Remember PizzalChik? This new Boise restaurant will open soon in its former spot.

After sitting empty for more than 18 months, the former PizzalChik restaurant space in west Boise will be reborn soon — with its own spin on Italian pies.

Alpine Pizza is on track to debut by the end of October, owner Griffin Daudt said: “I’d like to be open by the first Boise State home game.”

A “coming soon” banner in front of the building promises pizza, beer and wine. But Alpine Pizza, 7330 W. State St., will serve more than standard fare.

Alpine will offer brick-oven, sourdough-crust pizza — including specialty pies, Daudt said. “We’re going to have elk sausage pizzas and venison pizzas,” he said. “We’re also going to try to do a pulled pork pizza, a fried egg pizza — like a breakfast pizza. And then some dessert pizzas, as well.”

“We’re also going to have maybe lasagna nights and turkey dinner nights,” he added.

Alpine Pizza’s menu will be available for dine-in, takeout and delivery.

Like PizzalChik, Alpine Pizza will host live music, Daudt said — but not immediately. He plans to wait until COVID-19 and social distancing make it more feasible.

Renovations inside the restaurant include a bar with a 16-foot top made from a slab of white oak, he said.

Born and raised in Boise, Daudt, 23, is familiar with the history PizzalChik left behind. Growing up, he ate there with his parents a few times, Daudt said.

Opened in 2004, PizzalChik closed in early 2019 after its chef and founder died unexpectedly. Over the years, PizzalChik — which combined the words “pizza,” “salad” and “chicken” — had been featured on Food Network and Cooking Channel, plus honored in Food Network Magazine as serving Idaho’s best pizza.

PizzalChik’s standout pie was the Wild Forest Mist, a pizza topped with housemade elk sausage and wild mushrooms.

Alpine will offer a similar pizza, Daudt said. But the new pizzeria will strive for its own style and flavor. Daudt is looking forward to showcasing it.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to own and operate my own business,” he said.

▪ Online: facebook.com/alpinepizzaboise.

This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 2:08 PM.