You know you want one.
A Lion House roll. Big. Soft. With a dab of honey butter.
Breakfast was so long ago, and you were one of the 21,000 people sitting in the Conference Center during the Saturday morning session. Spiritually fed, yes, but now you and the other 20,999 plus the overflow crowd are looking for some physical nourishment.
The Lion House rolls (available at the Lion House Pantry Restaurant on Temple Square) along with the Lion House's signature pies and the Nauvoo Cafe's pot pies are among the most popular items during general conference weekend, said Neil Wilkinson, director of marketing for Temple Square Hospitality, which manages the Lion House Pantry, the Nauvoo Cafe and the Garden and Roof restaurants.
"They make as many (pot pies) as they can, but they always run out," Wilkinson said. "That's the ultimate comfort food — a nice turkey or steak pot pie."
And then, they can sit outside (if it's good weather) and enjoy.
General conference weekends are the busiest for the four dining establishments near Temple Square, with as much as a 50 percent increase over an average weekend, Wilkinson said.
"At conference time, they are looking for quick things," Wilkinson said. That's one reason many head to the Lion House Pantry for the buffet-style line.
As such, the Nauvoo Cafe offers box lunches and the Roof Restaurant only opens for a lunch buffet during conference.
Down Main Street at Lamb's Grill Cafe (169 S. Main), they make sure to have enough wait staff for the uptick in business.
"We are going to be busy," said Angela Johnson, the night manager. "We have certain families who have been coming here for years."
During the conference rush, patrons usually stick to cheeseburgers or sandwiches, or a soup and salad combination, Johnson said.
And if the lines there are too long for you (or you are with some picky eaters), there are other fast food options within a block or two downtown. The City Creek Food Court (28 S. State), Subway (18 W. 100 South) and Carl's Jr. (75 E. 200 South) are likely no farther than where you parked.
For a complete list of downtown dining options, see www.downtownslc.org and click on "eat."
Dining on Temple Square
Nauvoo Cafe:
Lobby level, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Open Saturday, 8 a.m.-10:45 p.m.
Box lunches available on a first-come, first-served basis, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Roof Restaurant
10th floor, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Saturday Conference lunch buffet, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$17 adults, $9 ages 6 to 11, $5 children 5 and under
Reservations recommended; call 801-539-1911
Dinner, Saturday, 4:30-10 p.m.
Lion House Pantry
63 E. South Temple
Open Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Homestyle food buffet
Garden Restaurant
10th floor, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Open Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
(See templesquarehospitality.com)
Dining on Temple Square
Nauvoo Cafe:
Lobby level, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Open Saturday, 8 a.m.-10:45 p.m.
Box lunches available on a first-come, first-served basis, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Roof Restaurant
10th floor, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Saturday Conference lunch buffet, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$17 adults, $9 ages 6 to 11, $5 children 5 and under
Reservations recommended; call 801-539-1911
Dinner, Saturday, 4:30-10 p.m.
Lion House Pantry
63 E. South Temple
Open Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Homestyle food buffet
Garden Restaurant
10th floor, Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Open Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.