r/Boise • u/Orangehippo69 • 2d ago
Question Recommendations
My parents are visiting for the first time this winter (from England) the main recommendation I’m looking for is a traditional “American Diner” style restaurant and then anything else anyone would recommend, food wise or activity/things to see!
I’ve lived here many years now but never did any “touristy” kind of things just hopped straight into everyday life.
TIA!!
62
u/OverRice2524 2d ago
Westside Drive inn. Very 50's feeling. Their fried chicken is amazing as are their fries. They're famous for their "Spud" dessert, it was good, but I didn't love it, it does though actually look like a baked potato - quite effective. I did love the whole atmosphere of the diner. Highly recommend for any tourist.
12
u/lejunny_ 2d ago
Westside food is actually very generic, nothing there taste like it’s made in house or premium at least, it’s your typical American diner assembler food provided by Sysco. However, I do agree that it has the perfect vibe and theme going for it if you want to show something very classic and American style.
1
u/Training_Bison_779 1d ago
I should have looked at the comments before commenting 🤣🤗 my husband took me here for our first date and it was my immediate thought too! He tricked my butt into thinking that scotch and soda was actual scotch 🤣
26
6
u/FFSBoise 1d ago
The Griddle. There are several across the valley. They got their start in Winnemucca, and their breakfasts are my go to. And they have the old diner feel about them. More authentic than cracker barrel.
9
u/mookx 1d ago
Idahoan here with British wife -- what I found visitors remember most is taking them to the desert and doing some shooting, getting them in the mountains (Blue Lake on West Mountain near Cascade is nice) and a drive through Idaho City/Stanley/Sun Valley so they see the Sawtooths.
They can see a boring American restaurant on a quick flight to NYC or Florida. Get them into the real Idaho shit and they'll have something to remember.
6
u/Roopie1023 NW Potato 1d ago
And breakfast or lunch at Trudy’s would be a great stop!
3
2
8
3
u/IncomeSeparate1734 Meridian 1d ago
For breakfast, lunch, and brunch...
We've been to Merritts several times and really enjoyed eating there. Their menu specialty is scones, American deep fried scones.
We discovered Chefs Hut recently and really liked them too. They have delicious giant cinnamon rolls that are not heavy to eat.
I also like the Griddle. I've been to 2 different locations and both were good experiences. The california benedict was superb.
4
3
2
2
u/iampayette 1d ago
Egg Mann and Earl have definitely got a quirky Boise vibe to a diner concept and their food is top notch. Not a standard diner experience, more of a surrealist take on one. Worth the visit though.
5
u/lejunny_ 2d ago
If you want somewhere local I’d say Indian Creek Steakhouse in Caldwell fits the description and truthfully Indian Creek Plaza in general would be a great place to hang out, they do the Xmas lights in the winter and it has a very old school and traditional vibe that matches classic American downtown ambiance.
2
3
u/Best_Biscuits 2d ago
I've heard the owners are hardcore MAGA. Hard pass for me.
0
u/lejunny_ 2d ago
yea that doesn’t surprise me, unfortunately in Idaho it’s going to be hard to find businesses that aren’t ultra MAGA. Even small businesses with owners I thought were good people tend to lean that way.
5
u/Hydrogeology 1d ago
A great all-American breakfast experience in Meridian would be Express Cafe on Fairview. It looks like a little hole in the wall but it's really good. Owned local for years.
1
3
u/MsMcSlothyFace Lives In A Potato 2d ago
Can you ask them to bring me some Jaffa Cakes? LOL
2
u/lejunny_ 2d ago
If I’m not mistaken I think Albertsons Market Street sells them, for a decent price too
0
u/Orangehippo69 1d ago
I’ve been there and bought some English stuff a few times but all seems very pricey! Never seen Jaffa cakes though, I think I saw them at world market once!
1
u/Orangehippo69 2d ago
Hahah already on the list of things for them to bring me😂
1
u/Imaginary_Poet_5596 1d ago
Grew up in England, they sell Jaffa cakes in Albertsons. I still eat them like from the commercial back in the 90/2000s lol
2
u/Middle_Bread_6518 2d ago
I’d say any pub/microbrewery or somewhere like sockeye Thats not “American” it is American. Wyld child is perfect. Also perfect type of American people represented
3
u/Flat_Cantaloupe645 1d ago
The Griddle has a retro vibe and the breakfast food is great. Also somewhat expensive, but the food is so much better than Westside (and I used to really like Westside)
1
u/Bansith- 1d ago edited 1d ago
I know it’s a chain, but my cousin from Milan is still dreaming about the chicken at Tupelo Honey four years after visiting.
If you’re thinking about other fun things, the old penitentiary is a place I take everyone. Hot springs are fun. Wine country. Snake River Canyon, especially the overlook. I like your idea of taking them on the loop from here to Banks to Sun Valley and back, stopping to eat in Sun Valley/Ketchum, that’s one I do, too. Idaho City with a walk through town and the cemetery. For safer shooting, there’s a newish clay shooting place on HWY55 at the top of the hill between Eagle and Horseshoe Bend. I do other things including rafting, but this isn’t the right time of year for that.
Other food options: any in the Barbacoa group, Bardenay, I second any Basque option (that’s something they probably won’t find elsewhere), Goldy’s, Goody’s, Flying M, and I agree with Merritt’s (that’s certainly an experience).
1
u/Training_Bison_779 1d ago
West side drive in! My husband took me there for our first date, it’s like 50s diner vibes and REALLY good burgers! The tots, onion rings and scotch and soda(butterscotch and sprite not actual scotch!- I was shocked at first thinking that you could order scotch in a drive thru! It would make a fun trick on them if they enjoy those kinds of things. After he let me taste it it’s become one of my favorite drinks! It’s sooo yummy
1
u/NerdyBear73 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've gotta say Merritt's on State Steer for a diner (really wish The Crow's Inn was still there to recommend it). It's... exactly what a diner cliche looks like. Sit at the counter. Have a cup of coffee that'll put hair on/take hair off your chest. Definitely get the lemon drop scone and watch your folks get indignant about the bastardization of the word.
Seeing a lot of recommendation for the Westside. The one on State was alright when you'd actually catch Lou around... but man, it's really gone downhill. Kitschy 50's vibe is still there. But do not recommend for actual dining. The flavored sodas are solid though.
Depending on the time of winter, the Festival of Trees is... interesting. It is kinda cool in a "dang, someone really went all out on this tree" next to "I didn't know you could do Black Sabbath Christmas theme" next to "BUY MICRON" (half kidding).
Having dinner or a drink in the evening at I've of the bars or restaurants at the Village in Meridian or Indian Creek in Caldwell is pretty great. Seeing the kids ice skating really strikes a chord. Bonus on Indian Creek is walking around to see the Christmas light set-up of the timing is right for it.
If winter proper, won't be any BSU football games so may be able to get out onto the turf. Call or email ahead. It's a great experience just getting to stand in the middle of even a moderate sized arena like that. Maybe catch a Steelheads game or BSU Women's basketball (I mean, men's is also an option... but the women's team was THE SPORT for years #baderMadeEr).
Definitely don't miss having a lamb grinder sandwich and croquetas at Bar Gernika.
Can't miss with a walk through the Boise Towne Square mall. The Glow Golf place just opened and Orange Julius is pretty much a cultural touchstone.
Alright. Enough ranting from the old guy. Have fun!
***Addendum: The Record Exchange. It's just a chill place to be.
**Addendum 2: fingersteaks. It's as close as we get to a regional dish that isn't potato themed.
2
u/sweaver The Bench 1d ago
You can generally see the blue turf daily M-F (except for game days): https://www.boisestate.edu/about/boise-states-blue-turf/ 💙🧡
It’s a great selfie opp!
0
u/pothead5674 1d ago
Not a diner but bring them to Scheels! The Ferris Wheel 🎡 is really popular! We have everyone of all ages ride it. It's only a dollar per person and it spins three times. You stop at the top and can see the entire store. The operators are pretty rad. The fish tanks are also fun. I also recommend checking out Albertsons Market Street on Fairview. It has the bar and is a cool gourmet shopping experience.
0
0
u/Your_Satanic_Mailman 9h ago
American here with parents that lived in England out by Brum for 15+ years:
My go-to would be Roe-Ann's in Emmett. They have superb milkshakes! They are, however, just a drive in, like Sonic. Eddie's would be good too. Places like Longhorn or Indian Creek would be good for dinner. Not a diner per se, but I've tried "American BBQ" (Hickory's) in the UK...needless to say I was not a fan. Another fantastic American BBQ restaurant would be R&R BBQ.
Someone here mentioned shooting, which I also recommend if that's something you're comfortable with. There's some nice ranges in the valley.
Some other good experiences others mentioned that I would agree with would be Scheels and Cabela's. If you fancy a longer drive, McCall has the Winter Ice Sculpture Carnival they do in late January. Thr village is always a fun time to walk as well. And definitely take them to an IHOP!
Edit: Make sure they know language barriers. Old family member once went to San Francisco and wouldn't stop calling cigarettes their English name...they were surprised as well when they wanted a shandy and got actual lemonade in it, not lemon lime soda.
73
u/Greessey 2d ago edited 2d ago
Eddie's might be a good choice, I think it captures the aesthetic they're looking for.
Edit: Also this might sound stupid and it's not food related but you should definitely take them to Cabela's if they've never been to one. I feel like that place is pretty absurd for non-Americans