The Awful Waffle in Provo, Utah

Update: Awful Waffle has moved to a larger, indoor location: 602 E 600 N in Provo. They now serve savory crepes, pizza, and gelato. I'll have to do a re-post soon!

Like:

Oh I like this place.

For one, I love breakfast.

For two, I could eat breakfast all day.

For three, I like my waffles loaded.

Low prices. Quality food. 

All fruit toppings are fresh, never frozen.
Now I want to order every single topping on top of one waffle. The Works perhaps?

Let's not debate & compare to a certain waffle place in the county to the North of us.
They're both good & there's plenty of room in my belly for both.

Plus, we're talking about Utah County here.
If I happen to live in Spanish Fork, I'll choose 15 minutes rather than 50 minutes.
It's either The Awful Waffle--which is really far from awful--or the IHOP.

No. More. Nasty. Common. Chains. Please.

The pictures could almost speak for themselves.
The waffle, sweet & crispy--but not too crispy--on the outside, soft on the inside. 

From left to right: 
1. Waffle w/ melted peanut butter & fresh sliced strawberries.
2. Waffle w/ nutella & fresh sliced bananas.
3. Crepe w/ fresh raspberries, crushed graham crackers, & speculoos spread (tastes like a Teddy Graham sauce). Does the crepe have a hint of lemon in the batter? I loved it & I loved the speculoos!

http://www.facebook.com/thetwfulwaffleshop

http://www.theawfulwaffleshop.blogspot.com

Station 22 Cafe in Provo, Utah

Update: Station 22 is now a sit-down restaurant and has gone through some changes (good ones I hear). I need to post an update soon.

Favorite:

I know, I know--so many Provo posts. 

But Provo sorta has a plethora of good places to eat right now. Surprised? Maybe we shouldn't be.

For now, behold:

...Station 22 Cafe. I have just discovered a new favorite place.

My mother & I immediately eyed down the "Caprese Sandwich" sign out front for their daily special.

And just like that my mom was done ordering before we even entered.

Caprese--pronounced "kah-PREH-seh"--consists of fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella cheese, drizzled with olive oil & the occasional balsamic vinaigrette. On a sandwich? Paired with a broccoli bacon cheddar soup? Don't mind if I do.

Station 22 Cafe is located in Historic Downtown Provo, so it's only fitting they stuck with the theme & left exposed brick for the walls & neat brick for the flooring. I love that feel of an old rustic building.

Oh I'll be back to eventually try every single Daily Special, which I assume probably changes according to what's seasonally fresh.

If you're feeling artistic on your way to the salad bar, stop by the giant chalkboard wall freshly stocked with a basket full of chalk.

Yes fellow parents, take your family! They have a kid's menu!

Memphis Chicken Sandwich

Hand-cut, house breaded, fried chicken "served Memphis-style with a spicy butter glaze topped with a fresh slaw" placed lovingly on a ciabatta roll. Not a fan of chicken sandwiches? Yeah, neither was I. Think again...  Crispy & crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, with a slaw & a sweet spicy glaze; very satisfying & delicious in one bite! My claim above about trying every one of their daily specials? I changed my mind.

I'm serious. It's a new favorite & added to my list of "constant cravings".

I love the local art on the walls. This display: www.allmyfriendsaremonsters.com - A photo project by Trevor Christensen.

Great sandwiches.
Great soup.
Great service.
Great atmosphere.

Station 22 Cafe
22 W Center St.
Provo, Utah
801.607.1803
www.station22cafe.com

The Sweet Tooth Fairy in Provo, Utah

Like:

The other day my mom, my sister, & myself planned a movie night to go see "The Help." It was such a good Summer-read for all of us, we were super excited! 

I instantly suggested we go pick up some cakebites from The Sweet Tooth fairy to munch on while enjoying the movie. 

I know. We are so rebels for sneaking cakebites into the theater. And I totally bawled my eyes out at the movie.....

Have you been to The Sweet Tooth Fairy? She's taking over Utah, so I'm sure you have. 

The Sweet Tooth Fairy opened their first shop in Provo in January of 2009. Two & a half years later they have six locations: Provo, Draper, St. George, Salt Lake City, Midvale, Layton, & Orem, with two  more "coming soon" to Murray & West Valley.

I'm sure The Sweet Tooth Fairy will be a total national domination in the near future. She's already been on QVC multiple times selling those sinful Cakebites.

Try their fairly new Cupshakes which used to only be available at Sammy's Cafe in Provo. Now they are available at each location.

What is a Cupshake you ask? You choose a cupcake & they blend it with vanilla ice cream. Dee-Vine! The word is out that you don't have to choose a cupcake to blend, you may choose anything in the lovely glass cases; a cookie, a bar, cakebites. When I was told this, I said, "Whaaaat??" I have to try this soon. I'd like to try their Sugar Cookie or Lemon Bar blended with vanilla ice cream. Or even better I'd like to try my favorite bar, their Peanut Butter Wonder Bar in a Cupshake. Or maybe Cakebites? Oh the possibilities!!

For this particular Cupshake, I chose their Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake to mix in.

This cupcake is one of their monthly flavors--Ice Cream Sundae cupcake. Yes, the vanilla bean frosting is encased in chocolate. Also hidden inside is a scoop of chocolate fudge!

You'll see they also sell candy & other dessert-related items. Cute stuff!

I'll admit it. Every month I go in to try their new monthly flavors of cupcakes, cakebites, bars, & cookies. My favorites? Macaroons (pictured above), Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake (pictured below), Peanut Butter Cakebites, Lemon Cakebites (pictured at the bottom), Banana Chocolate Cakebites, Peanut Butter Wonder Bars, & Sopapilla Bar (pictured at the bottom).

As always, sweet tooth cured!

Cameron obviously doesn't mind when we step inside this place.....

Photos of my previous visits--inside a Lemon Cakebite, Sopapilla bar, & Peanutty Peanut Butter Cupcake.

Go ahead & get a glass of milk after viewing this post.


The Sweet Tooth Fairy
1227 S University Ave.
Provo, Utah
801.375.3484


1064 S 750 E
Orem, Utah
801.224.7551
For other locations, check out their site: www.thesweettoothfairy.com

Mountain West Burrito in Provo, Utah

Update: Sadly, Joe sold MWB. We miss him. Luckily, he left us in good hands and sold to Heirloom Group (owners of Communal, Pizzeria 712, etc). Also, Mountain West Burrito has opened a new location in the old Awful Waffle just south of BYU at 815 N 700 E in Provo.

Favorite:

You know a place is good when they don't skimp on the fresh guacamole...

Inside an old gas station, located next to a smoke shop, is a very special place. 

I'm just gonna go ahead & say I lovelovelovelove Mountain West Burrito.

Mountain West Burrito hasn't even been open an entire year yet, but the word is out, they serve nothing short of fast, fresh, & delicious food. Vegetarian, vegan, & gluten-free items available as well!

This is the owner, Joe. He's here all day to greet you & what super friendly service he provides! He takes orders, brings your food, clears & cleans tables, grabs boxes, gives your children an organic sucker, helps you wipe up your spilled water, etc. etc. 

"...everything is made fresh daily. We use pasture raised organic chicken and locally grown organic produce whenever available. We do not own a can opener."

These fellas know how to make a mean burrito, mean tacos, mean chimichangas, mean nachos, and whatever else they place on that grill.

Turns out, humanely raised animals provide the best tasting meat.

These nachos? Not one chip was soggy. Craving them right now!

Need something sweet? Located just in front of the register, try a soft chocolate chip cookie baked by Mini Delights. Psst, she also has a booth at the Provo Farmer's Market. 

Update: Mini Delights cookies are no longer sold at Mountain West Burrito.

Don't be surprised if every single review after this one is Mountain West Burrito, because I really will just want to go here every time I go out to eat. Maybe I'll change my blog-name to Mountain West Burrito Fan Club.

Mountain West Burrito

1796 N 950 W

Provo, Utah

801-805-1870

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-West-Burrito/

Before I saw this sign, I assumed these were working pumps and that the cars parked there were getting gas....haha

Ginger's Garden Cafe in Springville, Utah

Favorite:

Are you vegan? Are you vegetarian? Do you only eat raw, organic, and/or whole foods? Even if you just enjoy eating healthy. Folks? Look no further. Ginger's Garden Cafe, found inside Christopher's Herb Shop, is the best & tastiest healthy food in Utah County. If I'm wrong, please inform me. 


Note: In the above picture, middle right, look at that beautiful old ceiling!

This isn't even the whole menu. Plenty of delicious choices! I love their menu key so you can scan for your preferred vegan or raw menu item. And "Gluten Free Bread available upon request".

We--Cameron, Sadie, my mom, and I--started off with a spirulina ball & an apricot truffle. What is spirulina? It's a kind of blue-green algae that is high in protein, vitamins, minerals, & carotenoids (an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage). Spirulina doesn't taste very good so it's often masked with fruit, nuts, & something sweet. Basically you eat it just for the health benefits like you would with wheat grass juice.

The apricot truffle was really tasty.

Hummus with pita triangles is one of my favorite appetizers. This one does not disappoint.

The setting is very bright & vegetated. Plenty of charm since it's within an old building. Friendly & helpful staff as well.

Cameron chose the kid's Cheese Pita Pizza: pita bread topped w/ organic marinara & vegan mozzarella. All kid's meals come with soymilk or juice, carrot sticks w/ vegan ranch, & an organic (quite delicious) sucker.

My mom ordered a juice & an Italian Melt: tomatoes, red onions, zucchini & mushrooms topped w/ vegan mozzarella, toasted on a whole wheat foccacia. Very filling! Almost everything comes with a side of carrots & vegan ranch. I should just order a cup full of their vegan ranch and drink it, it's that good.

The store side of the place is fully stocked with a ton of herbs, supplements, spices, food items, etc. You can find me here shopping for an occasional specialty item that I can't find anywhere else.

I usually order their grilled portabello sandwich, but I've been dipping into the world of raw foods--not strictly, but here & there--so I was excited to see their new special, Raw Tacos. Raw tacos made w/ seasoned sunflower seed filling topped with fresh corn salsa, tomatoes, bell peppers, & avocado placed in purple cabbage shells. Success!! I loved the sunflower seed filling of which I would spoon out to taste on its own.

We always feel great after leaving Ginger's. Never overly full & heavy, just satisfied & energetic. Ready to zip around town!!! Okay, not really ready to zip, but you know, healthy & stuff.

Ginger's Garden Cafe
188 S Main St.
Springville, Utah
801-489-4500
www.gingersgardencafe.com

J Dawgs in Provo, Utah

Update: Also located in Orem, Ut and American Fork, Ut.

Favorite:

Welp, we finally made it.

My little family & I have lived in Utah County for five years now. We had been told about J Dawgs "way" back then & numerous times within. We even lived IN Provo for a year and a half & didn't make it in! We didn't avoid per-say, we just simply procrastinated. We can be like that sometimes.

This fella greeted us with a great big smile & a very welcoming, "What can I get for you?". He then handed Cameron a big J Dawgs sticker & he was suddenly Cameron's new best friend.

I love cheap-eat's short menus. I chose beef (always 100% beef here) w/ everything except jalapenos. Mark chose polish w/ everything. I chose, for Cam, beef w/ pickles. Apparently, they also have un-listed items like spicy mustard or light sauce & even a special lingo for the regulars. 

I wanna be a regular!

And Tim's chips? Always yum....

Cameron ate his whole dawg. That is saying something for a picky 3 year old eater. He loved it!

We were, by far, not the only family there with little ones. Nor would you be the only one who was by yourself. In fact, near our table there was a family of six all the way to a lady eating by herself. She's smart. I would totally sneak in a quick stop to J Dawgs by myself before going home.

Bottom left: Neat painting of the owner in front of the old location.

Messy. Juicy. Delicious. Loved their "special sauce". The sauce is clearly what keeps customers coming back for more.  The sauce is sweet & oozes nicely in between the criss-crosses that are sliced lovingly on top of the grilled dog. You can purchase a bottle of "special sauce" in-store, too. Nice! And the buns--fresh, soft, & baked locally--deserve their very own separate blog post. 

Okay, so the top reasons that keep J Dawg customers coming back?

Quality dogs.

Freshly baked buns.

Criss-crossed grilled dogs.

Special sauce.

Cheap prices.

Fast & friendly service.

In a nutshell, this place is like the In-N-Out of hotdogs....

J Dawgs

858 N 700 E

Provo, Utah

801-373-DAWG

www.jdawgs.com <---be sure to read about the history.