One Year Later and The Over Bite is Blessed.

The Over Bite

133 E Center St.

Monticello, UT, 84535

Phone: (435) 485-0550

Hours of Operation:  Monday thru Saturday, 7am – 8pm; Closed Sunday

Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Over-Bite/100094723847945/

“This business is a blessing as, it not only kept the family together, but helped us get closer.  Not only that, we became closer to the residents, and feel welcomed by, and part of, the community.” – Patrick and Shylowe Chadd, owners of The Over Bite.

 

July 15, 2026 was the one-year anniversary for The Over Bite, and much was learned by the Chadd family.  “We’ve been, and still are, running this business by the seat of our pants”, says Shylowe, but the pros far outweigh the cons.  Developing a deep connection with the community was a huge advantage as they were able to learn how to accommodate their customers.  Winter was the con as the lack of folks venturing out, or traveling through, diminished, but the shop managed to stay open and still make sales.

Likes and dislikes taught them what worked on the menu, and what didn’t.  For example, I don’t like tomatoes on my favorite sandwich, Comb Ridge Club, but employee Kellan loves the Red Rock Gobbler with extra sprouts.  In other words, the customers are going to get what they want, how they like it, and always with a smile. 

 

The most popular sandwiches?  It varies daily, just as they think they’ve figured it out, the customers surprise them by trying something different; that’s a good thing! This opened up the option of dropping non-requested items, and introducing new ones that have become very popular instead.  The Dependable, a breakfast sandwich named after Dependable Auto due to the owners sending many a customer down to The Over Bite.  Now that’s a perfect example of one business supporting another business, and vice versa. 

 

Newest signature sandwich is The Over Bite, the classic Reuben with a very tasty twist, the dressing.  Instead of the typical sweet 1000 Island dressing, it’s a combination of horseradish sauce, mustard and mayonnaise.  This is there #1 best seller, so I had to try it, and was floored; this is a sandwich that needs to be savored, not scarfed down.  Oh, kudos to Eli Chadd, who made my sandwich while mom and dad supervised…great job!  Anyway, after each bite, chewing, tasting how the meat, cheese, sauerkraut interacted with the sauce; oh, it was definitely not a sandwich to be eaten quickly.  Which, of course, cost me half a sandwich as hubby snagged the other half while I was lollygagging.

 

Good news came to the Chadds when San Juan County Economic Development awarded them a business grant.  They were able to finally buy a steam oven which was needed to make perfect sour dough bread.  The oven can bake 18 loaves per batch, so they can keep it in stock.  Instead of creating other types of breads (white, wheat), their focus is on sour dough, and infusing with ingredients such as cinnamon, raisins, or blueberries enhance the variety in stock.

Besides their popular menu items, they have dips to go with the sour dough bread, brownies, cookies, and cheesecake for Valentine’s was a huge seller.  Experimenting with gluten free products has been positive so far; those with celiac disease have been very happy with the products purchased.

Of course, smoothies, sodas (they can be dirty if desired), hot drinks and cold drinks are available, but most folks love their coffee.  Real coffee, caffeinated, hot, cold, latted or blended.

But wait, don’t be discourage if coffee is not your thing; newest item available is called Pero, and it is becoming a best seller.  Pero is a 100% natural, caffeine-free roasted grain beverage made from barley, malted barley, chicory, and rye. Designed to mimic the roasted taste and aroma of coffee, it contains no stimulants or artificial ingredients. Because of its low acidity, it is a popular alternative for those looking to avoid caffeine or acid reflux.  While some like it hot, served cold is the #1 way it’s being ordered by customers avoiding coffee and caffeine.

 

The Over Bite interior can accommodate up to 49 people.  Therefore, clubs, groups, family gatherings are welcome.  For huge sports events, there is a large screen television; grab a meal and cheer on your favorite team. Outdoor seating has been installed, so dining outside, in pleasant weather, is a plus.  Catering is a Yes!  Whether you want to use the restaurant, or have them come to you, chat with the Chadds and you will get the best of the best they have to offer.  The products they use are sourced locally, or via the Sysco Food Service which is widely used by the restaurant industry.

 

Congratulation to the Chadds, and The Over Bite, for a year full of blessings, camaraderie with the Monticello community, and offering good food and drink to anyone stopping by.  Except now I don’t know which is my favorite any longer, Comb Ridge Club or The Over Bite sandwich…. how do I choose!?!

Mary Cokenour

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunity Reopens Doors to The Over Bite - A Restaurant Review.

The Over Bite

133 E Center Street, Monticello, UT, 84535

(435) 485-0550

Hours of Operation: Friday-Tuesday 7am-2pm; Closed Wednesday,Thursday and Sunday.

 

 

 

Due to demands of full-time jobs, away from The Over Bite, the former owners needed to say goodbye to their dream child.  Fortunately, this provided an opportunity to Shylowe and Patrick Chadd, since they were seeking a new financial venture.  So, when opportunity came a-knocking, they opened their doors, and The Over Bite did too.  July 16, 2025 was reopening day, and the community has been singing their praises.

Shylowe, from Blanding, was no stranger to the restaurant industry, having experience in both waitressing/customer service, and management.  She received an LLC for her personal business venture, Wholesome Cravings, since baking is a passion.  Her expertise is in sourdough, and her bread, which is tender and delicious, is a best seller.  She also includes sourdough in the creation of cookies and cinnamon rolls which sell out of the display case quickly.  In essence, Shylowe is the “Queen of Sourdough”, and once you taste her baked goods, you will agree to that title.

Sourdough Bread, Cookies, Cinnamon Roll.

 

 

Not to be ignored is her supportive husband, Patrick, from Salt Lake City, and he is no slouch. While in Tooele County, he began “Patrick's Picture Perfect Painting LLC” which has become very popular for interior, and exterior painting, cabinetry refinishing, and drywall.  Good news for San Juan County, as plans are in the works for expanding this business here.  He understands the need for tradespeople, and hopes this will influence others to come into the area.

Back to The Over Bite, baking is done on premises as is the slicing of the meats and cheeses for their signature breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and salads.  While Sysco is a major supplier of food services, shopping locally, at Blue Mountain Foods, provides needed ingredients as well.  Shylowe and Patrick are lucky to have two hardworking staff members, Evan and Kennedy, and the steady stream of customers keeps them busy!

 

The menu contains some old favorites, but several newer items are becoming best sellers, like, the Gooseneck Grinder and Red Rock Gobbler.  The menu has also been streamlined, so decision making is quicker and easier.  My hubby, Roy, basically scarfed down the Hole in the Rock Hero; it was just too good to stop eating and take a breath.  Choosing toasted wheat bread, it contains: roast beef, pepperjack cheese, tomatoes, sprouts, red onion, mayonnaise, roasted red peppers and creamy horseradish sauce.  The creamy horseradish sauce is housemade by Shylowe, and truly umphs up the overall taste of this sandwich.

 

 

 

I ordered my favorite, the club, the Comb Ridge Club, with toasted wheat bread (white is another option), ham, turkey, bacon, Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise.  All sandwiches come with kettle style chips and a pickle spear. Since I was busy interviewing the Chadds, I could only devour have my sandwich, but that left me the other half to snack on later.  It was worth it at lunch time, and very well worth the wait at snack time.

 

The Chadds understand that sitting on their current laurels will not keep their business sustainable.  Food items we will be seeing in the future are housemade soups served in sourdough bread bowls, green chili as a soup and as a condiment, along with other hot items that will be perfect when the temperatures turn colder.  For the holidays, handmade candies will be for sale; and personalized gift baskets are an option for any occasion.  Also, do not be surprised to see the baking display case explode with new tempting sweets and treats.

Goals, focusing on the community, will be karoke and game nights, plus other activities, so our youth have someplace to hang out after school lets out.  Of course, the restaurant is available for catered events, meetings, club activities, or get-togethers.  There is great appreciation for the hard work and dedication of our first responders, so law enforcement, fire and rescue, and EMS are very welcome to stop in for a free cup of coffee, or cold beverage.

So, whether you are hankering for a breakfast or lunch sandwich, salad, or thirsty for a coffee beverage, smoothie, or any other of the cold drinks available, The Over Bite will satisfy.  Not hungry or thirsty, stop by anyway, say hello, wish the Chadds all the luck in the world, and support the success of The Over Bite!

Mary Cokenour

The Over Bite is Just Right.

The Over Bite

133 East Center Street

Monticello, UT, 84535

Phone: (435) 777-2749

Website: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Over-Bite/100094723847945/

 

Here I sit, fingers playing lyrically over the keyboard, thinking about the meal we just had at the newest restaurant in Monticello.  July 20, 2023, The Over Bite made its grand debut on Pioneer Day weekend, and to say they were busy was a huge understatement.  A month later, on a quiet afternoon, the Cokenour duo descended on owners, David and Tracy Carpenter, and head chef, Allea, formerly of Peace Tree Café fame.

Chef Allea, Owners David and Tracy Carpenter

 

The building location is where R& F Restaurant and Paca Pantry formerly resided; and David Carpenter, still involved in realty, saw, and purchased, the property as a great opportunity.  Selecting the smallest section of the three units, what estimated as three months of work, turned into nine months.  Then again, is that not the right amount of time for a new born baby to take form?  While ideas are still being bandied about, menu additions or deletions being tweaked, The Over Bite is building up a following.

 

It is no wonder really, as the atmosphere, staff and, mainly, the foods and beverages, are what many diners crave.  The atmosphere is comfortable, welcoming and inviting; definitely no feelings of stress or of being rushed.  The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and do not mind being asked questions about the various menu items.  Ah, but the food and drinks, are they truly that enjoyable?  The answer is a definite, “Yes”, especially when seeking out a simplistic, yet very satisfying taste, experience.  Tourists, especially from foreign nations, enjoy offerings from The Over Bite as they are not heavy, and overly laden down with oil from too much deep frying.  Light and fresh is best!

The meat and poultry products are sliced on premises, no prepackaged cold cuts. Vegetables are also prepared on site, as freshness is a key ingredient to any food menu item.  The bases used to create the out-of-this-world smoothies come from an east coast company, famous for its high-quality ingredients.

 

Aloha Pineapple Smoothie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allea, who is also in charge of training the staff, has created specialty sauces such as green chili aioli, horseradish (wonderful on roast beef), and chipotle.  She is also attending a barista training program, so will be whipping up more than regular and blended coffees once the new espresso machine arrives.  Blended coffee?  I do not know about you, but from what Allea described, there is destined, in my future, a chocolate blended coffee soon.  While there are also a variety of soft drinks, The Over Bite has a complete assortment of “Stubborn” brand carbonated beverages.  With flavors such as Black Cherry Tarragon, Agave Vanilla and Pineapple Cream, to name a few, your taste buds will have their minds blown!

 

Top Sellers from the menu are The Trail Grinder (top), Turkey Avocado Swiss, The Club (my favorite pick) and the Ultimate BLT.  The Club was packed with turkey, ham, Swiss, Cheddar, bacon, lettuce and tomato, in just the right amounts so that not one item overwhelmed the others.  I asked for extra mayonnaise, since I like it messy, personal choice of course.  Sandwiches are made on sliced white or wheat bread, toasted or not; and come with a side of kettle cooked type chips and large pickle wedge.   

 

Now Roy ordered The Greek, and inhaled it before I could get a decent taste test in.  He did say though that it was almost like eating a Greek gyro, as it was packed with meat, Feta cheese and tzatziki sauce.  We will all just have to take his word on this.  We did have a tug of war going on for my Aloha Pineapple smoothie, but I believe I won, since I developed brain freeze.  The smoothie was luscious, so smooth and full of flavor; it was difficult to put down, and concentrate on the sandwich.

 

 

The Over Bite does have a Kid’s Menu.  Allea has been experimenting with baked goods, and her cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies have been a success.  She has, in the works, a “black magic” cake with caramel sauce, but is considering bringing in pastries from other sources as well.  For the winter, the addition of soups and winter themed drinks are being considered.

Other developments in the works are a large screen wall television for the dining area.  By spring of 2024, an adjoining section of the building will be converted into a lounge area.  Imagine it now, coffee drink or smoothie, maybe a cinnamon roll or sandwich, while relaxing on a comfy, cushioned chair and reading your favorite novel, or exploring the internet on laptop or phone.  Sounds nice, does it not?

 

The Over Bite serves breakfast (great for tourists on the go, and locals too), lunch and dinner; options are dine-in or take-out.  Current hours of operation are Monday – Saturday, 6am to 9pm; Sunday is 8am to 9pm.

 

When it comes down to the reality of eating; comfort, good service, great food and drink, and walking away feeling deeply satisfied is what it is about.  The Over Bite can help you with all that.

Mary Cokenour