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City Cast Salt Lake

Terina Ria

The final Sundance Film Festival in Utah wraps up this weekend, and 

! In honor of its 40 year legacy, we put together a crossword with some festival fun facts.

Shelby Hintze

After Utah's thrilling wins in the newest MICHELIN travel guide region, we’re holding out hope that another Utah restaurant will take home a star in the future.

Hell’s Backbone Grill is a perfect example of the MICHELIN criteria — innovative, consistent, sustainable, and well worth the trip.

If you know me IRL or have gathered anything from reading this newsletter, I’m an indoor cat. So I’m not making many trips to Southern Utah for hikes or camping. That said, I WOULD make a trip just for 

The Boulder, Utah, restaurant is a longtime destination for farm-to-table dining, with offerings made from ingredients grown at its own 

 or from local suppliers. The menu changes with the seasons, so you'll have a new experience with each trip.

The restaurant has been serving diners in the heart of southern Utah since 2000, when chefs Jen Castle and Blake Spalding decided to build a restaurant around their shared commitment to food, community, and sustainability.

Over the years, it has become part of Boulder’s community fabric and an advocate for the landscapes surrounding it. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is woven into its operations, and Castle and Spalding became 

vocal advocates for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

. Their work has earned national attention, including multiple James Beard Award nominations.

In 2025, after 25 years of renting the property, Castle, Spalding, and longtime team members purchased the Boulder Mountain Lodge and restaurant, giving this beloved Utah institution a new chapter.

Black powder biscuits (and buying mixes to give as gifts), Three Sisters posole, butter dipped farm radishes, trout ‘n herbs, summer buttermilk pie.

Hell's Backbone Grill in Utah is Worthy of a MICHELIN Star

A MICHELIN Star? We’d Give It to Hell’s Backbone

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

With the announcement of Utah’s MICHELIN-recommended restaurants this week, we started thinking: 

 if we were handing out the honors? One star means a restaurant is worth a stop, two stars mean it’s worth a detour, and three stars mean it’s worth planning a trip around.

If it were up to me, here’s where some Utah favorites would land.

One of the things I love about the MICHELIN Guide is the range of restaurants it recognizes. Fancy or casual, the philosophy is simple: Good food is good food.

That’s why Victor’s is at the top of my list. I know a restaurant has won me over when, no matter how hard I try to convince myself to order something new, I end up going back to the dish that made me fall in love with the place in the first place.

The filling is packed with flavor, while the masa is moist, tender, and just the right amount of fluffy. And while the tamales are the star of the show for me, the rice and beans might be my favorite part of the meal. They’re consistently delicious and make the whole plate feel like comfort food in the best possible way.

 The smothered tamales combo comes in under $15, and the portions are generous enough that I can stretch one order into both lunch and dinner.

I’m a firm believer that we should eat more tapas. I want a bite of everything, not necessarily one big plate. Which is why I love Koyote. And so did the MICHELIN reviewers, who recommend the SLC ramen and tapas joint.

At the heart of Koyote is food designed to be shared. The menu takes familiar ingredients and pushes them in unexpected directions, layering spicy, savory, sweet, and tangy flavors into dishes that are as fun to eat as they are to talk about. It’s the kind of place where you might order something because you recognize an ingredient, only to discover it prepared in a way you’ve never tried before.

Koyote also embraces the idea that a great meal should feel like an experience rather than a formal occasion. The atmosphere is energetic and welcoming, making it easy to settle in for a few rounds of food and drinks.

house gyoza, karage wings, deluxe chashu-don, whipped tofu

The MICHELIN reviewers gave this Jewish deli a Bib Gourmand award, which celebrates “restaurants worldwide that serve exceptional food at a great value.” Which is exactly what Feldman’s does best. The french fries and fry sauce alone are worth it. But I will have a sandwich, too. I’m making good choices here.

. After discovering Utah was missing the Jewish deli food they grew up with, the couple opened Feldman’s in 2012, bringing classic New York-style pastrami, bagels, matzo ball soup and more to Salt Lake City.

MICHELIN Star-Worthy Restaurants in Salt Lake

Move Over, MICHELIN: These Are Our Utah Picks

 began with a freezer full of food and a new mom trying to make life a little easier. In 2016, founder Allyse Jackson started preparing freezer meals before the birth of her first child. She made far more than her family could eat, so she shared the extras with friends, neighbors, and families who could use a home-cooked meal.

She then decided meal prepping was something she was good at and 

Jackson officially launched Beehive Meals in 2019, initially preparing and delivering freezer meals herself from a rented commercial kitchen. Demand grew during the pandemic as families looked for convenient ways to avoid grocery shopping and still eat at home. The growth hasn’t slowed.

Beehive Meals produced more than 1.2 million meals in 2025 alone, bringing its lifetime total to more than 4 million meals. What started as one Utah mom’s solution for getting dinner on the table has grown into a nationwide business, 

Today, Beehive Meals offers ready-to-cook freezer meals, including gluten-free options and higher-protein meals. The rotating menus offer a mix of comforting family favorites and globally inspired flavors that you can cook in your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or on your stove. Recent options have included bang bang chicken, BBQ pork, Swedish meatballs, sausage marinara and chicken tortilla soup. Many meals can be served over rice or pasta, tucked into tortillas, or turned into sandwiches, giving families flexibility with sides and presentation.

The newer Flat Top line takes a more hands-on approach, with meals such as Greek chicken, steak fajitas, jalapeño cheddar smash burgers, and taco hash. Ingredients arrive prepped and frozen, so there’s no chopping or measuring — just thaw and cook.

How Beehive Meals Turned Dinner Into a Big Business

The season of tomato sandwich lunches and popsicle dinners is winding down, and with it comes more responsibilities and fewer daylight hours. Whether you’re looking for single-serving, ready-to-eat meals or prepared dishes to feed the whole family, turning to a local meal service can take one more thing off your plate.

: NUR Kitchen is a family-run Salt Lake City meal delivery service focused on fresh, nutritious, chef-cooked meals made from scratch. You can choose from a lunch or dinner menu. Lunch options feature lighter fare, like salads, while dinner options are a little more hearty. You can also choose portion sizes based on your nutrition goals.

👨‍🍳 Menu Sample: roasted corn salad (lunch), coconut lime salmon (dinner)

: Meals from Avant arrive ready to heat and eat, with no subscription required, although it is an option to save a little money. Its reusable containers are collected, professionally washed and sanitized, reused up to 1,000 times, then recycled. The menu features ready-to-eat meals, as well as bulk proteins, like four servings of grilled chicken, and premade sides to help round out a meal for one or a family.

👨‍🍳 Menu Sample: bibimbap power bowl, Swedish meatballs, lasagna Bolognese

: Beehive Catering is banishing the sad desk lunch for our friends in Utah County. Its weekday box lunches offer a convenient option for workdays, while family meals feed about five and arrive chilled, ready to reheat for dinner. The lunch menu features a weekly sandwich and a daily entree or salad choice, and each entree is also available daily as a family meal. Consider this my official plea to deliver to Salt Lake County, too!

👨‍🍳 Menu Sample: beef gyudon, braised beef enchiladas, turkey bacon club

: Citrus Pear meals are designed to feed your whole crew. Meals come assembled and ready to cook in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, oven or on the stovetop, with small and medium family portions available. Generally, these meals are a protein you can serve however your family enjoys it — like enchilada chicken can be used in actual enchiladas, on a taco salad, or served over rice.

👨‍🍳 Menu Sample: garlic parmesan chicken, honey lime ginger pork, carne asada street tacos

: Blue Door Kitchen lives up to its motto, “We make the meals you'd cook — if you had the time.” Its rotating weekly menu offers customizable family-style portions for two to six people, ready to heat and serve. Choose pickup or delivery, with no subscription required and new menus each week. The meals are simple, crowd-pleasers.

👨‍🍳 Menu Sample: cheese and spinach manicotti, chicken pot pie and biscuits

The season of tomato sandwich lunches and popsicle dinners is winding down, and with it comes more responsibilities and fewer daylight hours. Whether you’re looking for single-serving, ready-to-eat meals or prepared dishes to feed the whole family, turning to a local meal service in Salt Lake can take one more thing off your plate.


Utah Meal Delivery Services For Busy People

Get Back on Schedule With Local Meal Services

It may be a slow burn but American’s love for small bookshops is intensifying, just like the tension in a one-bed-roadtrip-enemies-to-lovers plotline. The American Booksellers Association says more than 

600 bookstores opened across the country last year

, double the number of new shops from the year before, and membership in the association is the 

These shops provide not only great reading material but community through events, knowledgeable staff, and general third-space-ness. Here are some of our favorites — by trope, of course.

: The Legendarium is a fantasy and science fiction-focused bookstore, where every visit feels like stepping into another realm. Beyond shelves of epic fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, the shop hosts author events, book clubs, game nights, writing groups, and community gatherings that bring readers together. Grab a themed drink from the café, settle in with your next adventure, and discover why it's become a hub for Utah's fantasy-loving community.

: If you’re on a long journey south, take a side quest to Poppy’s Books in Spanish Fork. The store features genre-themed rooms, hidden miniature scenes, fairy gardens, and cozy reading nooks that could hold you captive all day if you aren’t careful. Unfortunately, it is not wheelchair-accessible. If you need wheelchair access and fairy gardens, you can come to my house.

: The longest-running comic shop in Utah, Dr. Volt’s Comics & Games has been a Salt Lake City staple for comic book fans, gamers, and pop culture enthusiasts for decades. Browse new and vintage comics, graphic novels, manga, collectibles, tabletop games, and trading cards, then stick around for regular events like Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, and board game nights.

: Under the Umbrella Bookstore & Café is Utah's first LGBTQ+ bookstore. It offers a thoughtfully curated selection of books, coffee, and gifts in a welcoming, inclusive space. Beyond the shelves, it hosts author events, book clubs, workshops, and community gatherings.

: An independent bookstore mainstay in Salt Lake for nearly 50 years, The King’s English has a story for everyone and an event for every type of reader, from book clubs, to author conversations, to storytime. This is the place you think of when you think of a quintessential, cozy, local bookstore.

: Hear me out on this one. Jo would have loved the expanse of different romance genres available today, and all of them are available at Lovebound. Queer romance, enemies to lovers, a strong, independent woman wooed by an equal partner … just don’t let Laurie near the friends-to-lovers section.

Utah's Best Independent Bookstores

Independent, Niche Bookstores on the Rise

 was founded by award-winning editor, publisher, and romance author Olivia Nightingale to amplify books by and about the African diaspora. One of Utah's first Black-owned bookstores and publishing companies, it has quickly become a destination for readers seeking diverse voices, fresh perspectives, and stories that aren't always easy to find on traditional bookstore shelves.

Although Crowne Books is currently operating through online sales and pop-up events while working toward opening a permanent Salt Lake City storefront, it has already become an active part of 

 since its founding just this year. The bookstore regularly participates in community markets, Juneteenth celebrations, banned book fairs, author events, and literacy initiatives, bringing books directly to readers across the state.

 to help establish Utah's first permanent Black-owned bookstore, with plans that include a future bookmobile and a brick-and-mortar location.

Its carefully curated selection spans romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, children's literature, memoirs, history, and nonfiction, with an emphasis on Black authors and independent publishers. Whether you're looking for a bestselling novel, an inspiring memoir, or a children's book featuring characters who reflect a wider range of experiences, Crowne Books offers something for every reader.

Utah's First Black-Owned Permanent Bookstore

From Pop-Ups to a Permanent Home: Crowne Books’ Big Literary Vision

In August, there are three kinds of people:

People who have finished back-to-school shopping weeks ago.

People with a corporate office job who just really love school supplies (🙋🏼‍♀️)

I love strolling the back-to-school sections at the big box stores as much as the next person. But sometimes you need something a little more unique, or a better deal. It can be hard to find your everyday school supplies beyond the national chains, but it’s not impossible. AND you can do it without spending a fortune.

: This is what outlets used to be. NPS resells overstock, unclaimed, or slightly damaged goods at a fraction of the cost at its four locations in Utah. While you’ll never know exactly what is in stock, you can count on deals on just about any category of merchandise you’re looking for. And through Aug. 15, they’ll have even deeper discounts on some of the most sought after back-to-school/end-of-summer items.

: If your goal this school year is to build your at-home library, Marissa’s has an incredible selection of new and used books, for kids and adults alike. Make sure to follow them on 

 and updates on their numerous “free kids books” days!

: This newly opened nonprofit brick-and-mortar helps your wallet and the earth by reselling donated craft supplies. While not your traditional school supply shop, you’ll find plenty of useful items for at-school or at-home use. Think … projects.

 Need I say more? No, but I’m going to. This is the place to buy the planner that will for sure change your life this year. Probably. Maybe. It will at least be really, really cute. You can stock up on your new favorite ballpoint pen, a pencil case to put them in, and all the old school stickers by-the-roll your heart desires. Will the kids love it? Yes. Will you love it? Definitely.

: In another newsletter, I will extol the virtues of the Harmony fabric and yarn selection. But for our purposes today, we’re sticking with the shoppy-shop area of the Provo store. Think of fun notebooks, stickers, pens, bags for all your trinkets, and funky socks, keychains, and jewelry to start the new school year off in style. Now multiply it by like four. You should have learned that in third grade. Good. Now you see the vision. Worth the drive.

: Thwart the dreaded late-night run to the store in desperate search of poster board and cardstock. The Artist’s Corner in Orem features one of the best selections of art supplies locally, so stock up on those special items now.

: This locally owned business is a back-to-school lifesaver, offering printing, binding, laminating, presentation materials, poster printing, and school project supplies. Whether you're printing a research paper or assembling a science fair display, they've got students covered.

Back-to-school Shopping in Salt Lake For Every Budget

Back-to-School Shopping For Every Budget

Are you trying to be on your phone and computer less? Looking to embrace the caress of a sturdy pen and cold-pressed paper? Tucked away in Holladay, 

 is a longtime family-owned shop that has quietly become one of Utah's best-kept secrets for stationery lovers and pen nerds.

While Parry's carries all the practical office essentials — paper, notebooks, binders, printer ink, and school supplies — the real draw is its impressive fountain pen department. Shoppers can browse brands like Pilot, Lamy, and Caran d'Ache alongside dozens of bottled inks from Diamine, Iroshizuku, and more.

Premium notebooks from Clairefontaine, Midori, and Kokuyo complete the experience, making it a destination for anyone who still appreciates putting pen to paper.

Owner Kent Parry has earned something of a 

cult following among Utah's stationery enthusiasts 

for his encyclopedic knowledge, patient customer service, and genuine passion for the craft of writing. Whether you're a longtime collector or raising up the next generation of fountain pen aficionados, Kent takes the time to walk customers through different pen styles, inks, papers, and maintenance without a hint of pretension. He's known for encouraging shoppers to test pens before making a decision and for sharing stories and recommendations that reflect decades of experience in the business.

Many customers return not just for the products, but for the conversations, expertise, and confidence that comes from buying from someone who truly loves helping people find the right pen.

One thing to know before visiting: Parry's keeps limited hours. The shop is open weekdays only, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, and is closed on weekends. That schedule can make it a little harder to visit, but regulars will tell you it's worth planning around.

Where to Buy Specialty Pens and Office Supplies in Salt Lake

Parry’s Office Supplies is for Analog Lovers

The final Sundance Film Festival in Utah wraps up this weekend, and we’re sad about it! In honor of its 40 year legacy, we put together a crossword with some festival fun facts.

A Mini Sundance Film Festival Crossword Puzzle

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Twenty-seven years ago today, a destructive tornado tore through downtown Salt Lake City and left behind an unusual piece of history: a desk. In honor of the anniversary, we’re looking back at that story and a few other Utah deep cuts.

On Aug. 11, 1999, an F2 tornado in Salt Lake City killed one person, injured more than 80, and damaged 300 buildings and homes. Salvaged wood from uprooted trees at the Capitol was turned into a “tornado desk” that now sits in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office. Then-first lady Jacalyn Leavitt even 

turned the story into a children’s book

 in 2001, with tickets starting at just $29. Fair organizers at the time loved booking “rising stars,” including the likes of NSYNC and Britney Spears.

 at the Outlets at Traverse Mountain’s 2013 Christmas tree lighting. What are the chances we’ll get her for the 13th anniversary?

In May 1972, Salt Lake man Michael Hansen 

 in protest of the Vietnam War, and redirected it on a Salt Lake City → Los Angeles → Dallas → Tampa → Havana joy ride.

From Salt Lake’s tornado desk to Destiny’s Child at the State Fair, revisit four surprising moments from Utah history.

4 Utah History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Utah Deep Cuts You Should Know About

Only true local news nerds will ace this one. See how well you’re paying attention to the headlines. Every answer can be found in recent editions of the newsletter. 

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Ice cream is a yearlong treat but especially satisfying when the weather gets warm. As we head into summer, put your knowledge to the test: Do you know where you can find these frozen delicacies?

Spring in Salt Lake means blooming trees, warmer days, and that unmistakable smell. Test your knowledge on the city’s most notorious tree. 

Test Your Salt Lake Knowledge

Name That Ice Cream

Test your memory with our mini news crossword. Every clue comes straight from a recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletter!

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Think you know what it costs to live in Salt Lake City? Take our quiz and guess the rent on these local listings.

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Maybe you skim the news, maybe you read everything: see how much stuck with this week’s mini news crossword.

Hint: Find the answers in recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletters.

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Lately, I’ve seen a number of Australian-style coffee shops in Salt Lake City popping up on my feed. But what even is Australian coffee?

“Australian coffee” isn’t necessarily a specific bean or roast, it’s more about the culture. Instead of chains, Australia’s coffee culture evolved through neighborhood cafes, with baristas focusing on quality and craft. It’s no wonder they fit right into Salt Lake City’s independent coffee scene.

If there is one drink that represents Australian coffee the most, it’s the flat white (though Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented it). A flat white is made with espresso and finely frothed milk for a signature silky texture. Compared to a typical American latte, it’s stronger and contains a lot less milk.

Generally, flavored syrups aren't as common. But if you want something sweet try an iced coffee, which is espresso, milk, and ice cream. And if you’re in Tyra Banks’ Australia (aka Sydney) you can get a 

Where To Find Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

: One of the newest coffee shops in Millcreek. They take the laid back approach to Aussie coffee culture. Plus, they have a sick kookaburra mural, so you know they’re legit.

An Australian-owned restaurant in Park City that serves Aussie-style iced coffee (cold brew nitro and ice cream).

: With locations in Salt Lake City and Sandy, the founder has over 20 years of coffee experience that started in Sydney. You’ll find flat whites and iced coffee here.

: An Australian-style coffee truck, on a brief hiatus while the owner (a professional rugby player) plays rugby in Boston. But they’re set to reopen in the summer. Bonus: They 

What Is Australian Coffee?

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

This winter has been the warmest in Salt Lake City history, but that’s not the only thing we have in the record books. Think you know what other records SLC holds? Test your knowledge in our mini crossword.

Salt Lake, Explained

A Mini Sundance Film Festival Crossword Puzzle

Terina Ria

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Salt Lake, Explained

Utah Deep Cuts You Should Know About

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Name That Ice Cream

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

The latest in Salt Lake

A MICHELIN Star? We’d Give It to Hell’s Backbone

Move Over, MICHELIN: These Are Our Utah Picks

How Beehive Meals Turned Dinner Into a Big Business

Get Back on Schedule With Local Meal Services

Independent, Niche Bookstores on the Rise

From Pop-Ups to a Permanent Home: Crowne Books’ Big Literary Vision

Back-to-School Shopping For Every Budget

Parry’s Office Supplies is for Analog Lovers