What Foods Is Salt Lake City Known For?

BRUCE BIGFORD

When people think of Salt Lake City, they often picture the stunning mountain silhouettes and the Great Salt Lake—but the local culinary scene is just as distinct as the landscape. Whether you are planning a visit or you've just moved to the Wasatch Front, you’re likely asking the same question every newcomer does: What foods is Salt Lake City known for?

 

While Utah’s capital has evolved into a sophisticated foodie destination, its heart still belongs to a few iconic staples that you won't find anywhere else. From the tangy zip of legendary fry sauce and the comforting, cheesy tradition of funeral potatoes to the savory, localized perfection of the pastrami burger, the SLC food scene is a unique blend of quirky mountain traditions and bold new flavors.

 

Ready to eat like a local? Check out some of the most iconic traditional Utah foods below.

1.  Funeral Potatoes

 

Funeral potatoes are one of the most iconic Utah comfort foods, and Salt Lake City is where the legend lives strongest. At its core, it’s a creamy potato casserole built for feeding a crowd: shredded potatoes, cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and a crunchy topping that turns golden on top.

 

What makes funeral potatoes feel so Utah isn’t just the recipe—it’s the role it plays. It’s what shows up when the community shows up. You’ll see it at funerals, family gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations, and it’s often the dish that disappears first.

 

The modern twist is that restaurants have started treating funeral potatoes like a real menu item instead of a side you only see at gatherings. You’ll find versions with sharper cheese, more texture, or toppings that feel “chef-y,” but the vibe stays the same: warm, nostalgic, and unapologetically comforting.

 

 

Scroll to the bottom of this article and watch the video: Funeral Potatoes 101 👇

 

 

 

2.  Fry Sauce

 

If you ask what condiment Salt Lake City is known for, fry sauce is the quick answer—and it’s more serious than people outside Utah realize. Yes, it’s usually a ketchup-and-mayo base, but in Salt Lake City the real version often has tiny upgrades: a bit of pickle juice, pepper, or a hint of something smoky. Fry sauce can also be made with mayo and barbeque sauce.  

 

And it’s not just for fries. Locals dip everything in it. Burgers, chicken strips, onion rings—sometimes even tots and sweet potato fries get their own variation. A lot of burger spots have a “house fry sauce,” and once you notice, you start realizing it’s basically the city’s unofficial default sauce.

 

If you’re visiting, ordering fries without fry sauce in Salt Lake feels like ordering tacos without salsa. You can do it, but you might be missing out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3.  Green Jell-O

 

Green Jell-O has a weird place in Utah culture: half tradition, half inside joke, fully iconic. It’s not something you’ll find on most restaurant menus, but it’s one of the foods Utah is known for nationally—and Salt Lake City is the place where that reputation lives.

 

For locals, green Jell-O is less about day-to-day eating and more about shared identity. It’s the kind of thing people reference instantly.

 

Sometimes it shows up at gatherings with fruit mixed in. Sometimes it’s in layered “salad” form. Either way, it’s one of those regional quirks that makes outsiders do a double take—and locals laugh because they get it.

 

 

 

 

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4.  Pastries and Baked Goods

 

Salt Lake City has a bakery scene that surprises people. It’s not just “a few good pastry places”—it’s the fact that baked goods here are part of the daily rhythm. Morning lines, coffee + pastry routines, weekend bakery stops—this is normal life in the city.

 

What stands out most is range. You can find delicate croissants and artisan bread, plus classic American baked goods like donuts, cookies, and cakes. And because SLC is growing, the bakery scene has grown with it—so there’s a mix of old-school favorites and newer spots pushing quality higher every year.

 

 

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5.  Pizza (Especially Neapolitan-Style)

 

Salt Lake City has quietly become a real pizza city, and the strongest signal is the rise of Neapolitan-style pizza. Wood-fired ovens, airy crust with that signature char, simple toppings that let the dough and sauce carry the flavor—SLC has several places that do this style with serious respect.

 

What makes Salt Lake’s pizza scene interesting is that it’s not one-note. You’ll find everything from classic Neapolitan to New York slices, Detroit-style square pies, and local “house style” pizzas that don’t fit neatly into one category. But Neapolitan is the style that gets talked about the most because when it’s done right, it feels special—light, hot, fast, and addictive.

 

For a deeper dive into where locals go for the best pies, see our guide to the best pizza places in Salt Lake City. 👇

 

 

 

 

 

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6.  Burgers and Comfort Food (Including the Pastrami Burger)

 

Salt Lake City has a strong comfort-food backbone, and burgers are a huge part of it—but not always the way visitors expect. If you grew up outside Utah, you might think “burger culture” means smash burgers or big pub burgers. In Salt Lake City, there’s another local classic that deserves a spotlight:

 

The pastrami burger.

 

This is one of the most Utah/SLC things you can order. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a burger topped with a pile of pastrami—salty, peppery, and rich—turning a normal burger into something heavier, messier, and strangely perfect. It’s not “light,” but it’s absolutely iconic, and it’s one of those meals that makes people say, wait… why is this so good?

 

 

Salt Lake City also has a strong love for burgers that lean into bold toppings—especially in that Southwest direction. You’ll see burgers topped with:

• queso

• fried onions

• green chiles

• spicy sauces that basically beg for fries and fry sauce on the side

 

What makes a great burger in SLC isn’t just the meat. It’s the balance: a juicy patty, a bun that doesn’t collapse, toppings that add texture (crispy onions are a local favorite), and sauces that make it feel like more than just “a burger.” People here love burgers that are comforting, filling, and a little indulgent—especially when the weather is cold or the day has been long.

 

If you want to eat like a local, don’t just order any burger. Order the one that sounds slightly unreasonable. In Salt Lake, that’s usually the right move.

 

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7.  Breakfast Culture

 

Breakfast in Salt Lake City isn’t an afterthought—it’s a real part of the culture. The city has classic diners that people have been loyal to for years, plus modern brunch spots that stay packed on weekends.

 

What makes the breakfast scene stand out is variety. You can get:

• traditional plates (eggs, hash browns, pancakes)

• modern brunch dishes

• lighter options like smoothies and bowls

• baked goods and coffee that feel like their own category of breakfast

 

Weekend mornings often mean lines, especially at the most popular spots, and “let’s go to breakfast” is a common social plan here. If breakfast is your priority, explore more local favorites in our guide to the best breakfast spots in Salt Lake City.

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8.  International and Refugee-Influenced Cuisine

 

One of the most important parts of Salt Lake City’s food identity is its international food scene. This isn’t just “a few good ethnic restaurants”—it’s a real layer of the city. You’ll find restaurants influenced by Mexican, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Ukrainian, and other global traditions that locals eat regularly, not just for special occasions.

 

What’s powerful about this is that it shapes Salt Lake’s “everyday eating.” It’s not unusual to have tacos one day, pho the next, and something Middle Eastern or Eastern European after that. Over time, this diversity becomes part of what makes the SLC food scene feel real and lived-in.

 

If you want to understand Salt Lake City as a place—not just visit it—eat outside your comfort zone once or twice. The city rewards that.

 

Indian butter chicken

 

Did you know that Salt Lake City is home to people from over 100 different countries?

 

Our refugee-influenced food scene (like the Spice Kitchen Incubator) has grown by over 15% in the last few years, making international food one of the fastest-growing sectors in the SLC economy. 

 

Why Salt Lake City’s Food Scene Stands Out

 

Salt Lake City’s food culture blends tradition with steady growth. Longtime staples like funeral potatoes and fry sauce exist alongside modern pizza, bakeries, and diverse global cuisines that reflect the city’s changing communities.

 

It’s a food scene that doesn’t always shout, but it’s consistent—and once you get a feel for it, you realize Salt Lake has its own identity. Not copied from somewhere else. Just uniquely SLC.

 

 

See how funeral potatoes are made.  Click the video below! 👇

 

Summary

 

Salt Lake City may not always get national attention for its food, but the city has a clear culinary identity shaped by comfort, tradition, and an increasingly diverse dining scene. From iconic Utah staples like funeral potatoes and fry sauce to standout pizza, a strong breakfast culture, and the uniquely local pastrami burger, the foods Salt Lake City is known for reflect both its past and its evolution.

 

If you want a true taste of the 801, start with the classics—then branch into the places that surprise you