This article is excerpted from the Utah Eats newsletter. To get the full newsletter every Wednesday, subscribe at sltrib.com/newsletters.
Hello, Eaters! As someone who got her bachelor’s degree in fine arts (and then somehow ended up in journalism), I believe that the look of food and the setting in which it’s served plays a big role in how that food tastes.
That is to say, the newly opened retail location of Sir Walter Candy Company — which moved from California to Utah in 2008 — is nothing short of a work of art. And in my opinion, that visual appeal makes its candy and treats that much more delicious.
The candy store and factory is at 3828 S. Main St., in a relatively industrial part of South Salt Lake. But walk into this pastel wonderland, and you’ll hear the dreamy tune “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” start to play in your head.
“We wanted to create a place where people can come sit down and have some dessert,” said Alfonso Porras, who founded Sir Walter Candy Company with his wife, Alejandra Porras. “… Whether it’s a family [or] girls’ night out, people can come and just enjoy the atmosphere and the good candy.”
Sir Walter Candy Company is as much of a sensory experience as it is a place to buy candy. You’ll be greeted by an employee bearing a tray of candy samples for you to try. You can take a self-guided tour and look through the large windows into the industrial kitchens, where “there’s magic being made every day,” said Amir Porras, one of Alfonso Porras’ sons.
And there is a topping bar, where you can choose from multiple treats — Belgian waffles, popcorn, whole strawberries, frozen bananas, caramel apples and Rockwell ice cream — and have them customized with your choice of melted chocolate and toppings.
To read about the treat I chose at Sir Walter Candy Company, scroll down to the “Treat of the Week” section of this newsletter.
Live deliciously,
Kolbie
Food News
Ever since Cosmica was featured in The New York Times’ 2025 Restaurant List, owner and chef Zachary Wade said business has “tripled” for the Italian restaurant, and that Cosmica has reservations booked for the next month. If you can snag a table at this Central Ninth newcomer, Wade made some recommendations for some dishes you should order — starting with the House Puffy Bread.
Openings:
• Over the weekend, Mother Cafe & Bar opened downtown at 369 S. Main St. in Salt Lake City. This 21+ spot serves “coffee by day” and “rhythm by night,” according to its Instagram account.
• Caracas Dog is a new vendor to open in Woodbine Food Hall, at 545 W. 700 South, according to a news release. Named for Venezuela’s capital, Caracas Dog serves “fully loaded” Venezuelan hot dogs, the release said.
• Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food has opened a new location in Draper, at 1257 Draper Parkway, according to a news release. This restaurant is Mo’ Bettahs’ 33rd location in Utah.
• On Saturday, Chicago sandwich chain Potbelly was scheduled to hold a grand opening celebration for its new location in Layton, at 220 S. Fort Lane, from 9 a.m. to noon, according to a news release.
Closings:
• Aquarius Fish Company, inside the same building as Caputo’s at 314 W. 300 South, is closing on Sept. 30, according to a sign on their door. Attempts to contact the owner were unsuccessful. Aquarius has been a “wonderful neighbor to Caputo’s for 24 years and we will miss them and wish them the best,” said Matt Caputo, CEO of Caputo’s Market and Deli.
Booze (and Drink!) News
On Sunday at 4 p.m., Fisher Brewing, at 320 W. 800 South in Salt Lake City’s Granary District, is hosting a celebration for the 50th anniversary of Ken Sanders Rare Books and the 50th anniversary of Edward Abbey’s novel “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” according to a news release. Fisher will be releasing an Edward Abbey R Crumb Monkey Wrench Gang beer sixpack, and a 50th anniversary Ken Sanders beer.
Treat of the Week
I’ve been pregnant all summer, and one of my food cravings has been strawberries. So I couldn’t say no to the whole strawberries drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled with almonds bits at Sir Walter Candy Company.
This was such a simple treat, just strawberries enveloped in Belgian chocolate, but the fruit kept it from being too heavy, and the almonds added a crunchy textural element. Visit this candy store and see where your cravings take you.