Sun Valley’s famous dazzling sun shining through my window slowly wakes me. Yawning sleepily, I layer up in my fleece Hot Chillys and brew a pot of coffee. Five minutes later my brother, Bryce, stumbles downstairs still half-asleep and I pass him a steaming mug. Soon we are on our way to carve turns on Baldy. After a few bone-chilling chairlift rides and two hot chocolate breaks, we surrender to the icy weather and head into Ketchum to grab lunch.
Without argument, we quickly agree on Wrapcity Cafe. There we are guaranteed a sunny seat, a quick, fresh lunch, and chances are good that we will run into at least one familiar face. Owned by Dotty Sarchett, Wrapcity is located 180 S. Main Street next to the Kentwood Lodge. Wrapcity has been one of the most popular lunch spots in town since it opened 13 years ago, and today we encounter a medium-sized line (not quite out the door). The line moves quickly, however, and within three minutes we have both ordered and found a seat at one of the four large booths that border the interior of the restaurant. Wrapcity’s environment is relaxed and warm; the red and mustard-yellow walls are decorated with framed vintage posters of old Sun Valley. There is a never-ending supply of self-serve coffee, iced tea, and lemonade, and the front counter features a tempting basket of freshly baked goods.
Soon, I hear my name called, signaling that our food is ready, and I retrieve our order from a large wrap-around counter, where you can sit on high top stools and eat. Today, I settle for my usual order, Chinese Tofu Salad ($6.75). This deliciously crunchy combination consists of sesame Thai tofu, Napa cabbage, peanuts, green onions, cilantro, rice sticks, jasmine rice and sesame dressing. I generally opt for this wrap served in a bowl (sans tortilla), and this way the savory sesame dressing is more easily contained. I also liberally season my bowl with Sriracha Chili Sauce to add an extra spicy kick.
Bryce chooses his personal favorite, a Super Kid’s wrap ($4.50). Being a picky eater, he is not too adventurous when it comes to trying different food, so the simple mix of chicken, rice, cheese, bacon and soy sauce is just his ticket. I have eaten at Wrapcity ever since I was in middle school, following the restaurant religiously from their summer stand outside of The Elephant’s Perch, to their winter location at the bottom of Warm Springs, and now to their permanent location on Main Street. I have graduated from my Kid’s Wrap days, branching out to try almost every wrap on their menu.
While my favorite will always be Chinese Tofu Salad, a close second is Friday’s special wrap: Chicken or Tofu Satay, in a Thai peanut sauce with broccoli and jasmine rice. I must confess that broccoli is one of my favorite foods, and topped with a slightly sweet, slightly spicy peanut sauce, and warm scoop of jasmine rice, I couldn’t as for a more enticing combination.
Wrapcity also features a large variety of breakfast wraps, which all sound equally tempting, and it is my goal to make it up to Ketchum early enough one morning to try one! Wrapcity is one of the quintessential restaurants of Ketchum, and is a favorite of locals and visitors combined. Wrapcity truly lives up to their motto of “fast, fresh, fun food.” Their speedy service, low prices and healthy, diverse menu has customers coming back again and again.
Open daily from 8am-4pm, it shouldn’t be hard to find a time to stop by Wrapcity and grab a bite to eat!
