Sartre had it half right. Sure, hell is other people. Who doesn’t love that guy sat opposite, transfixed on their phone, steadfastly refusing to believe in the existence of headphones? If Jean-Paul were out and about today, I doubt other people would be his only concern. The spiralling cost of menu pricing would assuredly add to the existential dread.
The inverse would presumably be a nirvana of sorts. Enter stage right, then, Laurel Brasserie & Bar’s (located inside the Grand American hotel) happy hour menu. Available within the bar area, 3.00 – 5.00 p.m. daily, across several recent visits, it appears the crowds haven’t yet discovered the especially keen pricing.
The bar’s happy hour menu is a concise listing (see below) offering up a few apps, pizza, and sandwiches – and does so at bargain basement pricing.
It’s hard to argue with a double-pattied cheeseburger in such a smart setting for eleven bucks. Fries or a salad on the side are included in the sticker price, too. Based on my own experience, I’m betting that your local neighborhood sports bar is probably charging more than this for a demonstrably poorer plate. Even a few fast-food chains come closer to the $15 mark for something similar. Croissant dough wrapped beef franks are a fun, rich snack, while a turkey sandwich comes piled generously high with good-quality deli gobbler, gouda, and fennel. For a single Hamilton, it’s another rip-roaring steal.
Here’s another one from our famously happy French philosopher, “It is only in our decisions that we are important”. I’d like to think even JP could manage a wry smile at deciding to dine at these prices.
P.S. If you know of any other surprisingly good deals, specials, or food happy hours around town, drop me a line. I’ll try to cover more as they come my way.
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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.
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