We haven't made it to Utah yet. But it's been on our radar for a while now. Between the red rock trails, the national parks, and those wide open desert views, it seems like the kind of place you want to take your time with and really explore.
Of course, what always pulls me in the most when we're planning a trip is the food. And Utah? It's full of surprises. The comfort food game is strong, but there's a fun, quirky edge to it that feels super local and community-driven.
While we're mapping out our route through Zion, Bryce, and Arches for next spring, I've been playing around with some of Utah's best-known dishes. Here's what I've found so far-and why I'm already dreaming about eating my way across the state.
Funeral Potatoes: A Name You Won't Forget
Let's start with the classic. Funeral Potatoes are the unofficial state dish of Utah. Despite the morbid name, they're anything but depressing. Frozen hashbrowns mixed with sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and a ridiculous amount of shredded cheddar-baked until bubbly and topped with something crunchy. Cornflakes are traditional, but I'm a Ritz cracker girl myself.
They get their name because they're a staple at after-service luncheons in the LDS (Mormon) community, but honestly, they show up at everything from holiday dinners to baby showers. They're the kind of dish that feeds a crowd, comforts the soul, and uses ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Pastrami Burgers: Yes, You Read That Right
If you've never heard of putting pastrami on a cheeseburger, welcome to Utah. This isn't your standard deli-style pastrami either-this stuff is grilled, crispy around the edges, and stacked on top of a juicy burger patty like it belongs there.
This combo became famous thanks to a local Utah chain called Crown Burgers in Salt Lake City. Their signature pastrami burger is so iconic that it's been featured on the Travel Channel and Food Network. It's messy in the best way, and I cannot wait to track one down in person.
Until then, I've been experimenting with my own version-think smash burger style with melty American cheese, griddled pastrami, bacon, and a generous swipe of fry sauce (more on that in a sec).
Fry Sauce: The Utah Condiment You Didn't Know You Needed
In Utah, you don't ask for ketchup with your fries. You ask for fry sauce.
It's usually a mix of ketchup and mayo-simple enough-but some versions throw in a dash of pickle juice, garlic powder, or even a little BBQ sauce. It's tangy, creamy, and way more addictive than I expected. Once you start dipping fries in this stuff, there's no going back.
Many Utah burger joints have their own secret version. If you're driving through, hit Arctic Circle, the chain that claims to have invented it (and whether or not that's true, they definitely made it famous).
More Utah Favorites Worth Knowing
Green Jell-O with Carrots
Yes, this is real. And yes, Utahns embrace it with pride. Jell-O, especially the green variety, became wildly popular in Utah thanks to large families, budget cooking, and church potlucks. It's such a big deal that in 2001, the state legislature officially named Jell-O Utah's state snack. I've yet to be brave enough to try it with shredded carrots-but it's on the list.
Utah Scones
Don't expect something British. Utah scones are deep-fried, golden pillows of dough, often served with honey butter. Think of them as fry bread's sweeter cousin. You'll see them served at diners and fairgrounds across the state. One spot on my radar: Sill's Cafe in Layton, famous for their massive, fluffy scones.
Dutch Oven Dinners
Utah has a serious Dutch oven cooking tradition-especially in the mountains and around campfires. The state hosts Dutch oven cook-offs, and folks swear by cast iron for everything from ribs to cobbler. As someone who cooks on the road, I love how this ties into outdoor living and simple ingredients.
Restaurants to Put on Your Utah Bucket List
If you're planning a Utah trip (like we are), here are a few places worth adding to your food map:
- Crown Burgers (Salt Lake City) - Home of the original pastrami burger.
- The Red Iguana (Salt Lake City) - A local favorite for killer mole and authentic Mexican food.
- Maddox Ranch House (Perry) - A beloved steakhouse known for fried chicken, homemade rolls, and raspberry butter.
- Hell's Backbone Grill (Boulder) - An award-winning spot in the middle of nowhere, focused on farm-to-table and sustainable cooking. It's not your typical Utah diner food, but it's worth the detour.
- Sill's Cafe (Layton) - Come for the scones, stay for the retro vibe.
We haven't made it to Utah just yet-but that's about to change. We're planning a 15-day RV trip from Dallas next spring, with plenty of time in Zion and Bryce Canyon. I've already mapped out the hikes, the campgrounds, and-of course-the food stops. We're hoping to grab a bite at Hell's Backbone Grill in Escalante on our anniversary, check out The Broken Oar Restaurant in Moab for a pastrami burger, and swing through Mary & Tito's in Albuquerque for some New Mexican comfort food on the way home.
I will be sure to update this post when we return. In the meantime, I will work on perfecting the recipes at home.
