Carl’s Cafe
2336 Fort Union Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121
Carl’s Cafe Menu
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Address :
2336 Fort Union Blvd
Salt Lake City, UT, 84121 - Phone (801) 943-5138
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Adam G.
I think we all know a Carl, Carl isn't a slim guy trim guy that eats a yogurt for breakfast and a salad for lunch. Carl loves beef, he cooks with lard, and frying everything is an option for each meal. And because we all know that Carl you should know what to expect when going to Carl's Cafe. This review probably is one of those where I'd prefer to give 3.5 stars but since I round up we'll give it 4 stars. Everything you might have read about this place is true. They don't take credit cards, they only take cash and checks (seriously who carries a checkbook?). Their dining room has maybe 10 or less tables in it. It hasn't been redecorated in a few decades. Ultimately its a great greasy spoon breakfast/lunch place. Because of my dedication of eating every Chicken Fried Steak in America, for my first meal I tried the CFS. It came with 2 eggs prepared to you liking, breakfast potatoes, and toast. The CFS was cheap so the meat quality is what you'd expect of a less than 8 dollar meal. Its not a super high quality cut, it was most likely frozen prior to frying and the breading is pretty common. The saving grace was the gravy. The gravy was something magical. Creamy and full of wonderful delicious sausage, it brought a mediocre CFS up a few notches. Breakfast potatoes are an often the red headed step child of the breakfast experience. They're left alone to be slightly disappointing and you often don't really care to interact with them all all. Carl's potatoes are actually pretty awesome. They have the skins on them, their sliced and cooked till they are nice and tender. The service was good and they have an extensive menu with lots of breakfast and lunch choices. If you're going for lunch on a week day it would be best to arrive a bit before 12 or closer to 1pm. The place does fill up right at 12 and people seem to eat a leisurely pace because its just that type of place. Make time to swing by here, Carl has a delicious cash only menu to share with you.
(4)Richard E.
Loosen your belt & stop in for a great breakfast! Lisa serves up awesome home style cooking in a friendly & cozy atmosphere. It's a Cottonwood Heights Classic!
(5)Charles K.
I've now been to Carl's 5 times. The breakfast menu is so good I haven't tried the lunch offerings. The food is consistently excellent, the service attentive, and the ambiance nice & quiet. Highly recommended.
(5)Oscar P.
My go-to breakfast/lunch joint. I havent had one meal there that I didnt like. The scones are awesome. The Riley burger is the best. The service is fast and friendly. All around a great place to stop by for breakfast or lunch.
(5)R S.
I tried the Belly Buster with Corned Beef and it was killer. I added a side of the perfectly cooked bacon. I also recommend the Breakfast Burrito and any of the omlettes. Great local joint. Get there early as seating is limited. Cash only. ATM's around the corner.
(4)Carl J.
Quite disappointing. Old fashioned rendition of comfort breakfast foods. I found this restaurant to be more owner-oriented than customer-oriented. Hash browns were bland and service mediocre. Will not go again.
(2)Tony L.
Carl is one of those friendly breakfast places on a strip mall. They are just east of Highland Dr. in Cottonwood Heights. There may be some waits during peak breakfast/brunch hours. They are also a perfect gathering place for breakfast with Asians, as long as you are an honorary member as well... ;) Most of their dishes seem to be sidekicks and extras for the main star side item... I had the breakfast burrito and it was just ok, other dishes they got just seem decent as well. The scones are probably the most awesome things to get here, better than any other ones I had in state, very crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Load some butter and honey on it, then it was like a dream came true. Service had been great here, I never had many issues unless they were very busy, but they still push things through at an efficient pace.
(4)Michael C.
This place is nice and cozy, with friendly service and great views. And utterly amazing breakfasts. The omelets are fantastic, I'm a fan of the Big Cottonwood: bacon, cheddar, and artichokes. The option of having toast or a scone is fantastic. Always go with the scone, it serves as an appetizer for your impending plate of awesome. Only downsides are it's only open until 2:30 and it's cash only. Not deal breakers at all. Deal with them, because this place is not worth missing out on
(5)Breanna G.
Carl's is a place where you can walk in and feel at home. It is the perfect stop before hitting up the canyons or if you're just in the food for some salt lake comfort food. I enjoy everything I've had here, but their scones and scones of plenty are a definite favorite. So buttery and warm, it's hard to get enough. Plus, their staff is so friendly and attentive, I've never been left wondering if they forgot about me. All in all, I love the restaurant. It's by far my favorite breakfast destination.
(5)Robert K.
Great scones (seriously, way good). The chicken fried steak was also good, and the sausage gravy was super tasty. The potatoes are so so, and I really wish they took credit cards. Overall it was good, and I'll definitely be back for more scones.
(4)Sam M.
This place is great. Always have awesome food (particularly breakfast). It is appropriately priced. It's a small place but that kind of adds to the atmosphere they are shooting for. I love to get the breakfast burrito and a scone. Their scones are particularly good. The only reason I can't give 5 stars is they only accept cash which can be inconvenient.
(4)Matt J.
I am pretty sure it is cash only.
(5)J D.
Great service and great food with a local neighborhood atmosphere. I like the relaxed atmosphere and the menu of well done american staples. The scones are fantastic, make sure you save room.
(5)Charli G.
Took over 20 minutes to get a simple breakfast order for two. Bacon was very fatty (hardly any actual meat) and uncooked. When I politely informed them that the omelette wasn't very good (I said that I even understood because they were busy), I got blamed for coming in at the tail end (it was 1 pm and they close at 2:30) I used to go here all the time, but today was my last time returning.
(2)Trissta H.
This is the place where you go or take out of towners to when they appreciate local classic eateries. Old school skis and pictures fill up the dark paneled wood walls. There are roughly 10 tables and 3 bar seats with every condiment you would need for breakfast already on the table. They do fill up quick on the weekends - wait your turn! The food is made when you order it, so be patient. There are always 2 servers here - but they know what they are doing so you never go without. They are cash only, and are only open until 2:30. They make those crazy Utah scones (fried) like I have never experienced before, and I love them. Slather it up with butter and honey.. mmmmm. Every option imaginable for what you would want for breakfast is on that menu. Somehow they have figured out how to not make it overwhelming, but there are more than enough options for every personality. You want a vegan breakfast? Get it. You want a mountain of meat omelet? It's your lucky day. Fruit, toast, breakfast sammy's, hashbrown scrambles with variations galore - check, check, check.. The best part? Prices range from around $4-9 depending on how crazy you get that morning or the amount of your cashflow lining your pockets. The only downside to this place really is their gravy for biscuits/gravy and the chicken fried steak. It taste like my mother dumped her "stash" of grease she accumulated over the years back into the pan to make gravy thinking those years of flavors would make something spectacular. Kind of like how they are making sequels for movies that were hits 10 years ago.. It just doesn't work, and they aren't funny.
(4)Shareen K.
Great little place that has really good food for breakfast. I didn't try lunch yet. I just tried their veggie blast breakfast with sourdough, and shared a scone with my friend. The veggie blast had potatoes that were sooo amazing. This dish was like a pile. Think potatos, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes topped with cheese then eggs on top. Baaaam, your taste buds are rocking and rolling. Their scone was so good, I'm sooo picky with scones and potatos so this place totally expressed me. Keep in mind this is a small restaurant, and like today It's full. However, the staff is on it, and working pretty hard to help everyone. Customer service is great!
(4)Xinmiao L.
Yep, this restaurant is a hole in a wall. Never noticed it was there till a friend mentioned it. Oh my god, I LOVE their scone! It is golden and crispy outside and the inside is fluffy and dough-ish. The shape of their scone is not flat but more a donut shape without a hole in the middle. One of my favorite entrée is Scone of Plenty with sausage. Pure goodness! The servers are always friendly and cheerful except last time we were there. I think the blond one was having a bad day. Warning: wear something that you will wash right away because you will smell like fried oil afterward. Or else, you closet will smell like it too! Btw, take a shower afterward too.
(4)Patrick R.
I ate here almost every day for three years. Excellent little cafe/diner. Very friendly staff and excellent food. I recommend the hot turkey! Don't even think about going anywhere else! Bam!
(5)Brittney N.
Carl's has the "hole in the wall" feel that could mean a hidden gem or something to be avoided. Based upon our first visit, I would lean more towards the latter. To be fair, when it comes to places like this, I find it wise to manage one's expectations. The menu options were unique from other little diners, which we appreciated. I ordered the omelette special that was filled with turkey, bacon, and cheese, topped with avocado . We also ordered the Big Cottonwood which was filled with bacon, asparagus, and cheese. The first thing I noticed when the plates were presented was the sad state of the avocado, not just the amount, but also the fact that it was slightly brown. I understand that avocados oxidize, but probably not in the time it takes to get from the kitchen to my plate. As you can tell from the picture, the potatoes were far from crispy with several of them flirting on the uncooked side. One or two of them had to be spit out. The eggs that made up the Omelet... I still don't know. I've worked with eggs from a bag before and these had a similar texture and mouth feel. They might have been "real" eggs, but they had more of a gelatin feel for sure. So what was good? The service, very friendly, although the staff definitely gave off a "come as you are" dress appearance. The Bacon. The bits in the Omelet were tasty and crisp. The price. It isn't a super great value, but you aren't getting ripped off either. Overall this seems like a local haunt that has survived due to the locals keeping it going. We probably won't be contributing to the cause, but I won't say that we wouldn't maybe give their lunch menu a try someday. I noticed that they have Zucchini bread on their menu so that alone might be worth another try.
(2)Laura B.
It's an easy & fun little cafe. Simple menu & friendly staff. Great for breakfast...I highly recommend that you get a side of scones.
(4)Nancy H.
It was my first time at Carl's cafe and my first impression was that it was small and outdated however it give it a home feel witch was really nice. The food was great I had the veggie buster, I will definitely come back again.
(4)Taylor C.
My bf and I live really close to this place and finally thought we found our "local" go to breakfast place. We were wrong. It's super tiny and dingy and the service is incredibly slow. Definitely a local vibe going on and family working together. I think it's fantastic that they have been in business for so long, but really they are just okay. Everyone raves about the scones when basically they are just a chunk of fried dough. My omelette wasn't too impressive and it was super duper fluffy. I personally do not like fluffy omelettes. Also their home Fire are basically chunks of baked potatoes. They are not cooked and browned , or seasoned at all like home fries should be. Barely any butter came on our toast as well.
(2)Tim M.
This place is great for the price. It is cash / check only, so come prepared for that. Its small, with a total of 37 or so seats. The food is really great however, for diner food. The scones are one thing you must try. Omelets are really great, too that's what we tried. Staff is friendly, it was a tiny bit slow, but the place was at capacity when we got there - with two servers and what looked like one person in the kitchen.
(4)Thomas V.
I'm in between a 3 and 4 star for this place. For mom and pop shops with a strong point (scones), I usually cut them slack but I'm leaning on 3 stars this time because the place was dirty and they don't seem to make the effort to keep things sanitary. Upon sitting down, visible honey spots and smears were throughout the table and the silverware had traces of food on it so we asked for it to be switched out. Food tastes good with decent portions and prices are alright (under $10). Scones are good with a thick doughy center and crispy deep fried porous shell. The SLC omelet comes with loads of gravy and is stuffed with grounded chicken steak. What bothered my party is they stacked the plates when carrying it to us, so the bottom plate that was holding the potatoes was covered in the gravy. I don't know where the bottom of that plate had been, but it seemed dirty and questionable. On top of that, when the waitress placed the plate on the table, gravy smeared everywhere on the table as well. Service was decent and nothing remarkable. It's a small venue with a lot of small tables packed together, so you will probably have to wait. They have one small bench to wait on, but the corner of it is to the back of someone's seat, so it's awkwardly arranged. They take cash or check only.
(3)Andreana R.
My dad and I stopped in for breakfast before continuing on to Alta for the day. I ordered the egg white omelet that came without cheese (a little unexpected), but tasted good nonetheless. My dad ordered french toast that looked pretty darn good (I kick myself now for not trying it). However, we do plan on going back tomorrow for another pre ski breakfast. The food was timely, although they weren't super busy (we went at about 8:30am). This place isn't anything super special and won't blow your mind. It's just a solid breakfast spot. Server was nice, but ambiance is lacking. I'll be back.
(4)Daniel Y.
It's Sunday and waking up around 11am feels refreshing. The 6 hour recovery fast some call sleep has taken a toll on my blood sugar. Now low and craving nourishment. Thankfully Yelp friends are up and already planning intake. Fast forward 20 minutes and I'm sitting in Carl's Cafe. Hot bean nectar infused with massive doses of caffeine appear in front of me. What's this?! Scones like your buddy's grandma used to make. Yup, drown it in maple syrup and butter. Sugar spike. Now I'm food buzzing. Round deuce, here comes the SLC Omelette loaded with country fried steak and cheese and a tsunami of gravy! The recovery breakfast is now complete and so am I.
(4)Denis M.
Amazing, affordable breakfast. Just the cozy diner experience you could hope for before a day on the slopes. $20 for two people, breakfast, coffee, juice. Bring cash! No cc accepted. Friendly, fast service. Came twice in two days :)
(5)Jordon M.
This is a great diner. I had the pastrami cheeseburger with fries and a scone. The food tasted amazing and the prices were great. Just remember to bring cash, they don't take card.
(5)Ryan A.
I've been a regular here for some time. It's one of the most homey, neighborhood breakfast joints in the valley. Great, friendly service and solid breakfast staples. Coffee could be much stronger/tastier for my palate, but it is pretty much par for the course for diner coffee. It is tiny, so if you go during breakfast rush, expect a wait.
(4)Sami S.
Wasn't my favorite place.. Decent. I think k ordered the wrong thing, breakfast burrito. Can salsa and it had some weird cheese in it, like a nacho cheese sauce you get at a game. Cash only, and no smiles to be found on the staff. Might go back and try something different. At least the prices pretty much matched the quality.
(2)Sabrina R.
I love this diner. Cash only, be prepared! 20$ got me the best cup of coffee I've had in a long while, biscuits & gravy, hash browns, a fruit plate, two eggs, and juice. My bill was only like 15, I just left five for a tip. Everything was delicious. The fruit bowl was a little strange, but I loved it. I would support more berries and less apple though. Love it! Very nice staff.
(5)R L.
I have been going to Carl's for over 25 years. Always the best, perfect for Saturday mornings. Lisa is great at making her menu fit your needs...crispy potatoes, tomatoes instead of...etc. RL
(5)Rena A.
Found this place on Yelp this morning and decided to give it a try. We called in an order of a cottonwood omelet, french toast and a couple of scones (The scones we got because another review raved about them). I first want to say that I must have walked in on the worst day possible. There was a film crew in there. Not sure if it was a commercial or if it was some kind of strange t.v. show all I know is that I hope I am edited out of it. We grabbed the food and took it home to eat. I talk about my meal first as I know about it more. One thing I don't want to taste with my french toast is egg. I know they are made with egg but I don't want to taste it. Maybe I needed more syrup or maybe because of the film crew they weren't paying much attention to the order. I'm not sure. Won't have that again though. The scone was alright. Not what i was expecting from the rave review I read. Again I think it was just an off day. As for the omelet....That was inhaled. I'm assuming it was good since it was gone before I could even ask how it tasted. Came with hash browns and toast and it all disappeared. Too bad I don't like eggs though. I'm thinking this is more of an omelet joint. Was an OK breakfast. What made it better was that it was only $15. I'll try again but maybe order something different.
(3)Martha H.
Great scones! Pleased with everything we had. Took suggestion of another reviewer and had scone of everything with sausage and cheese... yum!
(4)Gwen A.
Cute little neighborhood joint. They only accept cash or check so know before you go in! Their biscuits and gravy is like mamas home cookin'. Closed on Sundays.
(4)Kat M.
Great little spot with good service. Love the scones. Don't love that they only take cash. What is it, run by the mafia? Someone who is a hundred years old? Maybe an illegal immigrant? Whichever it is... Carl's Cafe please they get with the times because it sucks having to run over to Reams to get cash back to pay your bill.
(4)Sam S.
Carl's Cafe is a hole-in-the-wall type cafe that looks like a throwback to the 1970s. In fact, by the look of things I figure they've had the same tables, chairs, and wall decorations since the 1970s... or 1980s at the earliest. Whatever the case may be Carl's is nothing fancy but they do serve up some pretty tasty grub. We ate here for breakfast about two weeks ago and I ordered my usual two eggs over easy, hashbrowns, bacon and wheat toast. The food was served up fast and the portions were pretty large, especially given the cheap prices. Unfortunately my food wasn't hot but it was warm enough I dug in. I hate cold eggs so I didn't finish my eggs but what I did eat was pretty good. As for the food itself, the eggs and bacon were a little oily for my tastes. Maybe that's because Carl cooks with lard, as Adam mentioned, I don't know. Final word, if you go here take CASH, they don't accept card cards.
(3)Kris B.
Their scones are amazing. More like a fried doughnut slathered with honey butter. The chicken fried steak with gravy and hashbrowns rounded out a rib-sticking breakfast. Great local joint.
(4)Karlyn G.
Went today for the first time and would definitely go back. Service was friendly and prompt even when every table was filled. I had the pancakes, which were solid but not earth-shattering. A friend got eggs with biscuits and avocado. My husband enjoyed his MYO omelet. Coffee was surprisingly good, and we all liked the hash browns. It might look like a greasy spoon but the food tasted fresh - not frozen or too greasy. Go when you get a chance.
(4)Christiane W.
This is my favorite breakfast place in Cottonwood Heights. It's a funky, tiny, hole-in-the-wall. It's decorations haven't been updated since the early 80's, true... but that's part of its charm. It's great food and fast service. Hipsters haven't discovered it yet and they have hot sauce options, not just Tobasco. Breakfast places that only offer Tobasco and are overrun with hipsters will never get high marks from me. Note: They don't take credit cards, bring cash.
(5)Stephanie A.
The chicken fried steak was yummy and they pre-cut my daughters pancake which was nice! My only criticism is the from the time I asked for my bill 2 other people asked and paid before they finished checking me out. Perhaps they cater quicker to their regulars...?
(4)Jen H.
Carl's is pretty small but a community spot. The food is traditional and tasty. I've only gotten their breakfast and have been pleased with my meal. The service is good and friendly. They only accept cash and checks FYI.
(4)Cathleen S.
Great local neighborhood diner! Locals know that this is the place! Yummy scones - get that instead of toast. I've not had lunch cause breakfast is so good. We eat there often & never been disappointed. Hash-browns are perfect, omelets huge, the breakfast sandwich delish ( add lettuce & tomato even better). Food is all cooked to order & fresh. The owner/cook is a doll, the service is great - friendly & never ending coffee. The ambiance is old-ski Utah which is part of its charm - perfect place to eat before work or a day on the slopes. Bring cash, no credit/checks.
(5)Aaron M.
Great food. I love getting lunch for breakfast and the pastrami sandwich is amazing. This is what breakfast spots should be like.
(5)Becky G.
I go here when I want a cheap lunch that I know will be tasty and clean. The dining room is pretty small, I think there's only about 10 tables. But I always find a seat. They serve breakfast foods, burgers, sandwhiches, and some dinner entrees. They have sides like fruit, vegetables, cottage cheese, toast, etc. Many things you won't find at other restaurants. I don't go here to get a gourmet experience, or even the experience of somewhere like Applebees. But when I want a filling, satisfying, cheap meal, I go here. They don't accept credit cards--only cash and check.
(3)Nathan W.
Locally owned, good portions, fast service, friendly people, and the best view in the valley for the money. I love the fact that it's not too big of a place, you can actually have a conversation without glasses and dishes clanging around. If you go at prime time, like 8am Saturday morning you're probably going to wait. All of my family loves going here for breakfast and/or lunch, we all have our favorite thing on the menu. If you want bigger, louder, and corporate owned go to IHOP.
(5)Dustin B.
I came here for a quick lunch but it's not really a quick lunch type place. It's more of a breakfast diner if you want to sit and read the paper while you drunk cup after cup of coffee. I got the Club Sandwich which wasn't bad but I'd had better, and since I was in a hurry the slow relaxed pace of the cafe wasn't what I needed. I felt like I had to rush the staff to get me out of there.
(3)Ken V.
A nice neighborhood spot for breakfast. Gets packed on ski days and many Sundays...and the wait is not fun. But this is old school, huge cholesterol breakfast food that is generally done well. Service has slipped notch in recent years. Hint: You can get a much better cup of coffee across the street, and they have not raised a fuss when it is carried in.
(4)Pam K.
We used to love going here for breakfast. But lately, in addition to the long wait (it's a small place) it's taking forever to get our order taken and served.
(3)