My TOP 5 Local

Can I just start this with I'm through with winter! I ski about once every 5 years so winter just doesn't excite me at all. I build one snowman a year and go sleigh riding once a year and since I can do that all in one week winter should only be ONE WEEK! I loved how Christmas day was 45 degrees and sunny and then the next day it snowed non stop and the snow hasn't melted since. There are probably a few Christmas presents I lost from the car to the front door frozen out on the front lawn.

But enough about that. I'm excited to list my 5 favorite local restaurants. I personally think Utah has some of the best food in the world. It really is a mixed bag of all countries. I used to live in Roy and there is a Chinese restaurant for every 20 citizens up there. In Syracuse we have a pizza joint for every 20 citizens. But it's only a 20 minute drive to get Greek, Indian, Vietnamese, Colombian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian etc...which is nice. I've eaten from Logan to St. George, from Moab to Delta so I've covered this great state and have compiled the following:

1. Maddox Restaurant, Perry, UT. I've been going there for the last 35 years and since I'm not quite 40 that means all my life. My grandparents had been going there since they lived there in the 40's. It is where I had my first steak that I can remember and my menu item of choice is the spicy sirloin with a baked potato and marinated mushrooms. When you can enjoy a steak without cutting a lot of fat off of it and without doctoring it up with Heinz 57 or A-1 then it's a winner in my book. The buffalo steaks are just as good but I still go with the cow 90% of the time. But before I move on let me tell you about their rolls and corn bread spears. I can eat a basket of those and it would be well worth the trip from anywhere in the state. The rolls are better than any I had in grade school (when grade schools used to cook the food themselves and you could smell the rolls cooking at the other end of the school, shout out Centerville elementary tigers!) They are so soft and fresh. WARNING: They will bring you as many baskets as you ask for. So you can fill up on them before you know it and then you might as well get your meal to go so be careful. The corn bread spears are just as tasty and I like adding a dollop of butter and shot of honey on each bite. Awesome!  http://www.maddoxfinefood.com/
2. Red Iguana, Salt Lake City, UT. When I think Mexican food there is only one place that jumps right to the front of my grey matter and that is this place. Now I want to say that Utah has some of the best Mexican in the country. But when I want what I feel is authentic Mexican I head here. I think it's because of the mole sauces that they use. It gives many dishes a different taste that you don't find at other Mexican restaurants. My menu item of choice is the Puntas with the almond mole. I've had so many of there menu items and they are all excellent but this one is the cream of the crop. As with Maddox rolls do not tank up on the chips and salsa as you want to be ready for the main course even though I could eat a couple of baskets.     http://rediguana.com/home.html
3. Martine Cafe, Salt Lake City, UT. I've had french onion soup in Paris but nothing compares to the french onion soup at Martines. Their lunch specials are excellent and I always garnish them with this soup. There dinners are just as unique and delicious. There menu changes every so often so every time I go I'm excited to try something new. Once the downtown City Center project is completed it will be even harder to get reservations so hit this place sooner rather than later.     http://martinecafe.com/
4. The Other Place Restaurant, Salt Lake City, UT. The Greek community in Utah is amazing and I will dedicate an entry on that alone soon but there is one dish at one Greek restaurant that makes me Opa! and its the Mezidakia plate at The Other Place. When I was working downtown a gentleman came in for a loan and mentioned he owned this restaurant. I had never heard of this place and thought what a strange name for a restaurant as there was nothing Greek about it. He invited my manager and I over for lunch and ordered us this plate. It has chicken and pork chunks that have been marinating for days so the pork is as tender as the chicken. You also get some dolmadis (stuffed grape leaves), tomato's, cucumber, feta cheese, kalamata olives and a side of pita bread. So simple but yet so satisfying. I can't help but think people have been eating this dish for thousands of years. There's nothing like a good souvlaki stick as well. I just wish they had their own web-site????  http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/10384514/salt_lake_city_ut/the_other_place_restaurant.html
5. Mandarin Restaurant, Bountiful, UT. I have favorite Chinese dishes at so many restaurants around the state but I always compare them to the Mandarin. If you didn't grow up in Davis County you will definitely want to Map quest it as it's right in the middle of a residential section of town but come by car, train or camel. Every dish has it's own signature sauce that makes it unique. Some places the Mongolian beef tastes similar to the cashew chicken but not here. My menu item of choice IS the cashew chicken. Talk about fresh and tasty. Nothing deep fried here. Just excellent flavors dancing all over your mouth. I love the beef and asparagus when its in season. Their five taste shrimp is a signature dish as well. The ambiance makes it even better as you'll think you dropped into a restaurant on the Yangtze River when you visit.     http://www.mandarinutah.com/

There you have it! I think I've given you enough options for every weekend over the next month so go try them. Please let me know what you think!

Until next week!
Carson