‘Healthy, incredibly flavorful’: Alabama-based chain to open first Boise restaurant

When Shawn Tierney opened the state’s first Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe in Eagle, he knew Idahoans would need time to grasp the fast-casual chain’s concept.

“It’s always an education process,” says Tierney, the local franchise owner, “when the guest comes through the door.”

Less than two years later, Tierney is confident Idaho is ready for another Taziki’s — this time in downtown Boise.

Taziki’s will open in the new Gibson apartment building at 505 W. Idaho St. If all goes according to plan, the street-level restaurant will start serving “Mediterannean-style dishes with a Southern flair” by the end of February or early March. It will be open for lunch and dinner.

Founded in 1998 in Birmingham, Alabama, Taziki’s emphasizes health-conscious dining.

But Taziki’s is not a health-food restaurant, Tierney says. To clear up another misnomer, it’s not a Greek eatery, either. Or a gyro joint.

The Taziki’s model includes all of the aforementioned attributes. The menu is filled with grilled chicken and shrimp, gyros, salads, sandwiches, tasty sauces and more — complemented by beer and wine.

“Our goal is to offer something that’s fresh, made from scratch,” Tierney says. ”We can make it quickly for you. And the price point is right. I think that those elements combined is sort of a winning recipe.

“The message we’re trying to convey is, ‘Hey, you can eat something that’s healthy, that’s incredibly flavorful. Any dietary concern, we can help you with that ... we can accommodate.”

The priciest item? The Grilled Salmon Feast, which is $14.99. But the majority of menu items are modestly priced. “People can typically get in and out of here for $10 or less. And I think that’s attractive,” Tierney says.

At approximately 3,000 square feet, the downtown Boise space will seat between 75 and 100 customers, Tierney says. It will have a large garage door that opens to the outside. Patio dining also is planned.

Once the Boise spot is up and running, Tierney plans to expand with a third Treasure Valley restaurant — somewhere yet to be determined in Meridian. That Taziki’s store is probably a year and a half away, he says.

“If you can combine good flavor with something you feel good about feeding your family,” Tierney says, “I feel like you’re doing the community justice.”

Online: tazikiscafe.com.

This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 3:30 PM.