Artisan Pizza Herriman Utah: How Blake Hirschi Built Utah's Craft Beer Pizza Paradise at Slackwater

The first thing you notice walking into Slackwater Herriman isn't the 250 craft beers lining the walls or even the open kitchen where pizzaiolos stretch honey-sweetened dough—it's the energy. On any given Thursday night at 5197 Denali Park Drive, you'll find families sharing "mind-bending" Grape Gorgeous pizzas while outdoor enthusiasts celebrate summit victories with local IPAs, their hiking boots still dusty from the Wasatch trails.

"Slackwater should be protected at all costs! This place has a great atmosphere and amazing food!" writes Casey G. in a recent Google review, capturing exactly what Blake Hirschi and his team have built in this corner of Herriman. "The establishment is praised for its delicious and unique pizza offerings, combining fresh ingredients with innovative flavors."

The Slackwater Story: From 30-Seat Ogden Shop to Utah's Craft Beer Empire

Blake Hirschi didn't set out to revolutionize artisan pizza in Utah when Slackwater first opened its doors in Ogden back in 2011. "That's when Slackwater Pizzeria & Pub opened a modest 30-seat restaurant in Ogden. It specialized in innovative pizzas and a craft beer list that touched triple digits." What started as a riverside pizza shop connected to a bike store has evolved into something much bigger—"We opened the doors of our Ogden location in June of 2011 as a 30-seat pizza shop with 75 beer options. We quickly grew into a 220 seat, 250 beer hot spot."

Hirschi, who serves as co-owner and general manager, brings serious restaurant industry chops to the operation. "Hirschi grew up in Utah and his life's work has been in the restaurant business (he has a self-diagnosed 'obsession with flavors'). In a previous position, he traveled the country opening restaurants in cities big and small." That experience shows in how carefully Slackwater has approached each expansion, including their Herriman location.

"I just think Utah has grown in the last few years. We've all felt it. We all see it... The secret is out on Utah," Hirschi explained to the Salt Lake Tribune in 2025, discussing the brand's continued expansion across the Wasatch Front. The Herriman location represents more than just another restaurant—it's Slackwater's commitment to bringing their elevated casual dining experience to Utah's growing communities.

The California Sunrise Experience: Artisan Pizza That Breaks All the Rules

Walk into any Slackwater location and you'll quickly realize "his staff considers pizza a blank canvas for different cultural ideas and concepts — even unusual ones. 'We kind of love to push people's palates a little bit.'" Nowhere is this philosophy clearer than in their signature California Sunrise pizza, consistently rated as one of their most popular offerings.

"Our best seller starts with green goddess dressing for the base, roasted chicken, seasoned grape tomatoes, peppered bacon, and our three-cheese blend. We finish this pizza with fresh sliced avocado, chiffonade spinach, and a green goddess drizzle" according to their official menu. But describing the California Sunrise doesn't capture the experience of actually eating it. "The California Sunrise pizza is just the right combination of chicken, bacon and avocado. So good!" raves one customer review.

Then there's the Hot Honey DP—their double pepperoni masterpiece that has customers writing reviews like "Might be the best pizza I've ever had. Got the hot honey DP pizza and was the best thing I've ever put in my mouth." "That's right, a double pepperoni hot honey pizza. Big tasty slices of pepperoni, our three-cheese blend then more cupped old-school pepperonis on top. Drizzled with hot honey, and garnished with parsley."

And if you think putting rice on pizza sounds weird, their Tikka Masala pizza will change your mind. "This Indian-inspired pie begins with Masala sauce as the base, dressed with marinated chicken, basmati rice, red onions, and our three-cheese blend. Then a drizzle of masala sauce, and a pinch of cilantro." "The Indian-inspired tikka masala ($13.25) tastes exactly like its namesake, with a creamy, mild masala sauce and spiced chicken that paired well with the red onions, cilantro and cheese. And rice on pizza wasn't strange at all!"

The foundation for all these creative combinations? "I couldn't get enough of the honey-sweetened dough, developed at its original location in Ogden. With the pizzas, the crust is light and airy, bubbling in spots." It's this attention to fundamentals that allows Slackwater's chefs to get so experimental with toppings.

"Never in a million years would I have put pickles and mustard on a pizza but all be darned if the Cuban pizza didn't have it and blow my mind," writes one amazed customer about their Cuban Pizza Crisis, perfectly capturing how Slackwater consistently surprises even their most skeptical diners.

Herriman's Craft Beer Destination: 250 Options and Counting

While the artisan pizzas draw crowds, Slackwater's commitment to craft beer education sets them apart in Utah's evolving brewery scene. "General manager Blake Hirschi says Slackwater is also home to one of the largest beer selections in the state, with the restaurant offering around 250 different types of beer on a good day."

"We will always promote local craft beer first and foremost," Hirschi says. "We try to have something from every local brewery available at our restaurants." This philosophy has helped build relationships throughout Utah's craft brewing community, with Slackwater regularly hosting tap takeovers featuring breweries like Epic, Uinta, and 2 Row Brewing.

"Roughly once a month, especially during the winter, Slackwater hosts events called 'Tap Takeovers,' where the restaurant features a number of different beers from a single Utah brewery for each event." For Herriman residents, this means access to beer education and experiences typically found only in Salt Lake City's more established craft scenes.

The commitment to beer excellence shows in their service standards too. "As is the case in Ogden, each of Slackwater Sandy's servers will be Cicerone® Certified Beer Servers"—a credential that ensures your server can guide you through their extensive selection with genuine expertise.

"Additionally, the extensive drink menu, featuring local craft beers, enhances the dining experience, making it a perfect spot to unwind." Whether you're celebrating a successful Lone Peak hike or just enjoying a family dinner, Slackwater's beer program adds depth to every meal.

Community Hub: Where Herriman Comes Together

What makes Slackwater Herriman special isn't just the food or beer—it's how they've positioned themselves as a genuine community gathering place. "Slackwater is locally owned and operated and is more than just a place to grab a slice - it's a hub of creativity, community, and seriously tasty food."

"Service at Slackwater Pizza Herriman is another highlight, with attentive and friendly staff who genuinely care about providing a memorable dining experience. From the knowledgeable servers to the management who actively engages with guests, the emphasis on hospitality adds to the overall appeal."

The spacious Herriman location reflects this community focus. "The spacious layout accommodates both families and groups, making it an ideal spot for casual gatherings or special occasions." And unlike many craft beer-focused establishments, Slackwater genuinely welcomes families. "Yes, the venue is designed to accommodate families with spacious areas suitable for children and a welcoming environment."

This approach resonates with customers. "Make Slackwater your next date night or family night out. You won't regret it!" writes one enthusiastic reviewer. "Didn't wait for seating. Sunday night with live Jazz band. Zach was a very attentive server and has tried most of the menu and gave us great suggestions."

For outdoor enthusiasts—a big part of Herriman's identity—Slackwater gets it. "We really want to be a representation of our town," Hirschi said. "Ogden is an outdoor community." The same philosophy extends to their Herriman location, where you're just as likely to see mountain bikers sharing post-ride beers as you are families celebrating birthdays.

Planning Your Visit to Slackwater Herriman

Located at 5197 Denali Park Drive in Herriman's growing Denali Park area, Slackwater is easily accessible with plenty of parking. "Mon - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Tue - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Wed - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Thu - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Fri - 11:00 am - 11:00 pm, Sat - 11:00 am - 11:00 pm, Sun - 10:00 am - 9:00 pm" with Sunday brunch starting at 10 AM.

Based on customer feedback, here's what to order: Start with their California Sunrise pizza—it's their bestseller for good reason. "so happy I ordered his suggestion, the Hot Honey Dp pizza" is another can't-miss option. For the adventurous, try the Tikka Masala or Grape Gorgeous pizzas. "We thoroughly enjoyed the Grape & Gorgeous!"

Don't skip their appetizers. "The pork chili verde nachos ($12.25) are the way to go. The chili verde is made onsite with Slackwater's own roasted pork, and then gets piled onto a plate of tortilla chips that are already bedecked with some nacho cheese, black bean corn salsa and a nice, herby chimichurri."

For families with dietary restrictions, "Yes, the venue offers gluten-free pizza crusts that cater to dietary restrictions while maintaining good flavor." They also offer vegan options throughout their menu.

Peak times: "Gets busy so make a reservation online during weekend peak hours." For the most relaxed experience, consider weekday lunch or early dinner times.

Utah's craft beer and artisan pizza scene has exploded over the past decade, but few places capture the community spirit and culinary creativity that makes Slackwater Herriman special. It's where Blake Hirschi's vision of pizza as a "blank canvas" meets Herriman's growing appetite for elevated casual dining. Whether you're a longtime resident or just discovering this corner of the Salt Lake Valley, Slackwater represents exactly what Utah's food scene does best: taking familiar concepts and making them unexpectedly great.