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What to eat in Salt Lake City? Where to eat in Salt Lake City? 6 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Salt Lake City

The best traditional dishes in Salt Lake City and the best authentic restaurants that make them, recommended by industry professionals.
Last update: Sun Apr 20 2025
6 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Salt Lake City
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01

Burger

SALT LAKE CITY, United States of America and  one more region
3.5
Pastrami Burger
Pastrami Burger infographic
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Pastrami burger consists of a toasted sesame seed bun filled with a beef patty that is topped with pastrami, cheese, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, onions, and fry sauce – a combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet relish, and onion powder.


It's an invention of a Greek man named James Katsanevas, who had a restaurant called Minos Burgers in Anaheim, California, and started serving the dish in the early 1970s, while pastrami was brought over to Los Angeles by the Jewish people who came over from New York City in the middle of the 20th century. 

MOST ICONIC Pastrami Burger

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02

Sauce

SALT LAKE CITY, United States of America
3.5
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MAIN INGREDIENTS

Originating from Salt Lake City, Utah, fry sauce consists of a simple combination of equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise or one part ketchup and two parts mayonnaise. The sauce has a thick, smooth consistency and is characterized by its pink color.


Originally, it was invented in the 1950s by Don Carlos Edwards, a chef who first served it in his restaurant called Don Carlos' Barbecue in Salt Lake City. Today, fry sauce is typically used as a dip for french fries or as a condiment for burgers, and some people add extra ingredients to the sauce such as garlic and various spices.

MOST ICONIC Fry Sauce

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03

Casserole

UTAH, United States of America
3.9
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Contrary to its name, funeral potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, a cheesy au gratin potato casserole that is synonymous with the state of Utah and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It consists of cubed potatoes, cheese, onions, cream soup or sauce, sour cream, and a topping of butter and cornflakes or crushed potato chips.


The dish is commonly prepared by the members of the Church to comfort grieving relatives after a loved one's funeral, so it is not just an ordinary dish, but also a sign of care, love, and compassion. Although funeral potatoes started as a dish intended for funerals, today it is a common side dish that can be served at any time. 

MOST ICONIC Funeral Potatoes

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04

Sandwich

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
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Meatball sandwich is an Italian-American invention typically consisting of a long Italian-style roll filled with meatballs, red sauce, and mild cheeses such as mozzarella or provolone. It is believed that this sandwich was invented in the USA at the turn of the 20th century.


Nowadays, there are numerous variations on the meatball sandwich, but the meatballs are usually made with a combination of ground pork and beef, enriched with eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, basil, parsley, and onions. For the best experience, this sandwich should be followed by a glass of cold beer.

MOST ICONIC Meatball Sandwich

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05

Salad

UTAH, United States of America
2.5
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Frog eye salad is a flavorful concoction made with the ball-shaped acini di pepe pasta, egg yolks, and a whipped cream topping that can sometimes be enriched with the addition of pineapple pieces, shredded coconut, mandarin oranges, or marshmallows.


This crossover between a pasta salad and a fruit salad is especially popular in Utah, where it is a staple at potlucks.

MOST ICONIC Frog Eye Salad

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06

Sweet Pie

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3.9
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Cherry pie is an American classic that's beloved in North America and Europe, consisting of a pie crust that's filled with cherries and topped with a lattice crust or regular pie crust top. Morello cherries are most commonly used, but the pie can also be prepared with other types such as black cherries.


Once baked, cherry pie is traditionally served with a cloud of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side. This dessert is also often mentioned in pop culture – most notably in the TV show Twin Peaks. In the US, the National Cherry Pie Day is celebrated on George Washington Day, also known as Presidents' Day.

MOST ICONIC Cherry Pie

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