Utah is full of national chain restaurants…but why eat at a generic place when you can choose a local, family-owned or owner-operated restaurant, instead? Mom & pop restaurants usually don’t have large advertising budgets, and their furnishings might not be shiny and new, but the food is always made with care and love. We’ve previously written about 15 restaurants in Utah that are loaded with local history. Here are 15 Mom & Pop restaurants that definitely have a family history! These businesses are listed alphabetically.
- Aristo’s Greek Restaurant, Salt Lake City
Aristo’s Greek Restaurant/Facebook
Aristo’s Greek Restaurant/Facebook Located near the University of Utah, this family-owned has been serving delicious Greek food for 10 years. 224 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City.
- Beehive Bakery and Cafe, Bountiful
Kirby W./Yelp
Beehive Bakery and Cafe/Facebook The desserts and fresh bread are just as tasty as you’d expect…and the sandwiches are divine! 463 S. Main Street, Bountiful.
- Cappeletti’s, St. George
Cappeletti’s/Facebook
Cappeletti’s/Facebook Andres and Lorena Cappeletti and their three children operate this amazing Italian restaurant. Many of the recipes come from Andres’ mother, Emilia. 36 E Tabernacle Street, St. George.
- Cluffs Carhop, Fillmore
Cluffs Carhop/Facebook
Cluffs Carhop/Facebook Cluff’s Car Hop Cafe opened in 1950 and is now operated by Gayle Cluff - the 3rd generation family member to do so. Definitely check out this tasty burger and fry joint the next time you’re in Fillmore. 270 N. Main St., Fillmore.
- Dairy Keen, Heber
Dairy Keen/Facebook
Dairy Keen/Facebook The Mawhinney family has owned and operated Dairy Keen since 1946. It’s famous for the train that chugs along near the ceiling - and, of course, its burgers are famous too. 199 S Main Street, Heber.
- El Mexicano Restaurant, Salina
El Mexicano Restaurant/Facebook
El Mexicano Restaurant/Facebook The Silva family really knows what they’re doing when it comes to Mexican food, as evidenced by their amazing enchiladas. 1235 S. State Street, Salina.
- Fratelli Ristorante, Sandy
Jeffrey S./Yelp
Fratelli Ristorante/Facebook Grandma’s photos are on the wall in this cozy Italian restaurant, and her recipes are created with fresh and imported ingredients. 9236 South Village Shop Drive, Sandy.
- Hoover’s Cafe, Marysvale
DutchKathy/TripAdvisor
ahickmon/TripAdvisor Ronni and Arlyn Eggen own and operate this fun, eclectic cafe in Marysvale. 3718 N. U.S. 89, Marysvale.
- Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe, Roy
Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe/Yelp
Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe,/Facebook The couple who owns this little coffee shop and cafe are serious about their coffee (beans are roasted onsite) and their food (everything is made from scratch!). 5128 South 1900 West, Roy.
- Main Street Grill, Cedar City
SoaringDuo/TripAdvisor
Paul B./Yelp If you’re looking for amazing, home-cooked comfort food, this is definitely your spot. 155 N. Main Street, Cedar City.
- Sill’s Cafe, Layton
Sill’s Cafe/Facebook
Sill’s Cafe/Facebook The Sill family owns and operates this cafe in Layton. Visit for tasty home-cooked meals. 335 E. Gentile Street, Layton.
- Slacker’s Burger Joint, Torrey
Slacker’s Burger Joint/Facebook
Slacker’s Burger Joint/Facebook Jennifer Sammond and her family operate this tasty burger joint in Torrey. Leave room for a shake! 165 E. Main Street, Torrey.
- Tandoori Oven, Logan
Tandoori Oven/Facebook
Tandoori Oven/Facebook If you live in Logan, you’ve probably visited Tandoori Oven at least once. Don’t judge it because of its location (inside a gas station). Sham Arora started this Indian restaurant in 2004; now his son Mohit operates it. The food is simply incredible. 720 East 1000 North, Logan.
- Thunderbird Restaurant, Mt. Carmel
Thunderbird Restaurant/Facebook
Thunderbird Restaurant/Facebook Ed Myers is the third generation to operate this fun diner in Mt. Carmel. It’s home of the “Ho-Made Pies,” as the sign proudly proclaims (Ed’s grandfather was trying to save space on the sign). It still has delicious pies. U.S. 89, Mt. Carmel.
- Timberline Inn Restaurant, Beaver
Timberline Inn/Yelp
Timberline Inn/Yelp The Williams family opened this restaurant in 1982 and it’s still family owned and operated. You’ll find all kinds of tasty comfort food here! 1542 South 450 West, Beaver.
Looking for some more Utah restaurants that offer tasty home-cooked meals? Check out our list of Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants!
Aristo’s Greek Restaurant/Facebook
Located near the University of Utah, this family-owned has been serving delicious Greek food for 10 years. 224 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City.
Kirby W./Yelp
Beehive Bakery and Cafe/Facebook
The desserts and fresh bread are just as tasty as you’d expect…and the sandwiches are divine! 463 S. Main Street, Bountiful.
Cappeletti’s/Facebook
Andres and Lorena Cappeletti and their three children operate this amazing Italian restaurant. Many of the recipes come from Andres’ mother, Emilia. 36 E Tabernacle Street, St. George.
Cluffs Carhop/Facebook
Cluff’s Car Hop Cafe opened in 1950 and is now operated by Gayle Cluff - the 3rd generation family member to do so. Definitely check out this tasty burger and fry joint the next time you’re in Fillmore. 270 N. Main St., Fillmore.
Dairy Keen/Facebook
The Mawhinney family has owned and operated Dairy Keen since 1946. It’s famous for the train that chugs along near the ceiling - and, of course, its burgers are famous too. 199 S Main Street, Heber.
El Mexicano Restaurant/Facebook
The Silva family really knows what they’re doing when it comes to Mexican food, as evidenced by their amazing enchiladas. 1235 S. State Street, Salina.
Jeffrey S./Yelp
Fratelli Ristorante/Facebook
Grandma’s photos are on the wall in this cozy Italian restaurant, and her recipes are created with fresh and imported ingredients. 9236 South Village Shop Drive, Sandy.
DutchKathy/TripAdvisor
ahickmon/TripAdvisor
Ronni and Arlyn Eggen own and operate this fun, eclectic cafe in Marysvale. 3718 N. U.S. 89, Marysvale.
Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe/Yelp
Jessie Jean’s Coffee Beans and Homestyle Cafe,/Facebook
The couple who owns this little coffee shop and cafe are serious about their coffee (beans are roasted onsite) and their food (everything is made from scratch!). 5128 South 1900 West, Roy.
SoaringDuo/TripAdvisor
Paul B./Yelp
If you’re looking for amazing, home-cooked comfort food, this is definitely your spot. 155 N. Main Street, Cedar City.
Sill’s Cafe/Facebook
The Sill family owns and operates this cafe in Layton. Visit for tasty home-cooked meals. 335 E. Gentile Street, Layton.
Slacker’s Burger Joint/Facebook
Jennifer Sammond and her family operate this tasty burger joint in Torrey. Leave room for a shake! 165 E. Main Street, Torrey.
Tandoori Oven/Facebook
If you live in Logan, you’ve probably visited Tandoori Oven at least once. Don’t judge it because of its location (inside a gas station). Sham Arora started this Indian restaurant in 2004; now his son Mohit operates it. The food is simply incredible. 720 East 1000 North, Logan.
Thunderbird Restaurant/Facebook
Ed Myers is the third generation to operate this fun diner in Mt. Carmel. It’s home of the “Ho-Made Pies,” as the sign proudly proclaims (Ed’s grandfather was trying to save space on the sign). It still has delicious pies. U.S. 89, Mt. Carmel.
Timberline Inn/Yelp
The Williams family opened this restaurant in 1982 and it’s still family owned and operated. You’ll find all kinds of tasty comfort food here! 1542 South 450 West, Beaver.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
