Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC - Utah's biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. I started Shop Smart to catalogue my adventures in the grocery store and kitchen. Follow along on Instagram too!

Veggie chimichangas

July 4, 2021 by Stuart Melling

If you ever need a reason to grab an air fryer, this one is in the top tier of best things to cook. Simply create your favorite burrito, make sure …

Field Roast Buffalo Wings review

July 3, 2021 by Stuart Melling

This is the type of product that incredulous meat eaters often look at and ask, “so you don’t eat animals huh, why do you have to copy an animal product.” …

Mason Dixie Buttermilk Breakfast Sandwich review

July 3, 2021July 3, 2021 by Stuart Melling

A breakfast sandwich, from box to belly in two minutes or less – so goes the promise on this attractively boxed sandwich I secured from Whole Foods. I admit it, …

Sol Cuisine Meatless Meatballs

June 20, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Sol Cuisine can be found in the freezer section of a number of stores. These meatballs come nine to a bag, which is also resealable. Cooking: Cook from frozen. The …

Banquet Nashville Hot Mega Strips review

July 4, 2021June 20, 2021 by Stuart Melling

I don’t think it would be overly harsh to say Banquet is a brand traditionally associated with the budget section of the freezer aisle; dollar-priced frozen pot pies and chicken …

Chicken fried steak and eggs

June 15, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Chicken fried steak – does it get any more Americana classic than this? If you’re craving something more comfort food than health food – you really don’t’ need to look …

Field Roast Signature Stadium Dogs review

July 4, 2021June 15, 2021 by Stuart Melling

The news that these veggie dogs from Field Roast had become an official Plant-Based dish for the LA Dodgers certainly caught my eye; I love to see the new wave …

Delimex Beef Taquitos review

June 1, 2021 by Stuart Melling

More than two dozen tightly packed taquitos come stashed in this box. Inside the box is a non resealable plastic pack. From there, you can enjoy taquitos in no time …

InnovAsian Orange Chicken review

June 1, 2021 by Stuart Melling

The premise is simple – the flavors of your local American-Chinese restaurant, available on hand from the convenience of your home freezer anytime the mood strikes. Cooking: This is a …

Tyson Country Fried Steak – an American classic?

July 4, 2021June 1, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Ahhh, country fried steak, the American classic. Juicy rich beef, thick crunchy breading, maybe a side of country gravy and eggs? Tyson looks to bring the staple direct to your …