As much as we love sitting down for a three-hour meal filled with conversation, multiple courses, and all the time in the world, not all meals can be full-blown, sit down indulgences. Good news: there are plenty of quality fast-casual restaurants in Salt Lake City for all of your workday lunch, dinner with kids, and quick & easy gastronomic needs. From burgers to salads to fried chicken sandwiches, this guide to the best fast-casual dining in SLC will satisfy every craving.
SEE ALSO: 101 THINGS TO DO IN SALT LAKE CITY
15. Padeli’s Street Greek
Located on Broadway downtown, this authentic Greek fast casual restaurant serves gyros, rice bowls, and wraps. Choose from their delicious protein options including lamb & beef, rotisserie chicken, rotisserie pork, or falafel. I tried their street gyros for my first time (3 mini gyros) so that I could sample all three meats with different sauce combinations and loved them all! No need to worry about what to order if you aren’t familiar with the menu items- the friendly staff will help you choose something that is delicious and suits your needs!
Padeli’s Street Greek
- Website
$ Mediterranean, Greek, Salad
30 Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-322-1111
14. Zao Asian Cafe
Zao Asian Cafe has definitely made a mark in the inventory of Salt Lake City restaurants when it comes to fast casual. Their menu items can be combined into bowls, tacos, salad, banh mi sandwiches, or soup. I love their selection of proteins including chicken, meatballs, steak, and tofu. My personal favorite menu item is their chicken rice bowl with a combination of their sweet soy & fresh green curry sauce (trust me on this one!), with fresh vegetables, daikon, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and crispy onions.
Zao Asian Cafe
- Website
$ Asian Fusion
639 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-595-1234
13. Proper Burger Co.
Proper Burger is a great spot for fast casual in SLC if you’re wanting a burger fix without making a big production out of it. Coming from the same owners as Avenues Proper, Proper Burger knows how to make a great burger (see our list of 15 Best Burgers in SLC) plus we’re a big fan of the soft serve ice cream they have in house as well.
Proper Burger Company
- Website
$$ Burgers
865 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-906-8604
12. Cubby’s Chicago Beef
I’ll never forget the first time my BFF introduced me to Cubby’s in Utah County! It’s a great fast casual if you love Italian beef whether it’s on their famous tri-tip steak salad (my personal favorite), homemade burgers, or delicious sandwiches. Cubby’s has exploded in the Utah County and the Salt Lake valley. If you’re a SLC girl like me you can find them in sugarhouse just off of 2100 south and highland drive. Back to that tri-tip steak salad. It has romaine & arugula, roasted red bell peppers, slivered almonds, scallions, dried cherries, tomatoes, feta, seasoned tri-tip, cilantro, and a lemon cilantro vinaigrette. YUMS. Thanks to Sadie for this beautiful pic, featured in our post on favorite Utah bloggers & their favorite places to eat!
Cubby’s – Sugarhouse
- Website
$$ Sandwiches, Salads
2130 S Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-467-2980
11. Pizzeria Limone
If you’re like me then you’ll find ANY excuse for pizza, always (don’t miss our list of Top 10 Pizza Restaurants in SLC). For one of the quickest pies in town, be sure to check out Pizzeria Limone. Similar to any other fast casual restaurant, you’ll wait in line, select your menu items, and watch your pizza being prepared as you check out and grab a number. You can build your own pizza or order one of their signature pizzas. Ask any regular what their favorite pizza is and they’ll tell you to order The Pera- a beautiful white pizza with an olive oil base, garlic, red onions, sliced pears, prosciutto, five cheeses, pistachios, and basil.
Pizzeria Limone
- Website
$ Pizza
East, 613 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-953-0200
10. Cafe Rio
If you’re from Utah there’s a high possibility that Cafe Rio is one of your top fast casual restaurants. A Utah original and now booming with dozens of locations nationwide, there’s a reason that Cafe Rio lovers keep coming back for more. If you’re a Salt Lake City native, you need not read more. From out of town? Here are a few of my favorite menu items: the sweet pork salad (probably their most popular menu item and one of my favorite salads in SLC), shredded chicken tostada, or shredded beef quesadilla. I’ve gone through a “phase” for all of their main menu items and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. If you’re dining in Salt Lake City the most central location is their spot on 400 south.
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
- Website
$ Mexican
532 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801-924-3800
9. Aubergine & Company
Another Utah County restaurant that thankfully has made their way to Salt Lake City is Aubergine and Company! We have a full review for all of the delicious details, and have most definitely included them on our list of best healthy restaurants in SLC, but the most important thing you need to know about Aubergine is that you’ll leave here feeling GREAT. No preservatives, added sugars, all food grilled or baked (never fried), and nutrient rich delicious meals all in one location! Favorite menu items include the Mediterranean salads, chicken pita, and their banana monkey smoothie.
Aubergine Kitchen
- Website
$$ Mediterranean, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Acai Bowls
2122 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-487-4321
8. Moochie’s Meatballs & More!
If you’re looking for the best philly cheese steak in SLC Moochies Meatballs & More! is the place to be. It’s fast (no kidding), it’s casual, and the flavors on this sandwich are TDF. Whether you order the 6 inch (plenttttty for me) or 12 inch, expect a glorious authentic philly cheese steak made with thinly sliced ribeye steak grilled with onions and topped with melted American cheese. And if you really want to take things to the next level make sure to order your philly cheese steak with peppers, mushrooms, and a side of their jalapeno cream sauce. You can thank me later.
Moochie’s Meatballs and More!
- Website
$$ Italian, Cheesesteaks
232 E 800 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-596-1350
7. Caputo’s Market & Deli
Tony Caputo’s is a fantastic option for great fast casual food in Salt Lake City. If you’re downtown for lunch grab The Caputo, their most popular deli sandwich made with high quality prosciutto, mortadella, salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, olive oil, and balsamic. And if breakfast is your thing their 15th and 15th location does a great breakfast sandwich (no breakfast at the downtown location, sorry Charlie) called The Gran Parma, pictured above- a 4″ breakfast sandwich made with Gran Biscotto ham, egg, Emmentaler Swiss, arugula, roasted red pepper spread, and tomato on a toasted Italian roll. Yums.
Caputo’s Market & Deli Downtown
- Website
$$ Specialty Food, Delis, Sandwiches
314 W. Broadway, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(801) 531-8669
6. Spitz
Hi there. If you’re a loyal Female Foodie reader you know that this isn’t our first mention of Spitz. In fact, we’ve included them on a plethora of our guide posts including the Top 10 Restaurants in Salt Lake City, Best Salads in Salt Lake City, Favorite Utah Bloggers & Their Favorite Places To Eat, annnnnd we may or may not have eaten here on our wedding day. Case and point? They have locations now in downtown SLC, Sugarhouse, and Cottonwood, but regardless of location you can count on delicious and flavorful Mediterranean street food that will change your life. There are a lot of delicious menu items but the best is their street cart fries with sweet potato fries and “the works”. Be prepared to become addicted.
5. Lone Star Taqueria
Lone Star may be a short drive from downtown Salt Lake City but it is 100% worth it for the delicious Mexican food (and in my opinion is one of the best spots for Mexican food in SLC)! This quick, tasty local hangout serves some of the best tacos in SLC with eight different filling options and a fresh salsa bar to dress them with. I typically dive headfirst for a fresh fish taco and another filled with marinated pork. If I’m not in the mood for tacos I love chomming on one of their 14″ flour quesadillas. Be sure to start your meal with their thick tortilla chips with a fresh side of guacamole.
Lone Star Taqueria
- Website
$ Mexican
2265 Fort Union Blvd, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84121
801-944-2300
4. Bocata
It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s one of the BEST fast casual spots among our pool of Salt Lake City restaurants. Bocata Artisan sandwiches is another Female Foodie favorite, featured on several lists including the Top 10 Sandwiches in Salt Lake City, Most Underrated SLC Restaurants, and Top 10 Things to Eat in City Creek Center. You honestly cannot go wrong with anything on this menu but my go to is the Cuban Pork. Sandwiched between freshly baked bread is citrus braised pork shoulder, pickled red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and aioli. It’s going to be one of your favorites, too.
Bocata (City Creek Food Court)
- Website
$ Sandwiches, Soup
28 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-521-2012
3. Oh Mai
Who doesn’t love Oh Mai in Salt Lake City?! They have a slew of great menu items including banh mi sandwiches, vermicelli noodles, pho, rice dishes, and salad. Everything is made to order and is fresh and flavorful! If I had to recommend one dish it would be the S2 Banh Mi- a Vietnamese sandwich with delicious honey glazed pork, garlic butter, oiled scallions, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots & daikon, green onion & jalapeno. My close runner up is P1- the brisket pho (noodle soup) with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, lime, and thai basil. The original SLC location is on 3300 south but they’ve recently opened another spot downtown!
Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen Downtown
- Website
$ Noodles, Vietnamese
850 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-575-8888
2. Pretty Bird Chicken
We are superrrrr thrilled to have Pretty Bird Chicken as a newcomer to the food scene in Salt Lake City and it hasn’t taken locals very long to realize just how fantastic this hot chicken is! Pretty Bird Chicken serves combo plates with homemade sides and a drink, but our favorite way to enjoy this delectable chicken is on the fried chicken sandwich- it’s served with slaw, pickles, and pretty bird sauce on a buttered bun. You’re going to die and go straight to heaven after tasting this once. Be aware that Pretty Bird often has a line out the door- it moves fast but if you’re truly in a hurry, plan accordingly or go right at open.
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken, Downtown
- Website
$$ Chicken Shop, American (Traditional), Fast Food
146 Regent St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
1. Even Stevens Sandwiches
Even Stevens ranks #1 on our list of fast casual restaurants for SO many reasons. A sandwich shop with a cause who donates a sandwich for every purchase is one of my go to spots for a fast casual fix in Salt Lake City! At Even Stevens the food is consistent and delicious, the customer service is fantastic (and fast!), the environment is fun and upbeat, and you can’t beat eating out and helping a good cause. They now have several different locations in Utah (and Idaho, Arizona, Washington, Colorado, and Texas!) but my favorite location to frequent is their original on 200 south in SLC. I’m a huge fan of their undergrad breakfast burrito, sprang chicken, and mihami vice. #eattogive
Even Stevens Sandwiches
- Website
$ Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, Salad
414 E 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
385-355-9105
Did you like this post?? Make sure to read our list of Top 10 Places to Eat in Salt Lake City orrrr Best Restaurants in Park City orrrr better yet download my FREE bucket list of 100 restaurants in SLC! Cheers.
