City Weekly Best of Utah 2020
Best of Utah 2020: General
143 reader-voted winners in general, from the City Weekly Best of Utah 2020 poll.
Ask Ave: What won Best of Utah 2020 for General
- Best 'Drain theTank' Beers
Desert Edge Brewery Desert Edge first opened its doors almost 50 years ago, when it served cheap Coors to college students. After many years of evolution, the Trolley Square pub and brewery…
- Best 'Rona WarriorDr. Angela Dunn
Over the many months since COVID-19 showed its ugly crown in Utah, state epidemiologist Angela Dunn has been the cool voice of reason at the governor's briefings. Some might call her Utah's…
- Best 'Wanna Talk Tall?'Rio Tinto
Kennecott's Smelter You can spot it to the northwest, rising from the base of the Oquirrhs. At 1,215 feet, Kennecott Utah's Garfield Smelter smokestack is a mere 35 feet shorter than the…
- Best "Count My Vote"73,000 Dems and Independents Registering as Rs
In an April Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, prominent developer Kem Gardner urged Democrats and Independents to temporarily register in the GOP in order to vote in the (closed to all but…
- Best Adult BeverageHat-Trick
Silver Reef Brewing Co. It's not unusual to see local breweries delve into other aspects of the adult beverage market. There's growing momentum to enhance alcohol production from beer to…
- Best All-NaturalLatte Love
Affogato West How can you not love a place that has the best-tasting lattes and owners who support the community any way they can? They also make many of their ingredients In-house and…
- Best All-Purpose JournoAmy Donaldson
There was a time when Amy Donaldson was happily ensconced on her regular beat as a sportswriter for the Deseret News where she was regarded as among the best around. When changes disrupted…
- Best Asian Farm to TableHong Kong Tea
House & Restaurant As one of Utah's fantastic Cantonese restaurants, Hong Kong Tea House is a go-to for delicious small bites such as dumplings and dim sum. But it's also one of few…
- Best Astrology AuthorChristopher Renstrom
A previous winner of Utah's Best Astrologer, Christopher Renstrom just scored another big win: His book, Cosmic Calendar: Using Astrology to Get in Sync With Your Best Life, is hot off the…
- Best at Demanding Justice for Victims of Sexual AssaultRep. Angela Romero
Utah ended a backlog of thousands of unprocessed sexual assault kits recently, thanks in large part to Rep. Angela Romero, who sponsored a 2017 Utah law that mandated testing of the kits…
- Best AtmosphereCarmine's Italian Restaurant
Looking for classy dining in Cottonwood Heights? Reserve a white-linened table next to the fireplace and enjoy 5-star service at Carmine's, an authentic Italian restaurant (the chef is from… — Runners-up: HSL, Log Haven
- Best Bank forSmall Businesses
Mountain America Credit Union MACU is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Sandy. With branches in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, it's the 12th largest credit… — Runners-up: University Credit Union, Zions Bank
- Best Beard Trim and Cut ComboSalt Lake Barber Co.
Isaac Atencio and Eric Stone are longtime friends and co-owners of downtown's Salt Lake Barber Co. The duo have a staunch following that continues to grow larger, giving cause for Atencio…
- Best BLM Land GetawayGandy Warm Springs
This hidden gem rests on the Utah-Nevada border next to Crystal Ball Caves. To get there, head west on U.S. Highway 50/6 from Delta toward the Nevada border and Great Basin National Park…
- Best Boba BreakDing Tea
Getting tired of your usual boba order and love unique toppings to completely change the flavor? Boba is a Taiwanese invention, and these drinks come straight from the source, providing…
- Best Booze BrawlersQuarters Arcade Bar
and Alibi Bar & Place The underground arcade haven of a bar, Quarters, has been a prominent voice in the bar scene when it comes to saving Utah's bars. Operating just feet away but on…
- Best BurritoBeto's Mexican Food
The burrito menu at Beto's is an accurate indicator of someone's personality. We tend to gravitate toward the Texano and machaca side of the burrito spectrum—if that describes you as well… — Runners-up: Lone Star Taqueria
- Best CampsiteWith Amenities
Currant Creek This home away from home is remote and quiet, with everything you need for the ultimate glamping experience. A three-hour scenic mountain drive from Salt Lake City brings you…
- Best CanceledMusic Festival
Ogden Twilight A cousin to the SLC Twilight Concert Series, Ogden Twilight is a fan favorite in the summertime. Although Salt Lakers usually have a full plate of music and entertainment in… — Runners-up: Das Energi, Reggae Rise Up
- Best CateringLUX Catering
and Events There will come a day when COVID is behind us and we can all sit down together again. When that day arrives, you'll want a quality caterer like LUX Catering and Events. Whether… — Runners-up: Tilted Cup, Blended Table
- Best CBD ProductHemplucid
Founded in Utah in 2016 by four friends living in Utah County, Hemplucid has quickly become one of the most popular and trusted CBD companies in America, with products now in 3,500 retail… — Runners-up: Muscle MX, Beehive Buds
- Best Celebration ofa Milestone
AAA Jewelers More expensive doesn't always mean better—in the jewelry world, paying more for the same product is just throwing money down the drain, especially when there is a wholesaler on…
- Best Chicken DishPretty Bird
Whether you're getting your fried chicken dolled up with coleslaw and served up on a bun with some crinkle-cut fries or scarfing down a quarter bird doused with hot sauce like a Nashville… — Runners-up: The Cluck Truck, Curry Fried Chicken
- Best Chill for Social DistancingTF Brewing
This past summer, the remote corner tables on TF Brewing's back patio provided a safe haven for brew-heads who miss their signature schnitt glasses—a friendly mystery deal of a glass filled…
- Best City-SanctionedHold Music
Salt Lake County DA's Office For those Salt Lakers in activist circles, the hold music at the district attorney's office is a familiar sound. And by golly, it's actually pretty damn good…
- Best CobblerVillage Cobbler
Shoe Repair If your best boots, heels and loafers need a new lease on life, Village Cobbler near Foothill Village is a shoo-in. With 30+ years of experience, cobbler Troy Morgan and staff…
- Best ColumnistRobert Gehrke
A columnist has two things going for them when they write about their own institution: 1. The support of his peers and readers, and 2. A whole lotta nerve. No columnist can succeed without…
- Best Company that Gives BackOgden's Own Distillery
Five Wives, Porter's Fire Liqueur, Porter's Peach Liqueur, Porter's Apple Liqueur, Underground, Madam Pattirini booze ... and Five Husbands vodka during Pride. How can you not love these… — Runners-up: Mark Miller Subaru, Vivint Smart Home
- Best Company to Work For /Qualtrics
When 75% of the Fortune 500 companies rely on a company's platform, you should pay attention to that company. Qualtrics' subscription platform is one of the first employee-management… — Runners-up: Intermountain Healthcare, Adobe
- Best COVIDMeal Prep To Stay
WB's Eatery Meal subscriptions and to-go meal prep isn't a new concept to digital delivery. But, at WB's Eatery—another quality emporium presented by the folks of Pig in a Jelly Jar…
- Best Crepes CateringDali Crepes
If your summer European trip was canceled due to COVID-19, try pretending West Temple is the Champs-Élysées as you stroll to Dali Crepes, Utah's newest creperie. Along with their…
- Best Critter ConnectionHogle Zoo Facebook Field Trips
As the state locked down in the spring, kids were schooling from home. And our state's most beloved institutions were closed to the public. Hogle Zoo sought to address both obstacles with…
- Best Cross-culture ComboAngry Korean
The cross-cultural comfort food boundaries get deliciously blurry at South Jordan's Angry Korean. Chicken wings, poke, sushi, tacos and the unapologetic Korean cheesesteak can all be found…
- Best Data ColumnistAndy Larsen
Long before the mendacity of Donald Trump, Mark Twain observed there are lies, damned lies and statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic provided plenty of each, often in bewildering combinations…
- Best Drag EntertainerJason CozMo
Jason CozMo has graced City Weekly's cover in his full Dolly Parton regalia, so it's not surprising that he has become a favorite of our readers. After a pandemic hiatus, CozMo's delightful… — Runners-up: Rose Nylon, Sally Cone Slopes
- Best Drive-by InstallationUMOCA/
Granary Arts Lawn Gnomes 2020 A gallery isn't just an indoor physical space; it's a place where people can encounter art. With those indoor physical spaces shut down, the Utah Museum of…
- Best Drive-in ShakespeareSONDERimmersive's Through Yonder Window
If you're a theater company, what do you do when you can't have audiences in a theater? If you're a film organization, you can show things at a drive-in, but that couldn't work for a play…
- Best Eastern ExpansionNomad East
Situated near the Salt Lake City International Airport, Nomad Eatery is often the first stop for travelers in search of Justin Soelberg's irresistible comfort food. But the American-style…
- Best Educational FlashbackS.T.E.A.M.punk Academy's 'Adult Science Fair'
We all know how hard it's been for teachers and students to adjust to the "new normal" of distance learning, as adults got a reminder of what school days were all about. But it wasn't all…
- Best Eggplant ParmFratelli Ristorante
They're brothers, hence the name "Fratelli," Italian for brothers. Co-owners Pete and Dave have grown up in the restaurant industry and are all about keeping it real, using house sauces…
- Best Elected OfficialU.S. Rep.
Ben McAdams So how is it that Rep. McAdams easily won this award but then narrowly lost his re-election to Republican challenger Burgess Owens? Since 2018, the former Salt Lake County mayor… — Runners-up: SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall, U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney
- Best Election ReformThe End of Straight-Ticket Voting
Utah's Republican barony finally relented: straight-ticket voting is by the boards thanks to the recent passage of HB70 (a longtime project of Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek). For years…
- Best Entertainment DistrictThe Gateway
Just as soon as it seemed the up and down then up again Gateway Mall was gaining steam as Salt Lake's premier, all-inclusive entertainment center, its legs were cut from underneath their…
- Best Escape From the City—in the CityPallet
Step into Pallet in downtown Salt Lake City, and you'll feel like you're anywhere but. The decor and ambiance are rustic-yet-modern. Pallet's dim lighting and muted brick with wood flooring…
- Best Fight Night FanfareBlack Sheep Bar and Grill
No, there's no actual bar fights here. While most local bars around purchase the pay-per-view UFC Fight Night, Black Sheep Bar and Grill has grown a steady following for the Saturday mixed…
- Best First& Last Stop
Strap Tank Brewery When Strap Tank Brewery, Utah County's first licensed brewery in about 100 years, opened in Springville, it gave people a reason to linger in Utah County. The only…
- Best FondueKimi's Chop &
Oyster House Stylish and modern, with warmth and charm, Kimi's has consistently provided fine dining on par with or even better than any snooty eatery striving for diamonds or stars. We…
- Best forCool Bottoms
Beerhive Pub's Ice Rail Ah, the infamous bottom beer. After enjoying a delicious pour of Utah's finest ales or lagers, the time comes to decide whether to renew your order or knuckle down…
- Best Friend of the Free PressGlover Nursery
This giant, 10-acre nursery in West Jordan has garnered lots of City Weekly awards over the years (their tree and shrub selections are unmatched), but for our hibiscus, none means as much…
- Best Garden SupplyMillcreek Gardens
When stay-at-home orders went into effect and people were at home for extended periods of time, they took to gardening and houseplant care. Many garden supply stores had their hands full… — Runners-up: Glover Nursery, Cactus and Tropicals
- Best GermanSiegfried's Delicatessen
With the growth of downtown the past few years, we've seen many newcomers already come and go. We're so happy that Siegfried's has held its own for more than 40 years. As one of the last…
- Best Gluten-Free /Best VegetarianZest
A haven for health-conscious foodies, Zest offers delicious dishes like nachos made with cashew sour cream and house veggie cheese, Cuban tacos with orange marinated jackfruit and vegan… — Runners-up: City Cakes, Good Food Gluten Free
- Best GnocchiCaffé Molise
Where other Italian restaurants have tried and fallen short, Caffé Molise makes gnocchi the way your nonna used to. Don't have a nonna? No matter; drop by Caffé Molise's new (and…
- Best Greek FusionManoli's
Partners Manoli Katsanevas and Katrina Cutrubus opened Manoli's with a goal to serve their ancestral Greek heritage favorites with modern flair. One of the finest restaurants Salt Lake has…
- Best Hangover CureSensei + The Hero at Vive Juicery
Now that every day feels like a Friday (or what day is it even?), it's easy to get carried away with cocktails. Balance out your bad decisions with the one-two punch of Vive Juicery's…
- Best Hawaiiin Herriman
Salty Pineapple We've got a fair selection of traditional Hawaiian grills along the Wasatch Front, but there's something that stands out about Salty Pineapple. For starters, it's the slice…
- Best Hike PathLake Blanche Trailhead
Extensive and steep, this Big Cottonwood Canyon hike is an adventurer's dream: its ultimate reward is at the top. The narrow out-and-back trail features natural shade if you're an early… — Runners-up: Living Room, Dog Lake
- Best Historic FarmMabey's
Pumpkin Patch With over 45 pumpkin varieties of pumpkin growing annually on 16 acres in the heart of South Jordan at Mabey Farm, the perfect photo opportunity with the kids awaits. Hard…
- Best Homeless HelperKim Russo
The following is a verbatim copy of a handwritten letter from a homeless person living in Salt Lake with a deep appreciation for case manager Kim Russo:
- Best Hope for Black LiberationDaud Mumin
Community organizer, board member for March for Our Lives and college student, Mumin is stepping up on the world stage as an articulate champion of social justice. "My journey is about…
- Best Idli CookerCash 'n' Carry Indian Groceries and Spices
A less common but widely popular rice cake in India is the savory idli, which can be dipped into sauces or eaten alone. With a texture that's warm, soft and spongy, like a handheld cake…
- Best Innovative MenuTable X
If you've got a culinary rut that you'd like to get out of your system, then Table X needs to be on your list. This is a place where summer squash turns spaetzle into a work of art, and… — Runners-up: Oquirrh, SLC Eatery
- Best Innovative Socially Distanced ShowS&S Concert Cruises
Anyone who's been around SLC on a Thursday 999 ride night knows that this is one bike-lovin' city. So, the model of socially distanced shows developed by the moguls at S&S was not only a…
- Best Investigative JournalismThe Utah Investigative Journalism Project
It falls to journalists to keep government honest. There is enough skullduggery, whether in San Juan County or the White House, to keep a battalion of investigative reporters occupied 24/7…
- Best Kabob-e JujehThe Med
Serving up Old World Mediterranean cuisine for two decades, family-owned restaurant The Med and its eclectic decor are just the thing to satisfy your need to get out of the house while…
- Best KaraokeHighlander Pub
It doesn't matter what day of the week you're hankering for a karaoke night, The Highlander has got you covered. Karaoke begins every night at 9 p.m. with thousands of songs to choose from… — Runners-up: Tavernacle, Piper Down
- Best Late-Night GrubArempa's
Arempa's is one of the only local places that will show you any sympathy if you roll in at 1 a.m. and mumble "fuck it" when they ask for your order. They understand that a long night of… — Runners-up: Pie Hole, Beto's
- Best Liquor SelectionWhiskey Street
Aptly named, Whiskey Street's stockpile of imported bourbons; ryes; and American, Irish and Scotch whiskeys is well in the hundreds. The bottles are shelved and backlit, overarching a… — Runners-up: Lake Effect, Water Witch
- Best LocalBeer King
Craft by Proper The Proper Brewing group is as innovative as they come; all of their three entries into the Utah beer market are markedly different in appeal. Their latest Craft by Proper…
- Best Local Manufacturer / Best Local Gear BrandBlack Diamond
(Clarus Corp) Clarus Corp., which owns the Black Diamond brand, is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of outdoor equipment and lifestyle products that focus on the climb… — Runners-up: Purple, Lifetime
- Best Local SpiritFive Wives Vodka
The Ogden distillery that built its business on the herbal spirit Underground breathed new life into their brand in 2011 with the introduction of Five Wives Vodka. It's made from water that… — Runners-up: High West Campfire, Salt City Vodka
- Best LocallySourced Menu
Oquirrh Restaurant With a name like Oquirrh (OH-ker, for you California transplants), you know owners Andrew and Angelena Fuller's have a commitment to the local community, including using…
- Best Made-in-Utah ProductBeehive Cheese
The amazing bovines in our state produce some of the creamiest milk this side of the Mississippi. In 2005, Tim Welsh and his brother-in-law, Pat Ford, had an idea in mind for that milk when… — Runners-up: Fivewives Vodka, Hemplucid
- Best Masala Meets MangiaCurry Pizza
It was a good day for the world when the owners of Curry Pizza decided to combine traditional Indian dishes with pizza. Their stroke of genius makes us wonder why no one in our neck of the…
- Best Mask Mandate RantState Rep. Phil Lyman
You may recall that in 2015 Phil Lyman was convicted of misdemeanor trespassing for leading an ATV protest ride through Recapture Canyon's archaeologically sensitive lands, closed to…
- Best Meat LoversParadise Burger
Cultivate Craft Kitchen This locally sourced restaurant is paving the way for Draper to enjoy farm-to-table. Cultivate's menu changes with the seasons, utilizing foods harvested at their…
- Best Mega MargaritasBlue Iguana
The Blue Iguana has attracted diners for years to its colorful décor and decidedly fine array of Mexican dishes. But, let your eye wander the menu to the drinks section. There, you discover…
- Best Minority-Owned BusinessIcy Mountain
In 2019, Jared Clavell opened a gourmet shaved-ice truck that specializes in what the Black businessman calls his "boujee" shaved ice. According to Clavell, this is not Hawaiian style you… — Runners-up: Empire Body Waxing, Fillings and Emulsions
- Best Myth ShattererWells Fargo Center
A popular Salt Lake City urban legend of the'70s, '80s and '90s was that an ordinance prohibited any building taller than the 420-foot LDS Church Office Building within the city limits. The…
- Best Naan StopHimalayan Kitchen
Downtown and South Jordan are home to Himalayan Kitchen, a Nepali and Indian eatery optimal for lunch time and late-night meals. They have a plethora of vegan and gluten-free options, as…
- Best New Homefor Tapas Tuesday
Porch The owners of Porch—who also owned the now-closed small-plate sensation of Meditrina—have woven crowd-pleasing tapas into the Porch menu but with new touches. Along with some of their…
- Best New LebaneseBeirut Cafe
For many years, the cherished Cedars of Lebanon reigned supreme in this category. As a longtime City Weekly favorite, of course, we were sad to hear of Cedars' closing, but fear not. Head…
- Best New LocalMusic Program
HUM-TV The Salt Lake Public Library is no stranger to supporting the arts, with recurrent programs like 12 Minutes Max, their rooftop concert shows in the summer and their collection of…
- Best New Way toBoogie Down
Roller Disco Nights by Social Disco Club and SLC Skate Babes One of the vibrant things to come out of this pandemic was a sudden trend that swept the city and it seems the…
- Best NoodsHong Kong Banjum
The variety of noodlery in Utah has seen an uptick in recent years, which is nothing but good news. While there are many strong contenders in this category, the jajangmyeon at West Valley's…
- Best Nostalgia DeliveryButtered Bake Shop
One of the best things about growing up is discovering that talented professional bakers share your childhood love of Pop Tarts and Dunkaroos. The folks at Buttered Bake Shop understand the…
- Best OgdenBeer Selection
Angry Goat Pub & Kitchen Ogden's craft brewery scene is on the rise. Rooster's on 25th Street expanded into a second location on B Street, while UTOG, Zolupez and Talisman recently opened…
- Best Onion RingsCrown Burger
It's not difficult to find a decent burger in Utah, so sometimes the decision of where to go comes down to side orders, and Crown Burger takes the prize with their homemade, golden-fried…
- Best Orange ChickenGinger Street
Ginger Street wows in so many ways. From its funky vibe highlighted by its distinct, bright-pink neon sign to its walk-up ice cream window, the ecletic downtown eatery is as upbeat as it is…
- Best Pandemic CommissionsUtah Symphony World Premieres
Art doesn't stop in times of crisis; if anything, challenging times inspire creative people to some of their best work. Utah Symphony maestro Thierry Fischer reached out to composers Andrea…
- Best PaninisToasters
Enes Huskic immigrated to the States from Bosnia in 1996, and it didn't take him long to begin working on his passion in the food industry, opening up the first Toasters location in 2002…
- Best Perfectionistic PainterKevin Miller of Freedom Services
Those with older homes are always in need of miracle workers to deal with aging plumbing and wiring. But when peeling paint on the home's exterior becomes the latest emergency (that day…
- Best Pockets of Sunshine toUplift Your Weekday
Mad Dough These Bismark-style doughnuts are inspired by the cook's favorite childhood treat. Filled with four unique flavors every week, these delicious pillows of goodness can instantly…
- Best Political ScandalTest Utah
As the COVID pandemic started its brutal course through the country, one group of Utah tech companies engaged in a philanthropic effort to boost the state's testing abilities. Then, it… — Runners-up: Gov. Herbert's weak COVID response, Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen's racist and sexist remarks
- Best PoutineDiversion Poutine
Depending on where you are reading this in Utah, you're roughly 700 miles from the Canadian border. We're here to tell you that you need only go to the chic Marmalade district to snag…
- Best PresentationHSL, Handle Park City
Partners Briar Handly, Melissa Gray and Meagan Nash created Handle Park City and Handle Salt Lake (HSL) with a vision of curating a masterful American cuisine dining experience, interesting…
- Best Prophylacticfor the Hive
Neighborly Mask Wearing Zorro and Batman's masks were not prophylactic. They were disguises. The hero's mouth—the infection-spreading facial feature that signals approval or hostility—was…
- Best Rachel(Not From Friends)
Road Island Diner's Rachel Whether you call it a turkey Reuben or a Rachel, the historic Road Island Diner in Oakley does it right with house-marinated, roasted turkey breast carved and…
- Best Reason toBe a Mall Rat
HallPass at the Gateway Remember hanging out at the mall food court in high school, where the scent of freshly baked Cinnabon rolls swirled with aromas of Sbarro and Hot Dog on a Stick?…
- Best Reason to Be a Home CookOrson Gygi
The upside to quarantine? We've all learned how to cook more than quesadillas. Time to reward your newfound chef skills with the tools to match at Utah's premier culinary supply store…
- Best Reason to Drive to OremMora Iced Creamery
With over 70 rotating gourmet flavors to choose from (48 on any given day), Mora Iced Creamery has earned accolades from the likes of Food + Wine magazine and has quickly become a Utah…
- Best Reborn NostalgiaTop Hat Video
Sure, you're thinking, video rental is as dead as disco. No way, Mr. Gibbs. While it's true that video rental shops are as nearly as rare as fish in the Great Salt Lake, one very notable…
- Best Repurposed CostumesPioneer Theatre Co.'s 'Costume Collection'
Mask Project On-stage performers weren't the only people impacted by the shutdown of live performances; many technical, creative and support staff also faced the loss of jobs. Pioneer…
- Best Response from BackstageUtah Live Events Industry Association
It wasn't just venues and artists impacted by the pandemic, but those who help artists look and sound good on stage, too. The entire behind-the-scenes backbone of the music industry—from…
- Best Retirement GigJason Chaffetz as
Talking Head When Jason Chaffetz left Congress in 2017, six months into his fifth term, politicos speculated he'd jump into this year's governor's race. But he opted to pass, saying, "I'm…
- Best Ribs & RelicsKaiser's BBQ & General Store
Among the number of rib and BBQ joints in town, Kaiser's is the one that proudly hails itself as a Texas-style eatery. Good choice, since Texas is regarded as the king of BBQ, and Kaiser's…
- Best Rice CookersAsian City
Rice cookers are essential to the Asian kitchen, giving you a light, airy texture—possibly even better than a restaurant's version. All you do is simply measure and rinse the rice, then set…
- Best RoobinsRobin's Nest
Back when working from home was a novelty and not a necessity, businesspeople flocked to Robin's Nest for their specialty sandwiches. Nowadays in the coronavirus era, delivery and take-out…
- Best Salt LakeCity Bar
Green Pig Pub Green Pig is no stranger in City Weekly's Best of Utah issue, a regular winner in a multitude of "Best of" categories. Over the decade that Green Pig has been operating… — Runners-up: Bar X, Water Witch
- Best Sausage onYour Doorstep
Beltex Meats Butcher's Box Service Did someone say sausage fest? Beltex Meats delivers the goods right to your front porch on the weekends, along with in-store purchases. The butcher shop…
- Best Scenic Hikefor the Family
Stewart Falls Trail Family and dog-friendly, this scenic trail is only 3.4 miles out and back. The views are grand: With Mount Timpanogos in the background, there's a gorgeous waterfall at…
- Best Silk Purse from a Sow's EarUrban Indian Center's Wood Collection for the Navajo Nation
The hurricane-force winds that lashed the Wasatch Front Sept. 8 left its urban forest badly damaged. Thousands of trees were uprooted, including 255 at Salt Lake City Cemetery alone. In the…
- Best Slice of ItalyCentro Pizza
With one of the best margherita pizzas we've had in a while, it's hard not to feel like you've just stepped into a restaurant on the other side of the world. These pizzas are light enough…
- Best Social CauseBlack Lives Matter
In the months following the police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota, the focus on racial injustice and inequality in the U.S. has taken center stage. Protests were a regular staple in… — Runners-up: The Other Side Academy, COVID Mutual Aid
- Best SoupsSoup Kitchen
It takes a special kind of gift to make exceptional soup. Here is a food that has been with us since humans first learned how to boil water, and yet the team at Soup Kitchen have managed to… — Runners-up: Cafe Zupas, Porcupine Pub and Grille
- Best Sports ReporterDavid James
KUTV 2's David James is a long-running title holder for the Best Sports Reporter category, and it's with good reason. The California native joined the station in 1992 and has become a… — Runners-up: Dave Fox, KUTV 2, Amy Donaldson, Deseret News
- Best Stone PotsSeoul Market
Ceramic stone pots are a fixture in almost every Korean restaurant. Korean signature rice bowls, called bibimbap, are highly differentiated by the crunchy, fried rice along the outer edge…
- Best Stories FromAround the World
Virtual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Timpanogos Storytelling Festival director Jennifer Nelson applied all the skills she learned doing customer service for WordPerfect to the unique…
- Best Stream AdaptationSocial Antidote
At the beginning of the pandemic, amid myriad lo-fi livestream sets on Instagram, Facebook and Zoom, a vision of a better livestream came to light—and by light, we mean a really good light…
- Best Street ShowBoozetique Sundays
With The 8eat1ful5 The street shows outside Boozetique & E3 Modern were performed early on in the pandemic outside the illuminated storefronts to a crowd watching from a distance. Owner of…
- Best Study SpotPublik Coffee
Roast, grind, brew. Sit, study, sip and repeat. Publik Coffee and Kitchen's four locations (though two are temporarily closed due to COVID-19) are havens for college-age folk to hunker down…
- Best Subsidized Senior HousingTaylor Gardens
Salt Lake City's Housing Authority operates several low-income housing complexes. Taylor Gardens, for 55-plus seniors, is one of the best. The one- and two-bedroom units are small—650 to…
- Best Sunday FundayCarson Kitchen
Getting all sorts of buzz for everything from their "social plates" to secret-ingredient baked mac and cheese, newcomer Carson Kitchen really shines when it comes to their Sunday brunch…
- Best Survival Mode Collab You Didn't Know You NeededDianormical Drop Days by Diabolical Records and Normal Ice Cream
The pandemic has shifted many of our everyday perceptions, but an unexpected one is this: records and ice cream belong together. Or at least, that's the conclusion reached by Diabolical…
- Best Swimming Pool AlternativeRockport Reservoir
Where do you go to cool off during one of the hottest Utah summers on record when many of the state's public swimming pools are closed due to COVID? Just 30 minutes from downtown, Rockport…
- Best Taste of ArgentinaArgentina's Best Empanadas
Ana Valdemoros makes damned good Argentinian empanadas. Without the big bucks for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, she put heads together with other talented chefs at the Square Kitchen…
- Best Theme NightTwist 'Gays of '47'
Twist's unique interior, the former home of a 19th-century boiler room that serviced nearby downtown buildings, was the host of something a bit more glamorous at their Gays of '47… — Runners-up: Area 51, Prohibition
- Best Tomahawk TuesdayFleming's Prime Steakhouse &
Wine Bar Fleming's is a local favorite for the carnivore/meat-lover crowd. Do you consider yourself a steak aficionado? If so, you're likely familiar with the Holy Grail of steaks, the…
- Best Treasure HunterKen Sanders, Ken Sanders Rare Books
The literary community's thirst for knowledge is quenched at Ken Sanders Rare Books. The local treasure is headed by none other than Mr. Sanders, a rare-book collector since his childhood…
- Best Tribal ReliefWith Love, From Strangers
This past spring, the Navajo Nation, a community of nearly 200,000 residents, reported one of the highest COVID rates in America. A lack of running water and PPE in conjunction with a high…
- Best Use of SchmaltzFeldman's Deli's Matzo Ball Soup
Schmaltz, or chicken fat, is a must-have ingredient for matzo ball soup, which is a must-have soup for anything that ails you—even if your ailment is just 2020 in general. At Jewish deli…
- Best UtahnDonovan Mitchell
When the NBA season was put on hold in March and later resumed two time zones away in Orlando, Florida, Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell carried the torch for Jazz fans rooting from afar for… — Runners-up: U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams, Dr. Angela Dunn
- Best VeganVertical Diner
Vertical Diner's greatest success in the field of plant-based dining was shattering the myth that vegan food was stuffy and starched—like the Amish of the culinary world. After downing a… — Runners-up: Zest Kitchen and Bar, Buds Sandwich Shop
- Best Virtual Dose ofa Summer Institution
Utah Arts Festival 'Festival Vibes' We've all missed out on a lot this year, and the local arts community certainly missed the annual four-day celebration of the Utah Arts Festival. In an…
- Best Wake-up CallLex Scott
As the founder and leader of the local chapter of Black Lives Matter, Lex Scott's work is never done. Not only does she coordinate chapter projects such as organizing a summer camp for…
- Best Water ObstacleCourse on a Tube
Weber River Tubing The Weber River is a class II whitewater river not for the faint of heart. If you're looking for more than a lazy float and lots of excitement, then this two-hour float…
- Best Way toCrack an Egg
The Dodo's Spinach Mushroom Feta Quiche It's hard to say no to pie. It's impossible to say no when that pie is filled with light-as-air egg custard, fresh spinach, feta cheese and mushrooms…
- Best Way to ElectrifyYour Bike
Electrify Bike Co. Electric bicycles are all the rage. Streets are literally humming with them. While they may not flatten the curve, they damn sure flatten hills as steep as I Street…
- Best Way to Look SharpBonneville
Sharpening Service A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one, they say, but dull scissors may only be a danger in the hands of the do-it-yourself barber. "Out of an abundance of…
- Best WeathercasterAllison Croghan
Whether it's dunking on strange men who slide into her DMs or sharing photos of her adorable pup, Archie, Fox 13 meteorologist Allison Croghan has a wide—and entertaining—range on social… — Runners-up: Sterling Poulson, KUTV 2, Alana Brophy, ABC4
- Best WienerPorky's Kauai
Hot dogs are one of those foods that get a bad rap, even though a bad one is still pretty good, all things considered. Those who doubt the culinary excellence of this humble sausage…
- Best WingsTrolley
Wing Co. Consistently earning the prestigious title of Best Wings in Utah year after year, Trolley Wing Co. is a crowd favorite, in part due to the endless combinations you can concoct… — Runners-up: Wing Coop, Wing Nutz
- Best WoksVinh Long Oriental
Food Market When shopping for a wok, consider the next evolution in stove-top cooking: a ceramic marble wok, available—along with a wide variety of kitchenware and cookware—at Vinh Long…
Best of Utah is a City Weekly readers' poll. Results are reproduced here with permission; the full write-ups are at City Weekly.