August 2025 | Vol. 21 Iss. 8
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od Special Fo n io Edit
Holladay
Food Truck League
Bridging the gap Making farm to fork affordable
Page 5
How the trucks changed the local dining culture
Page 15
Holladay’s sandwich scene boasts a fierce new contender By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com
Beast From The East features authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. Editor’s note: In this special edition you’ll find articles related to all things food. t 16, Kris Davis knew one thing for sure: he would have nothing more to do with food or customer service. Kris grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey, and had worked as a host for a chain restaurant before deciding the restaurant industry was not for him. Now, the owner of Beast From The East brings bold new flavors to the Salt Lake food scene with his authentic cheesesteak sandwiches. Although he swore off the food industry as a teen, Kris was drawn to the fine-dining environment, with its rigid schedule, high expectations and over-the-top customer service, and he fell in love with it. After working at an upscale restaurant in New Jersey for several years, he took a break to explore Ecuador and the West Coast before relocating to Utah. “I ended up getting a job at The Yurt at Solitude within a couple of days of living here,” he said. “I learned a lot. We in-
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creased the quality of what the Yurt was known for. We turned it from a mountain experience dining, to one of the best fine dining restaurants at the time.” But with all his experience, what he really wanted to do was open his own sandwich shop where he could introduce Utahns to the original Philly cheesesteak, something he hadn’t found anywhere in the state. After some trial and error, Davis partnered with the owner of Cruzrs Saloon at 3943 S. Highland Drive in Holladay, where he took over the bar’s kitchen six months ago. To say it’s been a hit is an understatement. Beast From The East has garnered a cult following thanks to his cheesesteak recipe and his wife’s social media skills. “On one of our first dates, he said it was a dream of his to open up a sandwich shop,” said Megan Davis. “Funnily enough, we came up with the name on a drive. He woke up from a nap and said, ‘Beast From The East is what I’ll call my future sandwich shop.’” The name is a tribute to the legendary New Jersey Devil, At Beast From The East in Holladay, Kris Davis creates genuine East Coast Continued page 5
cheesesteak sandwiches for a growing fan base in the Salt Lake Valley. (Photo courtesy of Megan Davis)
Same People Same Mission We have a new name!
While our name has changed, our mission, volunteers and dedication to supporting our local community remain the same. ulcautah.org
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