I’ve had my fair share of Sushi in Utah. Granted, some sushi restaurants are better than others, but I’ve never really walked away from a sushi restaurant completely disappointed. Actually, now that I mention it, I’ve rarely walk away from any restaurant disappointed.

My trip to Asuka, however, was… well… crappy.

There was nobody waiting to greet or seat me upon arrival.

My table was sticky.

My glass was dirty.

I was worried to say the least.

I opted to go with the all you can eat sushi dinner for like $18.  The sushi (nearly every roll) was anything but satisfying. The rolls were bland, lukewarm and soggy. The spicy mayo that topped many of the rolls tasted like a variation of watered down cheese whiz.

To avoid paying full price for the rolls I didn’t like, I had to force them down. I’m not joking. I had to force down sushi! Not cool.

If you’re looking for a good place to eat sushi in Utah, there are quite a few good places. My favorites are Takashi in Salt Lake on Market Street and Shoga, right off of University Parkway was pretty good in Orem.

Asuka also has a Japanese Hibachi grill. I can’t vouch for the quality of that food… I’m assuming if you go to Asuka, that you’re better off with that than a sushi roll.

If you want to review a sushi restaurant in Utah that’s delicious and not Asuka, let me know in the comments!

Asuka
2244 North University Parkway
Provo, UT 84604

Photo Courtesy of HeraldExtra.com

Rooster on University Avenue in Provo provides what is likely to be one of the most unique dining experiences in Utah County.

Rooster is a fantastic location for a  date. The white walls contrasted with the dark wood floors, furniture and paneling  coupled with the always-awesome music create an intimate lunch or dinner.

Personally, I’ve tried the pork, shrimp and beef dumplings as well as the Butter Corn Ramen and the Thai Basil Rice. The dumplings are all great, but I think I prefer the pork over the other two.

The Butter Corn Ramen was tasty. The flavors are very unique and subtle. My only qualm with the dish is that I felt like I was paying $11.00 for a glorified Top Ramen dish.

My favorite dish at Rooster is the Thai Basil Rice. The meat is delicious, and the fried egg that tops it off adds the perfect amount of creaminess to make it both delicious and unique. I recommend it.

Another thing you should definitely try are the Boba Tapioca drinks. They are just plain tasty. Like… I’d drink one every day if I could… because they’re tasty. Wait, did I already say that?

If you’re looking for a super cool place to eat with a really unique menu, Rooster is your venue. But expect that it will take a bit of a toll on the wallet. The ambiance is enjoyable, you may not leave as full as you’d expect from looking at the bill.

Rooster
163 N. University Ave.
Provo, UT

If you’d like to write a review for ReviewCrew, just leave a comment with your email address and we’ll get in touch with you!

From the outside looking in, Grove Market and Deli looks like your typical mom and pop corner store. Well, unless it’s lunch time that is…

Once noon rolls around, anyone who’s in the mood to chow down on a sandwich made from their childhood dreams lines up at Grove’s. Why? Because Grove’s doesn’t think twice about stacking the meat high and using a full loaf (yes, a full loaf) of French bread to placate the fat kid within all of us.

I recommend the turkey avocado with all the fixins. I describe it to newbies as “a good kick in the mouth,” meaning if kicks in the mouth were good, you’d want one from Grove’s. The deli meat is fresh, the avocados make more than just an appearance, and the pickles! Ohh the pickles; they snap like nobody’s business.

By the way, I’m really not kidding when I say the sandwiches are massive. A half runs about $5 and can easily be shared between two people. No one will judge you if you get a whole and keep it all for yourself though, wink-wink.

Picnic tables are located out front for your convenience. There you’ll find an eclectic mix of customers to dine with ranging from families to business people. Also, be sure to check out their hot sauce aisle; the wide selection will certainly put a smile on the face of all you fire eaters.

Grove Market and Deli
1906 S Main St
Salt Lake City, UT 84115

*Call ahead is available.  Also on the menu: chili, salads, polish dogs and assorted goods in the aisles.

Big thanks to Megan Weems for this post! If you want to write a review for ReviewCrew, hit me up on the Facebook page. And don’t forget to support awesome local cuisine!

Photo Courtesy of Sam Wibatt

If I had to pick a favorite food, I’m quite sure it would be the sandwich.

It’s simple, yet diverse. It’s traditional, versatile and absolutely delicious.  A sandwich can be made to accommodate any occasion or mood.

Now, you may doubt what I’m about to say. You very well may laugh at this post and never come back again. Ever.  I’m willing to back up my claim though.

I just had the best. Sandwich. Ever.

No joke.

If you’re a sucker for a sandwich – and I’m talking a really good, mind blowing, earth shattering, make your taste buds sing the Hallelujah chorus from Handel’s ‘The Messiah’ sandwich – you need to visit the Town and Country Market in Salt Lake.

This place is the ultimate definition of ‘hole in the wall.’  It was formerly a garage… like for repairing cars and the such. The owners have transformed it into a deli that from the outside looks almost questionable. Don’t let your eyes deceive you. Go inside. Order a sandwich and watch your world be changed. It’s only about $5… the best $5 you’ll ever spend.

I’ve tried both the Turkey Avocado and the Chicken Salad Sandwich.  I don’t know how they prepare their avocados, or what they put in that chicken salad, but I tell you, both brought tears to my eyes… in a good way… and that is NO understatement.

Show up more than twice, and the staff will start to recognize you by face and maybe even by name.

I daresay that it might be impossible to make a wrong choice on the menu.  As the writer of a foodie blog, I try to diversify my eating… but after trying out the Town and Country Market, I will be eating there at least once a week until I either move or die.  Mark my words.

Here’s a quick look at their menu.  The brief descriptions do not do the sandwiches justice. And a whole sandwich will fill you up, easily. Even if you’re a freakish eating machine. Just don’t plan on sitting down to eat while you’re there… the only tables are outside which is not helpful in the middle of the cold Utah winter.

Town and Country Market
2840 South Main Street
South Salt Lake, UT 84115

Please try this place out and tell me what you think in the comments!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Review Crew RSS feed!

American Fork has a secret. It’s called Flour Girls and Dough Boys (on 35 N. Barratt Ave. right next to the movie theater).

You feel all special now that you’re in on the secret, don’t you? Well, I aim to please… keep reading, it just gets better. I promise.

I’ve been to Flour Girls and Dough Boys twice now. Both times I got the Tomato Basil soup with something else. I don’t quite remember what. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you. I was raised on tomato soup. I had it very regularly as a child, often times accompanied with a tuna and cheese sandwich. Sometimes it was tomato and rice soup… other times just tomato, but you get the idea…

Folks, never in my life have I had tomato soup as tantalizing and exquisite as the Tomato Basil soup at Flour Girls and Dough Boys (man, that’s a long name to type).

If you visit this place for non-desert related food, you must, without a doubt, get the Tomato Basil soup. Ok?

Ok. Now that we have that settled, lets get down to business. Fellas, this is a place to take a date. No joke. The set up they have at this place is both charming and romantic… see? There’s enough room to accommodate fairly large groups while still maintaining an intimate feel.

Other than the unbelievably delicious Tomato Basil Soup that we already covered, I was delighted with the Turkey Avocado Panini. In all honesty, this was the only part of my meal that I was not impressed with. It was almost exactly like a sandwich you’d get at Zupas… only mine was a little dry. Let it be known that I did not dislike the sandwich… it just didn’t blow my mind like the soup. (Not a fair comparison, I know.)

Being a bakery, they obviously have a large variety of baked deliciousness. I can never decide what concoction to stuff my face with at a place like this, so this time I took the advice of the help and purchased a Chocolate Mint Brownie. Amazingly, the brownie was both minty and chocolaty with a thick layer of homemade fudge on top. It was delicious and too rich for me to finish… so I gave it to a girl. (I think she liked that.)

Overall, I was very satisfied, and so was my wallet. For so much freshly made food, the price was very reasonable.

Next time I have a hankering for something delicious, you can bet your sweet bippy I’ll be headed to Flour Girls and Dough Boys. I’ll get myself a sugar cookie… or maybe a gourmet cupcake. Or, possibly a cream puff, or a chocolate peanut butter brownie. Or maybe I’ll try a fresh sweet roll with caramel on top… oh you get the idea. (Here’s a list of their menu if you’re curious what else they’ve got…)

Go there. Eat their food. Make your face and your belly happy. You’ll appreciate it, and so will everyone at Flour Girls and Dough Boys!

Check out their website for recipes, events and other fun FG&DB tips. You can also follow them on Twitter here.

Flour Girls & Dough Boys
35 N. Barratt Ave.
American Fork, UT

If you like what you’re reading and want to know about other awesome places to eat at, subscribe to our RSS Feed! And don’t forget to rate the review.

Sammy’s Cafe in downtown Provo has been one of my favorite restaurants to visit over the past few months, and there is more than one reason why.

1. The staff is incredibly friendly. They serve you with a smile and a bounce in their step. If you come in more than once, they’ll learn your name… or at least your face and make you feel like a regular in no time.
2. The atmosphere is fun. It’s not a very big place, so sometimes it can get really crowded, but honestly, the patrons of Sammy’s are almost always as fun as the employees. There’s something about that place that just makes people enjoy themselves. It’s more than a restaurant… it’s an experience. I know that sounds cliche, but it’s true.
3. The food is great. Really, it is. I mean, there’s only so much you can do to a burger and fries to make it your own, but Sammy’s does as good a job as anyone in this regard. Everything is made fresh, and right in front of you.  Also, they have sweet potato fries. You just can’t beat that. Or maybe you can…
4. Pie Shakes. Yes, I must say that Pie Shakes are the absolute best thing about Sammy’s. They literally take a piece of your favorite pie, and blend it into the shake… and it is absolutely divine.  If I could, I would honestly eat a pie shake every day. The obsession I have developed for this tantalizing desert has really become unhealthy, it’s really that good.

Click here for a food menu, and here for a list of their drinks and famous pie shakes.

The Sammy’s Masterpiece and the South of the Border are both great burgers. The traditional fries and the sweet potatoe fries are also pretty great, although I’m a fan of the sweet potato… what can I say? I like a little variety every now and then.

The best cup shake I’ve had (and I’ve tried quite a few) is the Banana Cream Pie Shake. I also really liked the Carrot Cupshake (which has a cupcake instead of a pice of pie blended in). The Chocolate Cream Oreo Pie Shake and the Pumpkin Pie Shake were also pretty good… althouth the pumpkin is seasonal, I believe.

The only downside to Sammy’s is that it can get a little overcrowded from time to time, and if you plan to get a burger, shake and fries, plan to spend over $10. (That’s a little pricey for a burger meal in my book.)

Sammy’s is located at 27 N. 100 W. in Provo (right off of Center Street).

If you like what you’re reading and want to know about other awesome places to eat at, subscribe to our RSS Feed!

Photo Courtesy of City Weekly

Left Fork Grill in the South Salt Lake, Murray area is a fantastic little diner nestled into a business park near the freeway, located at 68 West 3900 South.

Not only is their menu packed with unique, home-made dishes (most of which are under $10), but the atmosphere and staff make you feel right at home. As I was trying to decide what to eat for lunch, my server sat down in the booth with me to answer my questions and recommend some of her favorite dishes.

I wanted to try something new, so I went with the meatloaf sandwich with fries and a piece of pie for dessert.

Some people shy away from meatloaf… especially restaurant meatloaf. Left Fork Grill’s meatloaf, however, is not one to be scared of. It was prepared with a spread of chili sauce, between two pieces of lightly toasted sourdough bread, and it was delicious.

The pie, on the other hand, was not delicious. It was absolutely mind blowing. Left Fork Grill apparently makes fresh home-made pie every day. I had a scoop of the strawberry rhubarb pie with a dob of fresh whipped cream. It was a delicious taste explosion in my mouth. I’ve heard great things about their breakfast, but if you go to Left Fork Grill, regardless of the meal, get the pie. I know that’s what I’ll be going back for.

Check out the Left Fork Grill’s website for their hours and menu.

P.S. Don’t be surprised if the owner comes out to chat with you during your meal. We had a nice little chat as I ate my pie. It’s not rare for him to leave the kitchen and walk around to chat with the regulars and introduce himself to new patrons. You just don’t get that very often anymore… do you?

Left Fork Grill
68 West 3900 South
Salt Lake City
(801) 266-4322

Pantrucas Chilean Restaurant has made it’s home on the east side of Provo at 3161 N. Canyon Road. Sure, the location isn’t the greatest, but the trip is worth it… I promise.

Many people associate food south of the Texas border with the traditional beans, rice, tortillas and spice of Mexico. Chilean food is incredibly distinct and has a much more Italian influence if anything.

Ricardo and Margarita (the owners of Pantrucas and native Chileans) run a tight ship, both cooking and serving the food themselves. The bread is hand-made and baked regularly, and all ingredients used are fresh and savory.

I ate a Completo Italiano (a hot dog with a fresh bun, diced tomatoes, avocado and mayo) with fries, and was incredibly pleased. Everything was authentic, fresh and hot out of the oven.

I plan to go back to partake in the Churrasco con Palta (get it with cheese), Pastel de Choclo and especially their all natural fruit juice (which comes in a huge pitcher and is currently buy one, get one free for only a few bucks).

So, if you’re looking for something new, local and very delicious, give Pantrucas a try. Tell them Nate sent you, and they’ll take great care of you.

Also… they cater!

Coupons:

Pantrucas
2161 N. Canyon Rd.
Provo, UT
(801) 373-9712

The Review Crew is a community of internet junkies that makes a difference. We offer local businesses access to our awesome network of online friends in exchange for cheap food, products and services.

How it works – Restaurants tell us when business is slowest during the week. The Review Crew then offers to fill up the restaurant or store, and review the experiences and dishes in exchange for discounted food or other products.  It’s a win/win situation. We fill up and promote the business, while  the business promotes us.

How do I become a member? – Membership in the Review Crew requires that you have a legitimate online influence, and a willingness to actively participate in events.  If you want to be a part of review crew, you must seek out an invite. Follow the #ReviewCrew hashtag on Twitter, or make friends with someone in the Review Crew Facebook Group.