Ready, Boise? This ‘most-wanted’ California restaurant chain plans to open here in 2022

When it comes to popular fast-food chains that don’t operate in Idaho, the list begins and ends with In-N-Out Burger. Fortunately, it’s coming, the company says — in a few long years.

But hot diggity dog. Another longtime California staple that Idahoans relish the thought of devouring will serve the Boise area sooner.

Wienerschnitzel, which calls itself the “world’s most wanted wiener,” intends to invade the Treasure Valley in 2022.

The Irvine-based chain should open a Meridian restaurant in about a year, said Ted Milburn, director of U.S. franchise development.

Planned near the corner of Eagle and Ustick roads, the new standalone building will be the first of three Wienerschnitzels slated for the valley. An Idaho franchisee has signed a deal covering Ada and Canyon counties, Milburn said in a phone interview. The Meridian location will have a drive-thru and a modest amount of seating.

In addition to hot dogs, Wienerschnitzel stores also sell Tastee-Freez soft-serve ice cream — shakes, cones and sundaes. Tastee-Freez is owned by the same parent company, Galardi Group.

Founded in 1961, Wienerschnitzel operates 330 franchise stores in nine states — with the vast majority in California. (Update: History-savvy readers say a Boise location also opened in the 1970s on Overland Road before shuttering years later.) Known for chili dogs, chili cheese dogs, corn dogs and chili cheese fries, Wienerschnitzel sells more than 120 million hot dogs each year.

The menu also features hamburgers (including a double chili cheeseburger), as well as breakfast burritos and biscuit sandwiches.

Wienerschnitzel combinations are a popular option — and proof that this is fast food in the purest sense.

Behold the #7 Crowd Pleaser combo: four chili dogs, four corn dogs and four chili cheese fries. It clocks in at a face-melting 4,240 calories.

As one Yelp reviewer described Wienerschnitzel, “Prepare for messy eating and licking the wrappers.”

All three stores in the valley should be up and running within five or six years, Milburn said. It’s possible, perhaps even likely, that future Wienerschnitzel franchise restaurants could pop up in other parts of Idaho, too.

“We’re not here to blow the world up with chili dogs,” Milburn said. “But the right person and place — we’d love to grow in Idaho.”

“Boise was a real win,” he said.

This story was originally published August 5, 2021 at 4:00 AM.