Morty's Café

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

EMILY BUCKLEY editor in chief

I can’t think of a more iconic American meal than a good burger and fries. If you want a meal that is iconically local, try a burger from Morty’s Café, located on Utah State University’s (USU) campus on the corner of Darwin Avenue and 700 North.

Owned by Preston Parker, a USU adjunct professor, and Ty Mortensen, a USU alum, the restaurant opened in 2014 and has been recognized as the Best Burger in Cache Valley in the Cache Valley Family Magazine Best of Cache Valley Awards, Herald Journal Reader’s Choice Awards, Best of Northern Utah awards, and Logan Foodies annual votes every year since.

Morty’s is known for serving up their delicious burgers and fries on stainless steel trays, but they also serve salads, shakes, onion rings, pulled pork sandwiches, and breakfast burritos. Oh, and don’t miss their one-of-a-kind scone fries topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, with your choice of honey butter or raspberry cheese dip.

“We get asked regularly if we sell bottles of our Morty’s sauce,” Preston said. “We don’t yet, but it is on our radar.”

Preston says that thanks to its proximity to USU and its popularity among students and campus visitors, their burgers and other offerings really are known around the world, but what makes him most proud is their ongoing community involvement.

“The best thing about having a successful business is the opportunity it affords us to be involved with and sponsor community events and organizations,” Preston said. “It is not just our food or the unique experience people know us for.”

He says that over the last seven years they have been able to support countless sports teams, film festivals, arts events, and important local non-profit organizations like CAPSA and Cache Employment and Training Center.

“There is much more than food to the Morty’s story,” Preston said. “And I’m very pleased by that.”

So, what should you order at Morty’s? Preston suggests that a good starting point is the Thursday student special, which he clarified you don’t really have to be a student to take advantage of: For $6 you can get an Iconic Burger and fries. If you want to get more creative, one of their most popular menu offerings is the Hawaiian, which features house-made pineapple relish.

If you’re like me and the parking situation close to USU keeps you from going to Morty’s as often as you would like, there is good news! Their food truck will be parked regularly in the lot on the corner of 400 North and Main Street to allow burger lovers a chance to enjoy their Morty’s favorites more conveniently. Their truck is also available for catering events and can often be seen at community events like Summerfest or at the American West Heritage Center, or even at private events such as weddings.