A city can never have enough breakfast and brunch spots. At least in my opinion they can’t!  Hub & Spoke Diner just opened in a cosy Salt Lake City neighborhood, and their menu is just as cosy as their food. Chef Phelix Gardner brings a modern spin on Southern Diner foods like Shrimp and Grits, Kentucky Brown and Sweet Potato Pancakes (or flapjacks if your from the South).

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stray from their breakfast menu (and lucky for me it’s served all day) but if you’re not the breakfast type, there are lots of other great options.  Try their Fried Chicken Salad made with house-made buttermilk ranch, or the Patty Melt with Russian Dressing.  Also, you don’t have to eat like a Southerner here, they also offer plenty of lighter options like their Kale Tabbouleh Salad or the Tuna Melt.

While I’ve already given many reasons to make a visit to Hub & Spoke I’ll leave you with just a few more… pie, boozy milk shakes, and great coffee!  Pastry Chef Courtney McDowell has mastered the Southern classic pies like Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, French Silk, and Banana Cream Pie. Also, who does’t want to try a boozy milk shake, especially when they have flavors like Grasshopper and Irish Coffee.  Speaking of coffee, they serve our very biased favorite La Barba. No need to say more

Hub & Spoke Diner
MONDAY — SUNDAY:  7AM — 9PM
1291 South 1100 East

Full disclosure, we are co-owners of Charming Beard Coffee and Josh is the CEO.  We are big fans of the place, but we’re extremely biased.

Charming Beard Coffee’s concept of co-habitating with Finca (and calling it La Barba) was conceived long before Scott Evans owned the first floor of 327 West 200 South.  When Finca was across the street from Liberty Heights Fresh, Josh and Scott we’re going to rearrange Finca’s dining room and make a place for Charming Beard to have a shop.  Scott put the project on hold and brought it back up after the purchase of the new location was final.Opening a coffee shop in SLC is a fairly unsettling endeavor with the lack of per capita coffee drinkers and presence of other great local shops (we’re looking at you No Brow, D’Bolla and the Rose Establishment).  From the beginning Charming Beard had designs on opening retail space in the heart of downtown but they knew for it to work, a strong synergy was necessary to create buzz and get coffee drinkers in the door.

Along with serving Charming Beard Coffee, they serve pastries and churros from Finca, Mezzo Drinking Chocolate and Tikal Chocolate Teas, The Queens’ Tea, and custom ceramics from Basin Goods.  The place was designed by architect Jared Wright (one of Charming Beard’s 9 investors) and the equipment is serviced by the one and only Gabe Jessop of Keep it Brewing.  Iron work was done by Blackridge Metal with furniture from CG Sparks, flowers from Native Flowers and a few accoutrements from European Treasures.

Charming Beard is always looking for ways to collaborate with other local businesses.  La Barba embodies elements of the ideals, but much more is to come.

327 West 200 South / M – F : 7a – midnight, Sa – Su 8a – midnight / inside Finca

While many are flocking to Rye for late night dinner and drinks, we made our first visit in the morning hours, enjoying their breakfast and coffee. 

Rye is a new restaurant and cocktail destination on 500 East right next to Urban Lounge. While they have already gained a great reputation as a place to enjoy the concerts feeding in from next door into their sound system and flat screens, their breakfast menu is definitely one worth taking note of.

The Two Eggs option is simple and satisfying with perfectly cooked eggs to your liking, potatoes, two thick slices of bacon, and your choice of toast. Of course, there are also items to choose that are a little more outside the box like their Breakfast Bowl with pork belly and house-made kimchi over rice and topped with an egg. The Vegan Hash comes with brussels, fingerling potatoes, tempeh, onions and potatoes, which sounds pretty great.  And their Quinoa Bowl was anything but ordinary, with coconut, candied pecans, and fresh fruit. If you require a little more sweetness to your morning out, their Buttermilk Pancakes are served with a whiskey maple sauce and their French Toast comes with a dollop of rich lemon curd.

Of course, all of these dishes are best enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee.  Rye serves Charming Beard coffee at all times of the day.

So, whether you’re a morning person or someone looking for music and a good drink, Rye has you covered!

Rye Diner and Drinks
239 South 500 East
Coffee Bar       Daily – 7AM – 6PM
Brunch             Monday through Friday  – 8AM – 2PM // Saturday – 9AM – 2PM // Sunday – 9AM – 3PM
Dinner              Sunday through Thursday – 6PM – MIDNIGHT  // Friday & Saturday – 6PM – 2AM

It’s not hard to enjoy the food at Pig and a Jelly Jar.  This Portland-y cafe just North West of Liberty Park, offers up flavors of house-made sausage, unique jams and curds, and the mixed aromas of hot waffles and fried chicken.

Their special waffles are offered up with your choice of jam, pineapple curd, or fried chicken with maple syrup.  Intrigued by the unusual curd flavor and being a huge lemon curd fan, I ordered a waffle with pineapple curd on my first visit.  The waffle was crisp and yet a little doughy in the middle, just right for a Belgium-style waffle.  And the curd was evenly sweet and sour, providing a great condiment for the plate sized baked good.

My second visit, more conscientious of my protein intake (being pregnant), I tried the breakfast sandwich with their house-made sausage.  I admit to being a sausage fan but usually don’t order it as I tend to veer toward the sweeter breakfast goodies.  This time, I was very glad I made a change of course.  The breakfast sandwich at Pig and a Jelly Jar is quite a treat, with melted cheese over the egg, aoli, all on a crusty white roll.

Though I’ve only visited Pig and a Jelly Jar twice now, I know I’ll be back and I keep hearing good things.  I even hear that the line may be out the door and around the corner if you come to late on the weekends!  It is definitely a spot to eat and enjoy in Salt Lake City.

Pig and a Jelly Jar

401 East 900 South, Suite A

Serving breakfast & lunch:  7:30am – 3:30pm, 7 days a week
Sundays Suppers:  5:00pm – 8:00pm

I know they’ve been around for awhile, but I can’t help but come back to Bruges Waffles and Frites.  Their waffles are insanely good. Sweet toasted dough with a almost caramelized exterior, all topped with your choice of fruit and a generous dollop of creme friache.  If you haven’t been by there, we highly recommend it.  They’ve got a few locations now, downtown, Sugar House and one coming to 2314 Highland Dr.

Do yourself a little favor and head over there for breakfast sometime this week or lunch, they have a mind-blowing Machine Gun Sandwich.  See ingredients below.

I couldn’t leave you with just a few sentences from Monday on one of my favorite breakfast spots in town so I thought I would expand a little today on Eggs in the City.  I’ve been visiting Eggs in the City ever since I moved to Utah about 7 years ago.  Its a reliable and comfortable neighborhood cafe for quality diner style breakfast.  I have a girl friend that I meet up with once a month at Eggs in the City. Our consistent breakfast date here has challenged me to try a lot on their menu, though I must say I have a few favorites.

The French Toast at Eggs in the City is classic.  I almost always order it fully loaded with berries, bananas and candied pecans on top.  The added toppings make it a little pricey but every bite is delicious with the caramelized and toasted nuts and the juicy fruit adding a punch to the toast and maple syrup.

My other favorites on their menu include their Huevos Rancheros, which I usually get with egg whites (I’m not a huge egg person in general), and no cheese, making for a lighter plate with beans, pico, avocado and a spicy huevos sauce on top. I also frequently get the Greek Skillet, eggs with spinach, peppers feta and avocado.  Their Goldie Locks is good if you just want something light and cheap (1 egg, avocado or bacon and a pancake or toast for $3.75).   And in the winter, their steel cut oat brûlée always hits the spot.    … I have so many dishes I enjoy here that I can’t believe I’m just now writing this place up!

Their Burrito is not a bad choice as well.  But I’ve never been disappointed with what I order here. Eggs in the City serves up classic diner food at its best with a convivial staff and a great atmosphere including cozy booths and a shaded patio.

I leave you with a few tips that I’ve learned after eating here semi regularly for a few years. Go on a weekday or get there early on the weekends to avoid the crowds. If you’re looking for a drink other than just straight up coffee they don’t serve it but they also don’t mind if you bring a latte in with you while you dine.  Check out all of the fun art on the walls and even the quirky egg photos in the bathrooms. And come ready to enjoy a big breakfast!

Eggs in the City
1675 E 1300 S

On a warm summer morning there’s not much better than sitting under the shade of a big umbrella or a Japanese Maple tree, sipping on a grapefruit mimosa, taking a deep breath of weekend air and catching up with friends over a delicious brunch on the patio. Josh and I’ve been on a ‘tour de patio’ of sorts over the last few weeks, checking out all of the best patios in Salt Lake, so now I have a pretty complete list of places you can dine al fresco around town.  And we’ve discovered more restaurants with patios who serve brunch than you’d expect, from patios covered in wisteria vines and places to tie your dogs up near your table, like at Pinon Market and Cafe, to casual city-side patios in downtown Salt Lake, like Faustina.

As for the brunch food, you won’t be disappointed by that either. My favorites include the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes from Pago, Eggs Benedict over Polenta at Faustina, the mega Cinnamon Roll at Pinon, and the Wild Rice and Artichoke Eggs at the Avenues Bistro. What are some of your favorite brunch offerings around the city?

Here is a list of patios to dine at for weekend brunch in Salt Lake:

Pinon Market and Cafe • 2095 East 1300 South

Caffe Niche • 779 East Broadway

Oasis Cafe • 151 South 500 East

Faustina • 454 East Broadway

Pago • 878 South 900 East

Avenues Bistro • 564 E. Third Ave.

Wild Grape Bistro • 481 East South Temple

Eva • 317 South Main Street

The Copper Onion • 111 East Broadway Suite 170

Em’s • 271 North Center Street

Zy • 268 South State Street

Silver Fork Lodge • 11332 East Big Cottonwood Canyon Road

La Caille • 9565 Wasatch Boulevard

Finn’s Cafe • 1624 South 1100 East

Weekday and weekend breakfast with patios:

Eggs in the City • 1675 East 1300 South

Park Cafe • 604 East 1300 South

Ruth’s Diner • 4160 East Emigation Canyon

Penny Anne’s • 1810 South Main Street

More casual bakeries and cafes with patios:

Les Madeleines • 216 East 500 South

Gourmandise • 250 South 300 East

Tulie Bakery • 863 East 700 South

If you have any to add to the list, please let me know.  Now go have some eggs benedict already!

Josh and I are on a Tour de Patio of sorts, checking out all of the best patios in Salt Lake that offer brunch. Our latest stop: Piñon Market and Cafe. Now I know the term ‘hidden gem’ is overused but I’m not sure how else to describe Piñon besides that it’s a unique offering, off the beat at path, in a Salt Lake City neighborhood.  Or better yet, I’ll start with a story of why this breakfast and lunch cafe in Salt Lake is in fact a hidden gem.

I think of my friends Big Al and Wainbow Oliver every time I go to Piñon.  (No, those aren’t their real names but that’s what I like to call them.)  They moved to Salt Lake from Texas and we instantly became friends for the length of time they lived here.  Just weeks before they were getting ready to move back to Texas, they happened upon Pinon Market.  They went and dined on the patio for brunch then cursed at the fact that they had just found this place yet they wouldn’t get to frequent Pinon because they were moving so soon.  Now, every time the Olivers return to their favorite city they go to Piñon and wish they had more time here for more brunches at this cute neighborhood cafe.

When Josh and I heard that the patio at Piñon Cafe was open for the season, we jumped at the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed weekend brunch under the vines.  Wisteria vines cover the patio, creating a cool relief from the hot summer heat. And your pups can enjoy the shade too, because at most tables there are hooks to tie up your dog’s leash.  I don’t know about you, but I’m always relieved when Henry can join us on a little outing.

To order at Pinon, you go to the counter where you may choose from their fresh baked goods, including their mega Cinnamon Rolls (only made on the weekends), or you can choose something off their menu.  They have omelets, quiche, granola, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, not to mention a plethora of salads in their deli case.  And you’ll be able to see for yourself that all of their food is fresh with high quality ingredients and a special touch from the sweet owner Victoria.

Victoria, has owned Pinon Cafe since it opened in 1996 and continues to serve her community by creating tasty, fresh foods and a comfortable a environment in which to enjoy them.  Victoria’s father’s family is from northern Italy, and her Italian heritage is obvious by her style of friendly family-like service in a casual and comfortable environment.  Even after you order at the counter, you don’t need to pay until you leave, but don’t forget (I had a few friends tell them they forgot on one occasion).  Also, feel free to take a pitcher of water outside with you.

And I must say that Victoria serves up the best cinnamon rolls in town, and I don’t exaggerate.  Cinnamon rolls bigger than your fist and cooked perfectly with crisp edges and a gooey center, with just the right amount of icing. And after you share one of those with your table, you really can’t go wrong with ordering anything else on the menu.  We had a delicious goat cheese omelet and a Tostada with black beans, salsa, a fried egg and a scoop of guacamole.  The whole family will find something to love at Pinon, and the cafe patio creates the perfect spot for kids and adults alike.

Pinon Market and Cafe

2095 East 1300 South

dog friendly

7am- 7pm Mon – Sat

As many of you know, I am a sucker for a good bowl of warm oats in the morning (you can tell by my several oatmeal posts here, here and here!) The Rose Establishment serves up some of my very favorite oatmeal in town, which I like to order accompanied by a perfectly brewed french press of course.

The owner and pour-over expert of Nobrow Coffee in Salt Lake, Joe Evans, took some time to teach me the steps of making the perfect cup of coffee using the pour over method.  After much picture taking and coffee talk, I sat and savored every sip. Yes, me the one who usually adds a spoonful of honey and steamed milk to even the finest of brews.

Since we live in a state where conversion is a common topic, this morning, I’m giving my best shot to convert you to a straight-up black coffee drinker, pour-over style coffee. So what exactly is the pour-over method? It stems from the idea that traditional coffee brewing doesn’t bring the best flavor out of your beans.  By pouring hot water slowly over freshly ground beans, you’re extracting the best flavor, and thus the trendy drink gets its name, ‘The Pour-Over.’

After heating the water and grinding the beans, you place a coffee filter (disposable or metal) inside the ceramic coffee dripper, which sits on top of a small pitcher or a personal sized mug.

Then, you slowly and carefully use a special kettle to pour the hot water down the center of the coffee grounds. There are two trains of thought here- some pour in a circular movement and others pour straight through the center. Joe made the argument that pouring through the center forces the water to clog slightly and evenly distribute around the beans. The coffee grounds should puff up slightly like a well made souffle, then fall gently and evenly before forming a cone towards the hole at the bottom.  I appreciated the food analogy of course, something I could grasp on to with this new idea. After making chocolate souffles several times I know how gentle they must be made and how, when made perfectly, they rise and fall at their appropriate times.

After all of the water has seeped through the ceramic filter, you are ready to pour the hot coffee into your mug and enjoy. And believe me, you will enjoy it.  This is when coffee tasting is comparable to wine tasting. Every pour-over cup accentuates the nuances of the beans. From floral aromas to hints of nuttiness, the flavors are much more pronounced in a pour-over. I’m talking about rich smooth coffee with a perfectly oily surface and a flavor that is pleasurable and savory.  Did you ever think a cup of black coffee could be that good?!

As the coffee scene in Salt Lake City grows, so does the access to good beans.  Nobrow offers some of the most award winning coffees around the country, including Heart Coffee, Intelligentsia, Handsome, and Ritual, among others. This week Nobrow is offering a special on pour-overs, mention SLC Foodie to receive a handcrafted pour over for just $2.50 this Thursday through Saturday.

Nobrow sells the several of the items you use to make a pour-over at home, as does Williams Sonoma.

Nobrow Coffee
address: 315 E 300 S
Mon-Fri 7am to 6pm
Sat-Sun 8am to 6pm
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What do other foodies have to say about the Pour-Over Coffee
Amateur Gourmet on Pour-Over Coffee
Bon Appetite on the Merits of Pour Over
The Kitchn on How to Brew Great Coffee