Open-Air Dining Pavilion Becomes a Place of Second Chances at TruReligion Pancake & Steakhouse
A Purpose-Driven Restaurant: Meet Jim, the Man Behind the Mission
At TruReligion Pancake & Steakhouse, owner Jim isn’t just flipping pancakes—he’s flipping the script on how a restaurant can change lives.
“It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to—true service is always a part of it. We’re not here for lip service. We’re here to give people purpose.”
— Jim, Owner of TruReligion Pancake & Steakhouse
That’s the soul of Jim’s open-air dining concept, framed beautifully beneath a Western Timber Frame pavilion, and brought to life with stories of transformation, grit, and grace.
A Program Built on Redemption: Giving Others a Second Chance
Jim calls it the “Second Chances” program—and it’s not just a catchphrase. It’s a full-fledged, boots-on-the-ground initiative to give homeless individuals, veterans, and even former felons a real shot at a new life.
Here’s how it works:
- Partnered Outreach: Candidates are carefully vetted through organizations like LDS Social Services, Catholic Outreach, and Veterans Associations.
- Stability First: Jim helps them secure a safe apartment, covers rent and utilities, and provides transportation—usually a bike if they’re within walking distance.
- Fair Pay and Opportunity: They’re hired at a living wage, allowing them to save money and build a future.
- Culinary Education: Through a partnership with UVU, participants work part-time while pursuing an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in culinary arts.
“We don’t just toss a few coins and feel good. We’re walking with them until they succeed.”
From Dishwasher to Owner: A Real Path to Entrepreneurship
Once participants complete their degree, they’re on track to become assistant managers. And from there, the dream only grows.
Each well-run breakfast house becomes a vehicle for ownership—managers can earn up to 20% of the net profit. That means real equity, real pride, and real motivation.
“It changes everything—how they serve, how they clean, how they connect with guests. They’re owners.”
The Heart of the House: Q.S.C.C. – Quality, Service, Cleanliness, Consistency
Inside TruReligion, there’s more than good food. There’s a code:
- Quality: Ingredients are hand-picked from local sources—from Manti salt to Utah valley eggs, Heber creamery butter, and even Dominican Republic coffee beans roasted by a family who now lives locally.
- Service: Not just at the table, but in the community.
- Cleanliness: Spotless restrooms and an open kitchen show guests there’s nothing to hide.
- Consistency: A dining experience that feels reliable and repeatable—from the first visit to the fiftieth.
“We want a Best of State award for the cleanest bathrooms in Utah.”
Elevating the Atmosphere: Alfresco Dining, Reimagined
Jim wanted more than just a patio. He envisioned one of Utah’s finest outdoor dining experiences. That’s where Western Timber Frame came in.
“When I saw the quality, the guarantees—they had me mesmerized. I said, ‘This is it. This is what we need.’”
The custom timber frame pavilion is wind-protected, beautifully appointed, and constructed in just one day.
“I joked, ‘I’ll buy you breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you get it up in a day.’ They finished by 6 p.m. That’s amazing.”
Preserving Utah’s History at Every Table
Inside the restaurant, each table tells a story—from a Salt Lake Tribune table reserved for 60 years, to the infamous “Darth Vader table”, once used by a notorious forger.
“Prophets, power brokers, and everyday folks have sat here since 1916. Now, they’re part of our story.”
With local landscape photography turning the walls into a gallery of Utah’s beauty, guests don’t just eat—they experience.
“Let us all choose to be the leaders we wished we had.”
—Simon Sinek
Why Western Timber Frame was the right choice
“Best of State. Dozens of gold medals. That told me all I needed to know. I wanted the best for our alfresco dining—and now we have it.”
From vision to execution, Jim and Western Timber Frame created a space where history, hospitality, and hope meet under one incredible timber frame pavilion.
THAT’S AMAZING!
And, so I like dealing with local businesses and business that know what they are doing. Hopefully, I can follow in Western Timber Frame’s footsteps because they know what they are doing.
Jim spread his arms wide and shouted, “Voilà!”
“We have a table out there that was used by the Salt Lake Tribune. It was reserved for them everyday for almost 60 years, so you can imagine what kind of stories were told at that table as they were discussing over lunch the history and happenings of Utah. And we have a really famous forger and murderer who masterminded his, you know, skulduggery —we call it the Darth Vader table. So, if you feel like you need to break up with your boyfriend or girlfriend and have some bad karma, dark karma, we have your table.”
“And you know apostles, prophets, power brokers, you know and big business owners, common folks like you and I, have used those tables since 1916 and everything I have in my restaurant are in the pictures from the 30s. And its all out there and you can just take one look.”
“So, all of this stuff has survived since world war one, The Roaring 20s, The Great Depression —From World War I or World War II, all the way up to this day. We’ve been able to do a major restoration and maybe this stuff will last another century and another 14 and 1/2 million people.”
