FOOD/DINING BUSTED SHOVEL—The bacon cheddar ranch burger is purportedly the best burger in town, but if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, the menu is four pages of tempting pub food from finger steaks and chicken strips to fish and chips and deli sandwiches. 704 W. Main St., Meridian, 208-288-2217. $-$$ SU OM. CHEERLEADERS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL—The chicken club wrap is popular, so is the handmade fish and chips. If the mood strikes for pasta, try the chicken shrimp alfredo. Burgers, tantalizing finger foods—including finger steaks—and the baby back ribs, available with house raspberry or plain barbecue sauce are all highlights of the menu. And a full schedule of sporting events shown proudly on multiple televisions scattered about the family-friendly locale. 3541 N. Eagle Road, Meridian, SU OM 208-939-9209. $$ .
The menu is a collection of burgers, a huge list of apps and just enough salads to make you feel guilty. 2032 E. Overland Road, Meridian, 208-888-9868. SU.
HARRY’S BAR AND GRILL—The original Harry’s is re-open in new digs. The walls are full of Harry paraphenilia from Dirty Harry posters to larger-than-life size smiles on Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal (When Harry Met Sally).
HUNGRY ONION—A Meridian institution that thankfully hasn’t changed in decades. The hot, tasty food arrives on a tray at your window—don’t forget to tip the server. 334 E. First St., Meridian, . 208-888-0051. $
HARVEST BUFFET—Featuring Chinese and American cuisine, Japanese sushi, Mongolian BBQ and seafood. Lunch and dinner buffets as well as a la carte lunch specials, a Weight Watchers menu and a 10 percent discount for seniors. 48 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian, 208-888-0322. $-$$ SU.
FOOD/HOT DISH LEILA RAMELLA-RADER
COSTA VIDA—Assemble your own burrito, enchilada, taco or salad at this fast-food south of the border franchise out of Utah with “addictively legal” cuisine reminiscent of Baja’s Blue coast. 3340 N. Eagle Road, Meridian, . 208-887-3853. $
GRAINS OF MONTANA—All the wheat flour used for the freshly baked artisan breads, pastries, gourmet sandwiches and stone oven pizzas is grown and harvested on a family farm in Nashua, Mont. The selection of sandwiches range from cold to hot to toasted BLT and build-your-own. Pizza, calzones and a different homemade soup every day go great with a variety of salads. Beverages include fountain drinks, fruit smoothies and espresso. 1505 S. Eagle Road, Ste. 190, Meridian, 208-888-8883. $$-$$$ OM .
EPI’S BASQUE RESTAURANT— For top-notch Basque cuisine served in a cozy, homey atmosphere, this is the place. Meals are served family-style, so sides can be a surprise, but always a pleasant one. Dessert is just decadent. Closed Sunday and Monday. 1115 N. Main St., Meridian, 208-884-0142. $$$-$$$$ RES. FLATBREAD COMMUNITY OVEN—Stone fired pizza, pasta and sandwiches served up from the community oven. The Neapolitan pizzeria prepares the food with fresh ingredients daily. 830 N. Main St., Suite A (Generations Plaza, Meridian, SU OM 208-288-0969. $-$$ . FUSION ASIAN GRILL—Serving Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean in Meridian. 3161 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian, 208855-5930. $-$$. GANDOLFO’S DELI—The Georgia based franchise of New York delicatessens provides sandwich fans with New York style hot and cold deli sands, specialty selections and side salads. 2020 E. Overland Road, Suite 130, . Meridian, 208-884-3354. $ GINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT—If you’re going to name a restaurant after yourself, you want the food to be good. Gino, as owner and chef, has made sure it’s superb. This little bistro offers fine Italian dining and wonderful, friendly, bend-over-backwards service. 3015 McMillan Road, Ste. 108, Meridian, 208-887-7710. $$ . GOODWOOD BARBECUE—Great barbecue, Texas-style, right in the middle of the Treasure Valley. With everything from ribs and brisket to chicken, Goodwood continues to be a valley favorite with a family friendly atmosphere. 1140 N. Eagle Road, Meridian, 208-884-1021. $-$$$$ OM SU.
40 | MAY 5–11, 2010 | BOISEweekly
And while you’re at it, pick up “piggy” bread just because.
YOU DON’T NEED A TRAVEL AGENT TO GET TO MANAPUA A fraction of people who read the next sentence will understand it and be out the door and headed downtown without bothering to read more; the rest of you will be confused and compelled to read on. Yen Ching Baker y now has manapua ever y Sunday. But here’s the catch: Yen Ching Baker y doesn’t know it ser ves manapua, so don’t ask for it by its pidgin name. If you’re comfortable with your Chinese, ask for “hum bao,” otherwise, ask to be pointed to the selection of stuffed steamed buns. You’ll find four varieties in total: vegetable, bean, pork and vegetable, and classic manapua char sui pork. YEN CHING BAKERY For the uninitiated, think 305 N. Ninth St. dim sum on steroids. In Hawaii, 208-384-0384, manapua is as ubiquitous as yenchingchinese.com the potato in Idaho. They are stuffed with everything from sausage to sweet potato and sometimes baked, but the most common version is steamed and filled with shredded char sui pork. Rather than the perfectly smooth, pale, dome-shaped buns you used to find in island grocery stores, Yen Ching Bakery’s are flatter, knotted little handmade numbers. The same steamed, springy bread cradles a spoonful of slightly fatty chopped pork in a slightly too soupy char sui sauce. They’re not spot on, but as the only option within miles, they get the job done. Especially for a buck and a half. —Rachael Daigle WWW. B O I S E WE E KLY. C O M