A Timber Frame Pavilion with a Purpose: How One Utah Breakfast House Offers Second Chances
Coming to Work with a Purpose
“It doesn’t matter what religion you belong to—true service is always a component of that. Instead of giving lip service, we’re doing something that lets everyone come to work with a purpose.”
—Jim, Owner of TruReligion Pancake & Steakhouse
In Utah County, there’s a place where breakfast is served under a towering timber frame pavilion, where laughter mingles with the scent of coffee and bacon, and where lives are being rebuilt—plate by plate, day by day.
Jim and Debbie, the couple behind TruReligion Pancake & Steakhouse, have turned their eatery into a place of healing and hope. Their outdoor dining space—enclosed with latticed fencing, warmly lit with post lamps, and powered by TimberVolt® technology—is more than inviting. It’s symbolic of the safe, supported space they offer everyone who walks through their doors.
Changing Lives, One Job at a Time
“We’re taking someone who’s homeless, or a vet, or someone just out of prison—because they’re ours. We don’t just throw a few coins and call it good.”
At TruReligion, selected individuals are referred through local organizations like LDS Social Services, Catholic Outreach, and Veterans Associations. From there:
- They’re set up with housing—rent and utilities covered.
- They’re given a bike, or live close enough to walk.
- They earn a living wage.
- They enroll in UVU’s culinary arts program.
“They work here three days a week. Go to night school. And everyone who meets them wants to help. It’s not just employment. It’s mentorship.”
Graduates earn an AOS degree, become assistant managers, and can eventually become part-owners, holding 20% of net profits. This isn’t temporary aid—it’s life transformation. them.
The Q.S.C.C. Legacy: Four Pillars of a Well-Run House
On the kitchen wall hang four letters, etched like Roman numerals: Q.S.C.C. They represent what Jim calls “the secret to a truly successful business.”
Quality
Jim sources nearly every ingredient locally—Heber Valley cheese and butter, Salt Lake bacon, eggs from nearby farms, chilies from a Mexican-Utah family farm, and Dominican coffee roasted by a family here in Utah.
Service
True religion, Jim says, is about true service—not just to guests, but to people in need. His timber frame pavilion and kitchen are spaces of dignity and delight.
Cleanliness
From restrooms to cooktops, it’s all spotless. Guests can see the kitchen. They trust what they see.
Consistency
“Ever had a great meal, went back, and it was all different?” Jim asks. “We want to be better every single time.”
Stories in the Walls (and Under the Pavilion)
The indoor space features gallery-quality Utah landscape photography curated by one of the state’s best. Every wall has a story—every table, a legacy:
- A table used by The Salt Lake Tribune daily for over 60 years.
- “The Darth Vader Table,” once used by a famous Utah forger.
- Original pieces from the 1930s and beyond—survivors of both world wars and the Great Depression.
“This place has seen it all. And now it’s part of helping people rise again.”
Outside, under the timber pavilion, these stories continue—new guests, new conversations, and new beginnings.
Why Jim Chose Western Timber Frame
“Why Western Timber Frame? Because they’re Best of State. That stood out right away. When I saw all their gold medals, I thought, ‘These guys are doing something right.’”
Jim was drawn to the quality and craftsmanship—but also the service.
“When I saw their guarantees, I was mesmerized. I wanted one of the best alfresco dining areas in Utah—and I got it.”
When Western Timber Frame’s crew arrived, Jim expected a weeklong install.
“They said, ‘We’ll be done this afternoon.’ I laughed and said, ‘I’ll buy you breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you do.’
They finished before dark. It was amazing. Voilà!”
That timber frame pavilion, finished in a day, now shelters more than meals. It holds a vision for a better world.
Breakfast. Restoration. Belonging.
At TruReligion, the food is unforgettable—but it’s the mission that stays with you. Come for the pancakes. Stay for the purpose. Whether you’re seated at the Tribune table or under the pavilion surrounded by local stories, you’ll feel it:
True service is true religion.
Utah Stories: Western Timber Frame
