Sidecar Doughnuts Impresses Salt Lake City Locals

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sidecar Doughnuts, a popular California-based doughnut shop, has opened its first location outside of the Golden State in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new shop has generated significant buzz and excitement among local residents, with long lines and rave reviews for the shop's signature doughnuts, particularly the butter and salt variety. While the high prices have raised some eyebrows, the author's own experience confirms that the doughnuts live up to the hype, blending nostalgia and exceptional flavor.

Why it matters

The opening of Sidecar Doughnuts in Salt Lake City represents the expansion of a popular West Coast brand into a new market, tapping into the growing demand for high-quality, artisanal doughnuts. The long lines and enthusiastic response from locals highlight the power of food trends and the ability of a well-executed concept to generate excitement, even in the face of higher prices.

The details

After an initial failed attempt due to the long lines, the author returned to Sidecar Doughnuts and was able to sample a variety of the shop's offerings, including the signature butter and salt doughnut, as well as vanilla bean glazed, strawberry buttermilk, and old-fashioned varieties. Despite initial concerns about the high prices, the author found the doughnuts to be exceptional, with the butter and salt doughnut in particular standing out as one of the best things the author has ever tasted.

• Sidecar Doughnuts opened in Salt Lake City on January 21, 2026.
• The author visited the shop twice, first being deterred by the long lines and returning later in the day.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The author plans to continue visiting Sidecar Doughnuts in Salt Lake City, as the shop has become a new destination for the author and their family.