New Boise bar, restaurant opens in former Old Chicago spot. It does food ‘with a twist’
When Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom closed its downtown Boise location in early 2020, it came as a shock. The chain had operated in the Union Block building for 23 years — and the coronavirus pandemic had not yet arrived to ravage the restaurant industry.
Seeing the space revived feels nearly as surprising. At least right now. Closures have become pervasive because of COVID-19.
But Union Block Bar & Eatery appears to have a thing or two going for it. The new restaurant at 730 W. Idaho St. recently opened serving takeout and delivery.
It’s a sister restaurant to Mai Thai, which has operated next door since 2003. That means they can share operations.
And Union Block Bar & Eatery has not blatantly bitten off more than it can chew. Rather than leasing the entire ex-Old Chicago space, it’s taken over only the bar side. The dining room half remains empty, still available to a new tenant.
Union Block Bar & Eatery has cast a wide culinary net, too. The menu is described as “New American cuisine with a twist.” That means pastas and flatbreads, sandwiches and hamburgers, salads and shareable plates — with arms extended to carnivores, vegetarians, vegans and the gluten-free crowd. “From pasta to burgers to flatbreads, you can make it vegan!” Union Block Bar & Eatery promises. “Order on DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub! Or give us a call at (208) 994-3050!”
Passers-by can check out the menu posted on a window. Or you can peruse it online. Notable options include buffalo cauliflower ($10), duck confit pasta ($16) or duck flatbread ($14), a pork belly burger ($13), a goat cheese salad ($14) and bolognese ($16).
At the moment, Union Block Bar & Eatery is not offering on-site dining. But that should change soon. Mai Thai Restaurants Group CEO Billy Pothikamjorn says the new restaurant could welcome seated customers by Jan. 11. “That is not concrete yet,” he added via email. Union Block Bar & Eatery’s hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.
If you peer inside, the place looks nearly ready for date night. Union Block Bar & Eatery’s decor is sleek and clean. The combination of bar, table and booth seating is similar in layout to the Old Chicago days.
And if you’re pining for the massive beer selection that Old Chicago had? Well, drive out to Boise Towne Square. Old Chicago still has a location out there. It opened way back in 1997, just like the downtown Boise restaurant.
This story was originally published January 5, 2021 at 5:00 AM.