‘Record-breaking’ California chain opens Meridian restaurant, 4 more planned. Boise’s next

You know what sounds better than a large pizza?

A “Mountain”-size pizza.

You can order one now, thanks to a growing California chain that just launched its first Idaho restaurant.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza opened Monday, Feb. 14, on busy, chain-jammed Eagle Road. It’s in the former Rumbi Island Grill spot in a strip mall at 3340 N. Eagle Road #104. This is the first of five Treasure Valley locations planned by Gem State Pies, a franchise group that signed a multi-unit deal.

“Mountain Mike’s is thrilled to introduce the brand’s signature experience of ‘Pizza the Way it Oughta Be!’ to Meridian locals,” according to a press release.

A mid-2022 launch in downtown Boise is the next target. (Where precisely? Unclear.) Gem State Pies expects four of the five planned Mountain Mike’s stores to open before the end of the year.

Founded in 1978 in Palo Alto, Mountain Mike’s is invested heavily on the West Coast. Headquartered in Newport Beach, the company is developing restaurants in eight states. Nearly 250 are open now. Mountain Mike’s hit a company milestone with a “record-breaking” 2021 in total system sales, according to a headline in restaurant publication QSR Magazine. The number was over $250 million, growth of 24 percent over 2020.

The family-style outfit is “known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas, and dough made fresh daily,” according to the release.

Meridian’s ‘best’

If you live in the Boise area, you know there’s no shortage of pizza joints here. Judging from its online menu, Mountain Mike’s isn’t overly concerned about competition. It’s already “serving up the best pizza in Meridian” — yes, boldfaced and italicized — “the same way Mountain Mike’s has done it since 1978.”

An ego size that matches that 20-inch pie? Gotta love it.

You can build your own pizza at Mountain Mike’s, or order prearranged pies. The price of a standard pepperoni ranges from $11.99 for a 10-inch, 10-slice small to $18.99 for a 14-inch, 14-slice large. Or climb that hunger peak with a 20-inch, 20-slice “Mountain”-sized pie for $30.99.

Expect to pay a bit more for specialty pizzas. For example, the Garlic Tuscan is $21.99 for a 14-inch, 14-slice large. It includes Louisiana hot sausage, salami, black olives, garlic, green onions and sun dried tomatoes on classic red sauce. (The “Mountain” size is $36.99.)

“We are proud to bring Mountain Mike’s Pizza to the great state of Idaho, and it’s not lost on us how clearly the values of Idaho residents overlap with the family and community-based pillars on which Mountain Mike’s was established,” Idaho resident Boris Ilic of Gem State Pies said in a prepared statement.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the community in for the unique dine-in experience only found at Mountain Mike’s, where families and friends of all ages can come together and make memories over some really fantastic pizza.”

‘Adventurous spirit’

Here’s more marketing magic, straight from Mountain Mike’s:

“The 2,500-square-foot Mountain Mike’s Pizza in Meridian features the same welcoming atmosphere the brand is known for and a design that pays tribute to the adventurous spirit within us all. With big-screen televisions throughout the restaurant, and a kids’ area with arcade games, the newest Mountain Mike’s is an ideal location for sports fans, team parties, family gatherings and group fundraising events alike.

“Mountain Mike’s makes delicious pizzas the way you remember – hand-made and with the freshest and finest ingredients. From its legendary crispy, curly pepperoni, 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese and a variety of fan-favorite specialty pizzas, Mountain Mike’s has something to satisfy every taste. Whether it’s dine-in, carryout or delivery, guests can always count on Mountain Mike’s to deliver on quality, freshness, flavor, and value. Orders may also be placed online or via the Mountain Rewards mobile app, as well as through any of the brand’s third-party delivery partners.”

Mountain Mike’s in Meridian is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Phone: (208) 488-4242. For additional information and to check out the menu, visit mountainmikespizza.com.

This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 4:00 AM.