Lone Star Taqueria

This past weekend, my wife and I were invited by a good friend--who has a great food blog of her own: Patti Cakes--to go to Lone Star Taqueria.  She said, "We want to take you to eat there so that you can write about it on your blog later."  Well, I would hate to disappoint, so here I am.


It is my goal to try each of the 7 joints from the Salt Lake City area which have been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives before my time is through here in Utah.  Lone Star Taqueria was the 3rd which I have tried--along with Ruth's Diner and Moochie's Meatballs--leaving me with visits to Pat's Barbecue, The Blue Plate Diner, The Red Iguana, and the Burger Bar (in Roy, UT) before I can leave Utah fat and happy when I graduate.


Lone Star Taqueria sticks out like a sore thumb in southern Salt Lake.  It looks like a mix of a Texas ranch and a beach house in California... and the SMELL!  I mean that in a good way.  They are using so much fresh fish that it smells like they ship in a daily dose of sea breeze straight from the California coast.  Speaking of the fish... the fish-of-the-day tacos are off the chain.  They are not your typical deep fried filets that so many of us are used to, but these grilled fish tacos are so good that I didn't miss the crispy crust that the batter-and-fry method produces--and I like just about anything deep fried.  The fresh fish is topped off simply with shredded cabbage, tomato, and cilantro and served with a bit of creamy dressing that brings it all together.  Amazing.

Along with the fish taco I ordered a taco with carne adovada: marinated, spicy pork.  This taco was great as well, with just enough spice to make your tongue tingle.  It was one of the dishes featured on DDD when Guy stopped by to check it out.  Check out the clip below to get a glimpse into how it's made.

The last thing that I loved about this place was the bucket of lime wedges near the soda fountain.  There is nothing better than an ice-cold Coke with a few squirts of lime juice to top it off.  It is a small touch, I know, but it just makes the meal that much better.  Once again, this place proves that you don't have to spend a arm and a pierna to get a good meal, especially here in Utah.  Want a $20 dollar date?  Go to Lone Star Taqueria, hit up the Red Box on the way home, and you'll still have money for the piggy bank at the end of the night.

To find out more about this place, click HERE to go to their website.  Been there yourself?  Tell me about your experience in the comments below.

Cheers!

Moochie's Meatballs

I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, you know why?  I am getting sad and hungry sitting here at my computer without a Moochie's sandwich in my mouth.  Seriously, it's depressing.


If you drive east on 800 south in Salt Lake City, it is very likely that you would pass 232 east without a second glance...  What a stupid thing to do.  Find a parking spot and step inside for a taste of some of the best sandwiches around.

I saw this joint on DDD (see video below) and I knew I had to try it next time I went to Salt Lake.  But what about Ruth's Diner?  Could I sacrifice a trip to my can't miss diner in order to try this new place?  Solution: Moochie's for dinner, Ruth's for breakfast next day.  Bangarang. 

I ordered the Philly cheesesteak sandwich with sauted mushrooms and bell peppers.  If you like it with a little kick (like I do) you've gotta take advantage of their extensive pepper bar filled with jalapenos, cherry peppers, pepperoncinis, etc.  Oh, and don't forget the sauce as seen in the picture below--it's a creamy jalapeno sauce with just enough spice to tingle the back of your tongue.

The highlight of the sandwiches is the bread.  Somehow they find a way to keep it from getting soggy, so you end up with delicious, crusty, chewy bread as the platform for the delicious meats and sauces Moochie's has to offer.

My wife loved the meatball sandwich; the provolone cheese was hot and gooey and the meatballs were fantastic.  There is nothing bad to say about this place.


My one regret I had as I left was that I didn't get some of their fries.  They have regular and (my personal favorite) sweet potato fries which sent their deep-fried aroma through the air that made me want to ask the table next to me if I could try just one of their little beauties.  Give them a try.


Here is the video clip that had me hooked--until I tried it for myself and I was truly converted.

Click HERE to chek out Moochie's website for maps, directions, and the full delicious menu.  Let me know how it goes.

Cheers!

Ruth's Diner

If you are anything like me, you love two shows on Food Network: The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  I heard about Ruth's Diner on "Triple D," and I knew I had to give it a shot.  Here is what I love about the little joint:

-The diner is less than 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake, but the scenic drive up Emigration Canyon makes you feel like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

-You can eat inside if the weather is cold, but eating on Ruth's huge patio overlooking the canyon makes your dining experience even more unforgettable.

-Just after you are seated, you will taste the most delicious dinner roll in town.  The rolls, which are delivered daily from a local baker, are crusty on the outside, warm throughout, and deliciously chewy inside.

-The house salad wouldn't be anything special if it weren't for the fresh-sliced mushrooms they throw on top.  They add a special change of texture which contrasts nicely from the crispy lettuce and cucumbers.

-The menu has great variety.  From chile rellenos to meat loaf, capresse sandwiches to Cajun bleu burgers, and Jamaican chicken to mac' and cheese, they have something for everything--and it is all bursting with flavor.

-If you can believe it, dinner is not Ruth's specialty.  Their breakfast is what made them famous.  After one bite of their biscuits (which come with every meal... see below) I knew that we had found a winner.  Ruth features the old classics like biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, and huge omelets, but their unique dishes such as pulled pork Benedict, pecan cinnamon roll french toast, and huevos rancheros are favorites as well.

 

Want to see more?  Click HERE to see Ruth's complete menu.  Click HERE to go to the Ruth's Diner homepage for address, diner hours, and much more.

If you need more convincing, here is the clip from Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives:

Trust me, this place is worth the drive.  Enjoy.

Cheers!