Welcome to our guide to the best drive-thru restaurants in SLC. Maybe you have five small children, maybe you’re dodging a global pandemic, or maybe you just want to eat your food in undisturbed peace before your next stop. We hear you, which is exactly why we’ve rounded up 10 of the best non-chain drive-thrus in SLC.
SEE ALSO: 15 BEST RESTAURANTS IN SLC
12. Hector’s
Hector’s is a locally loved Mexican restaurant on 3300 south in East Millcreek and is familiar to many as one of the best drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City. The menu here has a little bit of everything with tacos, enchiladas, and nachos, but the order here is the breakfast burrito. It’s a great drive-thru fix when you need something inexpensive that’s salty and hearty.
Hector’s
- Website
$ Mexican
2901 E 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84109
801-487-3850
12. SugarHouse Barbeque Company
Barbecue and drive-thru are rarely synonymous, but in Sugar House, both can coexist at SugarHouse Barbeque Company. The menu here is extensive for a barbecue restaurant, but the best things to order are the pulled pork sandwich and the smoked platter (get the pulled pork and brisket!). Favorite sides are the mac and cheese and the coleslaw. Don’t miss this southern style drive-thru for one of the best drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City.
SugarHouse BBQ
- Website
$$ Barbeque
880 E 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-463-4800
10. Gourmandise (Draper)
One of the newer drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City is the Draper location of Gourmandise. You can pre-order anything off their menu and pick up at the dive-thru, alongside pastries and treats. We recommend the brioche french toast for breakfast or the beef brisket grilled cheese for lunch, and the chocolate chip cookies are a great way to sweeten up your day.
Gourmandise
- Website
$$ Patisserie/Cake Shop, Bakeries, Cafes
725 E 12300 S, Draper, UT 84020
801-571-1500
9. Real Taqueria
Real Taqueria, a brand new drive-thru restaurant in Salt Lake City, is a great option for flavorful Mexican food in SLC. They have dine-in and takeaway options, but the drive-thru is clutch when you need tacos or burritos on the go. Start with the guacamole and chips, and if you’re in the mood for tacos the barbacoa is our favorite.
Real Taqueria
- Website
$ Mexican
1869 E Murray Holladay Rd, Holladay, UT 84117
801-432-7962
8. Thirst Drinks
Thirst Drinks isn’t a restaurant per see, but they serve some of the best treats and soda concoctions in the Salt Lake Valley. They have regularly rotating treats from other local small businesses, including items like kolaches, ice cream sandwiches, churros and more. Get the Little Mama if you’re a Diet Coke lover, or the Dr. McCreamy if you’re loyal to Dr. Pepper.
Thirst Drinks
- Website
$ Soda Shop, Drinks, Treats
38 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(385) 229-4359
7. Cutler’s Cookies & Sandwiches
Cutler’s Cookies in Bountiful has been providing dependable, reliable drive-thru dining for years. You’re here for a simple lunch consisting of a deli sandwich (get the turkey avocado) with a cookie or two on the side. The marshmallow brownie cookie andfrosted peanut butter chocolate cookie are what dreams are made of.
Cutler’s Cookies & Sandwiches
- Website
$$ Sandwiches
1290 UT-193, Layton, UT 84040
801-774-8479
6. Greek City Grill
Greek City Grill is one of the best drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City if you’re looking for a Mediterranean fix. The Souvlaki is a great thing to order on your first visit, but if you want something truly unique to Greek City Grill, the D-Will pita is your order, served with red-pepper hummus, grilled chicken breast, tomato, cucumbers, minced red onion, and crumbled feta.
Greek City Grill
- Website
$ Greek, Mediterranean
6165 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
(801) 277-2355
5. Banbury Cross Donuts
Banbury Cross Donuts not only makes some of the best donuts in SLC but they have an incredible drive-thru that operates 7 days each week from early morning until 5 p.m. (except on Sundays). Get the strawberry donuts if you’re feeling something fruity, or the cinnamon crumb donut for a signature Banbury Cross donut.
Banbury Cross Donuts
- Website
$ Donuts, Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch
705 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102,
801-537-1433
4. Nielsen’s Frozen Custard
Nielsen’s Frozen Custard serves up the best custard in the entire state of Utah. There are two drive thrus in the Salt Lake Area (Holladay and Bountiful), but the Nielsen’s in Bountiful serves custard and a full lunch and dinner menu. Get the dinerburger or turkey avocado grinder for your entree, and polish things off with a concrete. Favorite concrete flavors include the caramel cashew, chocolate coconut, and chocolate raspberry.
Nielsen’s Frozen Custard – Holladay
- Website
$ Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
3918 S Highland Dr, Holladay, UT 84124
801-277-7479
3. Lonestar Taqueria
One of our favorite drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City is Lonestar Taqueria. It’s our favorite drive-thru Mexican restaurant in Salt Lake City and we love several items off their menu. Always start with the chips and guacamole — the chips are perfectly salty and substantial, and the guacamole is chunky and fresh. Most people come to Lonestar for their house specialty, the fish tacos which rotate daily. Not a fan of fish? Get the shredded beef tacos or a quesadilla.
Lone Star Taqueria
- Website
$ Mexican
2265 Fort Union Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
801-944-2300
2. Beaumont Bakery
Beaumont Bakery is one of our favorite restaurants in the Olympus Cove area. They make delicious salads, sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, and incredible baked goods. Fair warning: the service here both in the restaurant and drive-thru can be incredibly slow, so it’s a great drive-thru option but don’t expect Chik-Fil-A turnover times. Get the avocado toast or breakfast croissant for breakfast, or the Beaumont chopped salad or Beaumont burger for lunch or dinner.
Beaumont Bakery & Cafe
- Website
$$ Coffee & Tea, Bakeries, Cafes
3979 Wasatch Blvd, Millcreek, UT 84124
801-676-9340
1. Hires Big H
Our top pick from this guide to the best drive-thru restaurants in Salt Lake City is Hires Big H. Technically a drive-in, this in-car dining option always hits the spot. The burgers here are ground daily with high-quality chuck, and the buns are baked locally each day. It’s a simple, no-frills burger spot, but the quality and flavor shine through with every bite. Your order here is the Big H combo, which includes the classic Big H Burger (quarter-pound burger with fry sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and American cheese), hand-cut fries, fry sauce, and a medium drink or frosty mug of root beer. Ice cream on the mind? End your meal with an oreo or hot fudge shake.
Hires Big H
- Website
$ Burgers
425 700 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-364-4582
