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Whether you live in Rose Park or Fairpark or rarely go, there are small-business gems galore in these west-side neighborhoods, and you should know about them.
You might find your favorite cinnamon-sugar doughnut at Donut House, or a mechanic at Neil’s Pro Service that you come back to again and again. And if you’re craving some birria, you’re in for a treat.
One thing’s clear: There’s a lot more to the west side than Red Iguana. Here’s a rundown, and if there’s any in the area you think should have been mentioned, fill out the form below and let us know.
Neil’s Pro Service
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Neil's Pro Service in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
When your check engine light comes on, you can expect not to pay extra at Neil’s Pro Service.
“We’re not really big on upsell like most big chains are,” said Chris Draper, who runs the auto shop with his brother, Scott Draper.
Their father, Neil Draper, started the shop in 1964, and it’s been at its current location at the intersection of 1200 West and 600 North in Rose Park since the 1970s.
In the shop’s office, you’ll find high shelves filled with vintage auto memorabilia, either collected by Chris or given to him by customers cleaning out their garages, he said.
Chris, 61, and Scott, 56, will likely be the last generation that works at Neil’s Pro Service; none of their children want to take over the business.
It’s a bittersweet notion for both brothers. “Rose Park has been real good to our family,” Chris said. “There’s just a lot of good people.”
Neil’s Pro Service, 1204 W. 600 North, Salt Lake City, 801-521-0604.
Donut House
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Miguel Galan at Donut House in Salt Lake City on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
If you show up to this doughnut shop on 1000 North in Rose Park around 9 a.m., expect the most popular flavors to be gone.
You’ll find the best selection when Donut House opens at 6 a.m., when you can snag donuts in deluxe flavors like maple bacon, cheesecake (with chunks of cheesecake on top), and a donut covered in gold leaf.
But even the more basic flavors like glazed, cinnamon sugar and chocolate iced are sweetly satisfying, made with fluffy dough that doesn’t feel heavy.
To round out your morning pick-me-up, grab a cup of coffee to go with your sunrise treat.
Donut House, 950 W. 1000 North, 801-699-6876, OrderDonutHouse.com.
Los Tapatios
(Photo courtesy of Los Tapatios Taco Grill) The birria tacos at Los Tapatios Taco Grill.
At Los Tapatios, the name of the game is birria, a beef and chile pepper stew that comes from the Mexican city of Guadalajara. Whether that birria is placed in tacos, a burrito, a quesadilla or ramen is up to you — but that smoky, sweet flavor still comes out.
You can’t go wrong with the tacos de birria, where the corn tortillas are dipped in rich beef broth and grilled till crispy, then filled with meat and white cheese.
Decadent beef consomme is served alongside for dipping. Don’t forget about the salsas and pickled onions available to round out this satisfying meal.
In August, Los Tapatios added to its original location in Fairpark’s Rancho Market parking lot and opened a second location in Taylorsville, spreading the love for birria across the west side.
Los Tapatios, 120 N. 900 West, Salt Lake City, 801-364-1794; 3269 W. 5400 South, Taylorsville, 385-900-4113, LosTapatiosTacoGrill.com.
Riverside Family Dental
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Riverside Family Dental in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
If you get nervous about going to the dentist, Riverside Family Dental in Rose Park has you covered: All of the exam rooms look out into a courtyard that has a fountain and plants. And when you’re tilted back in the chair and can’t see the courtyard, you can watch TV for maximum distraction.
Riverside Family Dental has been open since 2014 but has been under new ownership since 2021, said office manager Sheri Farley. The practice’s two dentists are Dr. Beau Seager and owner Dr. Jared Hansen.
Farley told The Salt Lake Tribune that Riverside gets a lot of return customers and referrals. “We always do our best to do the type of dentistry we would do on ourselves or would want if we were in the chair,” she said.
Riverside Family Dental, 1614 W. 700 North, Salt Lake City, 385-229-4222, RiversideDentalUtah.com
Break Bread Barber Co.
(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Break Bread Barber Co. owner Ricky Arriola checks his shading in the mirror as he cuts and styles Nicolas Boza, Dec. 30, 2022.
Ricky Arriola, a west side native and the owner of Break Bread Barber Co., said the decision to open his barber shop in Rose Park was deliberate.
“Rose Park definitely gives me sense of home,” he told The Tribune via email. “I remember growing up feeling like the west side communities have always been ‘slept on.’ There’s always been tons of untapped potential on this side of the city.”
Arriola wrote that he hoped to foster a sense of friendliness and informality with the name Break Bread Barber Co., and said the shop’s focus is customer experience. “We take pride in our craft and ability to transform one’s image,” he said.
Since the shop opened in 2018, the crew at Break Bread Barber Co. have been providing men’s and women’s haircuts, hot towel shaves, bleaching and coloring services, and hair designs.
Break Bread Barber Co., 910 N. 900 West, Salt Lake City, 801-641-0618, BreakBreadBarber.com.
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