Boise Weekly 2016 Bar & Resautrant Guide

2 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 3

4 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 5

Publisher: Sally Freeman sally@boiseweekly.com Associate Publisher: Amy Atkins amy@boiseweekly.com Office Manager: Meg Andersen meg@boiseweekly.com Editorial Editor-in-Chief: Zach Hagadone Zach@boiseweekly.com Project Manager: Amy Atkins Amy@boiseweekly.com Listings: Meg Andersen, Amy Atkins, Sally Freeman, Jay Vail Contributing Writers: Amy Atkins, Harrison Berry, Zach Hagadone, Jessica Murri, George Prentice Proofreaders: Amy Atkins, Zach Hagadone Advertising Account Executives: Ellen Deangelis, ellen@boiseweekly.com Cheryl Glenn, cheryl@boiseweekly.com Jim Klepacki, jim@boiseweekly.com Darcy Williams Maupin, darcy@boiseweekly.com M.J. Reynolds, mj@boiseweekly.com Creative Art Director: Kelsey Hawes kelsey@boiseweekly.com Graphic Designers: Jason Jacobsen, jason@boiseweekly.com Jeffrey C. Lowe, jeff@boiseweekly.com Photography by: Harrison Berry, Meghan Fulcher, Kelsey Hawes, Jessica Murri, George Prentice, Patrick Sweeney Cover by: Kelsey Hawes Circulation Man About Town: Stan Jackson Stan@boiseweekly.com Distribution: Tim Anders, Char Anders, Becky Baker, Tim Green, Shane Greer, Stan Jackson, Barbara Kemp, Ashley Nielson, Warren O’Dell, Steve Pallsen, Jill Weigel Boise Weekly prints 45,000 copies of Bar and Restaurant Guide annually available free of charge at more than 1,000 locations, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of Bar and Restaurant Guide are available for purchase at Boise Weekly HQ for $1. No person may, without permission of the publisher, take more than one copy of each issue.

BW subscriptions: 4 months-$40, 6 months-$50, 12 months-$95, Life-$1,000.

ISSN 1944-6314 (print) ISSN 1944-6322 (online) Boise Weekly is owned and operated by Bar Bar Inc., an Idaho corporation.

To contact us: 523 Broad St., Boise, ID 83702 Phone: 208-344-2055 Fax: 208-342-4733 E-mail: info@boiseweekly.com www.boiseweekly.com Address editorial, business and production correspondence to: Boise Weekly, P.O. Box 1657, Boise, ID 83701 The entire contents and design of Boise Weekly are Š2016 by Bar Bar, Inc. Boise Weekly was founded in 1992 by Andy and Debi Hedden-Nicely. Larry Ragan had a lot to do with it, too.

Boise Weekly is an independently owned and operated newspaper.

6 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 7

10 12

INTRODUCTION ROLL CALL Shige Japanese Cuisine Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant IOU Sushi III Superb Sushi

20

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Tango’s Subs & Empanadas 21&Cup Reel Foods Fish Market Double Tap Pub

28

OUTER LIMITS Meridian - The Hungry Onion Eagle - Blue Moose Cafe Nampa - Flying M Coffeegarage and El Rodeo Caldwell - La Pinata Bakery

35

HISTORY OF THE TATER TOT How Tater Tots ™ conquered America’s small plates

38

BENCH BAR CRAWL Boozing on the Bench Jumpin’ Janet’s Vista Bar Bench Neighborhood Bar Quinn’s Restaurant & Lounge Overland Bar McCleary’s Pub Navajo Room

8 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

46

STATE STREET EATS

48

DINNER IN A MOVIE

50

VODKA VALLEY, IDAHO

52

BAR LISTINGS

58

RESTAURANT LISTINGS

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

HIDDEN GEMS It’s no idle boast to call Idaho the Gem State. The Idaho Department of Lands lists dozens and dozens of gem varieties that can be found within the state’s borders: from agates and amethyst to zeolites and zircon. Not all of them are found underground, however. Look hard enough and you’ll find figurative gems all over the place.

In this year’s Boise Weekly Bar and Restaurant Guide, we riff on Idaho’s rep as a jeweled beauty to scratch below the surface of the Treasure Valley food scene, digging up some hidden and not-so-hidden gems among the eat- and drinkeries to be found in Boise and surrounds.

We take a look at sushi, shine a light on a handful of spots that we think deserve a little more attention, go west in the valley to check in with our sister cities, offer a historical primer on the beloved tot, crawl the bars on the Boise Bench, take a trip down State Street, get the munchies at the movies and put the Treasure Valley’s liquor purchases under the microscope.

Of course, you’ll find wide ranging listings of both bars and restaurants throughout the valley, and we hope you’ll find this guide interesting, educative and—most important—useful.

One thing’s for sure: from rockhounds to foodhounds to boozehounds, there’s a lot to discover in Ada and Canyon counties.

Happy hunting.

—Amy Atkins, Zach Hagadone

10 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

The Best Entertainment in the West!

NO COVER

$1 House Shots & $2 Beers Nightly

The Place to party for Every Occasion 621 Main St in Downtown Boise • 345-7557 humpinhannahs.com Home of: Famous Motel Cowboys & Clumsy Fest w/The Clumsy Lovers!

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 11

HARRISON BE RRY

The

Ro l l Cal l

For living in a landlocked, geographically isolated area, Boiseans have an unabiding love for sushi.

It’s available at a number of Chinese and Thai restaurants and often near the meat or deli counters at several grocery stores.

Obviously, it’s on the menu at most Japanese restaurants and it’s there sushi innovation, experimentation and creativity flourish, so we visited four local purveyors known for their sushi and asked them to make us an off-menu or signature roll. They did not dissapoint.

SHIGE JAPANESE CUISINE Bright fish, bold flavors HARRISON BERRY Carved out cucumber slices were stuffed with white tuna, shrimp, salmon, salmon roe and sea urchin. When asked if his concoction had a name (or price), Shige Matsuzawa shrugged.

“The Boise Weekly Roll?” we suggested, getting another shrug in response.

Matsuzawa is the owner/chef of Shige Japanese Cuisine, one of Boise’s most popular sushi joints for more than 20 years. The man has a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

Sushi is elegant cuisine—a balance of textures, flavors and heat. What Shige put on the plate was adventurous, with bright fish and bold flavors.

It’s clear there’s confidence on both sides of the bar when Matsuzawa can create a roll on the spot, and a patron will unquestioningly dig in.

SHIGE JAPANESE CUISINE 100 N. Eighth St. 208-338-8423 shigescuisine.com

12 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 13

J ES S ICA MURRI

The

Ro l l Cal l

FUJIYAMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT Worth betting on JESSICA MURRI When Eva Xu brings out the Las Vegas Roll, she does so with genuine excitement. She has worked at Fujiyama Japanese Restaurant for four years, and the Las Vegas is her favorite roll.

“We call it Las Vegas because there is so much going on,” Xu said.

The Las Vegas features 10 pieces of sushi as wide as a rolling pin, and is stuffed with crispy tempura shrimp, spicy salmon, eel and a thin strand of asparagus. It is topped with thick fresh slices of bright orange tuna and dark red salmon, wrapped in rice and a thin strip of soy paper, speckled with sesame seeds and then drizzled with a sweet, citrus-soy yuzu eel sauce.

The size of each piece doesn’t allow for it to be gracefully eaten, but thanks to the soy paper, it doesn’t crumple into a heap on the plate after the first bite. It’s equal parts crunchy and chewy; delicious and filling.

Xu said she likes the sushi here more than what she ate in China, her home country. She said sushi in Asia is usually just rice and fish, but Fujiyama adds sauces that bring more flavors into its fishy dishes.

At $16.95, the Las Vegas Roll is a little pricey, but Xu said after her customers try it, they often come back and order it again and again.

We can understand why.

FUJIYAMA 283 N. Milwaukee St. 208-672-8227 fujiyamaboise.com

14 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 15

KE L S E Y HAWES

The

Ro l l Cal l

IOU SUSHI III

Big flavors from Micronesia AMY ATKINS Sushi restaurants and strip malls aren’t strangers. It can cause pause to see the former housed in the latter, but hit the fast-forward button and head into IOU Sushi III, near the Fred Meyer on Federal Way. It’s the third (hence, the III) of the locally owned and family operated IOU Sushi restaurants, the first of which was opened nearly 10 years ago by Rocketchun Holden, who is from the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.

A number of IOU rolls pay homage to home, including the IOU III signature roll, the Nan Madol, which is the name of a city in Pohnpei known for huge cairns that Micronesian legend says were placed centuries ago by giants. IOU III’s Nan Madol roll is a giant, too, made with crystal shrimp, cream cheese, seared tuna, avocado and crab, accompanied by a stack of crab and an artfully carved orange filled with plum wine all served on a wooden surfboard platter.

IOU III may be in a strip mall, but with its delightful service and equally delightful food, it would be just as at home on a resort island.

IOU SUSHI III 3640 S. Findley Ave. 208-343-5388 iousushi.com

16 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

HARRISON BE RRY

The

Ro l l Cal l

SUPERB SUSHI ?#@!*ing amazing HARRISON BERRY

Superb Sushi isn’t easy to find and for the uninitiated, “the corner of Eighth and Bannock streets in downtown Boise” is insufficient information. At those coordinates, however, you’ll step into the white tile-floored Idaho Building, walk past the elevator and down a narrow flight of stairs into an atrium.

Voila! There’s Superb Sushi, where the rolls are as tasty as the location is hidden.

The rolls are excellent, as is Superb’s steal-of-a-deal sushi/ soup/salad lunch special, but it’s the ?#@!* Amazing Roll— which somehow accommodates spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, red bell peppers, jalapenos, ebi shrimp, tobiko, lemon sauce, Sriracha and roe—that caught our attention.

It’s spicy but without the heat of other Superb offerings like the Demon’s Delight, Death or La Bomba rolls.

The aptly named Amazing Roll really is ?#@!*ing amazing.

SUPERB SUSHI 280 N. Eighth St. 208-385-0213 superbsushidowntown.com

18 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

COME DINE WITH US PINTXOS: MON.-SAT. 11-CLOSE FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS: 3 COURSE ECLECTIC DINNER EACH FRIDAY

PAELLA ON THE PATIO:

LUNCH PAELLA – WED. & FRI. AT NOON DINNER PAELLA – THUR. AT 6PM CLASSES EVENTS • PRIVATE PARTIES •

CATERING • SHOPPING •

608 w. grove st.

•

208.433.1208

hours: mon 10-6, tues 10-8, wed 10-6, thur-fri 10-8, sat 10-6, sun closed www.thebasquemarket.com

F R E S H LY R O A S T E D C A R E F U L LY C R A F T E D MADE POSSIBLE BY LOVE

CORNER OF 10TH & BANNOCK

Relax with one of our delicious comfort breakfast or lunch options.

• Skillets • Pancakes • French Toast • Eggs Benedict • Burgers • Sandwiches • Daily Mexican Themed Special Waffles and Vegetarian Gravy *Vegetarian & Health Food Options Available

Don’t forget to pick up some Addie’s Gift Cards!

Free Parking in lot for Addie’s customers

501 Main St. (5th and Main) Old Boise | 388-1198 W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 19

Spot

KE L S E Y HAWES

Lig h t o n ...

CURB APPEAL

Tango’s Subs & Empanadas serve up some of the world’s oldest and best street food HARRISON BERRY

According to Louis Bremmer, owner of Tango’s Subs & Empanadas, the dual secrets to the perfect empanada are a flaky, buttery crust and fresh fillings.

“We chop everything here. It’s just from scratch,” Bremmer said.

Empanadas aren’t rocket science. Pastries stuffed with everything from beef in mole sauce to tuna, apple, caramel and Nutella, they’re so easy almost every culture has come up with something similar. As such, the empanada goes by many names: pirozhki, pierogi, turnovers and knish, to name a few. Tango’s website is even bolder: “They’re as old as time probably.”

That’s hard to prove, but we’d suggest they’re at least as old as humans’ hunger for something warm and tasty to eat.

“I believe everywhere in the world there’s something similar, just with different menus, different feelings,” Bremmer said. “It’s a tradition everywhere.”

Bremmer is from Mexico City and his wife is from Argentina, where empanadas, he said, are sold on every street corner. After spending three years in Las Vegas, the Brem20 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

mers decided Sin City wasn’t where they cho (refried beans, house-made Mexican wanted to raise their two daughters. The chorizo, jalapenos and cheddar) and the family heard about Boise from a friend and Gardel (chicken and marinara). While eatcame to the City of Trees in 2005. A year ers are eager for the empanadas, patrons to later, they opened Tango’s. In April 2016, Tango’s shouldn’t overlook the submarine the restaurant opened a second location at sandwiches. The Tango sub is beef that has 337 Caldwell Blvd. in Nampa. The new spot been spiced, marinated and breaded, with is larger than the Tango’s Orchard Street lo- bare-bones fixings like lettuce, tomato and onions. Thursdays and Fridays, make the cation and features a drive-thru. leap for the Lomito—barbeWhile the price of everycued beef with a slew of sauces thing has increased in the and salsas, lettuce and tomapast nine years, Bremmer TANGO’S SUBS & toes. hasn’t bowed to inflation EMPANADAS Whole sections of the menu with his empanadas. Every 701 N. Orchard St. are dedicated to cheese and empanada costs $2.50. The 208-322-3090 dessert empanadas, like the company has grown, but tangos-empanadas.com Cordoba (mushrooms, onions, empanadas are street food, red wine sauce and cheese) and and Bremmer said he’ll keep the Cocco (house-made dulce his operation both traditional de leche and coconut). and low-cost.

Pro tip: Order dessert empanadas a la “We don’t touch the price. People like that we’re affordable for everyone,” he said. mode. It’s fried decadence that quickly won It wasn’t hard for Boiseans to get a taste (and clogged) Boise’s heart.

“People started to be familiar with empafor Argentinian cuisine. Tango’s 2006 menu had 12 varieties of empanada. Now, the nadas. We feel like a part of Boise now,” menu has 35—crowd-pleasers like the Ran- Bremmer said.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 21

Spot

KE L S E Y HAWES

Lig h t o n ...

THE PERKS OF A COFFEE COCKTAIL Amsterdam’s in-house coffee bar JESSICA MURRI

When the Amsterdam Lounge took over the Main Street Bistro space at 609 W. Main St. in May 2015, it offered not only a chill, modern spot to sip on drinks and see and be seen, but also opened its own coffee bar— 21&Cup. With a classic silver espresso machine and a wide variety of flavors and hot drinks, the lounge opened at 8 a.m. every weekday morning to provide downtown commuters another option for their morning cup of Joe. That is, until early February—when Ted Challenger, owner of Amsterdam, decided to kill the morning hours.

“It just didn’t pencil out,” Challenger said.

“I’m surrounded by coffee shops and business people don’t like to look like they’re coming out of a bar during the day with a coffee cup.”

Now, the bar opens at 4 p.m. every week22 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

For those who like shots of both, Chalday and 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays lenger doesn’t worry much about mixing alfor 32-ounce Bloody Marys and mimosas.

Despite the daytime lull, Challenger has cohol and caffeine.

“You are putting an upper and a downer only seen business at the coffee bar grow into one glass,” he said, “but it in the evenings. The bar has doesn’t really put you over the several coffee cocktails on the top. People are afraid they’ll be menu, including its most pop21&CUP up all night, but the depressant ular, the chilled espresso mar609 W. Main St. of the alcohol balances the caftini—a concoction of Kahlua, 208-345-9515 feine out.”

Five Wives Heavenly Vodka boisesbestbars.com/ That might depend on the and a shot of espresso ($9). amsterdam/21-cupcoffee-bar person, however. After re“We can’t make enough of cently ordering a coffee cockour espresso martini,” Chaltail at 21&Cup, Boise Weekly lenger said. “When the bistro died, I started studying millennials and asked the barista/bartender whether the drink thinking, ‘What are people into?’ They’re so would keep us up all night.

“Yep!” she said, then stirred it up, plascaffeine-oriented.”

He said he also wanted to give customers tered whip cream on top, drizzled on the caraanother option if they’re not looking to drink mel and slid it over.

It was the best night of sleep we never had. alcohol, such as a mocha or Americano.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 23

Spot

KE L S E Y HAWES

Lig h t o n ...

HOOK, LINE AND SINKER Reel Foods Fish Market has quite the al-lure AMY ATKINS

At the same time Ocean Beauty Seafoods put Reel Foods Fish Market up for sale in 2015, local chef Marcus Bonilla was trawling around for a new venture.

A seafood shop was something he could sink his claws into, but Bonilla knew his skills were better put to use on the business side of things. He also knew he didn’t want to be a sole proprietor, so he reached out to fellow chef and longtime friend Mark Ballen, who jumped at the prospect of cooking stellar seafood.

Together, the two chefs have maintained the reputation Reel Foods netted during its 45 years, and they continue to elevate the market’s status by carrying quality, fresh 24 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

fish—as in caught, packaged, shipped and dining good—the halibut in fish and chips in the display case within 24 hours fresh— is so white, it looks unreal.

Rather than simply stay the course, as well as exotic and hard-to-find selecboth chefs stay up-to-date tions. on industry trends and new Menu items get products (Bonilla attended an equal attention to deinternational seafood expo tail, with the same REEL FOODS FISH MARKET in spring 2016), and they high-end seafood, pro611 Capital Blvd. welcome the opportunity to duce from Meridian’s 208-342-2727 answer questions and share Ohana No-Till Farm, reelfoodsfish.net their boatload of knowledge. handcrafted sauces and The proof is in the pudmore. Whether it’s the ding—or chowder. If you lobster roll, ahi poke (facing page, top), chowder, tacos (facing haven’t been to Reel Foods yet, stop in and page, bottom) or oysters on the half shell, have lunch or pick up the ingredients for a the food is casual and inviting, yet fine- home-cooked meal. You’ll be hooked.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

KE L S E Y HAWES KEL SE Y HAWES

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 25

Spot

KE L S E Y HAWES

Lig h t o n ...

GOOD SPORTS

Double Tap Pub is a low-key haven in the heart of BoDo ZACH HAGADONE Think of it as BoDo’s living room. Tucked deep in the interior of the squeaky clean shopping district is a windowless hideaway where sports are always on the seven flat screen TVs, the drinks are always flowing and the food is always superb.

Longtime Boiseans will remember the space at 409 S. Eighth St. as the Kulture Klatsch (where many of us first experienced wheatgrass). Some may remember it as the Eighth Street Bistro, or Cafe Ole before it moved across the street. More recently, it was Gone Rogue. Since 2015—following a trademark dispute with Oregon-based Rogue Brewery—it has been the Double Tap Pub. Owned by Morgan Powell since 2012, Double Tap’s mission is simple: “It’s just relaxed,” he said.

Located down a hallway between Mr. Peabody’s Optical Shoppe and Atomic Treasures in the Foster Building, the spot is dim-lit with a weathered bar top and walls adorned in sports paraphernalia. What’s more, Double Tap is the headquarters for the American Outlaws U.S. Men’s National soccer team and was the official Boise watch location for the most recent World Cup. “We are very much a soccer bar,” Powell said.

In other words, it’s a pub in the true sense of the word. As a publican, however, Powell is anything but typical.

The 36-year-old Caldwell High School 26 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

graduate served four tours in Iraq and Af- Options include organic beef, Kobe beef and ghanistan, followed by three years as a con- elk. Every burger is 8 ½ ounces and sourced tractor flying unmanned aerial vehicles—aka from Meats Royale in Boise or Timber Butte drones. When he returned home from the Elk ranch in Horseshoe Bend. Prices range wars he was “sitting on a pile of money,” he from $11-$17, which isn’t cheap, but cussaid, and looking for something to invest in. tomers pay for top-notch meat and the opHis first choice was a gas station in Caldwell, portunity to wholly customize their order.

Menus at Double Tap are laminated and but that changed when he stopped into what was then Gone Rogue and recognized a high- come with a dry erase marker. The order process involves circling or checking off everyschool football buddy behind the bar.

“I said, ‘What are you doing behind the thing you want with your patty: four types bar? Get out here,’” Powell said. “He said, ‘I of buns (with bread from Zeppole Baking Company); seven cheeses (from Ballard Famown the place.’”

When his friend told him Gone Rogue was ily Dairy Cheese in Gooding); nine veggie vagoing to close, Powell saw another opportu- rieties (from Snake River Farms); and a slate of extras like fried egg, salsa nity. and guacamole.

“I took the books for both DOUBLE TAP PUB Powell stuffs each burger the gas station and the bar to with customers’ choice of my accountant and she told 409 S. Eighth St. doubletappub.com cheese and/or sauteed vegme not to buy either one of etables, and plates the order them,” he said. “I took a risk with a mound of fries and and it worked out.” steak knife plunged in the Calling it a “risk” is maybe an understatement. Powell had never worked center of the bun.

Fair warning: You will wait for your in a restaurant before. He didn’t even cook.

“I had no clue what I was doing,” he said. food, but with 28 taps—including rotating local handles—and a full bar, it’s more than “I had to teach myself everything.”

Powell has learned his lessons well. While worth it.

“We’re not the fastest, but we don’t want a laid-back pub atmosphere is readily found at other watering holes, Double Tap’s menu to be,” Powell said.

More important, he added, “I never put sets it apart—both for its contents and style.

Powell said his specialty is “definitely the food on your plate that you’re not going to burgers,” and it’s hard to argue with that. eat.” And how.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 27

KE L S E Y HAWES

The

out e r Li m i t s

Outer Limits

DIGGING UP TREASURES BEYOND BOISE’S BORDERS

It is evident to anyone who has been in downtown Boise during the past six months, Idaho’s capital city is growing. It’s not only Boise sprouting up, though. New businesses and residents are taking root from 1A to 2C and the more Ada and Canyon counties expand, the more the distance between them seems to shrink. It has long been “worth the drive” to check out some of the eateries in Eagle, Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell but, now, it seems even easier (plus, gas is currently super cheap). Though you may not need any extra incentive to occasionally leave Boise’s construction zones behind, we took advantage of the perceived reduced distance (and truly lower fuel prices) and headed outside city limits in search of a few gems.

—Amy Atkins

28 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

Meridian THE HUNGRY ONION When the Hungry Onion opened in the 1950s, it wasn’t an anomaly.

Burger joints with curb service were as ubiquitous in the Happy Days era as pompadours and jukeboxes, and the Hungry Onion fit the archetype bill—it was even featured in the 1980 Clint Eastwood movie, Bronco Billy. What does make the Hungry Onion anomalous is that while everything else has changed since the ’50s, it has remained much the same. A kid who saved up his paper route money so he could pedal over to the Hungry Onion for a burger and fries or a cone might feel like a time traveler if he stopped by today (except prices have naturally gone up). The Hungry Onion still serves an awesome burger, as well as ice cream, fries and some of the Valley’s best tater gems. Even cooler, it’s still family owned, a rare feat in today’s market. It’s like the good ol’ days never ended at the Hungry Onion.

THE HUNGRY ONION 334 N. Main St. 208-888-0051

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

ME GHAN FULC H E R

Eagle THE BLUE MOOSE CAFE Camouflaged on a little residential side street off Eagle Road, the Blue Moose Cafe looks a lot like most of the surrounding houses. A wooden sign hanging off the eaves in front and a small parking lot out back are about all that distinguish the Blue Moose’s exterior from its neighbors’. Although the Blue Moose is definitely a restaurant, eating there is like enjoying a home-cooked meal at the house of a friend or family member—especially because when she’s not in the kitchen, chef/owner Marcy Anderson might be found next to the big stone fireplace (which is next to the giant portrait of a winking blue moose) in the dining room or chatting with customers. Like the building itself, the menu is more than it appears on first glance: sandwiches, wraps and salads seem standard fare, but surprising ingredients makes for an unexpected flavor profile. A ham and cheese sandwich is served on cinnamon bread; a vegetarian wrap contains rice pilaf; onion rings look and taste like they’re fried in hush puppy batter; the Blue Moose Cafe’s signature salad comes with a sprinkling of almond honey granola; and beef for burgers is mixed with breadcrumbs and egg. The beef is also fresh: Anderson said she refuses to use frozen patties, instead buying hamburger from a nearby Albertson’s every other day. Blue Moose Cafe has something else going for it, too: It’s clear Anderson enjoys what she does. You can taste it in her food.

THE BLUE MOOSE CAFE 79 E. Aikens St. 208-939-3079 facebook.com/bluemoosecafeeagle

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 29

KE L S E Y HAWES

The

out e r Li m i t s

Nampa FLYING M COFFEEGARAGE “Hidden” isn’t an apt description for this coffeeshop/venue in the heart of downtown Nampa, but “treasure” certainly is. The big space is roomy enough to accommodate coffee drinkers and concert goers alike, but feels as intimate as a favorite relative’s living room—if that relative has great taste. Shelves, tables and countertops in the shop are filled with so many cool curios, it would take someone hours to check out all of the wallets, notebooks, candles, statues, socks and more, more, more. That much browsing can make a person thirsty—and hungry—which can be easily remedied with one of Flying M’s specialty drinks and the selection of mostly housemade treats in the pastry case: maybe a chai tea and a lemon bar, an espresso and a pecan roll, an Americano and a samosa. Whatever combination of eats and drinks perks up your day, make sure Flying M Coffeegarage is your pit stop.

FLYING M COFFEEGARAGE 1314 Second St. S. 208-467-5533 flyingmcoffee.com

30 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

Fine Basque Dining & Spirits NEWLY REM O D EL E D Check out Leku Ona’s NEW VIBE

BAR BASQUE CUISINE HOTEL daily drink specials intimate dining rooms starting at $80 345-6665 117 S 6th in the Basque Block Tue-Thur 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-2am Sun 10am-5pm

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 31

KE L S E Y HAWES

The

out e r Li m i t s

Nampa EL RODEO On first glance, El Rodeo isn’t much to look at. The non-descript building is so close to an adjacent motel, the restaurant entrance looks like it’s the door to the lobby. It isn’t fancy inside, either, and the menu is as busy as the connector at 5 p.m. It can be daunting to choose from hundreds of burritos, enchiladas, carnitas and fajitas, with the option of carne, asada, camarones or pollo, plus a few Spanish and South American-influenced dishes. If you can’t choose, ask one of the friendly, solicitous servers for a suggestion or take our advice and try the arroz con pollo (rice with chicken). It’s a dish often made with olives, alcaparras (capers), green peas, red bell peppers, and it can be found on plenty of Mexican menus around these parts. El Rodeo’s version does have chicken and rice, but that’s where the similarities end: mushrooms, onions and chicken breast are sauteed in a rich tomato-based “special sauce.” El Rodeo’s arroz con pollo is seasoned to perfection, making a simple list of ingredients into a dish as good—if not better—than those with the same name.

EL RODEO 908 Third St. S. 208-463-1700

32 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

Newly Remodeled • New Location Breakfast • Lunch • A lil Bit Southern 7-3pm Daily, 9th & Idaho 387-3553 baconboise.com

chef owned

restaurants

in

s pace

between 3and 4pm...but we’re still open!

Berryhill RESTAURANT RESTAURANT

B BAR AR

New, Energetic & “slightly” Southern Dining 4pm to close Mon-Sat, 9th & Idaho 387-3553 johnberryhillrestaurants.com

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 33

KE L S E Y HAWES

The

out e r Li m i t s

Caldwell LA PINATA BAKERY If you’ve never had Mexican pan dulce (sweet bread), you have been missing out on an excellent way to kick off your day— or wrap it up. The variously shaped, often brightly colored pastries are like a cross between bread and cake: crumbly and not-too-sweet. Naturally, pan dulce is best when it’s fresh, and it’s always fresh at La Pinata Bakery. Since it opened in 2000, this festive little family owned and operated panaderia in the heart of downtown Caldwell has been making traditional conchas, cuernos and more, helping customers add a little dulce to their day.

LA PINATA BAKERY 312 S. Kimball Ave. 208-405-9558 facebook.com/La-Pinata-Bakery

34 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

History

KE L S E Y HAWES

Of T h e ot Tate r t

TOT-OLOGY

How Tater Tots ™ conquered America’s small plates ZACH HAGADONE All eyes have been on the potato for millennia.

A dietary staple of South American peoples, the versatile tuber was introduced to Europe in the 16th century following the Spanish “conquest” (more like rape and pillage) of Peru. Since then, it has become one of the most widely consumed foodstuffs on the planet, ranked fourth in the world behind wheat, corn and rice.

Despite its moniker as the “potato state,” Idaho didn’t start cultivating the vegetable until the 1830s, with the influx of white missionaries into the region. However, as varieties of potato grew, so too did the Gem State’s love affair with the spud. Today, about 300,000 acres of potatoes are harvested in Idaho per year, accounting for about 13 billion pounds worth an estimated $2.7 billion.

With that much history and variety, of course people would start experimenting with the potato, and the number of products and preparation styles for the spud are legion.

Among the most beloved—beyond the fry—is the tot.

Enshrined in Idaho culture, the bite-sized potato nugget goes by many names in many places. According to the 2016 book Fries!

An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Favorite Food, by Boise Fry Company founder Blake Lingle, the tot’s appellations include country hash browns, potato bites, Asian moonz, batter bites, Harvest Splendor bites, Old European potato pancakes, po’ balls, puf-ettes, spud bites, spud puppies, tater bucks, tater gems, tater puffs, tater roundabouts, tater sticks, tri-taters and, of course, Tater Tots—the latter a registered trademark of Heinz Company, which owns tot originator and former Idaho-based firm Ore-Ida. W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

While it’s highly likely that at some point, someone somewhere rolled shredded potatoes into balls and fried them up, it is to OreIda that the glory is given for pioneering the Tater Tot. As the story goes, company co-founder F. Nephi “Neef” Grigg was looking at piles of spud shavings cast off during the fry making process. Ever thrifty, Grigg had his workers dice up the leavings, mix them with flour and seasoning, and squeeze the goopy results through holes in a piece of plywood. The potato logs were then cut into cylindrical pieces and cooked.

That was in 1953, and Grigg apparently knew he’d struck on something fantastic.

The trick was to get people to buy into the vision.

According to tot historians—yes, they exist—Grigg was not only thrifty and enterprising, he was also crafty. When the 1954 National Potato Convention came to the Fontainbleau Hotel in Miami Beach, he snuck in 15 pounds of tots and bribed the chef to prepare and serve them as an appetizer at the conference.

As Grigg later wrote, “They were gobbled up faster than a dead cat could wag its tail.”

It’s unclear how fast a dead cat can wag anything, but Grigg’s meaning is understood.

The tots were a hit but didn’t go mainstream until 1956, after some pricing adjustments to make them more attractive to suburban consumers—according to market researchers at the time, Ore-Ida wasn’t charging enough for the product, creating the impression tots were subpar. A bump in the price corresponded to a bump in sales.

Tots have remained an iconic part of the U.S. diet to this day. According to best estimates, Americans eat something like 3.6 billion tots—more than 70 million pounds—per year. The gems even have their own holiday, National Tater Tot Day, which is February 2.

Riding the success of the Tater Tot, Ore-Ida quickly grew to capture a quarter of the U.S. frozen potato market. Ore-Ida went public in 1961, and sales rose to more than $30 million by 1964. A year later, the Grigg brothers—Nephi and Golden—sold to Heinz, under whose leadership the company has nearly doubled its share of the frozen potato market.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Tater Tot, Heinz issued a paen to the product in 2014.

“From humble beginnings, the original OreIda Tater Tots potato brand has retained its place at the dinner table as the one and only, the original that we all know and love, and that’s something we’re proud of,” wrote company Vice President of Marketing Fred Arreola.

Though Heinz and Ore-Ida own the Tater Tot brand, there are plenty of other versions of the product out there and more recipes than would be productive to think about. Pizza Hut New Zealand in 2016 even embedded “hash bites” into its pizza crusts, which would either be really good or really, really bad.

No matter what you call them or how you prepare them—even if, like Napoleon Dynamite, you think its friggin’ sweet to tote your tots in your pockets—when it comes to Idaho’s premiere culinary contribution, it’s best to consider one of Nephi Grigg’s many pearls of wisdom: “Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.”

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 35

36 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 37

Bench

bar l w cr a

7

Navajo Room Emerald McCleary’s

6

1

Rose Hill Orchard St.

Vista Bar

5

Latah

Overland Bar

Jumping Janet’s

2 3

Bench Neighborhood Bar

4

Quinn’s

Overland .St

Vista Ave

BOOZING ON THE BENCH A crawl around Boise’s higher-altitude downtown ZACH HAGADONE In the early Cenozoic Tertiary Period, between 65 million and 5 million years ago, tectonic movements caused massive flooding of what we now call the Snake River. Water piled up to as high as 4,000 feet in the Snake River Valley, including in the Boise Basin. What we see as the humble Boise River was, at some point in the misty past, a raging torrent with its shoreline carving out the Boise Bench, which today rests about 60 feet higher than downtown.

Skipping ahead a few million years, during Westward expansion the Bench was a landmark for travelers on the Oregon Trail and, as recently as 80 years ago, the shelf overlooking the Boise River was a sparsely populated collection of farms and two-track roads, small homes and 38 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

neighborhoods, many clustered around the Union Pacific Railroad depot—which marked its 91st birthday in 2016.

A lot has happened on the Bench since then.

As of 2010, the Central Bench—broadly defined as the area west of Federal Way, east of Cole Road and south of Garden City—was home to an estimated 38,600 people accounting for 18 percent of Boise’s households. Bench residents are younger than other Boiseans, with an average age of 33.6 years old, and city of Boise figures show almost half of them live in single-family homes.

It is, simply, one of Idaho’s biggest neighborhoods, complete with its own mini-downtowns and plenty of bars. We drank at a bunch of them. Here’s what we discovered.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

PATRIC K SWE E NE Y

Janet’s cocktail waitress Simone (left), and bartender Dusty (right).

JUMPIN’ JANET’S The tagline for this full-service pub from most Bench watering holes located in the Vista Plaza strip mall is the size and quality of its menu.

(574 S. Vista Ave.) is “welcome to We’re talking about oyster shootour world.” It is definitely a world ers, BLT croissants, muffaletta sandwiches, cajun shrimp salad, unto itself.

There is almost always a food gyros, a full slate of inventive (dare and/or drink special—including we say “gourmet”?) burgers and, Janet’s legendary prime rib on Fri- of course, the previously menday nights—as well as Last Call tioned prime rib, which really does Feud every Tuesday and Last Call deserve its vaunted reputation.

To wash all that down, check Trivia every Wednesday. Busy pool the Janet’s calendar tables dominate one for Sunday mimosa end of the spacious and Bloody Mary bar, plus darts and the JUMPIN’ JANET’S deals, $3 micro obligatory grip of tele574 S. Vista Ave. night on Thursdays visions—though the 208-342-7820 and $4 bartender’s latter are unobtrusive, jumpinjanets.net. choice night on leaving the bulk of the Saturdays.

There entertainment to actuare about 20 beers ally hanging out with on tap, plus a full people.

Despite its large space, Jumpin’ liquor selection. Cozied up at the Janets’ fills its role as a cozy neigh- bar? Try your hand at flicking borhood gathering place with soft, quarters into the back-bar pitcher warm light and plenty of wood to win a free tipple.

Situated as it is at the gateway to paneling. Seating is ample, which is important considering you’re al- Vista, Jumpin’ Janet’s might not be most sure to order at least enough the best place to start a neighborhood pub crawl. Chances are you food to fill a table.

What really sets Janet’s apart won’t want to leave.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 39

Bench

bar l w cr a

Once a drive-in on the sleepy farm- the beard-and-banjo set mingle to-market road called Vista Av- among old time Benchers and a colenue, the aptly named Vista Bar is lection of well-intentioned riff raff.

Smokers are given plastic cups unmissable with its A-frame design.

Once regarded by some as to sip off on the newly renovated rough-and-tumble, under the own- patio, which offers welcome, shady ership of Shirley “Sam” McMur- relief from the bustle on Vista, and trey it has not only regained its the place is devotedly dog-friendly.

Inside, the bartenders make a neighborhood feel but reveled in it.

“If Vista lacks the feel of a point of learning repeat customneighborhood, the one thing it has ers’ names and the laid-back atis the Vista Bar,” said regular Cal, mosphere is such that a patron who serves as unofficial historian wouldn’t feel ill at ease cracking a book as well as a of all things Vtall boy. Sit at the Bar. “It’s a true VISTA BAR bar and you’ll noneighborhood tice a trio of signs bar.”

813 S. Vista Ave. containing a string With 16 208-345-5058 vistabarboise.com of letters. Good taps, full liquor luck guessing what shelves, two they stand for. pool tables, As to the name of the place, darts, electronic golf, lotto machines, a well-stocked jukebox and which varies by the speaker besemi-regular live music, the Vista tween Vista Bar, The Vista, V-Bar is a clean, cozy drinkery that has or The V, Cal said “it’s debatable,” in many ways outgrown its “dive though he likes to refer to frequent fliers as “Vebes.” bar” reputation.

What’s not debatable is The Of course, that’s not to say the place is in any way hoity-toity. True Vista is a true Bench landmark, and to Cal’s description, the Vista Bar that “V” might as well stand for welcomes all comers. Members of “Victory.”

40 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

PATRIC K SWEENE Y

PATRIC K SWEENE Y

VISTA BAR

Bench Neighborhood Bar ’tender Kitty.

THE BENCH NEIGHBORHOOD BAR Talk about truth in advertis- traction from socializing, but ing. The Bench Neighborhood that’s about it. There wouldn’t Bar is precisely what it claims to be enough room in the place for a foosball table; hell, even darts be.

Tucked into the Vista Village would get dangerous pretty Shopping Center next door to quick.

On a recent visit, we asked BBQ4Life at 924 Vista Ave., The Bench is itty-bitty. It has also been how The Bench differentiates itcalled “instantly comfortable” self from other bars on the Vista and we’d add that it’s probably strip—what’s more, how it even gets noticed in one of the most the shopping ceninstantly friendly THE BENCH ter—and the anspots around.

NEIGHBORHOOD BAR swer was simple: It kind of has 924 Vista Ave. “it’s a neighborto be.

208-629-7450 hood place.”

When you pull You’ll find a up a stool at the smattering of lobar, you’re automatically shoulder-to-shoulder cal beers and micros amid the with fellow patrons and up close big-name brews and the liquor and personal with the bartender. selection is tailored for function, Best bring your chit-chat A-game, rather than show.

At The Bench, it’s a matter of because this is not a place to hunker down and stare at your simple pleasures: sipping on a beer or cocktail and whiling away phone.

Opened in June 2015, six taps an hour or two amicably chatting are on offer, plus a liquor menu. with fellow locals.

Sometimes less really is more.

A couple of TVs offer some dis-

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

PATRIC K SWE E NE Y

QUINN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE They say you can’t be all things to been known to swing through on all people, but Quinn’s Restaurant the regular and Quinn’s has hosted open mic comedy in the past. Not & Lounge gets pretty damn close.

This Bench mainstay at 1005 S. into live entertainment? There are Vista Ave. has been owned by Gary six big screens for your viewing Sullivan for 45 years, offering an pleasure.

As if the bar wasn’t reason Irish-themed dual operation: bar and family-style restaurant. That enough to make Quinn’s a destimight seem like an odd combo, but nation, the adjoining restaurant is a landmark in itself. Breakfast is it works on every level. served all day, and The lounge is by that we mean divided into front QUINN’S RESTAURANT all day: from 8 and back sections, & LOUNGE a.m. until 3 a.m. with the bar-top, 1005 S. Vista Ave. Wednesday-Saturseating and small 208-345-0135 quinnsrestaurant.net day. For Sunday stage in the exbrunch, order up tremely dim-lit two entrees and front. A narrow hallway opens up to a far brighter orange juice and receive a free botback area given over to three pool tle of champagne.

Lunch and dinner specials are tables and pinball.

There is something happening frequently on the menu, and everyat the bar virtually every night of thing can be ordered from the bar, the week: live trivia on Sundays, as well. Few things are more satislive Rockin’ Bingo on Wednesdays, fying than knocking around some Karaoke every Thursday and Fri- pool balls, sipping on a pitcher and day, and hip-hop DJ and dancing digging into a plate of finger steaks on Fridays. Live bands have also and cheese sticks.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 41

Bench

bar l w cr a

PATRIC K SWEENE Y

PATRIC K SWEENE Y

McCleary’s bartender Corey.

OVERLAND BAR

MCCLEARY’S PUB

The first thing a visitor notices ous nude painting of a busty bruabout the Overland Bar is its road- nette.

Neal was too busy hustling to house exterior. Squat, flat-roofed and windowless, the Overland answer many questions—returning looks like the kind of place where to deliver one-sentence answers ’50s era greasers would have between drink orders—but all she parked their T-birds and stopped could say about the artwork was it off for a quick one. Actually, it had always been there.

“No one knows where it came was exactly that kind of place. The Overland has been slinging suds from,” she said. “It came with the bar.” since 1950.

Longevity is a feature of the As with the Bench generally, the place. Not only Overland has has Neal been runevolved—now OVERLAND BAR ning the joint for the spot serves 3907 W. Overland Road 22 years, but one as a friendly dive 208-336-4707 facebook.com/overlandbar. of her employees— bar that features boisenightclub Puggy, aged 80— karaoke five has been working nights per week.

Fresh popcorn is served in foil- alongside her for all but one of lined containers, military patches them.

Clearly, the Overland’s longadorn the walls and all transactime formula works. tions are cash only.

With two happy hours (5-7 Janice Neal, a former Overland employee who has owned the bar p.m. and 9-11 p.m.), draft beers since 1994, works seven nights a for $1.50, $3 Bloody Marys Saturday-Sunday from noon-3 p.m., week.

“I rule the roost from right pool, shuffleboard and darts, here,” she said behind the bar on a it’s an old-school/new-school mix that brings the best of both busy spring Saturday night.

Over her shoulder was a glori- worlds—and centuries.

South Boston has nothing on Mc- Creedence Clearwater Revival Cleary’s. You can practically hear covers, and the air was of a block the pipes calling for Danny Boy party.

Inside, the beer flows from when you walk into the room.

Though dimly lit, the place is nine taps but Jameson is king. bathed in green light from the If there’s a queen of McCleary’s, green colored shades that hang it’s the lottery, with pull tabs and year-round in the street facing digital lotto games arranged in a windows. It’s basically Saint Pat- bank near the front of the seating rick’s Day every day. Even the area. If you’re angling to play the corrugated steel that lines the Touch Tabs, best get in line.

Combine that bottom of the with two pool walls is spray tables, darts and painted green.

MCCLEARY’S PUB seven TVs, and Established in 604 N. Orchard St. you might have 1992, this proud 208-342-3007 mcclearys.net/Orchard-Location found your own Irish Bench bar private Ireland. has built a repuHours are tation for good, 8 a.m.-2 a.m., clean, rowdy fun.

“It’s a hangout,” said one reg- Monday-Saturday (beer and wine ular. “A neighborhood bar. Like only until 10 a.m.) and 8 a.m.midnight Sundays, though the Cheers.” bar has been known to stay open There’s no denying that.

On a sunny afternoon visit, until 2 a.m. if Sunday-Funday revelers were partying in a cor- goes long.

Happy hours run 9-10 a.m. doned off area of the parking lot, playing giant-sized beer pong and 5:30-7 p.m. daily, but it’s with dodge balls and garbage pretty much always a happy hour cans. A live band was performing at McCleary’s, sure and begorrah.

42 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 43

Bench

PATRIC K SWE E NE Y

bar l w cr a

Navajo Room bartender Rene.

NAVAJO ROOM Bartender Aaron Pritchett calls the Navajo on the faux wooden roof that juts out over the Room, located in a strip mall off Emerald and back of the room, which is filled with wooden tables. The one, radical, departure from the Orchard streets, a “good transition bar.”

“Door-to-door, it’s 1 mile from the Ranch timbered theme is a gargantuan mirror, painted in 1977 with a wilderness scene of rivers, Club [in Garden City],” he said.

That’s true, but it’s also true that the Navajo mountains and trees. Signed by Steve Spangler (if anyone knows more about Mr. Spangler, is a good destination bar.

To call it “retro” would be a gross under- please let us know), the mirror is topped with a wall mural depicting a white statement. From the 1960s era pioneer—whiskey bottle in signage to the 1860s era WestTHE NAVAJO ROOM hand—facing a buckskin-clad ern interior, the Navajo Room Native American. It’s a sight to 4900 Emerald St. is a celebration of how the West 208-343-5817 behold. According to Pritchett, was won, and you can be sure one of the only things that has that if you belly up to the bar, it been changed about the joint in won’t be “one and done.”

“All of my whiskeys are $5,” Pritchett said. its 40+ years has been the ladies’ bathroom.

Equipped with a pool table, the Navajo hosts “And 87 percent of my whiskeys are $5 or less.”

APA pool league tourneys and is open from 10 Damn straight.

Beyond the booze, the Navajo sports a truly a.m.-2 a.m. daily.

“My specialty is to make you feel at home,” unique look. Everything is wooden. From the wood paneled walls, to the wooden beams Pritchett said. “This is a real neighborhood bar. along the wooden bar, to the wooden shingles It’s the best kept secret.”

44 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

SAVE UP TO 40% AT LOCALMERCANTS ADDIE'S

*********************

30%

******************

40%

BASQUE MARKET DINING * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

BEAUTY LUX (THREADING SERVICES ONLY)

******

40%

BIG JUD'S- BOISE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

BOISE DOG BARBER SHOP

************

45%

******************

40%

BONEFISH GRILL * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

30%

THE CREPERIE CAFE

***************

25%

DISTRICT COFFEE HOUSE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

FOOTHILLS FAMILY MEDICINE * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

THE FLICKS (TICKETS ONLY)

************

30%

***************

40%

LIQUID (COMEDY SHOW TICKETS ONLY) * * * * * * * * *

40%

THE MODERN HOTEL (ROOMS ONLY) * * * * * * * * *

20%

PIPER PUB * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

30%

THE BALCONY

BOISE HOT AIR

THE GROWLER GUYS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PIZZALCHIK * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

20%

RED FEATHER LOUNGE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

20%

RED WILLOW BODYWORKS

************

40%

***************

25%

RICE CONTEMPORARY ASIAN CUISINE & BAR * * * * * *

40%

SA-WAD-DEE

40%

REDISCOVERED BOOKS

******************

SAINT LAWRENCE GRIDIRON SAWTOOTH WINERY

************

35%

***************

30%

*********

40%

******************

25%

SOFIA'S GREEK BISTRO * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

SOLID GRILL AND BAR

***************

40%

******************

50%

THAI BASIL * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

40%

WILD RIVER ADVENTURES

40%

SHANAZ HOME KITCHEN CUISINE SMOKY DAVIS

SUPLES LTD.

************

GO TO BWSMARTCARD.BOISEWEEKLY.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION & AN UPDATED LIST OF PARTICIPATING MERCHANTS W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 45

R

27.

25.

24.

23.

22.

21.

20.

Collister Dr.

28.

29.

N. Pierce Park Ln.

ather than face the often arduous and occasionally adventurous task of commuting via Eagle Road, drivers will often take the longer route down State Street to get to Eagle. State Street can’t boast the proliferation of strip malls, big-box stores, banks, housing or health care along Eagle Road (nor the mighty Village at Meridian)—it is, however, home to a surprising variety of eateries ranging from fine dining restaurants to fast-food joints. So, if you’re between 13th and Glenwood streets and get hit with a hunger pang, there’s a place on State to satiate.

19.

Glenwood St

STATE STREET

18.

26.

46 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

01. DK DONUTS

09. KIBROM’S

Donuts 1300 W. State St. 208-385-7480

02. FANCI FREEZ Burgers and fries 1402 W. State St. 208-429-1400 facebook.com/Fancifreez

10. DUTCH GOOSE

Mediterranean 1772 W. State St. 208-333-2566 mazzahboise.com Pizza and pasta 1805 W. State St. 208-387-2727 smokymountainpizza.com

05. NORTH END CHINESE

Burgers and fries 3790 W. State St. 208-342-7289

12. ZEN BENTO

Fine dining (pre-fixe) 2870 W. State St. 208-429-6735 stateandlemp.com

24. MADHUBAN Indian 6930 W. State St. 208-853-8215 madhubanindiancuisine.com

36th st.

09.

07.

05.

01.

03.

STATE STREET 02.

14.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

13.

10.

08.

06.

04.

13th 3t st.

Collister Dr.

Mexican 6906 W. State St. 208-853-1494 idaholosbetos.com

Mexican 4334 W. State St. 208-338-9707 coronavillagemex.com

11.

Pizza, salad and chicken 7330 W. State St. 208-853-7757 pizzalchik.com

23. LOS BETOS

16. CORONA VILLAGE

12.

29. PIZZALCHIK

Diner 6630 W. State St. 208-853-1801 merrittsscones.com

Pizza 4320 W. State St. 208-384-0000 flyingpie.com

15.

Vietnamese 7310 W. State St. 208-319-0160

Breakfast 6882 W. State St. 208-853-2037 eggfactorycafe.com

15. FLYING PIE PIZZARIA

Mexican 2919 W. State St. 208-343-1001 amigosboise.com

28. PHO 79

21. MERRITT’S FAMILY RESTAURANT

Pub 4295 W. State St. 208-345-7700 burgernbrew.com

08. AMIGOS

Diner 7135 W. State St. 208-853-7400 bobssunrisecafe.com

22. EGG FACTORY

14. BURGER N’ BREW

07. STATE & LEMP

27. BOB’S SUNRISE CAFE

Beer and wine 5616 W. State St. 208-412-3095 thelocalboise.com

Pub 4091 W. State St. 208-342-3250 tiatoboise.com

Burgers and fries (and prime rib) 1929 W. State St. 208-342-2957 cheflou.com

26. SOFIA’S Greek 6748 N. Glenwood St. 208-853-0844 sofiasgreekbistro.com

20. THE LOCAL

Bento, sushi and salads 3912 W. State St. 208-343-1760 zenbento.com

06. WESTSIDE DRIVE-IN

16.

18. BUZZ COFFEE, CAFE AND WINE

Gyros (drive-through) 5602 W. State St. 208-853-2684 thegyroshack.com

13. THE LIFT BAR AND GRILL

Chinese 1806 W. State St. 208-343-1080

Burgers and fries 6944 W. State St. 208-391-1573 boisefrycompany.com

19. THE GYRO SHACK

11. VIKING DRIVE IN

04. SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA

25. BOISE FRY COMPANY

Vegan and multi-cultural 4628 W. State St. 208-367-9000 kindcuisinecafe.com Coffee, beer and wine 2999 N. Lakeharbor Lane 208-344-4321 buzzbeans.com

Pub 3515 W. State St. 208-342-8887 dutchgoose.com

03. MAZZAH

17.

17. KIND CUISINE CAFE

Ethiopian and Eritrean 3506 W. State St. 208-703-0564 facebook.com/Kibroms-Ethiopian-Eritrean-Restaurant

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 47

G EORG E PRE NTICE

Dinner

in a m ov i e

LIGHTS, CAMERA, LASAGNA At The Flicks, dinner and a movie is dinner at the movies GEORGE PRENTICE Surprises at the movies (Thrills! Spills!

Chills!) are common, but perhaps the biggest surprise at The Flicks—Boise’s independent and award-winning cinema—isn’t on the big screen. It’s back in the theater’s tiny kitchen, where nearly every food item is made from scratch.

“The secret for great hummus? It’s sriracha and the perfect amount of oil. That’s the difference between good and great,” said Erik Butterworth, stepping gingerly around his compact kitchen a couple of hours before moviegoers walked through the doors of The Flicks for that day’s matinee screenings.

Butterworth was simultaneously stirring a big pot of soup, washing fresh greens and keeping an eye on a big pan of lasagna baking in the oven.

“We sell a lot of lasagna, so we’re making a new batch every day,” said Flicks owner Carole Skinner, who opened the doors of the downtown Boise cinema more than 30 years ago. “And from the very first day, we always had a cafe. We just didn’t want to have a typical experience where, if you’re hungry, you have to eat nachos with that horrible fake cheese or a hot dog that has been spinning around on a countertop for several hours.”

When Skinner opened The Flicks in 1984, she said it had to include some special things on the menu. Thus began “Rick’s Cafe Americain” at The Flicks, the namesake of Humphrey Bogart’s restaurant in the film Casablanca. More important, Skinner said, was 48 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

that the menu at Rick’s Cafe had to feature Lantern and The Village at Meridian cinemas to anti-obscenity laws. freshly-cooked selections.

“When we had Oscar-nominated movies “We’ve always made everything from scratch,” she said, “but it had to be fresh, like Carol or The Danish Girl [both rated tasty and quick to get people into the movie.” R] this past December, we got nervous. But Back in the kitchen, Butterworth, who we’ve been nervous about a whole list of needs an extra set of hands on Friday and movies over the years,” said Skinner. “But Saturday nights, was considering his next now, it looks like things are finally about to change.” soup selection.

Both the Idaho House and Senate voted “When there’s a chill in the air, people love our Indian curry stew, Cuban black bean overwhelmingly in March 2016 to amend soup and, of course, chili,” he said. “But Idaho law, thus untying the obscenity laws to beer and wine licenses at year-round? Our Tomato bacinemas. sil is probably the top seller.”

The Flicks sells no less than The menu also includes paTHE FLICKS/RICK’S two dozen types of beers and ninis, beef-, salmon- and garCAFE AMERICAIN more than a dozen varieties of den burgers, chicken breast 646 Fulton St., wines. sandwiches, baked brie with 208-342-4288, “For goodness sakes, the sundried tomatoes and artitheflicksboise.com Idaho State Police have betchoke hearts, and four types ter things to do than to worry of salads. about somebody drinking a “And fresh-baked cookies: chocolate, oatmeal raisin and on weekends, beer at The Flicks,” said Skinner.

As Boise Weekly was visiting, a number we make fudgy oat bars,” said Skinner. “And who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie of customers stepped up to the counter and ordered an adult beverage and some food. with a glass or red wine?”

“We need two tickets to the next show, About the wine—and the beer.

The issue of beer and wine sales at The but I definitely want some lasagna,” said Flicks and two other Idaho cinemas moved one patron. “And I’ll have a chicken Caesar to the front burner this year when the Idaho salad,” said her companion.

“We haven’t changed the menu for a Legislature took up the debate over serving alcohol at theaters that screen R-rated films. while,” said Skinner as her staff rushed the Idaho statute shackles the beer and wine li- food order back to Butterworth’s kitchen. censes at The Flicks, Ketchum’s The Magic “Everything sells.”

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 49

NECTARS OF THE GODS

The best-selling boozes at the Treasure Valley’s top liquor stores, ranked HARRISON BERRY

#1 seller

#2 seller

#3 seller

#4 seller

#5 seller

Grove St., Boise

17th/State, Boise

Overland/ Five Mile, Boise

Hillcrest, Boise

Parkcenter, Boise

store #101

store#102

store #109

store #103

store #112

$4,814,597

$4,068,641

$3,873,596

$3,713,059

$3,287,670

TOP SELLERS PER STORE

#1 S

r

V

#1 S

r

V

#1 P

r’ V

#1 S

r

V

#2. Smirnoff Vodka

#2. Platinum 7x Vodka

#2.Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

#2. Kamchatka Vodka

#2. Platinum 7x Vodka

#3. Platinum 7x Vodka

#3. Burnett’s Vodka

#3. Burnett’s Vodka

#3. Stroika Vodka

#3. Stroika Vodka

#4. Burnett’s Vodka

#4. Tito’s Handmade Vodka

#4. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

#4. Platinum 7x Vodka

#4. Potter’s Vodka

#5. Tito’s Handmade Vodka

#5. Stroika Vodka

#5. Platinum 7x Vodka

#5. Smirnoff Vodka

#5. Tito’s Handmade Vodka

50 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

L

ast year, Howard Wasserstein, deputy director for procurement, distribution and retail operations at the Idaho State Liquor Division, said when he walks into the liquor store at the corner of Broadway and Beacon streets in Boise, he sees “a big jewelry store.”

Booze dispensaries are treasure troves in more ways than one. Full of shiny, colored glass filled with vodkas, whiskies, rums, tequilas, mixers, etc., they’re also a source of riches for the Gem State. In 2013, liquor sales totaled around $60 million. Two years later, they were $3 million higher and, in Idaho border towns, sales are driven by out-of-staters.

Statewide, the top-selling brands were Smirnoff, Crown Royal, Jack Daniel’s, Fireball and Black Velvet. We wanted to know which, if any, of Boise’s liquor stores buck the trend, so we asked ISLD for a list of the top-10 bestselling shops and their bestselling boozes (spoiler: Treasure Valley tipplers are devoted to vodka). Here’s who’s selling what to keep you (responsibly) toasted:

#6 seller

#7 seller

#8 seller

#9seller

#10seller

Fairview, Meridian

Fairview, Boise

Vista, Boise

Eagle/ McMillan, Boise

Nampa Mktplace

store #132

store #114

store #110

store #125

store #118

$3,080,375

$3,022,490

$3,007,802

$2,929,830

$2,795,205

TOP SELLERS PER STORE

#1 S

r

V

#1 P

r’ V

#1 S

r

V

#1 S

r

V

#1 S

r

V

#2. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

#2. Smirnoff Vodka

#2. Potter’s Vodka

#3. Burnett’s Vodka

#4.Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

#3. Kamchatka Vodka

#3.Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

#3. Platinum 7x Vodka

#3. Platinum 7x Vodka

#3. Burnett’s Vodka

#4.Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

#4. Burnett’s Vodka

#4. Stroika Vodka

#4. Potter’s Vodka

#4. Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

#5. Platinum 7x Vodka

#5 Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

#5 Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

#5.Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

#4. Potter’s Vodka

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 51

Bar Listings BOISE DOWNTOWN AND FRINGE 10TH STREET STATION 104 10th St. The best chill-in-a-leather-chair-and-chatwith-friends-over-cocktails joint in town.

208-344-2677, tenthstreetstation.com.

THE AMSTERDAM LOUNGE 609 W. Main St. This upscale lounge in the heart of downtown Boise is as beautiful as its patrons and its creative craft cocktails.

208-3459515, boisesbestbars.com/ amsterdam.

BALCONY CLUB 150 N. Eighth St.

CHINA BLUE 100 S. Sixth St. The capital of Boise’s club scene, several bars and VIP seating bring the city’s night owls here to dance. 208-345-9515, boisesbestbars.com/china.

CROWBAR 107 S. Sixth St. Custom-made booths, brushed steel tables, European-style taps and gorgeous cocktails equal subterranean splendor.

208-345-2505, crowbarboise.com.

DIRTY LITTLE RODDY’S 100 S. Sixth St. Calling all cowboys and cowgirls—and those who just look good in a cowboy hat on a mechanical bull. 208-345-9515, boisesbestbars.com/roddys.

KNITTING FACTORY CONCERT HOUSE 416 S. Ninth St. Open only during concerts, you won’t wait long for a drink: These bartenders are some fast drink slingers. 208-367-1212, bo.knittingfactory.com.

SILLY BIRCH 507 S. Main St.

Something funny happened on the way to Liquid. And inside Liquid. Because it’s Boise’s comedy club. 208-941-2459, liquidboise.com.

SNAKE RIVER WINERY TASTING ROOM

2223 Fairview Ave.

786 W. Broad St.

Enjoy drag shows, karaoke and beer pong in this super-gay-friendly bar. 208-3330074, luckydogtavern.com.

The BoDo tasting room carries the full Snake River Winery line, as well as glassware and other wine accessories. Park as close as possible—you probably won’t leave empty handed. 208-345-9463, snakeriverwinery.com/tasting.

1314 W. Grove St.

BASQUE CENTER

Enjoy a cold one on the spacious back patio or chill out watching TV inside at this addition to Front Street Pub Row.

601 W. Grove St.

208-344-2076.

The bar crew at the Modern has been voted Best of Boise for good reason. The impeccable service and great food are newsworthy, as well. 208-424-8244 or 1-866-780-6012, themodernhotel.com.

BODOVINO 404 S. Eighth St. High-tech, mechanized wine service in an upscale, urban setting. 208-336-8466, bodovino.com.

BOISE BREWING CO. 521 W. Broad St. This community supported and owned brewery is the definition of a neighborhood bar. Boise Brewing’s best beers are now available at your favorite grocery store.

208-342-7655, boisebrewing.com.

CACTUS BAR 517 W. Main St. Many a Jäger Bomb has been defused at this downtown institution. 208-342-9732.

409 S. Eighth St. Double Tap Pub is a study in unexpected— but welcome—surprises: a sweet selection of top-shelf booze, 28 taps and high-end menu items. 208-364-7800, facebook. com/GoneRougePub.

1009 N. Main St. Low prices and some seriously decent pub food bring ‘em in. The patio and games keep ‘em there. 208-336-6998, facebook. com/mulligansbar.

NEUROLUX

800 W. Idaho St.

111 N. 11th St.

Club fun, Wild 101 Wednesdays, FML Thursdays, EDM Sundays. 208-629-6314, drinkfattysboise.com.

If it’s happening in the world of music, it’s happening at Neurolux. Voted best local bar for many years. 208-343-0886, neurolux.com.

GIL’S K-9 BAR This dim-lit nook of a bar is open seven days with food specials all week long and a shuffleboard table with a good view of the game on TV. 208-345-4420, facebook.com/Gils-K9-Bar.

HUMPIN’ HANNAH’S

CAPITOL CELLARS

621 Main St.

110 S. Fifth St.

Rocci Johnson has been rockin’ the house for years, and her No. 1 goal is to make sure everyone who walks through the door has a good time. 208-345-7557, humpinhannahs.com.

Opened by longtime Idaho politico Charles A. “Skip” Smyser, this politically themed restaurant offers fine dining in a laid back, below-street-level setting. 208-344-9463, capitolcellarsllc.com.

MULLIGANS PUB AND EATERY

FATTY’S

2506 W. Main St.

52 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

There’s nothing silly about a place that has a made-in-Idaho night every week.

208-344-1889, sillybirch.com.

LUCKY DOG TAVERN

MODERN HOTEL AND BAR

DOUBLE TAP PUB

Prost! brings a great lineup of German bier to Boise with each poured in its proper traditional glass. Pair them with brats and other German fare. 208-336-9395, prostboise.com.

405 S. Eighth St.

1108 W. Front St.

You don’t have to be from the Basque Country to feel at home at this favorite watering hole. 208-331-5097 or 208-3429983, basquecenter.com.

274 N. Eighth St.

LIQUID LOUNGE

DOC’S BAR AND GRILL

You wanna dance with somebody? That somebody is probably at The Balcony.

208-336-1313, thebalconyclub.com.

PROST! BOISE

PENGILLY’S SALOON 513 W. Main St. A downtown destination, with mounted animal heads and a vintage feel. Catch live music almost every night. 208-345-6344, facebook.com/PengillysSaloon.

PREFUNK BEER BAR 1100 W. Front St. This popular growler fill station and craft beer bar has more than 40 local and regional beers on tap on tap. 208-3313865, prefunkbar.com.

SPACEBAR ARCADE 200 N. Capitol Blvd.

Classic video games, scores of board games, DJs, beer and an always affable staff. Spacebar: Where the beer-drinking adult and the kid in you can hang out together. 208-918-0597, spacebararcade.com.

SYMPOSION 2801 Fletcher St. At this longtime little pet-friendly cocktail lounge, every hour is happy hour.

Seriously. It’s always happy hour at The Symposion. 208-342-9420, cocktailloungeinboiseid.com.

TAPHOUSE PUB AND EATERY 760 W. Main St. More than 40 beers on tap and 15 largescreens, but it’s more than a sports bar, with a wide-ranging menu that includes prime rib on Fridays. 208-336-6991, boisetaphouse.com.

THE MODE LOUNGE 800 W. Idaho St. Don’t look for brews and sports at this upscale craft cocktail lounge in the historic Mode building. Instead, look for wine, creative cocktails and small plates instead.

208-342-6633, themodelounge.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

GO TO BW S MA RTCA RD.BOIS E WEEKLY.C OM FOR A N U P -TO -DATE LIST OF PA RTIC IPATING M ERC HA NT S

TOM GRAINEY’S

SUDS TAVERN

109 S. Sixth St.

1024 S. Broadway Ave.

A lot of local bands have cut their teeth at Grainey’s. And so have a lot of local party people. 208-345-2505, tomgraineys.com.

With 16 HD TVs and a ful salte of bar games, you’ll find plenty of red, white, blue and orange on the walls. 208-345-9656, facebook.com/SudsTavern.

THE TORCH 1826 Main St. This gentlemen’s club set the bar for Boise bikini bars. VIPs get in free for life and nightly specials make everyone feel special. 208-344-0218, thetorchlounge.com.

WHISKEY BAR 509 W. Main St. Irish, bourbon and rye, oh my! If you’re looking for your favorite whiskey or want to try something new, the place with “whiskey” in the name is the best place to start.

208-345-2505, whiskeybarboise.com.

WOODLAND EMPIRE ALE CRAFT 1114 W. Front St. Kick-ass craft brews made by people with a great sense of humor. May we suggest you try the Hall and Oatesmeal Stout?. woodlandempire.com.

BROADWAY AVENUE

STATE STREET 44 CLUB 4340 W. State St. Do you like beer? Do you like karaoke?

Than by the transitive properties, you like the 44 Club. 208-344-0693, facebook. com/theendzoneboise.

BREWS BROTHERS 6928 W. State St. Work your way through the bottle selection and all 23 taps at this dark, strip-mall bar in no time at all. 208-853-0526, brewsbrothersonline.com.

CAPITOL BAR 6100 W. State St. A comfy little haven in the former Shotsie’s Pub location on State Street, across from Plantation Golf Club. 208-629-5134, thecapbar.com.

CLOUD 9 BREWERY

BROADWAY BAR

1750 W. State St.

1712 S. Broadway Ave.

A four-barrel nanopub in the North End featuring local pub grub. 208-336-0681, cloud9brewery.com.

For more than 50 years, the Broadway has been a go-to for cheap cocktails and game nights. 208-342-9951, facebook.com/ Broadway-Bar.

END ZONE 1010 S. Broadway Ave. Chill out with a brew and a game of horseshoes or shuffleboard. 208-384-0613, facebook.com/theendzoneboise.

FIRESIDE INN 1610 N. 31st St. The Fireside Inn is cozy, friendly and a great place to meet friends for a brew and a game of darts or pool. 208-342-9075, facebook.com/Fireside-Inn.

THE LOCAL

JIM’S ALIBI

5616 W. State St.

2710 S. Broadway Ave.

The perfect place to spend a nice evening out in the neighborhood. 208-412-3095, thelocalboise.com.

Have a beer and hang out with great folks at this sports-centric institution. 208-3429220, jimsalibi.com.

R BAR 1041 S. Broadway Ave. Enjoy the “no bullshit” vibe, full liquor selection and a cool, clean interior. 208629-0029, rbarboise.com.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

MCCLEARY’S PUB 9155 W. State St. Try not to spend all day with the horseshoes, volleyball, lotto, pool, darts, eight flat-screens and more. 208-853-9910, mcclearys.net.

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 53

Bar Listings TERRY’S STATE STREET SALOON 3301 N. Collister St. It’s exterior might look rickety, but Terry’s is solid. 208-331-8225, terryssaloon.com.

TURNER’S SPORTS BAR 4026 W. State St. Need bait and a cocktail, too? Then you need to get to Turner’s and make this a regular stop for supplies. 208-342-9003, facebook.com/TurnersSportsfair.

BENCH

NAVAJO ROOM

BUSTED SHOVEL

4900 Emerald St.

704 Main St.

THE BENCH NEIGHBORHOOD BAR

Worth a visit just for the incredible Western-inspired wall art. 208-343-5817.

Full menu of pub favorites, weekend brunch and rockin’ cocktail selection. 208288-2217, facebook.com/BustedShovel.

924 S. Vista Ave. This tiny cozy pub in Vista Village features a few high tables, a full liquor selection and six taps pouring a mix of local micros and big-name beers. 208-629-7450.

CRESCENT “NO LAWYERS” BAR/ GRILL 5500 W. Franklin Road

WEST BOISE THE BEERHOUSE 9751 Cory Lane Beer, plus foosball, darts, horseshoes and volleyball. That’s The Beerhouse. 208322-9958.

THE BUFFALO CLUB 10206 W. Fairview Ave. Get’cher cowboy on with line dancing lessons, poker, pool and live music. 208321-1811, thebuffaloclubboise.com.

EDGE BREWING CO. 525 N. Steelhead Way Local craft brewery with a sprawling dining room and menu of pub grub. 208-9952979, edgebrew.com.

MURPH’S CORNER BREW 7099 W. Overland Road Dawson Taylor coffee, Boar’s Head Premium meats and cheeses, pastries, craft beer and wine are all on tap . 208-3750012, murphscornerbrew.com.

Locally owned for more than 35 years and often voted best sports bar, probably because of the TVs, great menu, beer and booze selection and awesome patio.

208-322-9856, sportsbarboise.com.

JUMPIN’ JANET’S 572 S. Vista Ave. Food and drink specials everyday, including award-winning prime rib, plus weekly trivia and Last Call Feud. 208-342-7620, jumpinjanets.net.

OVERLAND BAR 3907 W. Overland Road This cozy little hangout, which has been around since 1950, hosts karaoke every night of the week. 208-336-4707, facebook.com/overlandbar.boisenightclub.

QUINN’S RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE 1005 S. Vista Ave. This Boise icon has everything from karaoke to hip-hop nights, plus casual American fare and, best of all, a great weekend brunch with free champagne.

208-345-0135, quinnsrestaurant.net.

THE TORCH 2 610 S. Vista Ave. The Bench version of the downtown ins-titution. 208-336-4747, thetorchlounge.com.

THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE 229 W. Franklin Road Check out the patio, karaoke, live music and Texas hold ‘em. 208-888-4075, facebook.com/TheConstructionZoneBarGrill.

THE GROWLER GUYS 2020 E. Overland Road Choose from the substantial selection of great craft beer and stay for a glass or fill up a growler or two to go. 208-287-8600, thegrowlerguys.com.

KIT KAT KLUB 4842 W. Franklin Road If you’re in search of bikini bar. 208-8887731, facebook.com/Kit-Kat-Klub.

SLANTED ROCK BREWING CO.

LITTLE DUTCH GARDEN

THE VISTA BAR

2374 E. Cinema Dr.

1910 S. Owyhee St.

813 Vista Ave.

This is a true neighborhood bar. Make sure to check the backyard for horseshoe tournaments. 208-342-9034, facebook. com/Little.Dutch.Garden.

With a renovation completed in 2014, this grande dame of the A-frame got a face-lift.

208-345-5058, vistabarboise.com/.

Four signature beers are on tap in the tasting room, plus rotating seasonals.

208-288-2192, slantedrock.com.

MCCLEARY’S PUB 604 N. Orchard Ave. The brother of the State Street McCleary’s and a neighborhood favorite. 208-3423007, mcclearys.net.

VARSITY PUB 1441 N. Eagle Road

MERIDIAN 127 CLUB

Catch the game and hand out with friends at this Meridian sports bar hide-away.

208-906-0658, varsitypubmeridian.com.

127 E. Idaho Ave.

WHITE WATER SALOON

Their motto is “You always get a damn good drink for a damn good price and have a damn good time.” 208-884-0122, 127club.com.

1646 N. Meridian Road This is a bar’s bar: Friendly service, stiff drinks and no food. 208-888-3063, facebook.com/WhiteWaterSaloon.

THE POCKET 1487 N. Curtis Road An expansive slate of drinks and plenty of tables make this a local pool mecca.

208-375-2474, facebook.com/ThePocket-Boise.

Q’S BILLIARDS AND EATERY 6570 Fairview Ave. Pool starts with the letter Q at this full-bar billiard hall. 208-322-9122.

VILLAGE PUB 9936 Fairview Ave. Pull up a seat by the fireplace and chill out with friends. 208-375-3085.

BENCH BAR EXTRA: LITTLE DUTCH GARDEN

Everything about Little Dutch Garden (except the “Dutch” part of the name) is literal. It’s little and has an enormous garden filled with horseshoe pits, a bonfire circle and loads of picnic tables.

As far as Boise bars go—let alone watering holes on the Bench—LDG is a lo-fi operation. Inside, it has a long bar. The lighting is bright, as dive bars go, and the decor is spartan. Beers are arrayed in old-school coolers and we didn’t get a good look at the wine list, but we know it’s there. No liquor is served on the premises, which probably keeps everyone on their best behavior—and best horseshoe game.

In place a full bar, LDG carries a worthy selection of regional microbrews and craft beers in both bottles and on a handful of its six taps.

Feel like pool? There’s a table. Feel like ping pong? There’s a table. Feel like darts? There’s a board. Feel like watching sports? There’s a TV. The only thing left to do is have a grand time with your new best friends.

“It’s like a family,” said the bartender, who added she lived across the street before landing a job behind the bar.

For more on Bench bars, see Page 38.

54 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

EAST BOISE BIER:THIRTY BOTTLE AND BISTRO 3073 S. Bown Way Special releases, featured fills and more craft beers than you can shake a growler at, matched with an eclectic menu of American and German eats. 208-3421916, bierthirty.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

CRICKETS

ROOTS AND COMPANY

1228 Oakland Ave.

114 S. Seventh Ave.

It’s not even Christmas, but the gift of an extra happy hour four nights each week is yours. 208-344-6235, facebook.com/ cricketsbar.

Roots and Co. always has drink specials, tournaments, games and music. We can see why it’s popular with bikers. 208-4594279, facebook.com/Roots-Company.

EASTSIDE TAVERN

SPORTSMAN’S HIDEOUT

610 E. Boise Ave.

117 Everett St.

The next nearest bar is a couple of miles away making Eastside a true oasis o’ booze. 208-345-3878, facebook.com/ EastsideTav.

Tournaments, drink specials, ice-cold beer and a friendly atmosphere keep the biker crowd coming back. 208-459-9881, facebook.com/SportHideout.

FULL STEAM BISTRO

VICTOR’S HOGS N HORNS

920 E. Park Blvd.

3110 Cleveland Blvd.

A steampunk inspired Boise coffee shop, Full Steam Bistro not only makes craft espresso drinks but serves beer, wine and a full bistro menu all day. 208-999-8661, fullsteam920.com.

Road warriors, Western grub, karaoke, bar games and bikers. Victor’s is awesome.

208-455-1956, victorshogsandhorns.com.

KUNA COWGIRLS 353 Ave. E Take the shuttle from Boise and enjoy some bar-top dancing. 208-922-9522, cowgirlskuna.com.

RED EYE SALOON 414 W. Main St. You haven’t been to Kuna until you’ve been to the Red Eye. 208-922-9797, facebook. com/Red-Eye-Saloon.

NAMPA 1918 LOUNGE 10 13th Ave. S. This dive bar packs a lot of personality into a small space. 208-467-3273, facebook. com/1918-Lounge.

CRESCENT BREWERY 1521 Front St. The small-batch brews contain no chemical additives or preservatives, and are made with Idaho barley and Pacific Northwest hops. 208-968-1034, crescentbeer.com.

FIREHOUSE SPORTS PUB 1515 N. Midland Blvd.

EAGLE EAGLE TRIPLE TAP

Catch the game from any angle with TVs in every corner. Plus pool and a full menu of pub grub. 208-463-0167, facebook.com/ firehousesportspub.

1580 E. State St.

MONKEY BIZNESS

Local micro brews served in pints and growlers to go. 208-741-0441,facebook. com/Eagle-Triple-Tap-LLC.

Live music, a full bar and plenty of bar games keep things lively. 208-467-1507.

724 First St. S.

PETE’S TAVERN

CALDWELL CALDWELL BOWL 2121 Blaine St. Near the College of Idaho campus, this cocktail lounge-equipped fun center is a draw for students and locals alike. 208459-3400, caldwellbowl.net.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

11 12th Ave. S. Nampa’s five-star dive bar with 25-cent pool and a rich history. 208-466-9280, facebook.com/Petes-Tavern.

PREFUNK BEER BAR 1214 1st St. S. An assortment of local and regional taps.

208-466-0981, prefunkbar.com.

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 55

Bar Listings THE WOODSHED

ECLYPSE BAR

817 E. Karcher Road

5467 N. Glenwood St.

Play some pool or bring on the karaoke in this cool, low-key joint. 208-467-7952, facebook.com/WoodshedNampa.

On weekend nights, dance to hip-hop, rap, Top 40 and rock. During the week, belt out some karaoke or catch the occasional live band. 208-965-0009, facebook.com/ theeclypse.

TINY’S LOUNGE 10 12th Ave. S. A cool little dive in a historic downtown location. 208-467-1717.

STAR HELINA MARIE’S WINE AND GIFT SHOP

HOMEBREWSTUFF BOTTLE SHOP AND TAPROOM 9115 W. Chinden Blvd.

Home brew supplies, including ingredients, kits and equipment, plus a bottle shop featuring fine micro brews. Local customers can place orders on the website, then pick up in the store with no waiting. 208-3752559, homebrewstuff.com.

11053 W. State St.

MERIWETHER CIDER CO.

Check out wine tastings, live music and, something unique among wine bars, karaoke. 208-286-7960, helinamaries.com.

5242 W. Chinden Blvd.

SAM’S SALOON 10937 W. State St. Thirsty in Star? Sam’s is pretty much the only pool table-equipped joint in town.

208-286-7794.

Meriwether Cider Company (formerly known as Leadbetter Cider) is brewing up many different kinds of ciders, including semi-sweet, semi-dry, blackberry, cherry, plum, ginger, apple pie, apricot, gin botanical and hopped. 208-972-6725, meriwethercider.com.

PAYETTE BREWING COMPANY

SULLY’S PUB AND GRILL

111 W. 33rd St.

11123 State St.

A leader in Boise’s brewing renaissance with four flagship beers and a handful of seasonals. 208-344-0011, payettebrewing.com.

Go for the French toast, stay for the full bar and horeshoes at this Irish pub. 208-2867743, sullys-idaho.com.

PLAYERS PUB & GRILL 5504 W. Alworth St.

GARDEN CITY BELLA BREWING 4340 Chinden Blvd.

Featuring a small tasting room amid a gleaming seven-barrel electric brew system. 208-830-0441, facebook.com/ Bella-Brewing.

BOULEVARD BAR

Full bar, menu, sports on TV and an attached bowling alley. 208-376-6563.

THE RANCH CLUB 3544 W. Chinden Blvd.

A smoker’s (and drinker’s) oasis. Look for the massive bucking bronco out front.

208-343-7447.

4079 W. Chinden Blvd.

SOUTH BOISE

The only way to spell beer at the Boulevard is B-u-d-w-e-i-s-e-r. 208-342-9906.

LEGENDS SPORTS PUB AND GRILL 7609 W. Overland Road

COUNTY LINE BREWING 9115 W. Chinden Blvd.

County Line Brewing LLC is owned and operated by Laura and Zack Kiehl. 208830-2456, countylinebrewing.com.

Full bar, good eats and plenty of TVs. 208-377-1819, legendspubandgrill.com.

TWISTED TIMBER PUB AND GRILL 4563 S. Cloverdale Road A wide beer selection, pizza and sandwiches, coffee, pool table and shuffleboard.

208-362-7157, ilovethetimber.com.

56 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 57

Restaurant Listings NORTH BOISE

JAVA

13TH STREET PUB AND GRILL

Creative coffees and tempting bakery offerings made in house. 208-345-4777, javabowlofsoul.com.

1520 N. 13th St. Delicious dishes served on an indoor heated patio that opens in summer. 208639-8888, onethreepub.com.

36TH STREET BISTRO 3823 N. Garden Center Way Try the locally-raised Highland beef with pomme frites at this bistro located next to a nursery and garden center. 208-4335108, 36streetgardencenter.com.

BOISE CO-OP 888 W. Fort St. Boise’s original natural food store has a deli full of delightful delicacies. 208-472-4500, boise.coop.

CASA MEXICO 1605 N. 13th St. Classic Mexican food you know and love.

208-333-8330, casamexicoidaho.com.

GOODY’S SODA FOUNTAIN 1502 N. 13th St. Take your sweet tooth here. 208-3670020, goodyssodafountain.com.

HARRY’S HYDE PARK PUB 1501 N. 13th St. Casual pub fare in the heart of Hyde Park.

208-336-9260, harryshydepark.com.

HAWKINS PAC-OUT 2315 N. Bogus Basin Road This iconic burger joint has been a favorite of the ski and snowboard set for years.

208-338-9627, hawkinspacout.com.

HIGHLANDS HOLLOW BREWHOUSE 2455 Harrison Hollow Lane See why people are talking about Highlands’ handcrafted beers. 208-343-6820, highlandshollow.com.

HYDE PERK COFFEE HOUSE 1507 N. 13th St. Hyde Perk uses beans from Spokane roaster Waverly’s Coffee for its lattes, mochas and Americano’s—on its La Marzocco espresso machine. 208-345-2046, facebook.com/Hyde-Perk-Coffee-House.

1612 N. 13th St.

BOISE DOWNTOWN AND FRINGE 10 BARREL BREWING CO.

LULU’S FINE PIZZA

830 W. Bannock St.

2594 Bogus Basin Road

Try the house pork belly with the housemade mustard, and wash it down with a brew. 208-344-5870, 10barrel.com.

Try the house tomato with mozzarella or artichoke heart and kalamata olive covered Spartan. Superb Sushi sold here, too.

208-387-4992, ilovelulus.com.

NORTH END PIZZA 1513 N. 13th St. Modeled after Seattle’s Ridge Pizza, North End Pizza will open in Hyde Park in the former Brumfield’s Gallery space. facebook. com/northendpizzaboise.

O’MICHAEL’S PUB & GRILL 2433 N. Bogus Basin Road Pub food plus specialties like corned beef and Bailey’s french toast. 208-342-8948, omichaelspub.com.

OWL TREE BAKERY 3910 Hill Road For artisanal breads and pastries made from scratch using locally sourced and organic ingredients, health-conscious carb cravers congregate at this Hill Road bakery.

208-570-7164, owltreebakery.com.

PARRILLA GRILL 1512 N. 13th St. Have a brew and a $1 taco under the roof that opens. 208-323-4688, parrillagrillhydepark.com.

RICHARD’S CAFE VICINO 808 W. Fort St. Chef Richard Langston creates Italian fare with locally sourced ingredients, complementing his dishes with hand-picked wines. 208-472-1463, cafevicino.com.

SUN RAY CAFE 1602 N. 13th St. Take a seat on Sun Ray’s coveted patio and dig into signature pizzas, salads, sandwiches and wraps. 208-343-2887, sunray-cafe.com.

58 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

A’TAVOLA 1515 W. Grove St. Stepping into this Linen District specialty market and grab-and-go eatery is like walking into a summer garden party. 208336-3641, atavolaboise.com.

ADDIE’S 501 W. Main St. Casual—and inexpensive—dining in the heart of downtown Boise. 208-388-1198, oldboise.com/merchant/addies-restaurant.

ALAVITA 807 W. Idaho St. Alavita is all about “loyal to local” and “fresh, uncomplicated, well-executed” Italian fare. 208-780-1100, alavitaboise.com.

ALIA’S COFFEEHOUSE 908 W. Main St. Bagels and sweet pastries go well with extra-special espresso drinks. 208-338-1299, facebook.com/pages/alias-coffeehouse.

ANDY’S DELI 840 W. Idaho St. Boise’s very own Seinfeld-style deli and coffee spot. 208-336-5186.

ANGELL’S BAR AND GRILL RENATO 999 W. Main St. Angell’s is cozy in the winter and a relaxing place to cool off in the summer. Now open for lunch Mon.-Fri. from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

208-342-4900, angellsbarandgrill.com.

ASIAGO’S 1002 W. Main St. Housemade pastas, contemporary flavor combinations and a well-designed wine list make this Italian eatery a popular destination. 208-336-5552, asiagos.com.

BACON/BERRYHILL 121 N. Ninth St. Morning brings delicious pastries, coffee and signature bacon dishes. Evenings are classic Berryhill, known for its cool, casual atmosphere and elegant classic and contemporary menu items. 208-387-3553, johnberryhillrestaurants.com.

BAR GERNIKA 202 S. Capitol Blvd.

Basque food is such an integral part of Boise, we forget not every city has a Bar Gernika with its beef tongue, croquetas, lamb grinders and amazing beer selection.

208-344-2175, bargernika.com.

BARDENAY 610 Grove St. Bardenay took the concept of DIY to a whole new level as the “nation’s first restaurant distillery.”. 208-426-0538, bardenay.com.

BASQUE MARKET 608 W. Grove St. Go Basque with tapas, paella and sheepherders’ breakfasts. 208-433-1208, thebasquemarket.com.

BIG CITY COFFEE 1416 Grove St. This busy coffeeshop serves fluffy egg dishes, fresh simple sandwiches, unrivaled pastries and signature Big Titty Blend coffee. 208-345-3145, bigcityboise.com.

BIG JUD’S 1289 S. Protest Road Finally, the Big Jud has a building that reflects just how damn good it is. No wonder it’s world-famous. 208-343-4439, bigjudsboise.com.

BITTERCREEK ALEHOUSE 246 N. Eighth St. Boise’s quintessential gastropub offers as many interesting micros as it does unique takes on local, seasonal pub grub. 208429-6340, bcrfl.com/bittercreek.

BLEUBIRD 224 N. 10th St. This popular lunch spot offers simple and well-executed sandwiches, sides and homemade sodas worth the wait in line.

208-345-1055, bleubirdboise.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

BLUE SKY BAGELS

THE CHOCOLAT BAR

407 W. Main St.

805 W. Bannock St.

Big bagel sandwiches created at assembly line speed. Get a free bagel with soup.

208-388-4242, blueskybagels.com.

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. Cathy Guisewhite’s cartoon-strip character would be in heaven. 208-338-7771, thechocolatbar.com.

BOISE FRY COMPANY 204 N. Capitol Blvd.

Boise Fry Co. has elevated the burger-andfry into excellent regional cuisine.

208-495-3858, boisefrycompany.com.

BOMBAY GRILL 928 W. Main St. The lunch buffet is filled with savory, Indian specialties and the tandoori chicken is sublime. 208-345-7888, facebook.com/ Bombaygrillboise.

BONEFISH GRILL 855 W. Broad St. Go for the Bang-Bang shrimp, stay for the salmon, fish and chips, pasta, steak, wine selection and more. Trust us: just go. 208433-1234, bonefishgrill.com.

THE CAPRI 2520 W. Fairview Ave. This diner is a popular stop on the way home from the after-after-party. 208-3421442.

CHANDLERS STEAKHOUSE 981 W. Grove St. Fine dining at its finest. The Ten Minute martini is a must. 208-383-4300, chandlersboise.com.

CHEERLEADERS SPORTS BAR AND GRILL 815 W. Ann Morrison Park Drive ”Sports” is the operative word but with 24 beers on tap, a full bar, burgers and baby back ribs, “bar and grill” are there for a reason. 208-789-0270, facebook.com/ CheerleadersSportsGrillBoise.

G

B

ASTROPU

5181 N GLENWOOD STREET GARDEN CITY

COTTONWOOD GRILLE 913 W. River St. The Greenbelt-adjacent patio and skilodge vibe make Cottonwood a popular fine-dining destination. 208-333-9800, cottonwoodgrille.com.

DAWSON TAYLOR 219 N. Eighth St. Enjoy fresh coffee on the great peoplewatching patio. 208-336-5633, dawsontaylor.com.

THE DISH 205 N. 10th St. Inventive dishes made from quality local ingredients served in an intimate setting.

208-344-4231, thedishboise.com.

THE DISTRICT COFFEE HOUSE 219 N. 10th St. Locally sourced coffee and live music are always on tap at this Cavalry Chapelaffiliated coffeehouse. 208-343-1089, districtcoffeehouse.com.

THE EDGE 1101 W. Idaho St. Grab a coffee or tea to go with your tunes at the Record Exchange’s coffee shop.

208-344-5383, therecordexchange.com.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR WEEKLY ACTIVITES: “Tap Takeovers” representing different Local Breweries each month.

PaintNite Drink Creatively!

Last call Travia Nights!

EMILIO’S 245 S. Capitol Blvd.

New American dining and a 450-bottle wine list make this Grove Hotel haunt a must. 208-333-8002, emiliosboise.com.

EVANS BROTHERS COFFEE CHICAGO CONNECTION

Coming soon

310 N. Fourth St.

From beautiful Sandpoint comes awardwinning Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, now available at Frog’s Fix, Slow by Slow and Whole Foods. Look for an Evans Brothers Coffee cafe in Boise in 2016.

208-265-5553, evansbrotherscoffee.com.

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-342-3434, chicagoconnection.com.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

208-376-4200 MON-SAT – 11AM-10PM • SUN – 11AM-9PM INFO@BARRELHOUSE.BEER BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 59

Restaurant Listings FLATBREAD NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA

GURU DONUTS

LEKU ONA

ON THE FLY ROTISSERIE DELI

800 W. Main St.

204 N. Capitol Blvd.

117 S. Sixth St.

800 W. Main St.

The certified Neapolitan pizza, killer regional wine list and unbeatable lunch special are molto bene. 208-287-4757, flatbreadpizza.com.

Holey sweet treats, Batman. At Guru, donuts are made fresh daily with innovative ingredients like lavender, cardamom, stout beer and bourbon. 208-571-7792, gurudonuts.com.

Squid in ink, battered cod and more at this authentic Basque eatery with a fabulous patio. 208-345-6665, lekuonaid.com.

New grab-and-go concept from Brick 29’s Dustan Bristol offers house-made rotisserie ham, turkey, beef, corned beef, salmon and chicken. 208-344-6833, ontheflydeli.com.

FLYING M COFFEEHOUSE 500 W. Idaho St. Cool tunes, a homey layout, friendly employees, snacks, art and a gift shop make Flying M a killer hangout. 208-345-4320, flyingmcoffee.com.

FORK 199 N. Eighth St. Hearty Northwest fare made with seasonal and local ingredients. 208-287-1700, boisefork.com.

FRESH OFF THE HOOK SEAFOOD 401 S. Eighth St. Fresh Off the Hook is an oasis for desertdwelling seafood lovers. 208-343-0220, freshoffthehookseafood.com.

FRONT DOOR NORTHWEST PIZZA AND TAP HOUSE 105 S. Sixth St. Pizzas with top-quality ingredients and a nearly endless beer list. 208-287-9201, thefrontdoorboise.com.

GOLDY’S BREAKFAST BISTRO 108 S. Capitol Blvd.

The mix of classic and contemporary choices is one reason this is Boise’s favorite breakfast place. The kick-ass food is definitely another. 208-345-4100, goldysbreakfastbistro.com.

GOLDY’S CORNER 625 W. Main St. Goldy’s sister spot offers coffee, baked goods, beer and wine. 208-433-3934, facebook.com/pages/Goldys-Corner.

GUIDO’S ORIGINAL NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA 235 N. Fifth St. Get serious bang for your buck with giant New York-style slices, whole pies and stromboli and beer to wash it all down.

208-345-9011, guidosdowntown.com.

HA’ PENNY BRIDGE IRISH PUB AND GRILL 855 Broad St. The dark wood bar and menu full of Irish pub-style favorites will make you feel like you’re on the Emerald Isle. 208-343-5568, hapennybridgepub.com.

HAPPY FISH SUSHI AND MARTINI BAR 855 W. Broad St. Sushi, poke, age tofu and ice-cold martinis.

208-343-4810, happyfishsushi.com.

HIGH NOTE CAFE 225 N. Fifth St. Classic sandwich shop grub peppered with Spanish and Mediterranean influences, with entertainment several nights a week.

208-429-1911, thehighnotecafe.com.

JAVA 223 N. Sixth St.

LIFE’S KITCHEN 1025 S. Capitol Blvd.

Find hot sandwiches, salads and scrumptious desserts at this culinary arts school.

208-331-0199, lifeskitchen.org.

THE LIFT 2 1010 S. LaPointe St. The little sister to the longtime State Street favorite. 208-344-2176, tiatoboise.com.

LOCK STOCK & BARREL 1100 W. Jefferson St. Steak, pastas and sandwiches served in an atmosphere of old-school cool.

208-336-4266, lsbboise.com.

LUCKY FINS SEAFOOD GRILL 801 W. Main St. Lucky Fins offers Asian, Mexican and Northwest cuisine, and the raw oyster bar is a favorite, and the cocktails are tops.

208-888-3467, luckyfinsgrill.com.

Creative coffees and tempting bakery offerings made in house. 208-345-0777, javabowlofsoul.com.

MAI THAI

JENNY’S LUNCH LINE

Where Thai food goes cosmopolitan with cocktails, Japanese-fusion small plates and one of the best lunch buffets in town.

106 N. Sixth St. A rotating selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads and soups. Plenty of vegetarian options. 208-433-0092, jennyslunchline.com.

750 W. Idaho St.

208-344-8424, maithaigroup.com.

MAIN STREET DELI 904 W. Main St.

JUNIPER 211 N. Eighth St. Kitchen and cocktails. Locally imagined.

Seasonally inspired. Classically crafted.

208-342-1142, juniperon8th.com.

LEAF TEAHOUSE 212 N. Ninth St. Choose from an extensive list of traditional and exotic teas to pair with vegetarian and vegan menu items. 208-336-5323, leafteahouse.com.

60 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

From hot pastrami and banh-mi to housemade salads, Main Street Deli offers grab-and-go options for the quick-service downtown lunch crowd. 208-386-3354, facebook.com/Mainstreetdeliboise.

THE OWYHEE TAVERN 1109 W. Main St. From the owners of the Tavern at Bown Crossing comes a new restaurant in the heart of downtown Boise. Opens summer 2016. 208-345-2277, tavernatbown.com.

THE PANTRY 1545 Shoreline Drive Comfort food for breakfast, brunch and lunch. 208-344-5486.

PAPA JOE’S 1301 S. Capitol Blvd.

From the chicken marsala to the heavenly Capone sandwich, Papa Joe’s knows how to do casual Italian eats. 208-344-7272, papajoesboise.com.

PHO NOUVEAU 780 W. Idaho St. Superb salads, fantastic pho and plenty of other delicious Vietnamese menu items.

208-367-1111, phonouveau.com.

PIE HOLE 205 N. Eighth St. The beloved homeof the potato bacon pie and $1 PBRs. Open late. 208-344-7783, pieholeusa.com.

PIPER PUB AND GRILL 150 N. Eighth St. A traditional tavern with a killer second-story patio. 208-343-2444, thepiperpub.com.

POLLO REY 222 N. Eighth St.

MOON’S KITCHEN CAFE 712 W. Idaho St. Hearty breakfast, sandwiches, burgers and legendary milkshakes. 208-385-0472, newmoonskitchen.com.

Everything at this Mexican rotisserie is fresh and affordable. Try the El Cheapo burrito and the fish tacos. 208-345-0323, polloreyboise.com.

PROST! BOISE 274 N. Eighth St. A great lineup of German bier each poured in its proper traditional glass. Pair with German fare. 208-336-9395, prostboise.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

RED FEATHER LOUNGE

SHIGE JAPANESE CUISINE

TAJ MAHAL RESTAURANT

WILD ROOT CAFE AND MARKET

246 N. Eighth St.

100 N. Eighth St.

150 N. Eighth St.

276 N. Eighth St.

This Boise favorite serves locally sourced, inventive craft food and artful cocktails.

208-429-6340, bcrfl.com/redfeather.

After 20 years, Shige Matzuzawa is the Valley’s king of Japanese cuisine. 208-3388423, shigejcuisine.com.

Divine Indian cuisine from babajan biryani to mung daal and more. 208-473-7200, tajmahalofboise.com.

Craft comfort food. Breakfast and lunch served daily; brunch on Saturday. 208-8568956, facebook.com/WildRootCafe.

REEF

SNAKE RIVER TEA CO.

TEPANYAKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE

WISEGUY PIZZA PIE-BOISE

105 S. Sixth St.

801 W. Main St.

2197 N. Garden St.

106 N. Sixth St.

Enjoy island fare and cocktails on the rooftop tiki patio or check out hot musical acts inside. 208-287-9200, reefboise.com.

Enjoy a delightful brew and a bite to eat, or take your favorite tea home to enjoy any time you fancy a cuppa. 208-841-9746, facebook.com/SnakeRiverTeaCo.

Traditional tepanyaki combinations like steak and shrimp served fast and with flair.

208-343-3515, tepanyakiboise.com.

New York-style, hand-tossed pizza with local ingredients, sandwiches and calzones.

208-336-7777, wiseguypizzapie.com.

THE MELTING POT

YE OLDE SWEET SHOPPE

200 N. Sixth St.

222 N. Ninth St.

Fine fondue with an equally fine wine selection. 208-343-8800, meltingpot.com.

Get delicious confections from the Idaho Candy Company, Weiser Classic Candy and Dream Chocolate. 208-344-2035, yeoldesweetshoppe.net.

REEL FOODS FISH MARKET AND OYSTER BAR

SOLID GRILL & BAR

611 Capitol Blvd.

405 S. Eighth St.

Fishing for a new favorite lunch place? We can totally hook you up: Reel Foods.

208-342-2727, reelfoodsfish.net.

Top-notch food and drink options, two happy hours, live music and great service.

208-345-6620, solidboise.com.

RICK’S CAFE AMERICAIN AT THE FLICKS

SUPERB SUSHI

646 Fulton St. Soda and popcorn, wine and lasagna, beer and a burger: It’s at Rick’s. 208-342-4288, theflicksboise.com/menu.

SAINT LAWRENCE GRIDIRON 705 W. Bannock St. Purveyor of a rotating array of American delights makes the leap from food truck to brick-and-mortar. 208-433-5598, saintlawrencegridiron.com.

103 N. Capitol Blvd.

280 N. Eighth St. Treat yo’self to the lunch special and all-you-can-eat nights. 208-385-0123, superbsushidowntown.com.

SUSHI JOY

Traditional Neapolitan classics prepared to order in a tiny space on Capitol Blvd. 208343-1052, tonyspizzeriateatro.com.

TREE CITY JUICE AND SMOOTHIE CAFE 1265 S. Capitol Blvd.

2275 W. Main St. Japanese and Chinese menu items available for dine-in, pick up or nearby delivery.

208-433-8888, sushijoyboise.com.

The

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

TONY’S PIZZERIA TEATRO

Choose from more than 30 smoothie combinations and a selection of healthy wraps, paninis and more. 208-342-0467, treecityjuice.com.

m a rke pl ac e

YEN CHING 305 N. Ninth St. Anyone who says Boise doesn’t have enough authentic ethnic dining hasn’t tried Yen Ching’s mao po bean curd or gan shao beef. 208-384-0384, yenchingboise.com.

YOI TOMO 405 S. Capitol Blvd.

Across the street from Edwards Cinema, Yoi Tomo has an entire menu of movie-themed rolls like the Jaws and the Pretty Woman.

208-344-3375, yoitomo.us.

t

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 61

Restaurant Listings ZEE’S ROOFTOP CAFE

PIE HOLE II

DUTCH GOOSE

LOS BETOS

250 S. Fifth St.

1016 S. Broadway Ave.

3515 W. State St.

6906 W. State St.

Get affordable breakfast and lunch items to go, or stay for the view from the top of the C.W. Moore Plaza. 208-381-0034, facebook.com/zeesrooftopdeli.

Home of the potato bacon pizza and other inspired specialty pies. Open late. 208424-2255, pieholeusa.com.

Dig the Goose’s laid-back vibe, delicious burgers and brews galore. 208-342-8887, dutchgoose.com.

A gargantuan burrito any time of the day or night? Yes, please. 208-853-1494, idaholosbetos.com.

EGG FACTORY

MADHUBAN

6882 W. State St.

6930 W. State St.

You’ll find eggs-actly what you need for your breakfast craving. 208-853-2037, eggfactorycafe.com.

Madhuban’s Indian menu keeps both vegetarians and carnivores in mind. The lunch buffet is a sweet deal. 208-853-8215, madhubanindiancuisine.com.

ZEN BENTO 1000 W. Main St.

STATE STREET

Bento, sushi and salad made with your well-being in mind. It’s “peace in a lunch box.” 208-388-8808, zenbento.com.

AMIGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT

ZEPPOLE BAKING CO.

This family owned restaurant serves great classic Mexican food at even better prices.

208-343-1001, amigosboise.com.

217 N. Eighth St. Award-winning breads and pastries made in-house and sold and served all over the Valley. 208-345-2149, zeppolebakery.com.

BROADWAY AVENUE

2919 W. State St.

BOB’S SUNRISE CAFE 7135 W. State St. All manner of American eats, Bob’s Sunrise specializes in breakfast food, desserts and bakery treats. 208-853-7400, bobssunrisecafe.com.

BOISE FRY COMPANY

COBBY’S

6944 W. State St.

1030 Broadway Ave.

Boise Fry Co. has elevated the burger-andfry into excellent regional cuisine.

208-391-1573, boisefrycompany.com.

Boise’s love affair with Cobby’s goes back to 1978, when the sandwich shop opened.

208-345-0990, cobbys.com.

FANCI FREEZ 1402 W. State St. Fanci Freez has hometown fast food and a to-die-for Boston shake. 208-429-1400, facebook.com/fancifreez.

FLYING PIE PIZZARIA 4320 W. State St. This laid-back pizza slinger is one of the best things about living in Boise—and one of the most beloved. 208-345-0000, flyingpie.com.

THE GYRO SHACK 5602 W. State St. The super gyro is super delicious. 208853-2684, thegyroshack.com.

MAZZAH 1772 W. State St. Mazzah is where carnivores and vegetarians can come together. 208-333-2566, mazzahboise.com.

MERRITT’S FAMILY RESTAURANT 6630 W. State St. The deep-fried scones are legendary.

208-853-1801, merrittsscones.com.

NORTH END CHINESE RESTAURANT 1806 W. State St. This is the place for classic Chinese dishes in a hurry. 208-343-1080, facebook.com/ northendchinese.

BURGER N’ BREW DELI GEORGE

4295 W. State St.

220 S. Broadway Ave.

If happiness is burgers, beer and ball games, get happy at Burger N’ Brew.

208-345-7700, burgernbrew.com.

The attention to detail and stellar service at Deli George take lunch to a whole new level. 208-323-2582, deligeorge.com.

BUZZ COFFEE, CAFE AND WINE FLYING PIE PIZZARIA

2999 N. Lakeharbor Lane

1326 Broadway Ave.

Get your buzz on with locally sourced coffee and regular wine tastings.

208-344-4321, buzzbeans.com.

This laid-back pizza slinger is one of the best things about living in Boise—and one of the most beloved. 208-246-8900 flyingpie.com.

CORONA VILLAGE 4334 W. State St.

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY 1677 Broadway Ave The pizza-and-salad lunch special will fill your belly without emptying your wallet.

The signature Idaho Supreme is superb.

208-343-1011, idahopizzacompany.com.

K-FUSION KOREAN BBQ AND GRILL 1716 S. Broadway Ave.

Enjoy family friendly Mexican food at prices that won’t break the bank. 208-338-9707, coronavillagemex.com.

DK DONUTS 1300 W. State St. Donuts, donuts and more crispy, delicious donuts. 208-385-7480, facebook.com/ DK-Donuts.

Sizzling barbecue, pajeon, bulogi cheese rice and so much more. 208-336-5959, k-fusion.com.

62 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

THE HARBOR GRILL AND EVENTS CENTER 3000 N. Lakeharbor Lane Stop in for lunch or dinner, or reserve this beautiful space for your special occasion.

208-853-5070, theboiseharbor.com.

KIBROM’S ETHIOPIAN AND ERITREAN 3506 W. State St. If you didn’t already, you’ll love this cuisine after a visit to Kibrom’s. 208-703-0564, facebook.com/Kibroms-Ethiopian-EritreanRestaurant.

KIND CUISINE CAFE 4628 W. State St. Vegan, gluten-free and multi-cultural fare.

208-367-9000, kindcuisinecafe.com.

THE LIFT BAR AND GRILL 4091 W. State St. The Lift’s signature fish tacos and cheap Oly are a draw for folks both near and far.

208-342-3250, tiatoboise.com.

PHO 79 7310 W. State St. This family operated restaurant serves authentic Thai and Vietnamese salads, soups and more. 208-343-1080.

PIZZALCHIK 7330 W. State St. Pizza, salad and chicken--yeah, they got that. 208-853-7757, pizzalchik.com.

SMOKY DAVIS 3914 W. State St. This iconic shop specializes in smoked meats and should be your first stop when planning holiday meals. 208-344-1885, smokydavis.com.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL 1805 W. State St. Standards like pepperoni and not-sostandards like curried chicken make Smoky Mountain a fave. 208-387-2727, smokymountainpizza.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

Downtown Boise’s

Only True Sports Pub SOFIA’S GREEK BISTRO

CHICAGO CONNECTION

6748 N. Glenwood St.

7070 W. Fairview Ave.

Gyros, souvlaki, rice bowls, mammoth burgers, baklava and more, served with a smile. 208-853-0844, facebook.com/ sofiagreekbistro.

STATE & LEMP 2870 W. State St.

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-377-5551, chicagoconnection.com.

DAVE & BUSTER’S 546 N. Milwaukee St.

Where locally sourced ingredients meet innovative flavor profiles and a prix-fixe concept in a contemporary setting.

208-429-6735, stateandlemp.com.

Go for a bite and a beverage, stay for the interactive entertainment like shuffleboard, virtual reality, carnival-style amusements and games of skill. 208-901-3800, daveandbusters.com/boise.

VIKING DRIVE IN

DELSA’S ICE CREAM PARLOUR

3790 W. State St.

7923 W. Ustick Road

Time-honored burgers, fries, shakes and more to satisfy a warrior’s hunger.

208-342-7289.

Dig into a big burger and fries—but make sure to save room for a scoop of Delsa’s legendary ice cream. 208-377-3700, facebook.com/Delsas-Ice-Cream-Parlour.

WESTSIDE DRIVE-IN 1929 W. State St. Burgers, fries, salads, desserts and juicy prime rib. 208-342-2957, cheflou.com.

ZEN BENTO 3912 W. State St. Bento, sushi and salad made with your well-being in mind. It’s “peace in a lunch box.” 208-343-1760, zenbento.com.

WEST BOISE BAD BOY BURGERS 2 7000 W. Fairview Ave. Affordable daily specials that are definitely more good than bad. 208-373-0020, facebook.com/Bad-Boy-Burgers2.

CAFE OLE 210 N. Milwaukee Road After a trip to the mall, kick back with south-of-the-border food and a margarita or two. 208-322-0222, cafeole.com.

CASA MEXICO 10332 W. Fairview Ave. Mexican food you know and love.

208-375-0342, casamexicoidaho.com.

ALL SPORTS ON ALL CHANNELS Great menu with awesome wings and stuffed burgers.

EGG FACTORY 8061 W. Fairview Ave. You’ll find eggs-actly what you need to satisfy a breakfast craving. 208-322-0191, eggfactorycafe.com.

THE FIX 11295 W. Ustick Road The Fix serves a variety of “fixed” drinks, coffee and hot chocolate, along with a selection of homemade cookies. 208-761-4056, fixhitsthespot.com.

FLYING PIE PIZZARIA 6508 Fairview Ave. This laid-back pizza slinger is one of the best things about living in Boise—and one of the most beloved. 208-345-0000, flyingpie.com.

FRESH OFF THE HOOK SEAFOOD 507 N. Milwaukee St. Fresh Off the Hook is an oasis for desertdwelling seafood lovers. 208-322-9224, freshoffthehookseafood.com.

FUJIYAMA JAPANESE RESTAURANT 283 N. Milwaukee St. Indulge in some spot-on sushi after a day at Boise Towne Square. 208-672-8227, fujiyamaboise.com.

HAPPY HOUR 4-7PM with 2 for 1 Wine, Wells, Cocktails, Shots & 28 AWESOME drafts on TAP. Follow us on Twitter @DoubleTapPub Always Honoring You Guys & Gals with 15% Military Discount, THANK YOU!!!

409 S. 8th Street • 208-364-7800 doubletappub.com W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 63

Restaurant Listings GAUCHO’S

MICKEYRAY’S ROADHOUSE

ANDRADE’S

CUCINA DI PAOLO

350 N. Milwaukee St.

980 N. Milwaukee St.

4903 Overland Road

1504 Vista Ave.

This locally owned eatery in the mall serves sandwiches and traditional Argentine breakfast and dessert empanadas.

208-378-4400.

Saucy, Southern-style, stick-to-your-ribs barbecue at its best. 208-343-7427, mickeyraysbbq.com.

Owner Javier Andrade makes sure “love from the heart of Mexico and himself” into every one of his more than 100 menu items. 208-344-1234, facebook.com/ AndradesRestaurant.

To-die-for lasagna, chicken pot pie and more available for dine-in or take-out. 208345-7150, cucinadipaolo.com.

GUIDO’S ORIGINAL NEW YORK STYLE PIZZERIA 12375 Chinden Blvd.

Get serious bang for your buck with giant New York-style slices, whole pies and stromboli and beer to wash it all down.

208-376-1008, guidosdowntown.com.

THE GYRO HOUSE 6631 W. Ustick Road Follow a great big gyro with a fat slice of baklava for dessert. 208-378-1325, facebook.com/The-Gyro-House.

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY 7100 W. Fairview Ave The pizza-and-salad lunch special will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. The signature Idaho Supreme is superb.

208-375-4100, idahopizzacompany.com.

JALAPENO’S BAR AND GRILL 8799 W. Franklin Road

MOON’S KITCHEN CAFE 6767 W. Fairview Ave. New second location of the Boise staple that has been serving up hearty breakfast and lunch grub and their famous milk shakes since 1955. 208-385-0472, newmoonskitchen.com.

BAD BOY BURGERS 815 S. Vista Ave. Affordable daily specials that are definitely more good than bad. 208-331-1580, facebook.com/BadBoyBurgers.

PRIMO’S

BAGUETTE DELI

8489 W. Overland Road

5204 W. Franklin Road

All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet. 208-373-7700, primospizza.com.

One bite and you’ll see why the flaky banh mi bread is in the name. Try other menu items, and see why it could have been called Baguette-Pho-Spring Roll-Beignet Deli. 208-336-2989.

ROTARY SUSHI 10506 W. Fairview Ave. Plates of sushi roll by on a shiny, stainless steel conveyor belt, each one color-coded for price. 208-375-3787, facebook.com/ pages/Rotary-sushi-Boise-ID.

SIAM ORCHID THAI RESTAURANT AND SUSHI BAR 8716 Fairview Ave.

CASABLANCA CUBAN GRILL 5506 Overland Road Cuban cuisine with all of the spice and none of the heat. 208-331-2370, casablancacubangrill.com.

CHAPALA 1201 S. Vista Ave.

Check out the huge menu of Mexican dishes and tequilas. 208-375-2077, jalapenosidaho.com.

Thai food made by a Thai family and sushi made by their chef. Prepared and cooked with love. 208-871-6371, facebook.com/ Siam-Orchid-Thai-Restaurant-Sushi-Bar.

KABOB HOUSE

SOCKEYE GRILL AND BREWERY

9140 W. Emerald St.

3019 N. Cole Road

Now you don’t need a passport to enjoy Afghan, Central Asian, Indian and Persian dishes. 208-323-1112, boisekabob.com.

Locally made, hand-crafted brews so good, you’ll want to take them home. You can.

208-658-1533, sockeyebrew.com.

LINDY’S STEAKHOUSE

WILLIB’S SALOON

12249 W. Chinden Blvd.

12505 Chinden Blvd.

CHICAGO CONNECTION

Good fingersteaks are tough to do, but Lindy’s has them down. 208-375-1310, facebook.com/pages/Lindys-Steak-House.

It’s always fun at WilliB’s with its low prices, drink specials and friendly, welcoming vibe.

208-331-5666, willibs.com.

3931 W. Overland Road

Friendly atmosphere and Mexican fare for the whole family. 208-429-1155, chapalarestaurants.com.

CHIANG MAI HOUSE THAI RESTAURANT 4898 W. Emerald St. Dishes like the green curry and the mango sticky rice have made Chiang Mai a local favorite for years. 208-342-4051.

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-344-6838, chicagoconnection.com.

LOS BETOS 5220 W. Fairview Ave. A gargantuan burrito any time of the day or night? Yes, please. 208-658-1185, idaholosbetos.com.

FIESTA GUADALAJARA 3552 S. Findley Ave. Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-424-8580, fiestasguadalajara.com.

FROG’S FIX COFFEE PARLOR 701 S. Latah St. Get loose leaf tea, Italian soda, Evans Brothers’ award-winning organic brews and pastries. Educators get a special discount as the parlor’s way of saying thanks for the hard work. 208-447-9153, frogsfix.com.

GOLDEN STAR 1142 N. Orchard St. This icon serves classic Chinese-American dishes. 208-336-0191, facebook.com/ Golden-Star-Restaurant.

THE GYRO SHACK 6935 W. Overland Road The super gyro is super delicious—so is everything else. 208-375-7424, thegyroshack.com.

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY 4218 W. Overland Road The pizza-and-salad lunch special will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. The signature Idaho Supreme is superb.

208-343-5455, idahopizzacompany.com.

IOU SUSHI III 3636 S. Findley Ave. The sushi is so good, we’re thrilled the IOU family keeps growing. 208-343-5388, iousushi.com.

LUCIANO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT 11 N. Orchard St.

BENCH AMARU CONFECTIONS 217 S. Roosevelt St. The custom cake and dessert designs are confectionery works of art. 208-991-2253, amaruconfections.com.

64 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

COBBY’S 6899 W. Overland Road Boise’s love affair with Cobby’s goes back to 1978, when the sandwich shop opened.

208-323-0606, cobbys.com.

Get a reservation because Luciano’s classic Italian dishes keep diners coming back.

208-577-6415, lucianosboise.com.

MANDARIN PALACE 5020 Franklin Road Bo-bo, sub-gum and bacon cheeseburgers all under one roof. 208-345-6682.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

OFF BROADWAY DELI

WILLOWCREEK GRILL

3369 S. Federal Way

2273 S. Vista Ave.

Off Broadway Deli deserves a Tony for its stacked sandwiches and super-friendly staff. Family owned and operated, at Off Broadway, they treat you like family.

208-385-9943, broadwaydeliboise.com.

Enjoy well-crafted regional cuisine served in an upscale but casual atmosphere.

PANDA GARDEN 2801 W. Overland Road Chinese and Japanese dining made easy with dine-in, drive-thru, or online ordering for pick-up, and super friendly service.

208-433-1188, pandagardenboise.com.

RAW SUSHI 2273 S. Vista Ave. Willowcreek and Raw show just how well siblings can get along. 208-343-0270, rawsushiboise.com.

ROCKIES DINER

208-343-5544, willowcreekgrill.com.

YOKOZUNA TERIYAKI 824 S. Vista Ave. Yokozuna’s affordable noodle bowls, rice dishes, bubble tea and more prove fast food can be fabulous. 208-377-3064, yokozunateriyaki.com.

MERIDIAN BIG AL’S 1900 N. Eagle Road It’s always a party at Big Al’s with three bars, bowling, a sweet arcade and more.

208-780-6118, ilovebigals.com.

3900 W. Overland Road Rockies transports you back to a time in America when things were simple and burgers were big. 208-336-2878, facebook.com/pages/Rockies-Diner.

SAKANA JAPANESE SUSHI BAR AND GRILL 925 Vista Ave. Sushi specials draw people in, rolls like the Black Dragon and the Viking keep them coming back for more. 208-367-1688, sakanasushiboise.com.

BIG JUD’S 3030 E. Overland Road Big Jud’s is even bigger with a new location and the same great food. 208-343-4439, bigjudsboise.com.

BLUE SKY BAGELS 3161 E. Fairview Ave. Big bagel sandwiches created at assembly line speed. Get a free bagel with soup.

208-855-9113, blueskybagels.com.

SHANGRI-LA TEA ROOM

BOISE CO-OP THE VILLAGE

1800 W. Overland Road

2350 N. Eagle Road

A little piece of heaven for vegetarians, vegans and tea lovers. 208-424-0273, facebook.com/Shangri-La-Tea-Room-andVegetarian-Restaurant.

Boise’s original natural food store opens a second store in The Village at Meridian.

208-809-2200, boise.coop.

BOISE FRY COMPANY STUBS SPORTS PUB

2020 E. Overland Road

3662 S. Findley Ave.

Boise Fry Co. has elevated the burger-andfry into excellent regional cuisine.

When you think sports pub fun, think Stubs. 208-336-7882.

208-884-5530, boisefrycompany.com.

TANGO’S EMPANADAS

CHICAGO CONNECTION

701 N. Orchard St.

1935 S. Eagle Road

These Argentine empanadas are insanely addictive and will satisfy both your savory and sweet tooth. 208-322-3090, tangos-empanadas.com.

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-888-0023, chicagoconnection.com.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 65

Restaurant Listings CHICAGO CONNECTION

GELATO CAFE

JAKERS BAR AND GRILL

THE RAM

1629 N. Main St.

2053 E. Fairview Ave.

3268 E. Pine Ave.

3272 E. Pine

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-888-1986, chicagoconnection.com.

Gelato, hand-crafted pizza, sandwiches and a selection of amazing martinis.

208-846-8410, gelatomartinis.com.

This is the place for steak and seafood lovers. 208-288-0898, jakers.com/meridian.

TVs, big hand-crafted beers and plenty of pub food makes this a go-to sports pub.

208-888-0314, theram.com.

CORONA VILLAGE

GINO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE

21 E. Fairview Ave.

3015 W. McMillan Road

Enjoy family friendly Mexican food at prices that won’t break the bank. 208-887-9348, coronavillagemex.com.

Perfect Italian fare for the whole family.

208-887-7710, facebook.com/GinosItalian-Ristorante-Bar.

CURB BAR AND GRILL

GOODWOOD BARBECUE COMPANY

LING AND LOUIE’S ASIAN BAR AND GRILL

RICK’S PRESS ROOM

1760 S. Meridian Road

1140 N. Eagle Road

3210 E. Louise Drive

130 E. Idaho Ave.

This spacious bar features southwest-style pub food, live music and a big ol’ garage door that opens up to patio seating.

208-855-0202, curbbarandgrill.com.

It’s really good, it’s barbecue, it’s Goodwood. 208-884-1021, goodwoodbbq.com.

With Chinese, Thai and American influences, this Asian fusion joint also has a gluten-free menu. 208-888-5000, meridian.lingandlouies.com.

Unusual bar fare made with fresh, homemade ingredients. Guy Fieri ate here once.

208-288-0558, rickspressroom.net.

EPI’S BASQUE RESTAURANT 1115 N. Main St. At Epi’s, you’ll feel like one big family.

208-884-0142, facebook.com/Epis-ABasque-Restaurant.

FIESTA GUADALAJARA 704 E. Fairview Ave. Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-884-0161, fiestasguadalajara.com.

FIREHOUSE PUB AND GRILL 1767 W. Franklin Road Douse the flames with 24 beers on tap, cocktails and a broad lunch menu—plus, you have to try the wings. 208-846-9535, firehousepubmeridian.com.

FLATBREAD NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA Generations Plaza, 830 N. Main St. The certified Neapolitan pizza and a killer regional wine list are molto bene.

208-288-0969, flatbreadpizza.com.

GRANT’S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL 1835 W. Cherry Lane Grant’s serves a curated selection of simple, hearty pub food made fresh.

208-884-4278, facebook.com/grantsgrillmeridian.

THE GRIDDLE 2310 E. Overland Road Want a homemade breakfast but don’t want to make breakfast? Get to the Griddle. 208-288-1848, thegriddle.com.

GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIA Village at Meridian, 3600 E. Fairview Ave. Pizza and calzones with perfect crisp crusts, right out of coal-fired brick ovens.

208-884-2031, grimaldispizzeria.com.

HARRY’S HIDEAWAY BAR AND GRILL 2032 E. Overland Road Sneak in for burgers, salads and beer.

208-888-9868, harrys-hub.com.

HOMESTEAD BAR AND GRILL

K-FUSION KOREAN BBQ AND GRILL 1701 E. Fairview Ave. Sizzling barbecue, pajeon, bulogi cheese rice and so much more. 208-336-5959, k-fusion.com.

LOS BETOS 143 Magic View Drive A gargantuan burrito any time of the day or night? Yes, please. 208-887-4711, idaholosbetos.com.

LOUIE’S PIZZA AND ITALIAN RESTAURANT 2500 E. Fairview Ave. Italian favorites like thin crust pizza, eggplant parmigiana, tortellini and cannelloni.

208-884-5200, louiespizza.com.

601 S. Main St. This laid-back pizza slinger is one of the best things about living in Meridian—and one of the most beloved. 208-888-9500, flyingpie.com.

Head to Homestead lunch, daily specials and tap takeovers. 208-898-9595, homesteadbarandgrill.com.

THE HUNGRY ONION

The spicy Korean chicken and kimchi tacos will “make your ninja kick.” 208-855-5977, riceworksboise.com.

RUDY’S PUB AND GRILL 2310 E. Overland Road Prime beef stroganoff and gorgonzola chicken pasta. Seriously. 208-884-4453, facebook.com/rudyspubgrill.

SA-WAD-DEE THAI RESTAURANT 1890 E. Fairview Ave. Try the Chicken Volcano or the Triple S Noodle, and you’ll be back for more.

208-884-0701, sawaddeethai.com.

SAKANA JAPANESE SUSHI AND STEAK

1441 N. Eagle Rd.

1718 S. Eagle Road

Sushi, pasta, burgers and appetizers; a raw oyster bar and top-notch cocktails.

208-888-3467, luckyfinsgrill.com.

Rolls like the Black Dragon and the Viking will keep you coming back. 208-888-6278, sakanasushiboise.com.

MISS TAMI’S TEA ROOM 1031 N. Main St. English tea, scones, breakfast and brunch served amid sweet chintz and tchotchkes.

208-888-6829, misstamis.com.

MUSE BISTRO AND WINE BAR 1435 N. Eagle Road A rotating menu features innovative meat and seafood dishes. 208-895-1900, facebook.com/Muse-Bistro-Wine-Bar.

334 N. Main St. American drive-through fare as good as the good ol’ days. 208-888-0051.

Village at Meridian, 3600 E. Fairview Ave.

LUCKY FINS SEAFOOD GRILL

6275 N. Linder Road

FLYING PIE PIZZARIA

RICEWORKS ASIAN STREET FOOD

SHANAZ HOME KITCHEN CUISINE 520 S. Main St. The Treasure Valley’s only Southern and Island fusion restaurant. 208-922-6433, shanazhkc.com.

SHIGE EXPRESS 450 S. Meridian Road Shige Matzuzawa is the undisputed king of Japanese cuisine in the Treasure Valley.

208-888-0663, shigejcuisine.com.

SLYCE BOX 916 N. Main St. Check out this new grab-and-go spot for slices, salad, beer and wine at great prices.

208-888-0482, slyce-box.com.

66 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL

BLUE COW FROZEN YOGURT

980 E. Fairview Ave.

2333 S. Apple St.

Standards like pepperoni and not-sostandards like curried chicken make Smoky Mountain a fave. 208-884-1067, smokymountainpizza.com.

Friendly service, late summer hours, and so many sweet toppings. 208-338-1000, bluecowfrozenyogurt.com.

SODA STOP 2845 E. Overland Road The renamed soda and cookie shop sells crafted drinks, Italian sodas and cookies.

208-643-7663, entreatyourself.com.

THAI BASIL 3161 E, Fairview Ave., Ste. 110 Family owned and operated, Thai Basil creates authentic cuisine from scratch.

208-888-5797, thaibasilidaho.com.

TREE CITY JUICE AND SMOOTHIE CAFE 3355 E. Fairview Ave. Choose from more than 30 smoothie combinations and a selection of healthy wraps, paninis and more. 208-846-8180, treecityjuice.com.

TWIGS BISTRO AND MARTINI BAR Village at Meridian, 3600 E. Fairview Ave. Sophisticated yet casual place where the menu and service compliment each other.

208-895-0029, twigsbistro.com.

YOKOZUNA TERIYAKI 2031 E. Fairview Ave. Noodle bowls, rice dishes and bubble tea and more prove fast food can be fabulous.

208-888-9699, yokozunateriyaki.com.

BOISE FRY COMPANY 3083 S. Bown Way Boise Fry Co. has elevated the burger-andfry into excellent regional cuisine.

208-965-1551, boisefrycompany.com.

FLATBREAD NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA 3139 S. Bown Way The certified Neapolitan pizza, killer regional wine list and lunch special are molto bene. 208-343-4177, flatbreadpizza.com.

FULL STEAM BISTRO 920 E. Park Blvd.

This steampunk inspired coffee shop, not only makes craft espresso drinks but serves beer, wine and a full bistro menu all day. 208-999-8661, fullsteam920.com.

THE GRIDDLE 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

Want a homemade breakfast but don’t want to cook? Get over to the Griddle.

208-297-7615, thegriddle.com.

LUCKY 13 PIZZA/THE GARAGE 3662 S. Eckert Road You’ll find pizza, stacked sandwiches and a substantial beer list at this popular spot.

208-344-6967, lucky13pizza.com.

MANCINO’S PIZZA AND GRINDERS 6564 S. Federal Way

EAST BOISE AL-SHAM MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 201 W. Boise Ave. Head to Al-Sham for what is, possibly, the best shawarma in town. 208-240-7202, facebook.com/alsham201.

BARBACOA 276 Bobwhite Court Step into this swanky restaurants for savory Latin-fusion cuisine and a sizeable wine and cocktail list. 208-338-5000, barbacoa-boise.com.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

If you haven’t had an Italian grinder from Mancino’s, your life is incomplete.

208-333-1383, mancinosidaho.com.

MAZZAH 404 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

Mazzah is where carnivores and vegetarians can come together. 208-333-2223, mazzahboise.com.

PAT’S THAI KITCHEN 577 E. Park Blvd.

Great Thai food and great service are always on the menu at Pat’s. 208-345-0026, thaikitchenboise.com.

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 67

Restaurant Listings THE RAM

FIESTA GUADALAJARA

CHICAGO CONNECTION

REMBRANDT’S COFFEE HOUSE

709 E. Park Blvd.

780 W. Avalon St.

1545 E. Iron Eagle Way

93 S. Eagle Road

TVs, big hand-crafted beers and plenty of pub food makes this a go-to sports pub.

208-345-2929, theram.com.

Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-922-4311, fiestasguadalajara.com.

Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a sweet salad bar. 208-939-9100, chicagoconnection.com.

This cozy neighborhood coffeehouse is a favorite Eagle hangout. 208-938-1564, rembrandtscoffeehouse.net.

THE REFUGE RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE

LIMA LIMON PERUVIAN RESTAURANT

DAVINCI’S

751 W. 4th St.

190 E. State St.

Pub favorites to help raise spirits and escape life’s stresses. 208-424-8211, therefugeboise.com.

The brightly hued Peruvian restaurant is a spicy slice of South America in a small, sleepy town. 208-922-3144, facebook. com/limakuna.

Bottomless salad bowls and freshly backed Tuscan bread with New York-style Italian entrees. 208-939-2500, davincis2.com.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL

LONGHORN LOUNGE

415 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

458 W. Main St.

From pepperoni to curried chicken, Smoky Mountain is a fave. 208-429-0011,

The Longhorn fills any late-night urge to eat and drink in Kuna. 208-922-4163, facebook.com/TheLonghornLounge.

404 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

smokymountainpizza.com.

TAVERN AT BOWN CROSSING 3111 S. Bown Way Steak, seafood, sushi, wine and spirits all in one sweet spot. 208-345-2277, tavernatbown.com.

THE TROLLEY HOUSE 1821 Warm Springs Ave. The Trolley is known for its eggs benedict, breakfast burritos and big portions.

208-345-9255, thetrolleyhouse.com.

WESTSIDE DRIVE-IN 1113 Parkcenter Blvd.

Burgers, fries, salads, desserts and juicy prime rib. 208-424-0000, cheflou.com.

EAGLE

983 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

Award-winning breads and pastries made in-house and sold and served all over the Valley. 208-338-1499, zeppolebakery.com.

KUNA

Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-938-1116, fiestasguadalajara.com.

127 E. State St. Standards like pepperoni and not-sostandards like curried chicken make Smoky Mountain a fave. 208-939-0212, smokymountainpizza.com.

Serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches and salads, plus wine and beer on tap.

208-576-6666, facebook.com/gritcuisine.

BARDENAY 155 E. Riverside Drive

LE COQ D’OR

Bardenay is the “nation’s first restaurant distillery.” 208-938-5093, bardenay.com.

Chateau les Fleurs, 176 S. Rosebud Lane Le Coq d’Or is farm-to-table, fine European dining. Meats, dairy and eggs are locally sourced, humanely raised and grass-fed.

208-860-8844, chateaueagle.com.

The ”beautiful eagle” has a great patio and serves high-end Italian food.

208-938-1900, bellaaquilarestaurant.com.

MICKEYRAY’S ROADHOUSE

THE BLUE MOOSE CAFE 79 Aikens Road

Saucy, Southern-style, stick-to-your-ribs barbecue at its best. 208-939-7427, mickeyraysbbq.com.

Homestyle cooking in a homey atmosphere.

208-939-3079, bluemoosecafeeagle.com.

THE PERKS OF LIFE

395 W. State St.

1540 E. Iron Eagle Drive

482 W. Main St.

For good food and good times, get to Busters. 208-938-1800, busterseagle.com.

CASA MEXICO 393 W. State St. Mexican food you know and love.

208-939-7795, casamexicoidaho.com.

68 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

German schnitzel, German beer. Sehr gut!.

208-629-8855, schnitzelgartenboise.com.

Want a homemade breakfast but don’t want to cook at home? Get to the Griddle.

208-939-9070, thegriddle.com.

360 S. Eagle Road

1396 E. State St.

1225 E. Winding Creek Drive

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL

GRIT AMERICAN CUISINE

BUSTERS BAR AND GRILL

SCHNITZEL GARTEN

177 Eagle River St.

With a focus on flavor and presentation, Ahi’s sushi tastes as good as it looks.

208-938-3474, ahisushibar.com.

BELLA AQUILA

228 E. Plaza St. A fusion of flavors from across Asia, plus award-winning cocktails. 208-939-2595, riceeagle.com.

THE GRIDDLE

1193 E. Winding Creek Drive

ENRIQUE’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT Go for Enrique’s famous molcajetes or $1 tacos. 208-922-5169, elgallogirokuna.com.

3210 E. Chinden Blvd., Ste 100

AHI SUSHI

775 S. Rivershore Lane

ZEPPOLE BAKING CO.

FIESTA GUADALAJARA

RICE CONTEMPORARY ASIAN CUISINE

Coffee, fresh-baked pastries, small breakfast and lunch menus, and an impressive wine list. 208-938-7809, perksoflife.com.

PORTERHOUSE 600 S. Eagle Road

THE STUFFED OLIVE 404 S. Eagle Road Try the creamy fire-roasted tomato soup, chicken parmigiana and more at this casual Italian eatery. 208-938-5185, thestuffedolive.net.

WILD WEST BAKERY AND ESPRESSO 83 E. State St. At Wild West Bakery and Espresso, the West is won with fresh-made pastries, juicy burgers and sunlit patios. 208-939-5677, wildwestbakeryandespresso.com.

WINDINGCREEK GRILL OF EAGLE 1065 E. Winding Creek Drive, Ste.100 Contemporary regional cuisine in an upscale but casual atmosphere make Windingcreek a definite go-to. 208-938-3010, facebook.com/windingcreekgrillofeagle.

ZEN BENTO 342 E. State St. Bento, sushi and salad made with your well-being in mind. It’s “peace in a lunch box.” 208-938-4277, zenbento.com.

This cozy neighborhood coffeehouse is a favorite Eagle hangout. 208-938-1564, rembrandtscoffeehouse.net.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

CALDWELL

NAMPA

DUTCH GOOSE

BRICK 29 BISTRO

2502 Cleveland Blvd.

320 11th Ave. S., Ste. 100

Laid-back vibe, brews galore and eats like all-natural burgers and hand-cut finger steaks. Head over on Fridays and Saturdays for some of the best halibut and chips around. 208-459-9363, dutchgoose.com.

Chef Dustan Bristol reinvents comfort food using local ingredients. 208-468-0029, brick29.com.

FIESTA GUADALAJARA 420 N. 10th Ave. Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-455-8605, fiestasguadalajara.com.

IMELDA’S COFFEE CASA 2414 Cleveland Blvd.

A visit to Imelda’s is a must for the homemade tortillas and breakfast tacos.

208-454-8757.

INDIAN CREEK STEAKHOUSE 711 Main St. Great steaks cooked on genuine apple wood over an open flame. 208-459-4835, indiancreeksteakhouse.com.

LA PINATA BAKERY 312 S. Kimball Ave. Since 2010, this locally owned and operated bakery has been making delicious, inexpensive traditional Mexican pastries. 208-4059558, facebook.com/La-Pinata-Bakery.

MANCINO’S SUBS AND PIZZA 2412 Cleveland Blvd.

Awesome Italian grinders. 208-459-7556, mancinosidaho.com.

CHAPALA 2117 12th Ave. Friendly atmosphere and Mexican fare for the whole family. 208-461-9355, chapalarestaurants.com.

CHICAGO CONNECTION 523 12th Ave. S. Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches and a an extensive salad bar. 208-467-6444, chicagoconnection.com.

COPPER CANYON 112 13th Ave. S. Copper Canyon has been serving the Treasure Valley for over 14 years, featuring Chef Brian Inaba’s exquisite cuisine.

208-461-0113, coppercanyonnampa.com.

EGG FACTORY 820 Caldwell Blvd.

You’ll find eggs-actly what you need to satisfy a breakfast craving. 208-466-2728, eggfactorycafe.com.

EL RODEO MEXICAN RESTAURANT 908 Third St. S. A huge menu full of Mexican classics and South American-inspired dishes.

208-463-1700.

THE ORCHARD HOUSE RESTAURANT

FIESTA GUADALAJARA

14949 Sunnyslope Road

1202 N. Jacob Allcott Way

Classic American fare served against the backdrop of the beautiful Snake River.

208-459-8200, theorchardhouse.us.

Fiesta Guadalajara serves up a whole host of Mexican favorites. 208-467-1548, fiestasguadalajara.com.

STEWART’S BAR AND GRILL

FLYING M COFFEEGARAGE

2805 Blaine St.

1314 Second St. S.

Head to Stewart’s for great burgers, sandwiches, steak, seafood and more.

208-459-3308, stewartsbarandgrill.com.

Canyon County’s outpost for music, art, events, gifts, pastries and, of course, coffee. 208-467-5533, flyingmcoffee.com.

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 69

Restaurant Listings GRUB HUT

STAR COUNTRY CAFE

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY

324 Third St. S.

10883 W. State St.

6724 N. Glenwood

Homemade paleo, vegan and low-carb choices. 208-465-0323, facebook.com/ NampaGusher.

This local fave serves up classics like prime rib and liver and onions. 208-286-7799, facebook.com/Star-Country-Cafe.

The pizza-and-salad lunch special will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. The signature Idaho Supreme is superb.

208-853-1224, idahopizzacompany.com.

JALAPENO’S BAR AND GRILL 1921 Caldwell Blvd.

Jalapenos has a huge selection of Mexican dishes and tequilas. 208-442-6355, jalapenosidaho.com.

GARDEN CITY

1224 First St. S. Pop in for a pesto roll. 208-461-0081, facebook.com/Messenger-Pizza.

GOODWOOD BARBECUE COMPANY 7849 W. Spectrum St.

Now reopen in a new location after the disastrous Boise International Market fire, Joyful Tea provides tea novices and tea connoisseurs with a superior tea experience.

208-424-3438, joyfultea.com.

It’s really good, it’s barbecue, it’s Goodwood. 208-658-7173, goodwoodbbq.com.

3447 W. Chinden Blvd.

MOXIE JAVA

Friendly atmosphere and Mexican fare for the whole family. 208-342-5648, chapalarestaurants.com.

6625 N. Glenwood St.

The pizza-and-salad lunch special will fill your belly without emptying your wallet. The signature Idaho Supreme is superb.

208-362-7702, idahopizzacompany.com.

Big, stacked bagel sandwiches created at assembly line speed. 208-323-6553, blueskybagels.com.

Standard toppings like pepperoni and not-so-standard items like curried chicken make Smoky Mountain a fave.

208-461-7333, smokymountainpizza.com.

CHAPALA

5697 Glenwood St.

103 Shannon Drive

Friendly atmosphere and Mexican fare for the whole family. 208-321-8262, chapalarestaurants.com.

COBBY’S

STAR CHAPALA 681 S. Star Road Friendly atmosphere and Mexican fare for the whole family. 208-898-4200, chapalarestaurants.com.

EL MARIACHI LOCO RESTAURANTE 9966 W. State St. Authentic Mexican food, complete with daily specials, hand-made tortillas and tequila shots. 208-286-9640, facebook. com/mariachilocostar.

Boise’s own coffee shop mini chain roasts its own special blends. 208-376-2299, moxiejava.com.

CHAPALA

THE VIEW AT BROADMORE Top off a game of golf at this fine-dining eatery. 208-466-1114, broadmorecc.com.

THE CREPERIE CAFE

6711 N. Glenwood St.

BLUE SKY BAGELS

723 Caldwell Blvd.

2007 N. Cassia St.

This cafe serves a full breakfast and lunch menu, along with dinner specials.

208-229-8606, boisetechcafe.com.

JOYFUL TEA

A sprawling brew pub from a pioneering Garden City brewery. 208-376-4200, crookedfencebrewing.com.

12375 Chinden Blvd.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN PIZZERIA GRILL

1550 S. Cloverdale Road

Try mouth-watering crepes filled with cheese, meats and vegetables or sweet fruits and spreads. Better yet, try both.

208-375-2737, thecreperiecafe.com.

BARRELHOUSE

PRIMO’S All-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet. 208-466-4455, primospizza.com.

2288 N. Garden St.

BOISE TECH CAFE

Despite its beach atmosphere, there’s more to the Crab Shack than seafood. With a menu where crab nachos sit side by side with salads, burgers, steaks and pastas, you’ll find what you’re looking for.

208-336-9370, joescrabshack.com.

5181 N. Glenwood St.

MESSENGER PIZZA

JOE’S CRAB SHACK

SOUTH BOISE

4348 W. Chinden Blvd.

Boise’s love affair with Cobby’s goes back to 1978, when the sandwich shop opened.

208-322-7401, cobbys.com.

NEW YORK RICHIE’S SANDWICHES & PIZZA 5865 N. Glenwood St. Sink your teeth into New York-style pizza pies, Philly cheesesteaks and pastas at this Italian-style eatery. 208-323-0003, newyorkrichiespizza.com.

RIVERSIDE HOTEL SANDBAR PATIO BAR AND GRILL 2900 Chinden Blvd.

Giant portions and authentic specials.

208-321-0355, elgallogiroboise.com.

Sip, socialize and enjoy freshly prepared pub-style fare with a Southern Idaho influence. Enjoy area microbrews on tap or savor local wines on the patio next to the river. 208-343-1871, riversideboise.com.

FORTUNE WOK

UNCLE GIUSEPPE’S

5161 N. Glenwood St.

6826 N. Glenwood St.

This Chinese restaurant is owned by the Fong family, longtime Boise residents.

208-378-4645, fortunewok.net.

Everybody’s favorite uncle is serving Italianstyle deli sandwiches. 208-853-1594, facebook.com/Uncle-Giuseppes.

EL GALLO GIRO 5285 N. Glenwood St.

70 | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | BOISEweekly

7709 W. Overland Road

IDAHO PIZZA COMPANY 3053 S. Cole Road

PAD THAI HOUSE 1473 S. Five Mile Road Find wild dishes like the honey-roasted duck warmed in basil, with pineapple, tomatoes and spices simmered in coconut milk and red curry paste. 208-375-6014, padthaihouseboise.com.

THAI CUISINE 6777 W. Overland Road Warm up to Thai and Vietnamese entrees like crispy tofu, spicy prawn soup and sauteed basil curry seafood. 208-658-0516, boisethaicuisine.com.

W W W. B O IS E WE E KLY. C O M

W W W. B O I S E WE E KLY.C OM

BOISEweekly | BAR+RESTAURANT GUIDE 2016 | 71