“Are Sidecar Doughnuts really that much better? Is it just a lemming thing?” my editor asked when I pitched a review of Salt Lake City’s hottest (literally) new sugary sweet.
Sidecar Doughnuts opened last week and excitement rippled through the county. Local food influencers posted about the opening and raved about the doughnuts all over my Instagram feed. More than one person I know tried to get doughnuts but were deterred by the lack of available parking and long lines.
My editor’s question is a fair one. … With every new out-of-state franchise opening, there’s quite a bit of pomp and circumstance, and rarely does the food match the excitement surrounding it. Which is, in my opinion, a customer problem. We tend to conflate nostalgia with our adoration of a meal. And my memories of Sidecar Doughnuts are intertwined with memories of California vacations to the beach and Disneyland…