Here are all the food and drink names we said goodbye to in 2024

As the year wraps, so comes with annual cavalcade of roundups – just in case you missed the news during the year. First up closures, then I’ll recap openings, and we’ll end the year with my favorite dishes of 2024 – somthing to put in your back pocket for 2025. Let’s dig in then, here’s a recap of all the names I saw leave the food and drink scene, pour one out for them this Christmas.

Amour Spreads

Signing off via social, this long-lived – and loved – preserves maker announced their final days as follows. The business wrote:

“Jam lovers, we’ve got some news to share with you and there’s no easy way to say it. We have made the difficult decision to take an indefinite pause on our jam operations. While we are uncertain of what the future holds, this pause is necessary to reflect on our journey, evaluate our processes, and consider the best path forward.
To our friends, farmers, customers, and fellow small business owners: thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It has been our privilege to be a part of this food community, sharing our passion for high-quality, handcrafted spreads. Your support has been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful.

To John and Casee, thank you for dreaming up this little jam business back in 2011. We have made so many amazing connections through this experience and there’s nothing better than seeing someone’s eyes light up when they taste Amour Spreads jam.

We’ll be operating until the end of this month so stock up! We’ll be at the @slcfarmersmarket at Pioneer Park the next couple of Saturdays. Our last market will be on September 21. @picnicslc will remain open and there’s plenty of jam on the shelves. We’d love to see you there. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving these jams as much as we do. With love and so much gratitude, Carly and Vi”

Annie’s Diner

Valerie Phillips has all the details on the closure of this Kaysville stalwart in this detailed piece. The restaurant was already known to be facing difficulties after the Trib ran this story performing a deep dive into the numbers behind the business. The bottom line? “The family-owned Kaysville diner lost more than $93,000 last year.”, according to Trib reporter Andy Larsen’s analysis. The closure sees the spot end a run of nearly three decades under various guises.

Aqua Terra Steak + Sushi

This upscale steak and seafood restaurant located in the City Creek Mall formally confirmed its closure posting to social media. The company wrote, “Dear friends, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our doors starting today, April 2. It has been an honor to be a part of the thriving Salt Lake City culinary scene and community! We deeply appreciate our talented team, and we thank you for your patronage.”

The restaurant was opened by Ascent Hospitality in the Winter of 2022, immediately becoming a prominent addition to the downtown mall. At launch, a press release touted the restaurant’s concept as, “a curated and intentional dining experience in a sleek but approachable atmosphere. Premium steak and wild game cuts, a wide-ranging sushi, omakase and crispy rice menu, and an array of sake cocktails and wine offerings highlight an elevated dining experience.”

Asia Palace

Following March’s recap of closed businesses, a reader of the site dropped me a note to mention I’d missed this State Street restaurant from the list of now departed names. I can’t see any confirmation, or indeed any social media from the restaurant, that officially documents this. That said, both Google and Yelp report the business as permanently closed, with the final reviews on the former appearing about four weeks ago. The restaurant was replaced with The 14 Peaks – a new Indian/Nepalese eatery. A further tipster also confirmed that the West Valley City location of the same name – remains open.

Beehive Bar

Sad news for lovers of the onsite bar over at South Salt Lake’s Beehive Distilling this year. The operators of the award-winning distillery are to shutter the bar space as of March 16th. Taking to Instagram the business wrote:

“We regret to inform you that the Bechive Bar will close on March 16th. We’d like to call out a huge thank you to all of our amazing emplovees. They are truly some of the nicest and most talented people in the industry. They have been the backbone and spirit of this bar. We’ll be announcing details on the final night party, but in the meantime swing by and have your favorite cocktail made by your favorite bartenders). It would also be remiss to forget “Seth The Chef’s” food…

The space will continue to be available for private events. Beehive Distilling is is still going full steam-stay tuned for new products dropping in the near future.”

Count me among those who will mourn this one. I’ve long been a fan of the angular modern space, especially so since they launched their bar bites program back in the Summer of 2022.

Beltex Meats

Over on Instagram, Beltex Meats confirmed December 23rd would be the last day of business for the award-winning butcher. The post read:

“Over 10 years ago, we set out to open a small butcher shop with big passion right here in Salt Lake City. Our goal was simple: to show people just how incredible locally raised meats in Utah can be. Thanks to an immense amount of hard work and the amazing support we’ve received over the years, we’ve been able to accomplish incredible things in this little building in the Liberty Wells neighborhood. I could never have done this alone. Our incredible employees, ranchers, farmers, growers of all kinds, and of course, our customers have made this place truly special in our city.

Now, the time has come for Beltex Meats to say goodbye. We’ll be open through the holiday season, but it will be our last. We look forward to serving you and your families one last time over these final months. At 4pm on December 23rd, we will close our doors.

We cannot thank you enough, our loyal customers, for all the love and support you’ve shown us throughout the years!.”

The news surely comes as as a huge shock and disappointment to many in the local food community, yours included. It’s a gigantic understatement to say the boutique butcher redefined the local market with their opening a decade ago. Owner Philip Grubisa’s commitment to sourcing (with a focus on heritage breeds, pasture-raised, antibiotic/hormone/GMO-free) was unmatched and remains so, no one comes close to what Beltex offers in SLC. The awards for their work naturally piled up – with many a local food name having also spent time behind the butcher block here.

The closure at the end of the year meant fans had two more opportunities to grab their in-house brined turkey for Thanksgiving, and Christmas – quite simply the best I’ve ever tasted. The same went for their range of in-house charcuterie, which over the years scooped gold at the prestigious Good Food Awards; going head to head with some of the biggest centuries-old names in the biz.

Make no mistake, the loss of Beltex will be a big one and will leave a local hole that as far as I can see – won’t easily be filled anytime soon.

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.

Buca Di Beppo

News dropped this Summer that both Utah locations of the venerable Italian chain would close. The two locations in Salt Lake City and Midvale, had both been in operation for more than twenty years. The two closures are part of the company’s move to close 20% of their total locations in a variety of states. Fox 13 reports that the closures are immediate.

Burger Pioneers

Health reasons were cited in this post as the reason for this well-regarded food truck calling it a day; also offering up assets of the business for would-be other burgerpreneurs to take the reins. The owners wrote:

“We had to make the tough decision to close Burger Pioneers permanently due to health reasons. We want to thank everyone that has supported our business for the past 2 years. We are looking to sell the business since we’ve built some name recognition. We’ll entertain selling the truck without the business license or contacts as well. Contact Denny Smith for more details.”

By The Bucket

After two years, this Sugar House spot called it a day. The restaurant opened two years ago to much intrigue – the concept hailing from the Grand Canyon State. At the time of their arrival, the mini-chain touted the title of Arizona’s fastest-growing casual restaurant; and as their name boldly pronounces sold, “ hot spaghetti to go in a bucket.” As founder Bret daCosta put it, “Colonel Sanders sold chicken in a bucket so why not spaghetti”.

Citris Grill

The Tribune reported on the closure of this Millcreek cafe. As part of the interview owner Michael Crosland confirmed March 30th would be the final date; Crosland cited post-Covid-difficulties as the driver behind the closure. The restaurant opened way back in 2004 and was known for a menu that offered dishes in both petite and hearty sizes.

Club Verse

Announcing their permanent, the downtown LGBTQ+ club took to Instagram to apprise 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”

Denise’s Home Plate

January 18th was the last day of business for this Coalville restaurant, which was apparently “chaos” according to KPCW’s interview and story with owner Denise Pace; the Main Street restaurant closes with the namesake owner deciding to retire after a near four-decade stint in the restaurant biz.

Dirty Bird

Also going dark in 2024, this business originally launched by the McHenry Group (Sunday’s Best) before being acquired by Wags Capital in 2021. NRN reported on the transition at the time, detailing a $20 million investment plan to rapidly scale the chicken sandwich chain. Ted Scheffler in Utah Stories reviewed the Nashville-inspired offerings in this story a little over a year ago.

Fat Jack’s Burger Emporium

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.

Fiddler’s Elbow / Locker Room

Hot on the heels of news that Sugar House BBQ was to close – the neighborhood lost yet another stalwart. The duo of Fiddler’s Elbow / The Locker Room both closed shortly after.

I initially heard about a possible closure via this Instagram post, the Beats From The East sandwich popup canceling plans to open within the facility. In lieu of any formal announcement from the business itself, I have been working to confirm the information directly ever since. At the time of writing, phone lines are out of service for the twinned businesses with websites also offline. I stopped by in person last Friday, greeted by locked doors – albeit no posted info was to be seen.

In the days following, Google and Yelp updated online listings that indicate a permanent closure – with recent business reviews also pointing to encountering locked doors. The Locker Room’s own Instagram profile now simply reads “CLOSED”.

Fillings & Emulsions (WVC)

Signing off this year, the West Valley City location of this award-winning bakery. The business confirmed the closure of the West side location on social media as follows:

“Hi everyone. We are so sorry to inform you all that our West Valley location will be closed permanently starting next week. This Saturday will be the last day. We have loved the last five years here but the wind is blowing us in a different direction. You can still enjoy our pastries in our Main Street location as well as all the other vendors that carry our products. Stay tune for future updates and we get ready for our next adventure. Love you all so much and thank you for your support.”

The Fillings & Emulsions locations around the valley have waxed and waned for several years, but have always been lauded for chef/founder Adalberto Diaz’s creative confections. Beyond the sweeter options lurk several savory highlights too. Pictured top is their ropa vieja Cuban pie, a beautifully buttery hand-held pastry, stuffed with ground chicken breast, Cuban sofrito, olives, capers, red wine, raisins, tomato, and spices. If you’ve not tried one, the impending cooler weather is what these are made for. Head to their SLC location (1475 S Main St) to sample one stat.

Good Grammar

After nearly a decade of slinging drinks on Gallivan Ave, this downtown bar took to Instagram to confirm its closure. The post stated, “We have some bittersweet news to share. Good Grammar is officially closing its doors after 8 wonderful years of being open. But not before an amazing final act!

Come visit us over the next two weeks and say goodbye before we close. As we have grown from the inside, we feel it’s now time for the space to evolve as well. Something new is brewing, so stay tuned for updates! Thank you for your support and patronage over the years.”

Good Grammar was one of the first bars to make waves in the current cocktail renaissance in the state. Indeed last year, Grammar’s Morgan Michel snagged the judge’s choice award in the SL Mag cocktail contest. Her clever use of a seed-based orgeat combined sunflower, hemp, wildflower, and an infused Thai basil with sage olive oil – was a multifaceted masterpiece. Per the bar’s posts though, it looks like something new might be in the works here.

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.

Jade Market

After nearly twenty years in downtown SLC, this local market announced its closure on Facebook. The business wrote:

“Hello friends. After 18 awesome years, Jade is closing. We’d love to see our stuff go to good homes! Today and tomorrow, all of our inventory is 50% off, so get in here and stock up! If you’re interested in any equipment or supplies, message or email us for pricing. If you’re a nonprofit looking for donations, get in touch! It’s been a pleasure serving and getting to know you. We wish you all the best.”

Juice Shop SLC

After three years of trading in the Maven district area of SLC, this business announced its closure on Instagram as follows, “Hi fam! Sharing a major TJS update! It’s with a heart full of gratitude that I’m announcing that I’ve decided not to renew our lease at the end of the month and close TJS. The last day the shop will open will be TOMORROW😝

I’ve truly loved being a part of the Maven community over the last 3 years. The support, collaboration and friendships the Maven community has provided have been an intrinsic part of why this business is still standing. And likewise, the support, collaboration and friendships we made with each of you- our community- is the ultimate reason why we’ve gotten to hang around for so long”.

Kao Thai

Another one of my personal favorites and is also now sadly closed. For my money, this Canyon Rim Thai spot was one of the best in the state, not least home to some remarkably unique preparations. Pictured top is a great example, braised short ribs in velvety curry sauce.

Likeminded fans of owner/chef Pornpimon Prathummas cooking may want to direct their attention to her current restaurant – Kin Sen Noodle Asian Bar. I penned the following story about Prathummas last year, and the surprising back story behind those short ribs…

Thankfully, later in the year, Prathummas opened Kin Sen Thai – a blend of both Kin Sen Noodle, and Kao Thai.

Laziz Kitchen Midvale

Fans of this popular Mediterranean restaurant should note that the footprint of the restaurant has now shrunk from three to two. In this Instagram post the business announced the closure of its Midvale location (1076 Fort Union Blvd, pictured top). The post read:

“This time of year we reflect on the last 11-12 months, talk about what we did right and what needs some energy and attention. As a business we are always evaluating what is best for us as a whole and creating long term goals for ourselves. In doing so we have come to the hard decision to close our midvale restaurant on December 1st, 2024. So please come support us in our final days.

We have built something we are proud of and excited to see what we can do with this shift in resources. We have the best team, who have carried our hearts through this decision and the most amazing guests that have supported us through it all.

Although this feels like a big change, we remain strong in maintaining our values and focusing on the success of our other 2 restaurants, along with growing our packaged product line.

Please come see us at our other two locations, as your patronage means more now than ever. If you have to drive that extra distance to downtown, just know our new dinner menu will be well worth the drive.

Plus, we will always be available for delivery, catering and private events. We hope to feed you soon. With love, The Laziz Family”

The Midvale location of the business opened in late Spring 2022, building on the success of their Central 9th location, which itself opened in 2017, the work of Moudi Sbiety and Derek Kitchen. The Midvale closure comes roughly a year after the downtown location was also at risk according to this post by the company. At that time, the 200 S location had reportedly experienced a loss of 40% in sales due to adjacent road work. Thankfully, for fans, the Central 9th and downtown location are set to continue.

The Local Market & Bar

This year saw The Local Market & Bar, a food hall in downtown Salt Lake City, announce their temporary closure, also teasing a reboot for the space with an as-yet-confirmed concept. The announcement came via this Instagram post, with the company confirming the temporary closure as follows:

“To our loyal supporters, we wanted to inform you that we will be making some exciting changes to The Local Eatery & Bar. In preparation for these changes, The Local Eatery & Bar will be temporarily closing beginning Sunday, September 22nd at 9:00pm.

While we are transitioning the concept, the space will still be available for private events of all types and sizes. If you are interested in renting The Local Eatery & Bar for your event, please visit our website at thelocalsaltlakecity.com for up-to-date information and availability.

Though it is bittersweet to say goodbye, we can’t wait to share details of what is to come. Stay tuned to learn more about our future concept and be sure to grab your favorite Local bite before it’s gone!”

The Local Market & Bar opened in late February 2023 – a 125-seat, 7,500 square space offering seven culinary concepts, as well as Good Bar, a full-service bar.  Launch food names for the facility included Lamb & Feta, Hog & Tradition BBQ, Green Chile House, Crave, Luna Pizza Cafe, The Cereal Killerz Kitchen, and Pop’s Burger. I previewed the launch of the food hall in this article.

By Spring 2024 the lineup had evolved. Lamb & Feta / Hog & Tradition (operated by Geoff Patmides) had moved across town to HallPass, while Green Chile House, Luna, and Cereal Killerz had also moved on. In their place, Pokeologist (poke), Habibi (Mediterranean & Middle Eastern), Enko Ramen (Japanese), The Salt (deli), and Super Chingon (Mexican) had replaced them.

The company has yet to announce what shape the new concept will take, but confirmed the space is available in the interim for private events.

MayMoe’s

Opened by Louisiananan Jason Davis in 2016, this Logan restaurant confirmed on Facebook that June 21st was to be their last day in business. The post explained, “Maymoes Nation it’s with a heavy heart that due to unforeseen circumstances we are closing the doors. Today will be our last day open. We are so blessed that y’all have supported us all these years. So come and have your favorite meal one last time. We will be open until 8 p.m. tonight.” The Herald-Journal penned this story quickly after the news broke.

Mayor Voss

Downtown Mayor Voss (228 S. Edison Street, pictured) looks to have departed the city’s bar scene. The above picture is one I took when walking by. While the business does not appear to have confirmed the closure directly, online review platforms are noting the closure as permanent. The Trib’s Kolbie Peterson also noted the closure too. The space opposite Franklin Ave operated as Brick And Mortar previously, and before that, Campos Coffee.

Meat Hook BBQ

The BBQ business attached to the South end of WVC’s Westerner bar seemed to shutter rather abruptly and without notice best I can tell.

Meier’s Country Fried Chicken

The Tribune’s weekly Utah Eats newsletter tipped me off to this post over on Next Door. With nearly fifty years of business under their belts, this casual Holladay spot now seems to have closed. The note posted to social media (that seems to be posted at the business premises) reads:

“After 46 years of amazing time and fun Jeremy and Becky have decided to retire. Thanks to all our loyal customers and employees. We could not have done it without your support. We really appreciated the feedback we received from you. Thanks again to you all. God Bless. Jeremy Meier.”

I can’t find anything official from the business itself on this one. That said the restaurant’s website does appear to be offline with their Yelp listing marking the business as permanently closed. A reminder, you can sign up for the Trib’s Wednesday-weekly “Utah Eats” newsletter here.

Myungrang Hot Dog

The South Jordan location of this Korean fast-casual announced its closure on Instagram writing, “After careful consideration, it has been decided to close the shop. Thanks to everyone who supported us over the past years. I have met a lot of great people. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.” July 27th appeared to be the final day for the business.

Nautical Bowls

Sunday, October 6th was the last day of business for this Sandy-based healthy eats option. The business signed off on Facebook writing:

“With a heavy heart, we announce the closure of Nautical Bowls in Sandy, UT. The past year & a half has been a challenging yet rewarding journey, filled with unforgettable moments & incredible connections

We are so grateful for the unwavering support from our amazing community. Your love & enthusiasm for our açaí bowls made every day special. To our loyal guests, thank you for making us a part of your lives, & to our phenomenal employees, your hard work & dedication brought our vision to life.

While this chapter is coming to a close, we will always cherish the memories & friendships we’ve made. Thank you for being a part of our Nautical Bowls family?”

Noemi’s Cafe

Originally making the leap from food truck to brick and mortar in the Fall of 2022, Noemi’s Cafe (pictured top) announced the closure of their Fort Union spot (home to Ganesh Indian Cuisine before that). The Chilean restaurant was the work of Noemi Bustamante and her son Anthony Vega; their glittering menu was headed up by a constellation of excellent empanadas, deep-fried and baked. I was a huge fan, as was Alex Springer in this write-up for the Weekly.

The news of the Midvale closure followed on from this piece KSL published at the end of last year – the businesses admitting increasing inflation was causing pressure. It isn’t completely disastrous news for fans mind you (count me a huge one), as the announcement was also delivered alongside plans to return to the mobile format. The business wrote:

“Thank you for your love and support. We have made the difficult decision to close Noemi’s Cafe on June 29. We are seeking a smaller location that better suits our needs. Our Food Truck will continue to operate, and we will keep you updated on our progress. We invite you to celebrate the start of a new chapter with us, rather than saying goodbye.”

Papito Moe’s

Facebook was again the mode of announcement for the shuttering of this West Jordan Puerto Rican eatery. The online post reads, “After almost a decade in business, Papito Moe’s will be closing our doors. We are grateful to God for giving us the strength to accomplish all that we have, truly we give Him all the Glory. We are thankful to all of you for your support through the years, and everyone who helped us along this beautiful journey. It means the world to us! Seasons change and now it’s time for us to move back home to be closer to family.

Our last day was Thursday, June 20! (We sold out earlier than expected) We will be open for our normal business hours, 11am-8pm!! Come grub with us before than Gracias mi gente. Thank you Utah”. Papito’s Carribean menu was first offered via food truck in 2015, ultimately culminating in the West Jordan perma-digs. An arguable peak for the business was a prized feature on Guy Fieri’s popular Diners, Drive-in’s, and Dives.

Pig & A Jelly Jar

Several people tipped me off to theclosure of both the Ogden and SLC locations of this restaurant. I am afraid I can find no normal information on this one. The website for the business has gone offline, while the social accounts for the two restaurants (SLC and Ogden) have both seemingly been removed. I did manage to find this Instagram post that confirms the owner’s decision to close the duo of locations.

Salt City Brew Supply

Not a restaurant per se, but a familiar name on the local food and drink scene. April saw the veteran brew supply company sign off via social. In recent years (2019) owners Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick teamed up again and used their sudsy smarts to deliver Bewilder Brewing to downtown SLC. SLCBS’s farewell post read as follows:

With heavy hearts, we’ve made the difficult decision to close down Salt City Brew Supply. We started this journey almost exactly 13 years ago with the intent to provide the highest level of products and service we could to the growing home-brew community here in Utah. Since then we’ve made dozens of lifelong friends, watched great customers turn their own dreams into breweries of their own, and watched countless other’s make innumerable gallons of beer, wine, and cider (and maybe some other stuff  ) to share with their family and friends.

In some ways SCBS was meant to be a stepping stone of sorts, a way to get out of the 9-5 grind and into something of our own, and to be able to take advantage of opportunities that may come later. With the support of the home-brewing community, we were then able to take an even larger leap of faith and open Bewilder Brewing Company in January of 2019. Boy, what a journey that has been! Salt City has done its part to prop up the brewery through a global pandemic, and there is ZERO chance Bewilder would have made it this far without that support. The shop, and it’s amazing employees (Marshall, Wendell, Eric, Dan, Jared, Ben and all the others) have stayed the course and done the best they could no matter what was thrown at them.

We’ve faced the same challenges as most other businesses in these last five years; rising costs of goods, rising cost of labor, freight costs (and delays) and an acceleration of consumer dependency on online shopping brought on by COVID. Unfortunately, these things don’t seem to be changing in the foreseeable future, and instead of burying ourselves in even more debt just to “hope” things change, this is the only path we see forward. Part of owning a business is making tough decisions.

We’ll take the next month to wind down our operations, sell through our remaining inventory, and liquidate our fixtures with the intent to be finished by the end of May. We hope everyone comes down one last time to say hello, talk about beer, buy some stuff, and give a high five.

Seasons Plant Based Bistro

May saw this Central 9th name explain a change of course on their Facebook page. The posted information explained the situation as follows:

“I opened Seasons in 2017 to offer something special to our community. Ever since Covid, the restaurant industry has been a tornado and has never been the same. If you don’t know, we are a very small business, currently there are 2 of us doing everything for Seasons. We have and will always strive to offer our community the best product and service we can.

As you all know we have been making many changes over the last months. We are transitioning into more packaged foods. After much back and forth, I feel this is the most sustainable way we can contribute to our community and build longevity for ourselves. With that being said, we are going to be temporarily closing the restaurant. We do plan to re-open our doors as soon as possible, but for now we have to go a different direction.
Stay tuned for lots of exciting new products coming your way! I truly appreciate all the support over the years. We will be around the community at markets, sampling and doing events. Come by and say hi! One love Salt Lake, see you on the other side.”

Sirop

Another local maker again taking to Instagram to confirm the end of their operations as follows:

“Dear Sirop Co. Community, 4 years ago we launched our website and made Sirop Co. a reality. This fun project began during the pandemic as a way to share our love of making quality drinks at home and led to the incredible journey of starting a business together.

With a heavy heart, we wanted to announce the official closure of Sirop Co. to focus on our careers and families. To our loyal customers, thank you for your incredible support and love for our products. To our friends and family, your encouragement made this adventure possible. We couldn’t have done it without you all.

Though this chapter ends, the memories and relationships we’ve built will last a lifetime. Thank you for being part of the Sirop Co. with us. With gratitude, Nate and Jacob.”

SLC Eatery

2024 saw news come drop that SLC Eatery would shut its doors at the end of September. The SLC restaurant was (1017 S Main St) easily one of the most creative and aspirational chef-driven projects in the city. Taking to Instagram, the restaurant posted the following farewell on August 23rd:

. . . 

It is terribly sad for us to say, we will be CLOSING our doors at the end of September (our last night of service will be scheduled soon). We tried hard to keep it open for you wonderful people but couldn’t do it. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone that dined with us and worked with us. Our patrons are so awesome and we are really sad to not be able to see you anymore. A special thank you to our frequent diners, you know who you are. You hold a special place in our hearts!

To the best staff an owner could have, to those that are still with us and the ones that have flown the coop to bigger and better places, you all made this restaurant so fun and incredible to be a part of. I can’t thank you enough! Speaking of our staff, we will REMAIN OPEN for one more month to allow them to find new opportunities and to see your wonderful faces again! We hope you will come in and support us one last time to eat chef logen’s James beard award winning food, be taken care of by our amazing service staff and to have delicious beverages from our bar.

Come support this amazing team one last time! Our hours may change a bit but you can always give us a call and we will keep our voicemail updated. You can message us here and we will get back to you as soon as possible. This Sunday brunch the 25th will likely be our last brunch. We will have fewer tables and ask that you make reservations as we will have a smaller team and want to make sure we can give you the best last service.

What happens next you ask? We hope to keep doing private events, supper clubs, pop ups and maybe even some lunch at this location. So keep following us here if you want to be in the know. This has been an absolute pleasure to feed you and be a part of such a wonderful food scene here in Salt lake. We hope you will frequent the places you love as we know most independent restaurants are struggling hard, even if they don’t seem like it. Hit the chains a little less. We love you to death and hope to feed you again in some other way! Thank you! We love you!

. . . 

Opening in 2019 (yep, a year before good old C19), the restaurant’s generic moniker flew proudly in stark contrast to a frenetically creative menu that could change week to week, day to day. Local writers (myself included) lapped up the inventive kitchen – the restaurant winning pretty much every local award out there. The culmination of those five years of toil and praise was undoubtedly a 2023 James Beard nod for Messrs Chamberlain and Crew in the best chef Mountain region. Sadly, it wasn’t to be.

Should there be any doubt about the caliber of the duo, take note of that mention of not pulling the overnight rug trick; something we see all too often here in Utah, waitstaff usually given zero warning that the lights are going out. Not here. Fabulous chefs and humans alike. I hope they return.

Spilled Milk

Signing off on Instagram, this dessert-focused business confirmed its closure, “All Spilled Milk locations are now closed. We just want to give a BIG thank you to all of you who have supported us these past 5 years. We started out in a trailer in sugar house with no advertising. It was our friends and family that came and supported and shared our new business. Our goal was to create an experience for people to come in and stay a while and enjoy ice cream together with the people they love. We’ve loved seeing this dream come together. Thank you for being a part of this dream and for all of your support!!”

Stanza

Another storied name on the Utah dining scene that called it quits this year. Stanza (454 E 300 S) in downtown Salt Lake City confirmed their closure via email, sent to subscribers of their newsletter. The message confirmed a mid-October closure as follows:

“Dear Valued Guests, We hope this message finds you well. We are writing to inform you that, after much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Stanza Italian Bistro and Wine Bar effective October 13th 2024.

This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support and patronage over the years. It has been a true pleasure serving you, and we are incredibly thankful for the memories we’ve created
together.

We invite you to visit us one last time before our closing date of October 12th to enjoy your favorite dishes and share in the experience that has meant so much to us. Our team will be here to ensure your visit is special.

Thank you once again for being part of our journey. We will cherish the moments spent with you. Warm regards,
Zach H. Owner”

The restaurant first opened in the Spring of 2016 – at the time – as part of the La Salle Group. The debut of Stanza followed the eye-popping unveiling of Current Fish & Oyster by the group, a year prior. The same design company, Luna Design Studios, was tapped to create the modern open space, with the build a particularly quirky one; the former Faustina restaurant on the site was raised to the ground around the bar space (pictured top), which itself was left standing – for the liquor license to be safely retained.

The opening cast of talent was a who’s who and eagerly received. Chef Phelix Gardner was the first behind the line, with names like Amy Eldredge and Jimmy Santangelo on the team as well. Over the years the business went through several iterations, with both ownership and staffing updates. Throughout its eight-year tenure, the restaurant remained a solid dining choice in the downtown area – backed by a menu of house-made pasta.

State Road Tavern / County Store And Cafe

KPCW had the full story on this one. These two names – part of Kamas’ DeJoria Center – are both to shutter at the end of the year.

Sugarhouse BBQ

Veteran Sugarhouse BBQ announced plans for their closure posting to Facebook and Instagram – the restaurant offered the following information:

“SugarHouse BBQ is closing its doors. Our last day will be mid-August. From Red Bones to SugarHouse BBQ it’s been a pleasure serving this community over the last 26 years! To our employees past and present, thank you. You helped form and create who we are and we couldn’t have done it without you.”

The news came seemingly out of the blue for long-time fans who took to social media to understand the announcement. No official reason for the closure was provided leaving online well-wishers to speculate, many recognizing the difficulties of the ongoing road work surrounding 21st South; something I wrote about last year in some detail. Originally located around the corner on 7th East, the business moved to its present location back in 2013 – indeed that move was also spurred by local transportation construction.

The restaurant first lit the flames back in 1996, originally known as Red Bones, with a focus on Memphis-style barbeque; an approach that eschews lashings of sweet saucing in favor of showcasing the nuances of dry rub. The restaurant offered most of the typical standbys, ribs through brisket, with a particularly juicy turkey that was always a crowd pleaser for my money. You can see it pictured top, in a particularly greedy plate I piled for myself.

Speaking of sauces, I’d long been an admirer of their lineup – one that offered substantially more than sweet, sweeter, and sweetest. A sharp cayenne hot sauce sat alongside a golden mustard sauce while SBBQ’s Carolina pig sauce was also a standout – a cider vinegar base helping enliven the slow-smoked pork.

Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade Draper

I am not entirely sure when Sweet Lake turned off the lights for their South valley location, but I am including here by way of completion our ongoing log of names lost. A review of the business’s online reviews suggests the closure occurred around a month ago. The restaurant’s online profiles now note the location as permanently closed.

The signature star of the biscuit-backed menu is The Hoss – a towering stack of the restaurant’s house biscuit, fried chicken breast, egg, bacon, cheddar, sausage gravy, and green onions. With the closure of the Draper location, the business remains in operation in SLC (54 W 1700 S) as well as also now shipping those biscuits nationwide.

Sweet Tooth Fairy

The Trib’s Kolbie Peterson reported that the SLC location of this dessert business has now closed. Opening in 2010, and known for its success on TV’s Cupcake Wars, the Foothill Village location is no more Fans of the brand will be heartened to learn that the business will live on at the Layton and Orem locations however.

Taco Taco

After online speculation in various quarters, Kolbie Peterson in the Trib confirmed their closure in her weekly newsletter. While there appears to be no formal announcement from the business itself, the website for Taco Taco has now fallen dormant, with their Google and Yelp profiles also showing closure notices.

Taste of Louisiana

October 26th was the last day of service for the Woodbine Food Hall (545 W 700 S) outlet. Taking to social media the company wrote, “Our last day at Woodbine Food Hall is Saturday, October 26. We appreciate all the support during our time at Woodbine! Stay tuned for updates as we continue to expand the Taste of Louisiana Brand. Thank you Thank you Thank you!”

Tradition

While there seems to be no official notice from the restaurant itself, multiple publications have written about the closure of Liberty Park adjacent Tradition. Opened in a formerly abandoned car garage in  2017 by Ashton Aragon and Max Shrives – the restaurant scooped up plenty of acclaim through the years. Heather L. King reviewed the restaurant favorably when it initially opened, commenting on the Southern-leaning menu. Initial reports suggested the restaurant might return at some future point. Again, as far as I can tell, no official word yet from the business owners.

Aragon and Shrives continue to partner at Sayonara, the Japanese-inspired bar that opened in the second half of 2023. Check out the following Salt Lake Magazine article for more details on that one.

Wasatch Broiler

After a more than three-decade run, this well-known name will also be leaving the dining scene at the end of the year. The following Facebook post showcased a flyer explaining December 23rd would be the last day of business for the Sandy (7662 Union Park Ave) restaurant:

“It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close our doors on December 23, 2024. After careful consideration, we have decided not to renew our lease. Wasatch Broiler & Grill started in 1988. Throughout this time, there were 4 locations: Murray, Sugarhouse, Downtown, and Midvale. We have served the community with great honor and respect. It has been our pleasure to do so. That being said, we feel that it’s time to move on to the next chapter. We sincerely thank each and every customer and staff member that have shared in this wonderful journey. We sincerely thank you. Godspeed and farewell. Please join us for our farewell celebration prior to closing our doors!
On behalf of the Wasatch Broiler & Grill Family”

WB’s Eatery

This Ogden-based restaurant took to Instagram to announce its final weeks of service. The following post explained:

“We’ve had sooo many great memories created around the tables of WB’s Brick & Mortar and we are beyond excited for what our future holds!

Whereas we have made the decision to bid farewell to our brick & mortar location, we will be rolling into the future with numerous ventures and you can certainly count on the WB’s Coffee and Cocktail Kart to grow as a staple in Utah. Our sister restaurants @pigandajellyjar will be carrying some of the non-alcoholic cocktails you’ve come to love and we are beyond excited for what our future entails!!!

We’re taking the show on the road, so come get the bites while you can! Our final day will be Sunday Feb 4th. Follow us on our new adventures!!”

As the post notes, the owners still have skin in the restaurant game with the popular Pig & Jelly Jar group of businesses. As part of Ted Scheffler’s 2021 review of WB he named it, “One of the coolest eateries I’ve set foot in during the past year”.

Yoko Taco

Yoko Taco also announced their closure would be December 21st with the restaurant signing off with extra special pricing of $3 tacos and $2 beers – every day until the end. The announcement on Instagram read:

“It’s with heavy and grateful hearts that we announce the permanent closure of Yoko Taco. We love this place. We love this food. We will miss it and all the people that made it special over the years from both sides of the counter (more to come on that).

Sincerely, thank you for helping us make it so special. Stop by these next two weeks to say goodbye, we’ll be open Tuesday – Saturday the next 2 weeks, 11:30a – 9p. Come enjoy Taco Tuesday pricing everyday until we lock the doors for good on the 21st.”

98K Fried Chicken

Local Redditors tipped me off to the loss of this South Salt Lake fast casual. The Korean fried chicken spot opened in Spring earlier this year, and could be found on the exterior row of restaurants at SoSl’s China Town complex; the business was a tendril of a larger NYC-based group of restaurants. I can’t see a formal confirmation of this one, but the Google listing for the business does note this one is indeed closed.

Per the name, fried chicken was the order of the day, with prices notably wallet-friendly. A simple chicken sandwich clocked in at an almost unrecognizable (these days) six bucks.

Other useful links

• Free newsletter – signup and receive our weekly newsletter for free
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• 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.