Dungeons and Donuts

Dutch and I keep a regular game of DnD going with 4 of our good friends. We meet almost every weekend, and when we get together on Sundays we like to share a brunch as we get into the mix of things.

This week everyone was a little tight on cash due to the seasonal costs of knowing too many people, so we decided to keep it small and just do breakfast at the host's place. We all happened to also be together the evening before and I have no idea how I thought of donuts (though why I don't always think of donuts I'm not certain either), but the subject was broached and I mentioned a new donut shop that opened in Draper not far from us. Star Donuts. It's a small shop near Smith's and Petco and it is

open

24/7

all the time.

Not to mention that the donuts aren't the crud you get at grocery stores or the Lehi Main Street bakery. THESE ARE GLORIOUS GREASY SONS OF GUNS. Not overly greasy either. They don't keep a giant front display, so the donuts are constantly coming in and out of the kitchen fresh. We got 5 dozen donuts, picked by the owner himself (I didn't get his name but bless that young man for being there 6 days a week), and I let him know it's my favorite donut place in the state.

Let me explain. I'm not from this area, nor is Dutch. Where I am from, donut shops are family owned stores that will bribe you into coming back as often as possible. You ordered two donuts and a croissant? Here's an extra half dozen donut holes. Remember us the next time you want breakfast. You need a pick me up between early morning seminary and marching band practice? We're your place. Grocery store donuts, the semi-stale cakey butterless pieces of pumice stone that grate your stomach lining and chip away at your life expectancy... Those are for the lazy. You couldn't get a long well without finding your niche shop in even the smallest of towns. AND THOSE PEOPLE HAD TO COMPETE WITH KOLACHE SHOPS. It's not an easy market. I didn't realized till I moved to Utah that I had "unreasonably" high expectations from my breakfast pastries.

Nonetheless, I've found my new niche. Star Donuts is reasonably priced, and the staff is always delightful. They carry all my regular orders, from basic glazed to old fashioned blueberry cake, devils food, chocolate eclair, apple fritters, raspberry jam filled, even bagels and croissant sandwiches. I'm a happy breakfast eater once again, thank goodness.

As always, let me know what your experience is with donut vendors in the area. Share with us if you've tried Star Donuts for yourself, or if you are a true-blue fan of another shop around town.

Christmas Markets

Friendly reminder: We are not a traditional "family" and do not go places for "family activities". This blog is written to review our experiences from our own unique perspective, that of a couple in their late 20's and their small dog.

Christmas-Christmas Time is Here

Last weekend we went to the Christkindlmarkt SLC at Heritage Park. I can't talk Dutch into doing holiday stuff for the life of me. Last year his friends were BOWLED OVER by the fact he let me put up a tree and decorations. So being able to do this was kind of a big deal. I'd been gaming with some friends from Bristol earlier in the week and they were talking about the Christmas Markets they went to around London the weekend prior and all the good food and drinks and music, I got so excited, but I honestly shouldn't have expected a place so far from Bavarian Homeland to resemble what they described. We decided to go on Thursday night, since there would be a lantern parade and it being a school night, we assumed less people.

Boy. Were. We. Wrong.

The market wasn't close by, a 30 minute drive w/out traffic. It took us an hour to get to the park, and about another 30 minutes to find parking. We brought Sandor, thinking it would be delightful for him to come have treats and see the lights and music, but immediately realized our mistake when he could barely stop shivering enough to walk. We carried him up the hill from where we parked and entered the market.

There must have been at least 800 people at Heritage Park that night. It was 28F, dark, and the "heaters" scattered about were fires dying out quickly in containers not meant for distributing heat well. Children screamed and cried as their parents attempted to take photos of them in front of significant sites like the 14 foot Christmas tree in the courtyard, teenagers pushed violently through the crowds and lines, I think my foot was run-over by at least 20 strollers as entire families decided to pass right through the line for Hot Chocolate to get to their destination on the other side. That line, by the way, was about 40 people deep, as was every other warm treat vendor's stall. It took 20 minutes to get hot chocolate, and then they charged $5 a cup and wouldn't take debit for less than $20.

It was only 7pm and most of the vendors were out of their more popular wares. I was interested in buying a large construction from Candy Everything as a centerpiece for a Christmas party we plan on hosting for friends, but the largest pieces were all sold, including a 15" tall pirate ship that would have looked PERFECT next to our sidebar at the hot chocolate service table.

Dutch and Sandor towed behind me in absolute misery, so I finished my hot chocolate and we got the heck out of there. The night was a supreme failure. The market goers were rude, selfish people. The weather was too unexpectedly cold to be enjoyable. The vendor booths were too small to see at a glance and figure out the treasures inside without fighting the crowds to get in and too crowded together, so that one booth crowded the two beside it as well.

None of the vendors we encountered were doing anything "authentic", or being particularly cheerful. I was hoping to encounter people sharing century old hot chocolate with their customers, telling stories about how their Great Great Opa and Oma discovered the secret, and teasing the children about how they'd never figure it out in a hundred more years. No storytellers. Dancers, yes, but even they looked miserable. All this added to the blaring PA soundtrack of an OomPaPa Christmas made our trip a nightmare.

All in all, if you ARE a parent, uncle, aunt, grandparent, or older cousin and you plan on bringing children to a Christmas Market in the area, please send someone ahead to do research. Go during the daylight, dress for colder weather than predicted, and FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY DONT BRING A STROLLER. Get a baby backpack if you have to.

If you're like Dutch and myself, either make it to the earliest hours or don't go at all. Bring cash if you plan on buying ANYTHING and maybe take a Xanex before entering the grounds if that's your thing.

I know there have been/are other Christmas Markets around SLC, and I know not everyone's experience at them are as awful as I've described it. Tell me about your own trips to the Off-Bavarian Wonderlands, what did you like? What did you learn? What will get you back there next year or what will keep you away? I'd love to hear your stories!

Katchup

This is the first post re-formatting/re-imagining the blog. For those of you new to the community, please, call me Malus. I rent from a lovely couple in the South of Salt Lake County, as does my wonderful long-time boyfriend Dutch, who looks after our pup Sandor. Sandor will get his own blog post soon, and his addition to our little family means you'll also get anecdotes and reviews from our escapades at the local dog park(s).

A little about us as a couple. Dutch doesn't really like people. Well, most people. He likes me. And Sandor (who is his own person, though dog-person). We have a handful of good friends. We love video games and browsing Reddit. Neither of us are too fond of vegetables but I really love fruit. We're hard judges of food and harder judges of environment when it comes to going out to restaurants and festivals. We like to do things on a reasonable budget, as well, so these will not be Michelin Star places you'll see reviewed. At least unless Dutch surprises me.

--------PLACES WE LOVE ALREADY--------

We will still give stories and re-reviews of places we revisit, as sometimes quality changes depending on service, chef, and management. If you don't want to wait around for new reviews, here are some recommendations to go off of today.

Our Favorite ______________:

BURGERS:

Bruges Waffles and Frites

541 East 12300 South #A, Draper, UT 84020

Bruges is known for it's Belgian waffles and delightful fries. There are locations elsewhere, but we're pretty fond of the Draper location because it's not far from us and it's never been busy when we visit. Dutch introduced me to their Ricky Burger, steakhouse beef on with onion crisps and signature sauces on a kaiser roll. If you plan on eating this burger on a date, bring some gum, and grab some napkins. It's messy and greasy and delightful. Your onion breath will be overpowered by how happy you area after eating one of these. If you don't eat a lot in one sitting (like me) plan on sharing, but this burger is enough to fill the stomach of Dutch and other very hungry men like him.

Salt City Burger

9176 Village Shop Dr, Sandy, UT 84094

Salt City KNOWS burgers. The kitchen produces burgers made with 100% USDA choice beef. They cater to picky people. The staff is friendly and the environment is full of rich wood tones, soft lighting, and if you go the right night (Tuesday) it's usually not crowded. Our favorites here are the Sunrise Burger, Dutch likes to get the egg poached. I switch between the Smokehouse Bacon Burger and the Hawaiian Special. The Sweet Potato Fries HAVE to be mentioned as well. I have, on more than one occasion, opted just for a big plate of SP Fries when we went here, as the burgers are very large and I don't always have that much of an appetite.

BURRITOS:

Sweeto Burrito

487 E 12300 S Unit B, Draper, UT 84020

First and Foremost: This isn't Mexican or TexMex food here. Sweeto Burrito is a purely AMERICANA food provider. The tacos are similar to texmex street tacos, but if you have doubts, just look at their menu and how many items are made with Sweeto (Seasoned Fry) Sauce. Fry Sauce is about as Utahan as BYU itself. On to the food: I'm a breakfast burrito kind of girl. I could eat breakfast every meal if that option is on the table. I get the Break Neck burrito almost every time I visit, opting rarely to exchange it with the Buff Chick (pretty much Tater Tots and Boneless Chicken) or the All American (essentially a cheeseburger in burrito form). Dutch opts for the Carnivore, which is essentially a meet medley with white rice and siracha (there's other stuff but it's less important). The combos come with sides, but the burritos typically have sides INSIDE already. Tater tots, fries, white rice... Like how many sides does a person need? If you opt for a Chango (a strawberry and creamcheese chimichanga) try and get it on a real substantial plate and use a sharp knife, they're delicious, but messy, and hard to cut apart. You can try to pick it up with your hands, but it's covered in strawberry syrup, so that's a brave choice. Sweeto is a great go-to place for when you're really hungry and want to sit down afterward for a few hours.

BRAZILIAN FARE: 

Tushar Brazilian Express

1078 W South Jordan Pkwy (10400 So) South Jordan, UT 84095

Bacon Wrapped Chicken. Need I say more? Really??? Okay. Teriyaki Beef. ON STICKS. Grilled fresh made to order, served with black beans and rice. Maybe Fried Bananas for dessert. This place is fantastic, fast, authentic, and super affordable. Most people in these parts go on and on about Tucanos but it's not really a restaurant for two people, so what are you gonna do? TUSHAR. TUSHAR SHOULD BE THE ANSWER. I was surprised by the quality when they catered my last job and fell in love. Not only are the entrees delicious, but they make a passion fruit mousse I'd commit murder for. Seriously, the stuff is tangy and bright and perfect. Even if you don't want food, just go order a mousse cup. Do it. You will thank me.

We'll do more updates catching y'all up as we go, but for now I need to get to work-work. Have a wonderful day and remember, you don't have to put up with the bull crap of strangers in public. YOU HAVE POWER as a consumer. Choose places with both quality and environment. Say something to that guest about not ignoring their wildly screaming children who are running a muck about the place. If you leave a place, tell a manager on your way out why you left and that you're not likely to be back. And try and go during slow hours for the business (you can find these on google, they're useful as heck).