Salt Lake City Tour

Salt Lake City is one of my favorite places.  While we were out for a late breakfast, I asked Richard why I liked Salt Lake so much?  “It’s young.  It’s clean.  There’s a lot of energy,” he replied.

And that’s exactly why I love it.  It’s vibrant.  The city is surrounded by mountains, the home of the University of Utah, and host of the 2002 Winter Olympics.  And the food. Over several visits to SLC, we’ve had as many awesome meals.  One place on my food bucket list was the Red Iguana.

Here’s one dining experience to die for – Killer Mexican Food

at mimis table westward ho red iguana salt lake city utah

Red Iguana is a Salt Lake City institution that started business in 1965 with traditional Mexican recipes from the Cardenas family.   The restaurant remains owned and operated by the family.

Red Iguana’s legacy is the mole – seven different kinds!

at mimis table westward ho red iguana salt lake city

We were greeted with a basket of tortilla chips and homemade salsa.  Because the restaurant is known for it’s mole variations, our waitress brought us a “flight” of their seven different moles – all made by Red Iguana.  We scooped up samples with tortilla chips.  Richard preferred Mole Amarillo made with golden raisins, yellow tomatoes, yellow zucchini, guajillo, aji and habanero chile.  I liked the traditional Mole Negro.  (I use a powered version in Turkey Enchiladas in Mole.)

at mimis table richards chinichanga red iguana westward ho salt lake city utah

Richard ordered a chimichanga with Mole Amarillo, served with homemade refried beans that were perfectly done, and homemade flour tortillas, perfect, too.

at mimis table red iguana combo plate red iguana westward ho salt lake city utah

I came for much heartier fare.  Yes – the Red Iguana Killer Combo Plate!  Come to Mimi! One-cheese enchilada, a Taco a la Iguana, a beef flauta topped with guacamole and sour cream, a chile relleno and  . .

at mimis table red iguana combo plate beef tostada red iguana westward ho salt lake city utah

a beef tostada.  OMG  – seriously yummy.  And a Negro Modelo with lime to wash it all down. Ole!!!

at mimis table red iguana westward ho salt lake city utah

Such happy campers are we!  And, yes, my husband drove me from Jackson, Wyoming to Salt Lake City just so I could eat here!  I am loved, beyond comprehension – lucky girl.

Red Iguana is very popular, so be prepared to come early or late (closed on Sundays). During normal dinner hours, the wait can be up to two hours, but so well worth the wait! There are two other locations in the city. This location, close to downtown (736 W. North Temple), does not have a bar where you can sit and have a drink while waiting for your table.  But there’s free valet parking in an adjacent, on-site lot, and the serving staff is phenomenal.

Here’s a link to their menu:  Red Iguana