Em’s Cafe

Em’s Cafe sits just south of the Utah line in Fredonia, a small family-run spot that’s been serving the area for 75 years and has built a loyal following well beyond the town’s size — it holds a 4.8-star rating from regulars and highway travelers alike. It’s an easy add-on stop if you’re staying in Kanab or heading toward the North Rim on Highway 89A, and more than one visitor has admitted to detouring back for it every single day of a trip.

What to get

• Breakfast croissants — reviewers call them the best breakfast sandwich they’ve had anywhere
• The Roasted Beef French Dip, made with real slow-roasted beef, not deli meat
• Turkey and provolone panini on house-made sourdough
• Maple nut cookies and a Butterfinger frozen coffee to go

The menu runs sandwiches, paninis, coffee, and baked goods, with a drive-thru and call-ahead/text ordering for a quick grab-and-go on the drive. Service can slow down during a rush when the counter, drive-thru, and phone orders all hit at once, so build in a few extra minutes if you roll in at peak breakfast or lunch hours. Em’s is closed Tuesdays; other days it opens at 7:30 AM, with an early 2 PM close Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday and a longer run to 6 PM Thursday through Saturday.