Original post: Sept. 30, 2016 | Updated Sept. 21, 2017
If you’re visiting St. George, Utah for the Huntsman World Senior Games, Ironman 70.3 St. George, the St. George Marathon, or another sports competition, then I’d like to share with you some of my favorite places to eat. The majority are very affordable with several eateries offer gluten-free menu options. Friendly service is the norm.
In order of preference I’ve listed locally-owned, independent restaurants (with web links if available) followed by franchises.
Breakfast
My absolute breakfast favorite is George’s Corner Restaurant because of their yummy-yummy gluten-free pancakes. I always opt for the “Pancake Sandwich” comprised of two eggs and two pancakes. If I’m especially hungry, I’ll add two sausage links or two slices of bacon. When in season or available, I ask for the pancakes to have blueberries, and I request real maple syrup. Because I don’t use much syrup, the smaller serving size is fine. The house coffee is full of flavor and robust without an acidic aftertaste. The chef-inspired menu offers many other choices including smoothies.
- Location: 2 W St. George Blvd. in Ancestor Square on the corner of St. George Blvd & Main St.
Bishop’s Grill serves up traditional diner entrees. The hash browns are normally cooked crispy and the made-on-site jam is delicious. Because I follow a gluten-free and dairy-free diet due to food intolerance, it can be more of a challenge to choose an option on their menu. For breakfast, I usually stick with the usual bacon and eggs or omelette, opting out of any kind of toast and cheese. I do sneak tastes of the jam by squirting it from the generic ketchup bottle onto a spoon.
- Locations: 835 N 3050 E near Costco and 1973 W Sunset Blvd.
Cracker Barrel does offer lighter breakfast plates called Wholesome Breakfasts®. While my hubby usually orders country fried steak or a big pancake breakfast (the wild Maine blueberries pancakes are his favorite), I opt for the Good Morning plate. Instead of Egg Beaters®, I have regular eggs scrambled, turkey bacon or turkey sausage, regular grits instead of the cheesy grits, fresh fruit, and sliced tomatoes. Surprisingly, it satisfies my voracious appetite.
- Location: 1736 S Convention Center Dr, near Dixie Center, the convention center that serves as race HQ for majority of events.
Choosing what to have at The Egg & I is a challenge because everything looks and tastes good. My go-to choices are Colorado Jack Scramble (no cheese), Garden Frittata (no cheese), and the traditional two-egg breakfast without toast. The coffee is so yummy and served in a carafe so you don’t have to want for a refill.
- Location: 1091 N Bluff St north of Sunset.
Coffee
As the population of southern Utah has boomed, so has the java offerings.
Perks! Espresso & Smoothies is the locals’ “Starbucks” with its two casual, yuppie cafes, and one drive-up booth. If you need to wake up and stay up for that competition, then order an Cafe Americano with a shot of espresso. Based on my experience, it will keep you going and going and going. Of course, you can choose from a variety of other espresso-based drinks including specialties, iced, and holiday offerings.
- Locations: 1515 W Sunset Blvd and 520 W Telegraph in Washington for dine-in. 615 E St. George Blvd in front of Rite-Aid is a drive-up booth.
Jazzy’s Rock’n Roll Grill, known for its fun mix of eclectic, funky, and friendliness, has moved to a new location that I haven’t visited yet. In its previous location on Bluff Street, the mornings are busy with folks grabbing their coffee to go or enjoying heaping breakfast plates and steaming cups of joe. The evenings come alive with music and open mic sessions.
- Location: 1812 W Sunset #6 (northwest corner at N Dixie Downs Dr)
Looking for Starbucks? You’re in luck! Five locations exist for your pumpkin spice latte fix.
- Corporate-run locations: 158 N. Red Cliff Drive (at St. George Blvd) and 880 W Red Cliffs Drive (corner of Red Cliff Drive and Green Spring Drive)
- Grocery locations: Albertson’s (745 N Dixie Downs Rd at Sunset Rd), Lin’s Fresh Market (2928 East Mall Dr at S 3000 E), and Smith’s (20 N Bluff St at St. George Blvd)
Utah-based Harmons Neighborhood Grocery doesn’t offer Starbucks, but their cafes serve up a variety of satisfying barista-made espresso and blended coffee drinks.
- Locations: 1189 E 700 S St at River Road in St. George, and 3520 Pioneer Pkwy, Santa Clara (also offers cooking classes!)
Lunch
I love Emerald City Smoothie for two reasons. First, Guy, the owner, makes everyone feel welcome. He knows his products inside and out, and can recommend substitutions or add-ins to suit one’s tastes or caloric concerns. Secondly, every smoothie listed on the wall menus includes a listing of its ingredients and its amount of fat, sugar and calories. Being a coffee and chocolate lover I used to order the Mocha Bliss with soy milk and some protein powder until I became more mindful of the calorie load. The PB & J that tastes just like a peanut butter and jelly mixed together, though I opt for the Peanut Butter Passion for the same flavor but without the raspberry seeds. More recently I’m ordering the Lean Out with chocolate whey protein, peanut butter, soy milk, and banana because of its lower sugar content.
- Location: 2376 Red Cliffs Dr next to the Pizza Factory
When the hankering hits for sushi, my hubby and I will go to one of two all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants, Ichiban Sushi & Seafood Buffet and Ocean Buffet. I haven’t been to Ichiban in awhile but prices were very reasonable and the food quality was usually above average. I liked Ichiban because of its large assortment of nigiri and sushi rolls, but when large tour bus groups arrive, it gets a bit hectic. My hubby prefers the Ocean Buffet because of their peach cobbler and hot food selections such as teriyaki chicken and Mongolian beef. In both cases, I bring my own gluten-free, low sodium tamari sauce to use and and avoid any sushi rolls with tempura shrimp and hot foods with soy sauce.
- Locations: Ichiban, 969 N 3050 E near Bishop’s Grill and Costco; Ocean Buffet, 350 E St. George Blvd.
Harmons Neighborhood Grocery makes the lunch list because of their expansive deli that prepares fresh sandwiches and more. I opt for the salad bar where it’s not unusual to find salmon and avocado selections! At the coffee bar, you can also order a delicious gelato for dessert. I get the kids’ cup of the rich and satisfying chocolate gelato because that’s serving size is perfect!
- Locations: 1189 E 700 S St at River Road in St. George, and 3520 Pioneer Pkwy, Santa Clara (also offers cooking classes!)
Dinner
Whether for lunch or dinner, family-run Ernesto’s is the place for delicious Mexican specialties at reasonable prices. My hubby always orders the chili rellenos (depending on the time of year they may be hotter than usual). My favorites are pork tamales, grilled fish tacos, chili verde, and chicken enchiladas (sometimes ground beef). I’m on a streak of ordering the enchiladas because I discovered their fabulous mole sauce, an earthy blend of spices and cocoa that makes the sauce rich in flavor but not sweet like some cream sauces.
- Location: 929 W. Sunset Rd.
- Note: Ernesto’s is closed on Sundays.
When my husband wants a good yet affordable steak, we head over to Texas Roadhouse. The Early Dine $8.99 special features 11 entrees including a six-ounce sirloin steak for him and a grilled chicken salad for me (sans croutons and cheese, of course). By eating late in the afternoon, we usually miss the crowds and a lot of the noise.
- Location: 2654 E. Red Cliffs Dr., a half-block from Emerald City Smoothie.
For a memorable or celebratory evening, go to Anazai Steakhouse for hot stone dining. Your steak, ribeye, pork chop, or seafood entree will be delivered to you sizzling atop a hot cooking stone nestled in specially-designed stoneware plates. The aroma is wonderful, too! The hard part is waiting for that protein to reach your desired level of doneness. Then, and only then, do you dig in. Just be careful not to touch the stone! These square-shaped flat stones are volcanic rocks that were heated in a special oven for six to eight hours. My favorite entree is the shrimp and scallop duet.
- Location: 1234 W. Sunset Blvd.
Do you have a favorite eatery in St. George? Share it with us by posting a comment below.
Be a Coupon Clipper and Save
If you’re competing in the Huntsman World Senior Games, then be sure to check your athlete’s bag for a special coupon book for offers from numerous local restaurants (that’s how we first discovered Texas Roadhouse and Anazai Steakhouse).
The local Senior Saver Guide often has coupons for these and other restaurants throughout the St. George area. Pick up a free copy or two at Albertson’s (745 N Dixie Downs Rd and 915 W Red Cliffs Dr), Lin’s Grocery (1930 W Sunset Blvd), or the St. George Chamber of Commerce (97 E St. George Blvd).
Editor’s Notes:
- Starbucks closed its cafe and drive-thru at 1091 N. Bluff (north of Sunset) around late August or early September. I suspect it’s in advance of the major road construction project on Bluff Street set to begin later this year or early January. I’m sad because the store was easy to get and out of plus the employees were so friendly and helpful.
Note: All comments are my own and without any compensation or remuneration of any sort by these establishments. The photos on this page will either be replaced or added as I’m able to provide my own.
