Why Locals Say This Salt Lake City Burger Shack Serves The Best In Utah
I’ve always been a burger fanatic, the kind of person who seeks out the juiciest patties and most flavorful toppings wherever I travel. When I relocated to Salt Lake City last year, I made it my mission to explore the local food scene, especially the burger joints.
Friends and locals kept insisting I check out a small, unassuming spot in Taylorsville called Patty Shack.
Honestly, I doubted it—how could a modest storefront possibly compete with polished downtown restaurants? But one bite changed everything. The flavors, freshness, and pure comfort explained the hype. Now I see why residents swear it’s Utah’s best burger.
Hand-Crafted Patties That Redefine Juicy
The moment your teeth sink into a Patty Shack burger, you’ll experience what I call the ‘juice explosion’ – that magical instant when beef juices burst forth from a perfectly cooked patty.
Unlike chain restaurants that use frozen hockey pucks, these folks hand-form each patty from fresh ground beef daily. The texture is incredibly tender with those deliciously crispy edges that only come from a properly seasoned flat-top grill.
During my second visit, I watched the cook press each ball of meat with practiced precision, creating the ideal thickness that allows for both proper searing and maintaining that crucial pink center.
Utah’s Signature Pastrami Burger Perfected
Pastrami burgers are a Utah tradition, but nobody executes this local specialty quite like Patty Shack. Their thinly-sliced pastrami drapes over the beef patty like a savory blanket, adding a peppery, smoky dimension that elevates the entire experience.
First time I ordered it, I was floored by how the pastrami’s slight chew contrasted with the tender burger beneath. The meat-on-meat combination might sound excessive, but trust me – it’s harmonious rather than overwhelming.
What truly sets their version apart is how they give the pastrami a quick sear on the grill, crisping the edges while keeping the center tender.
Secret Fry Sauce That Locals Crave
“What’s that pink sauce?” I asked during my first visit. The regular behind me chuckled and said, “Welcome to Utah, friend.” Their house-made fry sauce – that magical pink condiment mixing mayo, ketchup, and secret spices – has achieved cult status among locals.
Patty Shack’s version adds subtle pickle juice and what I suspect is a dash of smoked paprika. It’s simultaneously tangy, creamy, and slightly smoky – the perfect complement to both burgers and their crispy fries.
I’ve caught people asking for extra containers to take home. One woman told me she drives 40 minutes just for the sauce!
The Legendary Patty Daddy Challenge
Feeling hungry? The Patty Daddy isn’t just a burger – it’s a monument to indulgence that’s become something of a local legend. This beast stacks THREE hand-formed patties, crispy bacon, pastrami, and all the fixings into a tower that barely fits in human mouths.
My buddy Jake, a 6’4″ former linebacker, couldn’t finish one without tapping out halfway through. The staff keeps an unofficial “Wall of Fame” photo collection of those who’ve conquered it solo.
What impresses me most isn’t just the size but how they maintain perfect cooking on each patty layer – no small feat when you’re stacking meat this high!
Award-Winning Status Two Years Running
Bragging rights matter in the competitive burger world. Patty Shack hasn’t just won local acclaim – they’ve dominated the Best of SLC awards for “Best Burger” AND “Best Fast Casual Restaurant” in both 2023 and 2024.
The back-to-back victories speak volumes, especially considering they beat out established favorites like Lucky 13. When I chatted with the owner, Maria, she beamed with pride but insisted they’re still working to improve every day.
The awards hang modestly near the register, not plastered everywhere like some places. That quiet confidence tells you everything about their approach – let the food speak for itself.
Value That Defies Today’s Burger Prices
$18 for a burger? That’s standard at trendy downtown spots. Meanwhile, Patty Shack delivers superior quality starting at just $11 for a cheeseburger and fries combo that would cost double elsewhere.
Their entire menu shows remarkable restraint in pricing. The Pastrami Cheeseburger runs about $12, with only the massive Patty Daddy reaching the upper teens – and that monster could feed two people!
Value extends beyond price point. The portion sizes are genuinely generous, the ingredients noticeably fresh. My neighbor Kevin, a notoriously frugal eater, calls it “the best dollar-to-delicious ratio in the valley” – high praise from a man who tracks restaurant expenses in a spreadsheet.
Fries That Stay Crispy Even Through Delivery
French fry technology matters more than you think. Patty Shack has somehow cracked the code on the impossible: delivery fries that don’t turn into sad, soggy potato strips.
Their skin-on fries maintain structural integrity through some magical combination of double-frying technique and strategic packaging. I’ve ordered delivery three times during rainy days, and each time they arrived with that crucial exterior crunch intact.
The owner revealed they tested dozens of potato varieties and cooking methods before landing on their current approach. This level of dedication to something most places treat as an afterthought perfectly captures why locals consider this place special.