This article is reprinted from the Utah Eats newsletter, compiled by Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune’s food and drink reporter. To get the newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday, become a subscriber by going to sltrib.com/newsletters.

Hello, Eaters!

For my latest food adventure, last week I had the pleasure of visiting the Chinatown Supermarket — located at 3390 S. State St. inside Chinatown in South Salt Lake — for the first time.

If you’ve never been, Chinatown Supermarket is one of the most fascinating destinations for a foodie in the Salt Lake Valley. According to the store’s website, it’s Utah’s largest Asian market at 30,000 square feet, and it’s open 365 days a year.

Inside, you’ll find a huge selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, live and frozen seafood, snacks, pantry staples and more. Some memorable sights were the cubes of frozen pig’s blood, a carp that looked to be about 3 feet long, frozen pig’s feet, frozen whole ducks, a huge selection of teas, and lots of snacks.

My husband and I got a kick out of browsing through all the different flavors of potato chips, and picked out two types to try at home: Lay’s Rib-eye Steak, and Lay’s Hot and Spicy Braised Duck Tongue.

The rib-eye steak chips tasted meaty and well-seasoned, kind of like a pot roast, with a hint of potato flavor. The spicy braised duck tongue chips were my favorite, with a flavor profile that started out sweet then transitioned to savory, garlicky and slightly smoky, with a lingering hint of spice.

Thanks for reading this week’s newsletter, dear Eaters. Remember: I’m still looking for recommendations for quiet restaurants, as well as places to get good soup and hot chocolate. Email me at food@sltrib.com to send in your picks. Happy New Year!

Live deliciously,

Kolbie

Food News

I have a New Year’s resolution to tell you all about! I’m so excited to announce that for the year of 2024, I’m making a resolution to eat at every single locally owned restaurant on Redwood Road between North Salt Lake and Bluffdale.

That means every taco place, every Chinese restaurant, every diner, every hole-in-the-wall, every mom & pop spot will be visited by me sometime between now and Dec. 31. I’m tentatively calling this project the Great Redwood Road Restaurant Tour.

I’ll be writing stories about my adventures as they unfold, as well as creating a big story summarizing this journey at the end of the year. We have other interactive surprises in store for you as well.

Also, I’ll be documenting my Redwood Road meals on Instagram as I go along, so be sure to follow me on Instagram at @kolbie.peterson.

All that said, send me your recommendations for your favorite eating establishments along Redwood Road and what you like to eat there! Reach out at food@sltrib.com.

Closings:

• Dulce de Yumz, located at 8989 S. Redwood Road in West Jordan, announced in a Facebook post on Dec. 28 that that day would be its last in business. The plant-based bakery and restaurant had been a favorite spot for local vegans.

When I spoke with owner Cecilia Armenta in November, she had recently closed her original Yumz location in South Salt Lake as she paid for and received medical treatment. Now, as it turns out, she has had to close her second location as well.

“Our hearts are broken with all the happiness of all the new dreams we had for this location,” the post states. “... Thank you to everyone who did support us. It’s been a bit emotional and crazy [these] past few months with all that has happened to us and with my health. We love you, Yumz familia, thank you.”

Booze (and Drink!) News

Epic Brewing Company is teaming up with Happy Camper Deli and Bakery — located at 1100 W. 7800 South, Suite 21, inside Gardner Village in West Jordan — to host Brews and Bites, a five-course dinner with beer pairings. The event, which will be held Jan. 20, 7-9 p.m., at Happy Camper, will feature five Epic beers paired with small plates. Attendees will receive a complimentary souvenir Epic Brewing tasting mug. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased here or at HappyCamperDeli.com.

Dish of the Week

For this Dish of the Week, I chose a restaurant that’s close to my home in the Fairpark neighborhood: Julia’s Mexican Restaurant, at 51 S. 1000 West.

I ordered bistek encebollado (steak and onions, $15), which was listed on the menu as one of the house specialties. While I waited for my food to arrive, I enjoyed reading the inspiring messages written on the wall, mostly in Spanish, which my husband translated for me.

When it arrived, I found the bistek encebollado to be something akin to the filling of a Philly cheesesteak, with the beef sliced thinly and the onions tender, but without the peppers.

My meal came with a basket of hot, housemade tortillas that were perfect for filling with the hearty bistek encebollado, as well as the rice and cotija-topped refried beans that came on the side. I found the food to be satisfying and filling, and had plenty of leftovers for later.