Crave Delivery exits Boise restaurant location after 3 months. New bar takes over space
Crave Delivery prides itself in being relatively speedy.
But when it comes to the Idaho startup’s expansion run in Boise?
OK, that was really fast.
A ghost-kitchen collective in Meridian specializing in delivery food, Crave debuted its Boise location Sept. 30 at 1030 S. Broadway Ave. But this week, Crave pulled the plug and transitioned those operations back to Meridian.
The oven isn’t turned off, though. The former Crave space now produces food for The James, a whiskey-focused cocktail bar recently opened above it. Mostly kitchen space, Crave in Boise had featured a pickup counter and four small outdoor tables, but essentially no indoor seating.
“Now that The James has its full liquor license ... The decision was made, ‘Let’s just create a concept that’s more reflective of the bar upstairs.’ ” Crave Delivery co-founder Scott Howard said. “Which is modern classic American comfort food.
“So, basically, we shifted those operations back to our flagship facility in Meridian. And we have this great new concept that’s going to organically fit right in with The James and move forward.”
The James’ initial menu includes items such as a hamburger, Shrimp Louie, artichoke spinach dip, and lobster mac and cheese with lobster bisque. The choices will grow under the direction of chef Daniel Gonzalez, Howard said. Especially in the spring, when The James’ spacious rooftop patio is opened.
“We’re going to have daily specials,” Howard said. “... It’s a chef-driven concept. The food’s really good.”
Launched last year, the Crave Delivery complex in Meridian features 17 food-and-drink brands inside a 15,000-square-foot facility at Ten Mile Crossing. Some are local. Others are award-winning restaurants from outside Idaho. Using the Crave Delivery app, customers are allowed to mix-and-match orders from all the menus for a single $4.99 delivery fee. There’s no on-site dining.
Boise’s short-lived Crave Delivery was a scaled-down version of the Meridian vision. It included Crave partners Tony G’s Pizza, Elliott’s Oyster House, Rock House Sliders and The Wing Dome. Boiseans still can order delivery of those brands — and all Crave partners — using the Crave app. The food will be transported from Meridian.
Crave Delivery is unrelated to the similarly named Crave Kitchen & Bar, 165 E. Colchester Drive in Eagle.
Despite retreating from its Boise location, Crave Delivery plans to expand again soon — just not in Idaho. A second location will open in Plano, Texas, in February, Howard said.
“And then we’re also in the process of securing our Salt Lake (City) location as well,” he added. “Salt Lake would be in the summer of ‘22.”
After a soft opening in November, The James bar now inhabits two floors in a new building on a familiar property. That lot is the former site of the original Cobby’s, a decades-old Boise sandwich chain. Cobby’s closed the restaurant in 2018 after a run of 40 years.