restaurant + bar listings/north parrilla grill—Known for inexpensive, delicious eats, Parrilla Grill is popular with Hyde Park regulars, high-school and college students, and folks from all over who enjoy grabbing a wrap or salad on the quick and cheap. If you’re looking for a casual, lively place to chill with a beer or meet with a group of friends, this redundantly named hangout with awesome $2 tacos every Thursday is right up your alley. 1512 N. 13th St., 208323-4688. Sun ray Cafe—With its bright, renovated space, Sun Ray looks like its name, and the expansive patio is a great place to get your daily vitamin D and work on your tan while people watching in Hyde Park. Good weather finds bikes and their riders flocked to the outdoor tables, while cooler climes send everyone indoors for a pick-me-up. Daily food and beer specials keep things interesting. 1602 N. 13th St., 208-343-2887. sunray-cafe. com.
boise + state street
State Street 20th Century laneS—The list of respectable establishments in which you can find a chili dog is no foot-long. You can get one at 20th Century Lanes, but you can also get sliders and fries, Idaho’s ubiquitous food, fingersteaks, and—believe it or not—breakfast. 4712 W. State St., 208-342-8695. 20thcenturylanes.net. 44 CluB—There are dive bars, and there are bars that take a high dive into an Olympic swimming pool. The seminal 44 Club is the latter, with a feel that’s old-world and full of local color. No taps at this joint, just ice-cold bottled beer and legendary karaoke. 4340 W. State St., 208-344-0693. amigo’S mexiCan reStaurant—Family-run Mexican eatery with a small, clean space. 2870 W. State St., 208-343-1001. aSian wok—Locally owned Chinese joint offering up all of the usual suspects, with a Dim Sum menu that might entice you to “stop in for tea” frequently. They’ll
even deliver it to your door. 3504 W. State St., 208-384-9200. asianwok.com. BrewS BrotherS—With loads of draft beers on tap—23 in all—Brews Brothers sits quietly in a State Street strip mall. While the darkened location keeps out the un-versed, it offers the perfect place to slip away for a mid-day nip. No longer smoky, this place hasn’t lost any of its hole-in-thewall charm. 6928 W. State St., 208-853-0526. Burger ‘n Brew—This sports bar blast from the past has two big, beefy goals: serve up burgers and beer in the best way possible. With kick-ass wait staff, a sports-bar feel lost on the chain restaurants, and a healthy selection of brews to choose from, this State Street saloon/eatery is a great game-watching spot. 4295 W. State St., 208-345-7700. Buzz Cafe—Located in the Idaho Athletic Center. Coffee, lunch and breakfast early in the day. Wine tastings and music aplenty at night. 2999 N. Lakeharbor Lane, 208-344-4321. buzzbeans.com.
favorite foods/vegetables
Brussels Sprouts Red Feather Lounge This will get you over your Brussels sprout phobia.
Grilled Jumbo Artichoke Fork A unique take on a unique vegetable.
Dry-Cooked String Beans Yen Ching Consistent winner of Best Chinese Food in Best of Boise.
Chipotle Grilled Corn on the Cob Barbacoa The menu of side dishes is impressive.
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Asparagus Lock, Stock and Barrel The perfect accompaniment for the big, juicy steaks.
Eggplant Donkaku Mai Thai Part of the Izakaya menu.
Corona village—Gut-busting burritos, incredible chips and Dos Equis on tap make the Village stand out among Boise’s family style Mexican restaurants. 4334 W. State St., 208-338-9707. dutCh gooSe—With a nosmoking policy long before the city of Boise instituted the smoking ban, the Dutch Goose is in a class of its own. First, it has a horseshoe pit, foosball, pool and darts, and all alongside well-crafted burgers and everything from steamed clams to rumored legendary fish and chips. Televisions offer sports galore for the fanatic, and salads for lighter fare. 3515 W. State St., 208-342-8887. dutchgoose.com.
gaSlight lounge (20th Century laneS)—Most bowling alley bars offer little more than a respite from the kids; the Gaslight Lounge goes so far as to offer up classy martinis and a large stock of brews to accompany that weeknight bowling tourney. 4712 W. State St., 208-342-8695. the green Chile—The Green Chile specializes in all things Southwest while keeping late-night faves like burgers and salads on hand, just in case. 5616 W. State St., 208-853-0103. thegreenchileidaho.com.
eddie’S diner—’50s style diner with burgers and fries. 3095 N. Lakeharbor Lane, 208-853-9800.
the gyro ShaCk—Feel like going Greek? Savor some hummus, Greek salads, pita sandwiches and made-from-scratch gyros at this eatery. 5602 W. State St., 208853-2684, thegyroshack.net.
egg faCtory—Homestyle cooking focused on the details; featuring a new omelette every week and a new benedict every month. 6882 W. State St., 208-853-2037. eggfactorycafe.com.
Jade’S ChopStiCk—A lunch-time stopover on State Street with reasonably priced Chinese food fit for a king. This family-owned restaurant has beer, too. 6970 W. State St., 208-853-1302.
fanCi freez—A staple of the State Street dining scene, Fanci Freez is the drive-through burger spot specializing in all manner of American eats and frozen treats. Whether you prefer a Flavor Burst cone, a CrunchiCreme or the famed Boston shake (one part sundae, one part shake), this burger spot’s got you covered. And for the vegetarians, Fanci Freez offers a cheesy mushroom “burger” that’s meat-free. 1402 W. State St., 208344-8661.
the lift Bar and grill— This innocent-looking State Street haunt has a secret: ridiculous drink specials and an all-you-can-eat spaghetti feed. Tuesday nights mean Holy Oly night, with 50-cent Olympia cans ready for popping from 4 p.m.close. If red sauce and noodles aren’t your bag, this place features a variety of vegetarian options, nachos and nigh-legendary tacos. 4091 W. State St., 208-342-3250. theliftboise.com.
fireSide inn—When you’re tired of the same old, same old and the fast pace of the Main Street bar block, the Fireside Inn is there to welcome you to many of its regulars’ home away from home. Though this neighborhood dive bar exudes a regulars-only feel, there’s plenty of space inside for everyone, and plenty of pool tables, too. Dark and windowless, the Fireside Inn is like a comfy old cavern where you can easily escape the world. The atmosphere isn’t the only thing that takes you away from it all—the drinks are so strong, they can knock you flat. 1610 N. 31st St., 208-342-9075.
loS BetoS—Street-style Mexican food—like a burrito as big as a baby—available all night. 6906 W. State St., 208-853-1494.
flying pie pizzaria—With dozens of beers on hand, Flying Pie Pizzaria is more than just a place to get a pie. Winner of multiple Best of Boise awards, the place retains its classic charm despite new ownership. Its “whirled famous” pizzas use gourmet ingredients, and with a family friendly atmosphere and fun promos like the Its Your Day, make-your-own pizza from scratch events, the place is renowned as the Boise creme de la creme. 4320 W. State St., 208384-0000. flyingpie.com. the galley—If you’re ever lost in the catacombs beneath the Idaho State Capitol mall, the Galley will help you fill your stomach while you wait for the search party to find you. Whether it’s fried foods, burgers, grilled cheese or other snack foods, this hideaway shop fuels countless state worker bees employed at the Idaho hive. 650 W. State St., 208-336-3663.
madhuBan—This Indian eatery boasts a huge menu that includes traditional favorites and original new dishes that put a western twist on eastern flavors. You’re gonna love the curry, and this is a stellar place for vegetarians. Be sure to scope out the $7.99 lunch buffet. 6930 W. State St., 208-853-8215. madhubanindiancuisine.com. mazzah—Boasting a Mediterranean menu complete with gyros (with sliced lamb or chicken), hummus, falafel and baklava for stay or takeout. There’s also vegetarian-friendly options, and an atmosphere fit for the Acropolis. 1772 W. State St., 208-333-2566. mazzahboise.com. mCCleary’S puB—Seemingly always open, McCleary’s Pub is Boise’s outlying Irish watering hole, specializing in horseshoe pits, dart boards, pool tables and a beer garden to juxtapose why you’re really there—the drinks. 9155 W. State St., 208-853-9910. merritt’S Country Cafe—This decades-old bastion of diner food may have changed to only being open 24-hours on the weekends, but it continues to offer everything under the sun. The “home of the scone” is often the pit stop to bookend a night of libations. 6628 W. State St., 208-853-1801. merrittscafe.com. mongolian BarBeCue—Look over the wide selection of Asian meats and vegetables. You pick it, they grill it. Culinary collaboration at its tastiest. 6920 W. State St., 208-853-7964.
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