Four more names depart the Utah hospitality scene

Homecoming Southern Kitchen & Bar

I’m not aware of any announcement from this downtown SLC (77 West 200 South) restaurant, but it has indeed shuttered. Opening in early 2023 the restaurant was part of the BonPatt Restaurant group, a name behind several other nearby dining spots in the city. As you might infer from the name, Homecoming’s menu led strongly with comforting Southern dishes such as gumbo, and shrimp n’ grits.

Preceding Homecoming’s arrival, this central downtown spot was known for the long-standing Olive Garden in the city. Italian flair will once more fill the space. Matteo Sogne has moved his eponymous Italian eatery to this spot, officially opening last Friday. Matteo has been well regarded since its Fall 2023 opening, you can read what our very own Heather L. King said at the time here in this story.

Fat Jack’s Burger Emporium

Another name from the BP stable, and also seemingly gone. Both the phone lines and website for the business are down – with Google and Yelp listing the business as permanently closed. Attached (but not part of) to the Holiday Inn Express (the remodeled Shilo Inn) at 206 S. West Temple in downtown SLC, the restaurant offered a menu of composed and DIY burgers. The restaurant is the most venerable on this list, first opening back in 2017 by my combing of the archives.

Club Verse

Announcing their permanent closure this week, the downtown LGBTQ+ club took to Instagram to appraise guests. The message read:

“To our cherished community, It is with the heaviest of hearts and the deepest sadness that we announce the indefinite closure of Club Verse. Due to circumstances beyond our control—both personal and financial—we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our doors.

Our focus has shifted to providing Riley with the best possible care. We have relocated to Colorado, where Riley will receive treatment at the renowned Aspen Valley HospitalTraumatic Brain Injury Clinic. This world-class facility, known for treating X-Games athletes and Olympians, offers Riley the specialized care he needs to recover and thrive.

We understand that rumors about our decision may be circulating, but please know this was not made lightly. Riley’s health and well-being are our top priorities, and this move is a necessary step for his recovery.

Leaving behind the incredible community that has supported us with so much warmth, strength, and love is truly heartbreaking. Salt Lake City will always be home, and we look forward to returning one day to share our journey with all of you.

Thank you for being a part of Club Verse and for the unwavering support you’ve shown us through this chapter of our lives. With love and gratitude, Riley, Micheal, & the Club Verse Team”

Biscuit And Hogs

There appears to have been no official statement from this Ogden-located business, but it does now appear to have closed. I myself was initially tipped off after spotting numerous online comments citing closure. I had been working to contact the business, but just a few days ago both Yelp and Google updated their business listings to confirm the business has now permanently closed.

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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.