Salt Lake City approved an Economic Development Loan for new Eurasian restaurant

March 20, 2025

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Plov & Borsch will be the first restaurant in Salt Lake City dedicated to Eurasian cuisine, offering authentic flavors from Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia.

The Salt Lake City Council approved a $100,000 Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF) loan for Plov & Borsch, a new Eurasian restaurant and market in District 1, with plans to open in late summer at 55 North Redwood Rd. 

“We want diverse businesses thriving right here in Salt Lake City, and our Economic Development Loan Fund is a tool to help them grow,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Plov & Borsch will introduce our community to new flavors and culinary traditions while contributing to our city’s dynamic and expanding food scene.”

In addition to a full menu, Plov & Borsch will include a market featuring specialty goods not widely available in the area. The EDLF funding will assist with buildout, equipment, and operational costs to establish the restaurant and market. The project will create six new jobs within the first year and retain three existing jobs. Plov& Borsch secured the EDLF loan with support from the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development’s Business Development Division.

“We are excited to welcome Plov & Borsch to Salt Lake City and support small businesses that bring cultural richness and economic vitality to the Westside,” said Victoria Petro, Salt Lake City Council Member for District 1. “This investment strengthens our local economy and gives residents the opportunity to experience authentic Eurasian cuisine right here in our backyard.”

Zhazira Begaly, an entrepreneur with a background in food technology and restaurant management, leads the restaurant. She previously ran a successful pasta production and cafe business in Kazakhstan. Kakisheva Gulnara, based in Kazakhstan, provides cultural and culinary knowledge, enriching the restaurant’s offerings with authentic Central Asian recipes and techniques.

The EDLF aims to stimulate business development and expansion, create employment opportunities, encourage private investment, promote economic development and enhance neighborhood vitality and commercial enterprise in Salt Lake City by making loans available to businesses. The program’s overarching goal is to invest in viable businesses that produce strong economic returns and provide positive social and environmental impacts. 

“Our focus is on helping small businesses access the resources they need to succeed,” said Lorena Riffo-Jenson, Director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development. “By providing resources to entrepreneurs with unique visions, we help create a more vibrant and diverse business landscape that benefits residents and visitors.”

For more information about the EDLF, click here.

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About Plov & Borsch: Plov & Borsch is a pioneering restaurant venture in Utah, founded by Begaly Zhazira and supported by Kakisheva Gulnara. Specializing in Eurasian cuisine, the restaurant aims to fill a niche in the local market by offering authentic dishes that are currently not represented. Begaly Zhazira leads the business operations, drawing on her background in food technology and entrepreneurship, as well as her experience managing a successful pasta production and cafe business in Kazakhstan.

About Salt Lake City Department of Economic Development: Formed in 2016, Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development is focused on building Salt Lake City as a vibrant, beautiful, prosperous, diverse, and authentic place – a place that is economically accessible to everyone. Known as the “Crossroads of the West,” Salt Lake City is strategically located for businesses to succeed. SLC DED works to streamline processes, provide excellent customer service, and offer an array of resources and services to recruit and retain businesses in the City to ensure they have the tools to thrive. Learn more here.