Tanks for the Memories: St. George Slays For Food!
- Lindsay Britts
- Aug 31, 2017
- 4 min read
Getting inspired to do a little cruisin’ of your own? Ready to hit the road for a weekend ride to a place you’ve never been before? We can show you the best trips in your neck of the woods and you won’t even have to stop to fuel up. Each week, we pick a starting city and plan a getaway to some of the most charming, energetic, and just plain fun places that you’ll only need one tank of gas to reach. When it’s all over, you’ll be able to say… TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
Starting City: Las Vegas, NV
Destination: St. George, UT
Distance: about 120 miles
Sometimes adventures can hit a little bit of peril, like when your car breaks down in the middle of the Utah desert at 2AM. Out of all the emotions you feel, one of them is definitely, “Where do I go from here?” That’s what happened to me last week, and luckily the nearest shop to repair my car was in a small town that offered a lot of refuge from my panic and a lot of delicious food to get my mind off of the impending bill. If you’re in Las Vegas and more inclined to get out than get stuck, the city of St. George, Nevada has a slower pace with a more varied menu than the neon-fueled streets you’re used to, all at a fraction of the costs.
Courtesy: Lindsay Britts
The area was inhabited by the Anasazi and Paiute Indians before the city of St. George was founded in the mid-19th century by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons. The oldest LDS Church that still operates today was built in 1877. Unfortunately after WWII, the are received fallout from nuclear testing in the area that affected the population of the town. Regardless of this past event, many people are choosing to move to the city because of its magnificent views and climate. A decade ago St. George was the one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States.
I had to stay in a hotel near the auto shop, the Red Lion Hotel. I would stay there again, as their reasonable rates come with amenities such as the pool, hot tub, fitness room, and a restaurant built into the hotel. The Green Iguana offered up some comida deliciosa, welcoming you into the Southwest. The salsa verde was a great thickness and sweetness, accompanying my carnitas chimichanga without interfering with the meat and cheese inside.
If you are like me and prefer as much of your food inside other food as possible, then Croshaw Pies will be the epitome of your dining experience in St. George. Not only do they have scores of dessert pies-- cherry, fresh peach, raisin, and apple among them-- but they also serve individual pot pies and slices of quiche. The crust on every pie I tasted was buttery and flaky without tasting over-doughy. My favorite slice of pie I had from Croshaw’s, as I made several visits in the time I was there, was the lemon sour cream pie with whipped cream on top. The “sour cream” part was more like a cheesecake, and a thick layer of lemon was on top of it. It was so rich that I had to save half the slice for later. It was worth it.
Courtesy: Lindsay Britts
Two other places I ate were Tom’s Deli, with a great pastrami and ham sandwich, and Roy's Pizza and Pasta, where a calzone filled me up for a few meals. But I can’t end the article without mentioning my excitement upon finding the town’s Culver’s. I haven’t had Culver’s in years so it was a great treat. There are seven locations in Utah and the one in St. George is one of the most westerly. The burger was just as I remember, and the cheese curds gave a delightful squeak when I bit into them. There’s something about rediscovering a Midwest favorite in the desert that gave me a bit of comfort. I have to give a huge shout-out to the crew at St. George Auto Repair, who were upfront and honest about my car. I had to stay longer than expected due to an out-of-house machining error, and they wouldn’t put me on the road back to Los Angeles until they were certain everything was 100% correct. They were hospitable and understanding of my circumstances, and one of the managers even gave me a lift to my hotel with my luggage. I would be amiss if I didn’t also mention their fair prices in addition to their outstanding assurance to quality. Those guys are getting the biggest muffin basket I can find! Well, our cars always take us interesting places, don’t they? Until next time, Cruisers!
STRETCH YOUR LEGS: If you’re looking for a place to gamble without the crowds of Las Vegas, Mesquite, Nevada has several casinos that can offer an experience without the clutter. Both the CasaBlanca Resort and Casino and the Eureka Casino Resort offer amenities like restaurants, spas, pools, and the chance to get a golf game in, all in addition to the gambling offered. An oasis awaits!
LEARN MORE:
https://www.sgcity.org/ https://www.visitstgeorge.com/
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