Forks, Fry Sauce & Fun: Salt Lake’s Tastiest Icons You Can’t Miss

Salt Lake City is full of surprises. Sure, you might come for the mountains or the Mormon history—but you’ll stay for the food. This place has a lineup of unforgettable bites, from savory slow-cooked mole to towering pastrami burgers and root beer floats that feel like a time machine in a frosted mug.

And just like you wouldn’t want to miss the best food stops, don’t miss seeing the city itself the right way—on a guided tour with locals who know the real stories, secret spots, and juicy details. With entertaining options like the Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour, a live-theater-meets-sightseeing mash-up, or the more comprehensive Ultimate Salt Lake City Tour and Tabernacle Choir Tour over at Tours of Utah, or the curated experiences with Attraction Explorers, you’ll see—and taste—the city like never before.

Now, let’s loosen that belt a notch and dive fork-first into some of Salt Lake’s most cherished food icons.

Red Iguana: Killer Mexican Food

📍 736 W North Temple

⏰ Open daily 11 AM – 9 PM (until 10 PM Fri–Sun)

If mole had a hometown hero, Red Iguana would be it. This bright, bustling Mexican restaurant is a local legend for its velvety sauces that simmer for hours and taste like magic. The Mole Negro is the MVP here—earthy, rich, spicy, and unforgettable.

Expect a wait (yes, it’s worth it), or head to the bar for the full menu without the line. Bonus: Red Iguana 2 is just down the street if you’re extra hungry or hate waiting. Either way, prepare for a flavor adventure you’ll be telling people about long after your trip ends.

Crown Burgers: Where Pastrami Is King

📍 118 N 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

⏰ Mon–Sat 10 AM – 9 PM

Let’s talk about Utah’s fast-food royalty. Crown Burgers doesn’t just make burgers—they make pastrami burgers. A thick, juicy patty stacked high with sizzling pastrami, smothered in melty cheese and topped off with Utah’s sacred fry sauce.

It’s indulgent, it’s messy, and it’s essential. Locals have been worshipping at the Crown for decades. You should too.

Ruth’s Diner: Canyon Comfort with a Side of Nostalgia

📍 4160 Emigration Canyon Rd

⏰ Thurs–Mon 8 AM – 9 PM, Fri–Sat until 10 PM

Perched at the entrance of scenic Emigration Canyon, Ruth’s Diner is part history lesson, part comfort food heaven. Housed in an old trolley car and famous for its Mile-High Biscuits, this spot mixes vintage vibes with views that’ll make your eggs taste better.

It’s not just a meal—it’s an experience. Bring your appetite and enjoy breakfast (or anything, really) on the patio while soaking in mountain air. Bonus points if you pair your morning meal with a Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour right after. Retro trolley + retro diner? Match made in heaven.

The Pie: Basement Pizza with Major Street Cred

📍 1320 E 200 S

⏰ Mon–Sat 11 AM – 11 PM, Sun 12 PM – 10 PM

You haven’t done late-night Salt Lake right unless you’ve huddled in the basement of The Pie Pizzeria with a slice the size of your head. The graffiti-covered walls and aroma of garlic and melted cheese set the tone for what’s about to be an epic pizza moment.

Whether you’re feeding a crew or just your own cravings, the loaded pies (including great vegan options) and gooey cheese pulls make this a must. Bonus: Perfect fuel after a city sightseeing tour if you’re still hungry from all that storytelling.

Feldman’s Deli: Big Sandwiches, Bigger Flavors

📍 2005 E 2700 S

⏰ Tues–Sat 8 AM – 8 PM

New York delicatessen meets Utah hospitality at this East Bench favorite. Feldman’s Deli serves sandwiches so stacked you might need a structural engineer to help you eat them. House-cured pastrami, corned beef, bagels, latkes, and knishes all show up with flair—and they’re as authentic as anything you’ll find in Brooklyn.

Live music and neighborly vibes round out the experience. It’s the kind of place that proves Salt Lake has soul… and sandwiches to match.

Hires Big H: Vintage Burgers & Root Beer Dreams

📍 425 S 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

⏰ Mon–Thurs 10:30 AM – 8 PM, Fri–Sat until 9 PM

Slip into the past with a stop at Hires Big H, a retro-style burger joint that delivers good vibes and even better grub. Their classic Big H Burger—plus a pile of fresh-cut fries and a frosty mug of their house-made root beer—is a rite of passage in these parts.

Whether you drive in, dine in, or just want a taste of that 1950s charm, Hires is a feel-good, taste-great stop for the whole family.

Don’t Just Eat Salt Lake—Explore It

Great meals make great memories—but when paired with a top-tier sightseeing tour? Now we’re talking.

Hop aboard the Salt Lake Trolley Adventure Tour for laughs, legends, and history with a side of hilarity. For a broader look at the city’s rich heritage and iconic landmarks, check out the Ultimate Salt Lake City Tour or catch the Tabernacle Choir Tour for an experience that feeds the soul. Or visit Attraction Explorers for even more guided tour options to fit your style.

Whatever your flavor, Salt Lake City’s got a table—and a tour—waiting for you. Be sure to book your sightseeing tours direct on our website for the best prices and special perks like free cancellation with 24 hours notice before the tour, for any reason.

The Salt Lake Trolley Tour 2025 season begins!

Celebrating its tenth year as Salt Lake City’s most entertaining and unique way to see the sights and experience the history of Utah’s capital, the Trolley Tour runs Monday through Saturday at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Book directly on our website and reserve your seats today. This truly is fun for all ages! Visitors and locals alike rave about this one-of-a-kind “show tour” that combines theatrical performances and skits with the sightseeing and historic tales of SLC. And don’t forget a complimentary glass bottled Coca Cola and some Cracker Jacks!

Book direct online at https://www.saltlaketrolley.com/ or call 801-364-3333

Private Tours with Attraction Explorers - Salt Lake City Tours

Private tours of Salt Lake City and Great Salt Lake for 1-4 passengers with Attraction Explorers

Are you looking for a private tour for your group of 1-4 passengers? Consider a VIP sightseeing experience with Attraction Explorers - Salt Lake City Tours

Attraction Explorers offers private tours for parties of 1-4 passengers. Popular sightseeing tours include a 2-hour Salt Lake City Tour and a 1.5-hour Great Salt Lake Tour. Visit www.AttractionExplorers.com to learn more or to book your private tour online. 

The Salt Lake Trolley Experience is a "Sightseeing Show!"

This is one sightseeing tour you'll never forget!

Click Button to Play

A "Sightseeing Show" tour of Salt Lake City on the Salt Lake Trolley Experience

Build your Salt Lake City sightseeing scrapbook

Get the full Salt Lake City experience on our Deluxe Salt Lake City Tour and build an enviable album of unique sights. You'll visit all of the top attractions and some hidden gems on this fully narrated guided tour.  

Mormon Pioneer Trail Monument - [Deluxe Salt Lake City Tour]

A journey of 1300 miles created the Old Mormon Trail, from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. Known today as the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, over 70,000 Mormon pioneers walked it in an average of 112 days; it was the largest organized westward migration in America's history. Many traveled with wagons drawn by oxen, and some even pushed giant handcarts themselves as they were loaded with over 300 pounds of provisions and personal belongings. 

Hear this epic tale from an expert local storytelling guide and visit the end of the Mormon Pioneer Trail in a sightseeing tour bus on the Deluxe Salt Lake City Tour

Reserve your tour now on our website

Tabernacle Organ - The Most Famous in the World

Experience the world's most famous pipe organ in a performance by one of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organists on the Deluxe Salt Lake City Tour
 

The Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City was built in 1867 as a large auditorium for religious gatherings. Some of the original pipes from 1867 are still found in the Tabernacle organ today, which now contains 11,623 pipes. The largest pipe is over 32 feet tall, while the shortest is just three-quarters of an inch. It is the eleventh largest pipe organ in the world, but arguably the most famous. This unique instrument has performed alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir ever since their Music and the Spoken Word broadcast began in 1929 -- now the longest continuously running network broadcast in the world. Organ recitals are held daily at noon in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Reserve your spot now by booking online at https://toursofutah.com/salt-lake-city-tour/

Rise Above It - Scenic Overlook of Salt Lake City

Rise above the hustle and bustle of the city at the scenic overlook photo point on the Deluxe Salt Lake City Tour  - https://toursofutah.com/salt-lake-city-tour/ -

Cherry Blossoms - Spring 2017 in Salt Lake City

Where is the best place to see the cherry blossoms in Salt Lake City?

These Yoshino cherry trees were planted out of inspiration gleaned from our nation's capitol. They line the walkways of the Utah Capitol Building and each spring provide the most spectacular backdrop for bridal and family photography. America's second most beautiful state capitol surely doesn't need anything extra to make it worth a visit, but right now these blossoming trees make the capitol a must-see attraction in Salt Lake City. Reserve your spot now on the Salt Lake City Deluxe Tour with Salt Lake City's #1 TripAdvisor rated tour company.

Salt Lake Trolley is the best first thing to do!

The best first thing to do when you visit Salt Lake City is to take a ride on the Salt Lake Trolley! The Salt Lake Trolley Tour is a 90-minute journey around the city visiting some of the most spectacular attractions in town. A perfect introduction to the city, the Salt Lake Trolley is guided by an expert trolley conductor who entertains with stories and humor that is fun for all ages. Enjoy old fashioned snacks and sodas while aboard the trolley! Tours run at 10:00am and 1:00pm, Monday through Saturday, with pickups from several downtown hotels and the West Gate of Temple Square. Adults are $29, children under 12 years old are $15. Reservations are required, please book online at www.SaltLakeTrolley.com or call (801) 364-3333. We look forward to seeing you aboard the trolley for Salt Lake City's most fantastic sightseeing experience!