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City Cast Salt Lake

We had a reader searching for Caprese sandwich recommendations. Here’s what you declared as the best:

 - The best Caprese sandwich in SLC is the Fior di Latte from Caputo’s (either downtown or at 15th and 15th). It comes with a magnificent slab of mozzarella that can’t be beat. Pair it with a Chinotto to really live la dolce vita.



 - I have two favorite Caprese sandwiches. One is the Fior di Latte at Caputo's (classic!). It's a cold sandwich with big, juicy hunks of cheese, tomatoes, and basil. Ask for extra olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. I also love the Caprese from Robin's Nest. Get it with their homemade orzo pasta salad, and don't forget dessert!




The mozzarella, tomato, and basil (aka Caprese) sandwich at Tulie Bakery. It’s warm, gooey, and has that perfect panini-pressed crunch.

Terina Ria

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled her proposed 

 this week, outlining a $498.9 million General Fund spending plan. While the total cost of running the city tops $2 billion, the General Fund is the resident-funded portion (covered by property taxes, sale taxes fees, fines, etc.). In other words: It’s our money, so let’s look at where it’s going.

How SLC Wants To Spend $499 Million

One of the biggest headlines in this year’s proposed budget is the 

the mayor says would generate $13.5 million

 to help offset inflation, rising labor costs, and shrinking federal support. For a Salt Lake home valued at $624,000, that’s about $9.87 more per month.

Your monthly utility bill is also expected to climb: 

For a single-family household, that could mean about $14 for water (for low-water users), $11 for sewer, and $3 for waste and recycling service, $2.60 for street lighting, and $1.75 for stormwater.

If you’re doing the math, with property tax and utility changes, the average household could end up paying about 

The police department (28%) and the fire department (12%) combined make up about 40% of the budget.

: Police department (including a full-time drone pilot for the SLCPD’s Real Time Crime Center)

: Fire department (including staffing, operation, maintenance and the Wildland Firefighting Expansion)

 Street maintenance (including $1.5 million for ADA sidewalk and crossing upgrades)

YouthCity and family programming restoration after federal cuts

Volunteers of America Homeless Outreach team and Shelter the Homeless

The SLC Council has until June 30 to approve a final version of the budget, and residents can share their feedback before then.

📞 Leave a voice message at (801) 535-7654.

 on Tuesday, May 19 or Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall unveiled her proposed fiscal year 2027 budget this week, outlining a $498.9 million General Fund spending plan. The General Fund is the resident-funded portion. In other words: it’s our money, so let’s look at where it’s going.

The Mayor’s $498.9 Million Budget Proposal

The Mayor’s $499 Million Budget Proposal

Local Civics

What's being decided in Salt Lake City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Salt Lake City Council. 

Salt Lake Election and City Hall News

, it’s only right that we dedicate the finale to some of Salt Lake’s most frequent park users: dogs. And with 

, consider this your sign to take your favorite fur baby to one of the best dog parks around the city.

Bring water, some parks don’t have fountains.

Avoid peak heat hours, especially for pavement-heavy parks.

even if you put it in your neighbor’s trash

Tennis courts, BMX trails, Shoot-the-Tube, and 13 acres of off-leash trails — what 

 this park have? The downside: It can get pretty muddy here.

Not technically a dog park, this off-leash area in Park City is popular for dogs and owners who want a little workout/hike. It includes trails, hills, trees, and creek access.

Fairmont’s fenced dog area gives dogs room to run without the stress, if your dog’s still learning proper recall. Bonus: There’s a separate area for small dogs.

Lots of grass, paved paths, and mature trees, which means solid shade in the summer and less mud in the winter. Plus, it’s right off the Jordan River Parkway.

Maybe not the biggest or busiest, but a nice little retreat in The Avenues neighborhood that’s especially gorgeous at sunset. They also have a dog watering fountain.

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting our park’s project. Spring is an ideal time to 

. The season doesn’t just arrive; it hatches. Discover what’s taking flight this spring!

With Mother’s Day weekend here, consider this your sign to take your favorite fur baby to one of the best dog parks around Salt Lake.

The Best Dog Parks in Salt Lake

Salt Lake Parks

Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

Every Park SLC: Visiting All 511 Parks in Salt Lake County

Every Park SLC

For this week’s chatter, City Cast Salt Lake readers shared what they notice, love, and wish parks across the valley did better. So we paired their comments with data from 

, where we visited all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, to add a little context to their feedback.

“I have a 5-year-old, the playground is VERY important to a good park. He would say swings are the most important, and I agree. Swings are something you can do together! For the parents, good shade coverage is a must, too. Two parks that do both of those well are Draper City Park and Union Park in Midvale!” — El G.

 have all five family-friendly amenities: bathrooms, a playground, a splash pad, picnic tables, and water fountains.

“Bathrooms! I’m training my kids to bring up bathrooms at every public engagement event they attend for the foreseeable future.” — @johnnaeshines

. But Salt Lake City set money aside from the 

 to go toward bathroom upgrades in big parks like Fairmont, Glendale, Pioneer, and Liberty.

“What's up with the construction at the park near The Gateway?” — @fitznfaith0

 to add new amenities like playgrounds, sports courts, a dog park, and updated infrastructure for year-round use. The $18 million project is expected to be completed by late 2026.

Check our parks map to find your perfect park

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting our parks project. Spring is an ideal time to 

City Cast Salt Lake readers shared what they notice, love, and wish parks across the valley did better. So we paired their comments with data from our parks project to add a little context.

Salt Lake Chatter: Parks Edition

Think you know Salt Lake parks? We’re putting you to the test! Hint: All the answers can be found in past 

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting this parks project. Spring is an ideal time to 

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Salt Lake Parks?

Ali Vallarta

For the past two years, City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta has been visiting all 511 parks across Salt Lake County. What started as a New Year’s resolution has turned into a practical tool all Salt Lakers can use: 

Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure for local parks. Want a dog park near a playground? A pavilion for a party? A spot with pickleball courts and a working water fountain? You can filter for all of it (click the “layers” icon, then “filters,” and choose your amenities).

It also shows you who manages each park, so if you want to report a broken bathroom or push for improvements, you know exactly who to contact.

Because we’re park nerds (aren’t you?), we hired an urban planner, Paulo Aguilera, to help analyze the data. Here are a few patterns that stood out:

The “perfect” family-friendly park is rare

: Only 3% of parks have the full combo of playground, splash pad, picnic tables, water fountains, and bathrooms. None are in Salt Lake City.

: 69% of parks don’t have year-round restroom access.

Wealth doesn’t necessarily equal better parks

: Some cities with lower median incomes actually have more amenities per park than wealthier ones.

: About one in four households in Salt Lake County isn’t within a 10-minute walk of a park.

: This is human-collected data, so there may be a few gaps. If you spot something off, you can let the team know at 

Thank you to Tracy Aviary for supporting this park’s project. Spring is an ideal time to 

. The season doesn’t just arrive, it hatches. Discover what’s taking flight this spring!

What started as a New Year’s resolution has turned into a practical tool all Salt Lakers can use: a free, interactive map of all Salt Lake County parks! 

The City Cast Parks Map

How To Use the City Cast Parks Map

 on Saturday, we have a roundup of the best local dogs in Salt Lake.

, aka a winner winner Sonoran hot dog dinner. Try their spin on a classic, the Arizona dog, which is topped with green chile nacho cheese and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

A Utah classic for good reason, it’s a reliable dog for a decent price. You can get a beef or polish dog and fries for around $10.

The brats at Beer Bar are where it’s at. They have everything from bahn mi to veggie varieties. Also a great place to watch the Utah Mammoth game or 

Hot Dogs Outside the Delta Center (and on Main Street)

Not their official name, but you know who they are: set up outside the Delta Center after an event or on Main Street on the weekends. No one can resist their $10 dogs and the intoxicating smell of grilled peppers and onions.

In honor of the Great Glizzy Gauntlet on Saturday, we have a roundup of the best local dogs in Salt Lake.

The Best Hot Dogs in Salt Lake

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Salt Lake City. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Salt Lake Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Test your memory with our mini news crossword. Every clue comes straight from a recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletter!

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Welcome to our rolling list of all the best, new restaurants opening around Salt Lake!

If your go-to spots are starting to feel a little 

go-to, this is your sign to branch out of your regular rotation. There are so many new openings around town, add these to your list.

A new French bakery is opening in Holladay on Thursday, April 23. Expect flaky croissants, pastries, and quiche (oh la la!).

Savage Fish Poke is expanding with a new location in West Valley, bringing their popular Hawaiian-style bowls to the west side. They also sell fresh flower leis, right in time for graduation.

Empanadas are the star of the show at this new Salt Lake City spot (an expansion from their Park City location). Fillings range from classic beef to pulled pork and are served baked, fried, or frozen to take home.

A cafe chain that specializes in matcha from Uji, Japan. They also serve yummy onigiri.

Don’t sleep on the food in Provo, this new burger joint is keeping their menu short and sweet with smashed wagyu patties, beef tallow fries, and old-school milkshakes.

A unique speakeasy-style omakase experience inside the Peery Hotel, with chef-guided tastings and a solid lineup of cocktails and sake.

This Ogden original opened a new Millcreek location. Come here for your classic Italian pastries and desserts (cannoli, tiramisu, and panna cotta).

Salt Lake’s food and drink scene is always growing. Here are the latest openings worth trying.

Located in a historic building in downtown Salt Lake City and inspired by East Coast oyster houses and classic martini bars. Heads up, it’s 21+ only.

, you’ll find classic New York-style slices at this Marmalade neighborhood spot. Even better, they serve alcohol and are open until 11 p.m. daily.

A few miles south, across from Liberty Park, Via Veneto Pizzarium is slinging Roman-style pizza al taglio (by the cut). The slices are rectangular, and sold by weight, so it’s perfect for trying a bunch of different flavors.

A Sicilian-inspired restaurant that opened last week, a block away from Via Veneto. Come here for the pasta and stay for the Sicilian desserts like torta setteveli (a layered chocolate and hazelnut cake).

Another day, another coffee shop — we can never have too many. Ten is located at 636 S. 200 W. (attached to Momomaru), and brings a bit of L.A. vibes to Salt Lake City. They offer coffee, matcha, and bagel sandwiches.

This month's restaurant feature is a story of what's old is new again, with the revamping of familiar favorites and fresh faces popping up in shuttered spaces.

The triumphant return of a legendary sandwich shop, Grove Market and Deli has reopened after a monthslong closure, following the sale to a new owner. Go here for a cold-cut sandwich as big as your face and a massive hot sauce selection.

From coffee truck, to brick and mortar, and back to coffee truck again, Old Cuss has officially put down roots in Downtown SLC. The cafe on Pierpont Avenue serves up specialty lattes, vegetarian sandwiches, and fresh pastries. Try their classic black currant latte.

This taco shop brings a taste of Los Angeles flavor to Murray; executive chef Luis Perez is Michelin-recognized for his Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana. La Lola's blue-corn tortillas are made in house daily.

New brunch alert! The Brick opened recently in the old Cafe Niche space (another former breakfast spot) on 300 South. Their menu lists classic breakfast items and sandwiches. Looks like they're dipping their toe in the dinner scene, too.

Italian-Japanese fusion hits Downtown on 200 South, where Laziz Kitchen used to be. Gossip comes from the chefs behind Mint Sushi and Tapas (a personal favorite) and Carmine's. They're positioning it as a speakeasy, so check out their cocktails.

Another blending of cultures, Killa Nikkei brings together Peruvian and Japanese cuisine in the building that formerly housed Current Fish & Oyster. This spot still serves seafood, though, with a focus on ceviches and sushi rolls, plus Peruvian classics, like lomo saltado and anticuchos.

The latest restaurant openings in Salt Lake are all about comfort food and cozy coffee shops.

Maven District has a new bakery, soft opening this weekend from 9 a.m. to sold out. Bury me in layers of croissants.

A one-stop shop for Vietnamese food and coffee in a refurbished bank in West Valley.

 this past summer, Cali-based Sidecar Doughnuts is finally open for business.

Previously a mobile coffee cart, Mecca opened a brick-and-mortar in the Granary District.

Southern-style cooking in West Jordan including fried catfish and chicken and waffles.

A cool looking coffee shop in Lehi. They offer Baby’s Bagels and housemade syrups with flavors like ube, Luxardo cherry, and cozy cabin (I’m intrigued).

Salt Lake has a fresh batch of openings this month, each one leaning into a specific specialty. What a great excuse to try something new. 

A family-run bakery in Lehi dedicated to focaccia. Expect thick, crispy-edged bread with a pillowy interior, offered in rotating flavors that range from sweet cinnamon to savory tomato pesto.

Located at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon is a Himalayan-inspired mountain bar serving up dishes from 

, craft cocktails, and local beer. Visit them for their soft opening today from 4-11 p.m.

Welcome to our rolling list of all the best, new restaurants opening around Salt Lake in April 2026!

Salt Lake’s Best New Restaurants and Bars in April 2026

Salt Lake’s Best New Restaurants and Bars

The Best Caprese Sandwich

Find the best that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Find the best of everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s 

Your Guide to May 2026 in Salt Lake

 is open 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. It’s the kind of place you can stop by after a late-night movie or Real Salt Lake game to grab a coffee (maybe decaf), chit-chat, and hangout.

I sort of feel like we manifested our craving for a cake picnic in 

. The concept of a cake picnic is simple: Everyone brings a cake, so everyone gets to try a lot of cake.

Landlined is a social club with one rule: no phones. Each month they host a different event, from craft nights to dance parties. This month they’re 

 at Publik Kitchen on May 29, but sign up by May 15 so they have a head count.

When’s the last time you flew a kite? The 

 returns May 16 to Tunnel Springs Park with free kites for kids (while supplies last), food trucks, music, and family fun.

It’s the start of yard sale season! Attend a community yard sale where entire neighborhoods turn into treasure hunts.

Saturday, May 9. The 3rd annual Ballpark yard sale will feature 40+ homes.

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s what to check out this month.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in May 2026

This Saturday, April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake.

Participate in the Utah Indie Bookshop Crawl

 (you must have a physical map, and copies are limited at bookstores).

Pick your route: The Sprint or The Marathon.

: Collect 10 stamps on April 25, 2026. Pick up your prize from the SLC library (while supplies last).

: You have until Dec. 31, 2026 to get a stamp from all 25 locations on the map. Collect your prize at the last bookstore.

The Legendarium reigns in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books. They’ve also got a cutie cafe in the back, so you can really spend all day there.

Under the Umbrella is a queer bookstore and cafe that celebrates queer authors and creates a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. They have a 

Find the golden ticket for a year’s worth of audiobook credits.

And a fun queer bookstore rally with The Legendarium

This bookstore (and book cart!) has quickly become a community staple. On April 25, take 15% off the whole store, and search for 

Lovebound Library specializes in romantic novels. Don’t miss their 

, featuring Pie Flight and Space Tea and a bunch of other ways to celebrate!

The King’s English will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first local bookstore I frequented as a youth (I was raised on libraries and a certain big-box bookstore that shall not be named). Glad to see their 

 (with something that rhymes with shmello snot) is back!

This Saturday, April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake. 

The Best Salt Lake Indie Bookstores

The Best Indie Bookstores

It’s hard to make new friends as an adult. But the good news: Salt Lake is booming with social clubs based on shared interests, a convenient way to meet like-minded peeps. Here are some for you to try!

Make friends with other dog parents. The 

 is on Tuesday, April 21. If you’re not much of a runner, no sweat, they also host occasional dog walks.

A place to meet fellow needlepointers, crosstitchers, and embroiderers. Join them for a night of 

 on Thursday, April 23 at 21 Mercantile. BYOP (bring your own projects).

A social bike club for women of color. It’s beginner friendly and they meet every other Saturday. 

It’s hard to make new friends as an adult. But the good news: Salt Lake is booming with social clubs. Here are some for you to try!

Salt Lake's Best

The Best Caprese Sandwich

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Salt Lake's Best

Your Guide to Salt Lake in May 2026

The Best Indie Bookstores

Where To Make Friends in Salt Lake City

Your Guide to Salt Lake in April 2026

Salt Lake’s Best Patios for Every Occasion

The Best Pies for Pi Day

The Best Houseplants for People Who Are Bad at Plants

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The Best Hot Dogs in Salt Lake

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Salt Lake’s Best New Restaurants and Bars