There are several places in Utah where one can eat good Mexican food. One of the best, however, is El Gallo Giro. Their menu is expansive. On it, you’ll find the customary foods you would expect at any Mexican restaurant, such as tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and the like. But you will also find things like a delicious grilled chicken, Menudo and other soups, grilled nopales (the leaves of the prickly pear cactus), and a wonderful shrimp cocktail. Their shrimp cocktail, or coctel de camarones, is not the American style kind that you might be used to. Theirs is done in the Mexican style: it comes in a large mug or bowl with the peeled and chilled shrimp mixed into a sweet tomato sauce. To the shrimp and sauce are added avocados, onions, cilantro, lemon juice and wedges, celery, and some other wonderful things. It’s beautiful and delicious. Definitely something you should try. The undeniable king of their menu, however, is “El Molcajete”, or “The Rock”.

A recent find (introduced to me by Joe), Phở Green Papaya has become my absolute favorite Vietnamese restaurant. The ingredients are fresh, the atmosphere is classy, and the service is impeccable. There is an incredible variety of selections on their six page menu. Although I have by no means tried them all, everything I have tried has been top notch. Their prices are reasonable too — my most recent meal, consisting of tea, an appetizer, and a large bowl of phở, came to less than $19, including a generous tip.

When you go, start with an appetizer. Though not typical Vietnamese fare, their chicken satays are fantastic — coconutty, lightly sweet, moist and tender. I like the fresh spring rolls (Gỏi cuốn), but their crispy, deep fried rolls (Chả giò) are also excellent.

Before I exult the requisite and wholly deserved praise on China Buffet, I’ll start by sharing my brief challenge to classify it.

• Is it a Sh–hole? No… There was no visible feces.
• More of a Hole in the Wall? Close, but it’s actually quite large and maintains a stable brisk base of lunch customers
• Lunch Room? Hrmm… Lunch room… A room where “lunch” can be purchased? Yes! That’s it!

Wallabys Smokehouse, on State St. in Lindon, is a popular place for barbecue in Utah County. I am a fan of Wallabys, I must admit. I’ve been going there for years, and although they are not the “Southern Style” barbecue that I love so much, they do turn out some mean ribs and pulled pork. [...]

While dining at a delicious, but unnamed here, Chinese restaurant, Jason approached the waitress to find out if there was anywhere in the county to get Dim Sum. She said no. There is not. A minute later, she returned and motioned us closer so she could tell us of Four Seasons Hotpot and Dumplings in [...]

Ok, I admit it. I’m a barbecue addict. What can I say? I grew up in the south. So barbecue, for me, is nearly a religion. I must admit though, that until fairly recently, it was very difficult to get good barbecue in Utah. Joe Morley’s, in Midvale (post coming soon) was about the only [...]

Nestled in the seedy underbelly of Provo, Saigon Cafe is a restaurant worth avoiding. The name, and its listing in the phone book under “Vietnamese Cuisine” lead us to believe that this was a Vietnamese restaurant. Not so. This is a very dirty and greasy Chinese restaurant that happens to serve a couple of Vietnamese [...]