Hot off the grill: These new restaurants have opened in Boise and the Treasure Valley

Hungry for the latest dining news?

Pull up a chair and sharpen that knife and fork.

Here’s a guide to new restaurants that have opened in the Treasure Valley in 2022: From Boise to Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell and beyond.

This list is in loose reverse-chronological order — in other words, the latest news is at the top.

Got a news tip about a restaurant? Email mdeeds@idahostatesman.com.

Extreme Pizza

207 4th St., Melba

The third Idaho location for this California-based franchise chain, Extreme Pizza took over the former Owyhee BBQ building. It’s the small town’s first chain restaurant. Extreme Pizza’s menu includes creative, extreme sports-themed pizzas, along with sub sandwiches, calzones, salads and desserts.

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

3243 E. Village Drive, Meridian

6097 N. Ten Mile Road, Meridian

Already a significant player in Boise, the fast-casual chain doubled its fun in Meridian with two new stores. The first opened at The Village at Meridian in late March. The second, on Ten Mile Road, will follow in April.

Kyoto Japanese Restaurant

6002 W. Fairview Ave., Boise

After closing in early 2021, this long-running teppanyaki and sushi destination was purchased, remodeled and reopened in February by the owner of RiceWorks in Meridian and Kuna. In addition to steak and seafood prepared tableside by entertaining chefs, Kyoto also serves sushi — including many rolls from the restaurant’s prior owners’ menu. Some are only available on Kyoto’s secret menu.

El Faro Mexican Food

4628 W. State St., Boise

When Taqueria El Torito shuttered in 2021 after a half-decade run, northwest Boise residents were bummed. But another family-owned joint, El Faro Mexican Food, replaced it — and feels familiar, if even more no-frills. Like its predecessor, El Faro serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas and tortas. You order at the counter, then sit. In a few minutes, a staffer will bring your meal on a red plastic tray. This is unabashed paper-plate cuisine. Authentic, basic tacos ($2.99-$3.50) are served street-style: a helping of meat piled atop two small corn tortillas. You walk over to a utilitarian condiments bar to jazz up things yourself — with onion, cilantro, lime and several sauces.

Tin Roof Tacos

4865 E. Franklin Road, Nampa

Expanding west, Tin Roof Tacos opened its first Canyon County restaurant in March. It’s the third location for the steadily growing chain, which debuted in 2016 at 115 S. Broadway Ave. in Boise before expanding in 2018 to 1750 W. McMillan Road in Meridian.

Noodles & Company

1275 N. Happy Valley Road, Suite 105, Nampa

Opened March 9, this is the third Treasure Valley location — and first in Canyon County — for the fast-casual chain. Its menu of globally inspired noodle dishes also is available at 535 N. Milwaukee St. (near Boise Towne Square) and at 2274 N. Eagle Road, Suite 100 (The Village at Meridian).

Lemon Tree Co.

3724 S. Eckert Road, Boise

During its four-year existence, Lemon Tree Co. has won over downtown Boise by serving sandwiches “with a twist.” In February, Lemon Tree Co. took its gourmet goodness to a second location — Harris Ranch. It’s sharing a spot with The STIL, a local ice cream chain.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza

3340 N. Eagle Road, Suite 104, Meridian

Remember Rumbi Island Grill? It’s now a Mountain Mike’s. This is the first Idaho restaurant from the growing California pizza chain; five Treasure Valley locations are planned. Founded in 1978 in Palo Alto, Mountain Mike’s is invested heavily on the West Coast — but expanding out of state. The family-style chain is “known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas, and dough made fresh daily,” according to a media release.

Tango’s

46 E. Fairview Ave., Meridian

After 16 years, this popular, locally owned empanada mecca has expanded to Meridian. Serving “a taste of Argentina,” Tango’s offers “yummy pockets of love and churros and fries.” Since opening in 2006 at 701 N. Orchard St. in Boise, Tango’s has served Argentina-style empanadas and sub sandwiches to loyal customers. Empanadas are tasty pastry turnovers filled with vegetables, meat and cheese.

O’Crab Cajun Seafood and Bar

1749 S. Cole Road, Boise

This small but growing chain took over where McGrath’s Fish House had operated since 1998. Seafood boils are the focus. “Our menu features a wide selection of freshly imported seafood and Cajun dishes inspired by the style of cooking made famous in New Orleans,” O’Crab proclaims on its website.

Giggy D’s

505 S. Eagle Road, Meridian

A locally owned business, Giggy D’s replaced a franchise location of Beef O’Brady’s, which closed late last year. Like its predecessor, Giggy’s remains a sports bar and family grill that serves pub food. But it’s been freshened up. Oh, and despite the name, it has nothing to do with Quagmire of “Giggity!” fame on TV’s “Family Guy.”

Nara Ramen & Izakaya

7610 W. State St., Boise

Nara Ramen opened Christmas week of last year, specializing in the popular dish. It’s located in a spot that formerly held Good Burger. Nara Ramen is a new chain headquartered in Twin Falls. Its nearly dozen ramen choices range from shio ($10) and veggie ($12) to black garlic tonkotsu ($13) and the “highly recommended” spicy beef ($14).

This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 4:00 AM.