Ivan's Guide to Boise
Neighborhoods
This is Boise at it's finest. This is where you will find all the cute little houses that are older and different. It's changing a bit as property prices increase but it has always been the more artsy-bohemian part of town. Take a walk down the 'old money' feel of Harrison Boulevard (especially in fall), get some food or sweets in Hyde Park, or go hike up Camel's Back Hill for some great Boise views. Even just walking the streets and seeing the tight knit community is enjoyable!
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North End
This is Boise at it's finest. This is where you will find all the cute little houses that are older and different. It's changing a bit as property prices increase but it has always been the more artsy-bohemian part of town. Take a walk down the 'old money' feel of Harrison Boulevard (especially in fall), get some food or sweets in Hyde Park, or go hike up Camel's Back Hill for some great Boise views. Even just walking the streets and seeing the tight knit community is enjoyable!
This little community is like a newer version of the North End's Hyde Park. It is super close to Chateau Ivan so you can walk, ride, or drive on down! You'll find lots of food, yoga, sweets, and a little local library.
South Bown Way
South Bown WayThis little community is like a newer version of the North End's Hyde Park. It is super close to Chateau Ivan so you can walk, ride, or drive on down! You'll find lots of food, yoga, sweets, and a little local library.
Warm Springs is another stretch of historic Boise Real Estate. Basically an arm of the North End, Warm Springs Avenue is a picturesque walk with mature trees, giant historic homes, and some Boise treats like the Botanical Gardens, Old Penitentiary, and the trail up to Table Rock, at the far end.
Warm Springs
Warm Springs is another stretch of historic Boise Real Estate. Basically an arm of the North End, Warm Springs Avenue is a picturesque walk with mature trees, giant historic homes, and some Boise treats like the Botanical Gardens, Old Penitentiary, and the trail up to Table Rock, at the far end.
There is so much to explore in the up and coming downtown area! 8th Street is a great place to stroll with lots of shops and restaurants, 6th and Main is the center of the nightlife area (but don't just stay there), and BoDo is a classic with a theater and local ice cream. I also have a few videos covering the shops on my YouTube channel if you want to get an overview as well. (search Ivan the Intrepid)
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Downtown
There is so much to explore in the up and coming downtown area! 8th Street is a great place to stroll with lots of shops and restaurants, 6th and Main is the center of the nightlife area (but don't just stay there), and BoDo is a classic with a theater and local ice cream. I also have a few videos covering the shops on my YouTube channel if you want to get an overview as well. (search Ivan the Intrepid)
American Food
Cool drive through with a ton of options. Was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives because of their famous prime rib! This isn't the original location but it's the closest. And it also has an ICE CREAM POTATO! Check it out.
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Westside Drive In
1929 W State StCool drive through with a ton of options. Was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives because of their famous prime rib! This isn't the original location but it's the closest. And it also has an ICE CREAM POTATO! Check it out.
I have to mention this place. It is pricey for the portion sizes and I'm not sure I agree with all of their fry dipping sauces (blueberry ketchup) but the types of potatoes, types of fries and dipping sauces provide endless customizability. The buffalo burger is good and I hear the veggie burger is as well. There is one near the house and one downtown!
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Boise Fry Company
204 N Capitol BlvdI have to mention this place. It is pricey for the portion sizes and I'm not sure I agree with all of their fry dipping sauces (blueberry ketchup) but the types of potatoes, types of fries and dipping sauces provide endless customizability. The buffalo burger is good and I hear the veggie burger is as well. There is one near the house and one downtown!
One of Boise's most touted restaurants. They offer creative, farm-to-table American dishes in the heart of downtown.
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Fork
199 N 8th StOne of Boise's most touted restaurants. They offer creative, farm-to-table American dishes in the heart of downtown.
Awesome gourmet sandwiches, custom sodas, and it shares a building with one of the best local ice cream shops!
Lemon Tree Co. - Harris Ranch
Awesome gourmet sandwiches, custom sodas, and it shares a building with one of the best local ice cream shops!
This is one of my favorite standard affairs. The owners are local and eco-conscious (think zero packaging and compost worms in the basement for your scraps), they have lots of brews with a fun lounge next door, and the food is delicious at a great price.
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Bittercreek Alehouse
246 N 8th StThis is one of my favorite standard affairs. The owners are local and eco-conscious (think zero packaging and compost worms in the basement for your scraps), they have lots of brews with a fun lounge next door, and the food is delicious at a great price.
Ethnic Food
Bombay Grill
928 W Main StGo for the $10 lunch buffet!
This place is a great introduction to Ethiopian food. It's a bit far but worth it.
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Kibrom's Ethiopean & Eritrean Food
3506 W State StThis place is a great introduction to Ethiopian food. It's a bit far but worth it.
Mount Everest Momo Cafe
2144 Broadway AveIndian and Nepalese delights in a strip mall!
Small chain serving delicious and cheap Mediterranean cuisine. Close by the house!
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Mazzah Mediterranean Grill
1772 W State StSmall chain serving delicious and cheap Mediterranean cuisine. Close by the house!
I had to include this! It is located right on the cultural/historical Basque Block in downtown Boise. You get a little history lesson at the same time.
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The Basque Market
608 W Grove StI had to include this! It is located right on the cultural/historical Basque Block in downtown Boise. You get a little history lesson at the same time.
Thai Bistro
Used to be Thai Basil. Good food with cheap lunch options.
Mexican (Let's Taco-bout it)
La Tapatia
401 W Parkcenter BlvdGood old Mexican food not far from the Chateau.
This place has 1.50 tacos on Tuesdays and Thursdays and $2 Tecates errryday. This is in beautiful Hyde Park and gets BUSY. Are they the best tacos ever? No. But the vibe and price are right so go for the experience and the salsas. They do some fun fusion burritos too.
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Parrilla Grill
1512 N 13th StThis place has 1.50 tacos on Tuesdays and Thursdays and $2 Tecates errryday. This is in beautiful Hyde Park and gets BUSY. Are they the best tacos ever? No. But the vibe and price are right so go for the experience and the salsas. They do some fun fusion burritos too.
Cheap, giant burritos that are especially good after a night out. This place is greasy and open 24 hours.
Los Betos Mexican Food
6615 W Fairview AveCheap, giant burritos that are especially good after a night out. This place is greasy and open 24 hours.
This is a new and popular place downtown! They've got some funky creations that are beautiful.
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The Funky Taco
801 W Bannock StThis is a new and popular place downtown! They've got some funky creations that are beautiful.
Okay so this place isn't Mexican but it's latin so I feel like it falls under that umbrella. If the incredible owner is there you can speak Spanish with him. This is also not in a part of town you would probably make a point to visit. But it is worth a detour to try some amazing empanadas that are only about $2.50 each. They've got numerous savory ones and a bunch of dessert ones. Usually two fills me up (but I still make room for a dessert ;).
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Tango's Empanadas - Boise
701 N Orchard StOkay so this place isn't Mexican but it's latin so I feel like it falls under that umbrella. If the incredible owner is there you can speak Spanish with him. This is also not in a part of town you would probably make a point to visit. But it is worth a detour to try some amazing empanadas that are only about $2.50 each. They've got numerous savory ones and a bunch of dessert ones. Usually two fills me up (but I still make room for a dessert ;).
Delicious and fun tacos at a good price. Definitely worth a stop.
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Tin Roof Tacos
115 Broadway AveDelicious and fun tacos at a good price. Definitely worth a stop.
Okay so this is another controversial place like Funky Tacos. I loved it and found their fun takes on some pretty traditional dishes amazing. But I also have friends who hate it. Maybe it's the chef? You decide.
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Calle 75 Street Tacos
110 N 11th StOkay so this is another controversial place like Funky Tacos. I loved it and found their fun takes on some pretty traditional dishes amazing. But I also have friends who hate it. Maybe it's the chef? You decide.
Okay so it's not unique but I do love it for what it is. I was excited when we got one so close to home!
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Okay so it's not unique but I do love it for what it is. I was excited when we got one so close to home!
Pizza Pizza
There are multiple locations but this is the closest to the house. Head downtown if you want a more upscale vibe with some pretty views of 8th Street. Delicious appetizers, traditional flatbread style pizzas, and they even have some certified pies with all of their ingredients imported from Italy. Ciao bella!
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Flatbread Neapolitan Pizzeria
800 W Main StThere are multiple locations but this is the closest to the house. Head downtown if you want a more upscale vibe with some pretty views of 8th Street. Delicious appetizers, traditional flatbread style pizzas, and they even have some certified pies with all of their ingredients imported from Italy. Ciao bella!
When I ask friends what their favorite pizza place is, I would say 60-70% of people say 'Idaho Pizza Company'. Check to see if they still do their lunch buffet for about $8. Otherwise you can grab a whole pie! It can be a bit pricey but is definitely some good stuff.
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Idaho Pizza Company
78 E Eagle River StWhen I ask friends what their favorite pizza place is, I would say 60-70% of people say 'Idaho Pizza Company'. Check to see if they still do their lunch buffet for about $8. Otherwise you can grab a whole pie! It can be a bit pricey but is definitely some good stuff.
I don't feel like this place gets recommended enough. They serve quality pizza and aren't too far from the Chateau!
Smoky Mountain Pizzeria & Grill | Boise Pizza Restaurant
415 E Parkcenter BlvdI don't feel like this place gets recommended enough. They serve quality pizza and aren't too far from the Chateau!
Okay so I decided I'd be a fool not to add this place. Think classic 'drunk food' or late night pizza slices in college. This is the closest location across from BSU stadium but if you are downtown they also have you covered right on 8th street. Big slices reheated at your request. Try the potato bacon because... Idaho.
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Pie Hole
205 N 8th StOkay so I decided I'd be a fool not to add this place. Think classic 'drunk food' or late night pizza slices in college. This is the closest location across from BSU stadium but if you are downtown they also have you covered right on 8th street. Big slices reheated at your request. Try the potato bacon because... Idaho.
I get it. You paid for the Chateau so you want to enjoy it. Grab a pie from Papa Murphy's right down the street and heat it up right at home to be enjoyed under the patio area. Just make sure you know how to light the oven (check the guide book), DON'T cook the pizza on the flat-solid rack (only the slotted rack... or you'll lose your pizza and possibly start a fire), and of course don't forget to turn the gas off afterwards. :)
Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza
6887 W Fairview AveI get it. You paid for the Chateau so you want to enjoy it. Grab a pie from Papa Murphy's right down the street and heat it up right at home to be enjoyed under the patio area. Just make sure you know how to light the oven (check the guide book), DON'T cook the pizza on the flat-solid rack (only the slotted rack... or you'll lose your pizza and possibly start a fire), and of course don't forget to turn the gas off afterwards. :)
Breakfast Spots
If you want huge portion sizes of delicious (and even some healthy) breakfast goods, then this is the spot. A popular cafe with a small area, they've got oversized pastries to take on the road with you. Just make sure you get there early!
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Big City Coffee and Cafe
1416 W Grove StIf you want huge portion sizes of delicious (and even some healthy) breakfast goods, then this is the spot. A popular cafe with a small area, they've got oversized pastries to take on the road with you. Just make sure you get there early!
This is THE breakfast spot in downtown Boise. Delicious food but with loooong wait times if you go during popular hours. Definitely a Boise icon.
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Goldy's Breakfast Bistro
108 S Capitol BlvdThis is THE breakfast spot in downtown Boise. Delicious food but with loooong wait times if you go during popular hours. Definitely a Boise icon.
You can fight the frenzy at one of the downtown hot spots or fight a slightly smaller local neighborhood crowd. This is just down the street from the Chateau and is a delicious locally owned option with some funky decor. Best yet, each meal order comes with a complimentary scone!
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Egg Mann and Earl
650 E Boise AveYou can fight the frenzy at one of the downtown hot spots or fight a slightly smaller local neighborhood crowd. This is just down the street from the Chateau and is a delicious locally owned option with some funky decor. Best yet, each meal order comes with a complimentary scone!
Sushi
I'll be honest I've never been. But my good buddy has been to all of the all-you-can-eat lunch buffets (#America) and this one is in his top two!
Shogun Sushi
3640 S Findley AveI'll be honest I've never been. But my good buddy has been to all of the all-you-can-eat lunch buffets (#America) and this one is in his top two!
Listen I'm not a sushi snob. And if you are, then you'll probably be like many of the Californians who are moving to Boise and complain about the sushi here. I've eaten sushi in a lot of places (Japan included) and I still love the rolls at this place. If you just enjoy sushi in general and even more, all you can eat lunch deals, then this is a great spot right in BoDo!
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Yoi Tomo Sushi and Grill
405 S Capitol BlvdListen I'm not a sushi snob. And if you are, then you'll probably be like many of the Californians who are moving to Boise and complain about the sushi here. I've eaten sushi in a lot of places (Japan included) and I still love the rolls at this place. If you just enjoy sushi in general and even more, all you can eat lunch deals, then this is a great spot right in BoDo!