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Both Ogden and Logan have fine restaurants, but in general the fare in northern Utah is your basic Western-style grub. If your idea of a nice meal out is a big slab of meat that was on the hoof a few days ago and a giant Idaho potato, then you're in luck. If you can't look at another steak, there's at least one decent Mexican or Italian place in every sizeable town. Be sure to sample the Aggie ice cream made at Utah State University, Cache Valley Swiss cheese, and fresh fruit and vegetables from this rich agricultural area.
The pride and joy of Utah State University dairy students, this historic ice-cream shop on campus has been making ice cream "from cow to cone" for 100 years. The luscious creations use milk from cows that live on USU's farm and a recipe and production process that's been perfected over the last century. Savor a scoop or two of lemon custard, blue mint, praline pecan, or huckleberry to fully grasp what all the fuss is about.
The thick-crusted artisan breads served in this airy, verdant, and much beloved bakery are fantastic on their own or in an impressive roster of freshly prepared sandwiches, like the bacon, avocado, egg, and provolone on ciabatta or the banh mi on a crisp baguette, available vegan or with pork belly. Some of the most creative fare incorporates house-made organic bread as an ingredient, from bread pudding to panzanella, and there's an ever-changing array of ethereal pastries. Look for local honeys, jams, and other Cache Valley specialties for sale near the register.
It feels like you've wandered onto the set of The Andy Griffith Show at this quaint 1921 café—the oldest continually operating restaurant in Utah—with a menu specializing in old-fashioned comfort foods like pot roast and au gratin potatoes, chicken-fried steak, and hot turkey sandwiches with gravy. Save room for ice cream or a shake—or perhaps some sweet treats from the Idle Isle candy factory across the street.
The Bear Lake region is well known for its locally grown raspberries, and this is the most popular spot in town to enjoy a thick and creamy raspberry shake. Choose from 45 other shake flavors along with a menu of old-fashioned hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, and if you haven't tried Utah's signature condiment, "fry sauce" (i.e., ketchup and mayo), LaBeau's is a good place for that too. Don't be surprised by long lines, though LaBeau's Too, just across the street, picks up some of the slack.
This super-chill, family-friendly eatery is a perfect stop for delicious flavored coffee drinks and traditional breakfast fare early in the day or burgers, panini sandwiches, and ice-cream desserts after your outdoor adventures.
Specializing in aebleskivers (fluffy, round Danish pancakes) topped with Nutella and strawberries and any number of other sweet toppings along with overstuffed sandwiches, this cute counter-service eatery is a fun spot for breakfast or lunch all summer long. This is also Bear Lake's go-to for espresso and coffee drinks, and there's an extensive menu of gourmet milk shakes, too.
