CLOSED: Brumby’s Hometown Cafe brings Western charm to Santaquin
Chicken Fried Chicken (front), Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Grilled Chicken Salads are offered at Brumby's Hometown Cafe in Santaquin. The restaurant describes itself as a hometown cafe that offers "good ol' comfort food" in a Western atmosphere.
A Grilled Chicken Salad is offered at Brumby's Hometown Cafe in Santaquin on Wednesday.
Brumby's Hometown Cafe is now open in Santaquin.
Chicken Fried Chicken (front), Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Grilled Chicken Salads are offered at Brumby's Hometown Cafe.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches are offered at Brumby's Hometown Cafe in Santaquin.
The Cowboy Ribeye is available at Brumby's Hometown Cafe in Santaquin.
Brumby's Hometown Cafe features a charming mix of cowboy decor. (And the food isn't too shabby either.)
Since moving to Santaquin eight months ago, it’s been fun to see the small town grow. Homes are popping up everywhere, city streets have been widened and beautified, ground is being prepped for a grocery store, and more and more restaurants are opening their doors.
Brumby’s Hometown Cafe is the newest restaurant to welcome diners in the southern-most town in Utah County. Tucked into the corner of a little strip mall on Main Street, this cafe is filled with Western charm — from the exterior saddle-draped hitching post to the cowpoke-themed interior decor to the flavorful menu to the charming service and everything in between.
Walking into Brumby’s is like being transported to a working dude ranch. The small restaurant is filled with decorative horseshoes, boots, lassos, spurs, photographs of modern-day horse wrangling (using helicopters), a stunning antler chandelier and even some cheeky Western sayings proudly displayed on the wall. And don’t forget the chuckwagon! Behind the barnwood-paneled wall is a chuckwagon kitchen where chefs are busily preparing steaks, burgers, salads and more.
The Brumby’s menu features a number of those steak, burger and salad options, along with a host of hot and cold sandwiches, appetizers like fried pickles and cheese fries, chili, and even a pasta dish.
To kick off our meal, I decided to order up an appetizer of onion rings. I’m so glad I did. These onion rings were deliciously fresh, perfectly crisp with a light batter and a tender onion flavor. These were probably the best onion rings I’ve had in a very long time. A great way to start off the night’s meal.
With so many tempting entree items on the menu, it was a difficult choice as I debated between the Pacific South West Burger with Swiss cheese, bacon, and grilled pineapple and the Sundried Tomato Chicken Penne boasting a creamy sundried tomato and garlic sauce with bacon and grilled chicken.
After querying our waitress, she recommended the pasta. “My husband and I share it all the time,” she said. So my decision was made.
The serving of pasta was abundant. No wonder the waitress said she shared it with her husband. Good thing I love pasta leftovers! The flavor of the dish was perfect. The bacon and chicken combination created a great saltiness to balance the sweetness of the sundried tomatoes. My only wish was that there had been more of those candy-sweet tomatoes in the pasta. I love seeing chunks of sundried tomatoes mixed in with the creamy sauce.
My husband ordered up the Chicken Fried Chicken. This cowboy-sized helping was served up with baby red mashed potatoes, peppery white gravy and a pile of broccoli.
Sixteen-year-old Courtany, my Mac & Cheese lover, naturally ordered up the Cheddar Mac N’ Cheese. Topped with smoky bacon, breadcrumbs and herbs, she was quick to clean her plate.
Other menu items I’m looking forward to trying one of these days include the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, which boasts a root beer barbecue sauce. I’m also interested in trying the Scorpion Quesadilla where I’m hoping the only “sting” comes in the form of jalapeños you can add to the cheesy tortilla.
If you’re looking for a new place to enjoy some good homestyle food in southern Utah County, be sure and add Brumby’s Hometown Cafe to your dining options.
BRUMBY’S HOMETOWN CAFE
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: 340 E. Main St., Santaquin
Prices: $3.50 for a cup of chili or soup up to $19.50 for the ribeye steak
Info: (801) 754-5941 or on Facebook