20 Best Fast Casual Salt Lake City Restaurants

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 food needs. From burgers to ramen to fried chicken sandwiches, our updated guide to the best fast-casual restaurants in SLC will satisfy every craving and schedule.

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20. Moochie’s Meatballs & More!

If you’re looking for a solid philly cheesesteak in SLC, Moochies is the fast casual restaurant for your next on-the-go meal. You’ll be in and out in no time carrying sandwiches that are to die for. Whether you order the 6 inch or 12 inch, expect a gloriously authentic philly cheesesteak made with thinly sliced ribeye steak topped with grilled onions and melty American cheese. If you really want to take things to the next level, be sure to order your sandwich with peppers, mushrooms, and a side of Moochie’s jumpin’ jalapeno sauce. You can thank us later.

19. Lone Star Taqueria

Lone Star Taqueria not only serves some of the best tacos in Salt Lake City, but they also have a drive-thru, which makes them one of the best fast casual restaurants around. While Lone Star’s award-winning fish tacos, with delicious rotating “catch of the day” creations, are phenomenal, our favorite taco here is the carne desebrada (shredded beef). The meat is the juiciest and most flavorful of all the tacos offered at Lone Star. Rest assured, though, that no matter your pick, Lone Star is a consistently amazing spot for fast casual food in SLC. Oh and be sure to order their chips and guac!

18. J.Dawgs

J.Dawgs is beloved by many Salt Lake City natives for serving the tastiest hot grill, all-natural hot dogs, making it an obvious choice for one of the best fast casual restaurants in SLC. Since 2004, J.Dawgs has been making the simple hot dog that much better with homemade buns, fresh toppings, and flavorful out-of-this-world J.Dawg sauce. The beauty of J.Dawgs is that you can top your dog with whatever you want, but we recommend a beef dog with J.Dawg sauce, onions, and sauerkraut. Be warned if you’ve never had J.Dawgs before–they’re terribly addicting.

17. Roctaco

It’s hard to think of a better place to snag a fast casual meal than at the freestyle taco joint Roctaco. Influenced by the world’s “street food” flavors, Roctaco serves up deliciously flavor-packed tacos with familiar tastes like chimichurri, Korean short ribs, and chicken tikka masala. Our favorite taco here is the Rude Bull: a carne asada taco with avocado crema, chipotle lime, creamy avocado cilantro sauce, pickled onions, queso fresco, and cilantro. If you love Tex-Mex, Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, and more, this spot is worth your time.

16. Bruges Belgian Bistro

Bruges is a hidden gem among fast casual restaurants in Salt Lake City. This little hole in the wall has a quaint atmosphere and makes for a deliciously filling breakfast, lunch, or treat. Their menu offers savory frites and meats or warm sandwiches AND liege waffles for a sweet treat. You’re here for the machine gun sandwich–a marvelously crusty baguette topped with Belgian frites, lamb sausage, and creamy Andalouse sauce. Share with a friend to save room for the phenomenal Waffle Monster with biscoff that is not to be missed.

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15. Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen

You can expect real-deal Vietnamese food that is simultaneously fast and casual at Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen. With a slew of great menu items, Oh Mai is a reliable spot for lunch, dinner, or a mid-afternoon snack on the go. If we had to recommend one dish, it would be the bahn mi–a Vietnamese sandwich with delicious honey-glazed pork, garlic butter, oiled scallions, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon, green onion, and jalapeno. A close runner-up is the brisket pho with rice noodles, fresh vegetables, bean sprouts, lime, and thai basil.

14. The Crack Shack

Scope out this coop in Salt Lake City for a fast casual restaurant option that’s all about chicken. The Crack Shack is a fun, fast, and spacious establishment that serves up chicken entrees featuring locally sourced ingredients by neighboring farms, bakeries, and markets. Here you’ll find solid chicken sandwich creations, tasty bountiful bowls, and even classic fried chicken. We recommend the Coop Deville for that unique lime mayo or the Firebird if you’re feeling gutsy. No matter what you order, The Crack Shack is a dependable option for great food in a hurry.

13. Deadpan

Say hello to your new favorite fast casual sandwich shop in Salt Lake City. Sitting cozy in Woodbine Food Hall, Deadpan creates beautiful, mouthwatering sandwiches. Our top pick here is the BLOT sandwich–bacon, lettuce, onion jam, pickled green tomato, and pepper-mayo. You won’t regret it. Close second is the Oh Schnitzel sandwich, which is filled with pork schnitzel, ranch-kraut, dill, parsley, and Duke’s mayo. These bad boys are simple, tangy, and great lunch and dinner options for when you’re in a hurry.

12. Mozz Artisan Pizza

Take-out pizza leveled up in SLC with the opening of fast casual pizza joint Mozz. Also located inside the modern Woodbine Food Hall in downtown Salt Lake City, Mozz serves up wood-fired pies with a thin, soft, and slightly charred sourdough crust, just the way we like it. Choose one of eight personal artisan pizza options that make the perfect quick lunch or dinner. We’ll never turn down the serrano honey pizza, topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy calabrese salami, serrano peppers, and raw local honey. Other favorites include the white pizza and garlic bread.

11. Lamb & Feta

Lamb & Feta is located in The Local Market & Bar, a new food hall in Salt Lake City, and provides fresh flavors with strong roots in the traditions of Greece. This quick and easy restaurant serves gyros, rice bowls, and wraps as all fast casual Greek restaurants should. Their lamb gyro is packed full of lamb, tzatziki, and crispy french fries. One bite is life-changing and will keeps coming back whenever we’re on the hunt for something speedy. Don’t skip out on the baklava for dessert.

Related: 21 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Salt Lake City

10. Bocata

Bocata is simple, delicious, unique, and one of the best fast casual spots in Salt Lake City. A sister restaurant to Female Foodie favorite Settebello Pizzeria, Bocata has a menu that’s filled with artisan sandwiches packed with high-quality ingredients. You honestly cannot go wrong with anything on the menu but our go-to is the cuban pork. Sandwiched between freshly baked (in a pizza oven) bread is citrus braised pork shoulder, pickled red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and aioli. Located in the City Creek food court, Bocata is sure to be a new favorite.

9. Yakuza Ramen

The usual noodle-bar experience is nowhere in sight at fast casual restaurant Yakuza Ramen, where notable ramen is available on-the-go. Yakuza is the first stall you’ll see as you enter the Woodbine Food Hall. The ramen options here are creative without feeling gimmicky, including our favorite curry ramen, which is complete with curry-flavored tonkotsu broth, one of the best pork cutlets you’ll ever have, onsen tamago, bok choy, negi, and wheat noodles.

8. Nomad Eatery

Nomad Eatery features modern American cuisine in a fast casual environment right near the Salt Lake City airport. This spacious, modern warehouse is a bar, so be sure to bring your ID before diving into their no-frills menu. Our go-to is the spicy chicken sandwich that’s spilling over with spicy sauce, shredded lettuce, zucchini pickles, dukes mayo, and a crispy bun. But the falafel salad and the Nomad burger are also contenders.

7. Laan Na Thai

Laan Na Thai is the definition of a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and serves up the best fast casual Thai food in Salt Lake City. Neighboring other Female Foodie favorites like Caputo’s and Bruges, it’s easy to overlook this mom-and-pop restaurant, but you’d be making a mistake. Order life-changing dumplings with green curry sauce or the drunken noodles with a side of lime and chile flakes in true Thai fashion. Laan Na has no frills, so everything is served takeout-style, making it a great choice when you’re hard-pressed for time.

6. Caputo’s Market & Deli

Stepping into Caputo’s is like being transported directly into a fast casual Italian market and deli. This charming market is overflowing with great on-the-go lunch options like cold cut sandwiches, hot-n-ready sandwiches, and salads from the deli case. With freshly sliced Italian meats and cheeses on perfectly baked baguettes, The Caputo, The Old School, and the meatball sub are all you could ever want in classic Italian subs. To truly win the day, be sure to snag a sea salt chocolate chip cookie for a midday treat.

See Also: 11 Best Ramen Restaurants in SLC

5. The Rose Establishment

Welcome to one of the most gorgeous coffee shops in Salt Lake City that serves phenomenal fast-casual brunch. The Rose Establishment offers a fantastic selection of savory and sweet breakfast and lunch entrees. The avocado tartine, made with smashed avocado topped with candied lemon chips, olive oil drizzle, and fleur de sel all served on Eva Bakery’s 5-seed bread, is something to write home about. Also be sure to try The Standard, which is made with two herbed potato cakes, two free-range soft-cooked eggs, and pork belly bacon with house-smoked tomato jam.

4. Laziz

From selling homemade hummus at the farmer’s market to operating three full-fledged brick-and-mortar restaurants in Salt Lake City, Laziz Kitchen is one of the best fast casual restaurants in the valley. Serving accessible and fresh Middle Eastern cuisine, duck into one of their restaurants or make an online order for a light lunch or dinner. You’re here for the sampler dip plate followed by their signature Laziz wrap with marinated grilled chicken and fries with a side of toum.

3. Freshies Lobster Co.

Freshies Lobster Co has made its way onto multiple Female Foodie guides and is a popular fast casual restaurant for when you’re craving fresh Maine lobster. Just as delicious (and often times better) than some of the iconic lobster rolls we’ve sampled on the east coast, Freshies does an outstanding job serving some of the best lobster rolls you’ll ever find. Like most spots on this guide, Freshies is a great option for a quick, on-the-go meal.

2. Arempas

Pop into Arempas the next time you’re looking for a great fast casual meal in Salt Lake City. The Venezuelan food served here is an absolute treat–it’s packed full of flavor and is totally approachable Latin comfort food. Most well-known for their arepas, Arempas serves up tasty little sandwiches overflowing with a variety of meats and vegetables. We’re obsessed with the pabellon arepa, which is filled with tender shredded beef, fried plantains, black beans, and cheese. Paired with their creamy avocado and garlic sauces, this makes for a fast and tasty food experience.

1. Pretty Bird

One of the best fast casual restaurants in Salt Lake City is undeniably Pretty Bird. It didn’t take locals long to catch on to just how fantastic this hot chicken is. Pretty Bird serves its famous chicken in the form of nuggets and tenders, but our favorite way to enjoy this deliciously crispy chicken is on the fried chicken sandwich, which is served with slaw, pickles, and pretty bird sauce on a buttered bun. It’s a heavenly combo that hits all the right flavor notes. Pretty Bird often has a line out the door, but it moves fairly quickly. If you’re truly in a hurry, make an online order or go right when they open.

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