The Soup Kitchen

By Arikka Fullmer

http://www.slcsoup.com
2012 S 1100 E, Salt Lake City

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>= a favorite, can count on it being good every time

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xx= nothing to write home about

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$ = under $10


Value (what you get for your money)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

There's nothing more classic than tomato soup and a cheese sandwich.
With temperature's dramatically dipping in the West I had to revisit my favorite soup server. The Soup Kitchen in Sugarhouse is perfect for a college student on a budget or a banker on a break from counting beans.
You may have to stand in line but as you move closer to the counter you can smell the bubbeling soups.
You'll change your mind several times before you order.
Grab a tray with paper lining, use plastic tongs to pick a variety of bread sticks for dipping, wheat, garlic, or cheese!
I order the sandwich/ soup combo, creamy tomato and eggsalad on wheat bread.
It's a twist on the classic combo that I love! The Soup Kitchen's tomato soup is filled with chunks of tomato and onion. The cream is subtle and the herbs don't overpower.
For a moment you'll be back at your grandmothers kitchen table slurping down a traditional winter warm up.
The chalkboard menu is diverse, every type of sandwich you can image with six types of soup. The quality is consistant, the service is friendly. There's always a hustle behind the counter but count on waiting for  your sandwich, don't worry soup is served hot and quick.

The dining area is 'vintage' with a slightly neglected style. You might have to brush previous diners crumbs off your table. But no one here cares, it's like dropping in on your neighbor.

Este Pizza Co.

By Arikka Fullmer
2021 Windsor St Ste A, Salt Lake City, UT
estepizzacompany.com

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>>= always great, unique, and flavorful no matter where you’re from
The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxx= good but could be improved
Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$$$$ $30
Value (what you get for your money)
*** = fair -you get what you pay for, not in a bad way

Este is a cozy little pizza joint in the heart of Sugarhouse, an eclectic neighborhood that houses Este well.
Tucked into the back of a free standing two story, Este consists of two simple rooms. In one, a small dining area and bar to order your pie with a sampling of single slices laid out.
The back room is the kitchen, on full display through a giant window facing the outdoor patio.
Este is one of those laid back, local as local gets places that I almost feel too uncool to be in.
But the delicious smells, and bold murals quickly make me feel very cool to finally be eating at the much raved about Este.
True to word of mouth, Este is pricey for a place with standard ingredients of pepperoni, sausage and onions.
But Este will argue you pay for what you get, and what you get and what they serve is tradition, New York style pizza.
No pineapple here!
We get the Italian flag, a red, white and green striped pie. The pesto sauce was delicious, the perfectly thin crust was flavorful and just my style. What won me over was the orzo salad, you must order a side with your pie. But pack your patience and your wallet. We weren’t greeted, were unsure how to order and waited quite awhile for our food. The atmosphere on the patio is a great place to wait though. Kick back at the tables next to the worn brick exterior, covered by an ivy canopy and string lights overhead. I will go back, next time for a more affordable single slice and wash it down with Uinta’s Kolsch, always on tap.

Tony Caputo’s Market and Deli

By Jerry Ireland

314 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT
menu at: caputosdeli.com

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>>= always great, unique, and flavorful no matter where you’re from

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxx= comfortable

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$                    under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

Salt Lake City doesn’t readily come to mind when thinking about the nation’s best spots for sandwiches. But with places like Tony Caputo’s Market and Deli, Gandolfo’s NY Deli, and Legers, sandwiches could be Salt Lake’s signature food. At the top of the sandwich game is Caputo’s downtown at the corner of 300 West and 300 South.

Boasting distinctive Italian and southern European food, Caputo’s delivers with fresh food and a family atmosphere. Tony Caputo maybe the friendliest restaurant owner I have ever met. He makes an effort to get to know most of his customers, which is no small task since there are usually lines out the door during lunch hour. Many of the Caputo clan takes part in running the business, giving it a home away from home feel. It seems harder and harder to find that feeling in restaurants these days and that’s probably a part of why Caputo’s keeps people coming back for more.

The Wednesday Special is what draws me in on most visits. Each day of the week offers a different pasta dish and Wednesday is lasagna. Several fresh batches are made by hand and it is easily the best in the city. The pasta melts in your mouth. It’s served with a green salad and a roll. The pasta specials price out at $8.45 and worth every penny.

The menu includes, sandwiches, soups, salads and deserts. My sandwich is the Caputo ($6.45).  It has prosciutto, mortadella, salami, provolone, lettuce, and tomatoesand is served on a hard Italian roll covered with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. What makes this great is the freshness and high quality of each and every ingredient. Both the oil and vinegar are sold at the Caputo’s Market if you are looking to add some of these fantastic flavors for your own cooking. I am not alone in my love for the Caputo as it was named the third best sandwich in America by FHM magazine.

There are 11 other sandwich choices including The Meatball, The Prosciutto, The Italian Cold Cut, Feta and Tomato, and The Cheese Lover. I’d recommend opting for any one of these on focaccia, as it’s my favorite bread in the whole city. Sandwiches run between $6.25 and $7.45 depending on your selection.

Freshness is also the key to Caputo’s salads, which use a base of virgin olive oil, and balsamic or red wine vinegar.  Whether it is using greens, pastas, or vegetables, all the salad choices are made to order and excellent. A Salt Lake favorite is the Vanocur Salad ($7.45) named after a local news reporter. It’s made of seasonal fresh greens with feta, green olives, tomatoes, croutons, pepperoncini topped with balsamic vinaigrette and a roll.

Desserts include New York Cheesecake ($3.50), Tiramisu ($3.50), Chocolate Cake ($5), and Cannoli ($2.75). My fav: the cannoli. It tastes like it is straight from Italy and should not be passed up.

The marketplace that is connected to the restaurant has the largest selection of Italian foods in Utah and is a Godsend for people from back East or anyone that appreciates top notch gourmet foods.

Overall Caputo’s is, in my opinion, THE best place to grab a quick lunch in the entire state of Utah. I used to go there every week when I lived in Salt Lake. Now when I visit, I make sure to plan my stay so that I can grab a Wednesday lasagna special. Caputo’s is a place that I must stop and you should too.

Café Med

By Arikka Fullmer

420 E 3300 S
Salt Lake City, Utah

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>= a favorite, can count on it being good every time

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxx= comfortable

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

No need to eat like a lady here... when your falafel is overflowing with crisp onion wedges and sweet tahini sauce just bite in! Café Med is popular with vegetarians and anyone with a craving for Mediterranean spice.

The falafel sandwich has been my long time favorite and I tend to order it over and over. I do switch up the side dish! Café Med’s basmati rice and their lemon rice are delicious choices but I recommend the spinach lentil soup. It’s a hearty, smooth, flavor packed treat that arrives in a generous bowl. The sage colored soup is steaming and thick enough to hold a swirl of cream. The visual is almost enough to satisfy.

Oh did I mention the tahini sauce in the actual sandwich! I just can’t get enough of the yogurt and mint. It’s paired perfectly with several crispy patties of falafel. Café Med blends chick peas and spice into a heavenly blend and price at just $6.99. Other menu items range from $5 to $12.

The service is always friendly and my most recent trip was with a large group of ladies and one child. Café Med was very accommodating. It’s a cozy place for couples or if you want to grab a quick bite alone. You may not have noticed Café Med before because of it’s unassuming location on 33^rd South. Look for the brightly colored sign. The patio is inviting and the interior is spruced up with flags, Greek columns, and endearing fake floral arraignments.

Thai Delight Cafe

By Arikka Fullmer

6271 Dixie Dr., West Jordan, UT
(no menu on line)

The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>>> = always great, unique, and flavorful no matter where you're from

The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxxx = comfortable

Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$= under $10

Value (what you get for your money)
***** = superb -lots of quality/taste for what you pay

Not since my travels to Thailand have I had phad thai this good.
You would think the traditional noodle dish would be an easy and consistent staple from restaurant to restaurant. But I’ve had so many terrible variations in the U.S. that when I find a gem I hold on. I flirt with keeping it a secret but it seems word is out on Thai Delight.
Despite its out of the way location (for downtowners like me), it is a crowd favorite valley wide. Thai Delight is just off Bangerter highway and 6200 South in a strip mall with plenty of parking.The service is genuinely friendly and quick! The prices were just as refreshing. Main dishes from 8 to 10 dollars with plenty leftover for tomorrow’s lunch.

Thai Delight’s version of pad thai included chicken, shrimp, and tofu (perfectly cooked). I can’t stomach poorly fried tofu. I’m also a curry snob - I like it full bodied, spicy, and yellow. But on this trip, we ordered the Peanut Panang Curry with green peppers and chicken. It’s a red curry so our waitress asked how hot we wanted it. I loved that she gave us a choice and I loved her reaction when we said ‘Thai’ hot. I guess most Utahns, or most folks in West Jordan like it mild.

If you are looking for authentic Thai tastes and a varied menu then you will enjoy Thai Delight. The family run location is modestly decorated with booth seating. A trip to the bathroom takes you through the casual kitchen giving you a homey feel. It’s always reassuring to see where your food is prepared. The chef made it look effortless and delightful.

Tokyo Sushi

by Arikka Fullmer

725 E 3300 S
Salt Lake City, UT
menu at: TokyoSushi
The Food (taste/flavor/quality of food & drinks)
>>>> = a favorite, can count on it being good every time
The Atmosphere (environment, wait staff, comfortableness)
xxx = good but could be improved
Price (what to generally expect to pay per person per entree)
$$= $10
Value (what you get for your money)
**** = Worth It -You won't be disapointed with what you get for the $$

Tokyo Sushi in Salt Lake City is sandwiched between a car wash and a strip mall. Not your ideal, atmospheric location. But this raw fish joint is very Mom and Pop.
No frills here. The walls are bland but the food isn’t! The specials menu was delivered to us on two wrinkled pieces of paper, hand written. The ‘printed’ menu had typical Japanese dishes and a wide variety of sushi options. What Tokyo lacks in atmosphere they make up for in friendly service and great prices.
Our group was made up of four ladies. Yes ladies night! We started with two orders of edamame, served hot and salty just like I love it. The Pearl sake was smooth and kept my hungry hands busy while we waited for our orders to be crafted.
I’m not a sushi expert so I’ve never had the option of mango before! I got the LA roll, yellow tail, spicy chili and mango! My favorite and priced right at $8. Other tasty rolls were as low as $4! We all loved the firecraker roll. I was up for new adventures so I ordered my first roll with scallops....boring!
My only other complaint, the caved in booth seat with a spring in my butt not in my step. As the Saturday night rush trickled in I realized Tokyo Sushi relies on their eclectic and devote customers to provide the atmosphere. No need for stylish wood carvings or bamboo displays when you've got mullet man, frenching euro couple, and us of course! As for that handwritten menu...who cares when it delivered the best roll of the night.
In the end I was pleasantly stuffed from three rolls, edamame and sake for a total of $25. You don’t have to be a sushi snob to know that’s a deal.