If you like to eat out, but you are tired of going to one national chain restaurant after the other, you might like to try a restaurant chain that started right here in Utah. The Training Table has seven Utah locations that stretch from Midvale in the North to near the South Towne Center and Riverton in the South.
The concept behind the name comes from the idea that athletes in training have a nutrition plan of what to eat for the best performance in their sport. The newest restaurant in Riverton has a large television on the wall tuned to sports for customers to watch while they eat. The menu is filled with a variety of foods, from gourmet burgers and fries, to salads, soups and various other items.
This restaurant has a somewhat unique ordering system. You sit at a table and look through the menu. When you have made your selections you pick up an old style telephone receiver that rings the staff. The person takes your order. When your order is ready the phone buzzes and you go to a counter to pay and pickup your order. Speaking of paying, the prices seem to be in line with other casual dining restaurants.
The online menu describes the Blue Bacon Burger as, “Rich Bleu cheese dressing, hot, crisp bacon, with fresh lettuce, tomatoes and Swiss cheese.” It describes the cheese fries as, “Our giant order of fries, sprinkled with lots of grated Cheddar.” The blue cheese dressing has a distinctive, strong, delicious flavor. In a world where we are bombarded by food filled with sweeteners, like sugar and corn syrup, the unique taste of blue cheese is a welcome break from the norm. The cheddar on the fries was also tasty and flavorful. The Riverton staff says the Blue Bacon Burger is a popular choice. Salt Lake City Weekly voted their fries the Best of Utah in 2008.
The company website, trainingtable.com, says the first restaurant was opened in October 1977 in Midvale. Josie Holt, 21, of Herriman is an employee of The Training Table. She says she has attended classes at Salt Lake Community College. When asked about the restaurant Holt says, “The Training Table is a Utah original restaurant.” One customer, Cameron, 24, of the suburban Salt Lake City area, says his group, “Come here at least a couple times a month.” He says he likes the cheese fries.
A sample order for two of two burger combos, one with cheese fries, and a soup costs about $22.27 after tax at the Riverton location. The Riverton restaurant has no obvious issues with cleanliness in the dining room or the restroom. Health inspection information for The Training Table is available at the Salt Lake Valley Health Department website, slvhealth.org.
The Training Table has numerous options for the many tastes of Utah locals and visitors. Whether you are in the mood for the traditional burger, fries and a Coke or a green, leafy salad there is something at The Training Table that is right for you.