One of my favorite things about going back home to visit Utah is the food options! 
Seriously, there are restaurants in Utah I dream about. In fact, just about everywhere I have lived or frequently visited has foods I crave. When I visit certain places, I literally have a mental food check list for the visit. I thought I might share my favorites here.  (I tried to make this a Top five list, but couldn't narrow it down to that...)
Places that make it on my mental food craving list when I visit home:

• Cafe Zupas: Multiple Locations. I cannot go to Utah without eating here. usually multiple times until the rest of the family is sick to death of it. I LOVE it. There are multiple locations as it is a chain, and it's not just in Utah. Try it if you get the chance. You won't regret it. I pretty much dream about the Lobster Bisque soup and the Nuts About Berries Salad! I'm drooling just thinking about it! YUM!  
• Cafe Rio: Multiple locations. Oh.My.Goodness! Cafe Rio's Sweet Pork Barbacoa burrito served enchillada style-pretty much a perfect food! Made to order as you walk through the (likely to be long, but fairly fast moving) line. Do you prefer Salad? That's ok too because they have awesome Salads! 
• CK Cummings: When I think of high quality chocolates and major treats, this is what I am thinking about! NOTHING compares to their Chocolate Covered (Fresh) Raspberries and Cherries. Oh.My.Gosh. HEAVEN! Their truffles are also amazing and their seafoam is one of my all time favorite treats in the world. Yummy. 
• Yanni's Greek Express: 2761 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106. This is a close to home favorite. My family is Greek and Yanni's is close to where I grew up. I LOVE the Yanni's special. It is huge! We order 2 of them and it is enough food for my family to share. Seriously! But, SO.GOOD! I haven't been there in a few years but it remains a top fave! (Yanni's does not have a website, but this site has a scanned in, but old-prices are higher now I think-menu.)
• Crown Burger: Multiple Locations. I haven't eaten anything here I didn't like. If you want a greasy piece of high calorie heaven, make sure to try The Crown Burger! It is amazing. Their Greek food is awesome as well! My daughter orders their Greek Salad every time.
• Granatos: Two Locations. This is actually an Italian store and deli. My Greek family buys ingredients here for our Greek foods, but we also love the Deli. It is like the best deli food ever. EVER. I always order a hard roll Feta and Tomato sandwich or Meatball sandwich. They have lots more than sandwiches though. Check out the menu here.
• Smiths and/or Harmons: Weird, why does Beckee insist on visiting 2 grocery stores while at home in Utah? Doubly Weird, why are neither of them her favorite grocery store, the one where she worked in high school and college (Dan's)? Well, I will tell you why.  I have a very favorite, very specific soda, that I can only find sold in Utah at Smith's and Harmon's. Diet Code Red Mountain Dew. Yeah, I can get the full sugar version all over, but I don't drink sugary drinks and I LOVE Diet Code Red Mountain Dew. I literally buy all I can and load up the back of my Suburban with it when I visit. I am sure there is a surge in sales when I am in town. YUM...please tell me how I can get a local store to carry and sell this?!
• The Happy Sumo: This is my families favorite Sushi place. We go to the one at the bottom of Cottonwood canyon. It is good, and has one unique roll that I love and I dream about, (Mango Mamma Roll, you can see it and their whole selection on their menu here). But honestly, as of my last Utah trip, it is on it's way to being replaced by my next pick... 
• Ichiban Sushi: Last time we went to Utah, this gem was around the corner from our hotel, so we gave it a try. I will go back for the Lion roll alone, but there were SO.MANY. amazing things on this menu. I did not get to try near enough of them. And the fact I can order take out here...Golden! I cannot wait to visit again this summer! 

Other amazing Places you should not miss in Utah:

• Nielsens frozen custard: Only missed my list because I am not a huge fan of ice cream or frozen yogurt. But I will tell you that if the craving does come, there is no other place I would want to go. This was also a date night staple for my neighborhood during high school. It is just that impressive. You will want to take a date here (if he or she likes frozen Custard). (Apparently there is a location in Layton as well, in case you are there...)
• The Pie Pizzaria: Ask any student at the University of Utah (or any alumni) for the best pizza joint. They will likely send you to The Pie. And apparently since I moved they have opened lots of new locations (you used to have to go to the original by the U). HUGE pizzas, really good. Do not miss! (Only reason it's not on my personal must eat list is because I sadly cannot eat pizza these days.)
• Old Spaghetti Factory: I know this is not exclusive to SLC, but it is SOOO good, and so worth the stop. It was another popular place for date nights as a high school and college student. Great food at a fun location in Trolley Square. Their fresh warm bread is amazing and I cannot resist their Garlic Mizithra pasta. Also, make sure you splurge on their Italian Cream Soda to drink. The drink is awesome as is the souvenir cup you get to take home! 
• Arctic Circle: Only not on my must visit list because (Praise the Lord) there is one in Yakima!!!! YEAH! So, here's the deal on this fast food gem...FRY SAUCE! The best there is. I often stop there for a Lime Rickey (traditional grape flavored one, not this newfangled cherry version) and fries with fry sauce. On occasion I will get a burger (or a Gyro which they have and are surprisingly pretty good), but for me this place is all about the Lime Rickeys and Fry sauce.
• Market Street Grill; Oh My Gosh. The first time I realized I might like seafood was when I ate at Market Street Grill as a young girl. It is not super cheap, but it is super good. If you want a nice meal and are willing to spend a little more, eat here. Do it! 
• Brick Oven Pizza: When I went to BYU (for about a half a year), I ate here a lot. Because it is awesome. But the pizza was not what I went for-eat the Pasta bar buffet. It is SO good! Salad bar + pasta bar = perfection! It is not on my list because I rarely get to Provo, but there is a location in South Jordan now!! Which is where my in laws live, so that's basically awesome!!!
• Salt Lake Greek Festival: If you happen to be in Salt Lake City near my birthday in September, DO NOT MISS the Salt Lake Greek Festival. You will not find better food (unless you can convince my mom and XiaXia to make you some)! This is the event I miss most every year, and the food I crave the most. It will be crowded, there will be lines, and you may not understand what everyone is saying (unless you speak Greek), but I promise it will be worth it. (Note, this year, 2017, the festival is Sept 9-11).
• Granite Bakery: Looking for a sweet treat? Want some awesome rolls (that taste home made without making a mess of your kitchen)? Stop by Granite Bakery. (They also do cakes for special occasions, like weddings if you are looking for that sort of a thing)
• So Cupcake: Do you like cupcakes? You will after you stop here...I am not much of a fan of cake, but I love frosting and occasionally have a craving for cupcakes. So, Cupcake was the first "cupcake bakery" I ever went to and I loved it. I try to stop in for a cupcake or two when I am in town. Try it for an excellent sweet treat!
• Great Harvest Bread: Bread, lots of different kinds of amazing bread that you will dream about. Really. And that is not all they have-they serve Breakfasts, sandwiches for lunch and tasty desserts as well! Go.Here. (Look at this menu from the Holladay location to see what they have)

I KNOW there are lots of favorite spots I have left off this list...what are your favorites?! 

You may have noticed less posting...I am in Utah visiting(and BOY was it an adventure getting here-I will post that story later. Spoiler alert: Burger King, tornados and hail were involved).

I wanted to put up a real quick post to let you Utahns know that today is FREE fishing day here in Utah! That means that you can fish in Utah today without a license! So, go out and have a great fishing adventure today then come back and tell me how it went!!

OK Utahns, If you are looking for a great Christmas show, you should go see Octappella on Monday or Tuesday night! AND if you want to get half price tickets, you better go here NOW as they are almost sold out!! Seriously it will be a great show! (But family-you will have to go Monday because Tuesday is the baptism) :)

Even if you do not get the half price tickets for $6, it is worth the $12 price as well.

By way of disclosure, I should let you know that Andrea's husband is a member of Octappella (He is third from the right in the picture above). But I assure you, I would not recommend their show based solely on the fact my brother-in-law is in it. They really are good and they put on a fun festive show! You won't be disappointed.

FYI, My friend Angela posted the following on Facebook:

This is for all my SLC friends. The Osh Kosh store in Draper is going out of business on the 30th of Sept. There are some great deals (some not so great too), plus you can go to their website and get a coupon for even more savings! Check it out, I would be surprised if you can leave the store empty-handed!

So it appears that the first 100 adults in line at the new Chick-fil-A in American Fork on August 26 will get free Sandwiches for a year (lining up appears to be the day before), and others that go that day will get one free sandwich. Awesome! Read all the basic details in this article from the Daily Herald. And make sure to read the FULL details here on Chick-fil-a's website.

Thanks Cockoo for Coupon Deals.

Citydeals.com has their semi annual Clearance Sale going on right now in Utah PLUS FREE shipping on all orders!! You can shop the great deals by location: Utah County here, Salt Lake County here, and Davis, Weber & Cache Counties here.

If you do buy something from City Deals, please sign up using my referral link! I would REALLY appreciate it!

Readee Angels reminded me that this is going on in Utah right now so I wanted to post it again as a reminder for my Utah readers!
This is a fantastic offer for those living in or planning to visit Utah this month! You can get FREE admission to see the Utah Kennecott Copper Mine Visitors Center, July 16-25! I have never seen the Mine so I wish I could take advantage of this one!! Every passenger car and mini van gets in for FREE! Please read all the details here.

This is awesome! I know some EXCELLENT cooks in Utah that really need to enter this (my mom and mother-in-law should for sure)!

Do you live in Utah and do you love to cook? Are you pretty good at it? If so, you should enter the Utah's Own Recipe Round-Up Contest! Just create a recipe using at least 3 Utah's Own Products. Then, bring your dish already prepared to one of the locations listed below.

Each week there will be cash prizes of up to $100. AND the Grand Prize Winner will win a 7- Day Cooking Cruise for 2! WHAT!! That is awesome!! Check out all of the details and rules for the Utah's Own Cooking Contest here.

July 17th -11am-1pm
Sandy Macey’s, 7800 South, 1300 East

July 31st – 11am-1pm
Bountiful Fresh Market, 535 South 200 West

August 7th – 11am-1pm
Riverton Fresh Market, 1784 West 126th South

August 14th – 11am-1pm
Bountiful Dick’s Market, 2280 Orchard Drive

August 21st – 11am-1pm
Murray Fresh Market, 5632 South 9th East

August 28th – 11am-1pm
Orem Macey’s, 880 North State Street

September 11th – 11am-1pm
Provo Macey’s, 1400 North State

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

This looks like a good, healthy freebie for you Utah ladies!

The Utah Department of Health is offering a Free 3 Month Supply of Vitamins with Folic Acid, a Bracelet, Bag and a Magazine. Check it out here.

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

This is incredibly cool! I hope some of you Utahns take advantage of this/ What a perfect FREE date night!

The Capitol Preservation Board is excited to be teaming up with the Utah Film Commission to present the Utah State Capitol 3rd annual summer film series, "Movies Under the Stars", featuring four "Made in Utah" movies:

July 1 - The Sandlot (1993) MADE IN UTAH
July 8 - Legally Blonde 2: Red..., White & Blonde (2003) MADE IN UTAH
July 15 - Planet 51 (2009)
July 22 - Forever Strong (2008) MADE IN UTAH
July 29 -The Goonies (1985)
August 5 -The World Fastest Indian (2005) MADE IN UTAH
August 12 -The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)
August 19 - Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
August 26 - The Blindside (2009)

Films will be shown at dusk on the southeast corner lawn of the Utah State Capitol and are FREE to the public. So bring your picnics, blankets, and friends, and enjoy this years Movie Under the Stars!

LOVE this!! Check out & join their Facebook page here.

Well Utah readers, this one is for you! City Deals is having a 50% off summer fun activities sale. There are a lot of great Utah attractions with half price tickets right now! Just click here to see what they have!

BTW-as a former High School English teacher can I just note how much I love that in this ad above the starred part at the bottom says "CityDeals acknowledges that 'funner' is not a real word and admits it was used only because it made our tagline kinda rhyme. Regards to our 7th Grade English teacher."  I love advertising with a sense of humor!!

If you are in Utah (Draper is the exact area) you will want to read all about this deal posted on Freebies to Deals. Then you will want to rush out and get your freebies!!! I SO wish I was there for this one!!

I know I have a lot of Utah readers, so when I read about this just now I thought I better check it out. Goldsmith Co. Jewelers in Provo, Utah gives out a free strand of Freshwater Pearls for Mother's Day every year (one per household. Just take this coupon in to their store adn you can get your free pearl necklace-while supplies last so I would go soon!

Thanks One CHeap Chick.

I could pretty much cry right now that I am not in Utah!

Rubio's (one of my all time favorite restaurants) is offering FREE Grilled Gourmet tacos on Tax Day (April 15th) for their Utah locations. Just print this coupon and take it in to your local Utah Rubio's on April 15th. It says one per person so print enough for all the people in your family and head over there for a free tax day dinner (and hey-Rubios near m parents house is right by Maggie Moos, so stop in for their tax day freebie too!)

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

Boondocks Fun Centers in Utah and Colorado have a great deal if you sign up for their Birthday Club! And best of all, you can sign up every single person in your family. When your birthday is getting close, they will send you an email confirmation that you can print out and take to your nearest Boondocks to get a Free Unlimited Fun Pass worth $24.95!! You can do anything and everything from Laser Tag, Miniature Golf, Go Karts and more! How awesome is that?! Just follow these easy steps to make it happen:

• Just go to Boondocks Fun Centers.
• Choose your location.
• Click on Birthday Parties.
• Then click Birthday Club and sign up (sign up your whole family!)

What a great fun, free thing for your Birthdays!

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

The other day I told you that Freebies 2 Deals posted about 7 Peaks passes. Well, I just got an email about those passes and wanted to directly give you the info I received. You can get $15 daily passes to Seven Peaks through City Deals right now. Just click here to do so.
The other current City Deals deal I wanted to mention for Utah right now is the Salt Lake City golf package for 75% off. That makes it $49.99 for a golf package. The packages include way too much stuff for me to mention here, but please check out all the details here.

Freebies 2 Deals just posted about how you can snag Seven Peaks Day passes for only $13.50 right now! I might have to get some for when I visit in June! Please see her post here. And hurry-there are a limited number available!!

Exciting news Utahns! Groupon is coming to Salt Lake City!! I just saw it posted that their first Salt Lake City Groupon will be coming up any day now! If you want to be the first to know about it when they start, sign up for Groupons now. To sign up for Groupons, click on my referral link here (this does NOT commit you to buying any deal-you choose what you buy).

OK Utahns, this is a GREAT deal on Utah Jazz tickets, so I am sure it will go quickly! Right now through Citydeals.com, you can get the $32 tickets for the Wednesday March 17th Jazz game for only $9. And, you can purchase any quantity you want. Please go here to get this deal!

I know I have not mentioned Citydeals.com on this blog yet, so I want to tell you a bit about it now. It is a site that finds and posts the best deals of the day. I have not lives in Utah for 6 years and I still get the SLC newsletter just to see if anything comes up that I can use when I visit. You can check to see if they have deals in your area and sign up for their emails here. (The email sign up is on the left side of the page about halfway down.)

You lucky, LUCKY Utahns! Evidently there is a grocery store in Utah (looks like maybe in Ogden area) now, called Family Fresh Foods that doubles coupons EVERY DAY!! WOW. Please read what Freebies2Deals wrote about it here. If you get a chance to check it out and get some great deals, please let me know about it! I LOVE comments!