What do Ironport, fried zuchinni and Apple Beer have in common?: Woody’s Drive In- Murray

I’m semi-fascinated with “utah” food, and after reading a long list of famed garlic burger masterpieces I am determined to try every one. Woody’s Drive in is just down the street from cottonwood high on 1300 S. It climbed to the top of my challenge since they also serve old school ironport soda!

The drive in is great. You can still pull your car up in an ordering space, read the car window level menu and have your food brought out to you. Bonus: when people order this way and turn off their cars (not idling) it is much better for than environment than the drive thru. There are just 6 spaces and it’s so old timey it looks like someone rolled it back to 1955.

The menu is filled with drive in favorites. French Fries, Onion rings or Fried zucchini are available in a combo meal, and pick your sandwich from a Pastrami Burger to Patty Melt, Chicken Sandwich to the Superwoody (crazy huge double patty burger). They have delicious shakes and “utah” beverages like Apple Beer, Lime Rickeys, and Ironport.

I ordered a Garlic Burger since that’s what I’m here for. Went all in on the combo with zucchini fries and Ironport. The “garlic” aspect of the burger is no joke. The burger patty was actually split in half and filled with minced garlic like a pungent beef garlic Oreo. This was very yummy. The American cheese and tomatoes finished off the drive in style nicely. My only complaint is the bun seemed really cheap. Think wonderbread like holding power.. in a few minutes it was more or less useless so I ditched the soggy bottom and ate mine patty up. The zucchini fries were so delicious! They were nice and chunky with a crispy breading and zesty ranch dressing. Last but NOT least Ironport old school soda. I really probably shouldn’t be looking for new kinds of soda to like let alone drink, but this stuff is tasty. It has a cola like color and flavor, but it isn’t so sweet and has some savory spicy undertones. It made me think of Mexican coco-cola or unsweetened Dr Pepper if there was such a thing. Next time I will have the Apple Beer, something I already know I love! It’s like martinellis soda carbonated and also on the less sweet side.

All in all this place is a keeper. I can’t wait to come back and try the Patty Melt that I hear is fabulous. Lastly they have free WIFI! Who’da thunk.

Beyond Delicious Crown Burgers- SLC

SLC has quite a few good burgers around, but when I think quintessential SLC Burger it's Crown Burgers that always comes to mind. Prepare yourself for mouthwatering meat on meat madness. Take a regular Utah style cheeseburger -think burger, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and thousand island dressing in a bun and add a 2x-the-burger size hand-full of tender pastrami. Now you have a Crown Burger! Approaching a Crown Burger is delectable in itself- you can smell it before you can see it! That's not to say the burger isn't pretty. I included so many photos because you can definitely taste it with your eyes. Eating this mound of a burger is a gastronomical experience. The hamburger balances the strong pastrami taste, the thousand island adds a bit of tang. At least for me the bun usually gets pretty mangled cupped around so much meat but it's a small price to pay for so much savory goodness! Eaten with their steak cut fries this is a lunch that can't go wrong. DO ask for fry sauce. Theirs is the relish included style and strikes me as a little less sweet and a little more sour on the fry sauce spectrum. Have you ever accidentally tried to order fry sauce not in Utah? Be prepared for odd looks and loads of ketchup. It's too bad fry sauce isn't available EVERYWHERE. At least I think it should be..

Besides their Crown Burger (and Jr Crown Burger for those who can't get through a whole regular one) this joint has some awesome not typical burger spot fare. If you want something more Greek try a gyro or a souvlaki stick! They also have some pretty awesome sandwiches like patty melts and french dips. Order a classic shake or baklava if you have any room left in your stuffed tummy.

The only thing I always wish I could have with my burger is an ice cold beer. That's
why I tend to do takeout/drive-thru when I can't stop myself from a pastrami fix. Unfortunately this means I miss out on the awesome decor. They must be the only fast food restaurant with a chandelier and fireplace!

Crown Burgers is family owned, even with all the different area locations. This is what they say about that on their website:

"In all of the Crown Burger locations you will always find 1 to 5 family members working along side of our employees. Some of the restaurants may differ with 1-2 different items or different prices, but you will always find the Best, freshest food and friendliest service in all of our Crown Burger locations."

No wonder they have consistently awesome food.