Contento Cafe — Restaurant in South Salt Lake

Okay this is a very honest review, I really really wanted to love this place. It got recommended to me and it’s a place that’s right up my alley in terms of trying new places.

We went on a Sunday for brunch, it was pretty busy but we didn’t have to wait for a table. My boyfriend is Hispanic and we were both shocked to see that chilaquiles and 2 asada tacos were about $21-$25 each item. But we want to support local and ordered them anyway despite the price point. I also ordered a horchata latte.

We waited about 20 minutes for our food and as soon as it came out I felt my food and it was room temperature borderline cold, so was my boyfriend’s food. I also still hadn’t received my latte, which I ordered before we placed our food order. We told our waiter that our food was not hot and he apologized and the owner came over, apologized and said he would reheat the food. Odd choice of words, because food should never be reheated, they should have just remade our dishes. He offered us 20% off our meal, which was a nice gesture. We waited about another 10 minutes to receive our food a second time. This time my plate was insanely hot and my boyfriends was plate was cool to the touch, which leads me to believe they just put my plate in the microwave to reheat it and quickly remade the chilaquiles since it’s an easy dish. And I finally received my horchata latte, it was pretty good and a good price point for $6. We were starving by this point so we just started eating. As soon as I tried to pick up my tacos they immediately crumbled and fell apart, i assume from the moisture of being reheated in the microwave. My boyfriend’s chilaquiles were good, crispy chips and good flavor on the sauce and asada. My tacos were alright, the asada is good, I can tell they buy quality meat. But other than that, not worth paying $25 for.

As we are mid meal, mouths full of food, a waitress comes over, who wasn’t our original waiter, and says can I close out your table? My boyfriend and I looked at each other so confused, because what restaurant has ever had you close out your tab in the middle of your meal while you’re still eating the food? Anyway, I asked her to come back at the end of our meal when we were finished, like any other normal eating establishment. And she just stood there and didn’t move and expected us to give her our card. It was so bizarre to me and immediately put a bad taste in my mouth and I completely lost my appetite. AND she didn’t even give us 20% off like the owner said he would. And we weren’t about to chase down the owner and ask for him to take that off, so we just paid accordingly. $60 for the entire meal and I left unsatisfied.

I will say the ambiance of this place is 9/10. The marketing is also 9/10. I do realize this place has only been open for about a month and I hope it works out all of its kinks for the quality of service, flavor profile, and employee presentation to match its price point. I was disappointed because I had high expectations. I do appreciate that they employ Hispanic cooks, not that it matters too much, I just personally like to see who is cooking my food and where it is coming from.

Overall, I really hope this place doesn’t turn out like Sundays best. Where it’s all aesthetic and caters mainly to the Caucasians, and no care for the quality of food. I will come back in a couple months to try their dinner and cocktail menu out, because I still have high hopes for this place and hopefully by then they will be...

let me start off by saying I am not easily impressed and take reviews very seriously!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Contento, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience. From the moment I walked in, I could sense their commitment to providing a high-quality yet cozy atmosphere.

One of the things that truly stood out to me was Contento's dedication to using whole foods. It was refreshing to know that every ingredient in their dishes was carefully selected to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional value. From the vibrant vegetables to the tender meats, it was evident that no shortcuts were taken in the kitchen.

But what really impressed me was their commitment to making everything from scratch. Each dish was prepared with love and attention to detail, and you could taste the difference. The homemade tortillas were warm and soft, the salsas bursting with freshness, and the flavors were simply unparalleled. It's rare to find a restaurant that puts so much effort into every aspect of their menu.

Another aspect that deserves recognition is Contento's dedication to using organic ingredients. They understand the importance of sustainability and supporting local farmers, and it shows in the quality of their dishes. Every bite felt not only delicious but also guilt-free, knowing that the ingredients were free from harmful pesticides and chemicals.

And let's not forget about their commitment to avoiding seed oils. It's a well-known fact that many restaurants use cheap and unhealthy oils in their cooking, but not Contento. They go the extra mile to use healthier alternatives, ensuring that their food is not only tasty but also nourishing.

Overall, my experience at Contento exceeded all expectations. I left feeling not only satisfied but also good about the choices I had made. It's a restaurant that truly cares about its customers' well-being and goes above and beyond to provide a dining experience that is both delicious and wholesome. I can't wait to return and try everything else on their menu.

During my visit, I had the pleasure of trying their salmon tacos, and they were simply outstanding. As someone who is cautious about trusting fish in Utah, I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness and quality of the salmon. It was undoubtedly the best salmon taco I had ever tasted.

Their commitment to avoiding seed oils sets them apart from the rest. If you're looking for a Mexican restaurant where you can indulge in delicious food made with care and feel good about your choices, Contento is the...

I grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Contento Cafe is without a doubt the Best Mexican food I have had since moving to Utah. When I first moved here, I spent several months searching for good Mexican. Some places checked a few boxes but not all. Everything I ate tonight were like the comforts of home starting with the house-made tomatillo poblano sauce. The decorations transported you to your own private hacienda. They have space for a few large parties but mostly cater to small groups of 2. I understand they have some outdoor seating, too. We came after dark, and on a night it was drizzly. I feel super fortunate we came during dia de los muertos. Their offrenda was authentic and heartwarming. It made me want to bring my own photo of my loved one, a candle and flowers.

The choice of music was incredibly lovely. I commented to my sister several times how much I liked the songs they played. They have local bands come play later at night. This would not be my preference since I have a sensitivity to loud noises, so I appreciate that the bands come later in the evening.

We met the owner, Loren, and his GM, "Mama Coco." All the wait staff were pleasant. And drum roll - you know it's good food when the hands behind the wheel are Hispanic brethren and sisters. But these amigos were on another level of artists. I can not say enough how incredibly good the food tasted. All the ingredients blended together perfectly like happy little mariachis in your mouth. And for my fellow gluten-free friends - this is a safe place. I'm actually doing low fodmap, and the things I ate have still not caused any symptoms. It is a bit pricey. But it's obvious you are paying for a high-quality experience. I like that there weren't 100 different options on the menu. All your classic Hispanic fare but again Not your average experience. Do Not miss the Horchata. This is the best horchata I have ever tasted. It was the perfect blend of cinnamon, rice, and milk. So many times horchata tastes watered down. Not this one. It was tempting not to order an entire bottle to go.

The service was a bit lacking but I suppose it is a fine balance between too much in your face, here's your food, here's your check, get you out the door versus we'll let you stay as long as you like because mi casa es su casa, right?

Hands down, this place will be on repeat, albeit sparingly. Definitely a place where I would want to celebrate different life...