It’s hard to go out to eat. It can burn a hole in your wallet and your time. And when you’re living on campus with the Peterson Heritage Center just a short walk away, why bother going out? The HC is a great place to hang out with friends and get a lot of calories in for cheap. I ate there all the time my first year, partly because I needed to use up my meal plan by the end of the week, but also because I really had no idea where else to go.
Salt Lake City is by no means complicated, but for people moving here for the first time, it can feel like a labyrinth. Even if the streets are laid out in the simplest way possible, there is a kind of fear of going out to spend money on food. Why leave when I can just get all my food from the HC? Why break that habit? Because eating only at the HC stunts your growth in more than one way. There’s a world of flavors out there in the city — why subject yourself to the same food over and over again? I believe that expanding your palette is a wonderful way to grow. Salt Lake City has a few gems I always encourage others to visit.
First, The Robin’s Nest. Located at 311 Main St., this restaurant is very much a hole-in-the-wall. When I first looked for it, I passed the place three times. Its only identifying marker is the robin logo on the window. It’s definitely the best sandwich shop in SLC. Unfortunately, it’s also where everyone goes for lunch, so you’ll want to avoid the late noon to 2 p.m. crowd. They work quickly there, however, so the wait is never long. It’s a great place to eat for cheap — for $10 you get a large sandwich, a large drink, a dessert and chips or a pasta salad, and it’s all very good. Sometimes they make marshmallow brownie desserts that are to die for. I recommend The Vegetarian Garden Child, The Cowboy and The Madam. Beware, though, they close at 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays they stay open until 10 p.m.
If you’re into subs we’ve got two great places. If you prefer a Philly Cheesesteak, check out DP Cheesesteaks on 83 E 300 S. They’ve got 10 variations of the classic sub. Not the healthiest choice, but they make them with just the right amount of cheese, steak and mayonnaise. If you want a variety of sub choices, try Moochie’s Meatballs & More on 232 E 800 S. Despite this restaurant looking like someone’s home, it’s recognized as one of the best in Salt Lake. Everything they make is pretty great, but I prefer the Chicken Parmesan above all else.
If you’re looking for cheap sushi that’s still decent quality, check out Sushi Burrito on 180 E 800 S. Just take the TRAX Red Line down to the city library, then head south four blocks. I hear they make it better if you pretend you’re new. I think the Citrus Roll is a great starting roll. If you find yourself enjoying the oversized sushi roll, try the Geisha next time.
If you’re looking for the best burger in SLC, Bistro on 3rd is the place to be. Located at 564 E 3rd Ave., it’s a restaurant with an amazing atmosphere, in addition to great food. It’s a simple menu — only five or six choices at a time — but each one is amazing. Bistro on 3rd is my absolute favorite place to eat. The staff is so friendly and are good at making a little conversation with the customers here and there. The owner occasionally shows her face and loves to talk about their desserts, which, by the way, are great. They make them fresh every couple of hours, and I’ve never had a better-tasting brownie than the ones they make there. They add a just a tiny bit of orange to them to give them a hint of citrus flavor. If you’re 21 or older, they also have an incredible selection of drinks there.
Looking for just a nice place to chill with friends and eat a sandwich? Try Café on 1st, located at 39 I Street. To give you an idea, the seating in this restaurant is mostly couches and lazy boys. This is the ideal college retreat. If you want to meet people, this is a great place to do it. Everyone is either going to the U or has taken classes there. If you need a place to sit down, relax, have a little soup and sandwich, chitchat and maybe get a little classwork done, this is where you want to be. Plus it’s one of the best breakfast joints in the city.
Do not let yourself get stuck on campus. The city is an amazing place that students should get to know. There’s a treasure trove of restaurants in the city just waiting to be discovered. There’s no reason not to shell out a few bucks every now and then to change up your experience.