Is that where Aristo was?
I think so.
I worked for a decade for a company headquartered in Miami before I retired, and spent a lot of time there. As I was on the road, and sometimes working with clients, I ate in a lot of restaurants.
Lately, I’ve been missing some of the wonderful South and Central American options I discovered there and have not had since. Specifically, Nicaraguan, Guatemalan, Brazilian, Argentine, Venezuelan, Colombian, and Cuban. These places were all owned by first generation immigrants from these countries, were very authentic, generally reasonably priced, and ALL exceptional.
I’ve done a few google searches and there seem to be more of these options available on the Wasatch Front lately, which I’m going to start checking out.
Any recommendations?
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This Venezuelan place was on DD&D. I haven’t been there yet but it looks really good.
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El Viroleño is an authentic (but not fancy) Salvadoran restaurant. (Viroleño refers to any native of Zacatecoluca, a town in El Salvador. I’ve been there. It’s stiflingly hot.) 471 W 800 S, SLC. If you go there try the pupusas. They’re super-filling. Have a couple for lunch and you won’t have room for any more food again until the next day.
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I like Log Haven for a special occasion
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My first job was as a dishwasher at Log Haven in 1985. The current owners are wonderful people!
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Is there a single restaurant is the same since I graduated in the 90s? I mean we all know there is turnover, but THIS, this is ridiculous. I am of course excluding the eternal B&D Burgers… that doesnt exactly count as a “restaurant”. I think Indochine is the current longest survivor on that row. Anyone else old enough to remember China Star? LOL I wil never get over the loss of Market Street Broiler up there, in the old firehouse. Was always more accessible than MSGrill
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Nor I!
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OMG…I found another China Star lover from the early ‘90’s! Thanks Kosh! I absolutely loved China Star but unfortunately it was the only unsuccessful Gastronomy restaurant they created. I miss the spicy orange chicken! There are some great stories about that spot, especially how they designed it initially to be very “loud”so they could turn more tables each night because customers wouldn’t lounge around. Unfortunately it was too loud so they had to retrofit the ceiling to dampen the sound. I have 2 recipes from them that I’ll share if anyone is interested!
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I would love the recipes. I miss China Star, and shoutout to Baci Trattoria as well. And let’s not forget the New Yorker.
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We had a monthly rotation of Bangok Thai, China Star and Training Table back in the day.
RIP!
I cant believe the Old Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square has lasted as long as it has?
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That place will be there after civilization collapses.
I’m just sad the motion diorama train set thing is gone. Loved that thing since I first laid eyes on it in about 1983.
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I worked there in high school. I think more drugs moved through that place then spaghetti. The only other place that rivaled it was Gepetto’s.
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Their triple chocolate cake 
1st date in 2002 with my now wife
so good
my roommate worked there and treated me to lobster on a really bad day (and taught me how to eat a lobster). But their chowder was all that was needed. Still have the recipe and that’s what my wife uses to make it.
San Pan was another that we loved. Their hot and sour soup …
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Baci Trattoria… The memories. Every year getting the card giving me some sort of gift meal for my birthday. GIven my years of living in Napoli, and always being alone (poor lonely bored me), I would choose to sit at the counter in front of the pizza overn and talk (in Spanish) with the dudes working it, about said years in “Napoles”, and discussing how they made pizza there. Pretty good, about the best in a non-pizza focused place in SLC… Then Settebello opened in 2006.
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Settebello Pizzeria/Capo Gelateria
I can swear on a stack of cookbooks, that you will find no more authentic Pizza Napoletana than here… so authentic it has the formal certification from the Italian government agency that monitors DOC designation,etc. If youve never been, given it a try… you may not start screaming its praised like I do, but you will not be unhappy. Every single person Ive ever taken there is stunned at teh quality.
The authentic gelateria next door is not to miss either.
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I’ll be in Napoli in May. My wife’s ancestors are from Potenza, and we are starting in Napoli and are ending up in Bari to fly home. I’m excited for all the food honestly, but just being there in general. Love Italy.
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I’m 63 now, but with multiple physical issues that limit mobility… But I am honestly praying I get a chance to return to Napoli once before Im too old or pass. I felt more alive while there than any other point in my life… The Italians that worked in the hospital with me, and that I knew around the city were all heartbroken when I left - they had come to view me as one of them, I couldnt speak Napoletano, but I grew to understand a good bit; and of course I was fluent in standard Italian. It helped that I became a true tifoso for SSC Napoli, during the last 4 years of Maradona’s career.
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I hope you get to go. My family is from Napoli, but iI have never been. I sailed in and around Italy in a sailboat in the early 80’s. As an Italian American in Italy, I fell in love with the culture every day.
che tu possa stare bene e realizzare i tuoi sogni
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