Snack Your Way Through Salt Lake: Must-Eat Spots You’ll Be Dreaming About Later
Salt Lake City’s got more than stunning views, historic sights, and squeaky clean streets—it’s also got some seriously iconic eats. Whether you’re here for the mountains, the Mormon history, or just to find out what the deal is with fry sauce (spoiler: it’s addictive), you’ll want to make room for some of the city’s most legendary food spots.
And while we’re on the topic of legends, there’s no better way to explore Salt Lake than by hopping on the Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour. It’s not your average sightseeing ride—this one’s got costumed guides, music, skits, stories, and a whole lot of laughs, all while you’re cruising through the city’s greatest hits. Perfect for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants their history served with a side of comedy.
Want a more in-depth look at the city or a heavenly musical experience to boot? Check out the Ultimate Salt Lake City Tour and the unforgettable Tabernacle Choir with City Tour at our sister site Tours of Utah. But first... let’s eat!
Red Iguana: The Mole That Stole Salt Lake’s Heart
📍 736 W North Temple
⏰ Open Daily 11 AM – 9 PM (until 10 PM Fri–Sun)
If you hear someone raving about mole in Salt Lake City, they’re definitely talking about Red Iguana. This family-owned Mexican gem is where flavor meets full-blown fandom. Their famous Mole Negro—smoky, rich, and as complex as a telenovela plot—has locals and visitors alike willingly standing in line for a taste.
It’s not just the mole. The menu is a tour of Mexico’s boldest flavors, served up in a setting that’s part fiesta, part food shrine. Don’t be intimidated by the crowd—grab a seat at the bar and skip the wait. And if you’re extra hungry (or just really into moles), ask for the mole sampler. It’s a game changer.
Crown Burgers: Where Fry Sauce Meets Royalty
📍 118 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
⏰ Mon–Sat 10 AM – 9 PM
The Crown Burgers pastrami burger isn’t just a sandwich—it’s a rite of passage. A juicy beef patty piled high with a mountain of sizzling pastrami, crowned (of course) with fry sauce. One bite and you’ll understand why Utahns keep this one close to their hearts (and their arteries).
This local chain has become fast-food royalty in Salt Lake, and while the menu has plenty of options, the Crown Burger is king. Order a side of golden fries, dunk them in fry sauce like a true local, and prepare to fall in greasy, delicious love. This is also located just one block away from the departure point for the Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour, as well as other bus tours by City Sights.
Ruth’s Diner: Biscuits, Canyon Views, and Retro Vibes
📍 4160 Emigration Canyon Rd
⏰ Sun–Mon & Thurs 8 AM – 9 PM, Fri–Sat 8 AM – 10 PM
Up a winding canyon road, tucked into the trees, you’ll find a diner in an old trolley car that’s been serving up soul-warming comfort food since the 1930s. That’s Ruth’s Diner. And if you haven’t had their Mile-High Biscuits yet… well, let’s fix that.
These biscuits are so fluffy they practically levitate, and they’re best enjoyed out on the patio with a mountain breeze and maybe a little live music. Ruth’s is part roadside diner, part mountain retreat, and 100% worth the short trip out of town. Bonus points if you pair your visit with a trolley tour for the full Salt Lake nostalgia effect.
The Pie Pizzeria: Underground Legend, Over-the-Top Cheese
📍 1320 E 200 S
⏰ Mon–Sat 11 AM – 11 PM, Sun 12 PM – 10 PM
What do you get when you combine a basement hideaway, graffiti-covered walls, and pizzas the size of hubcaps? A Salt Lake tradition known as The Pie. Tucked below street level near the University of Utah, this place has been feeding hungry students and locals for decades.
Expect epic cheese pulls, crusts with crunch, and toppings for days. Whether you go for the loaded veggie, all-meat beast, or vegan surprise, your taste buds will thank you. Grab some napkins—you’re going to need ‘em.
Feldman’s Deli: Big Apple Flavor, Mountain Town Charm
📍 2005 E 2700 S
⏰ Tues–Sat 8 AM – 8 PM
Salt Lake City may be a long way from New York, but walk into Feldman’s Deli and you’ll swear you’re somewhere on the Lower East Side. Only with more mountain views and a friendlier vibe. Think massive Reubens, pillowy bagels, golden knishes, and matzo ball soup that’ll cure whatever ails you—even if what ails you is just “needed a sandwich.”
It’s the kind of place where the food’s made with heart, the regulars are chatty, and there’s usually a musician strumming away in the corner. Come hungry. Leave happy. Possibly with leftovers.
Hires Big H: Classic Drive-In, Timeless Burger Bliss
📍 425 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
⏰ Mon–Thurs 10:30 AM – 8 PM, Fri–Sat 10:30 AM – 9 PM
Walking into Hires Big H is like opening a time capsule from the 1950s. Carhops, chrome details, frosty mugs—it’s all here, and so are the burgers that made it a Utah staple. The Big H Burger, paired with hand-cut fries and house-made root beer, is a bite of nostalgia that never gets old.
If you’ve got a soft spot for retro vibes and seriously good fast food, this one’s a must. Pro tip: get the fry sauce. Always. Every time. No exceptions.
So, whether you’re chomping down on a pastrami burger, dipping fries into Utah’s favorite condiment, or inhaling mile-high biscuits on a canyon patio, Salt Lake City delivers flavor in big, bold, and sometimes unexpected ways.
And between meals? Ride the rails with the Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour and let our costumed guides show you the city the fun way. Or dive deeper with the full Ultimate Salt Lake City Tour and Tabernacle Choir with City Tour for a side of stories, scenery, and surprise you won’t find in any guidebook.
Come for the food. Stay for the fun. And maybe bring some stretchy pants.