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Where to find handmade tamales, jamon sandwiches, smoked trout, and finger steaks in Idaho’s woodsy wonderland
Boise was originally called Les Bois, or “wooded” in French, and Idaho’s City of Trees remains a forested oasis in the arid Northwestern mountains. While its food scene gets overshadowed by the ones in Portland and Seattle, Boise has a culinary culture all its own, with a medley of influences including American Indian, Basque, and Chinese (by the end of the gold rush, Chinese immigrants made up a full quarter of Boise’s population). Today, thanks to its low cost of living and rugged natural beauty, Boise has seen a population spike, and with it has come a wealth of new restaurants.
Stroll down the city’s unofficial Restaurant Row on Eighth Street these days and you’ll spot menus touting handmade tamales and jamon-manchego sandwiches, as well as local goodies like huckleberries, fry sauce, finger steaks, and potato croquettes. For dessert, try some local ice cream with regionally roasted coffee for a perfect Idahoan finish.
Fork
If you’ve ever visited friends or family in Boise, chances are they’ve taken you to Fork. Situated in the old Boise City National Bank Building, Fork is all about supporting local farmers, ranchers, and other small-scale food purveyors, and is a favorite destination for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Everything’s a sure bet, but especially the asparagus fries, any of the crunchy salads, and the warm butter cake for dessert. At brunch, don’t skip out on the DIY bloody mary bar or the gooey butterscotch cinnamon rolls.
