Mochinut Sugar House
After a three-year run in their Sugar House spot, Mochinut today confirmed the imminent closure of the location (2142 S Highland Dr). The restaurant’s specialty was mochi donuts (pictured top), a fusion of American and Japanese flavors. The announcement on Instagram reads, “To our valued Salt Lake City community,
After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close our Sugar House location, with our final day of operation being Friday, August 15.
We’re incredibly grateful for the support, loyalty, and memories shared over the years. This city has meant so much to us as our first location, and while we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re proud of the community we built together.
Our other locations remain unaffected. Please stop by this week and help give our dedicated staff the send-off they deserve. Thank you, Salt Lake City, it’s been an amazing journey. “
The Sugar House area has undergone a fairly tumultuous few years, restaurant and bar-wise. In the past eighteen months, Beard Papas, Sugar House BBQ, Deadpan Sandwich, By The Bucket, The Locker Room, and Trolley Wingo Co have all departed. Speaking of which.
Trolley Wing Company
Posting last week on Facebook, the more than 25-year-old TWC called time on their remaining locations in town. The business wrote:
“Goodbye. After years of pouring drinks, swapping stories, and making epic memories under these dim lights, Trolley Wing Co. will be closing its doors for the last time on July 26th at our Taylorsville location and August 3rd at our Midvale location. 
We’re heartbroken to say goodbye—but we’re also deeply grateful. This bar was never just about the booze. It was the familiar faces at the same stools every week. It was first dates, last calls, broken hearts, and laughs till you cry. It was where strangers became regulars, and regulars became family. Where we cheered, cursed, and high-fived through every season. Where wings were always hot, beers were always cold, and the vibe was always just right. It was home—for so many of us. A safe space to escape reality on either side of the bar.
Thank you for being part of this wild, beautiful ride. Whether you were here once or a thousand times, you helped shape this place into something unforgettable. For every “just one more” round that turned into hours of laughter. You made this place magic.
Come by before we turn off the neons for good. One last drink, one last story, one last basket of wings, one last night to remember. With all our love, The Trolley Phamily.”
Founded in 1999, the final closures represent something of the end of an era for one of the most long-lived names on the dining scene. Per the name, the business was started in humble settings – taking up home in a former trolley car at Trolley Square. The business underwent significant expansion through the decades, opening substantially larger locations in Sugar House, Taylorsville, and Midvale.
EastWest Connection
According to the Salt Lake Tribune in this article, the East side business is set to close due to nearby construction issues. Located at 1400 Foothill Dr, the business was first opened some twenty-five years ago in 2000, and in later years was purchased and operated by chef Takeyasu Nunokawa.
J Dawgs Logan
It strikes me that I missed the closure of this one back in April this year. So, by way of completionism, here it is now, the Logan location (505 E 1400 N) of the popular dog shop is no more. The Logan Foodies Facebook group tipped me off to this one. The business, of course, has many remaining stores up and down the Wasatch as well as concession outlets at six local arenas and venues.
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Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.
I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV. Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.
Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.
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