Grady’s in Midvale sets sights on elevated sports bar grub

Time for another look at what’s new around town. As a reminder, as we sail past the halfway mark of 2026 – here’s the complete new restaurant archive – a constant stream of all the openings in Utah. Bookmark it; it’s always handy for a bored Wednesday night’s dining inspiration. Anyway, first up…

Gradys

This new sports bar in Midvale opened a couple of weeks ago in the old Trolley Wing Co space. On the surface, it’s an immediately recognizable suburban strip mall bar. What drew me quickly to their tentative opening week was the promise that everything – bar the bread – is made from scratch in-house.

The menu has several chefy touches scattered throughout. The titular Grady stops by our table and jokes about having to rein in a few of the more ambitious approaches. Still, there are plenty of indelible fingerprints left: brown butter nuts, roasted carrots, a Brussels Caesar, etc.

The chicken tenders are the best I’ve tasted in as long as I can remember. And before you throw your Michelob Ultra in my direction, “seriously, chicken tenders, Stu?”, let’s remember the context of the format – a sports bar. These are demonstrably not freezer-to-fryer. If I had to guess, they’ve been brined at the least. There’s good quality chicken breast, cooked to a salty-savory finish. The kitchen uses beef tallow apparently (which is all the rage now), which makes it mark again with the house-made sweet potato tots. Who even makes their own tots?

The brown butter nuts are a must, whether you’re picking through the menu or just stopping by for a beer and a shot and the game. They’re completely gone by the end of our visit, grabbed and gobbled throughout. I’d never imagined a lustrous, buttery coating would work so well.

Here are a few snaps from my first visit…

Bricks Corner

This West Valley City opening makes it two for the pizza joint centered around Detroit-style pies. As an aside, 2026 is starting to shape up notably for expansion. We’re seeing more and more businesses expanding their footprint than, say, completely new names. For example…

Brilliant Crispy Roast BBQ Duck & Dumpling

Another doubling up. After making the move from the Bay Area to North Salt Lake earlier this year, this Chinese restaurant – built around roasted duck – has opened a second location at RF Mart – just next to the South Salt Lake Chinatown development.

Chicken Salad Chick

The first location for this chain in the Beehive lands over in Pleasant Grove. As you might derive from the name, the franchise is squarely focused around chicken salad; indeed, the menu features “a dozen varieties of chicken salad made from scratch daily.”

Del Barrio Cafe

Another business making it two. Building on their original Midvale location, Del Barrio has now added a Draper spot. For my money, they have some of the better tacos out there, certainly once you start to move away from the urban core into the Southerly suburbs. If the Draper opening matches the tray of tacos above, this will be immediately one of the best Mexican spots in the area.

Jammy

Open now in the former Chubby Baker space, just next door to Loki Coffee. The restaurant is open seven days a week, 7.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. daily with a concise breakfast menu. Think: benedicts, burritos, and bowls. Want to push the boat out? The menu is headed by “The full Jammy experience.” This mammoth presentation arrives with:

Choice of signature pour stack (biscoff, strawberry, cream, nutella, oreo, or pistachio white chocolate), eggs, bacon, sausage, wavy potatoes, English baked beans, roasted tomatoes, grilled halloumi, fresh fruit, croissant loaves, and mini parfaits Served with herb green sauce (a little spicy) and signature blackberry jam.

The platter – aimed for two to share – or for one with an exceptionally bad hangover- clocks in at $38.

JD Flannel Donuts

Open now in the rejuvenated Foothill Village complex. The opening is the second for the business, which hails from San Juan Capistrano, CA. The menu stars nearly two dozen different options, centered around cake-style donuts if that’s your thing.

Laziz Kitchen

Sugar House Station appears to have updated their roster in recent weeks. Best I can tell, Aristo’s have dropped off (they no longer feature on the SHS website) and been replaced with an outpost of Laziz Kitchen. The menu is modelled on the Central 9th original, naturally pared down for the food hall setting. The core of the menu is Mediterranean-style wraps, supported by a half dozen dips such as hummus, muhamara and labneh.

If you’ve yet to stop by SHS, here’s our original preview story on the food hall from about eighteen months back.

Meraki Greek Grill

A new Greek option for Oremites. Here’s the full presser from their marketing team:

. . .

Meráki Greek Grill, the award-winning fast-casual Mediterranean concept known for its fresh Greek cuisine and warm hospitality, has officially opened its newest location at University Place in Orem.

The restaurant welcomed its first guests on June 1 and is Meráki Greek Grill’s third Utah location and first restaurant in Utah County. Located at 575 E. University Pkwy., Space A-23, inside University Place, the new restaurant brings Meráki’s signature menu of authentic Greek and Mediterranean favorites to one of Utah County’s busiest shopping and entertainment destinations.

Founded by Jerry Goumroian, Meráki Greek Grill has become one of the Southwest’s fastest-growing restaurant brands, earning recognition in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Best of Las Vegas awards and Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants in America.

“We’re thrilled to officially open our doors in Orem and continue growing throughout Utah,” said Goumroian, Founder and CEO of Meráki Greek Grill. “Utah has embraced our brand from the very beginning, and we couldn’t be more excited to become part of the Orem community. Our goal has always been to create a place where guests can enjoy incredible food while experiencing the hospitality, culture, and warmth that inspired Meráki.”

Guests can enjoy Meráki’s lineup of signature bowls, gyros, spreads, avgolemono soup, kalamakia (traditional Greek skewers), salad, wraps and sandwiches inspired by the flavors and traditions of Greece. Showcasing fresh ingredients, vibrant herbs, citrus, olive oil, and bold seasonings, the menu offers a fresh and approachable dining experience. Fan favorites such as the Gyro Meráki remain at the center of the menu, while Kalamakia, traditional Greek skewers of marinated meats flame-grilled and finished with lemon, olive oil, and oregano, highlight one of Greece’s most beloved street food traditions.

The restaurant has also introduced several new menu offerings, including Taverna Cheese, lightly fried and served with hot honey, along with Greektown Donuts served with Nutella and four flavors of Meráki Frozen Greek Yogurt: baklava with honey, olive oil with sea salt, chocolate sauce with chocolate flakes, and Biscoff cookie with caramel.

More than just a restaurant, Meráki Greek Grill was founded to share the spirit of Greece through bold flavors, genuine hospitality and a vibrant atmosphere rooted in family and community. The name “Meráki” embodies the Greek tradition of putting love, passion, and soul into everything you do, a philosophy that shapes every dish, every interaction and every guest experience.

“We’ve spent years sharing the flavors and traditions that mean so much to our family,” added Gourmroian. “Seeing that experience resonate with guests across Utah and being welcomed by communities like Orem is incredibly meaningful to us.”

The Orem location is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mira Mira

Over in the Central 9th, what was once Blue Copper 2000 is now reimagined with a Caribbean influence. Open daily, seven till seven, and still pouring Blue Copper brews, you can enjoy Puerto Rican dishes alongside your flat white.

Nomad Eatery

Now open in Daybreak, and again another expanded name. This third outing joins the restaurants on the east side of SLC (Nomad East) and the outpost on the west side inside Uinta Brewing. The menu follows in a similarly styled vein to the latter, and yes, includes that chicken sandwich (pictured top) that launched the success of their very first location.

Salt Egg City

A second location for what might be the breakfast sandwich in town; don’t believe me? Read this article from a few years back. A Holladay outpost has now joined the original SLC. As well as exceptional breakfast sandwiches, I think SEC’s burger is up amongst the best in the biz too.

Sal Y Limon

After recently re-opening their Midvale location, Sal Y Limon has also now expanded into the City Creek food mall.

Coming Soon

Auntie Chi’s Banh Mi

Currently trying to dig up a little information on this one, as all I’ve seen so far is a strip mall storefront photo on Instagram. It’s coming to West Jordan is all I know, well, that and it looks set to focus on banh mi. Let me know if you have more details.

City Boy Bagel

As the excellent Mile High Food Fairy notes, Utah is on something of a bagel kick right now. Here’s another name you need to keep an eye on as the options around the valley soar.

Jeff’s Bagel Run

See. Another national name making its way to the state. Here’s the full press release on what to expect:

. . .

Jeff’s Bagel Run, the fast-growing bagel brand known for its scratch-made hot bagels, freshly whipped spreads and craft coffees and beverages, today announced the signing of a seven-unit franchise agreement with Utah-based Rise Harvest, led by Jacob Webb and April Miller. Building on its success in Las Vegas, the deal marks Jeff’s Bagel Run’s next major Mountain West move, and its debut in one of the country’s fastest-growing states.

Rise Harvest plans to develop at least fifteen Jeff’s Bagel Run locations in northern Utah, with the first location expected to open in late 2026.

“Utah is exactly the kind of market we’ve been watching, a passionate food community, explosive population growth, and consumers who genuinely care about quality ingredients and real craftsmanship,” said Jeff Perera, Co-Founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run. “Jacob and April bring local roots and we couldn’t be more excited to have them lead our entry into the state.”

For Webb and Miller, the investment reflects both personal conviction and market opportunity. “We’ve believed in this brand from the moment we tried the product,” said Webb. “Utah has been waiting for a bagel experience at this level, fresh bagels that are made from scratch every single day, right here in the shop. This is the real deal, and I know our community is going to love it.”

Jeff’s Bagel Run has built its reputation on a simple but uncompromising premise: bagels made the right way, every day. Each location rolls and boils its bagels fresh daily, using a proprietary recipe that has earned the brand a loyal following across its markets. The brand has seen rapid franchise growth over the past two years, fueled by a highly engaged social following, strong unit economics, and a differentiated product in an increasingly competitive fast-casual breakfast space.

The Utah agreement is part of a broader national expansion strategy for Jeff’s Bagel Run, which has identified the Mountain West, Midwest, and Southeast as priority development regions for 2026 and beyond.

Mountain View Village

A final press release for you, this one covering updates over at the bustling Mountain View Village development:

. . .

Mountain View Village is continuing its momentum this year with an exciting lineup of new retail, dining, and service openings. From elevated fashion to standout restaurants and community-focused services, guests can look forward to even more ways to shop, dine, and connect this summer and beyond.

Leading the lineup, Abercrombie & Fitch will open its first standard retail storefront in Utah this month, bringing its modern lifestyle brand and assortment of apparel and accessories to the Salt Lake Valley. Known for its high-quality denim, soft essentials, and versatile wardrobe staples, Abercrombie & Fitch offers timeless style designed for both comfort and confidence, including selections for children adding a unique offering to the center’s retail mix.

Burger lovers can look forward to MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, opening later this month. This fast-casual “better burger” concept is known for its made-to-order Certified Angus Beef® burgers, hand-cut fries, and real ice cream shakes. Guests are invited to celebrate during its grand opening festivities at the end of the month.

Also set to open this month, Bonnie & Clyde’s Food & Coffee Company introduces a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by a modern coffee shop aesthetic. Blending East Coast deli classics with artisanal pastries and bold coffee, the company emphasizes thoughtful design, hospitality, and value, creating what is sure to become a go-to neighborhood favorite.

Bringing bold, authentic flavors to the lineup, Tuk Tuks will introduce its beloved Thai and Lao cuisine to Mountain View Village later this month. A multi-year Best of SLC award winner, this family-owned restaurant is celebrated for its from-scratch dishes rooted in generational recipes, from rich curries to its signature Drunken Noodles and fresh papaya salad.

Looking ahead to later this summer, Benihana, the iconic Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, will open its doors, offering its signature interactive dining experience. Known worldwide for its skilled chefs and tableside culinary performances, Benihana pairs entertainment with premium steaks, fresh seafood, and sushi in a lively, high-energy setting.

Expanding the center’s service offerings, Petfolk is expected to open in September. Named Pet Company of the Year by the 2025 Pet Innovation Awards, the modern veterinary practice offers comprehensive care from wellness visits to surgery delivered by compassionate, Gentle-Handling-certified professionals, along with a convenient 24/7 connected care app.

In addition to these scheduled openings, Downeast recently celebrated its grand opening over Mother’s Day weekend, bringing its signature modest, on-trend women’s fashion to Riverton. Family-owned since 1991, the brand is known for effortless, everyday style.

“There’s a lot happening at Mountain View Village right now, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going,” said Heather Nash, General Manager of Mountain View Village at CenterCal Properties. “With so many great national brands and local favorites joining us, we’re continuing to grow in a way that really enhances the experience for our community.”

This latest lineup of openings marks another step forward in Mountain View Village’s continued growth, delivering new experiences that enhance its role as a vibrant hub for the community.

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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.