12 Best Drive-Thru Restaurants in Salt Lake City

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.

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.

12. SugarHouse Barbeque Company

10. Gourmandise (Draper)

9. Real Taqueria

8. Thirst Drinks

7. Cutler’s Cookies & Sandwiches

6. Greek City Grill

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.