‘SO GOOD’: Are these Boise’s ‘best sandwiches’? Taste for yourself at new restaurant

During its four-year existence, Lemon Tree Co. has won over downtown Boise by serving “artisan” sandwiches — “with a twist.”

You’ve heard of ham and cheese? This place does yam and cheese.

Taking its gourmet goodness to Harris Ranch, the imaginative shop launched its second Boise location Monday at 3724 S. Eckert Road. It’s sharing a spot already inhabited by The STIL, a local ice cream chain, leveraging the 1,500 square feet more efficiently.

Is East Boise now privy to the “best sandwiches in Idaho,” as Lemon Tree brags on its website?

All I can say is that I’m a fan. And I’m not alone. “SO GOOD,” are the first two all-caps review words you encounter on Yelp.

Kasey Allen, co-owner of The STIL, said Lemon Tree Co.’s innovative approach to sandwiches made joining forces at Harris Ranch a “win-win.”

“It’s kind of similar to our ice cream, right?” Allen explained. “We do unique, creative flavors, and they do unique, creative sandwiches and salads. It’s a perfect, symbiotic fit there.”

Now breakfast, too

Lemon Tree Co. offers a fresh “twist” at the Harris Ranch restaurant — weekend breakfast, served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Five sandwiches spearhead the early-day menu. (The original downtown location at 224 N. 10th St. is not doing breakfast.)

Jasson Parra, who owns Lemon Tree Co. with his wife, Mayra Ruiz, said they decided to test the breakfast waters because it seemed like a good fit in the neighborhood. Plus? “We really feel like our breakfast is really, really good,” he added.

Likely to be popular? The Bacon Sandwich ($8): applewood bacon, medium egg, white cheddar, garlic aioli and arugula on a local Gaston’s brioche bun. (You can order a veggie or vegan version, too.)

Parra is proudest of the Bronco Sandwich ($10): pastrami, medium egg, gruyere, grilled onions and garlic aioli served on a Gaston’s brioche bun. “It’s one we haven’t ever done before, so I’m pretty excited about that one.”

Oh, and that garlic aioli? House-made, of course. “All the sauces, peanut butters, jams — we make in-house,” Parra said. “The only two we don’t make is pesto and the whole grain mustard. But everything else, we make.”

Lemon Tree Co. roasts its own vegetables, too, he added.

Drooling at lunch

The regular menu at Harris Ranch includes 14 sandwiches. They’re served similarly to combos at the downtown restaurant. Size-wise, they’re about three-fourths of a full-size sandwich at the downtown location, Parra said, but they come with salad, beet salad, soup or a generous-sized bag of chips.

The obvious hit is sure to be the Turkey Boursin ($13): turkey, Boursin-style cheese (also house-made), cherry preserves, roasted garlic, greens and olive oil, served hot on local Acme Bakeshop ciabatta. It is a tasty turkey sandwich — in a classic, I-could-eat-that-every-day way.

But the one I’d eat every freakin’ minute? The Sausage & Pear ($12). So interesting. So delicious. Sweeter than you might suspect, thanks to fennel jam. The other ingredients: crumbled Italian sausage, pear, whipped goat cheese, toasted pecans, greens and pear vinaigrette — on hot, toasty ciabatta.

I seriously love that sandwich. “That is the bomb,” agreed Allen, owner of The STIL.

Hard-core carnivores might prefer The Peruvian ($13), which happens to be Parra’s fave (even if he eats the “lighter” Sausage and Pear more often): Genoa salami, ham, applewood bacon, sausage crumbles, Monterey Jack, Peruvian sauce and Fritos. Served hot on Acme ciabatta.

Come to think of it, I might rotate in The Peruvian every third or fourth time. And, yes, those crunchy Fritos are key.

Vegetarians and vegans? They like to go for the Mushroom and Artichoke “Cheesesteak” ($12): sautéed mushrooms, housemade Boursin-artichoke spread (dairy or non-dairy), red onion confit, red peppers and Monterey Jack cheese or vegan cheddar served hot on Acme ciabatta.

Wash any of the sandwiches down with one of Lemon Tree Co.’s specialty lemonades ($5). I’m a Prickly Pear guy, but be warned, it’s sweet.

Lemon Tree Co. at Harris Ranch is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The downtown store is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (and two hours later starting mid-March) Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Takeout and delivery is available.

By the way, Parra said, don’t be surprised if there are future changes — er, twists — at the newly opened location.

“We always let the community talk to us,” he said. “The hours could change. We could have breakfast every single day. You never know.”

This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 4:00 AM.