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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
When is the last time you had the chance to go to Oasis Café at 150 S. 500 East in Salt Lake City? This Utah restaurant treasure has been in the same location for over 20 years now; however, 10 years ago, it changed hands, and the La Salle Restaurant Group now owns it.
Owners Joel and Jill LaSalle have taken a good restaurant and made it great. They were smart to add on to the menu to broaden their appeal to Utah diners and increase their customer base because they can offer some new selections while keeping local favorites, like the famous dried fruit oatmeal cookies. These cookies are so good they often sell out because as soon as they're available, someone will come in and buy the whole supply.
The grilled albacore tuna sandwich has been a local favorite for over 20 years. The regular Oasis Café customers would revolt for sure if the LaSalles took that off the menu. These sharp restaurateurs have made menu item enhancements over the last six years, and it's really paying off. Between their retail operation, the Golden Braid Book Store, and the main attraction, the Oasis Café, they figure they now have around 20,000 folks a month come through their doors, which represents a 50 percent increase over 2010.
That's no small feat when working in such a competitive business. The restaurant industry in Utah is a major economic engine. In 2011, Utah restaurants were projected to generate over $3 billion in sales. Restaurant jobs also represent 8 percent of employment in Utah with over 100,000 Utahns employed at restaurants. Also, every dollar spent in Utah's restaurants generates an additional $1.25 in sales for the state economy.
When it's all said and done, we all want to eat healthy, so at Oasis Café, the food is local, organic and all homemade, like the well-known Mediterranean potato salad or the outstanding grilled chicken sandwich. This Utah restaurant will surely continue delighting their customers.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Oasis Cafe 151 S. 500 East Salt Lake City, UT 84102 1-801-322-0404 www.oasiscafeslc.com
