My Journey at Chuck A Rama
My buddy, Don Moss, gave me a shout out one day about participating with him in his new restaurant business. Having clocked in full hours at our former corporate jobs in 1966, both Don and his brother-in-law, Wayne Chamberlain, felt it was time to venture into creating their own buffet legacy. The beginnings were humble, to say the least. The first-ever Chuck A Rama was located in Salt Lake City at 744 east 400 south, a former grocery store. Our tiny team handled everything, including cooking, cleaning, accounting — you name it!
Chuck A Rama quickly became a hit, particularly for its mouth-watering meats like roasted beef, gravy, carved turkey, and mashed potatoes. Remembering our first Thanksgiving together at that location still makes me smile. We cooked up four massive turkeys for our hungry patrons. I swear, I can still smell that heavenly aroma of roasting meat and warm gravy!
So, how big is Chuck A Rama Now?
Well, now there are 11 awesome Chuck-A-Rama locations, 9 in Utah and with two more furthering our expansion across the border. Don is currently in the works to launch our 12th restaurant. Davis County, look out – cause here we come! Depending on the construction timeline, we plan on opening later this year. And I guarantee you, it’s gonna be spacious, warm, and filled with delicious home-style food. Due to the increasing customer demand from the lovely folks in Davis County and Ogden, we've also decided to venture up North. Ah, feels like only yesterday we were deciding on the color of the restaurant's sign!
How Does Chuck-A-Rama Stand Out?
Well, first off, our menu perfectly combines the classic with the novel. We understand that everyone has unique tastes and so we strive to cater to all our patrons' needs. Our chefs magically whip up dishes using only the freshest ingredients. Interestingly enough, I still carry snippets of our chefs' robust conversations about the daily fresh ingredients to be used. And oh boy! The arguments about whether the tomatoes are the freshest they could be!
Our food categories range from lip-smacking appetizers, filling main meals, refreshing soups and salads, to decadent desserts. Trust me, there’s something available for everyone, regardless of food tastes and preferences.
My Ordering Experience at the Restaurant
I loved how Chuck A Rama accommodated all types of diners — from those who love to dine in, to those who prefer take-outs. Don would take the time to partner with online food delivery services to ensure we provided contactless delivery. I remember this one time, we had a huge dine-in crowd, and I watched as a tiny lady in her 60s, ready for a feast, asked us to deliver her food while she sat cozily in our retro 70's booth.
This is my favorite part! The menu at Chuck A Rama is, in one word, delightful. Daily entrees like the fried or oven-roasted chicken, roasted turkey, carved ham or roast beef, and dressing with baked onions, butter, and celery are hard to resist. I even attempted to mimic our head chef's turkey marination technique for a Thanksgiving dinner at home. Ah, those were fun (and tasty) days!
The salad bar has an interesting array of options, and their fresh spinach salad, hmmm, just divine. And, if you're a dessert person like me, there's an assortment of tempting desserts such as bread pudding, carrot cake, and peach cobbler ice cream. Trust me, you'll have a tough time choosing!
For the Vegetarians and Vegans Among Us
There might not be a special menu for vegetarians and vegans at Chuck A Rama, but trust me, there's plenty to choose from. The tomato basil soup, fresh salads, and other light bites are all delicious options. I remember, there was a repeat customer who was vegan and she would always order our fresh spinach salad with a side of our tomato basil soup. But do check their site for any updates on the menu.
You bet! At Chuck A Rama, our menu considers everyone, including children. Kids can enjoy classic favorites like mashed potatoes, pizza, macaroni, and cheese, not to mention our desserts, like upside-down pineapple cake and ice cream. Some kids even insist on ordering from our menu by themselves, making the dining experience even more enjoyable for both parents and children alike.
Nutritious and Delicious
Health is important to us at Chuck A Rama. Our restaurant's menu offers a wide selection of nutritious dishes. I remember Don would always emphasize the importance of a balanced meal saying, "We ain't just fillin' bellies here, folks! We're keeping 'em healthy too!" The salads for one are packed with vitamins and can even help in cancer prevention, while the various kinds of meat offered are a rich source of proteins.
When Can I Enjoy a Chuck A Rama Meal?
From Monday to Saturday, we swing open our doors from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. On Sundays, we extend our shut-eye time and open at 12 pm, closing at 8 pm. This practice helps ensure that staff are well-rested and ready to serve with a smile on Mondays. There's nothing like starting your week with a hearty, delicious meal at Chuck A Rama. And you can always check on our website to ensure that your local outlet is open.
The Art of Mashing Potatoes at Home
For the burgeoning home cooks out there, I can tell you that mashed potatoes are one of the simplest recipes to recreate in your kitchen. Chuck A Rama takes immense pride in creating a community of food lovers by making our recipes available to everyone on the restaurant’s site. You never know how easy it is to recreate the magic until you give it a try!
Final Thoughts
Chuck-A-Rama is more than just a restaurant, it’s a family. Don's mission was to create an environment that felt like home and served food that spells comfort. Along the way, I saw the restaurant become a hub for food lovers of all ages, and an avenue for sharing love through the tasty, nostalgic and passionately prepared dishes.
Pros
- Comprehensive menu catering to diverse tastes
- Environment feels like home
- Friendly and efficient staff
- Excellent work ethic
Cons
- Could have a separate menu for vegans & vegetarians
- Locations are still predominantly in Utah
- There may be wait times during rush hours
- Some main dishes could offer more variety