Back from the dead, ‘iconic’ Boise restaurant to reopen. Just don’t order a burger

Golden Wheel Drive In plans to roll again on Fairview Avenue — but with a slightly different spin.

After closing in June — seemingly forever — one of the Boise area’s oldest restaurants recently announced that it will reopen.

But something major will be missing from the old-fashioned fast-food menu.

No more hamburgers.

“The world has changed, so to survive, we will change with it,” explained a post shared Nov. 5 on Golden Wheel’s Facebook page. “I am reopening soon with a new business model. Fries and shakes.

“There’s going to be a couple other things on the menu like finger steaks, chicken strips, corn dogs, but no more hamburgers or sandwiches of any kind. Sorry. I am going to run under a business model that will only take a few employees per shift. Taking the grill out of the equation, and (downsizing) the menu made (sense). Everyone has come to Golden Wheel because of the love of our French fries and special sauce, anyway.”

The post did not specify ad reopening date. But with only a small staff to hire and train, the revival would seem imminent.

Describing itself on Facebook as an “iconic Boise burger joint,” Golden Wheel has been a West Boise staple for decades. The restaurant was built at its location at 11100 W. Fairview Ave. in 1962, according to Ada County property records.

“See you soon, all you Golden Wheel loving people out there!” the Facebook post promised.