CHOM Burger Provo: The Best Burgers in Utah County from a Chef Who Knows What He's Doing

You'll see the sign first. It's impossible to miss—those giant bulbs illuminating "CHOM" in bright lights at 45 W 300 N in Provo, the biggest, boldest burger sign in Utah County. That was the whole point, according to co-founder Mike Smith. "The movies feel big," he explained when they opened in 2016, "and we looked at a few different sign options and said, 'OK let's do CHOM in bright lights, the biggest, baddest sign in Provo if we can.' So that's what we did."

But step inside and you'll discover what really makes CHOM Burger stand out in Provo's competitive burger scene isn't just the marquee—it's those impossibly soft potato buns, the never-frozen locally-sourced beef, and that mysterious CHOM sauce that customers can't stop talking about. As one customer put it simply: "Hands down my favorite burger. I tell everyone about Chom and everyone always thanks me later."

From 22 Years as a Chef to Provo's Best Burgers

Colton Soelberg didn't wake up one morning and decide to open a burger joint on a whim. The man behind CHOM Burger worked his way up from busboy to renowned cook to restaurant owner over 22 years in the Utah Valley food scene. By 2016, he'd already helped launch Communal and Pizzeria 712—two of Provo's most beloved restaurants—along with Mountain West Burrito. He knew what he was doing.

But here's the thing: after years of elevated dining, Soelberg wanted something simpler. "I bounced back and forth between a lot of different ideas. I ultimately came back to burgers. I like the simplicity of it, and I love burgers," he told the BYU Daily Universe when they opened. The inspiration? Shake Shack's pared-down approach—Danny Meyer's burger philosophy that quality ingredients don't need to shout to be heard.

That philosophy shows up in every detail. The 100% all-natural beef is never frozen. The potato buns—those cloud-soft, toasted-to-perfection buns that customers rave about—create what one reviewer called "the perfect backdrop to the carefully chosen toppings and patty." The locally sourced vegetables. The hand-spun premium ice cream shakes. Soelberg focused on the ingredients of each item on the menu and found local sources to really make them stand out.

The Burgers That Made CHOM a Utah County Institution

Walk into either CHOM location—the original on 300 North in Provo or the American Fork spot—and you'll face a menu that's deceptively simple. But every burger has earned its place through customer obsession and repeat visits.

The Blue Bacon CHOM might be their most talked-about creation. "CHOM is da BOMB!!! The Blue Bacon CHOM burger is phenomenal," one customer exclaimed, and they're not alone. It's a 1/3 lb all-American beef patty with crispy bacon, caramelized onions, bleu cheese crumbles, and bleu cheese dressing on that signature toasted potato bun. One gluten-free diner called it "one of the best GF burgers I've had" when made with CHOM's dedicated gluten-free preparation.

But the Green Chili Avocado Burger has its own cult following. As one food blogger described it: "With a soft toasted potato bun, thin beef patties (I like to double up), pepper jack cheese, lettuce, roasted green chile, guacamole, and CHOM sauce, every bite is like a little taste of heaven." That CHOM sauce—the mysterious condiment that ties everything together—remains Soelberg's secret.

Then there's the Garlic Aioli Burger, which customers describe as "savory, crunchy, and very umami" with its garlicky intensity. And don't sleep on the namesake CHOM Burger—the straightforward classic with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, and that sauce. Sometimes you just want "the classic burger you want when you're craving a burger."

The fries deserve their own paragraph. CHOM offers both regular and sweet potato fries, and you can get them half-and-half if you're indecisive (which, honestly, you should be—they're both excellent). One self-proclaimed fry connoisseur wrote: "Each fry is like a perfect little pillow." The sweet potato fries get special love: "They also have the best of the best sweet potato fries."

And then there are the shakes. Hand-spun with premium ice cream, they rotate seasonal flavors that become instant favorites. The Pumpkin Biscoff shake in fall? People plan trips around it. The Caramel Biscoff? "The Carmel biscoff shake was sooo good! It was my #3 best burger, my daughter said it was her#1!!!" Even the straws are thoughtfully designed—oversized so you can actually drink the thick shake without struggling.

Why CHOM Burger Is a Game-Changer for Gluten-Free Diners in Provo

Here's where CHOM Burger separates itself from nearly every other burger joint in Utah County: they have a dedicated gluten-free fryer. Not just gluten-free buns (though those are excellent too). An entirely separate fryer just for celiac-safe fries.

"I loved Chom!!! Their fries are SO good and they ARE celiac safe!!!!!" one relieved customer wrote. Another added: "Awesome place with friendly, helpful staff! Delicious gf buns and dedicated gf fryer! The staff was very knowledgeable and really showed that they care!"

You can get both regular and sweet potato fries cooked in the dedicated fryer, and the gluten-free buns—which multiple reviewers call the best they've had—cost just an extra dollar. As one long-time celiac sufferer put it: "It's been so long since I've been able to eat at a burger place where I can eat the fries and also don't have to use a lettuce wrap."

CHOM's Place in Utah County's Gourmet Burger Scene

CHOM opened in September 2016, right as Provo's food scene was evolving. The city already had burger options—Cubby's with their rosemary fries, Backdoor BRGR's gourmet takes, Seven Brothers' Hawaiian twist—but CHOM brought something different: chef-level attention to ingredient quality in a fast-casual setting.

Colton Soelberg "has a knack for elevating comfort food," according to Salt Lake Magazine's dining guide. That expertise shows in details most burger joints don't bother with. The smash patties with excellent char. The perfect patty-to-bun ratio. The toasted-but-still-soft texture of those potato buns. The movie quote walls that give the space personality (there's a chalk Star Wars mural that customers love).

The pricing sits right in that sweet spot—more than McDonald's, sure, but reasonable for the quality you're getting. As Soelberg himself explained: "It's a great place for a date or a late night. You just want to come and grab something and hang out with friends." And with locations in both Provo and American Fork, CHOM has become a Utah Valley staple, now part of the Heirloom Restaurant Group alongside Pizzeria 712, Communal, Station 22, and Black Sheep Cafe.

Planning Your Visit to CHOM Burger

Provo Location:
45 W 300 N, Provo, UT 84601
Open Monday-Saturday, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

American Fork Location:
496 N 990 W, American Fork, UT

If you're hitting the Provo spot (right across from the original Sodalicious), be ready for crowds at lunch and dinner—especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Weekdays tend to be calmer, though one gluten-free regular notes: "It can get packed here on certain busy nights so try to go on a weekday."

What to Order:
First-timers should start with the Blue Bacon CHOM or the Green Chili Avocado Burger, get the half-and-half fries (half regular, half sweet potato), and absolutely get a shake. If they have the Pumpkin Biscoff as a seasonal option, don't even think about it—just order it.

For gluten-free diners: Ask for the dedicated gluten-free fryer when you order. The staff is knowledgeable and takes cross-contamination seriously.

Pro tip: The chocolate shake is thick enough that you'll appreciate those oversized straws, and if you're the type who dips fries in your shake, well, you're in good company.

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After twenty-two years working kitchens in Utah Valley, Colton Soelberg could have chased anything—molecular gastronomy, farm-to-table fine dining, the next hot food trend. Instead, he came back to the simple pleasure of a really good burger. And in doing that, he created something that feels both familiar and special every single time you walk through those doors under the brightest sign in Provo.

As one customer simply put it: "The Chom burger is to die for! I am a burger connoisseur and I highly recommend eating at Chom! It's literally my favorite."

Follow CHOM Burger on Instagram for seasonal shake announcements and daily specials, or just show up hungry. You really can't go wrong.