WHICH RESTAURANTS SHOULD BOISE GET?
Boise has a lot to offer BUT… things can always get better right? When you step outside of Idaho you may taste something you’re dying to continue to grub on but it’s just not an option here. So let’s talk about it. If you could choose one restaurant to open up right here in the Treasure Valley, which one would it be?
In-N-Out
I’m an Animal Style burger kind of guy but I have to cruise all the way to Salt Lake City to wrap my mouth around one of those babies.
When In-N-Out first opened it was only in California and the only thing you could order was a Double Double and fries. That menu’s opened up a bit but they still keep things pretty simple. These guys are focused on doing one thing and doing it right and man oh man do they. You can’t beat their price, you can’t beat the taste, service is a well oiled machine so now there’s only one flaw. It isn’t here in Boise.
IKEA
Photo: IKEA
I know, I know. IKEA is the place most people go to buy very reasonably priced furniture but hear me out. When you walk into an IKEA, and smell those incredible Swedish meatballs, OH OH OH! And we get two in one here right? We get to eat and buy great furniture.
The problem with IKEA and Boise is they generally only put stores into areas that have a population of two million residents or more. The Boise area isn’t even close to that. The good news is that we’re hearing IKEA may be popping up mini stores that will look into smaller populated areas. If and when this happens, you know Boise’s getting one.
BUCA DI BEPPO
Photo: Buca di Beppo
If you’re into Italian food, WHOAH! This place hits the spot. The atmosphere makes you feel like you just stepped into a piece of Italy and it only gets better when you sit down to eat. The food is SO good! It’s authentic Italian food served family style. Spaghetti, meatballs, lasagna, pasta, calzones, salad, the list goes on forever and every bite taste like heaven.
Buca di Beppo is just about everywhere across the United States. But they’re nowhere to be found in Idaho. Yeah, not just here in the Treasure Valley. We don’t have one location in our entire state. We have to work on that.
WHATABURGER
Photo: Whataburger
If you’ve never sunk your teeth into Whataburger, you’re missing out. Yes, it seems like the typical burger and fries hot spot but there’s something special about this place. The Green Chili Bacon Burger’s what I always go for.
This place started in Texas over 60 years ago. The idea was to serve up the biggest burgers anyone’s ever seen. You couldn’t just one hand these babies. It took everything to get your mouth around these things.
Unfortunately, you can’t find a Whataburger for at least 100 miles from the Boise area. They have more than 800 locations but Boise’s still in the No-Zone for Whataburger.
EL POLLO LOCO
Photo: El Pollo Loco
These are a few of the only Spanish words I know. El Pollo Loco means The Crazy Chicken. I used to stop by this place growing up in California all the time. The chicken is seasoned in a unique, spicy, tasty way that only they can do it. And I always loved dipping my tortillas into the hot beans they have. There’s always a spicy chile sitting in your cup of beans that add flavor that you’ll die for.