Surprise! This is the beginning of a new regular series all about what/where to eat & drink in Boise.
I obviously know a lot about Boise. But every time I’m going out to eat, it’s like my mind suddenly goes blank on every restaurant I’ve ever been to before or been wanting to try. For this reason, I decided we need to start swapping food recs.
I recruited my friend and the best local foodie I know, Dave Yasuda, to head up this new venture. If you don’t know, Dave is an expert on Boise food. He’s a born & raised local, he runs Foodfort at Treefort Music Fest, he’s a friend of many local chefs, and he just knows how to eat and cook damn good food.
Subscribe to our newsletter and every month from now on, you can expect two additional emails all about food. One will be a list like this of 12 delish things to eat in the Boise area. The other will be something else: an interview with a local chef, a restaurant review deep dive, a food history, who knows! I gave Dave creative freedom and he never disappoints.
So here we go!
12 Things to Eat in Boise in September
By Dave Yasuda
Starting this month, I’ll share 12 things I’m looking forward to enjoying over the next 30 days. Let’s take a look at September, one of my favorite food months in Boise.
The days get shorter, the temperatures start to drop and the harvest from local farms and orchards is plentiful. I grew up on a farm, and my family ate whatever was in season. I learned early when local fruit and produce are at their absolute peak for flavor. Look for seasonal foods at markets and in restaurants to make food memories to savor over the winter.
1. Lamb neck at House of the Little Pig
This is one of Chef Kevin Posada’s signature dishes and it was on hold this summer. It’s back in September and it’s a moment worth celebrating. Local lamb neck is rubbed with house harissa spice then slow-cooked for 14 hours. It’s hard-roasted before serving and comes with Persian lemon zhoug (sort of a Middle Eastern chimichurri), a bright and bitter mustard green salad and Roman flatbread. Altogether, this is a balanced dish with rich flavors and contrasting textures. Lovely.
📍 House of the Little Pig, 3083 E Barber Valley Dr, Boise
2. Heirloom tomatoes at Boise Farmers Market
I wait all year for heirloom tomato season so I can enjoy BLTs, bruschetta, a caprese salad or just a perfect tomato sprinkled with salt. There are numerous farms that grow tomatoes and each one raises different varieties, so go to the market and choose your favorite.
📍 Boise Farmers Market, Saturdays 9am – 1pm, 1500 Shoreline Dr., Downtown Boise
3. Fish burrito at The Yardarm
The Yardarm, built from a shipping container and upcycled materials, is located a stone’s throw from the Whitewater Park. Frosty cold beer flows from the taps, while tacos and burritos are served from a boat converted to a kitchen. Their hefty fish burrito features grilled mahi mahi rolled with cabbage, avocado, cotija, and a generous amount of surfer vibes. The Yardarm usually closes for the season in early October, so get there while you can.
📍 The Yardarm, 314 E. 35th St., Garden City
4. Presa steak at Ansots
Ansots is known for their delicious Basque chorizos, but this unique cut of pork is a favorite of Chef Dan Ansotegui. Taken from the pork shoulder, this tender cut is marinated in sea salt, black pepper and smoked paprika then seared to a medium doneness. Topped with a garlic, parsley, olive oil mixture and served with fresh baked bread, the presa is a savory and flavorful dish.
📍 Ansots, 560 West Main Street, Downtown Boise
5. Turkey sandwich at Here’s How Public House
This perfectly simple sando starts with a toasted Acme Bakeshop ciabatta bun. Mayo and Dijon are applied, then hickory smoked turkey breast, provolone, baby lettuce mix and pickled red onions. Notes of sweet, savory and tart accent the smoky turkey and the firm but yielding texture of the ciabatta brings it home. All this for $11. Wash it down with a craft beer poured from one of the 19 taps.
📍 Here’s How Public House, 572 S Vista Ave., Boise Bench
6. Dumplings at Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe
Owned and operated by four sisters from Afghanistan, this bakery and cafe serves a beautiful array of pastries. The dumplings, or mantoo, are something I discovered during my first visit in 2020. Toothsome dumplings filled with beef and onion are steamed then served on a slather of sour cream and topped with an aromatic tomato sauce, green onions, cilantro and dill. Perfect on a cool fall day, but I just ate this for lunch on a 95° day and it was wonderful.
📍 Sunshine Spice Bakery & Cafe, 6911 W. Fairview, Boise & 220 N 10th St., Downtown Boise
7. Pizza from Solari Pizza Truck
Solari is owned by Sarah & DK of Bleubird, Petite 4, and White Rabbit fame. They recently acquired the solar-powered truck from Gary Ebert (Zeppole) and Glen Fiertl (Guido’s). The Neapolitan-style pizza retains all the original recipes and techniques for the crust and sauce, but Sarah is adding her touch. I had a fresh mozzarella pie with Sungold tomatoes, shaved zucchini and squash blossoms recently. Wow.
📍 Solari Pizza, various locations
PS see more of Dave and the pizza
8. Brie and prosciutto baguette sando at Glutonia
Wyatt Werner and Karissa Wrigley offer this French-inspired sandwich most days after 11am, right when their fresh-baked baguettes come out of the oven. A fresh baguette is cut in half, split, and layered with brie and prosciutto – just like you’ll find in Paris.
📍 Glutonia, 901 N 27th St., Apt 108, Boise
9. K-Dog at Bar Please!
There are few food items as ubiquitous as a hot dog, but the K-Dog stands apart for me. A quarter-pound all-beef dog is grilled and placed on a toasted bun. Topped with kimchi, house sriracha aioli, fresh chives and togarashi. Spicy, funky and fresh all at once. Enjoy it with a creative cocktail (try the Old Fashioned Por Favor with tequila and mezcal) or a refreshing spritz.
📍 Bar Please!, 620 W Idaho St., Ste 300, Downtown Boise
10. Spicy lamb grinder at Bar Gernika
This hearty sandwich is a mash-up of a cheesesteak and a French dip: a baguette with slices of roasted lamb leg, grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and melted Swiss cheese. Served with a cup of au jus, a mighty dill pickle spear, and your choice of side dish. Most folks go with the famous croquetas, but I think Gernika’s fries are some of the best in town. Owner Jeff May curates the eight beer taps, so there’s always an inviting pour to pair with your order.
📍 Bar Gernika, 202 S Capitol Blvd, Downtown Boise
11. Lemon ricotta pancakes at Max & Louie’s
My biggest brunch conundrum: should I order something sweet or savory? These thick, fluffy pancakes don’t make my decision any easier. The edges are crisp and lacy and the stack comes with a heavy pour of warm blueberry compote. The tartness of the lemon comes through to accent the berries.
📍 Max & Louie’s, 175 E 35th St, Garden City
12. Snake River cantaloupe at Boise Co-op & local fruit stands
It’s melon season and there are many choices for beautiful local fruit, but I’ve been enjoying the Snake River cantaloupe from Beck Farms for years. Raised in sandy soil in Nyssa, Oregon and allowed to ripen on the vine, these melons have a distinct aroma, juicy texture and amazing sweetness.
📍 Boise Co-op, Old Fashioned Fruit & Veg, Reggie’s Veggies
Ok that’s all we’ve got for you! What do you think of this new food-focused series? I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you have any food recommendations or restaurants/food trucks/bars/etc that you want to see featured, let me know. Just send me an email at marissa@fromboise.com.
Thanks for reading!
With love from Boise,
Marissa
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