Downtown Delights: Vegan and Gluten-Free Gems in the Salt Lake City
Community
Dietary restrictions don’t have to be just that — a restriction. The Salt Lake valley is home to a plethora of restaurants, bakeries and cafes that cater to every palate and diet. Whether you’re looking for a simple gluten-free meal or a perfected vegan ice cream, SLC has some stellar options that aren’t just gluten-free or vegan; they’re surprisingly all the better for it!
SpudToddo’s
As an overly-enthusiastic potato lover, I was awestruck to learn that West Jordan housed SpudToddo’s, a potato-centric (and gluten-free!) restaurant. I ordered a fully-loaded “The Cheesy” ($8.96), while my friend ordered the Buffalo Garbage Fries ($12.96), a well-balanced ratio of fries to toppings, complete with tangy buffalo chicken, cheddar cheese and chives. With oversized cups of fry sauce and a full dirty soda bar, SpudToddo’s is distinctly Utahn, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Don’t miss their Sweet Frybread ($6.96), a scrumptious circle of fried dough that pairs nicely with their signature honey butter. As the SpudToddo’s website proclaims, “This is no ordinary spud. It’s a time machine that takes you to times and places you want to go again!” And trust me, it delivers on that promise. Keep up with them on their website, www.spudtoddos.com.
MonkeyWrench
Diehard SLC vegans will already be familiar with MonkeyWrench, known for their crave-worthy non-dairy ice cream and vegan desserts. Their specialty flavors take the cake (literally); popular ones include “Budderfinger,” a vanilla base with generous amounts of giant peanut butter candy bar pieces, Lemon Blueberry Ripple, a lemon base with a housemade blueberry compote throughout, and their seasonal flavor, “Peanut Butter Chobooskey,” Irish whiskey-soaked chocolate cake pieces and fudge sauce in peanut butter ice cream. I snagged a kid’s scoop ($4.50) of the Lavender Blueberry Honeycomb, an ideal flavor for spring. The lavender base is definitely floral, but combined with the tart frozen blueberries and sweet honeycomb candy, it makes for a refreshing, flavorful treat. Be sure to check out their newest location in Sugarhouse at 1845 S 700 E. View their full menu or order online at monkeywrench-109928.square.site, and find them on Instagram @monkeywrench_slc.
Good Food
As their slogan insists, Good Food Gluten Free Bakery is “not your basic batch.” Good Food is 100% gluten-free and has been serving up breads, scones and other tasty treats downtown since 2009. Fan favorites include the eclairs ($6.50), zucchini bread ($6.00) and their drool-worthy cinnamon rolls ($6.00). I got there close to closing, and although a lot of the shelves were empty (a sure sign of success if you ask me), I was lucky enough to snag a cinnamon roll of my own. At first glance, they might seem somewhat over-frosted, but the denseness of the roll balances out the airy cream cheese completely. One bite had me audibly “mmm”-ing in my car (sorry, I just couldn’t wait!). I’ll be taking another trip ASAP to grab some freshly-baked gems for my gluten-free girlies. Follow Good Food on Instagram @goodfoodglutenfreebakery.
City Cakes
As my friend and I walked into City Cakes Bakery & Cafe, we let out a collective “OOO!” as the bakery case of meticulously frosted cupcakes came into view. City Cakes encapsulates the typical American bakery – brightly lit and sweetly decorated – but it lets the artfully decorated cakes and goodies speak for themselves, all with the added bonus of offering solely gluten-free and vegan options. As a Thin Mint, peppermint patty-loving girl, their mint bar ($3.00) was right up my alley. Don’t let the hunk of neon green scare you off; the treat features a hearty serving of mint, yes, but when sandwiched between the chewy, rich brownie layer and thin crunch of the chocolatey top layer, it’s truly a delight to the senses. If sweets aren’t your thing, check out their grab-and-go options like Mac & Cheeze ($8.35), Tempeh Chik’n Salad ($10.50) and Chili ($11.30). Visit their website www.citycakescafe.com or check out their Instagram @citycakesslc.
Read more on some delicious spots in Utah:
It’s Always the Weekend at Swedish Moose Candy Company
Weller’s Bistro Brings German Cuisine to Utahns, and They Can’t Get Enough
