A few questions: 1) I'm going to be in the Salt Palace Convention Centre which appears to be next to the Arrow Press Shopping Centre in Google Maps. Can any one recommend any good relatively inexpensive eats for lunch in that area?
2) Any local specialties or restaurants to look out for dinner? The wiki unhelpfully notes "Fry Sauce."
3) Recommended souvenirs for the folks?
4) Scrolling around the Google Maps, I'm not seeing a Chinatown per say. Is there at least a generic Asian town if I'm dying for some Asian food halfway through the week?
Cross-referencing a few recommendations from Pooka, it looks like I can at least look at the outside of the Capitol Building, Temple Square, and shop Gateway Mall after work hours. Any other things to do after 7:00pm-ish? (I think I already have a work function at the planetarium)
Posted by School4ever (Member # 5575) on :
Even if you find Asian food in Utah, you don't really want to eat it. There is no "Asian town" There are Asian restaurants. I guess it also depends where you are coming from, if you come from a place where the Asian food is not all that great, then you will like it. Maybe someone else found a place that is good.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
There is nothing remotely like a Chinatown in Salt Lake. There isn't a substantial Asian community in the area. Most of the Chinese/Asian food you will find in the area is highly Americanized. There is one decent dim sum place called the Hong Kong Tea House that isn't far from the convention center. A few years back there was a place (can't remember the name) on about 3rd S and 1 West that served some authentic Chinese dishes (I had a great bitter melon dish there) but I not sure its there anymore. There is P.F. Changs near the Salt Palace but that's probably not what you are looking for.
For good Mexican food, try the Red Iguana. The Blue Iguana is closer to the Salt Palace but I don't think its as good. Downtown Salt Lake is pretty dead. The best high end restaurant in the downtown area is probably the New Yorker. Bambara and the Copper Kettle have good reputations but I haven't eaten at either one. If you are willing to venture a mile or two out, try Forage (also high end).
[ May 06, 2010, 07:17 AM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Gracie's is close by at 326 S. Temple and has good food. It is a bar, though, so 21+ only (I don't know for sure how old you are).
There's a nice authentic pizza place called Settebello at 260 S. 200 W. Wood fired oven, very good. There are some meat and vegetable-heavy topping choices but they don't work well with the thin crust and quick baking; I'd go with the standard Margherita or just a couple of toppings.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
quote:Originally posted by scifibum: It is a bar, though, so 21+ only (I don't know for sure how old you are).
No worries, much older than that.
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: ... A few years back there was a place (can't remember the name) on about 3rd S and 1 West ...
Is that the correct address? Google Maps puts me here which doesn't look right in Street View.
Thanks for the suggestions both! Any local (or regional) specialty dishes I should look out for?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucus: Is that the correct address? Google Maps puts me [URL=http://maps.google.com/maps?
Sorry, its an idiosyncrasy of Salt Lake Addresses. 3rd South and 1st West is the more accurately 300 S, 100 W.
But looking at the map, I don't think its the right address anyway. I think the place I was thinking of is now Cafe Trang on the corner of 200 S and 300 W but looking at their website, the menu isn't at all the same.
Utah cooking is pretty typical middle America. The only regional specialty I can think of is scones. In Utah scones are a deep fried bread commonly served with honey butter. They are often served for breakfast. You might also want to check out Crowne Burger (a local small chain) that's famous for its Pastrami Burger. The Pie is the place to go for pizza loaded with cheese and extra toppings. If you want to try authentic local home cooking, you can get it at the Lion House. The food there is good but the atmosphere reminds me of my grandmother's sitting room.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
If you have a free evening, you might want to check out Brewvies Cinama Pub.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
*nod* Brewvies has some good burgers, and a number of local microbrew offerings, which can make just about any movie more enjoyable.
I'm sort of with Rabbit on the uniquely Utah cuisine, I think. Cafe Rio is another very popular Utah phenomenon. It's not something I'd think to recommend except to get something that is mainly only available in Utah. They have an Americanized Mexican menu that is quite tasty but not at all hot and spicy.
You can get a slightly more upscale kind of southwestern food at Z'Tejas (in the Gateway mall at the south end).
Outside of meals... salt water taffy is something worth trying if you aren't familiar with it. Not something particularly Utahn but we have lots of it.
Posted by Geraine (Member # 9913) on :
You could try Rodizios or Tuacano's if you want some excellent Brazilian BBQ food. They cook the meat for hours and hours on spits then bring it out to your table directly.
Rodizios also had non traditional meats when I went there the last time. I tried snake, crocodile, and wild boar..I thought this was interesting because I lived in Brazil and never once was any of those offered.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
I agree Cafe Rio is a pretty good example of a taste you don't usually see outside of Utah.
Rabbit is also right that there isn't anything close to a Chinatown in SLC, or in the rest of Utah for that matter, AFAIK.
As far as souvenirs, I wonder if that golden spike commemorating the meeting of the trans continental railroad is still there. You might make a grab for it. Other than that I'm not sure what is so distinctly Utah, that it makes for a good souvenir.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
We do have the greatest snow on earth. Hard to transport, though.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Red Rock Brewing Company is within walking distance of the Salt Palace and the food is way better than the name might suggest. I haven't been to Rodizio's but have wanted to, and if Tucano's is in SLC then try that (I went to the one on Provo or Orem quite some time ago and loved it). Gateway or Trolley Square are basically upscale malls with good places to eat.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Well, you could always pick up a Book of Mormon as a souvenir. You should be able to get one for free on Temple Square. Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
If you have the time, I'd recommend a walk up City Creek Canyon or along the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Wildflowers will be coming out this time of year.
Posted by Epictetus (Member # 6235) on :
For quirky, irreverent souvenirs, I recommend Cahoots on the corner of 9th and 9th (900 South & 900 East). Admittedly, it's mostly kitsch: shot glasses, t-shirts and the like, but it's the only place I can think of that would be uniquely Utahn for souvenirs. On the brighter side, the cafe right next door to Cahoots serves coffee from a roaster up in Logan, Utah. I always stop short of saying best coffee in town, but definitely in my top three.
I'll second both Gracie's and Red Iguana as good places to eat. Also, if you drink beer, give the local breweries like Squatters, Red Rock, or Uinta a chance.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
OK, consensus is that I should pack a bunch of Asian snacks before I leave On the bright side, looks like I'll be eating a lot of Mexican food. Don't get much Mexican food up here period, so I'm looking forward to trying the Red Iguana and Cafe Rio.
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: If you have a free evening, you might want to check out Brewvies Cinama Pub.
Sounds good, I should have a lot more evening free rather than days.
quote:Originally posted by scifibum: We do have the greatest snow on earth. Hard to transport, though.
Yeah ... we've got snow up here, thanks
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: Well, you could always pick up a Book of Mormon as a souvenir. You should be able to get one for free on Temple Square.
Well. It does seem to be right next to the convention centre ...
Hmmm, my personal Google Maps is updated and it looks like I'm maxed on restaurants. Excellent.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Not too hard to tour Temple Square without getting proselytized, if you want to. The architecture is eclectic.
Posted by Herblay (Member # 11834) on :
5 Star has an okay selection of Thai / Chinese / Filipino food. Their lumpia is great.
Channon Thai is really good, and it isn't too far away.
I really like Acme Burger Company. It's just a hop and a skip. Their truffle burgers and sweet potato fries are outstanding. Their kobe beef burger is okay, but it's small.
Someone else mentioned Z Tejas. It's very good. We take people to lunch there all the time, and no one is ever disappointed.
Tucci's italian is very good for the semi-fancy type italian food. It's a little ways away, by Trolley Square.
Cafe Trang is way overrated. Typhoon at the Gateway is terrible.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Oh, I think I went to Typhoon the last time I was in SLC -- I agree, Herblay. I was really disappointed.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Well. It does seem to be right next to the convention centre ...
Salt Lake City is the the US. Its a convention CENTER.
BTW, Trolley square is easy to get to on Traks (light rail) so restaurants there should be just as accessible as those downtown.
Salt Lake does have some decent Asian grocery stores, in case you run out of snacks there is a Chinese grocery on main street right near Sears.
Which reminds me, tacos from the street vendors are the best. Skip Cafe Rio (which is to Mexican food what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese) and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I'd also heartily recommend, One World Cafe, 41 S 300 E.
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: Salt Lake City is the the US. Its a convention CENTER.
Until Western tourists frequently post about travelling to 中国, Zhongguo, or the Middle Kingdom rather than posting about travelling to China, I think I'll persist in visiting the convention centre
But, yes, I will be attempting the street food. Excellent.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
quote:Which reminds me, tacos from the street vendors are the best. Skip Cafe Rio (which is to Mexican food what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese) and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors.
Hey, the guy asked about local specialties. Utah's street tacos are nothing special. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by scifibum: Not too hard to tour Temple Square without getting proselytized, if you want to. The architecture is eclectic.
It's somewhat ironic that the first vocal anti-mormon I ever encountered was at temple square. They hand out pamphlets there from time to time. My parents even let me take a pamphlet and read it, I was probably 11 years oldish.
Mucus: We tease about picking up the Book of Mormon, but in all seriousness while you may not necessarily find it worth converting over, (then again you might) it's a wonderful book worth reading. If nothing else it is of historical significance and had it not been written the state of Utah would be different in myriad ways.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by scifibum:
quote:Which reminds me, tacos from the street vendors are the best. Skip Cafe Rio (which is to Mexican food what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese) and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors.
Hey, the guy asked about local specialties. Utah's street tacos are nothing special.
That all depends on where you're from. They aren't unique to Utah, but you don't find them everywhere either. You won't anything like them in Toronto, Seattle or even New York.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucous:
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: Salt Lake City is the the US. Its a convention CENTER.
Until Western tourists frequently post about travelling to 中国, Zhongguo, or the Middle Kingdom rather than posting about travelling to China, I think I'll persist in visiting the convention centre.
Very colourful. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
If you want a bit of Weird Salt Lake, try Gilgal Garden.
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
"...and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors."
As long as you don't mind picking up some 3rd world disease as well...
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: "...and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors."
As long as you don't mind picking up some 3rd world disease as well...
That's a rather racist thing to say. You don't hear people making that kind of crack about hot dog vendors in New York. Street Vendors have to pass board of health inspections like all other food establishments.
Posted by Herblay (Member # 11834) on :
I've always thought that eating from a street vendor would be safer than from a restaurant. Who knows what kind of incompetent newb is preparing your food in a restaurant -- a street vendor, on the other hand, is feeding street people all day. The street vendor can't afford for people to get sick. And they probably aren't a new venture ran by a bunch of incompetent entrepeneurs.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit: You don't hear people making that kind of crack about hot dog vendors in New York.
Sure you do. People are racist idiots all over. Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Bah. I've had street food in China. I scoff at these Utah street food diseases.
I probably have to be more worried about being shot than getting food poisoned. Especially when I steal that golden spike for BB.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: "...and pick up 4 or 5 tacos from one of the street vendors."
As long as you don't mind picking up some 3rd world disease as well...
Yes, one should go to a sit-down restaurant where you can't see that the person making your food is mexican.
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
I've seen quite a few hotdog stands run by white guys who clearly don't know what safety-sani means.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I've worked in the kitchen at a high end restaurant where the owner/manager clearly didn't know what safety-sani meant.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
And I really hope this guy does not own a hot dog stand.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
quote:Originally posted by Samprimary: Yes, one should go to a sit-down restaurant where you can't see that the person making your food is mexican.
But can you still get the diseases even if you can't see them?
Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :
Nope. It turns out that germ theory is wrong. Disease is passed by watching Mexican food service workers make tacos. Crazy, right!? Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
And yet, at the same time, it just makes so much sense.
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Rabbit:
That's a rather racist thing to say. You don't hear people making that kind of crack about hot dog vendors in New York. Street Vendors have to pass board of health inspections like all other food establishments.
Get back to me when hotdog vendors start introducing swine flu to this country...
...and Mexican is not a race, it's people from a third world country.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote: Get back to me when hotdog vendors start introducing swine flu to this country...
...and Mexican is not a race, it's people from a third world country.
Taco vendors didn't introduce swine flu to this country either.
Your right, Mexican isn't a race its an ethnicity. I should have called you a bigot or a xenophobe.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
Oh, nicely done lobo. You're clearly not displaying any unreasonable prejudice or ignorance, since you were only concerned about the nationality of the taco vendors making it more likely that they'll give you a disease.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
lobo: first world international business travelers are the primary cause of the spread of epidemics like swine flu. And yes, I do have that from one of the world's foremost epidemiology researchers.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade: ... Mucus: We tease about picking up the Book of Mormon, but in all seriousness while you may not necessarily find it worth converting over ...
Leaving in a few days. Theoretically, if the urge strikes me to get a copy, what would be the best way of doing this quickly after a typical work day?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
There is likely to be a complimentary copy in your hotel room. If there isn't, just ask for one from the girls wearing name tags on temple square.
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Or if you want to avoid missionaries, you could go to the downtown Desert Book and get one for as little as $3.25.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Makes sense, thanks both.
Posted by Mucous (Member # 12331) on :
Sitting in the Salt Lake City airport. I think my Hatrack password is all I want to risk
Nice city, doesn't make much of a first impression, but it's nice being in an American city where I don't feel like I'll be shot if I walk two blocks in the wrong direction. The capitol area is a pretty nice walk.
I also like that "Woe to the statesman whose reasons for entering a war do not appear so plausible at its end as at its beginning" is in a prominent place.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucous: Sitting in the Salt Lake City airport. I think my Hatrack password is all I want to risk
Nice city, doesn't make much of a first impression, but it's nice being in an American city where I don't feel like I'll be shot if I walk two blocks in the wrong direction. The capitol area is a pretty nice walk.
Glad you enjoyed the visit. I enjoyed living in downtown Salt Lake. It can be very dead, but its the only major city I know of anywhere in the world where you can easily walk from downtown into the mountains.
quote:I also like that "Woe to the statesman whose reasons for entering a war do not appear so plausible at its end as at its beginning" is in a prominent place.
I love the quote but the irony -- it burns.
Posted by Mucous (Member # 12331) on :
Yes, I love the mountains and the occasional stream that the city has running through various parks.
I really dig the aesthetic that mountains can bring to a city, Toronto has a lake which is also nice, but it is way too flat and I would love to add mountains. We have to go to the Niagara Escarpment for any decent movement in Z.
Also noticed a plaque talking about how Plum Street used to be SLC's Chinatown, so that explains that.
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Other than that I'm not sure what is so distinctly Utah, that it makes for a good souvenir.
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