Alex Peterson of One Dude’s Pizza in Ogden, a few weeks before it closed. photo by Valerie Phillips One Dude’s Pizza closed down the day after my story about the pizza shop ran in the Standard-Examiner. “One Dude.” (a.k.a. Alex Peterson), announced the closure of his Ogden pizzeria on his social media accounts. It was not an appeal for help. “Don’t try to save the shop,” Peterson said in a Tik-Tok video announcing the closure. In fact, he had closed his website so that people couldn’t contribute money, order T-shirts, etc. in support. One Dude’s Pizza in Ogden is now closed. photo by Valerie P ..read more

A create-your-own salad from Dollie’s Soup and Salad restaurant in Sandy, Utah.   Last week I visited Dollie’s Soup and Salad, which recently opened in the old Sweet Tomatoes location at 10060 South State in Sandy. The Dollie’s logo is embossed on the booth back rests at Dollie’s Soup and Salad in Sandy.   Dollie’s mantra of  “Just like you remember it,” might puzzle some who don’t remember the Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation restaurants. This Sandy location closed about seven years ago.  But back in the 2000s when I was working in the Salt Lake area, I was a fan of Sweet Toma ..read more

From Laan-Thai Restaurant in Ogden: Pad Thai with Shrimp, Tom Kha Chicken Soup, and Laan-Thai Special Chicken Curry. photo by Valerie Phillips   Laan-Thai has become a go-to restaurant in downtown Ogden.   “We are different from many other restaurants because we are more authentic, and have more options, and we use high-quality ingredients, such as imported Jasmine rice from Thailand,” said owner Herb Thaweesri. I recently interviewed Thaweesri for a Standard-Examiner story. Herb Thaweesri, proprietor of Laan-Thai in downtown Ogden. photo by Valerie Phillips    He said his ..read more

BBQ brisket, a Holy Smoke favorite, at The Coop in Layton. photo by Valerie Phillips Fans who miss Holy Smoke BBQ’s brisket and pulled pork can rejoice. The Layton restaurant closed fall, but former owner Jeff Ray is now the pitmaster just down the street at The Coop, next door to Rooster’s.   Located in part of what was once Corbin’s Grille, The Coop is licensed as a bar, and offers a small, barbecue-heavy menu. The smoked brisket sandwich at The Coop in Layton, cooked by Holy Smoke pitmaster Jeff Ray. photo by Valerie Phillips From Tuesday-Saturday, there’s a daily BBQ sandwich fro ..read more

Top sellers at the Timbermine are (left to right) Double Strike (rib-eye steak and deep-fried shrimp), prime rib with broccoli, deep-fried mushrooms, and Mud Pie. photo by Valerie Phillips  When the Timbermine opened back in 1985, it was part of an “Old West” steakhouse trend in Utah. Themed spots like Diamond Lil’s, the Old Salt City Jail, the Wagonmaster Steak Company, and the Prairie Schooner were “in” places to go.   But although most of them pulled up stakes (…or you could say steaks) long ago, the Timbermine survived the ups and downs of the restaurant industry and became an Og ..read more

Belgian Chocolate popcorn made by Prospector Popcorn, a nonprofit that employs people with disabilities. Prospector Popcorn is a gourmet popcorn brand that is also a nonprofit employing people with disabilities. Currently, 200 of its employees — or 74% of the workforce — have a disability. On Jan. 19 (it’s apparently National Popcorn Day, who knew?), the company website is hosting a sale of 20% off its regular prices, all day. Prospector Popcorn is hosting a 20% off sale on National Popcorn Day, Jan .19. photo by Valerie Phillips The popcorn is popped fresh daily at the Prospector Theater ..read more

Vessel Kitchen serves made-from-scratch dishes. photo courtesy of Vessel Kitchen. Vessel Kitchen is offering giveaways and prize drawings to celebrate its Station Park Farmington opening on Jan. 13-24. This is the sixth Vessel Kitchen since Nick Gradinger and Brian Reeder founded the fast casual restaurant in Park City in 2016. This is the first location north of Salt Lake City, on 320 North Central Avenue (next to Costa Vida and near Santorini Greek Grill). Gradinger sent me a list of opening events: January 13 (Friday)  – GET + GIVE EVENT (11 am-9pm) -Purchase any entree and V ..read more

The Desperado Sandwich at Six Sisters Deli & Grille is no more, as the restaurant is permanently closed. photo courtesy of Six Sisters Six Sisters Deli & Grille has joined the many restaurants that shut down in 2022. The Eagle Mountain restaurant spent 7 1/2 years in business, and its fans reacted with dismay to the announcement on social media. Sadly, since it’s already closed for good, there’s no chance to come one last time for a bacon cheeseburger or the best-selling Desperado sandwich. The bacon cheeseburger was one of the top sellers at Six Sisters Deli & Grill. photo courtes ..read more

Mckinnon Johnson, Amy Johnson, and Ryan Johnson of Ogden Valley Pizza, which has locations in Eden and on Ogden’s 12th Street. photo by Valerie Phillips Ogden Valley Pizza is a love letter to owner Ryan Johnson’s teen-age memories.   “Pizza has been, is, and will always be a part of me,” he said. “Memories of nights where we started at Blockbuster, then headed to Pizza Hut or Godfather’s, and headed back to the house. We liked to watch the movie on the tramp in the backyard! Or staying up all night with my mom making homemade pizzas. I still to this day make Mom’s recipe, and re-live thos ..read more

Urban Hill Restaurant opened last week with a ceremonial lighting of the wood-burning grill. Left to right: Owner David Kirchheimer. chef Nick Zocco, and owner Brooks Kirchheimer. Urban Hill, a new upscale restaurant at 300 W. 500 South in downtown Salt Lake, is officially open. Instead of doing the usual ribbon cutting last week, father-son owners David and Brooks Kirchheimer had chef Nick Zocco fired up wood-burning grill. Urban Hill is a sister restaurant to Hearth and Hill, as well as Hill’s Kitchen, both located at Kimball Junction near Park City. But, as David Kircheimer explained to me ..read more