89, Perry; 435-723-8545
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CACHE CO.
Angie’s
This family-style diner opened in 1983 and is known for serving comfort food. The menu includes pancakes, waffles, giant cinnamon rolls and deep-fried Utah scones for breakfast; hamburgers, patty melts and sandwiches at lunch; and steak, chicken and seafood for dinner. Large groups should try the massive "kitchen sink" ice cream sundae that feeds (at least) four and is served in a bowl that resembles a kitchen sink. 690 N. Main St., Logan; 435-752-9252.
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CARBON CO.
Grogg’s Pinnacle Brewing Co.
This rural restaurant — which once included its own brewery — offers big-city flavors such as artisan breads, house-roasted meats and craft beer. "We have a unique atmosphere in the middle of nowhere," said owner Marty Beckhan. Hamburgers, salads, steaks and wraps are part of the extensive menu. Try the homemade pretzel and raspberry wheat hefeweizen. 1653 N. Carbonville Road, Helper; 435-637-2924.
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DAGGETT CO.
Red Canyon Lodge
Located above Flaming Gorge Reservoir, the lodge restaurant has a menu to match its mountain setting, from the signature smoked trout appetizer to the roast elk, buffalo steak and pork with blackberry-balsamic reduction. There’s also chicken, fish, pasta and beef entrees, priced from $11 to $32. Open for breakfast and lunch, but hours change seasonally so call ahead. 790 Red Canyon Road, Dutch John; 435-889-3759.
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DAVIS CO.
The Mandarin
One of northern Utah’s most popular Chinese restaurants is located in the Bountiful suburbs and owned by a retired Greek pharmacist. There’s usually a wait to eat at the restaurant, where favorites include beef with locally grown green beans (or asparagus) tossed in a black bean sauce; five-taste??? shrimp with candied walnuts; or the Mediterranean lamb, with sautéed vegetables and feta cheese. 348 E. 900 North, Bountiful; 801-298-2406.
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DUCHESNE CO.
Cowans Cafe
The Cowan family has been serving old-fashioned breakfasts and classic hamburgers with hand-cut french fries for generations. Reed Cowan opened the cafe in 1933. His son Jim operated it for many years and now grandson and wife Kelly and Cindy Cowan serve dozens of locals and travelers — usually on their way to one of the nearby state parks or reservoirs. 57 W Main St., Duchesne; 435-738-5609.s
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EMERY CO.
Ray’s Tavern
The name says tavern — and it does have a bar-like feel — but this classic diner founded in 1943 is open to all ages. Famous for its charbroiled hamburgers and hand-cut fries, Ray’s also serves steaks, pork chops, chicken and, for dessert, apple pie. It’s one of the few eateries travelers will find on I-70 to or from Colorado. 25 Broadway, Green River; 435-564-3511.
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GARFIELD CO.
Nemo’s Drive-Thru
Suzanne Catlett wrote such a convincing business plan in college that she decided to turn her homework into reality. The family-run restaurant on Utah’s scenic Highway 12 serves hamburgers and fries as well as specialties like shrimp po’ boys and pulled pork. Hikers leaving the nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument are drawn to the 1/2-pound Adventure Burger, with bacon, cheese and an onion ring. 40 E. Main St., Escalante; 435-826-4500.
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GRAND CO.
Moab Brewery
Hungry hikers, bikers and river rafters usually land at this micro-brewery and restaurant after a day in the red rocks. The vast menu includes pasta, seafood, steak and hamburgers as well as a house-made root beer and gelato. There is beer on tap and in bottles including Dead Horse Amber Ale, named after the dramatic overlook of the Colorado River. 686 S. Main St., Moab; 435-259-6333.
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IRON CO.
Centro Woodfired Pizzeria
Some of Utah’s best pizza can be found inside this southern Utah restaurant. Hand-stretched dough, made with fresh toppings and cooked in an imported Italian oven at 800 degrees, the pizzas are delivered with the perfect char and wood-fired flavor. Best choices include the Margherita with tomato, basil and mozzeralla; and the sopressata, using Utah-made salami. 50 W. Center St., Cedar City; 435-867-8123.
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JUAB CO.
Reed’s Drive-Inn
Balbir Singh opened this old-fashioned restaurant in 1999. "When I came here 17 years ago I had no money," he said. "The sign was already there and ready to go. So I kept the name ‘Reed’s Drive Inn.’" While the menu includes a delicious mushroom burger, a pastrami burger, crispy fish and chips and creamy shakes of any flavor, Singh said it’s the chicken strips that travelers order most. 626 N. Main St., Nephi; 435-623-1107.
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KANE CO.
Thunderbird Restaurant
The sign outside this all-American restaurant advertising "ho-made" pies is legendary. There’s a good explanation for the misspelling: "My grandfather couldn’t find a board big enough to write out the whole word," said Ed Myers, the third generation to own and operate the restaurant and its adjacent motel and golf course. Located 12 miles east of Zion National Park, it still sells nearly 30 pies a day. US-89, Mt. Carmel; 435-648-2262.
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MILLARD CO.
Cluff’s Car Hop Cafe
For those who take the time to drive into Fillmore, Cluff’s offers culinary rewards. Gayle Cluff is the third generation to operate the cafe that his grandfather started in 1950. His employees still peel 100 pounds of potatoes each day for the fries. And the deep-fried mushroom appetizer and mushroom burger get local flavor, from the fresh buttons grown on the nearby Mountain View Mushrooms farm. 270 N. Main St., Fillmore; 435-743-5510.
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MORGAN CO.
Taggart’s Grill
This former gas station and bait shop, just off I-84 between Morgan and Henefer, is one of Utah’s best-kept secrets. Enchiladas and other Tex-Mex fare are menu staples, but there are entrees with chicken, steak and seafood — including the signature halibut au gratin. Friday and Saturday are usually busy and the waiting area includes a large glass dessert case filled with tempting cakes and other desserts. 1105 Taggart Lane, Morgan; 801-829-3837.
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PIUTE CO.
Hoovers Grille
The decor is as intriguing as the food. Owners Ronni and Arlyn Eggen have nearly 1,000 items hanging from the walls and ceiling of this restaurant near the Sevier River. Some are legitimate antiques, most are items designed to incite a conversation like tinker toys, antlers, bowling balls and lights. The menu is just as eclectic with grilled steaks, house-smoked meats, Southwest fare, prime rib and crab. Open for lunch and dinner. 3718 N. Hwy 89, Marysvale; 435-326-4252.
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RICH CO.
La Beau’s Drive-In
This is considered home of "raspberry shake," made with the sweet berries from Bear Lake. The restaurant, only open during the summer season, also sells sandwiches, hamburgers and French fries. There’s also a sweet shop with gifts, chocolates, taffy, jelly beans, jellies syrups and other confections. 69 N. Bear Lake Blvd., Garden City; 435-946-8821.
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SALT LAKE CO.
Red Iguana
Locals speaks about the hearty portions of "killer Mexican food" with reverence and through the decades word has spread across the country. The restaurants burritos, enchiladas and tacos are worthy items, but it’s best to skip directly to the mole section of the menu. These complex sauces are prepared in-house, with a fresh ingredients and family recipes. 736 N. Temple, Salt Lake City; 801-322-1489.
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SAN JUAN CO.
Twin Rocks Cafe
This restaurant has taken fry bread to new heights. In addition to using it as a base for the traditional meat and bean Navajo taco, customers can get Navajo pizza: cheese, pepperoni, sausage and other traditional pizza toppings on a deep-fried golden disc. For dessert, there’s peaches de Chelly that is fry bread topped with peaches, ice cream, caramel sauce and whipped cream. Open all year. 913 E. Navajo Twins Drive, Bluff; 435-672-2341.
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SANPETE CO.
Das Cafe
This German-American restaurant serves all the traditional flavors of the old country: German sausages, bratwurst, Reuben sandwiches, potato salad, schnitzel, sauerbraten and roulade. Co-owners and sisters, Caroline Lott and Katy Harmer, said their German parents immigrated to Spring City in 1981 and the cafe is a way for them to maintain their heritage in this artist’s hub. 33 N. Main St., Spring City; 435- 462-7484.
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SEVIER CO.
El Mexicano
Locals rave about the enchiladas pablanos, filled with chicken and topped with cream sauce; the shrimp enchiladas topped with avocado and sour cream; and the sizzling platters of fajitas with your choice of beef, chicken or shrimp. El Mexicano is locally-owned and operated by the Silva family, who also have a second restaurant in Mountain Pleasant, in Sanpete County. 1235 S State St, Salina; 435-529-2132.
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SUMMIT CO.
Hi-Mountain Drug
This old-fashioned drug store, which dates to 1920, also is a restaurant and ice cream shop. It serves a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches and soups, accompanied by fresh-cut french fries, onion rings or fried pickles. Save room for something sweet as the shakes, sundaes and freezes — with house-made simple syrups — is where the eatery really shines. 40 N. Main St., Kamas; 435-783-4466.
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TOOELE CO.
American Burgers
Utah is famous for pastrami burgers and this locally-owned fast-food joint offers a quick fix in Tooele County. Brothers Angelo and Toro Geovjian and Toro’s wife Mary, opened their first restaurant 15 years ago in Tooele, then followed a few years later with a second store in Grantsville. Besides hamburgers, sandwiches and salads, the menu includes Greek specialties. 490 N. Main St., Tooele; 435-882-3608; and 230 E. Main, Grantsville.
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UINTAH CO.
Vernal Brewing Co.
After just two years in business, this brewery/restaurant has become a favorite for its craft beer — now available in cans — and its American food with a twist. Take for instance the double burger served with bacon, cheese and house-made onion marmalade and pickles, made using produce grown in the on-site garden. The beer celebrates the local landscape, like Little Hole Lager or Allosaurus Amber ale. 55 S. 500 East, Vernal; 435- 781-2337.
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UTAH CO.
JCW’s The Burger Boys
With four locations it’s no wonder this is Utah County’s favorite road food. Brother’s Chris and Clay Williams opened the first JCW store in 1998 in American Fork, a friend added "The Burger Boys" moniker. Today, customers can choose from a dozen burger options from pastrami and guacamole to mushroom and bacon bleu cheese. 580 East State Rd.; American Fork; 3605 Thanksgiving Way, Lehi; 396 W. 2230 North, Provo; and 10660 S. River Front Pkwy., South Jordan.
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WASATCH CO.
Dairy Keen: Home of the Train
The Mawhinney family purchased this burger joint in 1946. Short on funds, they saved money by replacing the "QU" from the old Dairy Queen, sign with the letter K. Today, the restaurant and the nearby Heber Valley Railroad showcase a bygone era. Ice cream shakes and the quarter-pound trainburger with ham, Swiss and American cheese are the specialties. 199 S Main St, Heber City; 435-654-533.
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WASHINGTON CO.
Benja Thai and Sushi
With so many chain restaurants, sometimes it’s difficult to find locally owned dining gems in fast-growing St. George. Fortunately, there is Benja Thai and Sushi and its sibling, Benja Thai Garden. Both offer a menu of Thai noodles, soups and curries as well as specialty sushi, nigiri and sashimi. 2 W. St. George Blvd., St. George; 435-628-9538; also Benja’s Thai Garden, 435 N. 1680 E #14, St. George; 435-251-9301.
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WAYNE CO.
Slackers Burger Joint
After a day at Capitol Reef National Park, this restaurant, owned by Jennifer Sammond and her family, is a good place for hamburgers, fries, chicken strips and a shake. There are several different burger options, including the Outlaw with chipotle barbecue flavors and jalapeños. Open April through mid-October. 165 E Main, Torrey; 435-425-3710.
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WEBER CO.
Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe
Jessie “Anna” Jean Whitnack opened this cafe in November 2000. Her co-owner — and fiance — Ron Ford prepares everything from scratch: cinnamon rolls, breakfast potatoes and house-smoked brisket. He even roasts the beans for coffee. The grilled Santa Fe sandwich with house-smoked turkey, green chiles and guacamole on sourdough bread is a favorite. 5128 S. 1900 West, Roy; 801-779-8000.
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