Jen Castle and Blake Spalding. Photo by Adam Finkle.
Who but these ladies would show up to our photo shoot with a live chicken and fixings to make deviled eggs? That’s right, Jen Castle and Blake Spalding made the drive from Boulder and stopped by a friend’s house to grab a clucking hen on the way in. These eggs, as Jen put it, were “not just boring ass” with lime zest, HBG’s She-Devil hot sauce and Kewpie mayo. We wouldn’t expect anything less from these culinary monks. This year, we sent several writers down to Boulder to verify what we already knew. Hell’s Backbone is a gem in the center of Utah that shines brighter every year and is once again deserving of a place among the best restaurants of 2026. hellsbackbonegrill.com
Side Dish
Jen, Blake and their new business partners (three former employees) were able to purchase the entire Boulder Mountain Lodge property where the restaurant has always been, and now own the whole joint.
This year’s 2026 Dining Awards is a showcase of the best experiences across Utah’s foodscape, and a reminder that each recommendation is a promise. A human-to-human promise. An assurance that a restaurant we say is amazing, is amazing. As you consider your next celebratory meal or casual weeknight outing, here’s your menu of Salt Lake’s 2026 gustatory darlings. The food is thoughtful, the hospitality is warm and the chefs care deeply about the dishes on your table.We promise.
