Salt Lake City is one of those cities out West that has always captured my interest, but somehow it keeps slipping through my fingers when it comes to spending any real time there. This past week, the stars aligned and I finally got the chance to go! I flew from my hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee with a dear buddy of mine Neal Williams (AKA Flat Top King) to attend a Traeger event right in the heart of Salt Lake City.
Why I love Traeger
Last September, I dove into Traeger and found myself becoming more and more in love with their products. Over the years, I've cooked on all kinds of pellet grills and griddles, but to be perfectly honest, I haven't come across one that tops a Traeger. And no-this isn't a sales pitch, just an honest opinion. I currently have two Traeger grills in my setup: the Timberline XL and the Woodridge Pro, both of which you can get more info on HERE.
What I love Smoking
Living in Texas for 12 years, I immersed myself in the BBQ scene and discovered a new passion. Getting to attend Traeger's launch celebration of their Woodridge and the new Flatrock Griddle was a treat! Meeting their employees and fellow chefs gave me a whole new level of respect for the company.
A few of my favorite recipes I've made so far on my Traeger are: Corned Beef Brisket | Prime Rib | Smoked Meatloaf | Korean Beef Brisket
Day one's Hidden GemS
THE POOL: I arrived in Salt Lake City around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday and checked into the Element Hotel downtown-a great choice if you're looking for a moderately priced stay, with comfortable beds, friendly staff, clean rooms, and a decent workout facility. In need of a few essentials, I took a walk through downtown to find a Walgreens. One surprise came on the day I checked out: I discovered the rooftop heated pool I'd overlooked. I had assumed it wouldn't be that warm, but to my surprise, it felt like a perfectly drawn bath. Paired with the stunning view of the snowcapped mountains from 12 stories up, it was a highlight I almost missed. Next time, I'm definitely packing a swimsuit.
THE GERMAN GROCERY STORE: On my journey to Walgreens, I also stumbled across a German grocery store called Siegfrieds where I found a Hungarian Style Paprika the I LOVE. I was able to stay away from all the amazing German chocolates, even though it tough.
THE PHO: Just as I'm walking up on the Walgreen, I see a Vietnamese Pho restaurant. So of course I had to try it! I headed inside and ordered some pho from a spot called Tamarind - Vietnamese & Phở Kitchen (in case you're curious about the name!). And yes-if you're wondering-it was really good. One thing I always go for is tendon-only pho. I know that sounds a little unusual to most people, who typically go for brisket, beef slices, or chicken, but I've always been a fan of the rich, gelatinous texture of beef tendon. Uncommon? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely. The food was solid, and the service was even better.
First Night of Trager Event
After a quick rest at the hotel, I head to the event. There were a mix of creators, bloggers, BBQ enthusiasts, and Traeger staff came together to hang out and connect. It was a laid-back event that lasted about four hours, and it turned out to be a great time. I had the chance to meet some new faces-people I didn't even know were part of the scene-and walked away with unexpected, great connections.
Day Two's Hidden Gems
THE OUTDOOR MALL: We spent some time exploring City Creek Mall, a unique indoor/outdoor shopping area with a really cool feature-a stream of water that flows seamlessly from outside to inside and back out again. It's little touches like that that make a place beautiful and memorable.
THE PASTRIES: No visit to a new city is "done right" for me without trying some pastries. I always seek out croissant-style pastries wherever I go, and this trip was no different.
THE SCENERY AND TACOS: We walked about a mile radius through the city, taking in the landscape and the gorgeous buildings owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The sheer number and size of their buildings were amazing to admire. No matter where we turned, the snowcapped mountains loomed in the background, giving the whole city this dramatic and beautiful backdrop. As Neal and I continued strolling, we came across a little Mexican taco trailer-something I absolutely couldn't pass up. Who would?
Final Celebration at Traeger Event
We were greeted day two at the event by numerous friendly faces outside and original Traeger model grills inside which were super neat to check out. It was cool looking at how far Traeger has come and how dedicated they are to making quality products by ALWAYS improving them.
Around 3 p.m., Traeger's CEO, Jeremy Andrus, took the stage indoors to welcome everyone. He shared his gratitude for the "Traegerhood"-a passionate community of people who love cooking on Traeger grills and creating content around it. It was clear how much pride he takes in the community that's formed around the Traeger brand. Jeremy then spoke briefly about the newly launched Woodridge Series of grills, along with an exciting addition: a two-burner Flatrock grill that they know they've perfected! After his speech, it was tasting and dancing time!
There were brisket chicken sandwiches made by Matt Pittman (Meat Church BBQ), delicious crab cakes from Cuso, and one of the highlights for me-meeting Mike Robertson. He's well-known for his wild game hunting and cooking, and as it turns out, we have mutual friends. The venison pastry he made was incredible-rich, flavorful, and something I won't forget anytime soon. As the evening went on, we continued mingling and connecting with fellow creators and food lovers. One of the coolest moments was getting to meet Jeremy Andrus in person, chat for a bit, and of course, snap a photo together.
The night kept rolling with more great food, live music from a band, and some entertaining dance moves from yours truly...
Final Goodbyes...and Pastries 🙂
I'm so grateful I got to be a part of this Traeger event in Salt Lake City and meet all these amazing people. Being around folks that love to do what you do is always so energizing and motivating. I left this event with tons of new ideas to cook on my Traeger's and way more knowledge about their products to share with my readers/followers. I'm PUMPED to share more recipe with YOU and spread my love for Traeger. Let me know what you want to see more of by leaving a rating with a comment. Remember...I'm here for you!
I'm also here for the pastries at the airport. I just can't say no to them.. Farewell Utah! Until next time, Happy Smoking!
-Tim Clowers
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