A gourmand's heaven and a dieter's nightmare: This is the city's so-called "Restaurant Row."
Eight major eating establishments line a frontage road just east of I-15. Add another 34 restaurants within a half-mile of the "row" and it likely equals the largest concentration of public eating places in the state.From steak to buffets to seafood to fast food - just about every popular type of food can be ordered here in the area around the Layton Hills Mall.
The Restaurant Row has become a regional draw, attracting customers from south Davis County, Ogden and even Salt Lake County, said Layton City Manager Alex Jensen.
If one restaurant has a long line, people know there's another just around the corner.
"A lot of people come here to eat," Jensen said. "There are many good choices. . . . I would guess they draw people to stores in the area, too. They feed off each other."
Tony Roma's, Applebee's, Outback Steak House, Golden Corral, Red Robin, Marie Callender's, Cracker Barrel and JB's make up the main row of restaurants - all less than a couple of years old, except JB's.
Restaurant Row has attracted some national chains, including Cracker Barrel, which chose to locate its first Utah outlet in Layton.
Ironically, 12 years ago Layton only had a handful of sit-down restaurants. Many residents used to complain about having to travel to Ogden or Salt Lake City for quality dining. Today, add the other 35 restaurants in the city to those around the mall and you have 77 total eating places in Layton - creating a lot of restaurants for the city's 50,000 residents.
The city also has four McDonald's restaurants.
Jensen said it wasn't Layton's original plan to have any restaurants located north of the Layton Hills Mall - a drawing card of its own. The city had hoped for a large business park in the area. There are some offices there, but the eating places dominate.
"We've been surprised at the number of restaurants," Jensen said. "They continue to want to come. . . . It's a very, very hot area, one of the hottest in the state."
Jensen said city leaders have discussed the possible oversaturation of restaurants many times.
He said the eateries all seem to be thriving. None in the area has closed, though ripple effects have hurt some other restaurants, mainly along the city's borders and in neighboring Clearfield.
Most incoming restaurants do their homework and won't build where it wouldn't be profitable.
"They're a good revenue producer," Jensen said.
Two more restaurants are planned as part of the development near Antelope and 1000 West, where Target is under construction, Jensen said.
Complementing the restaurants in the area are the Layton Movies 10 and a new Layton Movies Seven, now being built, with a February completion date.
Another 10-screen movie complex to be built for Cineplex Odeon is planned east of Tony Roma's. If this complex is built, Layton will boast the largest concentrations of movie screens in the state.
Besides the new Target, stores are numerous in the area and inside the mall. There are even three motels - Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn Express and La Quinta Inn - within walking distance of Restaurant Row.
In addition, Traveler's Inn is just south of the mall, near the Red Lobster and Training Table restaurants.
Since the city's always been good at attracting retail and restaurants, Jensen said Layton is now hoping for more office buildings to locate east of Restaurant Row. That will bring a more diverse mix to the area and hopefully provide some needed high-paying jobs to the city.
Jensen said traffic congestion hasn't been much of a problem, especially since the city connected 1000 West Street - the main portion of Restaurant Row - to Antelope Drive.
Layton has also worked out a deal with the Utah Department of Transportation to widen Antelope Drive from two to four lanes by next fall between Hill Field Road and I-15.
The city will also add a traffic signal at 1000 West and Antelope.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Eating in Layton
"Restaurant Row"
Applebee's, Cracker Barrel, JB's, Golden Corral, Marie Callender's, Outback Steak House, Red Robin, Tony Roma's
Inside the Layton Hills Mall
Chang Chun, Chick-Fil-A, Dairy Queen, Nacho Fast, Shish-ka-hods, Pizza Cutter, Pretzelmaker, Taco Maker
Others within a half-mile
Blimpie, Burger King, Duckwaters Grill, Denny's, Domino's Pizza, Einstein's, Fuddruckers, Garcia's, Hometown Buffet, Kenny Rogers Roasters, KFC, Lone Star Steakhouse, McDonald's, McDonald's (inside Wal-Mart), New World Deli, Olive Garden, Quizno's Classic Subs, Red Lobster, S.F. Sourdough Pizza, Sconecutter, Shoney's, Sizzler, Skipper's, Taco Bell, Training Table, Wendy's