Smoke Pizza Company and DaYz Desserts are Two Greats in One.

Smoke Pizza Company and DaYz Desserts

148 South Main Street

Blanding, UT, 84511

Telephone: Currently unavailable; however, ordering can be done via their website: https://orders.cake.net/11552341, and they also have a Facebook page, so you can leave comments or reviews.

Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 11am to 9pm, Closed on Sunday. 

 Several hours after visiting Smoke Pizza Company and DaYz Desserts, I was still finding it difficult to begin this newest of restaurant review articles.  Why?  Reeling from great conversation with owners Jon and Colleen Raisor (another owner, Daylen Carter was not present), and employee Vincent, plus the amazing food high from the great food and baked goods…how in the world was I supposed to sit still, form coherent sentences and make sense!? (Wow, talk about a run-on sentence).

First, we have to time travel once again to December 9, 2015 and the article about David Ludwig, his pizza wagon, and the wood burning oven he had built himself.  While he provided a good product to Blanding locals, and visitors passing through, he eventually moved on, and sold his business to Jon and Colleen Raisor.  “What were they thinking?”, they had to ask themselves, but they were interested in getting into the food industry, and opportunity came a-knocking at their door.  For eight years they created excellent pizzas at a Main Street location, and also went to events to wow new customers.  As good as this was, they wanted more, a larger location, the opportunity to earn monies to fill their coffers, more food choices for the community, and a way to truly show off their cooking and baking talents.  Getting together with Daylen Carter, having access to a prime Main Street location once again, Smoke Pizza Company and DaYz Desserts opened in September 2025.

Sourcing comes from a popular food distribution company that most restaurants tend to use.  Jon makes sure to purchase as many products that are of Italian origin as quality goes a much further distance.  Practically every food item is housemade; dough for the pizzas and pastas, sauces, dressings; except the sauces for the wings.  Alright Jon, let’s go over this one more time: 1-stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted; whisk in ¼ cup Frank’s Red-Hot sauce, and that’s mild for the wings.  Want it hotter?  Just whisk in more Frank’s till it’s just right, yes, we had a good laugh over this.  Back to the housemade, the salads are created fresh, not purchased prepackaged, and all the baked goods (breads, croissants, cookies, brownies and much more) are made in-house.

 

Colleen Raisor Working the Oven.

Just a small selection offered by DaYz Desserts.

So, how was our dining experience from start to finish?  When we first got there, a group of motorcyclists, who just happened to see the new sign, decided to try it out.  I asked them about their experience, and they were so pleased about everything; the welcoming and friendly atmosphere and staff, the longest wait time was about 10 minutes, and they thought the food was quite amazing. They were seasoned travelers, so a good place to eat, could be a challenge at times.

 

The building interior is very open, roomy, with large windows that let in plenty of light.  A motorcycle group of about 24 people were there, so this restaurant can handle large groups looking to celebrate an event, such as a family gathering, or friends having a reunion.   Let me tell you, after speaking with Jon, Colleen and Vincent, that is exactly what it felt like, a few friends getting together for laughs, storytelling and enjoying great food.

Alright, I hear you, shut up about the people and building and tell us about the food!

 

We ordered the Combo Meals; as usual, this pizza snob went with the 10-inch plain cheese pizza.  Hey, if they mess up that kind of pizza, what chance do they really have?  It came with a brownie (I chose mint) and a 16-ounce beverage.  Roy went with supreme pizza loaded with Italian sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon, onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives; his brownie choice was salted caramel plus the 16-ounce beverage.  The price for this meal deal could not be beat!  We also ordered wings with barbecue sauce as a starter.

 

The Wings – an order has 6 large and meaty wings that are baked, yet they have a good texture, thoroughly cooked, and not a gummy skin on the outside.  They are not over sauced, so your taste buds get a good mixture of chicken meat with sauce.  This starter is perfect for two people, or a really hungry single person.

 

 

 

 

 

The Pizza – crust was nicely browned, not overly crispy, but it held all the ingredients well; no flopping and dropping. The edges were slightly darker, but that is due to being close to the flames; yes, their pizza ovens use flame cooking.  Sauce was definitely a winner in flavor; Mama Mia, that’s Italian!  The cold pizza test gets a definite A+, and if you see my hubby with a bandage around his hand, he tried to steal my leftovers.

The Brownies – they are frosted brownies with the frosting being a perfect accompaniment for the rich chocolate brownie.  The mint had a subtle taste which combined so well with the chocolate.  The salted caramel had just enough of a hint of salt, you knew it was there, but did not get overwhelmed as if biting a nugget of sea salt.  Later on, I purchased a sampler container of the brownies which contained three with vanilla frosting; oh, that was nice, yeah, really nice.

 

When it comes to customer favorites, everything on their menu depends on tastes, but pepperoni pizza, or anything pepperoni really, is the best seller.  Speaking of the menu, besides those amazing wood fired pizzas, there are pasta dishes, salads, breadsticks, chicken wings (choice of four sauces), sandwiches, additional toppings and sauces and, not to be overlooked, those yum-o-licious brownies.  The prices are very reasonable, especially for such good quality.

There are a few future goals for the business, like adding calzones and gelato to the food menu.  Catering is being considered, but all the logistics have to be figured out, so stayed tuned for further news. Oh, the food truck, that will still be used for special events.

 

Before leaving, purchases of cinnamon rolls, brownies, a huge loaf of ranch bread, and humongous croissants were destined for home.

Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 11am to 9pm, Closed on Sunday; busiest time is usually 6-7 pm, the dinner hour.  Friday and Saturday are the busiest days, and Monday the slowest, so now you can plan your visit…you have to visit!  Afterwards, you will again and again and again; hey, maybe you’ll see us there and we can have a fun chat.

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