Salt Lake City dining updates – closures, moves, and other news

No sooner than I write about Deadpan Sandwich leaving Woodbine – even more food hall news has hit my desk. That and a few other migrations and closures worthy of note. Let’s start with the former.

Vuture Food

Also following Deadpan out of the door at Woodbine, this vegan-friendly option. After visiting Salt Lake City several times via their roaming food truck setup, the Cali based Vuture clearly liked what they saw in the Beehive – a state known for his robust vegan community. By the end of 2022 the company had opened up a full time operation at the Granary district hall. The newcomer seemed incredibly popular to my eyes, lines aplenty every time I visited. Despite that, the company posted on Facebook that the were unable to maintain their overhead. The post confirms Vuture hope to return to SLC in 2024, again via food truck.

By my count that leaves Taco Lady, Taste Of Louisiana, Yakuza Ramen, 3 Cups and Mozz Pizza as the five remaining food tenants at Woodbine; Drift Lounge, the 21+ bar up front remains open too. The Korean fried chicken delights of Provo’s Bok Bok Chicken are expected to join the roster any day now too.

Lamb & Feta

Another food hall update, and to my knowledge maybe the first of its kind. Geoff Patmides’ Greek quick service concept will be making across town. Lamb & Feta will move from their current home of The Local Market & Bar (pictured top) over to The Gateway’s HallPass facility. Doubly notable is the fact that HallPass traditionally operate their food options in house. As the number of food halls continues to grow in SLC, it seems likely we’ll see more of these migrations.

To recap the larger picture, The Local recently waved goodbye to Green Chile House, Crave, Luna Pizza Cafe and The Cereal Killerz. In their place Porteña (empanada), Verona Pizzeria (pizza) and Pokeologist (poke) signed up.

Cereal Kilerz

Update November 9th. After this post when live I subsequently discovered that Cereal Killerz have also appeared at HallPass too – making that two former Local tenants making the transition. The Shark Tank alum boast of a range of over 100 cereals from around the world for deployment as you see fit via traditional bowls, ice cream, waffles or shakes.

Yumz

Another popular vegan eatery, and another to shutter shop, signing off on Instagram, “This Saturday 11/4. Is our official day we will be closing YUMZ in SLC. Due to My health I need to take a set back and rest & get the treatment needed to do so. We still have Dulce de Yumz in West Jordan so we would love the support there ❤️ I’ll be working at YUMZ ALL this week before we close the doors, so come say hi. Te quiero Mucho YUMZ FAMILIA. “

Discussion on Reddit seems to indicate that a new owner has now taken over the State Street location, offering a new menu, no longer vegan-focused. Fans of Yumz‘ vegan eats should note that Dulce De Yumz remains in business over in West Jordan.

Pat’s BBQ

Here’s another name set to vanish from State Street, with Pat’s this week announcing the closure of their second location. Taking to Facebook the company wrote the following this week, “Important updates! We have been smoking our meats in a unique process for almost 20 years and know that process is as much art as science, every piece of meat is slightly different. It is with a heavy heart that we are closing our location at 2929 S. State Street. By consolidating our servers, cooks, and pitmasters to one location, we can manage our operations to give our customers the best Pat’s BBQ experience that they have been enjoying for decades. We are sincerely lucky to have the most loyal customers- shout out to all of you!

Next up- We are expanding our hours! Now open Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Did we also mention we have added additional menu items?! Appetizers, desserts, vegetarian items and an expanded drink menu. “

The former Village Inn location on State Street was revamped and re-opened as Pat’s second location circa late Summer 2020, bringing with it an expanded service format. The business will now consolidate operations at the original 155 W. Commonwealth location.

Kimi’s Chop & Oyster House

Speaking to KSL in this story Kimi Eklund – owner of Kimi’s in Sugar House – confirmed a move away from the area is on the cards for her nine year old business. Eklund spoke about the trials and tribulations of operating in Sugar House, with significant construction and fire big drivers behind a drop in business that the owner reckons exceeds 50%. As part of the interview with KSL, Eklund stated that the restaurant would see a move to Holladay in the first few months of 2024. No specific location has been conformed, best I can tell.

Sabor Latino

Update November 9th, slight correction to previous info. For fans of this Venezuelan eatery – no need to panic! This one is a migration only, and included here by way of completionism. The popular restaurant recently relocated their South Salt Lake location to 168 E 3300 S. Their North Temple location remains in business.

Salt Lake Magazine farm-to-glass cocktail contest

Look at that serious expression – almost as serious as that rapidly receding hairline. Ahem. Anyway, with my top secret dossier in hand, I was one part of this year’s judging panel for the Salt Lake Magazine farm-to-glass cocktail contest. I, as many of you also did, drank my way seriously around town. The results are now in, and you can read if your chosen tipple won here.

Eat Drink SLC raises $52,000

This following news was released by the EDSLC team this past week, confirming the proceeds from this year’s two day food and drink fest.

. . .

Congratulations to all of our patrons, restaurant and libation partners, volunteers and sponsors! Together, we raised $52,000 for three local nonprofit beneficiaries who do good work, fill a big need in the community, and pack a bang for the buck:

$27,000 for Women of the World. This nonprofit empowers forcibly displaced women and helps them achieve self-reliance and economic success. When you read about refugees and other displaced people, this is one of the places where they get help, strengthening themselves, their families, and establishing their voice.

$12,500 to Tracy Aviary. Eat Drink’s host and a main organizer of the event, the Aviary represents an oasis of green space, learning, and activity. 2024 marks a major expansion to its Jordan River Nature Center, an incredible jewel in an underserved part of our community.

$12,500 to SB Dance. Did you know that Eat Drink is the adult child of a SB Dance theater event? Still a key organizer, this small but powerful arts group is the creator of an unique outdoor pop-up program called Curbside Theater that tours the valley and state every summer.

We did this together as people who love, appreciate, and want to share culinary experiences. Let’s do it again next year. Mark your calendars for the 10th Annual Eat Drink SLC on September 11th and 12th, 2024. Tickets go on sale in early June and the first ones to know are newsletter subscribers like you.

Until then, look out for special tastings and events from Eat Drink and all our partners. Be sure to follow the action on Eat Drink’s Instagram.

Heber Restaurant week

Via press release

. . .

The Heber Valley Chamber announces the dates for Restaurant Week will be Monday, November 6th through Sunday, November 12th. Several local eateries will be highlighting their best menu items, specialty drinks, unique dining offers, and a variety of additional special promotions. Savvy diners will have an opportunity to try multiple dining outlets throughout the valley during these dates. Locals and visitors can experience seasonal offerings and new menu items – many at special or discounted prices.

“Local business owners pour their heart and soul into creating excellent restaurant experiences for locals and visitors to sit, visit, connect, and share a great meal. The Heber Valley dining scene has really grown over the last several years and these local eateries are a big part of our success as a thriving community,” Dallin Koecher, Executive Director at Heber Valley Chamber & Tourism.

With well over 40 locally owned and operated restaurants throughout the valley, diners can try a variety of refined restaurants from The Lakehouse at Deer Creek to Little India Fine Dining or Mexican cuisine at Don Pedro’s to burgers and shakes at Dairy Keen or Granny’s Drive In. The abundance and variety of local restaurant options are sure to please any palate and keep you coming back to try more.

Diners interested in participating in Heber Valley Restaurant Week need only visit a participating Heber Valley eatery and ask for its Restaurant Week special. No tickets or coupons are required to participate. Additionally, Heber Valley Chamber will be giving away gift cards to multiple restaurants daily from November 6th-12th on its Facebook and Instagram pages. More information about Restaurant Week and participating dining establishments is available at: www.gohebervalley.com/RestaurantWeek

Other useful links

• Free newsletter – signup and receive our weekly newsletter for free
• Food talk group – chew the fat with other like-minded Utah foodies over on Facebook.
• Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.

Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.